A Map, A Mat, A Moon and Math

You may have heard before that maps of the world are not entirely accurate on scale. Most maps are based on the Mercator projection, a schema that distorts the scale of many countries because it enlarges nations as they get farther from the Equator. While helpful in some cases, this doesn’t give travelers a totally accurate vision of the Earth’s spatial layout. In a Mercator map, Greenland looks the size of Africa, Alaska seems bigger than Brazil, and Antarctica appears as an infinite, frozen nightmare. Now, a Japanese designer has come up with Authagraph World Map. His map overcomes 2D distortions by angling continents in a way that accurately displays both their relative sizes and the distances between them. Here it is. What do you think?

I just might be looking for this doormat. If you don't get it, you're probably too young.

My better half had me go outside last night and look at the supermoon. It was pretty cool, but there are no fun settings in which to take a photo around here. Did you check it out? I think this won't happen again for 20 years or so. If you forgot or were too busy watching TV, these people have a solution for you...and you don't have to wait 20 years.

Seeing the gold and red on trees in the Fall is so much fun. When the sun is shining on them, it can take your breath away. However, it doesn't last long enough. Luckily, if you are around soon enough after the leaves begin to fall, there is still a kind of beauty around them, especially with the aspen and their white trunks. Look at this scene.

The gold at the tops and bottoms of trees is still nice.

And even with only a few leaves left, I still like the aspen colors.

Let's leave today with a creative answer to a math question. Did you hate those tests in school? If only we could all have been this imaginative (or is it just smart-aleckiness?).

Thanks for reading today. I hope you come back again soon. Have a Wonderful Wednesday.