The chemical structure of geosmin, the compound behind the smell of the Earth after rain, which itself is known as petrichor. Geosmin is a compound released by certain soil bacteria called Actinomycetes, and falling rains cause it to be released into the air. We are sensitive to 10 parts per trillion, or one drop in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Next time you’re dancing in the rain with someone you love, tell them how much you like the smell of (4S,4aS,8aR)-4,8a-Dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalen-4a-ol.
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The chemical structure of geosmin, the compound behind the smell of the Earth after rain, which itself is known as petrichor. Geosmin is a compound released by certain soil bacteria called Actinomycetes, and falling rains cause it to be released into the air. We are sensitive to 10 parts per trillion, or one drop in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Next time you’re dancing in the rain with someone you love, tell them how much you like the smell of (4S,4aS,8aR)-4,8a-Dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalen-4a-ol.

iheartchaos:

Minute Physics: What if Earth were hollow?

There are still kooks out there who swear the Earth is hollow, but what if that were really the case? Minute Physics examines.

You’re gonna want to watch this obviously.

But be sure to catch Part 2 over at Vsauce, where you will learn about why astronauts just can’t stop falling, find out why you shouldn’t fire guns on the Moon, and how much water it would take to put out the Sun (except that you can’t).

iheartchaos:

The Astronaut’s Guide to Life in Space

NPR requested from NASA this 1980s-era video with commentary by astronauts of various missions. The footage, which we edited, arrived on VHS. We don’t know much about it, except that it’s playful in tone, so we decided to have some fun with it, too. Here’s an “instructional video” on survival in space, in case we ever decide to resurrect the program.

Via

A really awesome and fun look at life in space with NASA astronauts. Apparently zero-g environments induce the maturity of a 12 year-old!