F
or a change, in this issue, we
take a step back from
wondering what life is like on
other planets, and look to our own.
You see, there is so much of Earth
that has still not been explored. It
seems weird to think that in 2019
there are still animals, insects and
plants that have yet to be
discovered. Think of what is below
you right now. Not directly below
you, but far down. Are there tunnels
and caves below us? What is in
them? Ooooh! Could you one day
become a scientist that travels deep
down into the depths of the seas or
deep underground to make cool
discoveries?!Other things that are found below
the ground, are fossils, which hold
clues to what life on our planet was
like in different eras. In this issue,
we kick off a new dinosaur series
with the Triassic period, when the
very first dinosaurs emerged.With Women’s Day coming up on
9 August, we also look into history
to find out more about women who
have changed our world in the fields
of medicine, computers, aviation,
space travel, paleontology and
primatology.In addition, we explore what
happens in our bodies when we get
a stitch, what would happen if all of
the UK’s rain fell in one giant drop,
what the best method is for tying
shoelaces so that they don’t come
undone, why dogs give us ‘puppy
dog eyes’, what will happen during
the Mars 2020 mission, how we
discovered how the human brain
works and what exactly is in the
Great Pacific Garbage Patch.One last thing – and we think it’s
pretty cool – we’d like you to have
more control over your magazine.
So, we want to invite you to try your
hand at writing an article. If you’re
interested, send an email with the
words ‘VI Jr Juniorlist’ in the subject
line to [email protected] and
you could see your name (and
article) in print!We hope you enjoy this issue. We
had loads of fun putting it together!Until next time,Keep learningCan you see them?
Text: Mientjie Kleinhans, Photography: Simon Shim, Targn
Pleiades, Dr Morley Read, S Rohrlach, Stephan Kerkhofs,
HelloRF Zcool, SaskiaAcht, Norm DiverTRANSLUCENT
ANIMALS
Ed’s note
Deanne
GLASS-WINGED
BUTTERFLY
ORIGIN: Central America
FOOD:^ Lantana flower
SIZE: Wingspan between 5.6 and 6.1cm
The majority of this butterfly’s wings are
transparent. If you stand close, the wings almost
look like little mirrors as they reflect the light.
But, don’t let the beauty of this delicate-
looking butterfly fool you. Not only is he
strong – he can pick up objects that are
40 times his own weight – he is also
fast and can fly almost 13km/h
for a short distance.- SEA
MOON
JELLYFISH
ORIGIN: Oceans around the world
FOOD: Plankton, shrimp, fish eggs
SIZE: 25-40cm
The sea moon jellyfish’s translucent body
consists of 95% water. He prefers water that
ranges between 9 and 19°C, but can be
found in temperatures as low as 6°C and
as high as 31°C. They normally don’t
live longer than six months in the
wild and are preyed upon by sea
birds, fish and turtles.
6.
SEA SALP
ORIGIN: Near Antarctica
FOOD: Phytoplankton
Sea salp can be seen on the surface of SIZE: 1-10cm
the ocean, or in huge swarms in deep
water. These are intriguing barrel-shaped
creatures who move by pumping water
through their translucent bodies.
This action allows the salp to
filter food from the water.- SEA
WALNUT
ORIGIN: East coast of North and South
America
FOOD: Zooplankton
SIZE: 7-12cm
The sea walnut’s body is shaped like a walnut
and he moves very slowly through the water.
When the sea walnut is disturbed, the four rows
of combs glow a green-blue colour against
his translucent body. The sea walnut has
become an invasive species in various
parts of the world, including the
Mediterranean basin.