A COSMIC JEWEL

What Organisms Generate the Most Oxygen? Hint: It's not the Trees.

Image: NASA

From the deep, dark depths of the ocean to the most populated continent and regions with extreme temperatures, our planet offers a range of unique features. And despite our extensive knowledge about it, many discoveries still await us.

Embark with us on this exploratory journey, as we unveil these 10 fun facts about Earth that will captivate you. After all, it is not just a planet; it's our beloved home!

Image: Lu Gu

Despite being a familiar landscape for many, the ocean actually remains a major mystery for humanity.

The ocean, which encompasses about 71% of the Earth's surface, is massive and incredibly deep, so only 5 to 20% of it has been explored.

According to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, more than 90% of species on Earth are in ocean waters. Can you imagine the incredible creatures that inhabit its deepest confines? Some would say it's maybe better to just not know.

Image: Ilse Orsel

Although the Earth is teeming with numerous species that vary in size and color, there exist corners where life just can't flourish. If you're a summer person, this fact will make you shudder.

Cold can be really annoying, right? Imagine being at -128.6 degrees Fahrenheit! Believe it or not, that is the lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

You probably already guessed where this icy milestone was achieved. That's right, in the frozen Antarctica, back in 1983.

Image: Tetiana Grypachevska

Let's shift our focus from the freezing regions to discover the hottest part ofEarth: its inner core.

Deep within our planet lies the Earth's inner core, a massive sphere of iron with a radius of about 760 miles and temperatures soaring to a staggering 9,300°F. To put this into perspective, this is similar to the temperature of the solar surface!

Surprisingly, despite the extreme heat, the Earth's inner core remains solid, a fact that can be attributed to the immense pressure exerted upon it.

Image: CHUTTERSNAP

There are moments when we wish for more hours in a day to complete our tasks and savor every moment, right? Well, here's some news for you to know: Earth's days are indeed getting longer, with projections indicating they might eventually stretch to 25 hours in the next centuries. However, this is happening very, very slowly.

The lengthening of our days is a consequence of the gradual slowing down of Earth's rotation, a phenomenon attributed to the moon's progressive drift away from our planet. This means that, over a billion years ago, Earth's days were shorter than today!

Image: NASA

Just as we all go through personal makeovers at different points of our lives, houses, cities, and even the Earth itself experience transformations. However, while it may only take you a few minutes to get a haircut, the Earth's changes occur over much longer periods.

According to the theory of continental drift proposed last century, about 200 million years ago, there were no different continents like today, but a single large landmass: the big Pangea.

The movement of the tectonic plates caused Pangea to gradually fracture and disperse into separate portions of land, which would be the origin of today's continents.

Image: Rob Curran

When discussing continents, it's impossible to overlook Asia, the largest and most populous continent on Earth.

Encompassing some 48 countries (including the two most populous nations on the planet, India and China), Asia hosts 60% of the world's population. That's right, more than half of Earth's inhabitants call this continent home.

So, if you're not a fan of bustling crowds, the Asian continent wouldn't be your ideal vacation spot.

Image: Michael C

About 97% of the Earth's water is in the oceans. But that water is saline, which unfortunately means we can't drink it. This leaves us with a mere 3% of freshwater on our planet.

But that is not all; out of that 3%, a significant 2% is locked in glaciers and ice caps, leaving only 1% available for our use.

Don't panic; it's still a substantial amount of water. However, it's crucial that we remain conscientious about conserving and preserving this valuable resource.

Image: Sara Kurfeß

Light travels at an impressive 186,000 mi/sec. Now, that's what we call fast. However, due to the vast distance between the Sun and Earth—some 93 million miles—sunlight takes about 8 minutes to reach our planet.

That means that if the Sun were to suddenly extinguish, aside from the catastrophic consequences that would follow, it would take us about 8 minutes to realize the dire event had occurred.

Image: Bailey Hall

We have already talked about water; now it is time to talk about the lack of it. Covering an area of 41,000 square miles in northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on the planet.

