The spectacular Yosemite “Firefall” phenomenon: a natural wonder

Horsetail Falls on certain days of the year transforms into a river of glowing light with red-orange hues due to the angle of the setting sun.

Every year, mid to late February, California’s Yosemite National Park is the setting for one of the world’s most captivating natural wonders: the golden river of light that is Horsetail Fall. Nicknamed “Firefall,” the phenomenon is only seen when atmospheric and environmental factors align in just the correct combination to create a stunning optical illusion for viewers.

Horsetail Fall is a seasonal waterfall that cascades down the east face of El Capitan, one of Yosemite’s most iconic mountains. For most of the year, this waterfall can be eclipsed by other more spectacular falls in the park.

But on a few afternoons in February, when the sun dips at a very precise angle, the light catches the waterfall, and the water starts to glow red-orange, giving the impression that a river of lava is spilling over the cliff face.

How to observe this effect and where to go

Firefall can only be seen for a few minutes a day and requires a combination of ideal conditions: the waterfall must be flowing, the sky must be cloudless, and the sun angle must be correct. Even a little cloud cover or mist can ruin the visual effect. Since it is so rare and so spectacular, Firefall attracts thousands of visitors and photographers annually.

In recent years, the growing number of visitors has led park authorities to implement measures to manage crowds and maintain the environment surrounding it. Since 2023, weekend visitors in February are required to book a place to gain access to Yosemite Valley. Bookings are made online, and only a few vehicles are permitted, which manages traffic and minimizes environmental degradation.

In order to view the Firefall, the best place is the El Capitan Picnic Area. The view of the waterfall is ideal from here, and onlookers can appreciate the glowing effect to its fullest. Early arrival is a must, however, since onlookers begin to find their places by early afternoon. Due to the possibility of cold temperatures, visitors are advised to wear warm clothing and bring all the essentials to endure the wait outside.

For people who are unable to get there in person, Yosemite National Park offers live webcams that display images of the waterfall. Furthermore, documentaries and videos online allow people to view this incredible natural phenomenon remotely.

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Not just gold and diamonds: these are the 10 most expensive materials in the world – the ranking

Let's find out what the 10 most expensive materials in the world are, even if antimatter has incalculable costs

For precious materials, gold and diamonds are most commonly the first to appear. However, there exist materials much scarcer and more expensive, with value attached to their scarcity, utility in industry or science, and extraction or manufacturing difficulty. Here are the 10 most expensive materials in the world.

Antimatter – Incalculable costs

The costliest and rarest material in the world is antimatter. Particle accelerators and a great amount of energy are required to produce it, for millions of dollars per milligram. Antimatter can potentially be employed as an energy source or as a method of interstellar travel, but currently production is experimental. It costs approximately $25 million to create a milligram of positrons, and a gram would be costing astronomical figures.

Californium – $25-$27 million per gram

Californium is an extremely rare chemical element that is not easy to synthesize. Californium was found in 1950 and possesses multiple applications in nuclear, medicinal, and industrial purposes, yet its production is limited to only a few labs across the world.

Diamond – $55,000 per gram

Diamond is the most widely recognized precious gem in the globe, cherished because of its durability and luster. It crystallizes at conditions of high pressure and heat beneath the earth and is found extensively in Africa, Russia, and Canada.

Tritium – $30,000 per gram

This radioactive gas is used in special lighting devices, for instance, the faces of glow-in-the-dark watches and in some nuclear applications. It is manufactured in complex processes by sophisticated technologies.

Taaffeite – $20,000 per gram

This stone, discovered by accident in 1945, is a million times rarer than a diamond. It occurs in pink to purple color and is very difficult to find.

Painite – $9,000 per gram

One of the earth’s most rare stones, painite was not found until the 1950s. It is red-orange to brown, and for years, only a few specimens were found, so it is one of the most expensive stones.

Plutonium – $4,000 per gram

Plutonium is radioactive metal primarily used in the production of nuclear bombs and nuclear reactor fuel. Plutonium is under strict control and must be treated with very tight safety precautions.

Platinum – $60 per gram

It is a highly rare metal that is highly resistant to corrosion and is used in jewelry, chemical manufacturing, and medicine, for example, pacemakers.

Rhodium – $58 per gram

Rhodium is one of the platinum group metals and is extremely rare and used primarily in automobile catalysts and some industrial processes.

Gold – $56 per gram

Gold has symbolized wealth for millennia and remains one of the most precious metals on the planet. Beyond use in jewelry, it is used in electronics and as a central bank store of value.

Source: Telegraph

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