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The North Star stays put in one place because the Earth is round.

The ancient Greeks , especially Aristotle, knew this and were the first to state this. Nowadays we say Copernicus discovered the earth was round, for example, but the Greeks had that figured out almost two thousand years earlier!

How Did They Know it?

Greeks had many different arguments for why the earth is round.

One of the best arguments came from Aristotle, who wrote a book called On the Heavens back in 340 B.C. The Greeks were a sea-faring culture, and sailed all over the Mediterranean. And they had noticed, Aristotle tells us, that the north star isn’t always in the same spot overhead.

The North Star

Now remember that all the stars seem to move in a big circle over our heads because the earth itself is spinning. The north star is the center of the circle, and stays put.

However, Aristotle noticed that when you are down south in Egypt, the north star is close to the horizon. When you are up north in Greece again, it’s high in the sky.

How Is That Possible, Since The North Star Is Supposed To Stay Put?

It’s possible, Aristotle concluded, only because the earth is round.

When you are standing at the north pole, where is the north star? Directly overhead. Now place yourself at the equator. Where is the north star? Yep–it’s down on the horizon, because you are now traveling along a curve. Go even farther south and you will not be able to see it at all; the earth will hide the north star. Go farther north and it seems to rise higher and higher and the star will just be a small dot.

Coprenicus

Commonly known by his Latin name, Nicholas Copernicus, was  falsely regarded as “The Father of Astronomy” – it should have been Aristotle. Nicholas Copernicus, born February 19, 1473, was the first astronomer to formulate a scientifically based heliocentric cosmology that displaced the Earth from the center of the universe. While a student at the University of Kraków, he discovered several logical contradictions in the existing astronomical system taught at that time, which put the earth at the center of the universe. Later when studying medicine and religious law at Bologna University, Coprenicus pursued further investigations of the movements of celestial bodies, especially the moon. His direct observations, coupled with his studies based on various Greek and Latin astronomical writings, prompted him to originate the Copernican system of the structure of the universe. This theory placed the sun at the center of the solar system and the earth in orbit around it. Kopernik’s most famous written work, De Revolutionibus, which laid the foundation for modern astronomy, was completed in 1530, after fifteen years of painstaking observations and calculations, often with instruments of the astronomer’s own making. Although deeply convinced of the truth of his heliocentric system, Kopernik did not actively seek to publish this work because of its controversial nature. He did, however, manage to catch a dimmed glance at the first printed copy moments before his death on May 24, 1543.

Galileo and Bruno

Two other Italian scientists of the time, Galileo and Bruno, embraced the Copernican theory unreservedly and as a result suffered much personal injury at the hands of the powerful church inquisitors. Giordano Bruno had the audacity to even go beyond Copernicus, and, dared to suggest, that space was boundless and that the sun was and its planets were but one of any number of similar systems: Why! — there even might be other inhabited worlds with rational beings equal or possibly superior to ourselves. For such blasphemy, Bruno was tried before the Inquisition, condemned and burned at the stake in 1600. Galileo was brought forward in 1633, and, there, in front of his “betters,” he was, under the threat of torture and death, forced to his knees to renounce all belief in Copernican theories, and was thereafter sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of his days.

The most important aspect of Copernicus’ work is that it forever changed the place of man in the cosmos; no longer could man legitimately think his significance greater than his fellow creatures; with Copernicus’ work, man could now take his place among that which exists all about him, and not of necessity take that premier position which had been assigned immodestly to him by the theologians.

“Of all discoveries and opinions, none may have exerted a greater effect on the human spirit than the doctrine of Copernicus. The world had scarcely become known as round and complete in itself when it was asked to waive the tremendous privilege of being the center of the universe. Never, perhaps, was a greater demand made on mankind – for by this admission so many things vanished in mist and smoke! What became of our Eden, our world of innocence, piety and poetry; the testimony of the senses; the conviction of a poetic – religious faith? No wonder his contemporaries did not wish to let all this go and offered every possible resistance to a doctrine which in its converts authorized and demanded a freedom of view and greatness of thought so far unknown, indeed not even dreamed of.” [Goethe.]

Top 10 List presents the best  Presidential campaign ads of 2012.  As the presidential campaign kicked into high gear, tens of millions of dollars of tax payers’ money went into  political ads that flood the airwaves in swing states. However, there is still one question that stands out: How effective were 2012′s political ads? We chose the top 10 best political ads of 2012 and will let you decide which one deserves the No.1 spot on our new upcoming list.

You have until Friday, March 22, 2013 to cast your vote.

There’s nothing more heartbreaking than to look at some of these images. Millions of children continue to suffer from poverty, malnutrition, war and global strife.

As the world’s only true governing body, the United Nations has become the foremost forum to address issues that transcend national boundaries and cannot be resolved by one country acting alone.

To its initial goals of safeguarding peace, protecting human rights, establishing the framework for international justice and promoting economic and social progress, since its creation, the United Nations has added on new challenges and goals, and these include climate change, international terrorism and AIDS.

