for curious minds!

[herpsandbirds]

Rose Myrtle Lappet Moth (Trabala vishnou), family Lasiocampidae, Johor, Malaysia

photograph by Varun Thangamani

[zegalba]

The tallest mountain in the solar system, Olympus Mons on Mars. It has a height of 25 km, Mount Everest is 'only' 8.8 km tall.

[foone]

Olympus Mons is wild. It's gigantic, but it's so gentle a slope that you could drive up to the peak.

It's so big because it's a shield volcano: there's a hotspot under it where magma is pushing up.

But since Mars has no active tectonics, that hot spot has been under the same spot for hundreds of millions of years. On earth, the tectonic plates would have slowly shifted over that time, and it would have become a mountain range, not one big mountain. On a dead planet like Mars, it just slowly builds up every time it erupts, so it's the biggest mountain in the solar system.

And it probably hasn't stopped growing! The most recent eruption is estimated at 2 million years ago, but geologically that's recent enough that it might still be active, and may erupt again someday.

[trashpandaart3000]

Yareta (Azorella compacta) in Bolivia (elevation of 14,000 ft.).

This may look like a moss, but it isnt! This is a broad-leafed plant in the carrot family, Apiaceae.

These plants can grow to bve over 3000 years old. This large specimen may be over 1000 years old.

photographs by Mark Dwyer

[thinkoften]

Ancient Egyptian Rulers

Dynasty 3    ca. 2649–2575 B.C.    

Zanakht : ca. 2649–2630 B.C.

Djoser : ca. 2630–2611 B.C.

Sekhemkhet : ca. 2611–2605 B.C.

Khaba : ca. 2605–2599 B.C.

Huni : ca. 2599–2575 B.C.

Dynasty 4    ca. 2575–2465 B.C.    

Snefru : ca. 2575–2551 B.C.

Khufu : ca. 2551–2528 B.C.

Djedefre : ca. 2528–2520 B.C.

Khafre : ca. 2520–2494 B.C.

Nebka II : ca. 2494–2490 B.C.

Menkaure : ca. 2490–2472 B.C.

Shepseskaf : ca. 2472–2467 B.C.

Thamphthis : ca. 2467–2465 B.C.

Dynasty 5    ca. 2465–2323 B.C.    

Userkaf : ca. 2465–2458 B.C.

Sahure : ca. 2458–2446 B.C.

Neferirkare : ca. 2446–2438 B.C.

Shepseskare : ca. 2438–2431 B.C.

Neferefre : ca. 2431–2420 B.C.

Niuserre : ca. 2420–2389 B.C.

Menkauhor : ca. 2389–2381 B.C.

Isesi : ca. 2381–2353 B.C.

Unis  : ca. 2353–2323 B.C.

Dynasty 6    ca. 2323–2150 B.C.    

Teti : ca. 2323–2291 B.C.

Userkare : ca. 2291–2289 B.C.

Pepi I : ca. 2289–2255 B.C.

Merenre I : ca. 2255–2246 B.C.

Pepi II : ca. 2246–2152 B.C.

Merenre II : ca. 2152–2152 B.C.

Netjerkare Siptah : ca. 2152–2150 B.C.

First Intermediate Period : ca. 2150–2030 B.C.    

Dynasty 8–Dynasty 10    ca. 2150–2030 B.C.    

Dynasty 11 (first half)    

Mentuhotep I : ca. 2124–2120 B.C.

Intef I : ca. 2120–2108 B.C.

Intef II : ca. 2108–2059 B.C.

Intef III : ca. 2059–2051 B.C.

Mentuhotep II : ca. 2051–2030 B.C.

Middle Kingdom : ca. 2030–1640 B.C.    

Dynasty 11 (second half)    ca. 2030–1981 B.C.    

Mentuhotep II (cont.)  : ca. 2030–2000 B.C.

Mentuhotep III : ca. 2000–1988 B.C.

Qakare Intef : ca. 1985 B.C.

Sekhentibre : ca. 1985 B.C.

Menekhkare : ca. 1985 B.C.

Mentuhotep IV : ca. 1988–1981 B.C.

Dynasty 12  ca. 1981–1802 B.C.    

Amenemhat I : ca. 1981–1952 B.C.

Senwosret I : ca. 1961–1917 B.C.

Amenemhat II : ca. 1919–1885 B.C.

Senwosret II : ca. 1887–1878 B.C.

Senwosret III : ca. 1878–1840 B.C.

Amenemhat III : ca. 1859–1813 B.C.

Amenemhat IV : ca. 1814–1805 B.C.

Nefrusobek : ca. 1805–1802 B.C.

Dynasty 13    ca. 1802–1640 B.C.    

Second Intermediate Period  :  ca. 1640–1540 B.C.    

Dynasty 14–Dynasty 16    ca. 1640–1635 B.C.    

Dynasty 17  ca. 1635–1550 B.C.    

Tao I  : ca. 1560 B.C.

