Crop Circles....Aliens?

Discovered in a rice field in yogyakarta in Indonesia, crop circles consisting of triangles and circles are creating debate about their origins. Are they man-made? Alien-made? Nature-made?

Some argue this unique symbology resembles some religious symbols from the Hindu religion and therefore, are man-made. Others argue this is the result of extraterrestrial activity. Crop circles have been more frequent the last thirty to forty years and have often been argued as extraterrestrial in origin. However, in 1991, two Americans publicly confessed as creating these as a prank bragging about their success being done in under an hour.

One local astronomer denies the extraterrestrial involvement stating this must be man-made due to the lack of any indication of the crop circles resulting from some natural phenomena.

Discuss the facts, data or evidence that might support one claim over another. Are the UFO advocates too fictional in their thinking or do they really have an argument?

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/01/24/ufo-enthusiasts-fascinated-sleman-crop-circle/

Early Humans, Early Victims?

In the Djurab desert of central Africa, scientists have discovered two new species of saber-toothed tigers. In this same region, scientists have also found fossils of a 6.5 to 7.5 million year old human-like, chimp-like human ancestor. The region is believed to once been a forested, lake shore that was home to other creatures such as horses, monkeys, crocodiles, hippos, turtles, rodents, giraffes, snakes, pigs, mongooses, foxes, hyenas, badgers and antelopes. Scientists had already known a larger saber-toothed tiger once lived in this region as well weighing over 1,000 pounds (compare to today's tiger which weighs around 600 pounds).

One scientists was quoted for saying he was amazed at finding three different species of saber-toothed tigers in one region indicating the prey must have been numerous.

Finding fossils of early human ancestors with fossils of saber-toothed tigers in similar fossil beds enough to argue that these early human ancestors would have been prey to these tigers? Defend your view. Also, consider what evidence one would expect to find if this were a real possibility.

(For further reading, read the article at http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/01/19/sabertooth-cats-feasted-early-humans/#content)

Mystery of New Year's Eve Blackbird Deaths

New Year's Eve in 2011 in Arkansas was not the typical New Year's Eve. People in towns in Arkansas were reported stating they saw birds falling out of the sky on New Year's Eve. Thousands of birds were taken to the National Wildlife Health Center in Wisconsin for further study. Thousands of other birds were reported dead in Louisiana and Kentucky.

What could have caused this mass die-off?

Review the facts and discuss what could have caused this death:

1. The deaths occurred at night

2. Dead birds studied showed signs of bruising

3. Large numbers of birds were dieing at around the same time

4. The deaths occurred on New Year's Eve

Review this list, do your own research, and most importantly, THINK CRITICALLY to create a theory on how these birds died.