How to use this Page

If you aren’t familiar with the Nat Geo kids publications you should be. I came to them late as an adult, but as a kid I devoured their adult magazines anyway (mostly on the toilet, as one does.) National Geographic … Continue reading →

Whether it’s for the thrill of an extreme sport like climbing Mount Everest or sky diving from a plane high above the ground, or for the allure of a job that involves the likes of exploring space or traveling the seas, some people naturally have what it takes to face the challenges of life in the extreme. Although there is no one perfect equation that leads to a person able to handle extreme environments, we pulled together the quiz below based on the ideas and information from Extreme: Why Some People Thrive at the Limits by Emma Barrett and Paul Martin. Try your hand at the questions below, and see if you have what it takes to be the next Amelia Earhart or Buzz Aldrin.

Featured headline image: Mt. Huayna Potosi. Photo by Justin Vidamo. CC BY 2.0 via Flickr.

The post Do you have what it takes to be extreme? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

        

Related Stories

• Test your knowledge of neuroanatomical terminology
• Five lessons from extreme places
• Remembering the original On the Town during World War II

 

The Apollo XI moon landing celebrated its 45th anniversary this past Sunday. First Book is celebrating this momentous event with some of our favorite space-inspired books:

 1. Almost Astronauts: Thirteen Women Who Dared to Dream
What does it take to be an astronaut? Excellence at flying, courage, intelligence, resistance to stress, top physical shape–any checklist would include these. But when America created NASA in 1958, there was another unspoken rule: you had to be a man. Here is the tale of thirteen women who proved that they were not only as tough as the toughest man but also brave enough to challenge the government. They were blocked by prejudice, jealousy, and the scrawled note of one of the most powerful men in Washington. But even though the Mercury 13 women did not make it into space, they did not lose, for their example empowered young women to take their place in the sky, piloting jets and commanding space capsules. ALMOST ASTRONAUTS is the story of thirteen true pioneers of the space age.

2. Discover Science: Solar System
Solar System is the perfect introduction for young readers to the endlessly fascinating topic of space and the vast, mysterious worlds that make up our solar system. Discover the activity of the flaming prominences of the sun and the bubbling volcanoes of Venus. Examine the apparently lifeless craters on the moon, Saturn’s swirling rings, and giant Jupiter’s great red spot. Marvel at space travelers such as the comet Halle-Bopp, mighty meteorites, and the Spirit and Viking space probes on their missions to Mars. Budding astronomers will be intrigued and enthralled by the strange and diverse worlds that make up our solar system.

3. Out of This World: Poems and Facts about Space
The mysteries of the universe and the science of space exploration are perennially popular subjects, and Out of This World is a wonderful introduction. Amy Sklansky has written evocative poems about planets and stars and rockets and moon landings and satellites. Each poem is supported by additional facts and explanations in the margins. Stacey Schuett brings it all to life with color-soaked skies and beautiful perspectives in her fabulous paintings.

4. Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #6: Space: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #8: Midnight on the Moon
How did the universe begin? How hot is the sun? How long does it take to get to the moon? Find out the answers to these questions and more in Magic Tree House Research Guide: Space, Jack and Annie’s very own guide to the secrets of the universe. Including information on stars, planets, space travel, life on other planets, and much more!

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin and the Apollo 11 crew inspired a generation to reach new heights. Now Buzz is  inspiring readers – young and old. Check out his new science fiction book, “Encounter with Tiber” in this week’s Humble Book Bundle. Special thanks to Buzz Aldrin, Humble Bundle and Open Road Media for their support of First Book.

The post Out-of-This-World Books! appeared first on First Book Blog.

McCourt: A Storyteller Even as a Teacher
A tribute to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, who died on July 19, highlighting his decades of work as a New York City public school teacher.

Alice In Wonderland Movie Trailer
Take a first look at the Alice in Wonderland movie trailer, directed by Tim Burton, scheduled for release in March 2010.

Happy birthday, Ernest Hemingway
This week marked the 110th anniversary of Ernest Hemingway’s birth. Check out Jacket Copy’s post and links to the annual Papa Look-Alike Contest, held last weekend at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West, Fla.

The Fortieth Anniversary of the First Moon Landing: review
The Telegraph’s Helen Brown examines four accounts of the moon landings by astronauts and historians, including Magnificent Desolation by Buzz Aldrin.

