‘Dirty hack’ restores Cluster mission from near loss
A “dirty hack” has restored the Cluster solar wind mission from near loss.
A “dirty hack” has restored the Cluster solar wind mission from near loss.
Category: Behind The Black
‘Dirty hack’ restores Cluster mission from near loss
NASA sues Apollo 14 astronaut over camera ownership
NASA is suing Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell over camera ownership.
NASA is suing Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell over camera ownership.
Quebe Sisters – It’s a sin to tell a lie
Cassini looks past one Saturn moon to another
The image below was taken on January 11, 2011 by the space probe Cassini, in orbit around Saturn. First we see the southern polar regions of the moon Rhea, 949 miles in diameter. Beyond is the moon Dione, 698 miles across, appearing to sit on the rings of Saturn.
As far as I am concerned, this image, as well as almost every other image from Cassini, proves that any hotel built in orbit around Saturn is unquestionably going to be one of the hottest tourist spots in the solar system.
The Japanese solar sail Ikaros continues to function, more than 100 million miles from Earth
The Japanese solar sail Ikaros continues to function, more than 100 million miles from Earth.
The Japanese solar sail Ikaros continues to function, more than 100 million miles from Earth.
Obama’s blast at corporate tax breaks for private jets was created in his stimulus package
This is funny: Obama’s attack of corporate tax breaks for private jets was an attack on something actually reauthorized by his stimulus package.
This is funny: Obama’s attack of corporate tax breaks for private jets was an attack on something actually reauthorized by his stimulus package.
Obama administration gave an almost $80,000 grant to the largest branch of a renamed ACORN, despite a Congressional prohibition.
The law is such an inconvenient thing: The Obama administration gave an almost $80,000 grant to the largest branch of a renamed ACORN, despite a Congressional prohibition.
The law is such an inconvenient thing: The Obama administration gave an almost $80,000 grant to the largest branch of a renamed ACORN, despite a Congressional prohibition.
An new Harvard study finds a political congruence between patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican party.
An new Harvard study finds “a political congruence between patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican party.”
I think this study says a lot more about the perceived values of the modern Democratic Party, and how many imagine them as almost being hostile to this country and its founding principles.
An new Harvard study finds “a political congruence between patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican party.”
I think this study says a lot more about the perceived values of the modern Democratic Party, and how many imagine them as almost being hostile to this country and its founding principles.
Another billion in free money for homeowners who can’t pay their mortgage
The Obama administration is offering another billion in free money to homeowners who can’t pay their mortgage.
So, considering the trillions in debt that is overwhelming the budget of the federal government, I wonder where is billion dollars coming from. Do they grow it on trees? I’d really like to know, since it would be nice if I could manufacture cash out of thin air as easily whenever I thought I needed it.
The Obama administration is offering another billion in free money to homeowners who can’t pay their mortgage.
So, considering the trillions in debt that is overwhelming the budget of the federal government, I wonder where is billion dollars coming from. Do they grow it on trees? I’d really like to know, since it would be nice if I could manufacture cash out of thin air as easily whenever I thought I needed it.
Discovering the original colors of fossils
A new technique gives clues to the original living colors of ancient fossils.
A new technique gives clues to the original living colors of ancient fossils.
Congressman Poe calls for the firing of VA cemetery director for denying mourners their 1st amendment rights
Texas congressman demands the firing of VA cemetery director for denying mourners their first amendment rights.
Texas congressman demands the firing of VA cemetery director for denying mourners their first amendment rights.
Man boards flight without a valid passport or ID
The TSA hard at work: A man successfully boarded and disembarked from a flight, without a valid passport or ID.
The flight continued on to LA, where the man got off the plane and apparently spent several days in the area. On Wednesday, he returned to LAX and tried to get on a Delta flight bound for Atlanta, again trying to use an expired boarding pass and without valid identification. But this time, Delta would not let him on, and the FBI was alerted. [emphasis mine]
The TSA hard at work: A man successfully boarded and disembarked from a flight, without a valid passport or ID.
