Museum Sculptor Offers Authenticated Dinosaur Model Kits Online
Posted by Doyle Trankina | Filed under Reference & Education
The creator of all the works featured on this site is not only a gifted sculptor, but actually works with dinosaur fossils as a paleontological reconstruction artist, fossil preparator, and field technician at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. For the Dinosaur connoisseur and collector, you will find what you have been looking for at Dinosaur Model Toys.com. His artwork is based on the latest scientific research, real fossil material, and years of hands on experience. This is why the work featured is regarded as some of the most scientifically accurate available to the public.
The new Dinosaur Galleries at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles will feature many of the artist’s creations. Most notable is the baby Tyrannosaurus rex estimated to have been two years old when it died, for which nearly ninety percent of the skeleton will be recreated for this mount. Thomas is estimated to be about seventy percent complete, making it one of the top five most complete in the world. Our initial offering will be a series of cast resin models and limited edition bronze sculptures with both a highly detailed exterior view, and a rendition of the internal skeletal anatomy of an adolescent T-Rex similar to the Thomas find. This sculpted reconstruction will be featured with two real T-Rex specimens, one a six-year old, and the other the sub adult specimen named “Thomas” which Doyle Trankina helped collect, and prepare.
Doyle has an extensive list of sculptures to produce over the next two years. His work will require lots of observational study from the museum’s collection, and extensive extrapolation based on the latest research, and modern analogues like birds, and crocodiles. Through his experiences with the museum with his private obsession with prehistoric life and the natural world, Doyle has produced several sculptures and illustrations for exhibition and publication. As part of the Dinosaur Institute at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Doyle Trankina has attended several field excavations in Montana Utah, and Mojave. While in the field Doyle prospected, and assisted in the collection of several specimens, most notably Thomas the sub adult Tyrannosaurus Rex that will be gracing the museums new Dinosaur Gallery in 2011.
After completing the preparation of Thomas, Doyle embarked on a half skeletal, half flesh reconstruction of an adolescent Tyrannosaurus Rex at 1;24th scale. The teeth were surfaced to provide the accurate thickness and semblance to where the tinny serrations would have lined the many teeth. Because the position of the serrations actually change on the teeth as they move back towards the throat, the ridge implies the appropriate location of the serrations. The scales were carved individually so that the skin wraps around the form in a realistic, and accurate way. The detail and fidelity to the skeleton was accomplished by long study of the anatomy from several existing mounts, scientific publications, and photographs from the some of the best Tyrannosaurus specimens.
Doyle is currently working on a skeletal reconstruction of a baby Tyrannosaurus rex which will be mounted in the new Dinosaur Galleries with Thomas and an intermediate specimen as an illustration of age progression. This project has just begun, and with Dr. Chiappe Doyle will be making history in presenting the worlds only mounted baby Tyrannosaurus rex specimen. The actual specimen is only known from a skull fragment from the snout of what is believed to be from a two-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex. There are no post cranial remains, and there are only a handful of examples that are believed to be that of baby dinosaurs.
Fall of 2009 marked one of the biggest Paleontology news splashes, featuring N. America’s smallest dinosaur, Fruitadens haagarorum. Nearly 150 million year old, the tiny Fruitadens would have shared its life with such titanic beasts as Brachiosaursus, and Allosaurus in the late Jurassic. It is thought that the animal might have weighed as little as two pounds and measured only 28 inches in length. Fruitadens was discovered in Colorado in the late 1970s in a geological formation known as the Morrison, more specifically in an area called Fruita, for which the specimen was named after.
Fruitadens belongs to a family of early dinosaurs called heterodontosaurids, which share many interesting features, one of which are the teeth. Fruitadens like other heterodontisaurids have varied dentition, and in the front of the mouth sits a canine like tooth on the lower jaw. The strange dentition of this animal implies that Fruitadens might have been omnivorous, eating plants and at least insects if not small vertebrates. Doyle has produced the first and most accurate illustrated and sculpted reconstructions of this animal. His work was featured on every major news source in the world, and five of the sculpted Fruitaden will be featured in the new galleries in 2011. In his studio, Doyle is currently working on a scale Fruitaden, which will be approximately 30cm long . This will be the only scaled sculpture of the animal, and the first and only for sale. The full scale version is not for sale and can only be seen at the Museum.
