The Wind and What it Can Do
Written and compiled by Fred Jaicks There are many different types of wind, light breezes, big gusts and tornado force winds are all part of this phenomenon and play an important role in our environment. Wind is formed when the atmospheric gases in the earth shift within the...
Tools and Resources for Sun Calculations and Observations
Written and compiled by Fred Jaicks Astronomical Terms USNO: Rise, set and twilight definitions by U.S. Naval Observations. International Comet Quarterly: Definitions and explanations of comet and astronomical terms. NOVAC: Glossary of terms used by the Northern Virginia...
Under the Umbrella of Alternative Energy: A Guide to Photovoltaics
Written and compiled by Fred Jaicks Photovoltaics involves the conversion of solar radiation into electricity by using semiconductors that produce a photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic energy employs solar panels made of photovoltaic materials, such as silicons, cadmium and...
Tree Knowledge Self-Test
Written and compiled by Fred Jaicks Learn more about trees, or test your knowledge of trees by taking a self-test. Finding out more about the trees, and what they have to offer is something that will better your knowledge. Keep hints and tricks in your mind for every tree. You...
Vancouver Botanical Garden
Written and compiled by Fred Jaicks. The Sun: Introduction The sun is a star at the center of the solar system around which all local planets orbit. It is made mainly of the gasses hydrogen and helium, with hydrogen taking up about 70% of its mass and helium 28%. A sphere about 864,000...
Want a Garden On Your Patio? Here’s How!
Written and compiled by Fred Jaicks Want a Garden On Your Patio? Here’s How!Many gardeners find that using containers to grow their plants is preferable over planting a garden in the ground. Containers can be grown where traditional gardens are not possible, including patios,...
Weather Science Experiments for Students
Written and compiled by Fred Jaicks Science fairs can be fun and a great way to show off what you have learned in school. With so many different subjects covered in science class, it can be tough to choose which topic to present on. Weather and meteorology are very broad...
What is a Tsunami?
Written and compiled by Fred Jaicks Scientific Explanation of a Tsunami Tsunami is a Japanese word that translates into English as “harbor wave”. However, a tsunami is not just one wave, but is a series of waves, sometimes referred to as a “wave train”. A tsunami is formed in a...
Weather Works: Wind
Written and compiled by Fred Jaicks The word wind can refer to a gentle breeze or it can conjure up an image of an unruly gust overturning umbrellas or a disastrous tornadodemolishing everything in its path. But what you don’t see the wind do is provide an economical and...