Download a high resolution desktop wallpaper photo of “The Crab Nebula” as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope. The Crab Nebula is a supernova remnant, all that remains from the violent death of a star that may have been as much as 10 times more massive than our Sun.

In July/August of 1054, Chinese astronomers saw and recorded a powerful celestial explosion which brightened the summer sky. Appearing in the sky above the southern horn of the constellation Taurus was a star the Chinese described as six times brighter than Venus and about as brilliant as the full Moon.

The remains of this star were later christened the Crab Nebula, a cloudy, glowing mass of gas and dust about 7,000 light-years away from Earth.

The Crab Nebula is widely studied because it offers a unique opportunity to study high energy astrophysical phenomena. The physical processes that are at work in the centers of distant active galaxies and quasars are thought to be much like the processes at work in the center of the Crab, only on a vastly larger scale.

The difference is that while astronomers may never truly ’see’ into the very heart of an active galaxy, the Crab allows the properties and behavior of high energy winds and jets to be studied up close and personal

The glowing, eerie shifting patterns of light in the center of the Crab are created by electrons and positrons (anti-matter electrons) as they spiral around magnetic field lines and radiate away energy. This lights up the interior volume of the nebula, which is more than 10 light-years across.

The powerhouse at the center of the nebula responsible for this is a rapidly spinning neutron star - the compact core of the exploded star. Only about six miles (10 kilometers) across, the neutron star would fit inside a small town, yet its small size belies its significance and the punch that it packs.

In fact the Neutron star generates enough energy to make the entire nebula radiate over almost the whole electromagnetic spectrum and is so powerful that the nebula shines brighter than 75,000 suns.

Read the 20 most popular Road Less Travelled articles

On the 4th of August 2002, adventurer Mike Horn started his biggest challenge so far: the discovery of the Arctic. He was set on being the first man to travel alone around the Arctic Circle non-stop, traveling a considerable part of the way on foot without any human assistance or motorized vehicle.

Download this 1680×1050 sized wallpaper photo of Mike’s face almost covered with Snow and Ice.

This “Arktos” expedition took 27 months during which Mike traveled solo and covered 20,000km trekking around the Arctic Circle crossing the territory of Greenland, Canada, Alaska, Russia and Norway using only his general knowledge, good equipment, physical strength and determination as his resources.

Mike was set on being the first man to travel alone around the Arctic Circle, keeping above the latitude of 66°33, non-stop and non-motorized. His modes of transport were sailboat, kayak, bike, skis, and when possible, a kite. On the 21st of October 2004 at 10am Swiss time, Mike Horn reached this almost impossible goal 27 months after starting.

Visit Mike’s website for details about his “Pangaea Young Explorers Project” which gives conservation training scholarships to children and young adults aged 13-20 years.

I met Mike in early July 2009 and spent a few hours on his yacht on Sydney Harbour, he’s really inspiring and I hope his Young Explorers Project is successful.

If you know any kids 13-20 years old who are good at sailing & outdoor activities tell them to consider applying for Mike Horn’s “Pangaea Young Explorers Project” - his corporate sponsors cover all the costs of training and it’s an opportunity of a lifetime to learn conservation principles from a great explorer/adventurer.

Every month I’ll publish a new Free Desktop Wallpaper for your computer by a Guest Photographer or from the archives of photos I’ve taken, subscribe to my RSS feed to make sure you get the next one.

Read the 20 most popular Road Less Travelled articles

Republishing in full not allowed without permission.. Source: roadlesstravelled.com.au

GUEST ARTICLE: When we arrived in Las Vegas we were greeted with the same fantastic energy that just is Las Vegas. There is no other place in the world like it. Arriving at night is pretty spectacular, the light display is incredible, and I can’t even imagine what their power bill must be like, yikes! Being December the weather was much cooler than normal, freezing actually, I knew I should have packed that sweater!

Las Vegas
photo credit: stuckincustoms

The numerous attractions in Vegas are never ending and it can be quite a task trying to figure out what you want to see and do while most importantly trying not to go broke, something very easily done in Vegas!

