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The Winter 2010 issue of The Earth Scientist includes a variety of educational resources, ranging from astronomy to glaciers. Check out the other publications and classroom materials in our online store.

Mythology of the Polynesian islands

Visit the links to learn about the Polynesian myths related to objects in the sky, and aspects of their world.

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<a href="/mythology/planets/dwarf_planets/makemake.html">Makemake</a> was the creator of humanity and the god of fertility in the mythology of the South Pacific island of Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island). He was also the chief god of the bird-man cult, and was worshipped in the form of sea birds. This image shows a petroglyph of Makemake on Easter Island. In July 2008, a <a href="/our_solar_system/dwarf_planets/makemake.html">recently discovered dwarf planet</a> was named after Makemake.<p><small><em> Public domain image/Wikipedia Commons</em></small></p>

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Explore Mythology of the Polynesian islands

Maori: Papa

According to the Maori people of New Zealand, Rangi was the Sky Father and his wife was the ...Read more

Maori: Tangaroa

Tangaroa was one of the children of the Sky Father, Rangi, and Mother Earth,Papa. He was the ...Read more

Maori: Tawhiri

Tawhiri was very angry with his brothers. They disagreed about whether their parents, Rangi ...Read more

Maori: Rona

Rona was the daughter of the sea god Tangaroa. She was the Tide Controller. One night she ...Read more

Maori: Rangi

According to the Maori people of New Zealand, Rangi was the Sky Father and his wife was the ...Read more

Hawaii: Pele

Pele is a fire goddess according to the people of Hawaii. She is a savage and wrathful divinity ...Read more

Hawaii: Haumea

Haumea was the goddess of childbirth in Hawaiian mythology. One of her children was the volcano ...Read more

Maui

Maui was a hero of Polynesian mythology. For Maui and his mother the days were too short. For ...Read more

Rapa Nui: Makemake

Makemake was the creator of humanity and the god of fertility in the mythology of the South ...Read more

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4/24 Eruption of Mount Santa Maria in Guatemala on this date in 1902
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Did you know that most of the Earth's clouds and weather are found in lowest level of the Earth’s atmosphere?

Do you know what theory Archimedes is most famous for?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

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Allotropes
xAllotropes : Forms of an element with different structures and properties when they are in the same state - solid, liquid, gas

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Research Highlights

Composition of Rock Sediment Affected the Strength of Earthquakes in Sumatra

Earthquakes occur regularly in Sumatra, Indonesia because it is located near the boundary of two of Earth's tectonic plates. These earthquakes occur at 'subduction zones,' which are areas where one tectonic...Read more


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