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Eric Miller / Reuters
A television cameraman catches a foul ball hit by Minnesota Twins' Justin Morneau during the ninth inning of the Twins' game against the Texas Rangers at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn., April 14. Texas won 6-2.
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Tourists tiptoe through the tulips
Koen Suyk / EPA
Tourists take snapshots between the blossoming tulips in Lisse, The Netherlands, April 14. In about a week there will be a floral parade at the Dutch town.
Learn more about the Bulbflower Parade.
Diego Azubel / EPA
An early spring coaxes the birds, bees, flowers and humans to come out from winter hibernation to enjoy the sunshine.
Neptune Collonges wins Grand National at Aintree, victory overshadowed by death of race favorite
Andrew Yates / AFP - Getty Images
Neptune Collonges ridden by Daryl Jacob jumps the water jump on its way to winning the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England, April 14. The annual three day meeting culminates in the Grand National which is run over a distance of four-and-a-half miles, and is the biggest betting race in the United Kingdom.
Synchronised, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month, suffered a fatal injury after falling early in the Aintree race, owner J.P. McManus announced.
- Reported by the Associated Press
Scott Heppell / AP
Neptune Collonges, ridden by Daryl Jacob, center, grey horse, passes Becher's Brook and goes on to win the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England, Saturday April 14, 2012. British Grand National favorite Synchronised died Saturday after collapsing during the world's toughest steeplechase, which was won by Neptune Collonges in one of the race's closest finishes.
Nigel Roddis / Reuters
Daryl Jacob celebrates winning the Grand National Steeple Chase aboard Neptune Collonges.
Putting the 'mow' in motor sports: Racers fire up their rides in Germany
Carsten Rehder / EPA
A man competes in a ride-on mower race in Aukrug-Homfeld, Germany, April 14. Around a dozen teams compete with their modified ride-on mowers with up to 120 horsepower and top speeds of more than 60 mph.
What good is a lawn mower if it's buried behind the tangle of garden tools, the dog's outgrown crate, the exer-cycle with the missing seat, and all the other accumulations that the seasons change from storage to wreckage, from thriftiness to plain mess?
But if that mower seems useless, what if, like fanatics from England, Australia, and 45 of our own states, you remove the grass-cutting blades so that you can race your machine, thereby turning "a weekend chore into a competitive sport"? To paraphrase a few of the racers' spouses: "Only a man could come up with something like this."
-- Michael J. Rosen on Mower Racing World Championships, 2camels.com
Interested in firing up your own mower? Check out The United States Lawn Mower Racing Association.
Carsten Rehder / Zuma Press
Carsten Rehder / EPA
David Guttenfelder / AP
A crowd of North Korean military members wait for a mass meeting of North Korea's ruling party to start at a stadium in Pyongyang on April 14. North Korea will mark the 100-year birth anniversary of the late leader Kim Il Sung on April 15.
North Korean ruling party holds mass meeting
"We consider it at any time a possibility," said one U.S. official who follows North Korea and who briefed NBC News on condition of anonymity. "Might kind of ruin the party or enhance it", he added, referring to Sunday's celebration of North Korean founder Kim il-Sung's 100th birthday.
-- Reported by Robert Windrem, NBC News senior investigative correspondent
Top kayakers compete in Olympic trials
Streeter Lecka / Getty Images
Pat Keller competes in the Men's K1 of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials for Whitewater Slalom at the U.S. National Whitewater Center on April 13, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Chris Keane / Reuters
Scott McCleskey (L) and Dave Hepp (R) navigate a rapid in the men's C2 during the U.S. Olympic Trials for Whitewater Slalom.
Streeter Lecka / Getty Images
Michael Rudnitsky reacts after his run in the men's K1 of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials for Whitewater Slalom.
Streeter Lecka / Getty Images
Maxime Leboeuf competes in the men's K1 of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials for Whitewater Slalom at the U.S. National Whitewater Center on April 13, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Awesome auroras spotted on Uranus ... and on Earth
Laurent Lamy
These composite images show Uranian auroras as bright spots on the planet's disk on Nov 16, 2011 (left), and on Nov. 29 (right). The images from the Hubble Space Telescope have been processed to bring out details in Uranus' faint ring system.
Thanks to the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have caught a rare display of auroras on Uranus, which ranks among the solar system's oddest planets.
Unlike the beautiful, rippling curtains of greenish light we've been seeing in earthly skies over the past few months, the Uranian auroras are short-lived bright spots sitting on top of the ice giant's bluish cloud tops. But they're caused by a similar mechanism, involving the interaction of electrically charged particles with atoms and ions in the planet's upper atmosphere.
