Today is Earth Day, a global observance started by US Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 as a nationwide protest intended to thrust the environment onto the political agenda. Considered the birth of the modern environmental movement, the continuing mission of Earth day is to raise awareness of and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.

Hundreds of millions of people in around 175 countries will be taking part in events which have been organised at every corner of the globe, and you lot don’t get out of doing your part either! Show your support for Earth day and leave a comment with a link to a globe of the earth, somewhere on Google Earth - like this great big one in Berlin.

Check out the The Earth Day Network website for more information, and thanks to Tom Hooten for our starter globe.

Around this time last year we put together a collection of swimming pools shaped like airplanes.

And, at first glance, this pool in Slovenia seems to fit into that same category. But I wouldn’t recommend going for a dip, as this pool is filled with petrol and designed to be set on fire!

Apparently this flaming pool of death, which is located near Brnik Airport, is used during firefighter training exercises.

But, surely a pool filled with petrol isn’t very good practice for a burning craft? Why don’t they just have a fire training craft like most other airports?

Thanks: Sigurdr

Alan Turnbull (no relation) contacted us to tell us about his bizarre find at RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, England, which at first glance looks like it might be the world’s most complicated sports pitch.

But what is it really? RAF Feltwell is currently used by the United States Air Forces Europe, and Alan suggests that this could be some sort of satellite calibration test card for the US ‘Son of Star Wars’ missile defence programme!

Naturally a MoD spokesperson quoted in The Metro newspaper suggested that this is simply a “motorcycle range”¹, but interestingly there are another two of them side by side at the absolutely massive US Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia².

Alan’s website has more details on various crazy conspiracy theories, and the Metro went with the “proof of aliens” headline - so we’re left without a definitive answer so far. What do you think these things are for?

The worldwide celebration of Ireland’s patron saint, St Patrick, has almost always been held on the 17th of March. This year, due to Easter arriving unusually early, the Catholic Church decided to move St Patrick’s day so that it didn’t take place during “holy week”.

This year’s celebrations were moved to the 15th of March, meaning that in time-honoured Google Sightseeing tradition (even when taking into account our unique time-zone arrangements), we’ve totally missed it¹.

Regardless, here is the shamrock-shaped maze near Dublin airport which we had lined up for today.

However for once we’re not alone - although many cities did spend Saturday celebrating with parades, green river dye and large quantities of Guinness - New York and Dublin steadfastly refused to budge, and their celebrations will also take place today!

Luckily March the 17th doesn’t again fall in holy week until 2160, so none of us will have to worry about it ever again.

Thanks to Fergal ohagan.

The Beacon Ring hillfort in the region of Welshpool has seen numerous uses in its 3000 year history.

The central burial hill, or round barrow, would have been formed around the Bronze age. Then, in the Iron age, a fort was built around the hill, probably due to it being the highest point on Long Mountain.

The hill was likely used for beacon fires throughout the ages (hence the name) and by the 1860s was a popular haunt for witchcraft fans to dance about naked, or whatever it is they do.

When Queen Elizabeth II (the current Queen) was crowned in 1953 it was, for some unknown reason, decided that this hill would be a fitting tribute for the new monarch, and trees were planted to spell out “E II R”.

“E II R” isn’t a typo, it stands for “Elizabeth Regina II”: Latin for Queen Elizabeth the second. If you’re wondering where you’ve seen that before it’s probably from post boxes throughout the UK.

Thanks: colin70