December 31, 2002

Hawaiian New Year’s – Share

As the last day of the year approaches, one Pulse of the Planet listener remembers New Year’s as a time of Japanese traditions, Portuguese soup and Chinese firecrackers.

December 30, 2002

Year End Fire Watch

“Be careful with fire!” is the call heard throughout Tokyo neighborhoods on the last two evenings of the year.

December 27, 2002

Wassail

An ancient Anglo-Saxon tradition called “Wassail” lives on in Pennsylvania, where a group of friends celebrate this week by drinking to the health of apple trees.

December 26, 2002

Kwanzaa: Celebration

People in Santa Cruz, California, are gathering this week for their third annual festival of Kwanzaa, a celebration of African-American culture and community.

December 25, 2002

History of Christmas

Believe it or not, there was a time when the singing of Christmas Carols could land you in jail.

December 24, 2002

Christmas Bonfires – Tradition

Along the banks of the Mississippi River, a line of Bonfires lights the way for Papa Noel.

December 23, 2002

Kalas

In Lindsborg, Kansas, folks still mark this time of year with traditions their ancestors brought from Sweden.

December 20, 2002

Listener Initiative

Our listeners are invited to share their seasonal observances on our new toll-free number, 1-877-PULSE99.

December 19, 2002

Sumatran Ramadan: Mandailing

In the Indonesian states of Sumatra, a traditional percussion embsemble can only be heard at certain special times, and right now is one of them.

December 18, 2002

Astrobiology: Europa

One of Jupiter’s moons may have a liquid ocean, and NASA hopes to send “hydrobots” there to explore for life.

December 17, 2002

Astrobiology – UV Rays

The sun’s ultraviolet radiation can be harmful, but it’s been an important force in the evolution of life on Earth.

December 16, 2002

Astrobiology: Microbe Siesta

At a NASA lab in California, scientists are exploring outer space by looking through microscopes.

December 13, 2002

Astrobiology – Moving to Mars

If human beings ever live on Mars, the first colonists on the Red Planet will likely be farmers.

December 12, 2002

Astrobiology – Genesis

The first life forms to arrive on Earth may have “hitchhiked” here on a meteor from Mars.

December 11, 2002

Melting Polar Ice Cap: Future

The North Pole is melting, and scientists tell us it will effect everything from polar bears to international politics.

December 10, 2002

Melting Polar: Antarctica

Global warming seems to be melting the North Pole, but the earth’s rising temperature is expected to have a very different effect on the South Pole.

December 9, 2002

Melting Polar Ice Cap: Intro

The Arctic icecap appears to be melting, and some scientists say that within a century, the North Pole will be an open sea during the summer months.

December 6, 2002

Lyrebird: Overview

What has tail feathers that resemble an ancient musical instrument and vast vocal repertoire?

December 5, 2002

Thai Royal Birthday

Today is a special occasion for the people of Thailand — it’s the birthday of their beloved king, celebrated every year as a national holiday.

December 4, 2002

Firebug: Organic Alarm

Scientists are developing a new kind of smoke alarm for using body parts from the firebug – a beetle that is naturally drawn to fire.

December 3, 2002

Firebug

When fire sweeps through a forest, most creatures flee, but there’s one insect that actually seeks out forest fires, and for a good reason.

December 2, 2002

Camera in a Pill

A new medical device sounds straight out of the movie “Fantastic Voyage,” in which a team of scientists is shrunk and sent on a mission inside the human body.