Dilbert today
Today’s Dilbert strip says it all about the stupidity of the TSA.
Today’s Dilbert strip says it all about the stupidity of the TSA.
Category: Behind The Black
Dilbert today
Challenger, 25 years later
Today is the 25th anniversary of the Challenger accident. There are innumerable links from many sources talking about the event, too many for me to list here. You can find most at this link on Jeff Foust’s website, spacetoday.net.
Though I think it is very important for us to remember and honor these events, I have become somewhat disenchanted with the modern American obsession with memorials and anniversaries. Rather than build a memorial, I’d much rather we focused entirely on building new spaceships, new space stations, and new lunar bases, while flying multi-year missions on ISS, all in preparation for exploring and colonizing the solar system.
If we actually made the solar system a place for humans to live in and explore, we would build a far better memorial to those who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of exploration. And I think these heroes would be far more pleased by that memorial than by a stone statue or emotional op-ed that describes their courage.
Japan on alert after volcano’s biggest eruption in 50 years
Japan is on alert today after the biggest volcanic eruption in 50 years took place on the nation’s southernmost main island, Kyushu. The pictures at the link are truly incredible!
Japan is on alert today after the biggest volcanic eruption in 50 years took place on the nation’s southernmost main island, Kyushu. The pictures at the link are truly incredible!
Arab world shaken by power of Twitter and Facebook
The truimph of freedom: The Arab world, shaken by the power of the internet. Key quote:
On Dec. 17, in Sidi Bouzid, deep in the interior, Mohamed Bouazizi set himself aflame in front of a government building, in protest after police confiscated his produce stand. Horrible images of his act circulated lightning-fast on the Internet. Protests followed.
“Thanks to Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, images of those first protests went around the world instantly, and everyone knew about it,” says Tlili. “Even 20 years ago, you could have had those uprisings in the interior and few would have known.”
The truimph of freedom: The Arab world, shaken by the power of the internet. Key quote:
On Dec. 17, in Sidi Bouzid, deep in the interior, Mohamed Bouazizi set himself aflame in front of a government building, in protest after police confiscated his produce stand. Horrible images of his act circulated lightning-fast on the Internet. Protests followed.
“Thanks to Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, images of those first protests went around the world instantly, and everyone knew about it,” says Tlili. “Even 20 years ago, you could have had those uprisings in the interior and few would have known.”
Happy anniversary
A Fizzy Ocean on Enceladus
A fizzy ocean on Enceladus? Key quote:
[Scientists believe] that gasses dissolved in water deep below the surface [of Enceladus] form bubbles. Since the density of the resulting “sparkling water” is less than that of the ice, the liquid ascends quickly up through the ice to the surface. “Most of the water spreads out sideways and ‘warms’ a thin surface ice lid, which is about 300 feet thick,” explains Matson. “But some of it collects in subsurface chambers, builds up pressure, and then blasts out through small holes in the ground, like soda spewing out of that can you opened.”
A fizzy ocean on Enceladus? Key quote:
[Scientists believe] that gasses dissolved in water deep below the surface [of Enceladus] form bubbles. Since the density of the resulting “sparkling water” is less than that of the ice, the liquid ascends quickly up through the ice to the surface. “Most of the water spreads out sideways and ‘warms’ a thin surface ice lid, which is about 300 feet thick,” explains Matson. “But some of it collects in subsurface chambers, builds up pressure, and then blasts out through small holes in the ground, like soda spewing out of that can you opened.”
Night-Shining Clouds are Getting Brighter
For reasons unknown, for the past thirty years high altitude noctilucent clouds have been getting brighter.
For reasons unknown, for the past thirty years high altitude noctilucent clouds have been getting brighter.
New research finds that the Himalayan glaciers are not melting
New research finds that the Himalayan glaciers are not melting. Key quote:
The new study by scientists at the Universities of California and Potsdam has found that half of the glaciers in the Karakoram range, in the northwestern Himlaya, are in fact advancing and that global warming is not the deciding factor in whether a glacier survives or melts.
The last part of the above quote, on global warming, is almost certainly an overstatement of what we do or don’t know. Warming will cause glaciers to melt, but how much and when are factors that are still not understood. Moreover, we are still not sure how much warming has even occurred.
New research finds that the Himalayan glaciers are not melting. Key quote:
The new study by scientists at the Universities of California and Potsdam has found that half of the glaciers in the Karakoram range, in the northwestern Himlaya, are in fact advancing and that global warming is not the deciding factor in whether a glacier survives or melts.
The last part of the above quote, on global warming, is almost certainly an overstatement of what we do or don’t know. Warming will cause glaciers to melt, but how much and when are factors that are still not understood. Moreover, we are still not sure how much warming has even occurred.
Ex-state official who illegally searched “Joe the Plumber’s” private records gets county job
Meanwhile, here’s another reason why everyone should be disgusted with the government we presently have: The former state official who illegally searched “Joe the Plumber’s” private records has now gotten another government job, working for the Montgomery County Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board in Ohio.
Meanwhile, here’s another reason why everyone should be disgusted with the government we presently have: The former state official who illegally searched “Joe the Plumber’s” private records has now gotten another government job, working for the Montgomery County Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board in Ohio.
Man Acquitted of refusing to give his id to police or TSA
Freedom wins! A man who was arrested for refusing to give his ID to TSA agents and videotaping his arrest has been acquitted of all charges. You can watch the videotape at the link. Also, more here.
Freedom wins! A man who was arrested for refusing to give his ID to TSA agents and videotaping his arrest has been acquitted of all charges. You can watch the videotape at the link. Also, more here.
Japan’s second robot cargo vehicle successfully docks at ISS
Another Japanese space success today: Its second robot cargo vehicle has successfully docked at ISS.