The flight continued on to LA, where the man got off the plane and apparently spent several days in the area. On Wednesday, he returned to LAX and tried to get on a Delta flight bound for Atlanta, again trying to use an expired boarding pass and without valid identification. But this time, Delta would not let him on, and the FBI was alerted. [emphasis mine]
Judge orders Obama administration to meet legal timeline for oil and gas leases
Another federal judge has ordered the Obama administration to stop stalling and start issuing oil and gas leases, as required by law.
To this administration, the law is such an inconvenient thing.
Another federal judge has ordered the Obama administration to stop stalling and start issuing oil and gas leases, as required by law.
To this administration, the law is such an inconvenient thing.
A massive Windows botnet “almost indestructible,” say researchers
A massive Windows botnet is “almost indestructible,” say researchers.
A massive Windows botnet is “almost indestructible,” say researchers.
Obama’s proposal to end the tax break for corporate jet owners would reduce the deficit by less than one-tenth of 1 percent.
A dose of reality: Obama’s repeated demand at yesterday’s press conference to end the tax break for corporate jet owners would reduce the deficit by less than one-tenth of 1 percent.
I say, the Republicans should trade this measly tax increase for $1 trillion in cuts. This tax increase is stupid, and will do nothing bu harm, but if they can trade it for lots of cuts, it’s worth accepting it.
A dose of reality: Obama’s repeated demand at yesterday’s press conference to end the tax break for corporate jet owners would reduce the deficit by less than one-tenth of 1 percent.
I say, the Republicans should trade this measly tax increase for $1 trillion in cuts. This tax increase is stupid, and will do nothing bu harm, but if they can trade it for lots of cuts, it’s worth accepting it.
The most distant quasar ever found
Astronomers have found the most distant quasar ever, and are baffled by its existence.
The light from the quasar started its journey toward us when the universe was only 6% of its present age, a mere 770 million years after the Big Bang, at a redshift of about 7.1 [3]. “This gives astronomers a headache,” says lead author Daniel Mortlock, from Imperial College London. “It’s difficult to understand how a black hole a billion times more massive than the Sun can have grown so early in the history of the universe. It’s like rolling a snowball down the hill and suddenly you find that it’s 20 feet across!”
Astronomers have found the most distant quasar ever, and are baffled by its existence.
The light from the quasar started its journey toward us when the universe was only 6% of its present age, a mere 770 million years after the Big Bang, at a redshift of about 7.1 [3]. “This gives astronomers a headache,” says lead author Daniel Mortlock, from Imperial College London. “It’s difficult to understand how a black hole a billion times more massive than the Sun can have grown so early in the history of the universe. It’s like rolling a snowball down the hill and suddenly you find that it’s 20 feet across!”
NASA Funding Mired In Budget Politics
Obama and Republicans in agreement: Senate should cancel next week’s vacation
Obama and Republicans in agreement: The Senate should cancel next week’s vacation.
Obama and Republicans in agreement: The Senate should cancel next week’s vacation.
Stop the Lying
Using the law against Hamas and their flotilla allies
Using the law against Hamas and their flotilla allies.
Already, the number of flotillistas has been whittled down from 1500 to 350, and the number of boats from 15 to ten. Most of the credit should surely go to the Israeli activist law firm Shurat haDin which believes in bankrupting terrorism through a creative use of the law.
Using the law against Hamas and their flotilla allies.
Already, the number of flotillistas has been whittled down from 1500 to 350, and the number of boats from 15 to ten. Most of the credit should surely go to the Israeli activist law firm Shurat haDin which believes in bankrupting terrorism through a creative use of the law.
Richard Feynman talks about light
Biosphere 2 gets a new owner and a boost in funding
Biosphere 2 gets a new owner and a boost in funding.
Biosphere 2 gets a new owner and a boost in funding.
Appeals Court in Ohio Upholds Health Law
Bad news: The Federal Appeals court in Ohio has upheld Obamacare 2-1. A warning from the dissenting judge:
“If the exercise of power is allowed and the mandate upheld, it is difficult to see what the limits on Congress’s Commerce Clause authority would be. What aspect of human activity would escape federal power?”
Bad news: The Federal Appeals court in Ohio has upheld Obamacare 2-1. A warning from the dissenting judge:
“If the exercise of power is allowed and the mandate upheld, it is difficult to see what the limits on Congress’s Commerce Clause authority would be. What aspect of human activity would escape federal power?”