I was eight years of age when Neill Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins landed on the moon and Neil Armstrong took that most famous of steps and said the immortal words “One small step for man, one Giant leap for mankind”.  I can’t say as I remember where I was but I don’t imagine that I saw it live for I was probably tucked up in bed. I do remember seeing it though, probably in news programs after the event.

Image via Wikipedia

The moon landing is an epic part of 20th Century history. The images and the quote iconic. Western Society had thumped the Soviets in the space race thouroughly and science fact had caught up with science fiction. Move over Flash Gordon For some real life astronauts.

Image via Wikipedia

At the time I dont think I understood the buzz of excitment surrounding the event. It is strange to think that you are alive at a momentous moment in the history of humankind but it really means nothing to you. I could not understand the big deal really and wondered would the man in the moon mind the intrusion.

Image via Wikipedia

They were asking on a radio program was space travel obsolete and were people no longer interested? i dont think so. The idea of space travel and exploration has always held a particular fascination for people and some of the best stories I have ever read have been sci/fi. I am thinking of people like Mary Shelly, H.G Wells, Jules Verne and George Orwell. Then more recent people like Douglas Adams and Arthur C Clarke. The next project will be a manned flight to Mars and science fact will once more catch up with science fiction. Man as a species is too imaginative to remain grounded

I was eight years of age when Neill Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins landed on the moon and Neil Armstrong took that most famous of steps and said the immortal words “One small step for man, one Giant leap for mankind”.  I can’t say as I remember where I was but I don’t imagine that I saw it live for I was probably tucked up in bed. I do remember seeing it though, probably in news programs after the event.

Image via Wikipedia

The moon landing is an epic part of 20th Century history. The images and the quote iconic. Western Society had thumped the Soviets in the space race thouroughly and science fact had caught up with science fiction. Move over Flash Gordon For some real life astronauts.

Image via Wikipedia

At the time I dont think I understood the buzz of excitment surrounding the event. It is strange to think that you are alive at a momentous moment in the history of humankind but it really means nothing to you. I could not understand the big deal really and wondered would the man in the moon mind the intrusion.

Image via Wikipedia

They were asking on a radio program was space travel obsolete and were people no longer interested? i dont think so. The idea of space travel and exploration has always held a particular fascination for people and some of the best stories I have ever read have been sci/fi. I am thinking of people like Mary Shelly, H.G Wells, Jules Verne and George Orwell. Then more recent people like Douglas Adams and Arthur C Clarke. The next project will be a manned flight to Mars and science fact will once more catch up with science fiction. Man as a species is too imaginative to remain grounded

NASA’s Apollo 11, which was crewed by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, was launched on its four day journey to the Moon from Pad 39A at Cape Kennedy by a Saturn V launch vehicle on 16th July 1969.  On arrival in lunar orbit Collins remained in the command module Columbia whilst Armstrong and Aldrin transferred to the lunar module Eagle and descended to the surface of the Moon where they landed at 20:17:39 GMT on 20th July (see NASA’s Apollo 11 Timeline).  Armstrong and Aldrin both walked on the surface of the Moon while Collins remained in lunar orbit.

Another five Apollo missions, namely 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 successfully followed Apollo 11 to the Moon with two astronauts on the lunar surface on each occasion meaning that during the entire Apollo programme 12 men walked on the Moon.

James Lovell and Fred Haise should have walked on the Moon during Apollo 13 but their lunar landing was aborted after a malfunction.  As Lovell had previously been in lunar orbit on Apollo 8 he is the only person to have been to the Moon twice without landing on it.

Image via Wikipedia

NASA’s Apollo 11, which was crewed by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, was launched on its four day journey to the Moon from Pad 39A at Cape Kennedy by a Saturn V launch vehicle on 16th July 1969.  On arrival in lunar orbit Collins remained in the command module Columbia whilst Armstrong and Aldrin transferred to the lunar module Eagle and descended to the surface of the Moon where they landed at 20:17:39 GMT on 20th July (see NASA’s Apollo 11 Timeline).  Armstrong and Aldrin both walked on the surface of the Moon while Collins remained in lunar orbit.

Another five Apollo missions, namely 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 successfully followed Apollo 11 to the Moon with two astronauts on the lunar surface on each occasion meaning that during the entire Apollo programme 12 men walked on the Moon.

James Lovell and Fred Haise should have walked on the Moon during Apollo 13 but their lunar landing was aborted after a malfunction.  As Lovell had previously been in lunar orbit on Apollo 8 he is the only person to have been to the Moon twice without landing on it.

Image via Wikipedia