Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and
big on science. I'm Steve Sobieszczyk. Let's get right to it, today's question
is:
Why is snow white?
Light does not penetrate into snow very far before being
scattered back to the viewer, which is why it's white. However, the next time
you are in an igloo, notice that it is blue inside. You can also poke a stick
into some snow, shade the area around the hole, and look deep into the
snowpack. The light that has traveled some distance through the snow will be
enhanced in blue.
And now you know. Join us again every weekday for a new
CoreFact. For other CoreFacts, or for CoreCast, our in-depth science podcast,
go to usgs.gov/podcasts. We are happily accepting your science questions, so if
you're curious about something that we can answer, send us an email at corefacts@usgs.gov or leave a voicemail at
703-648-5600, long distance fees apply.
The USGS CoreFacts is a product of the U.S. Geological
Survey, Department of the Interior.
A CoreFact is a weekly audio podcast from the USGS that asks and answers a natural science question. When you subscribe to CoreFacts, episodes will be automatically downloaded to your computer as soon as they're available.
Huh? What's a Podcast?
A podcast is an audio (e.g. mp3) or video file (e.g. mpeg) that can be played
on a mobile media player (i.e. Apple iPod)1 or
personal computer.2
So, How Do I Listen/Watch?
You can subscribe to CoreFacts via RSS
feed1 (click for details), or you can listen to individual
CoreFacts by selecting the play button next to the episode you’re interested
in. When you subscribe to CoreFacts, each episode will automatically download
to your computer as soon as they become available. Some specific instructions can be found on our Adding a Podcast page.
1 Make sure you have the right software
to download CoreFacts from a computer to your mobile media player—this software
usually comes with the player. 2 To play CoreFacts on your computer, you will need media
player software such as: iTunes, Windows
Media Player, or Real
Media Player.
Most computers already have media player software installed—check
with your computer administrator to see if you’re already set up for CoreFacts!
508 Compliance
Every episode is transcribed and can be viewed in the Show Details section.
All links to Web sites or data referenced in the show are included.