Hey 8th Graders! Thought you'd like to know about a few really cool things happening around now. Yes, it relates to Earth Science, but it's really cool! It's dorky but we're all secretly a bit dorky, so.

First, there will be a total lunar eclipse tonight and it will be a blood-red lunar eclipse. HOWEVER, it will be on the West Coast, if I read correctly, so it sucks for us.

BUT, don't fret. The Geminids meteor shower will peak around the 13/14 of December. It might be late at night, but it'll be amazing. It may also be hard to see because of the moon, but it'd be cool to check it out, if you can. I know I'm going to be up, trying to catch a glimpse of some "shooting stars!"

Have a great weekend!

Always,

Jessica Sun

Sources (check them out!):http://darkskydiary.wordpress.com/2011/01/04/meteor-showers-for-2011-2012-ones-to-watch/

http://space.brevardtimes.com/2011/12/best-viewing-areas-for-december-10-2011.html

Hi, my name is Jessica Sun. 

Just wanted to welcome everyone! It's been a while since I've posted, but I hope you all keep up with your assignments. XD

For anyone who's skeptical about Earth Science with Mr. Ullrich, let me tell you, love it now while you can. You may not appreciate it now, but next year, trust me, you will. I miss this class so much and I still remember many of the things we learned because Mr. Ullrich makes things fun and easy to understand. Don't take advantage of it! You might not enjoy the class now, but I'll bet you will one day look back and realize how awesome it was.

I have a lot of homework now, so see ya! And once again, welcome to Earth Science, class of 2011-2012. Enjoy!

Remember sombreros! (You'll only get that later on...)

~Jessica Sun

Wow, it's been a while! A long while. xD

So anyways, we just had our Weathering, Erosion, Deposition test (which was not very easy). I'm really glad it's over, but now we're starting review tests. Arggg. Wonder what we're learning next...obviously topic 11. =P

I'm going to try to post more often, but with everything I have (softball, Religion, dance, tutoring, extra help, homework, studying, life) it'll be hard. 

~Jess <3

What are tornadoes?

A tornado is a destructive force of nature. It is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. They are capable of creating tremendous destruction with wind speeds up to 250 mph or more.

How are they formed?

Thunderstorms in warm, moist air in advance of eastward-moving cold fronts can often cause tornadoes. These thunderstorms develop along a "dryline," which separates very warm, moist air to the east from hot, dry air to the west. These torando-producing thunderstorms may also form as the dryline moves east during the afternoon hours. Tornadoes can also occasionally accompany tropical storms and hurricanes that move over land.                                                                                      More specifically, this is how they form:                                                                                                            Before thunderstorms develop, a change in wind direction and an increase in wind speed with increasing height creates an invisible, horizontal spinning effects in the lower atmosphere. Rising air within the thunderstorm updraft tilts the rotating air from horizontal to vertical. An area of rotation, 2-6 miles wide, now extends through much of the storm. Most strong and violent torandoes form within this area of strong rotation. 

Where are tornadoes common in?

They are most commonly found along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, the Plains, and the WesternStates. however, they can form almost anywhere.

How violent can tornadoes get and how weak can they be?

Weak tornadoes, 69% of all tornadoes, last about 1-10+ minutes. They cause less than 5% of tornado deaths, and their wind speed is less than 110 mph.                                                                Strong tornadoes, 29% of all tornadoes, last 20+ minutes. They cause almost 30% of all tornado deaths, and their wind speed is 110-205 mph.                                                                                              Violent Tornadoes, 2% of all tornadoes, last an hour or more. They cause 70% of all tornado deaths, and their wind speed can be anything above 205 mph.

How can you tell when there will be a tornado?

You can listen to the radio and watch the news for any warnings. Also, look for dark, often greenish skies, a wall cloud, large hail, and a loud roar similar to a freight train.

Remember, tornadoes can occur almost anywhere so always have a family plan.

If you want to see some tornadoes on video, click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43VoMesUd2Q

Some pictures:

~Jess

Source: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/tornadoguide.html

There are many different types of energy in this beautiful world of ours. One of those is wind energy. Wind energy is mainly used to generate electricity, and it [wind] is a renewable energy source. Wind energy is really just energy from the wind. Wind is created when warm air over land expands and rises, while the heavy, cool air rushed to take it's place. (This is what happens during daytime. At night time it is the opposite.) This will always happen, so we will always have wind.

