Lunar Eclipse

August, 2017 saw a total eclipse of the sun. Although not quite as show-stopping, 2018 has some gems in its line up too.  To kick off a new year of wonder and design tracking, be sure not to miss the total lunar eclipse in the early hours of Wednesday, January 31. It is also a super moon and a blue moon. It is easy to watch, requires no special eye protection, and has an off the charts wow factor.

There are at least two lunar eclipses each year.  This heavenly wonder event occurs when the moon's orbit takes it into the earth's shadow. As the moon slips into the earth's shadow, it takes on a reddish hue, giving it the creepy moniker of "blood moon." Due to predictable order and patterns in space, we know that two or three eclipses tend to occur within a short period of time.  A solar eclipse always happens two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse.

The only problem with the January 31 eclipse is that it begins in the Phoenix area at 3:51 a.m., so you will have to pry your warm bones out of bed to see it the earth's shadow begin to sweep across the moon. However, complete coverage will occur at 6:29 a.m. so take your breakfast outside and start your day with a magnificent wonder. Look to the north/northwest low on the horizon. If you do not live in Phoenix, check the eclipse map to see if the eclipse will be visible in your area. As expected and right on schedule, also watch for the partial solar eclipse on February 15, 2018.

Wonder Questions for Young Trackers

• What causes the light we see coming from the moon?  
• Why does the moon's appearance change each night?
• What causes the moon to look red during an eclipse?
• What do you think people a long time ago thought was happening when they watched  a lunar eclipse?
• Do you think animals notice the changes in the moon?
• Does a lunar eclipse help us or hurt humans in any way?
• What do you wonder about a lunar eclipse?

References and Resources
timeanddate.com - Total Lunar Eclipse

Image: Public Domain Pictures

Gold!

If you are brave enough to venture back into Arizona's wild and shady history, go no further than Vulture City, about 12 miles outside of Wickenburg. The Vulture mine and surrounding property has changed hands a couple of times and is currently being renovated in hopes of restoring it to within squinting distance of its original state.

The place is an eclectic museum of gold mining in the mid 1800s with buildings and original artifacts telling the story of desperate men clamoring after the southwest's king of rocks - cold, hard, glittering gold. Visitors see remnants of the actual tools and machinery used to collect and process gold. They can also sense the danger surrounding gold operations of that time as they behold the "hanging tree," which quickly dealt with those who attempted to steal the bright treasure.

It is believed that there is a lot of gold in the core of the earth. Over time, with seismic activity and the movement of molten liquids, it has been pushed to the surface of the earth's crust.  Along with other minerals like sulfer, it flowed into underground cracks and cavities, forming veins of ore as it cooled.  Natural processes of erosion carry specks or nuggets of gold into streams and rivers, and because it is one of the heaviest minerals, gold sinks to the bottom when panned.

Arizona has some of the most widespread gold deposits of any state in the US, as gold has been found in almost every county. Small prospecting ventures have been popular here with supposedly lots of gold yet to find. Even today, there is an active group of gold prospectors and pan handlers who track gold, particularly in washes, where gold flakes tend to appear.


Finding real gold takes effort, but other rocks that sparkle and shimmer are also fun to find, from mica to pyrite to hematite. Sparkling flakes of mica are common in rocks found in the desert. Pyrite is also called "fool's gold" due to its resemblance to the real thing. It is inexpensive and a must for any rock collection. Tracking interesting rocks and minerals often leads to learning about historical figures who also tracked wonders of our earth's crust.No matter where you live, the earth provides beautiful treasures underfoot, so be sure to take time to look down as you track wonder.

Wonder Questions for Young Trackers

• What causes rocks and minerals to sparkle?
• What is the difference between a rock and a mineral?
• Are some rocks harder than others? Can you easily scratch or break the rocks you find?
• Why do you think people get excited when they find gold? What is special about gold?
• What happens when you wet the rocks you have found? Do they look different?
• Can you find a rock that has sparkles in it?
• Why are some rocks jagged and some smooth?  