Doyle is also concurrently working on Mamenchisaurus, a long neck dinosaur and part of the branch of Sauriscian (lizard hipped dinosaurs) known as Sauropods. The rare skull was found in China and researchers provided a paper with a detailed description and several scientific illustrations. Sauropod skulls are rare because they are so frail in construction, have several small bones that usually disarticulated some time after the animal dies, and are not commonly preserved in fossilization, or are so disarticulated and in such small pieces that they are nearly impossible to find. As the prospects of obtaining a casting of the Chinese mamenchisaur skull proved too difficult, Doyle was charged with the task of reconstructing the skull from two dimensional reference and other dinosaurs like Camarasaurus for comparison, and to gain familiarirty with Sauropod skull anatomy.
Doyle Trankina is a sculptor, illustrator and fossil preparator at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History. For unique scientifically authenticated Dinosaur Art, Dinosaur Models and Dinosaur Resin Model Kits, visit his online store Dinosaur Model Toys.Com.
Tags: dinosaur models, dinosaur toys, dinosaurs, fossils, paleontology, Reference & Education, science, t rex, tyrannosaurus rex
The Future Of Space Research And Exploration
Posted by Adriana Noton | Filed under Reference & Education
Space is the final frontier and something that both fascinates and terrifies everyone. We all know that we fear what we don’t understand, and for most people, understanding space is something that is more or less impossible. We will know the basics about the Big Bang and our own solar system and galaxy and the plethora of other galaxies around us but that is only scratching the surface of what is the most complicated subject on the planet. Space research is constantly being undertaken by different space agencies around the world and we are all eager to answer so many different questions about our existence as well as potential alien life in the universe.
Our interest in space has always been around, ever since we started to look up into the night sky and wonder what all of those magnificent sparks were. Over the last century the space race between the Russian’s and the American’s has sparked off much greater interest in what is out there are the first manned visits into space and then the moon gripped the entire world.
Yet these two steps were those that, whilst tricky, were possible simply due to the proximity of the moon to our own planet. They were astronomical leaps at the time but now we are all waiting on tenterhooks and calling for further leaps and advances into space. Our knowledge of what is around us is constantly being extended as our technological prowess grows but what many are looking for is the next big leap.
Getting a man into space and onto the moon was one thing, but the next step that people are eager to witness will be the first trip to Mars and then beyond. Currently being built is the Ares program which will aim to allow this to happen. The problem is that in order to visit planets and moons that are millions and millions or miles away we need to come up with a form of travel that allows us to travel at something like the speed of light.
Yet whether we get a man to Mars or not, people are still fascinated by the thoughts of visiting other planets. Yet how realistic is this? we all watch films where we are able to travel at light speeds but is this really realistic? well, the truth is that the idea of light speed is very much a science fiction creation and the idea to travelling at the speed of light goes against the laws of gravity and physics.
Well the truth is that the law of physics simply will not allow this to occur. Whilst it is impossible to know what tech advances will come up with in the future, right now we are very much limited to exploration that can be done within very close proximity to our own planet. Therefore, whilst Mars is a realistic possibility, beyond that we may never be able to extend our reach.
And even if light speeds were able to be done, then this is not enough to get us to the vast majority of the universe. Given that most planets and constellations are many many light years away we would still find ourselves in the same pickle as before.
What we need to hold on for is what wonders a trip to Mars will bring. But seeing as this is unlikely to occur before 2030, we will be waiting for quite some time yet!
People have been dreaming about the stars and engaging in space research for centuries now, along with animal research for learning more about the biology of creatures on this planet.