We heard stories of people actually walking to the airport with luggage in tow because they didn’t even have enough money for a taxi.

Roulette Gambling
photo credit: discopalace

The majority of the shows sport some pretty hefty prices but there are also some pretty good shows at reasonable prices, just be sure to check out the reviews before taking the leap.

A good hypnotist show is always a winner (as long as you’re part of the audience!) and if you’re willing to go through one of the ‘many’ annoying time share scams you can score some free tickets, although that’s something I wouldn’t recommend wasting your time with.

Also never forget the golden rule – you get nothing for nothing in America.

Las Vegas Clubs
photo credit: roadsidepictures

As for the food, there’s really there’s nothing much to say about it, you’re in America! Let’s just say you certainly won’t starve, there’s nothing quite like American sized portions – dig in!

One day we rented a car and drove to a place just outside of Vegas called Red Rock Canyon, imagine our surprise when we came upon what is usually a very hot rich red canyon covered in a light blanket of snow!? Snow in the middle of the desert we thought? Strange but very beautiful!

We didn’t actually realize the full impact the snow had on the city until we got stuck in a major blizzard later that day while heading back to our hotel on the strip. Since it hadn’t snowed like that in Vegas since 1979 the traffic was chaotic. It was incredible! The airport was also shut down along with a few major freeways, causing even more problems.

Fortunately we made it back without any fender benders but with frozen feet due to the thick wet slush covering the ground. The strange thing about all of this was that by the next morning there was hardly even a flake to be found.

This time we went to check out downtown Las Vegas. The buildings were obviously much older but there was a very cool authentic feel about that area, especially Freemont Street which has a massive pedestrian mall with the biggest big screen canopying the street - very cool.

Well we enjoyed ourselves in Vegas as usual but I think we might stick to their summers in the future! Next stop Dallas … Giddy up!

This travel diary has been written by Rob Gower, a traveler who works part-time for a bus hire company and enjoys traveling along roads less traveled!

If you’ve travelled somewhere off the beaten track, can write well and have good quality photos I encourage you to contact me and I’ll consider publishing your travel diary here including generous attribution and links back to your website as thanks for your contribution

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Read the 20 most popular Road Less Travelled articles

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GUEST ARTICLE: When we arrived in Las Vegas we were greeted with the same fantastic energy that just is Las Vegas. There is no other place in the world like it. Arriving at night is pretty spectacular, the light display is incredible, and I can’t even imagine what their power bill must be like, yikes! Being December the weather was much cooler than normal, freezing actually, I knew I should have packed that sweater!

Las Vegas
photo credit: stuckincustoms

The numerous attractions in Vegas are never ending and it can be quite a task trying to figure out what you want to see and do while most importantly trying not to go broke, something very easily done in Vegas!

We heard stories of people actually walking to the airport with luggage in tow because they didn’t even have enough money for a taxi.

Roulette Gambling
photo credit: discopalace

The majority of the shows sport some pretty hefty prices but there are also some pretty good shows at reasonable prices, just be sure to check out the reviews before taking the leap.

A good hypnotist show is always a winner (as long as you’re part of the audience!) and if you’re willing to go through one of the ‘many’ annoying time share scams you can score some free tickets, although that’s something I wouldn’t recommend wasting your time with.

Also never forget the golden rule – you get nothing for nothing in America.

Las Vegas Clubs
photo credit: roadsidepictures

As for the food, there’s really there’s nothing much to say about it, you’re in America! Let’s just say you certainly won’t starve, there’s nothing quite like American sized portions – dig in!

One day we rented a car and drove to a place just outside of Vegas called Red Rock Canyon, imagine our surprise when we came upon what is usually a very hot rich red canyon covered in a light blanket of snow!? Snow in the middle of the desert we thought? Strange but very beautiful!

We didn’t actually realize the full impact the snow had on the city until we got stuck in a major blizzard later that day while heading back to our hotel on the strip. Since it hadn’t snowed like that in Vegas since 1979 the traffic was chaotic. It was incredible! The airport was also shut down along with a few major freeways, causing even more problems.

