Hidden wonders await us

In this New Year look up, down and all around to discover the lost and hidden wonders of the world and universe.
Begin by lifting eyes heavenward for a reminder that much remains to discovered in the vast corners of the universe.
Late in December, astronomers announced that, aided by the Hubble Space Telescope, they have spied two more rings encircling Uranus – the first additions to the planet’s ring system in nearly two decades. The faint, dusty rings orbit outside of Uranus’ previously known rings, but within the orbits of its large moons, said Mark Showalter, an astronomer at the SETI Institute in Mountain View, Calif., who made the discovery.
Secondly, reflect on the ruins of ‘lost cities’ found in regions of the world hit by war, floods and changing politics – regions where in spite of the great changes, civilization continues.
In Syria, the underground city Hamoukar, found on northeastern Iraqi border in 2000, was once a flourishing urban center. It may have been settled as long as 8,000 years ago. Archaeologists found evidence of an intense battle that caused the collapse of Hamoukar, including city walls that were burned and toppled, reports the AP.
About 15 miles from Cairo, Egypt, a group of Scottish archaeologists, lead by Ian Mathieson, working with the Saqqara Geophysical Survey Project found, buried in the sand, a lost ancient Egyptian town that served as home to the artisans and workmen who built the pyramids.
In southern India, following the December 2004 tsunami, archaeologists discovered a granite lion buried in the sand. The remains, found on the coast close to India’s beach front Mahabalipuram temple in Tamil Nadu, further substantiate reports and sightings of the undersea ruins of an ancient city covering several square kilometers. Using information from local fishermen and an old Indian legend of the Seven Pagodas, deep sea divers from India and England found the remains of a city swept away by the ocean – reminiscent of the tsunami of 2004.
Finally, recognize that even close at hand many natural wonders await appreciation. Officials at the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in northern California announced that a park ranger discovered a 400-feet waterfall that languished unseen in a distant corner of the park. Rugged territory and inaccurate maps cut it off from public view. Now that they know its location, park managers have begun developing a plan to open the area to the public.
Let each discovery stand as a reminder that even when it seems that that there is nothing to be discovered, many natural and manmade wonders holding the secrets of mankind’s past and the world remain to be unfolded. Some have literally remained unveiled for centuries.
Enter this New Year with eyes and heart open the hidden, unseen, unknown aspects of the world beneath, above and all around the most mundane aspects of daily living.