Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024
by Bill Carroll Science in Space , Science of the Outdoors
On April 8th, 2024, a total solar eclipse will sweep across North America, from Mexico to the Maine-Canadian border. For those who experienced the spectacular solar eclipse of 2017, this one will be similar, crossing the United States from west to east and passing through or near several major metropolitan areas. And while its path is quite different this time, Carbondale, Illinois, a reasonable destination for Chicago-area residents, will once again be on the line of totality.
Just a little background on eclipses: Lunar and solar eclipses are not uncommon – they each occur about twice a year when the moon is crossing the ecliptic, the path of the sun in the sky.
How Climate Change Fuels the Spread of Mosquito-Borne Diseases
by Elizabeth Walsh Science of the Outdoors
With July of this year, 2023, being the hottest on Earth yet recorded, there are increasing concerns about how climate […]
Shedding Light on Lampenflora
by Roo Weed Science of the Outdoors
Deep inside Belize’s Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave, I discovered a pallid seedling on the bank of a subterranean river. […]
How Climate Change Affects Our Forests
by Collin Schreur Science of the Outdoors
You may remember from science class that plants take up water and carbon dioxide during photosynthesis to make glucose for […]
Aquatic Invaders Threaten the Great Lakes
by Collin Schreur Science of the Outdoors
If you live near the Great Lakes, there is a good chance you’ve heard of the fish menace known as […]
Road Trip for Soil: Examining How Bacteria Influence Locoweed Distributions
by Matthew Scott Science of the Outdoors
Have you ever been on a road trip and noticed a new type of tree appear outside your car window, […]
The Monarch Butterfly Population is in Decline – But You Can Help!
by Erika Hasle , Izabella Redlinski Science of the Outdoors
There is a psychological phenomenon that makes it difficult for humans to notice slow changes. Our brains adjust to the […]
The Urban Water Cycle Needs an Energy Overhaul
by Kristen Witte Science of the Outdoors
It starts two and half miles offshore (1,2). Five cylindrical stone structures called “cribs” gulp water from the vast expanse […]
The Push: Human Migration and Mosquito-Borne Disease
by Kristen Witte Science of the Outdoors
By 1985, it was too late. Researchers detected a type of mosquito called Aedes albopictus, native to Southeast Asia, in […]
Soiling our Soil: Soil Erosion and Its Impacts
by Erin Hourihan Science of the Outdoors
What do the foundation under your house, the salad you ate for lunch and the plants at your favorite park […]
Want to Protect the Environment? Keep Your Cat Indoors
by Ben Marcus Science Around the House , Science of the Outdoors
Our environment is facing a crisis. No, I’m not talking about the runaway carbon emissions that are ruining our climate. […]
Playing Nice with Fungi: Using Crops to Build Healthy Soil
by Lucas Chamberlain Science Below the Surface , Science of the Outdoors
Soils have a PR problem. Think about it: Does dirt excite you? Are you energized by earth? For many of […]
Who Cares About Climate Change Anyway?
by Alyssa Gilbert Science of the Outdoors
You might be worried about the future of our planet. It may seem like there is no good news about […]
Frog Toxins + Community = New Strategy to Curb Rampant Opioid Epidemic?
by Laura Swain Science of the Outdoors , Science Within Us
In the opening scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones makes a narrow escape through dense jungle while […]
Can Plants Learn? Here’s Some Evidence
by Ege Yalcindag Science Around the House , Science of the Outdoors
When I was in fifth grade, I took care of a light pink flower that sat by the windowsill in […]
The Dangers of Dog Breeding
by Ben Marcus Science of the Outdoors , Science Within Us
Which dog breed is the strongest and healthiest of them all? Is it the Border Collie, with its elegant coat […]
Blue Sky at Night, Martian’s Delight: The Atmosphere of Mars
by Mary Woods Science in Space , Science of the Outdoors
Imagine you’re standing on the rocky, rust-pink surface of Mars. You’ve just finished a hard day’s work helping to build […]
The Art and Science of Sound in The Sea
by Lindsay Olson People in Science , Science of the Outdoors
On a muggy day in June of 2018, after two and a half weeks at sea, the Research Vessel Endeavor’s […]
A Day in the Life of a Garbage Scientist
by Lauren Wisbrock People in Science , Science Around the House , Science Below the Surface , Science of the Outdoors
As I stood, gazing intently down near my feet, I felt the water flow past my knees. Even with my […]
The Science of Prairie Burning
by Dana Simmons Science of the Outdoors
Fire is one of the most destructive forces that can wreak havoc on our communities. Forest fires and house fires […]
On a Small Island in Indonesia: The Last Dragons on Earth
by Ben Marcus Science of the Outdoors
Halfway across the Earth, nestled deep within the Indonesian archipelago, lie two small, tropical islands unlike any others on the […]
Piping Plovers: Conservation in Action
by Erica Dix Science of the Outdoors
You may have heard that some little birds, the Piping Plovers, are making big waves at Montrose Beach this summer […]
Liquid Rocks and Where to Find Them
by Dana Simmons Science Below the Surface , Science of the Outdoors
Summer in Illinois can feel unbearably hot, but how hot is that exactly? At 80ºF, Illinoisans can be found enjoying […]
Be a Superhero with Biomimicry
by Dana Simmons Science of the Outdoors , The "TEM" of STEM
Have you ever wanted to build a suit that gives you superhuman capabilities? What would you do if you could […]