Tags: astronomy, Reference & Education, research, science, space
Getting Cheap Electricity Is No More A Hassle
Posted by Sam Campbell | Filed under Reference & Education
The new age, has caught up with all of us. Many men have already chucked the word “wait” from their dictionary. The intention of saying this was to explain the fast and energetic life that we have in front of us, and daily we have to handle it. There are a lot of changes that has come up, and especially the prospective income of man has also changed. Therefore, people are able to spare their income on energy resources. The best and most common examples of green renewable energy resources are wind and solar power. Though, the following article concentrates on solar power and the ways it can be used to produce electricity. And a more interesting aspect is that opting for a home solar power system will also add up to your savings.
You don’t have to invest money every time you are in need of energy, instead when it comes to making a solar panel using a home energy kit you need to go for a one time investment of some $200 or so. I agree that the initial expenses may be a bit steep but then I guess the investment is certainly worth the benefits that come with it.
The solar panel works by generating light energy or electric energy by extracting solar energy from the sun. Now you don’t have to spend any amount to derive solar energy and the energy generated can be used for a number of purposes. All you need to pay for is the installation expenses as well as the expenses involved on making the solar panel. This indicates that you can save as much as eighty percent of the overall expenses by opting for the home solar power system. Well, that’s a fair deal I guess!
Now, first of all you need to decide the kind of solar panel that you want to opt for. Currently, the solar panels are divided into four groups like off-grid solar power set up and off-grid solar power set up, portable solar power system and grid-integrated home solar power system.
The portable solar system uses very small solar panels that are primarily designed for the use of small energy resource. The grid-integrated home system may or may not come with a battery support system. The power systems that are available with the battery back ups are not suited for dull and rainy weather. The main reason behind this is that in the absence of sunlight the solar power system fails to get the required amount of energy that it requires to function. This calls for battery back up in order to cope up with the failure. The off-grid solar power set up completely reduces the need for home electricity and in such an instance you need to go for a bigger solar panel.
Installing a solar energy panel in your home can lower your monthly electricity bills to bare minimum. you may have always believed that generating electricity is something that is only possible for the power stations. But after going through this article I believe that you too can generate electricity with ease and save money in the process.
Learn more about home solar power system. Stop by Warren Gillcrest’s site where you can find out all about green renewable energy and what it can do for you.
Tags: business and economy, education, family, Home, industrial goods and service, reference, Reference & Education, science
Hot Water Heaters and the Different Types
Posted by Mark Salinder | Filed under Food & Beverage
While many people consider the up front cost of hot water systems, they should pay just as much attention to the impact that one may have on their monthly heating bills.
Let’s take a look at a few of the different types of options available on the market. Hopefully one of these will appeal to you more than others, leading to a successful purchase that satisfies your needs.
Any discussion of hot water heating systems should begin with gas, since these are the most popular option in homes. Since they require the smallest investment with respect to buying one, people usually opt for these.
The advantage is the relatively small outlay as compared to other means, though there are a few disadvantages involved with these units too. Not only is it somewhat dangerous to have a device in your house that depends on gas, but the cost of replacing gas can add up over time.
Since many prefer to avoid the time and effort that comes with refilling the gas supply, an electric hot water heater offers a lot more convenience. However, these consume a lot of energy too, adding up to high electric bills each month as a result.
Perhaps the lowest maintenance device is the solar hot water heating system, though it’s also the most expensive. Since the energy cost here is nonexistent, this is a great option for those who can afford the cost. These solar devices continue to grow in popularity.
For those looking to save on energy bills but without the budget to pay for a solar model, the on demand hot water heater might be a nice compromise. These only operate upon your request, though the water can take a bit longer to heat up. Large families with a constant need for hot water may struggle to do well with these, since a larger water tank will generally take even longer before it heats up.
As it stands, these are the best possibilities in the world of hot water heating systems. Figure out your objectives, and begin looking into the process of finding the right fit from there.
While we’ve gone over the basics of the different types here, a lot more details on on-demand hot water heaters can be accessed by those looking for more information.
Tags: advice, drink, education, energy, family, Finance, Food & Beverage, home accessories, Home Improvement, Product Reviews, science, Shopping, solar energy, technology, water
A Few Interesting Facts About The Whale
Posted by Nick de Kock | Filed under Reference & Education
A few interesting facts about the whale are needed whenever people begin to consider this endlessly fascinating and warm-blooded, ocean-dwelling mammal. Whales are extremely diverse and live in every ocean and sea in the world. Biologists and other scientists have studied them for many years and have found that they also exist within a complex structure of their own making.