NASA's Voyager 2 probe picked up the first evidence of Uranus' auroras in 1986. "Since then, we've had no opportunities to get new observations of this very unusual magnetosphere," Laurent Lamy, an astronomer at the Observatoire de Paris, said today in a news release. There have been a few hints of auroral observations, but Hubble's views from last November rank as the best views yet. Lamy and his colleagues provide the details in a paper published by Geophysical Research Letters.
The team took advantage of a lucky break and a favorable planetary alignment: Last year, Earth, Jupiter and Uranus were lined up so that energetic solar emissions could flow past each planet in turn. When the sun produced several outbursts in September, the astronomers timed the flow of the particle storm past Earth a couple of days later, and then detected the flow past Jupiter two weeks after that. On the basis of those readings, they calculated that the outburst would reach Uranus in mid-November, and scrambled to schedule observing time on the Hubble Space Telescope.
Uranus is an oddity because it basically rotates on its side as it orbits the sun. The orientation of its magnetosphere is tilted 60 degrees with respect to its rotational axis. As a result, during the current season, each of the planet's magnetic poles turns to face the sun in the course of a Uranian day. "This configuration is unique in the solar system," Lamy said.
Hubble was well-placed to catch the auroral flashes on the sunlit side, near Uranus' north magnetic pole. Each flash appeared to last only a couple of minutes, the astronomers said.
These new findings solidify Uranus' place on the list of planets flashing with auroral lights. Jupiter and Saturn are also on the list. Mars is thought to be capable of localized auroral effects, even though it doesn't have a global magnetic field. (In fact, some observers suspect we saw evidence of those effects last month.) Earlier this month, astronomers reported seeing auroral-type activity on Venus as well.
Lights on Earth
And then there's Earth. Last October, a solar outburst sparked northern lights that could be seen as far south as the state of Mississippi, and over the past month, higher-latitude residents have been treated to almost as many fireworks displays as Disneyland tourists typically get to see. Although the approach of summer is starting to cut down on the opportunities to see auroras in the Northern Hemisphere, some folks got great views as recently as last night. Here are a few of the highlights:This time-lapse video shows the aurora as seen from Michigan's McLain State Park on April 13, courtesy of Defined Visuals on Vimeo.
Shawn Malone of Marquette, Mich., snapped pictures of the aurora from the shores of Lake Superior. "The sky was ablaze in light," Malone told SpaceWeather.com. "Northern lights were so bright they lit up the beach!" For more from Malone, check out LakeSuperiorPhoto.com and his Vimeo video gallery.
This video showing the southern lights was taken by the crew of the International Space Station on March 10, during a pass from the Indian Ocean, southwest of Australia, to southern New Zealand. The video was released this week.
Brian Larmay
Here's a different angle on the aurora and the International Space Station, captured by Brian Larmay of Beecher, Wis. The long streak in this time-lapse photograph is the space station, sailing across the sky. To see more of Larmay's pictures, check out his SmugMug gallery.
'Where in the Cosmos'
Today's picture of auroral displays on Uranus served as this week's "Where in the Cosmos" picture puzzle on the Cosmic Log Facebook page. It took only a couple of minutes for Shirley Beningo to blurt out which celestial body was shown in the picture, and what the bright spots were. To reward her for her quick cosmic vision, I'm sending her a pair of cardboard 3-D glasses, wrapped up in a 3-D picture of yours truly. Ashley Nicole and Gerry Marien came in as the runners-up, and are eligible for 3-D glasses as well. Be sure to click the "like" button on the Cosmic Log Facebook page so you're ready for next Friday's "Where in the Cosmos" contest.Earlier stories of auroral glories:
- Farewell to the northern lights
- Northern lights make for must-see TV
- Southern exposure for auroral lights
- Sky lights go wild, north and south
- Solar storm lights up northern skies
- Slideshow: The best of the northern lights
- Cosmic Log's auroral archive
In addition to Lamy, the authors of "Earth-Based Detection of Uranus' Aurorae" include R. Prange, K.C. Hansen, J.T. Clarke, P. Zarka, B. Cecconi, J. Aboudarham, N. Andre, G. Branduardi-Raymont, R. Gladstone, M. Barthelemy, N. Achilleos, P. Guio, M.K. Dougherty, H. Melin, S.W.H. Cowley, T.S. Stallard, J.D. Nichols and G. Ballester.
Alan Boyle is msnbc.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter or adding Cosmic Log's Google+ page to your circle. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto,"my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for other worlds.
