“A dirty thunderstorm (also, Volcanic lightning) is a weather phenomenon that occurs when lightning is produced in a volcanic plume. Dirty thunderstorms have been reported in Chile above the Chaiten Volcano, above Alaska's Mount Augustine volcano, and Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano”.

Photo: A cloud of ash pours from Puyehue volcano in southern Chile, at sunset on June 5, 2011. (Claudio Santana/AFP)

On August 31, 2011, a puppy was rescued from a garbage bag in Central Florida. She was afflicted by a condition dubbed “swimmer puppy syndrome”, formally, pectus excavatum. It's rare in puppies, but when it happens it causes them to lie flat on their chests with their legs perpetually splayed out. It's usually a symptom of serious neurological problems that most puppies cannot survive. Veterinarians recommended putting her to sleep... (Photo by Flyin Fur Pet Photography)

Two robotic legged squad support system (LS3) machines by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency follow a technician during a demonstration at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, on September 10, 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mallory S. VanderSchans via The Atlantic)

A Aldabra Tortoise receives a Christmas treat at Taronga Zoo on December 14, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Taronga Zoo celebrated Christmas early giving Christmas-themed environmental activities to the Zoo's Giraffes, Sun Bears, Meerkats, Aldabra Tortoise and Cockatoos providing a wonderful natural display for Zoo visitors. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams)

“The Lockheed Martin X-33 is an unmanned, sub-scale technology demonstrator suborbital spaceplane developed in the 1990s under the U.S. government-funded Space Launch Initiative program”. – Wikipedia

Photo: An Artist's Rendering Shows How Nasa's X-33 Technology Demonstrator, A Cost-Cutting Fully Reusable Single-Stage-To-Orbit Space Vehicle, Will Look Upon Completion. The 67 Foot-Long, 278,600 Pound, Twin Engine Space Vehicle, Capable Of Reaching Speeds In Excess Of Mach 15, Will Lead To The Construction Of A 127 Foot-Long, 2,186,000 Pound Version With Seven Engines And A 50,000 Pound Payload Capacity Called The “Venturestar”. (Photo By Nasa/Getty Images)

The public get the first view at the opening of the new miniature model Knuffingen Aiport at Miniatur Wunderland on the airport's opening day on May 4, 2011 in Hamburg, Germany. Miniatur Wunderland is the world's largest model railroad landscape, and the model airport, also the world’s largest, goes into operation following 6 years of development and construction and an investment of EUR 3.5 million. The airport is a reproduction of Hamburg’s international airport and includes 40 aircraft that take off and land and 90 vehicles that autonomously move around the runways on May 4, 2011 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

(L-R) U.S. President Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive at Winfield House, the residence of the Ambassador of the United States of America, in Regent's Park, on May 25, 2011 in London, England. The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and First Lady Michelle are in the UK for a two day State Visit at the invitation of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Last night they attended a state banquet at Buckingham Palace and today's events include talks at Downing Street and the President will address both houses of Parliament at Westminster Hall. (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

John Gourley leans out of the cab of Goliath, one of Europe's largest cranes on September 20, 2011 in Rosyth, Scotland. The crane will begin the assembly of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers later this week, when it lifts the first section of the two deck high 8,000 tonne centre block, which includes a section of the flight deck. The lift will mark the start of the Rosyth shipyards assembly of the first of two 65,000 tonne vessels the largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)