When discussing their evolution, it always comes as a surprise to those who don’t know about whales that their closest living relative is the hippopotamus. Both animals descended from a common ancestor that lived in India, in Kashmir, over 54 million years in the past. This ancestor finally entered the ocean for good nearly 50 million years ago.
Whales communicate with each other in a variety of ways, the most common probably being what is known as whale song. This particular “singing” has proven to be extremely diverse and complex in quality and characteristic. Whales use it in a variety of ways. Also, other than certain species of primates, whales — along with dolphins, humans and elephants — whales seem to be one of the few species that are self-aware.
They also live their lives within an interesting societal structure. The heart of this structure is the pod. Within a pod exists a dominant bull and subservient bulls beneath him along with a number of cows and calves. Subservient bulls tend to live slightly separate from the rest of the pod and usually will leave to go out on their own and attempt to start their own pod at some point as they mature sufficiently.
When it comes to sheer size, it is a species of whale — the Blue — that is the largest animal to have ever existed as well as being the largest mammal currently in existence. The Blue can come in at over 150 tons and 105 feet in length. There are two sub orders of whales, also; baleen and toothed. Baleen whales get their food (plankton and krill) by straining seawater through their mouth (the baleen).
Whales with teeth are considered predator species of whales. The most commonly known of these mammals is, of course, the Orca. It is sometimes also known as a killer whale, though this is unfair to it as a species. It is only fairly recently that whales have been somewhat protected, and many whale species are in danger of extinction because they have been so over-hunted.
Whale communication has long intrigued Nick de Kock while studying the whale along the Eastern Seaboard of Southern Africa.
Tags: Animal Behavior, Animalia, Biology, Cetacea, Chordata, Endangered Animals, Flora and Fauna, Mammalia, Reference & Education, science, Wildlife, Zoology
9 Home Hydroponics Advantages
Posted by Mario Del Sol | Filed under Home & Family
Building a home hydroponics system has loads of advantages above traditional soil based methods. Capture a peek at the subsequent advantages you acquire whilst using home hydroponics.
1. You don’t need to water your plants! A chief gaffe that beginner gardeners perform is either over or under water their plant life which can be hurtful to them! This problem is eliminated, as well as being a time saver!
2. Vegetation grown using home hydroponics grow upto 50% quicker. This is because you are in full control of their atmosphere which you will have manipulated to be optimum.
3. You don’t require a plot to cultivate hydroponic plants, so if you have your home in a crowded town centre apartment building then this is no obstacle for you!
4. As there is no soil, no soil borne diseases are passed on to your vegetation. The result is far better plants that you might sell for income.
5. There is no need to use pesticides as there will be no earth devoted vermin anyplace near your vegetation. This will hack down on cost and you’ll have much better looking plants.
6. Once your home hydroponics scheme is put up, you will salvage on average 20% on cost owing to the decreased total of upkeep considered necessary.
7. Hydroponic plants take up less breathing space as the roots are smaller. This regardless of the vegetation being larger on average! You will be able to fit extra into your growing trays which equals supplementary income or produce for you.
8. Maintenance time is to a great extent reduced! No watering, no weeding and no pesticides. All you’ll ever in reality have to do is pick and choose your fruit or vegetables as soon as they’re ready. Easy!
9. The harvest is year round so you will at all times have a source of what you’re growing. While it’s off season, you could trade them for an enlarged yield margin!
I trust you’ve liked learning of the advantages of Home Hydroponics and why you ideally must give it a go! You ought to study extra concerning growing Home Hydroponics plants and enjoy a new and exhilarating leisure pursuit!
I hope you’ve liked learning of the advantages of Home Hydroponics and why you really should give it a go! You must study extra concerning growing Home Hydroponics plants and take pleasure in a new and thrilling leisure pursuit!