References and Resources

raregoldnuggets.com - The Best Mining in Arizona
factslides.com - Gold Facts
goldrushnuggets.com - How Does Gold Form?
UCSB Science Line - Ask a Question
American Museum of Natural History - Gold Facts
minerals.net - The Mineral Gold

Documentary
history.com - Gold Mining Documentary

Bonus: Trekking Opportunity Near Vulture City

On the road out to Vulture City, there is a wonderful hike up to Vulture Peak.  Watch for signs directing travelers into a parking lot.  It is rated as moderate, but does become more strenuous at the top. Be prepared to do some rock climbing to reach the very top. Not recommended for very young trackers.

alltrails.com - Vulture Peak Trail

Images - Sharon Pegany

Rocks that Talk

You've probably heard of nature preserves, mountain preserves and animal preserves, but did you know there are rock preserves?  Preserved rocks are not your average rock specimens, but rather special stones etched with images known as petroglyphs that once served as canvases for expressing and preserving ideas.  Due to the enduring properties of rock, these ancient works of art can still be found in arid regions all over the world, but can be easily missed if you haven't got your best tracking eyes wide open.

At first glance, petroglyphs appear to be rock paintings with a lighter medium brushed over a dark substrate.  In reality, light rock is hidden under a dark outer layer known as desert varnish.  The dark varnish is a combination of clay, dust, and other minerals cemented to the rock by bacteria as it slowly builds up on the lighter surface of volcanic and sedimentary rocks.  Desert varnish can be black, brown or reddish, depending on mineral content. Interestingly, scientists still do not understand exactly how it forms.


Ancient people pecked, scraped and pounded pictures into the hard surface, revealing the lighter colored rock just below the varnish.  After surviving thousands of years of weathering, we still have this cryptic symbol language dotting caves, hillsides and shorelines. They are truly treasures and cause us to wonder about the role of rocks in the past.

In the Phoenix area, one collection of over 1,500 petroglyphs can still be viewed undisturbed on the rocky hillside just south of the Adobe Dam at the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve. Visitors learn about the history of the area and the people who spent time there over the centuries, then proceed to the actual rock strewn hillside where dramatic images appear to glow from the jumble of huge basalt boulders. When you go, plan enough time to stand before the rocks from different angles and let your eyes adjust to the ancient language before you.

Wonder Questions

• Are all the rocks in the preserve the same color?  Do they have the same amount of shine?
• What makes these rocks good for creating pictures?
• What pictures do you see?
• What do you think they mean?
• Are some petroglyphs older than others?  How can you tell?
• Do you think the same person created all petroglyphs in this area? 
• If you could scratch a picture into desert varnish, what would you create?

References and Resources
Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve
National Park Service - Desert Varnish
Live Science - Mysterious Desert Varnish

Images - Sharon Pegany

Superstition Mountains

The southwest deserts are notorious for dramatic rock sculptures and it does not take trekkers long to wonder how such wild formations were formed. As it turns out, heat, water and wind have done their work over time, and continue to weather and shape the land today.

When most of us think of volcanoes, we imagine exotic places like Hawaii or the doomed ancient city of Pompeii. Rarely do we associate volcanic activity with the deserts, but much of Arizona was forged by volcanic activity.  Rising from the eastern edge of the Valley of the Sun stand the majestic rocky wonders known as Four Peaks Wilderness and the Superstition Mountains.

The Superstition Mountains are the remains of a volcanic caldera*, which is a bowl-like formation caused by a major collapse at the very heart of the molten volcano.  As the volcano emptied its contents outward, it created a huge underground cavity. As the weight above the cavity increased, it eventually collapsed back into the hollow cavity. The cooled remnant is what we see today.