Tao II : ca. 1560 B.C.

Kamose : ca. 1552–1550 B.C.

New Kingdom :   ca. 1550–1070 B.C.    

Dynasty 18  :  ca. 1550–1295 B.C.    

Ahmose : ca. 1550–1525 B.C.

Amenhotep I : ca. 1525–1504 B.C.

Thutmose I : ca. 1504–1492 B.C.

Thutmose II : ca. 1492–1479 B.C.

Thutmose III : ca. 1479–1425 B.C.

Hatshepsut (as regent) : ca. 1479–1473 B.C.

Hatshepsut : ca. 1473–1458 B.C.

Amenhotep II : ca. 1427–1400 B.C.

Thutmose IV : ca. 1400–1390 B.C.

Amenhotep III : ca. 1390–1352 B.C.

Amenhotep IV : ca. 1353–1349 B.C.

Akhenaten : ca. 1349–1336 B.C.

Neferneferuaton : ca. 1338–1336 B.C.

Smenkhkare : ca. 1336 B.C.

Tutankhamun : ca. 1336–1327 B.C.

Aya : ca. 1327–1323 B.C.

Haremhab : ca. 1323–1295 B.C.

Dynasty 19   : ca. 1295–1186 B.C.   

Ramesses I : ca. 1295–1294 B.C.

Seti I : ca. 1294–1279 B.C.

Ramesses II : ca. 1279–1213 B.C.

Merneptah : ca. 1213–1203 B.C.

Amenmesse : ca. 1203–1200 B.C.

Seti II : ca. 1200–1194 B.C.

Siptah : ca. 1194–1188 B.C.

Tawosret : ca. 1188–1186 B.C.

Dynasty 20 :   ca. 1186–1070 B.C.    

Sethnakht  : ca. 1186–1184 B.C.

Ramesses III : ca. 1184–1153 B.C.

Ramesses IV : ca. 1153–1147 B.C.

Ramesses V : ca. 1147–1143 B.C.

Ramesses VI : ca. 1143–1136 B.C.

Ramesses VII : ca. 1136–1129 B.C.

Ramesses VIII : ca. 1129–1126 B.C.

Ramesses IX : ca. 1126–1108 B.C.

Ramesses X : ca. 1108–1099 B.C.

Ramesses XI : ca. 1099–1070 B.C.

Hight Priests (HP) of Amun : ca. 1080–1070 B.C.    

HP Herihor : ca. 1080–1074 B.C.

HP Paiankh : ca. 1074–1070 B.C.

Third Intermediate Period  ca. 1070–713 B.C.    

Dynasty 21    ca. 1070–945 B.C.    

Smendes : ca. 1070–1044 B.C.

HP Painedjem I : ca. 1070–1032 B.C.

HP Masaharta : ca. 1054–1046 B.C.

HP Djedkhonsefankh : ca. 1046–1045 B.C.

HP Menkheperre  : ca. 1045–992 B.C.

Amenemnisu : ca. 1044–1040 B.C.

Psusennes I : ca. 1040–992 B.C.

Amenemope : ca. 993–984 B.C.

HP Smendes : ca. 992–990 B.C.

HP Painedjem II : ca. 990–969 B.C.

Osochor : ca. 984–978 B.C.

Siamun : ca. 978–959 B.C.

HP Psusennes : ca. 969–959 B.C.

Psusennes II : ca. 959–945 B.C.

Dynasty 22 (Libyan)    ca. 945–712 B.C.    

Sheshonq I : ca. 945–924 B.C.

Osorkon I  : ca. 924–889 B.C.

Sheshonq II : ca. 890 B.C.

Takelot I : ca. 889–874 B.C.

Osorkon II : ca. 874–850 B.C.

Harsiese : ca. 865 B.C.

Takelot II : ca. 850–825 B.C.

Sheshonq III : ca. 825–773 B.C.

Pami : ca. 773–767 B.C.

Sheshonq V : ca. 767–730 B.C.

Osorkon IV : ca. 730–712 B.C.

Dynasty 23    ca. 818–713 B.C.    

Pedubaste I : ca. 818–793 B.C.

Iuput I : ca. 800 B.C.

Sheshonq IV : ca. 793–787 B.C.

Osorkon III : ca. 787–759 B.C.

Takelot III : ca. 764–757 B.C.

Rudamun : ca. 757–754 B.C.

Iuput II : ca. 754–712 B.C.

Peftjaubast : ca. 740–725 B.C.

Namlot : ca. 740 B.C.

Thutemhat : ca. 720 B.C.

Dynasty 24    ca. 724–712 B.C.    

Tefnakht : ca. 724–717 B.C.

Bakenrenef : ca. 717–712 B.C.

Late Period  : ca. 712–332 B.C.    

Dynasty 25 (Nubian)    ca. 712–664 B.C.    

Piye (establishes Nubian Dynasty in Egypt) : ca. 743–712 B.C.

Shabaqo : ca. 712–698 B.C.