Windy weekend weather
Gregory Bull / AP
John Pettine hauls in his kite surfing kite under heavy winds along Pacific Beach on April 13 in San Diego. Wind and rain hitting Southern California are part of a cold storm that was expected to leave up to 14 inches of snow in southern mountain areas.
Jens Meyer / AP
A bumblebee starts from a tulip bloom at the horticultural exhibition 'ega' (Erfurt Garden Construction Exhibition) in Erfurt, Germany on April 13.
Protests ignite at Summit of the Americas in Colombia
Raul Arboleda / AFP - Getty Images
Activist fights for a U.S. flag with a police officer during a protest on April 13 at University of Antioquia in Medellin. They were protesting the VI Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia.
Raul Arboleda / AFP - Getty Images
Protesters carry a U.S. flag decorated with swastikas April 13 at Antioquia University in Medellin, Colombia, during a demonstration against the VI Summit of the Americas.
Albeiro Lopera / Reuters
Activists burn the U.S. flag at Antioquia University in Medellin, on April 13 as they protest against the VI Summit of the Americas which will take place in Cartagena, Colombia April 13-15.
Albeiro Lopera / Reuters
Police spray water cannons at activists during a protest April 13 at University of Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia. They were protesting against the VI Summit of the Americas taking place April 13-15 in Cartagena, Colombia.
Colombia president to Obama: Don't ignore neighbors
The Muppets take Manhattan
Kathy Willens / AP
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, sits beside Kermit the Frog during the New York Yankees home opener baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium in New York on April 13.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYC and Company, the city’s tourism and marketing organization, announced April 13 that the Muppets will act as the New York City’s official family ambassadors for the next year. The Muppets will encourage family travel to the Big Apple by highlighting the best ways for families to experience the city. The mayor appeared at a news conference with the Muppets and was later joined by Kermit the Frog at the New York Yankees home opener baseball game at Yankee Stadium.
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg kisses Muppet Miss Piggy as Kermit the Frog looks on during a news conference on April 13 in New York City.
Phil McGrew via Flickr
San Francisco photographer Phil McGrew says he has been trying to make a picture like this since he moved there two years ago. Thursday's violent storm finally allowed McGrew the opportunity to make the picture, but he says he made it from inside the window of his apartment because he didn't want to get his camera wet.
San Francisco photographer captures incredible Bay Bridge electrical storm photo
The Mail Online reported on Friday that an incredible eight bolts struck the Bay Bridge in San Francisco last night which was captured in this incredible shot by photographer Phil McGrew, who took the photo through the rain-soaked window of his apartment.
Mr McGrew, 49, was shocked at the striking image which shows the split-second moment of electric forks hitting the span of the bridge.
See more of Phil McGrew’s photographs on his Flickr page.
Dressing up and getting crazy for Grand National Ladies' Day
Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
Racegoers enjoy the atmosphere of Ladies Day at the Aintree Grand National meeting on April 13, 2012 in Aintree, England.
Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
A racegoer plays to a televison camera as she enjoys the atmosphere of Ladies Day on April 13.
Andrew Yates / AFP - Getty Images
A woman wearing high heeled shoes walks around Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool during Ladies Day at the the Grand National horse racing meeting.
Friday is traditionally Ladies' Day at the three-day meeting of the world famous Grand National at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, where fashion is more important than the racing.
The meeting culminates in the Grand National on Saturday which is run over a distance of four miles and is the biggest betting race in the United Kingdom.
Scott Heppell / AP
A racegoer sits in rubbish at the end of Ladies Day, the second day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool.
Scott Heppell / AP
Racegoers are seen walking through rubbish at the end of Ladies Day.
North Korea unveils statues of its late leaders
Ng Han Guan / AP
North Koreans cheer during an unveiling ceremony for the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang, North Korea, on April 13.
Pedro Ugarte / AFP - Getty Images
North Koreans attend the unveiling ceremony of two statues of former leaders Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang on April 13. North Korea's new leader Kim Jong-Un on April 13 led a mass rally for his late father and grandfather following the country's failed rocket launch.
Pedro Ugarte / AFP - Getty Images
North Koreans walk on the streets after attending the unveiling ceremony of two statues of former leaders Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang on April 13. North Korea's new leader Kim Jong-Un on April 13 led a mass rally for his late father and grandfather following the country's failed rocket launch.
Kyodo / Reuters
Kim Jong-un, current leader of North Korea, reacts after fireworks was released during the unveiling ceremony of bronze statues of North Korea founder Kim Il-sung and late leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang in this photo taken by Kyodo April 13, 2012. North Korea said its much hyped long-range rocket launch failed on Friday, in a very rare and embarrassing public admission of failure by the hermit state and a blow for its new young leader who faces international outrage over the attempt.
