I had a great opportunity yesterday to speak with Steve Lee, the curator of Planetary Science at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Michael Hardegree-Ullman, who will be a senior at Rocky Mountain High School in Ft. Collins. Michael is part of a 23 person teen science scholars internship that the museum started a few years back. This program introduces students interested in science careers to various aspects of museum research and/or collections work and helps strengthen investigative and communication skills. It’s a terrific program and opportunity for these young people. [Read more…]
Juno enters Jupiter’s orbit by Howard Wedgle
A thump and the crowd goes wild!
After traveling 1.7 billion miles that began five years ago, Juno successfully entered Jupiter’s orbit to begin using its nine science instruments. This is the farthest a solar-powered spacecraft has traveled. It broke the record, which was held by the European Space Agency’s comet-chasing Rosetta mission, which traveled 492 million miles. Since it was European, I should say 792 million kilometers (instead of miles). [Read more…]
Denver Zoo welcomes Gerenuk
The Denver Zoo welcomed Echo, a 3 year old gerenuk. He just arrived from the Phoenix Zoo to be paired with 7 year old female Squirt, through a recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which ensures healthy populations and genetic diversity among zoo animals. Zookeepers say Echo is very mellow and took seeing snow for the first time in stride. [Read more…]
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo-A review
By Howard M. Wedgle
Besides the very cold temperatures we endured today in Colorado Springs (around 48 degrees) the zoo was enjoyable. Although far smaller than the Denver Zoo, it seems that I was a lot closer to the animals, albeit, behind thick glass or fencing. You can even purchase a little bit of lettuce and feed it to the giraffes. The zoo keeps 17 giraffes and even has a breeding program. The habitats are more condensed, but more engaging to the visitor.
Desalination: Science, Engineering, and Alchemy by Seth M. Siegel
(Excerpt from “Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water-Starved World by Seth M. Siegel (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press; September 15, 2015)
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy occurred two weeks before the Weizmann Institute’s 1963 fund-raising gala in Manhattan. Kennedy had been announced as the keynote speaker and with his sudden, violent death, the event’s organizers cancelled it. Two months later, the dinner was held. To the organization’s good fortune, Lyndon Johnson, Kennedy’s successor, agreed to take the slain president’s speaking slot at the rescheduled event. [Read more…]
Summer Safari spots filling up-Denver Zoo
Spots for our popular summer camp, Summer Safari, are filling up, so don’t miss your chance to register! This year’s camp theme, Animals Around the World, allows participants to travel from Colorado to Africa, South America, Antarctica and Asia without leaving Denver Zoo! Campers will connect with animals and cultures through hands-on animal encounters, Zoo exploration and observation, crafts, songs and games. Please see our online calendar for remaining spots. For questions, please contact us at 720-337-1408 orsafari@denverzoo.org.
Orangutan Robin celebrates 40th birthday at Denver Zoo
Denver Zoo celebrated the birthday of male orangutan Robin, who turned 40-years-old on Sunday, March 27! This is a big milestone as the median age of Sumatran orangutans in zoos is 28. Zookeepers placed streamers and enrichment – including LEGOs – throughout his indoor exhibit. He also enjoyed fruits, veggies, seeds, nut butters, as well as a special birthday “cake” made of primate biscuits. Robin has lived in the Great Apes building in Primate Panorama since it opened in 1996 and is described by his keepers as having a sweet personality.