Shebitqo : ca. 698–690 B.C.

Taharqo (loses control of Lower Egypt) : ca. 690–664 B.C.

Tanutamani (loses control of Upper Egypt) : ca. 664–653 B.C.

Dynasty 26 (Saite)    688–525 B.C.    

Nikauba : 688–672 B.C.

Necho I : 672–664 B.C.

Psamtik I : 664–610 B.C.

Necho II : 610–595 B.C.

Psamtik II : 595–589 B.C.

Apries : 589–570 B.C.

Amasis : 570–526 B.C.

Psamtik III : 526–525 B.C.

Dynasty 27 (Persian)   525–404 B.C.    

Cambyses : 525–522 B.C.

Darius I : 521–486 B.C.

Xerxes I : 486–466 B.C.

Artaxerxes I : 465–424 B.C.

Darius II : 424–404 B.C.

Dynasty 28    522–399 B.C.    

Pedubaste III : 522–520 B.C.

Psamtik IV : ca. 470 B.C.

Inaros  : ca. 460 B.C.

Amyrtaios I : ca. 460 B.C.

Thannyros : ca. 445 B.C.

Pausiris : ca. 445 B.C.

Psamtik V : ca. 445 B.C.

Psamtik VI : ca. 400 B.C.

Amyrtaios II : 404–399 B.C.

Dynasty 29    399–380 B.C.    

Nepherites I: 399–393 B.C.

Psammuthis : 393 B.C.

Achoris : 393–380 B.C.

Nepherites II : 380 B.C.

Dynasty 30    380–343 B.C.    

Nectanebo I : 380–362 B.C.

Teos : 365–360 B.C.

Nectanebo II : 360–343 B.C.

Persians : 343–332 B.C.

Khabebesh : 343–332 B.C.

Artaxerxes III Ochus : 343–338 B.C.

Arses : 338–336 B.C.

Darius III Codoman : 335–332 B.C.

Macedonian Period    332–304 B.C.    

Alexander the Great : 332–323 B.C.

Philip Arrhidaeus : 323–316 B.C.

Alexander IV : 316–304 B.C.

Ptolemaic Period    304–30 B.C.    

Ptolemy I Soter I : 304–284 B.C.

Ptolemy II Philadelphos : 285–246 B.C.

Arsinoe II : 278–270 B.C.

Ptolemy III Euergetes I : 246–221 B.C.

Berenike II : 246–221 B.C.

Ptolemy IV Philopator : 222–205 B.C.

Ptolemy V Epiphanes : 205–180 B.C.

Harwennefer : 205–199 B.C.

Ankhwennefer : 199–186 B.C.

Cleopatra I : 194–176 B.C.

Ptolemy VI Philometor : 180–145 B.C.

Cleopatra II : 175–115 B.C.

Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II : 170–116 B.C.

Harsiese : ca. 130 B.C.

Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator : 145–144 B.C.

Ptolemy IX Soter II : 116–80 B.C.

[thinkoften]

The cornea and cartilage are the only two types of tissue that do not contain blood vessels.

According to scientists at the Harvard Department of Ophthalmology’s Schepens Eye Research Institute.

Source: Reader's Digest

[thinkoften]

Some fungi create zombies, then control their minds

The tropical fungus Ophiocordyceps infects ants’ central nervous systems. Once it has been in an insect’s body for nine days, it has complete control over the host’s movements. According to National Geographic, it forces the ant to climb trees, then convulse and fall into the cool, moist soil below, where fungi thrive. Once there, the fungus waits until exactly solar noon to force the ant to bite a leaf and wait for death.

Source: Reader's Digest

[thinkoften]

It takes a drop of water 90 days to travel the entire Mississippi River

Spanning 2,340 miles, the Mississippi River is the third-largest watershed in the world. That’s one long stretch of water. So long, in fact, that it takes one drop of water approximately 90 days to travel its entire length.

Source: Reader's Digest

[thinkoften]

A one-way trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway involves crossing 3,901 bridges

Not only is the Trans-Siberian Railway the longest railroad in Russia, but it’s also the longest one in the world. The journey takes seven days, during which time passengers pass through eight different time zones and cross 3,901 bridges.

Source: Reader's Digest

[thinkoften]

The Philippines consists of 7,641 islands

The Philippines is an archipelago, which means it’s made up of a group of islands—7,641 islands, to be exact. That figure does not include the thousands of sandbars and other landforms that emerge during low tide.

[thinkoften]

Sudan has more pyramids than any country in the world

Not only does Sudan have more pyramids than Egypt, but the numbers aren’t even close. While 138 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt, Sudan boasts around 255!

[thinkoften]

The world’s oldest wooden wheel has been around for more than 5,000 years

Named the Ljubljana Marshes Wheel - It was found by archaeologists in 2002, approximately 12 miles south of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, and is now housed in the city’s museum. Radiocarbon dating was used to determine the wheel’s age, which is somewhere between 5,100 and 5,350 years old.