Australian Science Illustrated – Issue 51 2017

Editor: Morten Kjerside Poulsen

scienceillustrated.com.au | 19

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The seasons are partly based on the length of the days

and the Sun’s position in the sky, and those are not

altered by global warming. However, our experience of

seasons is also affected by the state of persisting snow,

ice and water levels from earlier in the year. All are

changing as temperatures rise.

Signs of spring will emerge earlier, as flowers and

trees will start to grow earlier, and the summers will be

longer, as the water is warmer for a longer period of time.

On the other hand, winter will start later, because the

warm ocean water will keep the cold at bay. The changes

are more pronounced in coastal regions, where the ocean

has a more immediate effect on day-to-day weather. Far

inland, the changes are much less noticeable.

Does global warming change with the seasons?

How long does it take

to get to the ISS?

Even though the International

Space Station orbits just 400 km up,

it takes about 3 days for a space

capsule to reach it. The capsule

must slowly catch up with the ISS,

which is travelling at a speed of

27,000 km/h, and dock with the

station, which of course must be

done carefully... and perfectly!

Global warming will make spring flowers

combat winter earlier.

IN SHORT P. PLAILLY/E. DAYNES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

LIVER

19 %*

Sometimes, only part of the liver

is transplanted. Unique among

vital organs, livers can regrow.

HEART

4 %*

The heart can be included in a

lung transplant, which makes it

a more "popular" transplant.

LUNGS

4 %*

In about 6% of transplants,

only one lung is replaced. This

lessens risk of rejection.

PANCREAS

4 %*

In 90% of cases, the pancreas

is transplanted at the same

time as the kidneys.

KIDNEYS

69 %*

One in three kidneys come

from a living donor, often the

patient's close relative.

Which organ is trans-

planted most often?

TOP 5

?

ARNO MASSEE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

*Of all organ transplants.

Buoys on the ocean

floor warn of tsunamis

The DART II buoys are the world’s most sophisticated
tsunami warning system. They measure water pressure
and distinguish between tsunamis and ordinary waves.

NOAA

PRESSURE

SENSOR

WARNING CENTRETSUNAMI

SURFACE BUOY

TRANSLATORACOUSTIC SOUND WAVES

1 A pressure sensor on the ocean floor

registers water pressure

changes. The sensor can

distinguish between ordi-

nary waves and tsunamis

down to just one cm high.

2 Via sound

waves, pressure

sensors transmit

data to a buoy at the

surface every 15 minutes.

If the sensor spots a

tsunami, it will transmit

data every 15 seconds.

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The buoy transmits

data to a total of 66

Iridium satellites. From the

satellite, data is transmitted

to tsunami warning centres

such as the PTWC in Hawaii,

where scientists decide

whether to issue a warning.