‘Ring of Fire’ solar eclipse puts on a dazzling show in Australian Outback
(Photo: Nicole Hollenbeck)
SYDNEY — Skygazers across the Australian Outback were among the lucky few to witness a solar eclipse on Friday as the moon glided between Earth and the sun, blocking everything but a dazzling ring of light.
Source: nbcnews.to
Adam Scott wins 77th Masters in playoff, becoming first Australian to take tournament
(Photo: Getty Images)
Source: golfchannel.com
At least 5 killed as South Pacific quake triggers 3-foot tsunami
(Graphic: msnbc)
At least five people have been killed after a strong earthquake in the South Pacific generated a 3-foot tsunami, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and local news reports.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake — with a preliminary magnitude of 8.0 — struck Wednesday in the Santa Cruz Islands at a depth of about 3 miles. The Santa Cruz Islands are scarcely populated and are part of the Solomon Islands.
Three killed, dozens rescued in Australia floods
(Photo: Brett Faulkner / AFP - Getty Images)
Three people were reported to have been killed and dozens more were plucked from roofs and marooned cars in dramatic air rescues in northeastern Australia on Monday as severe floods swept through two states, inundating thousands of homes.
Source: photoblog.nbcnews.com
Incredible sight forms when dust storm and rain clouds combine over Indian ocean
(Photo: Brett Martin / fishwrecked.com via Reuters)
Western Australians witnessed a freakish dust storm off the coast of Onslow on Wednesday. The stunning views were created as wind and rain caused the storm to dump the sand and dust it had ingested while passing Onslow, Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Austen Watkins.
Source: nbcnews.to
How do you weigh a 21-foot-long python? Australian zookeepers weigh “Atomic Betty.”
(Photo: Australian Reptile Park via EPA)
Zookeepers at the Australian Reptile Park stand on scales as they weigh a 21-foot-long python named Atomic Betty, on Jan 9. Reports state that the 14-year-old python weighed in at over 304 pounds.
Source: nbcnews.to
Red algae reaches Sydney shores, closes iconic beach
(Photo: William West / AFP - Getty Images)
Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach and Clovelly Beach were closed to swimmers on Tuesday as a red algae bloom drifted close to shore, Agence France-Presse reports.
While the red algae, known as Noctiluca scintillans or sea sparkle, has no toxic effects, people are still advised to avoid swimming in areas with discolored water because the algae, which can be high in ammonia, can cause skin irritation.
Source: photoblog.nbcnews.com
Marriage proposal carved in rock at historic quarantine site
(Photo: Ursula Frederick)
Archaeologists are known for discovering tombs, pyramids, paintings and gold treasures, but now two researchers report the discovery of something rather different, and newer — a marriage proposal, carved in stone.
Source: MSNBC
Crowds cheer total solar eclipse as dawn turns back into night
(Photo: Greg Wood / AFP - Getty Images)
The moon blocked out the sun in a total solar eclipse today, briefly turning dawn back into night over parts of northern Australia and the southern Pacific Ocean.
Source: MSNBC
Mass grave found of ‘giant wombats’ the size of a rhinoceros
A mass grave of prehistoric “giant wombats” – a marsupial the size of a rhinoceros – has been discovered in Australia, according to reports.
The discovery of about 50 diprotodon skeletons was the biggest to date and could shed light on why the animal become extinct, BBC News reported.
Diprotodon, a relative of the modern wombat, was the largest marsupial that ever lived and had a pouch that was large enough to carry an adult human.
Source: MSN