Another Japanese space success today: Its second robot cargo vehicle has successfully docked at ISS.
Ikaros takes a picture of Venus
Ikaros takes a picture of Venus.
Ikaros takes a picture of Venus.
ObamaCare Waivers Jump from 222 to 729 Covering 2.2 Million Employees
Repeal the damn bill! The number of companies who have received waivers from ObamaCare has jumped from 222 to 729, and now exempts over two million employees.
If the bill was so great, why are more and more companies trying to get out of participating?
Repeal the damn bill! The number of companies who have received waivers from ObamaCare has jumped from 222 to 729, and now exempts over two million employees.
If the bill was so great, why are more and more companies trying to get out of participating?
Nora the piano cat
I’m back
As you can see, I am finally back at the computer.
I want to thank everyone who made encouraging comments or sent me private emails. The situation was a simple one: For a variety of reasons, we needed to move my 93-year-old mother to a new residence. I therefore spent the last five days packing and unpacking boxes, and guiding the movers as they transported her stuff either to her new home or storage.
Moving for anyone is always a pain in the neck. Doing it for someone else can be harder, as you have to make decisions about someone else’s possessions, about what can go and what must be discarded. Fortunately, everything worked out far better than I could have expected and she is now safely settled in a far better place.
So, back we go to space, history, science, and politics!
NYC Lawmaker Proposes Ban On Talking And Walking
More government foolishness: A New York city lawmaker wants to ban the use of cell phones or any electronic devices while walking on the street.
More government foolishness: A New York city lawmaker wants to ban the use of cell phones or any electronic devices while walking on the street.
Congressional Budget office says Social Security Now Officially Broke
And you still think NASA (or any other federal program) is going to get a lot of money? The Congressional Budget office (CBO) admitted today that Social Security is now officially broke. Key quote:
The CBO’s revenue/expenditure estimates now place the program in permanent deficit. There had been some hope that payroll taxes would recover sufficiently post-recession to put the program back into the black (the theoretical black) for at least a few more years, putting off the day of reckoning for an election cycle or more. No more: The new CBO estimates put Social Security in the red for as far as the eye can see. [emphasis mine]
And you still think NASA (or any other federal program) is going to get a lot of money? The Congressional Budget office (CBO) admitted today that Social Security is now officially broke. Key quote:
The CBO’s revenue/expenditure estimates now place the program in permanent deficit. There had been some hope that payroll taxes would recover sufficiently post-recession to put the program back into the black (the theoretical black) for at least a few more years, putting off the day of reckoning for an election cycle or more. No more: The new CBO estimates put Social Security in the red for as far as the eye can see. [emphasis mine]
Hubble detects what may be oldest, most distant object ever seen
Hubble detects what may be oldest, most distant object ever seen.
Hubble detects what may be oldest, most distant object ever seen.
International Space Station Could Get Private Inflatable Room
Private space marches on! NASA is in negotiations with Bigelow Aerospace to buy one of their inflatable space station modules and attach it to ISS.
Private space marches on! NASA is in negotiations with Bigelow Aerospace to buy one of their inflatable space station modules and attach it to ISS.
Japan’s IKAROS Solar Sail Mission Extended for a Year
More solar sail news: Japan’s solar sail mission, IKAROS, has been extended for a year. Key quote:
With the extended lease on life, the team will try new navigational tricks, such as varying the sail’s angle toward the sun and changing the craft’s trajectory. Mori called these “risky” maneuvers because they are not sure if the sail will remain fully extended. They intend to model the sail’s behavior and the craft’s response to plan future solar sail missions.
More solar sail news: Japan’s solar sail mission, IKAROS, has been extended for a year. Key quote:
With the extended lease on life, the team will try new navigational tricks, such as varying the sail’s angle toward the sun and changing the craft’s trajectory. Mori called these “risky” maneuvers because they are not sure if the sail will remain fully extended. They intend to model the sail’s behavior and the craft’s response to plan future solar sail missions.
How Giants Conquered the Earth
How giants conquered the Earth.
How giants conquered the Earth.
NASA TV to Show Russian Space Station Cargo Ship Arrival
How’s this for your evening television entertainment: Beginning 8 pm on Saturday, NASA TV will show the docking of the next Russian Progress freighter to ISS.
How’s this for your evening television entertainment: Beginning 8 pm on Saturday, NASA TV will show the docking of the next Russian Progress freighter to ISS.
US removes Indian firms from Entity List
The federal government has lifted the import security restrictions that existed against India, which will give that country better access to America’s most sophisticated technologies, and thus be a boon for its space industry.
The federal government has lifted the import security restrictions that existed against India, which will give that country better access to America’s most sophisticated technologies, and thus be a boon for its space industry.
Mars Express Buzzes Martian Moon Phobos
The ESA probe Mars Express flew past the Martian moon Phobos today. Great image!
The ESA probe Mars Express flew past the Martian moon Phobos today. Great image!
For rent: Kennedy Space Center facilities, launch pads
NASA is so desperate for business they put “for rent” signs up!
NASA is so desperate for business they put “for rent” signs up!
NASA offers cash prizes for amateur pictures of NanoSail-D
Want to do some space science and make money? Take pictures of NASA’s solar sail, NanoSail-D.
Want to do some space science and make money? Take pictures of NASA’s solar sail, NanoSail-D.
Flooding in Australia
Chicago update
Just to note to apologize for the lack of posts the past few days. I have been dealing with family issues (no emergency) that require my time. I shall return sometime today or tomorrow.
Just to note to apologize for the lack of posts the past few days. I have been dealing with family issues (no emergency) that require my time. I shall return sometime today or tomorrow.