Tags: environment, family, fruit, gardening, greenhouse, Hobbies, Home, Home & Family, home hydroponics, hydroponics, landscaping, plants, science, trees, vegetables
Astronomy For Teens.
Posted by Colin Jones | Filed under Arts & Entertainment
Astronomy is a very serious branch of science, although a lot of people get involved with it when they are very young. Astronomy is a thought-provoking hobby that can show children about the other sciences in general. Certain astronomical subjects inspire kids and movies like Star Wars and they only increase this interest.
The Earth’s closest neighbour is the moon. Its orbit around the Earth takes just over twenty-seven days to complete. Mankind has only ever set foot on the Earth and the moon. The gravity between the moon and Earth causes the tides. Its brightness in the night sky attracts many children to learn more about it and the subject of astronomy in general.
Let’s move on to the sun. Earth is quite far from the sun, although the distance actually fluctuates between about 91 million miles and about 94 million miles. The reason for this variance is because of Earth’s elliptical orbit. Life on Earth is only possible because of the sun, which is our source of important elements such as light and heat. A little-known fact is that the sun contains about 98% of the mass of the whole solar system! Just think about how small a person is compared to that.
The Earth is in the galaxy called the Milky Way. Like all other galaxies, it’s a very large collection of gas, dust, stars and planets. Most of the area in a galaxy is filled with nothing, just empty space. In other words, most of its volume, 3,000 light years high by 100,000 light years diameter, the size of our galaxy, is empty.
We’re situated somewhere in the neighbourhood of 30,000 light years from the central core of our galaxy. The nothingness is broken up by over 100 billion stars. In fact, the galaxy was named for the thick group of stars in the main portion of it.
It looks like a pool of liquid, which is why it was called the Milky Way. There are four types of galaxies: elliptical, lenticular, irregular and, like our Milky Way, spiral.
There is a great deal of information on astronomy on the Internet that is suitable for children: it ranges from dictionaries and encyclopaedic references to programs that show the orbits of the different planets, solar systems and objects right on the computer’s monitor! In fact, there’s more information out there than a child could ever get through.
If you are interested in astronomy, then please pop along to our website at: http://astronomy.the-real-way.com Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
Tags: Arts & Entertainment, astronomy, children, education, entertainment, environment, galaxy, Hobbies, How-to, other, outdoors, planets, sci-fi, science, stars
10 Hydroponic Fruit Advantages
Posted by Damian Jackson | Filed under Home & Family
Here are some of the main reasons why you should grow your own Hydroponic Fruit as opposed to using customary soil based methods!
1. There is no necessity to water them! This will of course save you time, but too over or under watering is one of the main mistakes that learner gardeners do which can be injurious to your plants.
2. Hydroponic fruit grows up to 50% quicker than traditional soil developed fruitl This is because you will have fully manipulated the growing setting to be optimum for what it is you’re growing.
3. You don’t need to possess a garden. So if you live in the desert, the arctic or in a crowded town centre apartment block then this is no barrier.
4. No dirt borne infection can be passed on if they are not being grown in earth.
5. No earth living vermin will be able to get in close proximity to your fruit so you will own greatly healthier looking foodstuffs! You will too save money on costly pesticides.
6. Maintenance time is deeply reduced. There is no requirement to water hydroponic fruit and there is no weeding. In truth all you’ll actually have to do is choose your fruit as soon as they are ready.
7. The yield is year round. You will forever have access to all the fruit you want. As soon as it’s off season, you will be able to vend your produce for an enlarged revenue margin.
8. You can grow them anywhere; basement, conservatory, backyard, greenhouse, garage, window ledge, corridor or attic.
9. They will develop up to 40% better as they will forever have access to all the nutrients they require. You will have made their growing setting to be perfect for them, they will love it and will be better looking as a consequence.
10. You will be able to fit more into your growing trays as the roots don’t grow as big. This is for the reason that they don’t need to swell out to find nutrients as they are so readily obtainable.
So if you’re wanting to find out extra regarding growing your own Hydroponic Fruit then you must look further into it! Growing Hydroponic Fruit is an exhilarating pastime that you can potentially get a lot of money from!
