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Shen Kuo was a polymath Chinese scientist and statesman of the Song Dynasty (960–1279). Excelling in many fields of study and statecraft, he was a mathematician, astronomer, meteorologist, geologist, zoologist, botanist, pharmacologist, agronomist, ethnographer, encyclopedist, and poet. He was the head official for the Bureau of Astronomy in the Song court, as well as an Assistant Minister of Imperial Hospitality. In his Dream Pool Essays of 1088, Shen was the first to describe the magnetic needle compass, which would be used for navigation (first described in Europe by Alexander Neckam in 1187). Shen Kuo devised a geological theory of land formation, or geomorphology, based upon findings of inland marine fossils, knowledge of soil erosion, and the deposition of silt. He also advocated a theory for gradual climate change, after observing ancient petrified bamboos that were preserved underground in a dry northern habitat that did not support their growth in his time. Shen Kuo wrote extensively about movable type printing invented by Bi Sheng, and because of his written works the legacy of Bi Sheng and the modern understanding of the earliest movable type has been handed down to later generations. (more...)

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In the news

A referendum that would have changed the status of the New Zealand non-self-governing territory of Tokelau to that of associated state fails by a margin of less than 3%.
China's lunar exploration program commences with the launch of the lunar orbiter Chang'e 1 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
The Space Shuttle Discovery successfully launches from Kennedy Space Center on the STS-120 assembly mission to the International Space Station, carrying the Harmony module.
Wildfires (pictured) in Southern California result in the evacuation of over 900,000 people.
Joaquim Chissano wins the inaugural Prize for Achievement in African Leadership for "his role in leading Mozambique from conflict to peace and democracy".
Hu Jintao is confirmed for another term as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China at the party's 17th National Congress.

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On this day...

October 28: Okhi Day in Greece.

312 – Constantine the Great defeated Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in Rome, leading him to end the Tetrarchy and become the only ruler of the Roman Empire.
1886 – In New York Harbor, U.S. President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty (pictured), a gift from France, to commemorate the centennial of the United States Declaration of Independence.
1940 – The Balkans Campaign in World War II: Italy invaded Greece after Greek prime minister Ioannis Metaxas rejected Italian dictator Benito Mussolini's ultimatum demanding the occupation of Greek territory.
1965 – Nostra Aetate, the "Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions" of the Second Vatican Council, was promulgated by Pope Paul VI, absolving the Jews of the killing of Jesus, and calling for increased relations with all non-Christian religions.

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Today's featured picture

A female mouse spider (Missulena bradleyi). The name derives from an old belief, now known to be false, that the spiders dig deep burrows similar to mice. However, they do live in burrows covered with trapdoors, which can extend to nearly 30 centimetres (11.8 in) in depth. There are 11 known species; all but one of them are indigenous to Australia. This specimen is approximately 25 millimetres (1 in) in length.

Photo credit: Fir0002

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