Tracking wonder in the Superstitions is an awe-inspiring workout.  To think that you are climbing among the treasures of an old sunken "ship" is wondrous enough, but the unusual, time-weathered rocks provide instant objects of curiosity and wonder. Hoodoos and PBRs (precariously balanced rocks) line the canyons. How did they come to rest where they are, stacked up like a child's blocks just begging to be toppled?

There are many trails in the Superstitions. The Siphon Draw Trail is a popular, yet challenging trek. The trail is rocky and rugged, so wear sturdy hiking boots with good traction.  Cross the relatively flat area leading up to the mountain and into the draw. If you are able, climb as far as the smooth rock basin where water flows off the steep walls during rain. It makes a good destination for a picnic and provides good views of the rocky wonders above. Climbing beyond the basin is very strenuous and tricky, not recommended for inexperienced hikers.  While there, fire up your imagination with tales of the ancient geological and historical secrets contained in the steep walls. Descending in the light of a setting sun is magical, a wonder long remembered.

* In geographic terms, a caldera is a formation in which the outline of the volcanic collapse is presently visible.  Cauldron is the term given to a caldera whose borders are no longer seen.  Crater Lake in Oregon is actually a good example of a well defined caldera.

Wonder Questions

• How did the rock in the basin become so smooth?
• What colors do you see in the rock?
• Make up a story about the origin of the hoodoos.
• Why are the canyon walls so steep?
• When you study a rock, what elements and forces do you think can change it? Heat? Water? Wind? Pressure? 

References and Resources

Arizona State Parks
Arizona State Parks - Legend of the Lost Dutchman
Gemland - Caldera Complex
Science Daily - Caldera Formation

Images - Sharon Pegany

Arizona Rocks!

Say what you will about our dry, brown landscape, but no one can deny that where the Arizona desert falls short in lush foliage, we excel in rocks and minerals.  This is rock hound country.  I have been studying rocks since I was a wee little one, digging in the driveway gravel.  The desert is a treasure trove for people like me.  I can't say that I have found anything valuable, but I have picked up thousands of rocks in my life, turning them over in my hand, wondering and wondering some more.

Arizona is one region where the earth bares her bones - we can easily see the design that gives the land structure, plants a medium for running down roots and raw material with which we build and create.  It is home to the famous Grand Canyon and numerous mining towns.  Here, we easily see caverns, meteor craters and ancient landslides, massive boulders stacked up like a child's blocks and bright flashes of mineral glitter in common piles of dirt.

Clear and colored crystals formed by heat and pressure never cease to amaze us.  Some are so stunning that even a master jeweler could not compete with their wild beauty.  Geodes are spherical rocks that contain a hollow cavity.  What makes them such treasures to rock hounds is that crystal formations are often found inside, but only after the rather homely looking "rock" is cracked or sawed open.  They are formed in various ways, but at some point, minerals dissolved by the heat of a volcano or the water in sedimentary layers became trapped as an outer layer of rock cooled around them.

Most children are fascinated by interesting rocks and showy crystals.  This is the time of year to take advantage of all the rock hound events around the state or just examine common rocks found close to home.  The cooler temperatures are more conducive to searching landscapes for special rock and mineral treasures.  One of the most noteworthy destinations is the huge meet in Quartzsite. About 3,000 rock, mineral and gem vendors from all over descend on the little town during the first two months of the year.  All shows are free and the prices are notoriously cheap, especially when compared to other shows in the state.  It is a true rock hounder's paradise.  Children as well as adults marvel as the magnificent wonders found in the earth's dirty crust. 

Start the new year with a good strong dose of rock-hard wonder!  

References and Resources
Rock hounding
Burro Creek Recreational Area
Kartchner Caverns
Mineral Discovery Center

Desert USA - What is a geode?
geology.com - Geodes

Supermoon!

2018 began with a big, bright moon floating in a clear desert sky.  We regularly enjoy a soothing bath of moon glow over our open landscape, but every so often the moon appears larger and brighter, which is yet another reason to get outside and let the delicious sense of wonder kick in. On bright Supermoon nights, we like to walk out into the open desert, as far away from artificial light as possible.  The desert landscape takes on a cool, ethereal glow.  Sharp edges soften, hues darken, surface minerals shimmer, and the soft sounds of nature are more distinct. 

