The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a massive collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. It contains approximately 80,000 tons of plastic, covering an area roughly twice the size of Texas. The patch formed as ocean currents called gyres collected floating trash in one area. Most of the debris consists of microplastics - tiny pieces less than 5mm in size that have broken down from larger items. Scientists estimate that 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic currently float in the patch.
"The first time I saw the garbage patch, I cried. You can't see most of it from the surface - it's not like a floating island of trash. It's more like a soup of tiny plastic pieces. We pulled up a net sample, and it was filled with colorful bits of plastic mixed with plankton. The saddest part? We found plastic in 90% of the fish we examined. These fish think they're eating food, but they're eating our trash. I volunteer because every piece we remove is one less piece that could end up inside a sea turtle or whale."
On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered aircraft at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The flight lasted just 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. The brothers made four flights that day, with the longest lasting 59 seconds and covering 852 feet. Their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, had a wingspan of 40 feet and weighed approximately 605 pounds. The brothers chose Kitty Hawk for its consistent winds and soft, sandy landing surface.
December 17, 1903. Dear Father, Success! We made four flights today. The machine lifted from the ground and flew through the air under its own power. The first flight was mine - only twelve seconds, but oh what a feeling! When I felt the machine leave the ground, my heart nearly stopped. We have been working toward this moment for four years. Wilbur's final flight covered over 800 feet before a gust of wind damaged the machine. We are the happiest men in the world tonight. Your devoted son, Orville.
Honeybee populations are recovering after years of decline, according to a new study. Beekeepers reported losing 37% of their colonies last year, down from 45% in 2019. Scientists credit several factors: restrictions on certain pesticides, more wildflower habitat, and better beekeeper practices. However, experts warn that bees still face significant threats from parasites, disease, and climate change.
Honeybees pollinate approximately $15 billion worth of U.S. crops annually, including almonds, apples, and blueberries. A single bee can visit 5,000 flowers in one day. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), first identified in 2006, causes worker bees to abandon their hives. Researchers have identified multiple possible causes of CCD: Varroa mites, viral infections, pesticide exposure, poor nutrition, and stress from being transported for commercial pollination.