fredricktoo’s posterous

Blue Sun Bristling
Credit & Copyright: Alan Friedman (Averted Imagination)

Explanation: Our Sun may look like all soft and fluffy, but it's not. Our Sun is an extremely large ball of bubbling hot gas, mostly hydrogen gas. The above picture of our Sun was taken last month in a specific red color of light emitted by hydrogen gas called Hydrogen-alpha and then color inverted to appear blue. In this light, details of the Sun's chromosphere are particularly visible, highlighting numerous thin tubes of magnetically-confined hot gas known as spicules rising from the Sun like bristles from a shag carpet. Our Sun glows because it is hot, but it is not on fire. Fire is the rapid acquisition of oxygen, and there is very little oxygen on the Sun. The energy source of our Sun is the nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium deep within its core. No sunspots or large active regions were visible on the Sun this day, although some solar prominences are visible around the edges.

Fans of the Ferrari motorsports brand will soon have a world class destination for the Ferrari experience. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is nearing completion on the largest indoor theme park in the world. Inspired by the double curve side profile of the classic Ferrari GT, this bright red architectural gem will bare a Ferrari logo stretching 215 feet in diameter, also the largest in the world. Indoors and out, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will feature 20 rides and attractions including the world’s fastest roller coaster.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi isn’t just a big idea and some fancy renderings (like the one above), as this structure is nearly complete. Below is a set of nine photos of the fully constructed roof and the other parts of the park which remain in development. That roof is enormous, you can see full size tour buses are just a spec by comparison in the close up image of the roof’s curve. While most of UAE’s better known architectural works are located in Dubai, less than 100 miles north of Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World is a true feat of engineering in its own right.

Ferrari World Abu Dahbi will feature state of the art racing simulators, driving and racing schools, museum exhibits of the Ferrari history, a tower drop ride that climbs out of the center of the park, and the world’s fastest roller coaster. That roller coaster is designed to provide a true Ferrari F1 experience, taking its passengers to speeds up to 124 mph. [yasisland via carformance, thanks james!]