Vintage-style map of Mars

If you're into astronomy, cartography, and art, this map is an absolute delight. It's a scientifically-accurate medieval-style map of Mars, hand-drawn by Seattle-based illustrator Eleanor Lutz. It's called Here There Be Robots, a reference to the myth that cartographers from the Middle Ages would write "here be dragons" in areas that were unexplored.

"Recently I've been really into old maps made by medieval explorers," writes Eleanor on her blog . "I thought it would be fun to use their historical design style to illustrate our current adventures into unexplored territory."

She completed the map by using data from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA), which includes topographic imagery from NASA, and cartography from the USGS Astrogeology Science Center. I really like the map's old time-y appeal. The Red Planet has never looked more otherworldly.

[h/t: Nerdist]

Comments

The Adorable Sculptures of Yen Yen Lo

These images are from a series of wall sculptures created by Yen Yen Lo . Here you can see her intricately textured ceramic pieces, looking downright adorable. Yen Yen Lo's eye for the unique and whimsical is delightful. Apparently they are not intended for kids under 16. Fifteen-year-olds cannot be trusted with fragile stuff. Get them a Funko Pop instead.

A story about a duck who likes being different

The hilarious "Duckie Duck" by Kate Toms is one of my recommendations for kids learning to read. My son got this book from his aunt in Calgary a few years ago and since then has become one of his favorites. First of all, this is not your average duck tale. This is a story about a fowl who, candidly, seems to have missed the memo on duck protocol. Most ducks quack, but Duckie whistles. Others love to swim, but not him — Duckie likes boat rides. While other water birds fly, he enjoys floating inside a hot air balloon. The rhyming text and delightful hand-stitched illustrations make the book visually appealing to children. So, if you're looking for a book to teach your quirky little kids to read, "Duckie Duck" is just perfect.

Acorn-shaped meditation pod

Created by LFZ Studio , this giant acorn in France is a cool space to escape the digital deluge. For some, the wooden pod is a temporary escape from reality. For others, it’s a nice place to take a nap. And for a select few, it’s a nerve-wracking dive into claustrophobia. The pod blends perfectly with the forest and the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds create a natural soundtrack for meditation. In this sanctuary, time seems to slow down, allowing for a deeper connection with oneself and nature. |h/t: Design Boom |

finding cain

Search This Blog