Fortunately we made it back without any fender benders but with frozen feet due to the thick wet slush covering the ground. The strange thing about all of this was that by the next morning there was hardly even a flake to be found.

This time we went to check out downtown Las Vegas. The buildings were obviously much older but there was a very cool authentic feel about that area, especially Freemont Street which has a massive pedestrian mall with the biggest big screen canopying the street - very cool.

Well we enjoyed ourselves in Vegas as usual but I think we might stick to their summers in the future! Next stop Dallas … Giddy up!

This travel diary has been written by Rob Gower, a traveler who works part-time for a bus hire company and enjoys traveling along roads less traveled!

If you’ve travelled somewhere off the beaten track, can write well and have good quality photos I encourage you to contact me and I’ll consider publishing your travel diary here including generous attribution and links back to your website as thanks for your contribution

Read the 20 most popular Road Less Travelled articles

Download free 1024×768 resolution desktop wallpaper photo of the wall next to Cadman Cottage lit by a spectrum of red, blue, yellow and white for Smart Light Sydney 2009 festival taken slow exposure over 8 seconds to create the effect of shadowy people.

Download Instructions

1. Click on the preview photo
2. When the full size photo is displayed from the Picasa web album - click on Download at the top right side of the screen, then Download Photo

Cadman Cottage Colour Wall Shadowy People - Smart Light Sydney 2009

• Camera: Panasonic PZ30
• Wallpaper format: JPG 486 Kb in size
• Original Photos: JPG 3.99MB in size

• F stop: 11
• Exposure time: 8 seconds
• ISO: 100

• Focal Length: 35 mm
• Original Resolution: 8 Megapixel (3264px x 2448px) photo

Every month I’ll publish a new Free Desktop Wallpaper for your computer by a Guest Photographer or from the archives of photos I’ve taken, subscribe to my RSS feed to make sure you get the next one.

Other photos I’ve taken can be viewed at my Google Picasa Web Photo Album

Read the 20 most popular Road Less Travelled articles

Download free 1680×1050 resolution desktop wallpaper photo of the Sydney Opera House lit up by projected coloured patterns for the Smart Light Sydney 2009 festival.

Download Instructions

1. Click on the preview photo
2. When the full size photo is displayed from the Picasa web album - click on Download at the top right side of the screen, then Download Photo

Sydney Opera House Panorama - Smart Light Sydney 2009

• Camera: Panasonic PZ30
• Wallpaper format: JPG 1100 Kb in size
• Original Photos: JPG 3.29MB + 2.8MB in size

• F stop: 2.8
• Exposure time: 8 seconds
• ISO: 80

• Focal Length: 35 mm
• Original Resolution: 2×8 Megapixel (6528px x 2448px) photos merged to create panorama

Every month I’ll publish a new Free Desktop Wallpaper for your computer by a Guest Photographer or from the archives of photos I’ve taken, subscribe to my RSS feed to make sure you get the next one.

Other photos I’ve taken can be viewed at my Google Picasa Web Photo Album

Read the 20 most popular Road Less Travelled articles

Download a free 1024×768 resolution desktop wallpaper photo of a Bee in my backyard cleaning itself with its proboscis (tongue)

Download Instructions

1. Click on the preview photo
2. When the full size photo is displayed from the Picasa web album - click on Download Photo in the right-hand side menu and Save

Bee Proboscis (Tongue) Closeup

• Camera: Panasonic FZ30
• Wallpaper format: JPG 675 Kb in size
• Original Photo: JPG 3.27 MB in size

• F stop: 4.0
• Exposure time: 1/100th second
• ISO: 80

• Metering & Focusing: Spot
• Focal Length: 35mm
• Original Resolution: 8 Megapixels (3264px x 2448px)
• Optical Image Stabilisation: Turned On
• Tripod Used: No

Every month I’ll publish a new Free Desktop Wallpaper for your computer by a Guest Photographer or from the archives of photos I’ve taken, subscribe to my RSS feed to make sure you get the next one.

Other photos I’ve taken can be viewed at my Google Picasa Web Photo Album

Read the 20 most popular Road Less Travelled articles