Celestial Orientation of Fowler's Toad b uFo Fowleri

Behaviour ◽  
1966 ◽  
Vol 26 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 105-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hobart F. Landreth ◽  
Denzel E. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Site ◽  
Internal Clock ◽  
The Sun ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Simultaneous Testing ◽  
Celestial Orientation ◽  
Fowler's Toad ◽  
Clock Mechanism ◽  
Made In

AbstractYoung Fowler's toads from on and near the shores of a lake were tested in a circular pen 60 feet in diameter. Under a variety of conditions (e.g. including group tests, individual tests, simultaneous testing of two groups from different shores, long distance displacement, and transit to the test pen both in view of the sky and in lightproof containers), the toads oriented under the sun to a compass direction (Y-axis) corresponding to a line bisecting the home shoreline at right angles. This orientation persisted after 72 hours in darkness, indicating the existence of an internal clock mechanism. Reorientation to a new shore was evident in 24 hours and was virtually complete after 48 hours. Orientation failed or was partially inhibited in small toads tested under dense cloud cover, at noon, and after sunset. Also, the type of orientation exhibited under the sun was evident at night under the moon, but to a lesser extent under starry skies. These mechanisms are useful in foraging and in dispersal from nursery shores. Adults are oriented at night to the breeding site even without benefit of a chorus for reference. Adults oriented to the Y-axis of the breeding site. A recorded chorus distracted migrating adults pursuing a compass course toward a pond. Non-breeding adults compensated for a displacement made in view of the sun. Celestial orientation is considered a basic orientational mechanism which most likely developed early in anuran history.

scholarly journals How dim is dim? Precision of the celestial compass in moonlight and sunlight

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1565) ◽  
pp. 697-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dacke ◽  
M. J. Byrne ◽  
E. Baird ◽  
C. H. Scholtz ◽  
E. J. Warrant
Keyword(s):  
Dung Beetle ◽  
The Sun ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Polarization Pattern ◽  
Animal Group ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Celestial Orientation ◽  
Polarization Compass ◽  
Celestial Compass ◽  
Diurnal Species

Prominent in the sky, but not visible to humans, is a pattern of polarized skylight formed around both the Sun and the Moon. Dung beetles are, at present, the only animal group known to use the much dimmer polarization pattern formed around the Moon as a compass cue for maintaining travel direction. However, the Moon is not visible every night and the intensity of the celestial polarization pattern gradually declines as the Moon wanes. Therefore, for nocturnal orientation on all moonlit nights, the absolute sensitivity of the dung beetle's polarization detector may limit the precision of this behaviour. To test this, we studied the straight-line foraging behaviour of the nocturnal ball-rolling dung beetle Scarabaeus satyrus to establish when the Moon is too dim—and the polarization pattern too weak—to provide a reliable cue for orientation. Our results show that celestial orientation is as accurate during crescent Moon as it is during full Moon. Moreover, this orientation accuracy is equal to that measured for diurnal species that orient under the 100 million times brighter polarization pattern formed around the Sun. This indicates that, in nocturnal species, the sensitivity of the optical polarization compass can be greatly increased without any loss of precision.

scholarly journals A letter from the Rev. Mr. Richard Dunthorne to the Reverend Mr. Richard Mason F. R. S. and Keeper of the Woodwardian Museum at Cambridge, concerning the acceleration of the Moon

1750 ◽  
Vol 46 (492) ◽  
pp. 162-172 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The Sun ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Good Number ◽  
Made In

Sir, After I had compared a good Number of modern Observation made in different Situations of the Moon and of her Orbit in respect of the Sun, with the Newtonian Theory, as in my Letter of Nov. 4, 1746;

scholarly journals VI. Account of some particulars observed during the late eclipse of the sun

1794 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
pp. 39-42
Keyword(s):  
The Sun ◽  
The Moon ◽  
First Impression ◽  
Made In ◽  
The Way

