SCIENCE BLOG

Cicada Mania

By Jim Virkler | May 31, 2024

Newspapers and other media around the US recently have been filled with discussions of an exceptional insect—cicadas. Broods or groups of some cicadas are called periodical cicadas. Their unique life cycles occur only in…

In the Wake of Natural Disasters

By Jim Virkler | May 18, 2024

Media reports stress harmful outcomes of natural weather events and other powerful physical phenomena in our dynamic planetary environment. Many are related to the four fundamental forces by which our…

Earthquake Experience

By Jim Virkler | April 26, 2024

Earth is a dynamic planet. The term dynamic means powerful and energetic. Physical processes have molded our planet for eons. On April 5, 2024 a 4.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in New Jersey a few…

Post-eclipse Reverie

By Jim Virkler | April 13, 2024

Our country’s residents have experienced the highly anticipated 2024 total solar eclipse. Many observers of the long awaited event exuberantly pronounced it “life changing.” 31.6 million US residents live in…

Eagle Tales

By Jim Virkler | April 2, 2024

One of our past posts (5-14-21) dealt with many facts about eagles. Bald eagles are native only to the USA. The bald eagle has acquired a reputation of strength, persistence,…

Atmospheric Rivers and Climate Change

By Jim Virkler | March 14, 2024

The recent floods in California resulted from atmospheric rivers. Readers may review this method of planetary water distribution in our recent post:   https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2024/02/appearing-and-disappearing-lakes.html Atmospheric rivers have become a popular meteorological topic du jour. It…

Dominion Wisdom

By Jim Virkler | February 20, 2024

In the first chapter of Genesis the concept of God granting dominion to humanity in terms of creation care is an important topic. Genesis 1 is a narrative of divine creation activity.…

Appearing and Disappearing Lakes

By Jim Virkler | February 13, 2024

Earth’s lakes are temporary planetary features. In the experience of many Earth residents, lakes appear to be permanent features on our landscape. Who can forget memorable lake house family vacations…

Re-wind of Total Solar Eclipse

By Jim Virkler | January 31, 2024

In August 2017 I was privileged to fulfill a life-long bucket list goal of observing a total solar eclipse. The rare event took place a full day’s drive from our…

Planet Earth: Governed by Cycles

By Jim Virkler | January 17, 2024

Cycles are a defining characteristic of all living things. We introduce this post by reminding readers that there is no persuasive evidence that any type of life exists anywhere else in this enormous universe. Given the…