geekosystem

The summer's record-setting drought is causing a spike in prices of commodities like corn, forcing farmers to get creative. When farmers get creative, lucky cows get sweet, sweet candy in their diets. Joseph Watson's cows do, at least. Watson is the proud owner of 1,400 head of cattle in Mayfield, Kentucky who used to get corn in their diets. Now, they get delicious candy instead.

The Mississippi River is a pretty good indicator when it comes to droughts. Given the size of the river, flooding and droughts both have profound effects on things like the barge industry and, generally speaking, anything that floats up or down the river. Last year, it was flooded to more than 56 feet above river stage. This year, there has been a complete reversal. The drought is so severe, in fact, that it can be seen from space.

On February 1, 2003, people around the world watching the Space Shuttle Columbia return to earth were horrified as the shuttle broke-up on re-entry. All seven astronauts onboard were killed, and the remains of the shuttle left a trail of debris from North Texas to Louisiana. NASA immediately set about the daunting task of recovering the pieces of the Space Shuttle, and have continued to do so as pieces are unearthed. The recent drought in Texas has caused water levels to drop across the state, which has revealed a piece of American history resting on the bottom of lake. In the East Texas city of Nacogdoches, NASA has confirmed that a part of Columbia has been discovered. The piece of debris is a power reactant storage and distribution system (PRSD), which looks like a badly battered disco ball.