Ng Han Guan / AP
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, stands with other officials in the haze from fireworks during the unveiling ceremony for statues of late leaders Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang, North Korea, on April 13.
John Coltrane lived here
Matt Rourke / AP
Students play music near the former home of jazz musician John Coltrane on April 13 in Philadelphia. Jazz lovers and cultural officials in Philadelphia are promoting a fundraising effort to save the run-down house.
Matt Rourke / AP
Men hang a banner on the former home of jazz legend John Coltrane on April 13 in Philadelphia.
Jazz lovers and cultural officials in Philadelphia are promoting a fundraising effort to save the run-down John Coltrane House.
Preserving the national historic landmark is part of a broader mission to reclaim the city's jazz heritage and celebrate the current music scene.
Coltrane is a saxophonist best known for his recording "A Love Supreme." He lived in a rowhouse in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood from 1952 to 1958.
--The Associated Press
Gene Blevins / Reuters
A lightning strike is seen near the water tower of Benkelman, Nebraska on April 12.
Lightning before the storm
Forecasters are warning of a possible major tornado outbreak in the Midwest this weekend, with Kansas and Oklahoma seen at particular risk as early as Saturday. Picture taken on April 12, but made available to msnbc.com today.
Related links:
Cairo's Tahrir Square taken over in protests against Mubarak old guard
Khalil Hamra / AP
Thousands of Islamists attend Friday prayers before a rally in Tahrir Square to denounce the presidential candidacies of Hosni Mubarak-era officials, including that of his former spy chief in Cairo, Egypt, on April 13. Supporters of the country's most influential political group, the Muslim Brotherhood, along with ultraconservative Salafis and other Islamists packed the capital's Tahrir Square, which was the epicenter of the uprising that ousted Mubarak a year ago.
Khalil Hamra / AP
An Egyptian woman attends Friday prayers before a rally in Tahrir Square to denounce the presidential candidacies of Hosni Mubarak-era officials, including that of his former spy chief in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, April 13. Supporters of the country's most influential political group, the Muslim Brotherhood, along with ultraconservative Salafis and other Islamists packed the capital's Tahrir Square, which was the epicenter of the uprising that ousted Mubarak a year ago.
Reuters reports -- Thousands of Egyptians protested in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday against a run for the presidency by former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, making an Islamist show of strength against a symbol of Hosni Mubarak's old guard.
The Muslim Brotherhood - the biggest group in parliament - called the protest after Suleiman announced his candidacy last week. His presidential bid has alarmed reformists, who regard him as a threat to their hopes for democratic change.
"Suleiman, do you think this is the old days?" chanted the protesters gathered in the square, the cradle of the uprising where Egyptians last year united to sweep Mubarak from power but which on Friday was mostly filled by Islamists alone. Others boycotted, reflecting deep divisions in the reform movement.
Amr Nabil / AP
Egyptian protesters hold a giant Egyptian flag during a rally in Tahrir Square to denounce the presidential candidacies of Hosni Mubarak-era officials, including that of his former spy chief in Cairo, Egypt, on April 13. Supporters of the country's most influential political group, the Muslim Brotherhood, along with ultraconservative Salafis and other Islamists packed the capital's Tahrir Square, which was the epicenter of the uprising that ousted Mubarak a year ago.
Asmaa Waguih / Reuters
People attend Friday prayers in Tahrir square in Cairo on April 13. Thousands of Egyptians packed into Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday to protest against a run for the presidency by former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, in an Islamist show of strength against Hosni Mubarak's old guard.
Feisty Mount Etna blows its top
Salvatore Allegra / AP
The snowcapped mount Etna erupts not far from Zafferana Etnea village, in Italy, on April 12.
Salvatore Allegra / AP
The snowcapped mount Etna erupts not far from Zafferana Etnea village, in Italy on April 12.
The south-eastern crater, born in 1971, has been the most active in the last few years. In the recent past lava flows have mainly damaged properties, but due to its slow speed lava has not killed human beings. So far Italian authorities have not issued any warning of dangers for houses and people.
See a visual history of Mount Etna's past eruptions on PhotoBlog.
Hot lava and ash are spewing from Italy's Mount Etna. The volcano has erupted six times this year, three times in the past month. Msnbc.com's Dara Brown reports.
Predawn fire engulfs Georgia condos
John Spink / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP
Firemen work at the scene of a condominium complex fire early on April 13, in south DeKalb County in Georgia.
John Spink / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP
Firemen work at the scene of a condominium complex fire on April 13, in south DeKalb County.
John Spink / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP
Firemen work at the scene of a condominium complex fire early on April 13, in south DeKalb County in Georgia.
