http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/rss/planetdiary.xml Listing of the fifteen newest Planet Diary articles. en-us Copyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson Prentice Hall. All rights reserved. Mon, 12 May 2008 21:04:33 EST Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:00 EST A massive electrical storm is zapping Saturn's atmosphere with lightning bolts 10,000 times stronger than any ever seen on Earth. Space, Astronomy http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/astr1051208.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/astr1051208.html Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:00 EST You might guess the crisp air in the Arctic is crystal clear and pollution-free. In fact, skies over the Arctic are usually covered in haze. Acting like a vast global lint trap, the Arctic collects pollution originating on continents far away. Global, Atmosphere http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/atmo1051208.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/atmo1051208.html Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:00 EST Earlier this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains off the endangered species list. It turned over control of the animals to the states of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana for the first time since the mid-1970s. North America, Fauna http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/faun2051208.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/faun2051208.html Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:00 EST A new study published by the Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities says there's a 99.7 percent chance there will be a magnitude 6.7 or bigger earthquake somewhere in the state over the next thirty years. In other words, it's just about certain to happen. North America, Earthquake http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/eart1051208.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/eart1051208.html Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:00 EST A toxic farm pesticide called carbofuran is getting the blame for hippopotamus deaths in Kenya. Tiny amounts of the chemical were found in the remains of five hippos at Maasai Mara Game Preserve. The chemical also left four lions paralyzed after they devoured hippo meat. Africa, Fauna http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/faun1051208.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/faun1051208.html Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:00 EST The level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere keeps rising at an alarming rate. The concentration of carbon dioxide rose by 2.4 parts per million last year, according to a new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) report. Global, Atmosphere http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/atmo2051208.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/atmo2051208.html Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:00 EST Chile's Chaiten volcano spewed hot lava and thick clouds of ash that rose high above the Andes Mountains. The ash showered down on nearby towns, forcing about 8,000 people to flee from their homes. South America, Volcano http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/volc1051208.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/volc1051208.html Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:00 EST Measles is on the rise again in the United States. So far this year, there have been more than seventy cases of the highly contagious disease. That's the most in six years. North America, Health http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/heal1051208.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/heal1051208.html Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:00 EST Fierce Category 4 Tropical Cyclone Nargis blasted the coast of Myanmar (Burma) over the weekend packing winds of over 130 mph (200 km/h). The deadly storm triggered widespread floods in low-lying areas, leaving a trail of destruction. Asia, Hurricane/Cyclone/Typhoon http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/hurr1051208.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/hurr1051208.html Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:00 EST An outbreak of a deadly virus has infected nearly 12,000 children in China. Anhui Province in eastern China has been hit the hardest. Outbreaks are also reported in Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces. At least twenty-four children died from the virus. Asia, Health http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/heal2051208.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/heal2051208.html Mon, 05 May 2008 09:00:00 EST Everyone knows about Saturn's famous rings. Astronomers say the planet's moon Rhea could have its very own ring as well. The Cassini spacecraft found clues of a ring around Saturn's second biggest moon on its flyby in 2005. If the ring is confirmed, Rhea will be the first ringed moon found in the solar system. Space, Astronomy http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/astr1050508.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/astr1050508.html Mon, 05 May 2008 09:00:00 EST Nevadans living in Reno and towns near it are feeling a bit jumpy these days, with good reason. Since the end of February, the area's been hit by more than 1,000 earthquakes. North America, Earthquake http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/eart1050508.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/eart1050508.html Mon, 05 May 2008 09:00:00 EST The death toll from meningitis keeps climbing in Burkina Faso. The disease has killed over 800 people in the nation this year. More than 8,000 others are infected, according to the nation's health minister. Africa, Health http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/heal1050508.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/heal1050508.html Mon, 05 May 2008 09:00:00 EST Researchers say they've discovered the planet's oldest living tree in the mountains of Dalama in Sweden. It's an ancient spruce estimated to be 9,550 years old. Until now, the 5000-year old Methuselah tree in Southern California was crowned the oldest. Europe, Flora http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/flor1050508.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/flor1050508.html Mon, 05 May 2008 09:00:00 EST While volcanoes on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula are keeping busy, pilots flying over the area are keeping alert. The eruptions continue belching huge columns of dark ash which can clog jet engines and cause them to stall. Asia, Volcano http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/volc1050508.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive08/volc1050508.html