We can generate this wind energy using wind turbines. Wind turbines use blades to collect the wind's kinetic energy. The wind flows over the blades, which creates a lift (like airplane wings), and it causes it to turn. The blades are connect to a drive shaft which will turn an electric generator and produce electricity. 

Wind energy is used all around the world, although many countries don't use wind turbines to get the energy. In the US, about 1.3% of total electricity generation came from wind energy (in 2008). Here in the US, electricity generated by the wind has increased in the past few years. So it's not that common yet, but soon it will be. Especially since the cost is decreasing due to new technology, and because of tax breaks and green pricing programs.

Drawbacks/limitations:

1)It is very hard to find a good site to place wind power plants due to location (preferably rounded hills, open plains, shorelines, and mountain gaps) and because wind speed changes by season. (But on the bright side, the seasonal variations are a good match for electricity demands of the regions.)

2) They are large and make a loud noise, which people do not like. Also, with it being so large, many birds and bats are killed by the blades.

3) Making the metals and other materials for wind turbines and concrete for their foundations require energy, mainly through burning fossil fuels. (But, studies show that the amount of clean energy created is greater than the amount it takes to make and install them.)

Positive Aspects:

1) It is a renewable source of energy, so it will never have a limit.

2) They, the wind turbines, create a clean source of energy. Along with this, it has fewer environmental impacts than other energy sources. They also do not release emissions that pollute the air or water and do not require water to cool down.

3) They may reduce the amount of electricity generated from fossil fuels, therefore reducing the amount of air pollution, CO2 emissions, and water use of fossil fuel power plants.

4) Many wind projects, or wind farms, are located on farm, grazing, and forest land. The extra income allow farmers and ranchers to stay in business and keep their property from being developed for other uses.

Pictures:

.

Source: http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=wind_home-basics (Great site with lots of information, although I already mentioned most of it. *hint, hint* This contains some information we learned in class and that we might have to know. *hint, hint*)

~Jess 

Most of us think and have been taught that the universe was created millions of years ago after the Big Bang, right? Well, scientists, Roger Penrose and Vahe Gurzadyan, believe that the Big Bang was NOT the beginning. They say that the Big Bang was part of a series of "bangs." Basically, they think that the universe has had many births, as well as many deaths. Not many scientists are quick to agree, but the two scientists are trying to prove that their theory may be correct.

^(Big Bang)

Link to article: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/67173/title/FOR_KIDS_When_the_universe_began_..._again

Hi everyone! We are on winter break right now. Merry (Late) Christmas to those of you who celebrate! I had a great Christmas Eve with my godmother and her family. Christmas wasn't as awesome, but it was still good. I got some really awesome gifts. I hope you guys did too.

Happy (Almost) New Year's to everyone! I hope you guys all watch the ball drop. I know I probably will!

My family and I will probably be going skiing sometime this week (if I get better).

Happy Holidays!

~Jess

We had a HUGE Astronomy unit. We learned a lot about the Sun, seasons, Moon, planets, and our universe in general. My favorite part would have to be learning about stars. I've always loved looking at stars and I've wondered about finding constellations (we didn't really talk about constellations in class though).

It was great to learn about Astronomy and I was kind of glad we did. It was hard though and I will admit it. I spent a lot of extra time studying for this topic than I have in a while. It was an overall interesting unit.

~Jess

As we've been studying the solar system, I've realized how often the names of stars, moons, and even planets are in mythology (of all sorts).

 I decided to spend my free time looking up a few of them and I made a list:

 .Olympus Mon (Mount Olympus in Latin)

.Neptune

.Venus

.Earth

.Mars

.Jupiter

.Saturn

.Uranus

.Pluto

.Phobos

.Deimos

.Io

Europa

.Ganymede

.Callisto

.Thebe

.Metis

.Amalthea

.Himalia

.Elara

.Pasiphae

.Sinope

.Lysithea

.Carme

.Ananke

.Leda

.Adrastea

.Titan

.Rhea

.Iapetus

.Dione

.Tethys

.Enceladus

.Mimas

.Hyperion

.Prometheus

.Pandora

.Phoebe

.Janus

.Epimetheus

.Helene

.Telesto

.Calypso

.Atlas

.Pan

.Cordelia

.Ophelia

.Bianca

.Juliet

.Puck

.Miranda

.Ariel

.Titania

.Oberon

.Triton

.Nereid

.Naiad

.Thalassa

.Despina

.Larissa

.Proteus

.Galatea

.Charon

.Hydra

.Nix

I didn't really explain, but if you were curious most of these are related to Greek Mythology, but not all.

If you want more information on any of these, leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

~Jess <3