The Manson Impact - Look Out Above

Here is a cocktail party trick for you.  Ask someone to name the most deadly Manson of all time and surely 99.9% of folks will invoke the wild eyed Charles wasting away in a California prison.  Imagine their surprise when you tell them that while the Manson Family was convicted of ending the lives of 5 innocents, the Manson Asteroid which struck Iowa 74 million years ago was large enough to extinguish every living thing within a 650 mile radius.  That will surely raise an eyebrow and make you the smarty for the night.  Image created by Bill Whittaker.

Geodes

I loved rocks as a kid.  I remember in 5th grade at Crestview Elementary in Clive we had to choose a science protect and I was stuck with a partner who quite frankly scared me.  We were almost neighbors but I would try to cross the street if I was ever walking home and nearing his path. I think the kid even smoked at the age of 9, ok that may be embellishing a bit but surely by the time we were paired together he was puffing away. All that said, rocks seemed to soften his sole.  We actually had a blast scouring the neighborhood looking for specimens and the state rock the Geode was the biggest goal we had.  We never found one and I had to admire the polished geodes at my Aunt Marvel's house and to this day I am reminded of their beauty every time I come across a stone bursting with color.  I wonder if my rock friend is such a softy when it comes to pretty rocks these days as well?? 

  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geode

http://www.igsb.uiowa.edu/browse/geodes/geodes.htm