 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 EPOD 20th - Birds on the Move

   September 22, 2020

    Storni-di-Stormi

   We’re celebrating 20 years of Earth Science Picture of the Day during
   the month of September! Today’s photo features a popular EPOD from the
   past. Thanks to all of our followers (on the blog, Facebook, Instagram
   and Twitter) for supporting us. Thanks also to all of you who’ve
   submitted your photos. We’re most appreciative. This EPOD was
   originally published February 10, 2020.

   Photographer:  Marco Meniero
   Summary Author:  Marco Meniero

   Shown above are images of flocks of  starlings as observed earlier
   this winter from the Viterbo Airport Control Tower in Viterbo, Italy.
   Even if you live in the city, you’ve likely noticed the choreography of
   bird flocks (most likely starlings or  pigeons) as they twist and
   turn across the sky. But what drives their movements? How do they
   coordinate with their feathered flight companions? Why is it that
    birds of a feather flock together?

   In a  study published several years ago in the  Proceedings of
   the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from the  University
   of Warwick suggest that these birds move in such a way as to achieve
   the maximum density allowing them to still have a good view of their
   surrounding space. This will occur they receive light from many
   directions, a condition known as  marginal opacity. It seems to be
   that changes in the relationship between shadow and light alert the
   birds to fly in such a way to achieve this. The scientists decided to
   test their hypothesis using a computer simulation.

   Virtual starlings were therefore been programmed to follow their
   closest companion and move to the area of the flock from which they
   have access to the greatest amount of information. The results of the
   experiment showed that programmed in this way, the virtual starlings
   join in compact groups and move in a way that’s superimposable to how
   real starlings are observed to fly. Note also the rose-colored  Belt
   of Venus and the rising of the Earth’s shadow. Photo taken on January
   15, 2020.
     * Viterbo, Italy Coordinates:  42.4207, 12.1077

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Animal Links

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     *  Microbial Life Resources
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