So what is the allure of a Supermoon or Super Full Moon? For starters the moon's orbit path is elliptical rather than circular, causing its distance from earth to vary as it makes its 30 day trek around our blue planet. During those times, full moons can appear 14% larger and a whopping 16% brighter than the average full moon.  Supermoons are also somewhat rare.  Although the term Supermoon is not an official astronomical term, it is an easily remembered one for an event that only happens 4-6 times a year and some of those Supermoons are new moons so they are not visible.

The most dramatic time to view a full moon is at moon rise.  As the moon peeks over the horizon, it appears even larger due to an optical illusion.  When this giant heavenly body is seen beside earthbound features such as mountains or buildings it looks larger in comparison. It is interesting to note that the moon rises about an hour later each night and into the morning. Challenge your family to a moon tracking contest and see who can spot the moon first each night. Try to guess where it will rise. Look for patterns. Paint or draw the moon phases. Study the surface of the moon through a telescope or binoculars. 

Wonder Questions:

• Does the moon always rise in the same place on the horizon?
• What causes the moon to change shape?  Why does it look like a sphere sometimes and a crescent at other times?
• Does the moon change plant or animal behavior? 
• Is it harmful to look at the moon? Why or why not?
• Does the moon have features that make it unique from other moons in the solar system?
• Where is the moon on moonless nights?
• What is a blue moon?  A red moon? 

References and Resources
timeanddate.com - What are Supermoons and When is the Next One?
The Telegraph - Full Moons in 2018

Dark Sky Tracking

As the Valley of the Sun has grown to a sprawling, sun-drenched metropolis, we are quietly losing our magnificent and unique dark skies.  The Grand Canyon state has been a magnet for professional and amateur astronomers for over a century, yet places in which to view the wonders of the universe with the naked eye are dwindling. City lights that shine 24/7 create what scientists call "light pollution" and can begin to obscure what lies above us. Light pollution also impacts wildlife, like migrating birds, as well as human health. The impact of artificial light is a very interesting study in itself.

There are still many places in Arizona where you can experience a truly black night sky.  The International Dark Sky Association based in Tucson provides a wealth of information about the benefits of our night skies, as well as lists of locations throughout the world where dark skies prevail. 

Oracle State Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Wupatki National Monument and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument are four designated "dark sky" parks in Arizona, and many towns strive to minimize unnecessary light. The area to the east of Phoenix and Scottsdale still offers some amazing sky gazing opportunities, especially during the new moon.

January 17, 2018 is the next new moon, meaning that it is on the same side of the earth as the sun so it won't be visible. New moon nights are the best nights to get out and search for constellations, planets and even galaxies. A good pair of binoculars help, but to start, just scan the sky for patterns and objects. Phone apps like Skyview, Night Sky, or Night Sky Tools can help you identify the constellations and names of the heavenly bodies. 

Enjoy tracking the moon and its phases throughout the month and be sure to calendar upcoming sky events. 

References and Resources
International Dark Sky Association
Arizona Republic - Where are the Darkest Places in Arizona?
timeanddate.com - Where is the Moon? (in real time)

Image - Public Domain Pictures

Geminid Meteor Shower

December 13 - I love any excuse to be in natural places in the dark of night.  It makes me feel so adventurous.  In north Scottsdale, we are blessed with a velvety black sky that is usually studded with thousands of stars.  A few weeks ago, we enjoyed a night walk under a super moon, but tonight the moon is hiding and it's a good thing too for tonight is the best bet for seeing the annual Geminid Meteor Shower. We decided to drive to the edge of the desert wilderness and search the sky for any flashes of light. We were not disappointed.  We saw about two dozen meteors during the 40 minutes we stood marveling at the sky.