In the Atacama, rainfall is so scant that certain regions have never experienced a single drop in recorded history!

Yes, this place looks like the set of a science fiction movie. But what's truly amazing is that despite its extreme aridity, there are some life forms that inhabit it.

Image: Marek Okon

While we show our love and appreciation for forests, the true masters of oxygen production are beneath the waves. That's right, most of the Earth's oxygen is produced in the oceans.

This large production essential for life is the responsibility of the oceanic plankton. These countless tiny organisms perform photosynthesis, just like plants and trees. They release oxygen into the ocean, and that oxygen then makes its way into the atmosphere, keeping us all breathing.

TIME TO GIVE THE PBJ SANDWICH A REST

Sandwich School 101: 10 Mouth-watering Treats You Can Make At Home

Image: Raphael Nogueira

Everybody knows how to make a sandwich. You stick a bunch of ingredients between two pieces of bread and that’s it, right? If you are in a hurry and need to eat something, an improvised sandwich will probably do the trick. But there are many variations and combinations of the original recipe that can make the experience a much more enjoyable one. Take a look at the following ten and see if you can add one to your sandwich repertoire.

Image: Eaters Collective

Try a glorious combination that adds the freshness of the apple to classic sandwich ingredients. You will need 2 slices of any hearty white sandwich bread or other crusty bread, sliced about 1⁄2 inch thick, 2 tablespoons of Dijon-style or maple mustard, 2 slices deli-style Swiss cheese, 2 ounces of deli-style smoked turkey, 1 large Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced, and 2 to 3 tablespoons butter.

Start by placing a skillet over medium-low heat. Lay four slices of bread on a flat surface. Top each with ½ tablespoon of mustard, followed by one slice of Swiss cheese. Add 2 ounces of smoked turkey and three to four apple slices. Then, top with the remaining cheese and bread. Butter the top of each sandwich and place the butter side down on the hot skillet. Butter the remaining side, then cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until the bread turns golden brown and the cheese melts.

Image: Hillshire Farm

A vegetarian-friendly sandwich, the Triple-Play Grilled Cheese requires 2 slices of fresh sourdough or good sandwich bread, 4 to 5 teaspoons of cream cheese, Dijon-style mustard, 1⁄3 cup of loosely packed shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese, 2 to 3 very thin slices of ripe tomato, 1⁄3 cup of loosely packed shredded Havarti cheese, and 1 tablespoon of softened butter or mayonnaise.

Start by smearing one slice of bread with half of the cream cheese and mustard, and cover it with the cheddar cheese. Then, lay on two or three slices of tomato, and cover with the Havarti cheese. After that, smear the other slice of bread with the remaining cream cheese, add more mustard, and place it, cream cheese side down, on the Havarti cheese. Place the sandwich on a hot skillet and cook it for 2 to 3 minutes.

Image: Eaters Collective

Sandwiches in Vermont farms can be exquisite, as this recipe shows. You will need 2 slices of whole wheat bread, brown mustard, horseradish, some sliced roast beef or other meat, a raw sliced yellow onion, and cheddar cheese.

Start by spreading one piece of bread lavishly with mustard and the other with a very thick layer of horseradish. Then, add the meat, several slices of onion, and two slices of cheddar cheese. Assemble the sandwich and enjoy.

Image: Gardie Design & Social Media Marketing

A classic sandwich, the Croque Monsieur has been around for quite some time and deserves every bit of the appreciation it receives. To make one at home, you will need 2 slices of white or sourdough bread, 1 slice of Gruyere cheese, 1 slice of smoked ham,

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 egg, 1/4 cup milk, and 2 tablespoons butter.

Start by heating a large griddle over medium heat. Then prepare one ham-and-cheese sandwich, spreading the mustard on one slice of bread only. In a shallow bowl, beat the egg and milk together. Dip both sides of the sandwich in the egg mixture. Melt the butter and grill the sandwich, flipping once.