Several residents were injured in the predawn fire at a condominium complex. DeKalb fire Deputy Chief Norman Augustin told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that three people were taken to a local hospital, two with minor burns and one with “major lacerations.” The cause of the fire, which heavily damaged six of the eight units in the building, has not been determined.
Satellite-powered census reveals a profusion of penguins
courtesy DigitalGlobe
An emperor penguin colony near Halley Bay in Antarctica in an undated satellite image.
Deborah Zabarenko / Reuters, file
Counting emperor penguins in their icy Antarctic habitat was not easy until researchers used new technology to map the birds from space.
Reuters reports — Using satellite mapping with resolution high enough to distinguish ice shadows from penguin poo, an international team has carried out what they say is an unprecedented penguin census from the heavens over the past three years.
The good news was that the team found the Antarctic emperor penguin population numbered about 595,000, nearly double previous estimates.
But the bad news was that some colonies have disappeared altogether due to changing weather patterns and the long-term future of the birds is far from assured. Read the full story.
Martin Passingham / Reuters
Emperor penguins are seen in Dumont d'Urville, Antarctica, on April 10, 2012.
Luke Macgregor / Reuters
A classic London scene: A double decker bus rolls through fog, as it passes Big Ben
A bus crosses Waterloo bridge in front of the Houses of Parliament during a misty morning in London April 13.
See more photos out of London in our slideshow: When the Olympics is your neighbor.
Russia criticizes North Korea for rocket launch; China expresses concern
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, center, arrives with Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, left, and Indian counterpart Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna for a joint news conference in Moscow on April 13, 2012.
Reuters reports from Moscow — Russia criticized North Korea for its defiant rocket launch on Friday but said it opposes new sanctions against Pyongyang and joined China in calling for restraint from neighboring nations.
"We do not believe in new sanctions - they will not do anything in terms of resolving the situation," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
s aid after talks with this Chinese and Indian counterparts.Chinese Foreign Minister Yang
Jiechi, speaking through an interpreter, expressed concern about the rocket and said Beijing hoped for "restrained actions by the corresponding sides with the aim of preserving stability on the peninsula". Read the full story.North Korea's rocket failed shortly after launch and landed in the sea off the South Korea coast. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.
Paul Miller / EPA
Fans of the British boy band One Direction who were unable to get tickets, listen to them perform during their first Australian concert from outside the venue in Sydney on April 13, 2012. According to reports tickets for their first headline tour dates rapidly sold out. The band came to fame after appearing on the television program X-Factor UK.
Light show projects image of Titanic onto giant iceberg
Swiss light artist Gerry Hofstetter projected pictures of the Titanic on a giant iceberg off Greenland to mark the 100th anniversary of its maiden voyage.
Mike Kessler / Gerry Hofstetter Marketing via EPA
A light projection of the Titanic on a 500-meter-long iceberg in the Northern Polar sea of Greenland, during the night of 13 April 2012.
Swiss artist Gerry Hofstetter is one of the best-known light artists working today. He uses light to project huge images in unexpected places, like a cross on the famous Matterhorn peak in the Alps, and hieroglyphics on the outside of the pyramids in Giza. His projects transform monuments, buildings and landscapes into something new. Sometimes his work has a serious tone, as when he projected polar bears on melting glaciers, but he also does fun lightshows for clients for events such as festivals and openings. His goal is to illuminate each of the world’s greatest monuments and sacred places.
See more of Hofstetter’s work on his website.
Related content:
- National Geographic features new images of the unseen Titanic
- Ship sets sail to commemorate Titanic's voyage
- Titanic memorial cruise diverts due to medical emergency
Hulton Archives / Getty Images; AFP - Getty Images
A look at the memorials, museum exhibits and memorabilia that commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, including the photos from 1912 that capture the anticipation and the aftermath around this "unsinkable" ship.
One century after the Titanic sank during its maiden voyage, the historic day is being commemorated around the world. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports.
David Moir / Reuters
The Titanic Belfast Experience is a new visitor attraction location in Belfast's Titanic Quarter, on the original site of the Harland and Wolff shipyard - birthplace of RMS Titanic.
Three die as train crashes into maintenance vehicle in Germany
Three people were killed and 13 injured when a German regional train collided with a digger which was working on the rail line south of Frankfurt early on Friday morning, Reuters reports.
Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters
Emergency services and employees of German rail operator Deutsche Bahn attend the scene following a crash between a regional train and a digger in Muehlheim near Offenbach, 9 miles south of Frankfurt, on April 13, 2012.
Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters
Police officers stand next to the wreckage.