Every December, earth cross the orbital path of a "rock comet" or asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which is the parent body for the Geminid meteors flashing past our planet. The term "Geminid" refers to the fact that these meteors appear to originate from the constellation Gemini (the twins), even though one has nothing to do with the other.  As a general rule, the higher the constellation Gemini climbs in the sky, the more the number and intensity of meteor sightings increases. 

If you missed the Geminid shower this year, it is an annual event and will occur next December once again on the 13th and 14th.  At the beginning of the new year, mark your calendar with major sky happenings found on sites like Sea Sky's Astronomy Calendar. There are also phone apps that send alerts or help you navigate the night sky. Viewing celestial events with your family or others can be a fun after dark activity.   Children love the excitement of being outside in the dark.  Sit under the stars with snacks and hot chocolate, as well as lots of cozy blankets. 

References and Resources

earthsky.org - Don't miss the Geminids in 2017!

space.com - Geminid Meteor Shower 2107

seasky.org - Astronomy Calendar 2018

Image: zyzixun.net

Night Sky Travelers

Another crisp December evening.  We joined our neighbors to attend an astronomy presentation under a classic Arizona star-studded sky.  We were treated to many fantastic views of the heavens through a celestron telescope.  Without visual assistance, we were also able to witness various satellites that appeared like fast moving stars, here and gone as they continued in their orbit.  According to our presenter, satellites and other space craft can be seen with the naked eye many times a night, depending on the situation.  

The perfect balance of gravity and inertia (forward momentum) is required for natural or man-made satellites to complete their orbits flawlessly.  Craft designers must adjust the speed of a satellite to "match" the curve of the earth. Imagine throwing a ball through the air. It gradually curves downward until it meets the ground.  Satellites also curve downward, but due to the curve of the earth, they don't crash.  The perfect amount of gravitational pull coupled with the speed of the object keeps it moving in a circular or elliptical path.

The same is true for planets and moons. The earth orbits the sun and the moon orbits the earth as each body moves due to a precise interplay of forces acting on one another. Amazingly, the design of the earth's orbit positions our beautiful planet not too close or too far to the sun, which would cause it to be too hot or cold for life.  Instead, all life on earth exists because of our perfect place in space. Seasons are caused by the tilt design of our earth and is another incredible concept to explore.

Objects orbiting in space are not easy for the average person to observe, but there are a few exceptions. One intriguing craft that is fairly easy to spot is the International Space Station (ISS). International Space Station orbits earth (and catches a sunrise) every 90 minutes as it races along at 5 miles per second! You can see where the Space Station is at any given moment and view the tracker to see where it was 90 minutes ago and where it will be in 90 minutes at the ESA site. Enter your location in Spot the Station and learn when and from what direction you can expect to see ISS move over your area.  There are people on board so be sure to wave!

References and Resources
Space Answers - Night Sky: How to catch the International Space Station
International Space Station
How Stuff Works - How do Satellites Orbit the Earth?
Northwestern - What Causes an Orbit?
Spot the Station - Scottsdale, Arizona
Astronomy Nights - Pinnacle Peak Park


Images: NASA - Public Domain

Hummingbird Power Nap

The December desert offers a few winter blooming surprises and two of them are in our back yard. This year, our agave filifera plant sent up an eight foot stalk and is now showing off row after row of magnificent blossoms. Where there are fresh blossoms, there are often hummingbirds slurping up the nectar through their grooved tongues. Our blooms quickly attracted a feisty Anna's Hummingbird, a year round resident of our area.

Hummingbirds are packed with mind blowing design. They are the only birds known to have the ability to fly forward, backward and hover. These tiny birds zip to and fro, finding food to feed their voracious appetites or courageously chasing off territorial intruders. Their little hearts beat 1,260 times per minute and their wings flap an astounding 40-50 times per second! They burn through so much energy that they are literally hours from death at any given moment. They need almost constant access to high energy nectar or insects to survive.

