December 31, 2010

Year End Fire Watch

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

December 30, 2010

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 29, 2010

Science Diary: Exploring Tibet – Monsoon Politics

Climate change thousands of years ago may have changed a culture.

December 28, 2010

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 27, 2010

Science Diary: Koalas – Mystery

Why has the koala population of St. Bees Island remained stable, while other regions struggle to keep the koala population under control?

December 24, 2010

Christmas Bonfires – Tradition

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

December 23, 2010

Science Diary: Glaciers – Ice Tunnel

Melting glaciers reveal hidden tunnels within.

December 22, 2010

Seasonal Backyard Science – Every Tree Tells A Story

Examining a fallen tree can reveal a lot about the animals that have used it.

December 21, 2010

Seasonal Backyard Science – Insects

Even in winter, you can find springtails!

December 20, 2010

Seasonal Backyard Science – Winter Secrets

When you find grooves in the snow, or piles of pine cone chips- who has been there? Learn about the signs that animals leave behind.

December 17, 2010

Science Diary: Glaciers – Breaking Up

A loud splash catches the attention of researchers atop a glacier.

December 16, 2010

Science Diary: Glaciers – Movement

If you think that glaciers are just quiet, white masses of ice – well, you’re wrong!

December 15, 2010

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 14, 2010

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 13, 2010

Kalas

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

December 10, 2010

Icing on Aircraft Wings: Flying into Ice

To learn more about icing conditions, researchers fly straight to the source.

December 9, 2010

Ice: Sounds of Ice

Listen to some of the unexpected sounds of winter.

December 8, 2010

Ice: Freezing Lakes

The unusual way that water freezes allows fish and other aquatic life to survive the winter months.

December 7, 2010

Ice: Comets

To find the source of life on earth, some say we should look to the skies.

December 6, 2010

Sounds – Sound Analysis

Our ears are giving us clues to our surroundings – Are you listening?

December 3, 2010

Curling: Intro

What does a 42 pound granite stone have in common with the game of chess?

December 2, 2010

Ventana: We’re Still Here

The Ohaloni Rumsin people proudly practice traditions of generations past.

December 1, 2010

Ventana: Dances of Our People

A grandmother’s story inspires a young boy to seek knowledge and share wisdom about his Indian heritage.