Tags: environment, family, fruit, gardening, greenhouse, Hobbies, Home, Home & Family, home hydroponics, hydroponics, landscaping, plants, science, trees, vegetables
The Run-down Of The Evolution v Creation Debate
Posted by Mark Knowles | Filed under Home & Family
What is the meaning of like? Scholars have been asking themselves that for the longest time. People have been asking that more-so now more than ever. Where did life come from? Surely there must be some sort of purpose for us. Was there a God involved? Why are people still so heavily involved with the creation vs evolution debate?
What defines both the theory of creation and the theory of evolution? Is creation even a theory?
This debate has been a heated one for some time. People have always been questioning their origins and the origins of just about everything else. This debate has turned many a friend into foe in arguments over where we all came from and why we exist. Do we all have any purpose whatsoever, or are we just here?
Evolution is as it is put. It is the belief that all life evolves over time and that we came from “lesser” beasts. It is a known fact that if one takes a fly and plucks of its wings for many generations, eventually a fly without wings will be born. That is a prime example of evolution. Are we animals that evolved from a form of ape-man who evolved from an ape?
Creationism is the belief we were made by a deity. This power can be anything as long as it is a being beyond our world. Some even believe we were made by aliens! Regardless of who, it all comes down to the fact that we were made for a reason. All religions have in common the fact that they all contain a similar mythology of where we all began.
Is there nothing more to life but to mate and evolve? Is there a benevolent Invisible Maker who has their watchful eye on us as we go about our daily lives? These are all difficult questions to answer. This debate will go on onto the end of time as there is surely no way to prove either side. The one thing that is certain is that the creation vs evolution debate will be along with us forever.
The fact that the so-called creation vs evolution debate is still raging speaks volumes about our current society.
Tags: creation v evolution, evolution, Home & Family, religious beliefs, science, scientific knowledge
Where To Find Whale Displays
Posted by Andrew Keet | Filed under Reference & Education
Many people want to visit some of the interesting whale displays that are around the world. There are many places that they can go to see these displays. All over the world there are areas that can be found that will allow people to observe the way that whales behave. Here we will talk about some of the most popular ones that are around.
One of the most spectacular places that offer whale displays is in Alaska. Here you can see the humpback whales in huge numbers in many different parts of the state. Here a person can view the humpback whales doing the things that they love in their natural environment that they are accustomed to. Some of the whales have even been known to come very close to the side of the boat that people are in. This can just add to the excitement of the trip.
Going to the Hawaiian Islands is another great spot for people that are looking to see whale displays. Not only will you see whale displays, but you can enjoy the warmth that the tropics offer tourists as well. The best times to see the whale displays here are during the months that run from December thru February. It is at this particular time of the year that the male humpback whales can be found to be seeking out the females. You may even see a mother and her baby if you are fortunate enough.
In Canada there are whale displays that can be seen at Marineland. This is an amazing spot for tourists with aquatic interests. They have shows that involve the use of killer whales. These have been highly trained mammals that can do some of the most amazing tricks that a person could imagine. They will thrill all those that are watching with the manoeuvres that they have been trained to do.
One of the other neat things that can be found here is Friendship Cove. This is the largest known beluga whale habitat in the world and has thousands of people that visit it every year. This offers tourists with numerous walkways that have been designed to allow people to view the whale displays from both below and above the water. This can allow you to see how they truly act when they are swimming beneath the water. Feeding the whales is another thing that this spot also offers at periodical times throughout the day.
These are just a few of the many areas that offer whale displays. Being able to see these creatures in an environment that is very close to what they have in the wild can be a beautiful experience for people to see. It can be one of the most enthralling trips that you take.
If travelling is not in your budget there is no need to despair. You can still view whale displays that are offered all over the internet. Museums are also another option that is offers displays like this as well. No matter what type of whale display you are looking for there is something available for everyone.
Johannes Klipdrift has been watching whales around the world all his life and is fascinated by their displays.
Tags: Animal Behavior, Animalia, Biology, Cetacea, Chordata, Endangered Animals, Flora and Fauna, Mammalia, Reference & Education, science, Wildlife, Zoology