Many species of hummingbirds can live and feed in warm or cold weather, but even they need a well-earned time-out from their feeding frenzies. That's precisely when a tricky design stunt known as torpor comes in handy. Torpor is a short period of very deep sleep or "mini" hibernation. Unlike animals that hibernate for weeks or months, a hummingbird with a limited food supply can enjoy a period of deep sleep every day. The hummingbird can temporarily enter a state of torpor, a time in which the heart slows dramatically, and the bird can appear dead. Body temperature drops and only a fraction of its awake time energy is needed. 

Although it is fairly unusual, if you ever come across a lifeless hummingbird, be careful not to disturb it. It may just be in a state of torpor. You may want to research some of the hummingbird's other design features by setting up a feeder near a window where you can watch these amazing birds zip through the air, hover, perch and feed. Learn how to make Hummingbird food and keep the feeder clean and full. Another way to help the hummingbirds and enjoy watching them is to cultivate plants with nectar-rich blossoms in your yard. Arizona Sonora Museum offers a list of plants, as well as information about how to attract hummingbirds to your yard.

References and Resources

Cornell Lab or Ornithology - Anna's Hummingbirds

World of Hummingbirds - Hummingbird Sleep

Images - Public Domain Pictures and Sharon Pegany

Migrations

The desert is cooling off and with the coming of a mild winter, creatures are stirring and shifting once again.  This is a time of mass movement in the animal world.  All over the planet, animals are on the move, migrating to areas that are more suitable for survival or preparing for the next generation. Each species is designed in such a way that they have the necessary physical and mental "equipment" to embark on such journeys.

For instance, you have probably watched a flock of geese overhead as they line up in a perfect V formation.  Aside from the beautiful symmetry we see from below, how does this design serve the geese? As a bird flaps, rotating air currents swirl off the end of its wing.  That circular movement causes the air directly behind the bird to push down and the air behind and to the sides to lift up. The other birds in a flock are really good at finding the pockets of air that lift up.  It makes flying long distances easier.

The Sonoran Desert is a thoroughfare for many species of animal travelers, particularly birds.  Southeastern Arizona is a unique area because four diverse biomes intersect there.  Birds from all four biomes can be seen in this one little corner of the state.  Around Christmas time, the Audubon Society conducts its annual Christmas Bird Count.  Bird Trackers can participate to help document the bird species moving through a given area.

This year, celebrate bird design by starting a December family tradition.  Take a walk into a natural area and see how many birds you can count.  If you are able, determine how many different kinds of birds and if they are alone or in a flock.

Resources and References
Adventure Birding
The Great Backyard Bird Count - February 16-19, 2018
National Geographic - Birds in a V

Image - Public Domain Pictures

Silent Owl Wings

These beautiful birds move on silent wings. Try as we may, it is nearly impossible to hear the sound of an owl coming or going, so they often take us by surprise.

The secret to their stealthy movement lies in the design of their feathers. When air flows over a typical bird wing, turbulence is created, causing a rushing sound. Most bird feathers are stiff and rigid with almost pointy edges.  When air hits them, turbulence is created, causing sound.

Owl wing feathers have several ingenious designs that greatly reduce sound, especially when the wing tilts as the owl nears its prey. The leading edge of the owl's wing is covered with tiny comb-like structures that break up the incoming air into many micro pockets of turbulence. Those smaller gusts of air then flow over the owl's wing to the trailing edge which is made up of a soft fringe and separates or muffles sound even further.  Any remaining sound is absorbed by the downy feathers on the owl's legs and wings.

Owl wings are also larger and wider than the wings of most birds of prey, which gives them more lift so they don't have to flap as often.  Their large wings make them slower, but the combination of size and unique feather features create the perfect design for the nocturnal owl.

Check out these amazing videos which demonstrate the silence of owl flight when compared to other birds.
BBC - Super Powered Owls
KQED - See What Makes Owls So Quiet and So Deadly

Reference and Resources
Ask Nature

Nature

Image - Public Domain Pictures