While conflict resolution and peacekeeping continue to be among its most visible efforts, the UN, along with various other specialized international organizations, is also engaged in a wide array of activities to improve people’s lives all across the world.

Most people have a weird fascination with shark and love testing them out in the cold frigid waters.

Shark attacks are relatively rare. Statistically speaking, you are far more likely to get struck by lightning than you are to be attacked by a shark. 400 people per year get struck by lightning, according to the NOAA website, and 58 of those are fatal, on average. Only 60 people on average are attacked by sharks each year, and the death rate is about 10.

This video highlights the deadliest shark attack scenes. Parental Guidance is advised  Children under 18 should not be watching this without parental supervision.

Incredible Story:

In 1963, a freestyle diver named Rodney Fox, was taking part in a spear-fishing competition off the South Australian coast. While diving without oxygen, Fox had a deadly encounter with a great white shark. Fox fought the shark hard, getting free at one point and having the shark return to bite him again. Fox then wrapped his arms around the beast and was taken on horrifying ride under the sea as the shark tried to shake him off. The shark had Fox’s arm in his mouth, and when he pulled the arm out, his skin was shredded from the bone.

The festive period is a stressful time of year. All those presents to buy and wrap, food to prepare, relatives to endure. Inevitably there will be days when you’re tearing your hair out or nursing a hangover from one of the endless parties and work dos. Well, we’re here to help with some ridiculously cute, heart-warming videos to cheer you up.

1. Guilty Dog

There is nothing quite as priceless as the guilty look on a pooch’s face when they’ve chewed your shoe or been through the rubbish. This fantastic video looks at the potential suspects one by one. Can you guess which one did it? Darn right, it’s the one with the cutest hangdog expression you ever did see. The other two ratting out the guilty dog is hilarious.

2. Cutest Argument

Kids arguing is rarely coherent and this video is no different. It’s hard to decipher what these pair are saying over the squeaky shouting, but towards the end their reason for debate is clear. One is bad, the other is four. And one of them might tell the other one’s mom.

3. Slow Loris

A classic video and still one of the  best for making even the most hardened person melt a little Sonya the Slow Loris just loves to be tickled. Under the arms. A cute, but actually venomous, animal anyway, this little character stretches up her arms for her daily treat.

4. X Factor Finalist 2026

Far from being a precocious kid, pushed by stage mommy, this little girl obviously just really likes Adele, so she sings along beautifully, albeit squeakily. Very impressive two year old that can remember that many lyrics, some being clearer than others of course. Beware: this is guaranteed to make you a little broody.

5. Hide and Seek

This Doberman shows off his breed’s softer side here when he desperately tries to engage his owner in a game of Hide and Seek. The expression on his face at 1:14 is a hoot! Plus you get the added bonus of the ever hilarious ‘dog trying to run on laminate flooring’ routine. Always a joy to view.

There is a certain joy in watching people make mistakes, especially in the word of sport. Seeing professionals on salaries so large its always good to see them make a mistake or two.

1. Bill Buckner -”The Nutmeg”

First to Baseball and the Boston Red Sox, leading the 1986 World Series 3-2, they were on course for their first title since 1918. However, in game six and the New York Mets having tied the game, a ground ball to Buckner at first base changed the match. The ball ran through Buckner’s legs, allowing the Mets to score the winning run, tie the series and lead to winning the series in game 7.

2. Jean van de Velde – “Sacre Bleu”

Ahhh, the french, the world would be a lot more boring if it didn’t have the passion and the va va voom of the French way of life. It would also mean we couldn’t laugh at their athletes making complete fools of themselves. Our next sporting mistake is no exception – Going to the 18th hole on the final Sunday of the 1999 Open Championship, Jean van de Velde needed only double bogey six to claim the Claret Jug. Seven shots later, including one to the water, he entered a playoff and eventually lost what had been an unassailable lead…… “merde”

3. Niclas Wallin – “Puck it”

The sport of Ice hockey is one where simple communication is vital amongst team mates. It allows your team to function fluently and also allows you to know where your colleague is when you want to give them an earful. Wallin’s team mates would’ve wanted to do the latter when the Swede, unaware his own goalie had been swapped for the extra attacker, controls the puck and lays it back to his empty net and watches in horror.

4. Leon Lett – “Showboating”

When you’ve done all the hard work, make sure you don’t mess up the simplest of scoring opportunities. You wouldn’t think professional athletes would need telling but in the case of Leon Lett in Super Bowl XXVII it was needed to be imprinted on the Jumbotron. When Buffalo fumbled the ball on their own 45-yard line, Lett picked up the pieces and ran for the end zone to celebrate, albeit a little prematurely, and lost possession before a touchdown could be awarded.

5. Zinedine Zidane – “The Head of a Frog”

Yes another Frenchman to add to the list of these great sporting mistakes, regarded as the greatest player of his generation, Zidane bowed out (literally) of the game on the greatest stage in disgraceful circumstances. Coming out of retirement to lead France to the 2006 World Cup, Zizou was at his best and had earlier given Les Bleus the lead in the final only to ruin it when the Italian defender said something about the midfielders mother,