It will be proper to remark that my attention, in observing this eclipse, was not directed to the time of the several parti­culars which are usually noticed in phaenomena of this kind; such as the beginning, the end, and the digits eclipsed. I was very well assured that the care of other astronomers would render my endeavours, in that respect, perfectly unnecessary. The only view I had was, to avail myself of the power and distinctness of my telescopes, in order to see whether any ap­pearances would arise that might deserve to be recorded; and the following particulars will, at least, serve to point out the way for similar observations to be made in other eclipses, where different circumstances may chance to afford an oppor­tunity for gathering some addition to our knowledge, with re­gard to the nature and condition of the moon, or of the sun, and perhaps of both these heavenly bodies. Sept. 5, 1793. 8 th 40' 3" by the clock. My attention being directed to the place where I supposed the first impression would be made, I perceived two mountains of the moon enter the disk of the sun, as delineated at a , b , fig. 1, Tab. VII. The time of their beginning to appear, when I saw them first, might be one or two seconds past.

XCIII. A letter from the Rev. Nevil Maskelyne, M. A. F. R. S. to the Rev. Thomas Birch, D. D. Secretary to the Royal So­ciety: containing the results of observations of the distance of the Moon from the Sun and fixed Stars, made in a voyage from England to the Island of St. Helena, in order to determine the longitude of the ship, from time to time; together with the whole process of computation used on this occasion

1761 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 558-577 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Royal Society ◽  
The Sun ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Whole Process ◽  
St Helena ◽  
Nevil Maskelyne ◽  
Made In

Sir, During the course of my voyage from England to this place, I made frequent observations of the distance of the Moon from the Sun and fixed star. in order to determine our longitude: and, as from their agree­ment with each other, I humbly conceive it will be allowed, that the longitude may in general be ascer­tained by this method to sufficient exactness for nau­tical purposes, I flatter myself it may not be disagreeable to the Royal Society, if I communicate to them, through your hands, the results of my observations.

The Golden Priesthood and the Leaden State. A Note on the Influence of a Work Sometimes Ascribed to St. Ambrose: The Sermo de Dignitate Sacerdotali

1957 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Huntston Williams
Keyword(s):  
The Sun ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Divine Grace ◽  
Pastoral Letter ◽  
Henry Iv ◽  
The Difference ◽  
William The Conqueror ◽  
Made In

The cosmic imagery whereby Innocent III likened the Papacy to the sun and the Empire to the moon has been traced before. The purpose of the present inquiry is to examine Gregory VII's scarcely less striking comparison of the sacerdotium to gold and the regnum to lead in three letters, two to Bishop Hermann of Metz and one to William the Conqueror. The comparison is made in its simplest form in the first letter to Hermann in 1076, wherein Pope Gregory in reference to Henry IV and his counsellors writes as follows:Perchance they imagine that the royal dignity is higher than that of bishops; but how great the difference between them is, they may learn from the difference in their origins. The former came from human lust of power; the latter was instituted by divine grace. The former constantly strives after vain glory; the latter aspires ever toward the heavenly life. Let them learn … how St. Ambrose in his pastoral letter distinguished between them. He said: “If you compare the episcopal dignity with the splendor of kings and the crowns of princes, these are far more inferior to it than the metal lead is to splendorous gold.”

Modelling Lunar Extremes

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Fisher ◽  
Lionel Sims
Keyword(s):  
High Precision ◽  
Celestial Mechanics ◽  
Computer Modelling ◽  
Landscape Context ◽  
The Sun ◽  
The Moon