AAAS campaigns to stop attacks on global warming advocates
The board of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has issued a statement demanding that all attacks on global warming advocates cease.
Though they couch their wording as if they oppose all outside interference with the scientific process (a bad idea on its own), they conveniently only complain about the efforts of skeptics to challenge the work of scientists who support human-caused global warming.
Lawmakers and activist groups also have sought detailed disclosure of records from climate researchers. The American Tradition Institute (ATI) has asked the University of Virginia to turn over thousands of e-mails and documents written by Michael E. Mann, a former U-Va. professor and a prominent climate scientist. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a climate change skeptic, demanded many of the same documents last year in an effort to determine if Mann had somehow defrauded taxpayers in obtaining research grants. ATI also has sued NASA to disclose records detailing climate scientist James Hansen’s compliance with federal ethics and disclosure rules.
In other words, don’t question these people, only skeptics are open for attack.
The board of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has issued a statement demanding that all attacks on global warming advocates cease.
Though they couch their wording as if they oppose all outside interference with the scientific process (a bad idea on its own), they conveniently only complain about the efforts of skeptics to challenge the work of scientists who support human-caused global warming.
Lawmakers and activist groups also have sought detailed disclosure of records from climate researchers. The American Tradition Institute (ATI) has asked the University of Virginia to turn over thousands of e-mails and documents written by Michael E. Mann, a former U-Va. professor and a prominent climate scientist. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a climate change skeptic, demanded many of the same documents last year in an effort to determine if Mann had somehow defrauded taxpayers in obtaining research grants. ATI also has sued NASA to disclose records detailing climate scientist James Hansen’s compliance with federal ethics and disclosure rules.
In other words, don’t question these people, only skeptics are open for attack.
EPA approves 15% ethanol gasoline despite the risk of engine damage
We’re here to help you: The EPA has approved a warning label for its approval of 15% ethanol gasoline.
EPA says tests show E15 won’t harm 2001 and newer vehicles, which have hoses and gaskets and seals specially designed to resist corrosive ethanol. But using E15 fuel in older vehicles or in power equipment such as mowers, chainsaws and boats, can cause damage and now is literally a federal offense.
We’re here to help you: The EPA has approved a warning label for its approval of 15% ethanol gasoline.
EPA says tests show E15 won’t harm 2001 and newer vehicles, which have hoses and gaskets and seals specially designed to resist corrosive ethanol. But using E15 fuel in older vehicles or in power equipment such as mowers, chainsaws and boats, can cause damage and now is literally a federal offense.
China buys three Earth observations satellites from UK firm
Capitalism in space: China has purchased a three Earth observation satellite constellation from a United Kingdom firm.
Capitalism in space: China has purchased a three Earth observation satellite constellation from a United Kingdom firm.
Wallops launch delayed until Wednesday
The launch of a military satellite out of Wallops Island, Maryland has been delayed until Wednesday.
The launch of a military satellite out of Wallops Island, Maryland has been delayed until Wednesday.
Tim Pawlenty goes from advocate of global warming to skeptic
Presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty switches from global warming advocate to skeptic.
This is just more fallout from Climategate and the unwillingness of scientists to clean house.
Presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty switches from global warming advocate to skeptic.
This is just more fallout from Climategate and the unwillingness of scientists to clean house.
Desert View at the Grand Canyon
The Obama administration versus the lumber industry
Lumber and regulation: First, the Obama administration is about to release its spotted owl recovery plan for the northwest United States, and no one knows what’s in it. Second, a timber industry group has sued the Obama administration for not selling “at least 502 million board feet each year, the amount provided for under the resource management plans for the agency’s districts in Western Oregon.”
With the first story, I wonder what happened to the “most transparent administration in history.” With the second, the Obama administration continues its pattern of ignoring the law in favor of its own preferences.
Lumber and regulation: First, the Obama administration is about to release its spotted owl recovery plan for the northwest United States, and no one knows what’s in it. Second, a timber industry group has sued the Obama administration for not selling “at least 502 million board feet each year, the amount provided for under the resource management plans for the agency’s districts in Western Oregon.”
With the first story, I wonder what happened to the “most transparent administration in history.” With the second, the Obama administration continues its pattern of ignoring the law in favor of its own preferences.