Media mayhem mars family’s joy at Chile mine rescue
Journalists trample the family tent at the Chilean mine rescue.
Journalists trample the family tent at the Chilean mine rescue.
Category: Behind The Black
Media mayhem mars family’s joy at Chile mine rescue
EPA Funnels Taxpayer Money to Dozens of Liberal Community Activist Groups
Proof that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has more to do with propaganda and politics than regulation: “EPA funnels taxpayer money to dozens of liberal community activist groups.” I especially like this one:
A grant recipient in Appalachia — the heart of coal country — will teach households in Franklin County, Ky., how to reduce household greenhouse gas emissions. The project called “Lighten Up, Frankfort!” will use the book “The Low Carbon Diet” to guide households through a series of actions to reduce their household energy use. The actions include “empowering” people to “lose unwanted pounds.”
Proof that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has more to do with propaganda and politics than regulation: “EPA funnels taxpayer money to dozens of liberal community activist groups.” I especially like this one:
A grant recipient in Appalachia — the heart of coal country — will teach households in Franklin County, Ky., how to reduce household greenhouse gas emissions. The project called “Lighten Up, Frankfort!” will use the book “The Low Carbon Diet” to guide households through a series of actions to reduce their household energy use. The actions include “empowering” people to “lose unwanted pounds.”
APS responds to Harold Lewis’s resignation letter
The American Physical Society has responded to Harold Lewis’s resignation letter.
It appears from their response that they are feeling some pressure about their past position, which stated “The evidence is incontrovertible: Global warming is occurring.” Compare that with what they say now, in their response to Lewis:
APS continues to recognize that climate models are far from adequate, and the extent of global warming and climatic disruptions produced by sustained increases in atmospheric carbon loading remain uncertain.
How nice. A science organization recognizing the uncertainty of science!
More details of the Chilean mine rescue
More details about the Chilean mine rescue. Updated and bumped. The first few miners are up on the surface, safe and sound, with the rescue operation continuing.
More details about the Chilean mine rescue. Updated and bumped. The first few miners are up on the surface, safe and sound, with the rescue operation continuing.
Hayseed Dixie: she was skinny When I met her
The first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo could come before year’s end
The first powered test flight of SpaceShipTwo could come before year’s end.
The first powered test flight of SpaceShipTwo could come before year’s end.
Habitable exoplanet might not exist
The uncertainty of science: The extrasolar planet discovered orbiting Gliese 581 in its habitable zone might not exist, according to other scientists.
The uncertainty of science: The extrasolar planet discovered orbiting Gliese 581 in its habitable zone might not exist, according to other scientists.
The World’s First Everything-Proof Underground Luxury Community
The world’s first everything-proof underground luxury community. Fun quote:
The Barstow bunker was built to withstand a 50-megaton nuclear blast 10 miles away, 450mph winds, a magnitude-10 earthquake, 10 days of 1,250°F surface fires, and three weeks beneath any flood. Vicino says that a soon-to-be-installed air-filtration system will also neutralize any biological, chemical or nuclear attacks. The Barstow branch will stock enough food and clothing to sustain 135 people for at least a year, and in a lifestyle that Vicino describes as compact but luxurious, like being on a cruise ship.
The world’s first everything-proof underground luxury community. Fun quote:
The Barstow bunker was built to withstand a 50-megaton nuclear blast 10 miles away, 450mph winds, a magnitude-10 earthquake, 10 days of 1,250°F surface fires, and three weeks beneath any flood. Vicino says that a soon-to-be-installed air-filtration system will also neutralize any biological, chemical or nuclear attacks. The Barstow branch will stock enough food and clothing to sustain 135 people for at least a year, and in a lifestyle that Vicino describes as compact but luxurious, like being on a cruise ship.
The first trapped miner about to hauled free
The first trapped Chilean miner is expected to be hauled from the mine sometime before midnight tonight.
The first trapped Chilean miner is expected to be hauled from the mine sometime before midnight tonight.
The possibilities for China’s Chang’e 2 lunar probe
The possibilities for China’s Chang’e 2 lunar probe include travel far beyond the Moon.
The possibilities for China’s Chang’e 2 lunar probe include travel far beyond the Moon.
The 500th extrasolar planet about to be discovered
Based on the pace of discovery, scientists expect to discover the 500th extrasolar planet by the end of October.
Based on the pace of discovery, scientists expect to discover the 500th extrasolar planet by the end of October.
A lost Michelangelo painting found in Buffalo, NY home
A lost Michelangelo painting found in upstate New York home.
A lost Michelangelo painting found in upstate New York home.
The state of NASA’s commercial crew program
The state of NASA’s commercial crew program. Key quote:
The Obama administration requested $3.3 billion for commercial crew services over the next three years, but a so-called compromise bill forged in the Senate slashed the proposal in half. After months of heated contention, the House of Representatives finally agreed to the Senate authorization bill in late September, calling for $1.6 billion for the commercial program.
