Cosmos Computed

Recently, Google released a new map system to allow for a 3D Earth view. The new maps depict Earth as a 3D planet, and allow users to explore mountains and cities in 3D.  At first, Google Earth could be downloaded and installed on a computer, but now it is available at maps.google.com for Google users to use without downloading it. To try the new maps, sign in to your Google account and go to maps.google.com. In the tab on the left, click "Get it now" where it describes the new Google maps. If you do not see the button, try  typing "new maps" into the search bar and pressing Enter. The "Get it now" button should appear above the results. My photograph of the Grand Canyon on left, Google Earth's Grand Canyon on right (same location) I really like the new maps. Besides being able to explore the Grand Canyon or Mount Everest, I especially like what happens when I zoom out all the way: Earth becomes visible with a lit side and a shadowed side, and the bl

On Khan Academy, a while ago, I wrote a program that would allow users to draw a picture, and then the program would generate another program which they could copy and paste and save. The new program would animate the drawing of the same picture. The program was named "Art Maker". Recently, I created a new version of my program. The original only allowed for black and white; the new version includes color, as well as a dialog box system which I designed. The program uses only my own code - I didn't borrow anybody else's (as far as I can remember). To embed the program on my blog, I had to use Khan Academy's script; unfortunately, their script isn't working very well here, so the program is cut off at the edge. You can access the program itself here:  https://www.khanacademy.org/cs/art-maker-pro/5733417664643072 I finished the program before Christmas so I could release it for everybody to use on that day... so Merry Christmas! To use: * Click Generate to gener

Apfelkuchen is an apple pie baked German style. The word literally translates to "apple cake", but is used in Germany to mean apple pie. Apfelkuchen has many variations. One variation involves baking apples inside a sweet, sugary crust in a tube pan. My mom had a recipe for apfelkuchen which she got from a German woman she knew, but she lost it. The following recipe is my imitation of that recipe. If you try it, let me know how it turned out! Crust: 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 medium eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 4 cups flour Filling: 8 - 10 apples, sliced (peeling is optional) 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla                                                     Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Add vanilla and salt. Mix well. Add baking soda and flour, and stir until combined. Pat about half of the mixture in the bottom and up

Blowing snow lit up by the sun, which recently set behind those two peaks A couple of days ago I went skiing. That's not unusual, because I love to ski. Every year I go skiing quite a few times - usually starting in November, when Arapahoe Basin opens, and ending in June, when the snow melts and they have to close. When I went skiing, I brought my camera to the ski resort and took a few pictures. I didn't take any videos or photos of the skiing, but I did take some photos of the moon above the mountains. If I come up to the mountains from Denver, there are two options to get to Arapahoe Basin. One option is to  take the I-70 through the Eisenhower tunnel, continue past Arapahoe Basin until the next exit, drive through Dillon, and then backtrack to the resort. When I go through the tunnel (which I don't very often), I like to hold my breath until I get to the other side. This is especially difficult when I run into a traffic jam halfway through. A quicker route is to get off

This candle was leaning over too far, so I propped it up with a folded piece of paper. In the cold, dark months of the year, candles are more than welcome. Not only do they give off a cozy light, but they also give off heat and warmth. The trouble is that candles cost money - not only for the candle itself, but also for the candle holder. So is there an alternative to buying candles? Minneola tangelos also work well. The answer is yes: make them yourself. That might sound tough at first, but it turns out that there's a really easy way to do it - all you need is an orange and some cooking oil. Here are the steps: 1. Cut into the peel on the orange. Try not to cut into the juicy flesh, because the juice could make the peel wet and cause it to have trouble lighting. Cut all the way around the orange. You might want to have a few extra oranges in case something goes wrong. 2. Remove the peel on the side opposite the stem. The wick will be on the stem side, so you need to keep that pa