Science Facts Thursday: An Introduction to Black Holes

Its science facts Thursday again!

Today I'm giving you a little introduction on black holes.

So what is a black hole? A black hole is a massive amount of stuff ( the science term is 'matter') that is packed into a tight space.

Just like a tin of sardines, all squished and squashed.

Black holes are often formed by dying stars that collapse in a supernova explosion.
Due to it's density, gravity (a force that pulls things towards the center/core) prevents anything from leaving, even light cannot escape. It has the same effect as deleting the stairs from a swimming pool on The Sims, which we have all done at some point, anything that has gone in, cannot get out.

Doomed.

The term 'Event Horizon' is the point of no return in a black hole, once you have stepped over this point, the ain't no escaping.

It is called a black hole, as it absorbs all the light that reaches the event horizon and reflects nothing. We see objects due to light being reflected into our eyes, so a black hole would appear black.

But if we could see...

Sloth was silly and stepped over the Event Horizon, but don't worry some pretty neat stuff got sucked in too.

Check out this trailer for one of my favourite films, Event Horizon, a sci-fi horror starring that chap from Jurassic Park. About a rescue mission to a spaceship that has returned from a black hole. It's spooky so don't watch it alone.

Don't forget to check back next Thursday for more science facts :)

Science Facts Thursday: Here Comes The Rain

Its Science Facts Thursday!

Today I bring you some facts about rain. I live in a small city called Preston in England, it rains approximately 80% of the time, especially when I have left my umbrella at home.

The water cycle diagram below illustrates how clouds are formed, working anti clockwise.
It starts with the sun heating up our oceans, evaporating tiny droplets of water, which then rise and form clouds (which happens by some form of wizardry). These clouds then hang out in the sky for a while, until they get bored and fancy a change of scenery, this is when precipitation happens, (precipitation is a fancy word for water falling from the sky).
The rain eventually makes its way back to our oceans and rivers, so it can start the cycle all over again.

The water cycle, working anti clockwise .

You may notice different shaped clouds in the sky, they all have fancy names, here are a few, they sound like they should be in a classical band.

Me and Sloth like to be prepared for all weather forces, here we are enjoying abit of precipitation.

 

Macs and wellies.

This was one of my favourite bands as a kid, check out this song about rain. It's rather good.

So there you have it, some interesting facts about rain. Don't forget to pop by next Thursday, for more interesting science facts!

Science Facts Thursday: Moon Facts Part One

It's Science facts Thurday!

Moon Facts: Part One

As the Moon orbits the Earth, and the Earth orbits the Sun, the Sun's rays are blocked at different times, giving the impression the Moon is changing shape. These are called phases.

It takes the Moon to orbit the Earth approximately one month. The diagram below shows the different phases.

Phases of the Moon.

 Contrary to popular belief, and Wallace and Gromit, the Moon actually isn't made of cheese (I know, crazy right?!). Which is a shame because vegans could enjoy the tasty deliciousness of a melted cheese slice on top of a tasty meat free burger. I have never tried cheeseless cheese.
The Moon is actually made of rock stuff .

Moon Burger. Nom nom.

 Back in the old days, when the internet didn't exist, unless somewhere in the future someone mastered time travel and took an iPhone back and said 'How do you like these apples', NASA made several attempts to reach the moon, it wasn't until 1969 were chums Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin hopped aboard Apollo 11 and successfully made it to the Moon. They spent two hours there exploring and having a picnic. Since then, 12 Apollo astronauts have visited the Moon.

Me and Sloth having a picnic on the Moon with some of our favourite essentials.  Sloth's cups of tea unfortunately 'floated' away.

So there you have it, your first dose of Moon facts, stay tuned for more interesting Science facts next Thursday!

Poochy Portrait Giveaway at Pony Chops

I love doggies, and I recently started selling my 'Poochy Portraits', custom dog portraits, over at my Etsy shop, Chopstitch

Lola

I have teamed up with my bestie at Pony Chops to present a Poochy Portrait giveaway! If you would like a chance at winning your own Poochy Portrait you can enter below, dont forget to check out the post over at Pony Chops and good luck!

Leroy / Digby Van Winkle, Keep Calm and Bacon / Phug Life

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Missy's Cupcakes and the apocalypse.

Recently, it felt as though I was experiencing a post apocalyptic world, with no internet. You forget how much you rely on having the internet until its snapped out of your hands. We went with more than seven days with no internet connection, what the jaffa? It's 2013, we have the technology to send people to the moon, but Talk Talk can't provide a reliable internet service.

Its back at least, for now.

I had recently been asked to design a logo and flyer for Missy's Cupcakes , she makes creative and delicious cupcakes that look too good to nom!

A snapshot of some test printouts

 The brief was to design something cutesy and kitschy with a pastel theme.

Nom, nom, nom.

Everything (except the font) including the borders, is hand drawn, then scanned into Photoshop to be coloured. 

Blood, sweat and tears and many hours work went into creating this, and I'm quite pleased with the end result, this was my first attempt at branding and creating something 'professional' for someone else to use.

Ta da! The final design for the flyer.

Look at these amazing Chopstitch cupcakes Missy made for me :D

Dont forget to check out Missy's Instagram page, for delicious cupcake updates :)

Science Facts Thursday: Caterpillar Noms

Science facts Thursday! Try saying that with a mouthful of avocado.

Each Thursday I will create a post on an interesting scientific fact. My definition of science is quite broad, so you will need an open mind, also accuracy isn't always guaranteed, as apparently you can't rely on Wikipedia for everything.

So today, I bring you an interesting fact on caterpillars.

Holy moley, guacamole!

Yikes!

That is one heck of an appetite! No wonder there are always nom bites out of all my plants.

Ginge and Sloth Vs food, on this occasion, food won.

Hope you enjoyed today's science fact. Learn something new, and pointless, every Thursday at Cosmos and Crayons :)

Ginge gets crafty: Adventure Time, Jake

 I recently discovered Adventure Time, and straight away fell in love with it. It has an excellent balance of cuteness and sillyness.

I was asked by a friend to make a Jake and a Finn, and have been slowly crafting them together, I found the perfect material to make Jake, super soft and cuddly!

Jake tries to help out....

I felt like Dr Frankenstein, I high fived myself once I finished him. 

Jake likes to spend lazy Sunday afternoons playing Tetris.

Here is abit of Adventure Time fan art for your tastebuds :)

Ginge the dog and Sloth the human.

I have set myself the challenge to make all the characters, I'm currently crafting up a Lady Rainicorn and a Finn, so keep your eyes potatoed for updates :D