The sun influences the climate, admit the powers-that-be
Will wonders never cease? The sun actually does influence the climate, the powers-that-be admit at last.
Category: Behind The Black
The moons of Saturn
The Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn continues to send back a wealth of data, and some gob-smacking wonderful images. Below are two of the more recent examples. The first is not a computer-generated graphic: it shows the small moon Helene (21 miles across) during a fly-by on March 3, 2010, with Saturn’s atmosphere providing the background. The second captures Saturn’s two largest moons, with the smaller Rhea crossing in front of the larger Titan.
Muslims defend free speech
Some encouraging news: A defense of free speech by American and Canadian Muslims.
Pressure mounting for Rajendra Pachauri to resign as IPCC head
Pressure seems to be mounting for Rajendra Pachauri to resign as head of the IPCC. Key quote:
“It’s vital that this body is led by someone whose academic and intellectual credentials are unquestioned and I’m afraid that can no longer be said of him.”
First tests of beer in zero gravity
Who says space exploration is dead? Sometime in November researchers will conduct the first zero gravity tests of the world’s first beer to be certified for drinking in space. The tests will take place during suborbital flights of what is commonly known as the Vomit Comet. Key quote:
Sampling the beer during weightless parabolas, the flight researcher will record both qualitative data on beverage taste and drinkability and biometric data on body temperature, heart rate, and blood alcohol content.
The $500 satellite
Check out the first do-it-yourself satellite. It is 60 cubic inches in size and cost only $500 to build.
Houston-area schools brace for impact of NASA layoffs
Houston-area schools brace for impact of NASA layoffs.
SpaceX delays next Falcon 9 launch until November
SpaceX has delayed the second Falcon 9 test launch, which includes the first test of the Dragon capsule, until November 8, at the soonest.
Federal spending is out of control and NASA’s gonna get what it wants?
You think NASA’s going get money this year or next? Or ever? In one graph (see below), this article shows how completely out of control federal spending has become, beginning in 2007, with no end in sight. Key quote:
Until this skyrocketing spending growth is arrested and reversed, we suspect that government spending has become disconnected from the ability of any American household to support it.
Holst’s Jupiter movement from The Planets
An evening pause: Though Gustav Holst entitled the fourth movement of his The Planets suite Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity, its sweeping melody has always invoked for me the open and majestic plains and mountains of the American west. Sir Charles Mackerras conducts the BBC Philharmonic orchestra.
Internal combustion engine wins fuel efficiency contest!
Who da thunk it? Internal combustion engine wins fuel efficiency contest, beating out both hybrids and electric cars.
Arianespace Heading Toward an Unprofitable 2010
What does this mean for private space? The European consortium Arianespace is heading toward an unprofitable 2010. Note also that though the company “performed a record seven launches of the Ariane 5 vehicle in 2009, Arianespace reported a loss of 71.2 million euros on sales of 1.03 billion euros” in that year as well.