The highly anticipated Artemis II event will mark the family’s first opportunity to witness a rocket launch in person. Aaron plans to drive to Titusville, searching for a less crowded viewing spot for optimal viewing.
The surge of tourists flocking to central Florida is a significant boost for the local economy, although heavy traffic remains a challenge.
Beachfront hotels have been fully booked for weeks, if not months. Many local businesses are participating in the launch festivities, enhancing the community spirit.
The Ace Hardware sign in Titusville showcases a photo of an astronaut, advertising essential launch viewing supplies. A Cocoa Beach shop is offering commemorative items, including Artemis II Aloha shirts.
In addition, Playalinda Brewing Company has crafted a themed pale ale named Artemis IIPA.
“In 2022, Playalinda released Artemis Pale Ale, and with this new venture, we wanted to take it a step further, launching Artemis II Double IPA,” said Ronnie Chabot, one of the brewery’s four owners and operators.
After the beer went on sale on February 3, ahead of the initial launch window targeted by NASA, Chabot reported that both cans and draft beer sold out within days. The beer features a retro label showcasing a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, complete with an “Easter egg” for space enthusiasts—the moon depicted in its phase during the launch of Artemis II.
When NASA was forced to abandon the opening launch opportunity that same month, Playalinda decided to produce a larger batch. These cans also sold out swiftly.
“It was the fastest-selling item at the brewery,” Chabot noted.
Insects certainly deserve more acclaim, which is why I was thrilled to experience a circus performance focused on these fascinating creatures at London’s Royal Albert Hall before heading to a venue in Europe.
OVO, a production by Cirque du Soleil, translates to “egg” in Portuguese. The show features a whimsical narrative about an eccentric fly that, with the help of an insect clown, navigates a bustling ecosystem to win the affection of a ladybug. While the storyline might be simple, the breathtaking acrobatics are nothing short of spectacular.
One memorable scene showcases an acrobatic spider balancing a stick in its mouth, while another features an ant juggling fruit with its legs. The thrilling finale of the first act includes acrobats throwing each other high into the air with impressive precision. A standout moment also includes a cricket performing trampoline jumps over a wall.
This performance promises to captivate audiences of all ages and foster a greater appreciation for the remarkable insects with whom we share our planet.
These ‘murder koalas’, or marsupial lions, are the highlight of the show
Apple TV
In 1999, the BBC introduced Walking with Dinosaurs, pioneering a new format of wildlife “documentaries” showcasing long-extinct species. As a fan of this genre, I found Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age, a production by BBC Studios for Apple TV, to be exceptional.
The earlier series brought prehistoric planet dinosaurs to vivid life. Now, this third installment highlights the remarkable mammals that inhabited Earth until relatively recently.
The visuals are breathtaking. You could easily mistake the extinct creatures on screen for real footage, especially their incredibly lifelike eyes.
There were occasional awkward moments in the animals’ movements, but my discerning son remarked, “The only unreal thing is how stunning it looks.”
Paleontologists who previewed the trailer seem genuinely impressed. Ultimately, if you’re at all intrigued by extinct species, Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age is a must-watch.
What I particularly appreciate about this series is its breadth; it’s not solely focused on woolly mammoths fleeing saber-toothed tigers. Iconic Ice Age animals are featured, including giant sloths, woolly rhinos, giant armadillos, scimitar-toothed cats, and Columbian mammoths.
This series explores not just the icy polar regions, but also global ecosystems, showcasing many lesser-known species—including some I had never heard of. The animal deemed the “king of beasts” in Ice Age Africa came as a complete surprise.
Prehistoric Planet: Procoptodon, the giant ice age kangaroo
Apple TV
Another standout was the “murder koala” or marsupial lion (Thylacoleo). A recent study’s findings were published just this month. Koalas are our closest living relatives. The inclusion of this marsupial lion suggests the producers were aware of this finding beforehand. Other Australian creatures, such as a massive marsupial called diprotodon, also make an appearance.
Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age Woolly Mammoth
Apple TV
Additionally, there are charming moments, like a squirrel trying to eat a fruit resembling a giant cannonball, reminiscent of the animated film series Ice Age.
I found the change from David Attenborough to Tom Hiddleston as narrator to be somewhat distracting, as Loki’s voice felt out of place at times.
Interestingly, the series avoids graphic content, perhaps considering a younger audience. I’ll refrain from specifics to avoid spoilers, but I was quite surprised by this approach.
My primary critique is that the final segment discussing the science is brief. I would have preferred more insights from the featured experts, particularly regarding the evidence and rationale behind the actions depicted. Many New Scientist readers might agree with this sentiment, although it could just be my perspective.
While the initial scientific trivia outlines why Ice Ages persisted for so long, it curiously omits mentioning carbon dioxide’s role. The reduction of CO2 was crucial in initiating these Ice Ages, and CO2 feedback significantly amplified orbital variations’ effects.
Lastly, keep an eye out for direwolves. I’ve extensively covered claims of reviving the dire wolf via gene editing on the gray wolf, noting the misconceptions stemming from the fantasy portrayals in Game of Thrones. This series offers a high-quality, accurate artistic representation of a real animal.
Ultimately, this science-based depiction of extinct creatures is a remarkable achievement. The direwolves aren’t just large white wolves; this portrayal captures their distinctive head shape and brownish fur.
Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age Direwolf
Apple TV
For me, the portrayal of extinct animals on screen represents a critical approach to de-extinction. As we approach the end of a lengthy Ice Age, we face the stark reality that there’s no longer a habitat for these extraordinary species on our planet.
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