Claims first made over half a century ago that certain prehistoric monuments utilised high-precision alignments on the horizon risings and settings of the Sun and the Moon have recently resurfaced. While archaeoastronomy early on retreated from these claims, as a way to preserve the discipline in an academic boundary dispute, it did so without a rigorous examination of Thom’s concept of a “lunar standstill”. Gough’s uncritical resurrection of Thom’s usage of the term provides a long-overdue opportunity for the discipline to correct this slippage. Gough (2013), in keeping with Thom (1971), claims that certain standing stones and short stone rows point to distant horizon features which allow high-precision alignments on the risings and settings of the Sun and the Moon dating from about 1700 BC. To assist archaeoastronomy in breaking out of its interpretive rut and from “going round in circles” (Ruggles 2011), this paper evaluates the validity of this claim. Through computer modelling, the celestial mechanics of horizon alignments are here explored in their landscape context with a view to testing the very possibility of high-precision alignments to the lunar extremes. It is found that, due to the motion of the Moon on the horizon, only low-precision alignments are feasible, which would seem to indicate that the properties of lunar standstills could not have included high-precision markers for prehistoric megalith builders.

Examination of Thermal and Electrical Performance of Cassegrain Concentrator System

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6S2) ◽  
pp. 96-98
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Great Degree ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Personal Satisfaction ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Supporting Structure ◽  
Apex Point ◽  
Control Water ◽  
Working Liquid ◽  
Made In

The sun oriented power (SP) is a one of a kind renewable vitality innovation. SP frameworks can give control, water warming and water decontamination in one unit. This innovation will be to a great degree accommodating in enhancing the personal satisfaction for some individuals around the globe who do not have the vitality expected to carry on with a sound life. A financial allegorical dish sort Cassegrain concentrating framework was created at the foundation of Energy Studies, Anna University Chennai. An old microwave media transmission reception apparatus having a paraboloidal shape made in aluminum frames an essential reflector which guarantees effortlessness of generation and operation. The essential concentrator was settled with mirror cleaned stainless steel with reasonable cement .The optional concentrator is inward mirror .Suitable supporting structure was developed for supporting the cassegrain concentrator. Double hub following framework is mounted for adjusting the concentrator to azimuth and apex point by utilizing DC engine and direct actuator individually. Water goes about as working liquid to expel warm from .The tank is protected with thermocol material upheld with wooden structure on all sides to maintain a strategic distance from convection misfortunes. The material Cost for the framework was Rs 15000

The Starry Universe of Jacques Cassini: Century-old Echoes of Kepler

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-167
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Graney
Keyword(s):  
18Th Century ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Johannes Kepler ◽  
Apparent Diameter ◽  
Early 18Th Century ◽  
Made In

This paper discusses measurements of the apparent diameter and parallax of the star Sirius, made in the early 18th century by Jacques Cassini, and how those measurements were discussed by other writers. Of particular interest is how other writers accepted Cassini’s measurements, but then discussed Sirius and other stars as though they were all the same size as the sun. Cassini’s measurements, by contrast, required Sirius and other stars to dwarf the sun—something Cassini explicitly noted, and something that echoed the ideas of Johannes Kepler more than a century earlier.

scholarly journals Advancement in long-distance bird migration through individual plasticity in departure

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse R. Conklin ◽  
Simeon Lisovski ◽  
Phil F. Battley
Keyword(s):  
Bird Migration ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Environmental Constraints ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Breeding Resources ◽  
Plastic Responses

AbstractGlobally, bird migration is occurring earlier in the year, consistent with climate-related changes in breeding resources. Although often attributed to phenotypic plasticity, there is no clear demonstration of long-term population advancement in avian migration through individual plasticity. Using direct observations of bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica) departing New Zealand on a 16,000-km journey to Alaska, we show that migration advanced by six days during 2008–2020, and that within-individual advancement was sufficient to explain this population-level change. However, in individuals tracked for the entire migration (50 total tracks of 36 individuals), earlier departure did not lead to earlier arrival or breeding in Alaska, due to prolonged stopovers in Asia. Moreover, changes in breeding-site phenology varied across Alaska, but were not reflected in within-population differences in advancement of migratory departure. We demonstrate that plastic responses can drive population-level changes in timing of long-distance migration, but also that behavioral and environmental constraints en route may yet limit adaptive responses to global change.

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