On July 12, 2022, NASA released the first images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope, our lens into the deepest visible regions of space. Fred R. Barnard, who coined the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words”, was never able to consider the massive scale of the universe as he lived during the time before Pluto’s discovery. Needless …
A short hike with great views: Mount Van Cott, Salt Lake City
My sister drove from Florida to Utah with me then stayed on a few days while I settled into my new home. Hiking and a visit to Ruby Snap Cookies were top priories while she was here. Looking for a short route near the city, low enough to be clear of snow; we opted for Mount Van Cott, a 6,348-foot …
MIRI, the Mid-Infrared Instrument
Since its launch in late 2021, scientists, astronomers, and space enthusiasts anticipate the results gathered by the James Webb Space Telescope, its advanced technology promising to unravel some of the greatest cosmic mysteries. An armament of the most advanced scientific instruments ever assembled rests onboard the JWST, concluding a deployment stage that lasted several months, in preparation to begin …
5000 Exoplanets and Counting
Dubbed a Cosmic Milestone, on March 21 NASA’s planetary odometer confirmed the discovery of 5000 exoplanets existing outside of our solar system. While a significant marker, astronomers believe that the Milky Way Galaxy holds an abundance of additional new, undiscovered worlds, some estimates ranging in the hundreds of billions. From Rocky Worlds and Ocean Planets, to Super Jupiters and Super …
The JWST Orbits the Earth
Did you know that Utah has one of the highest concentration of International Dark-Sky Association-certified locations in the world? Our own backyard sports some of the finest locations to stargaze and view meteor showers, and it’s never been a better time to obsess over Outer Space. The Year is 2022, and mankind’s greatest achievement in astrophysics technology orbits the earth, …
Think you’re leaving no trace? Here’s something you might have missed
When backpacking in alpine environments, or anywhere for that matter, I’m a stickler for following Leave No Trace principles. Let me rephrase that, I’m a pain in the bottom about it. Yet until recently, I didn’t realize I was inadvertently violating one of those principles – Leave What You Find. I’ll explain. There is a statement under that subhead that …
FlipBelt Hydration Belt Review
Heaving myself through the living room window, I prayed the neighbors wouldn’t call the police… My keys were laying somewhere in the city park after falling out of a running belt that didn’t have a key clip. Not a successful end to a short run. “Such are the hazards of gear testing,” I mused. I also promised to return …
From farm to my table: Sun Basket (really) delivered
Whoa! This is one product review I’d like to volunteer to do over and over. Sun Basket was that good! That it included food delivered to my door…score! Eating healthy is an integral part of a comprehensive fitness plan, yet it is often the most challenging – especially when the week gets busy. The holidays were chaotic for us this …
Keeping it real: 10 images of Burning Man 2015
For one week per year, an ancient lake-bed filled with alkali dust becomes the third largest city in Nevada. When it’s over, not a speck of debris can be found. It’s the largest Leave No Trace project in the world. Nearly 70,000 people, rich and poor, young and old, straight and gay, heavy and slim, make the journey to the …