The state of NASA’s commercial crew program. Key quote:
The Obama administration requested $3.3 billion for commercial crew services over the next three years, but a so-called compromise bill forged in the Senate slashed the proposal in half. After months of heated contention, the House of Representatives finally agreed to the Senate authorization bill in late September, calling for $1.6 billion for the commercial program.
Five Chilean miners ‘originally formed breakway group’
Five of the 33 trapped Chilean miners “originally formed breakway group“.
Five of the 33 trapped Chilean miners “originally formed breakway group“.
Asteroid to zip past Earth on Tuesday
A 20 foot diameter asteroid is going to zip past the Earth on Tuesday, passing over East Asia only 28,000 miles away.
A 20 foot diameter asteroid is going to zip past the Earth on Tuesday, passing over East Asia only 28,000 miles away.
Obama signs the NASA authorization bill
Obama signed the NASA authorization bill today.
Update and bumped: This Spaceflight Now article includes this quote from Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida):
“What is in this bill is $11.5 billion over the next six years, anticipated, even though it’s a three-year authorization, for development and testing of a heavy lift rocket. Now if we can’t develop a new rocket for $11.5 billion, building on a lot of the technologies that were already developed in spending $9 billion (on the Constellation program’s Ares rockets), if we can’t do it for that, then we ought to question whether or not we can build a rocket.”
Based on NASA’s track record in trying to build a replacement to the shuttle, I remain very skeptical indeed whether NASA can build this rocket. I do hope, however, that my skepticism is proven wrong.
Note also that the funding for this authorization bill is as yet not appropriated. Plans to do so during the lame duck session of Congress after the elections remain fraught with problems.
Classic tribute to Genesis: Afterglow
Why ObamaCare killed child-only health plans
The law of unintended consequences: Why ObamaCare killed child-only health plans.
The law of unintended consequences: Why ObamaCare killed child-only health plans.
The central organization of the religion of peace declares war on the US
The religion of peace strikes again! The Muslim Brotherhood, one of Islam’s most dominant political organizations, has declared war on the United States.
The religion of peace strikes again! The Muslim Brotherhood, one of Islam’s most dominant political organizations, has declared war on the United States.
Using ISS as a launching platform to get to the Moon
The various partners running the ISS are considering using it as a platform to launch an orbital manned mission to the Moon.
The various partners running the ISS are considering using it as a platform to launch an orbital manned mission to the Moon.
Archeologists find 400,000 year old spears in coal mine
Archeologists have found 400,000 year old spears in what appears to have been an ancient lake shore hunting ground, suggesting that organized hunting occurred far sooner than previously believed.
Archeologists have found 400,000 year old spears in what appears to have been an ancient lake shore hunting ground, suggesting that organized hunting occurred far sooner than previously believed.
X-37B goes missing.
Spaceweather.com noted yesterday that the amateur astronomers have reported the X-37B space plane missing. It did not show up when expected, based on its known orbit. Key quote:
It’s possible that the X-37B has landed. More likely, the space plane has maneuvered into a new orbit and will be recovered again in the nights ahead.
Spaceweather.com noted yesterday that the amateur astronomers have reported the X-37B space plane missing. It did not show up when expected, based on its known orbit. Key quote:
It’s possible that the X-37B has landed. More likely, the space plane has maneuvered into a new orbit and will be recovered again in the nights ahead.
Shutting Up Business
Footage of SpaceShipTwo’s first solo flight
Mars’ geology suggests it once had rich carbon dioxide atmosphere
The discovery by scientists of carbonate rock deep below the Martian surface suggests the planet once had a rich carbon dioxide atmosphere. It also suggests that conditions might be more habitable for life deep underground.
The discovery by scientists of carbonate rock deep below the Martian surface suggests the planet once had a rich carbon dioxide atmosphere. It also suggests that conditions might be more habitable for life deep underground.
Rescue shaft breaks through to Chilean miners
Rescue shaft breaks through to Chilean miners.
Rescue shaft breaks through to Chilean miners.
Kitten massage therapy
Chilean miners are arguing about who should be the last to exit
Things must be looking up! The trapped Chilean miners are now arguing about who should be the last to exit.
Things must be looking up! The trapped Chilean miners are now arguing about who should be the last to exit.
Sunspots return to the Sun
After a three day stretch of blankness, a new sunspot has appeared on the Sun. The question remains: Have we now seen the last blank day for the just ending solar minimum?
After a three day stretch of blankness, a new sunspot has appeared on the Sun. The question remains: Have we now seen the last blank day for the just ending solar minimum?
Bolden ignores Congress with trip to China
The effort of NASA administrator Charles Bolden to increase cooperation with China is apparently in direct conflict with the wishes of Congress.
The effort of NASA administrator Charles Bolden to increase cooperation with China is apparently in direct conflict with the wishes of Congress.