Image: Ola Mishchenko

Just like the PBJ, this is one of those sandwiches with a name that describes its contents. To make a Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella sandwich, you will need 1 small loaf of French bread, 1 tablespoon of basil pesto (which you can substitute with olive oil), 1 large ripe tomato, sliced, salt and pepper, 2 slices of mozzarella cheese, and some fresh basil leaves.

Start by slicing the French bread on the diagonal, making at least a dozen slices. Coat one side of each slice of bread with pesto or olive oil. Then, layer on the tomato slices, season with salt and pepper, add the mozzarella slices and fresh basil leaves. Top with a second piece of bread, and you’re done!

Image: Scott Hendrickson

Sandwiches can be a gourmet food, and the French Toast Cordon Bleu is solid proof. To make one of these, you will need 2 slices of ham, 1 slice of mozzarella cheese, 2 slices of Portuguese bread or Brioche, 1 egg, 1 cup of milk or cream, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg, and some confectioners' sugar.

Prepare a normal sandwich with the ham, cheese, and bread. Then combine the egg, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon, and holding the sandwich together, dunk it into the milk and egg, but don’t soak it. Grill on both sides until golden brown. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve with maple syrup.

Image: Dan Burton

Pita pockets are a great way to eat a sandwich with less bread. To make this delicious treat, you will need 1 well-drained can of tuna, 1 small firm apple, peeled, cored, and diced, 2 tablespoons of chopped sweet onion, 1 small stalk of diced celery, 1 teaspoon of curry powder, 1/2 a teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/4 cup of jalapeno jelly and 2 pita pockets.

Start by combining the tuna, apple, onion, and celery in a small bowl. Then, in a separate bowl, stir together the curry, cumin, and jalapeno jelly, add to the tuna, and mix well. Warm the pitas, cut open, and put the mix inside. Done!

Image: Yoad Shejtman

The Super Steak Sandwich won’t disappoint you. You will need vegetable oil, a cup of beer, 1 chopped garlic clove, 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon of Dijon-style mustard, 1 beef flank steak, a tablespoon of butter, 1 sliced onion, 1 cup of sliced mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon of paprika, 1 large loaf of French bread, and cheese (choose your favorite).

Start by combining the oil, beer, garlic, pepper, salt, and mustard in a medium bowl. Marinate the steak overnight in the refrigerator. In a large skillet, melt the butter and sauté the onion and mushrooms with the paprika until tender and lightly browned; keep warm while cooking the steak. Remove the steak from the marinade and broil or grill for about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Slice the meat diagonally into 1/4-inch pieces. Cut the French bread into two equal pieces, then cut each piece in half horizontally. Divide the onion-mushroom mixture evenly among two pieces of bread, top with meat, and cover with the remaining bread.

Image: Youjeen Cho

This fresh take on a classic adds an ingredient that has already been present in some of the previous recipes. To make this tuna sandwich, you will need 1 can of well-drained chunk tuna, 2-3 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 2-4 slices of red onion, 1 Golden Delicious or Granny Smith sliced apple, some lettuce, and 2-4 slices of Cheddar cheese.

Mix the tuna, mayonnaise, onion, and apple together. Place a slice of lettuce on 1 piece of bread, then spread the tuna over it. Top with the cheddar cheese. Broil the sandwich without closing it and serve.

Image: Amber Fisher

Anything tastes better with bacon, and sandwiches are not an exception. To make this bacon sandwich, you will need 6 rashers of rindless back bacon, 1 white country loaf, butter, 3 tablespoons of tomato chutney, and 1 large garlic clove, peeled and cut in half.

Start by heating a frying pan, then cook the bacon for 3 minutes each side or until golden and crisp. Then, cut 6 thick slices from the loaf and butter each one on one side. Spread the chutney evenly over 3 slices of the bread and then top each with 2 rashers of bacon. Top with the other slices of bread, buttered side down, and then press together. Put the sandwiches on the pan for 2 more minutes, rub the cut sides with the garlic clove, and serve.

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