Kseniya Simonova – To Norway
An evening pause: More story-telling with sand, by Kseniya Simonova. This time she tells a northern fantasy, based on the Norwegian epics.
Category: Behind The Black
The first X-37B to fly in space was successfully placed in orbit today for the second time.
The first X-37B to fly in space was successfully placed in orbit today for the second time.
The first X-37B to fly in space was successfully placed in orbit today for the second time.
Watch a three mile wide asteroid fly past the Earth – live tonight from 5 to 11 pm (Eastern)!
Watch a three mile wide asteroid fly past the Earth – live tonight from 5 to 11 pm (Eastern)!
Watch a three mile wide asteroid fly past the Earth – live tonight from 5 to 11 pm (Eastern)!
The solar scientists change their prediction again
Today, with little fanfare, the solar scientists at the Marshall Space Flight Center adjusted slightly downward their prediction for the upcoming solar maximum, from a sunspot number of 73 down to 72. This was the fourth month in a row that they have revised their prediction.
The Marshall scientists do not archive their predictions, which I suspect is a convenient way of preventing people from noticing how much they change them. I however like to archive these revisions. Below is a full list of their changes during the past two years:
» Read more
Climate models still fail to predict mid- and long-term trends in the climate.The uncertainty of science: Climate models still fail to predict mid- and long-term trends in the climate.
The uncertainty of science: Climate models still fail to predict mid- and long-term trends in the climate.
To test the forecast quality of the 23 most important climate models, the AWI scientists investigated how well these models were able to reproduce atmospheric teleconnection patterns over the past 50 years. A total of 9 known circulation patterns were investigated retrospectively, four of which in special detail. The result was that the spatial distribution of atmospheric teleconnection patterns is already described very well by some models. However, none of the models were able to reliably reproduce how strong or weak the Icelandic Low, Azores High and other meteorological centers of action were at a particular time over the last 50 years, i.e. the temporal distribution patterns. [emphasis mine]
The “centers of action” are large global weather patterns like el Nino that can influence the global climate worldwide. Most climate scientists believe that global warming will manifest itself first in these centers of action. Yet, no climate model was able to predict what we know actually happened during the past fifty years with these large centers.
But we must ignore this fact and base all our climate law on what these models predict. What could go wrong?
In related news, the United Kingdom had its coldest autumn since 1993 this year. And if you look at the temperature graph at the link, covering autumn temperatures since 1910, you will notice hardly any change, up or down.
The uncertainty of science: Climate models still fail to predict mid- and long-term trends in the climate.
To test the forecast quality of the 23 most important climate models, the AWI scientists investigated how well these models were able to reproduce atmospheric teleconnection patterns over the past 50 years. A total of 9 known circulation patterns were investigated retrospectively, four of which in special detail. The result was that the spatial distribution of atmospheric teleconnection patterns is already described very well by some models. However, none of the models were able to reliably reproduce how strong or weak the Icelandic Low, Azores High and other meteorological centers of action were at a particular time over the last 50 years, i.e. the temporal distribution patterns. [emphasis mine]
The “centers of action” are large global weather patterns like el Nino that can influence the global climate worldwide. Most climate scientists believe that global warming will manifest itself first in these centers of action. Yet, no climate model was able to predict what we know actually happened during the past fifty years with these large centers.
But we must ignore this fact and base all our climate law on what these models predict. What could go wrong?
In related news, the United Kingdom had its coldest autumn since 1993 this year. And if you look at the temperature graph at the link, covering autumn temperatures since 1910, you will notice hardly any change, up or down.
A Democratic state representative threatened violence on the Michigan House floor today over the passage of a right-to-work law in their state.
Leftwing civility: A Democratic state representative threatened violence on the Michigan House floor today over the passage of a right-to-work law in their state.
Update with video: a mob of union thugs rip down the tent of a conservative group, while people were inside. More details about the violence here. More video here, showing these creeps as they attack Steven Crowder and push the tent down with a woman inside.
Leftwing civility: A Democratic state representative threatened violence on the Michigan House floor today over the passage of a right-to-work law in their state.
Update with video: a mob of union thugs rip down the tent of a conservative group, while people were inside. More details about the violence here. More video here, showing these creeps as they attack Steven Crowder and push the tent down with a woman inside.
Democratic senators (who voted for it) have joined Republicans to call for the delay or cancellation of an Obamacare tax on medical equipment.
Finding out what’s in it: Democratic senators (who voted for it) have joined Republicans to call for the delay or cancellation of an Obamacare tax on medical equipment.
Maybe if these idiots had read the damn bill before they passed it we wouldn’t have this problem. But then again, this is the quality of senators the American people want in charge of our country. I read this and weep.
Finding out what’s in it: Democratic senators (who voted for it) have joined Republicans to call for the delay or cancellation of an Obamacare tax on medical equipment.
Maybe if these idiots had read the damn bill before they passed it we wouldn’t have this problem. But then again, this is the quality of senators the American people want in charge of our country. I read this and weep.
The awesomeness of camping and hiking, in pictures.
The awesomeness of camping and hiking, in pictures.
The awesomeness of camping and hiking, in pictures.
North Korea, having postponed the launch for technical reasons, has apparently begun removing the rocket from the launchpad.
North Korea, having postponed the launch for technical reasons, has apparently begun removing the rocket from the launchpad.
North Korea, having postponed the launch for technical reasons, has apparently begun removing the rocket from the launchpad.
A design problem in Curiosity’s drill makes it a threat for shorting out the electronics of the entire rover at some point in the future.
Oy. A design problem in Curiosity’s drill makes it a threat to short out the electronics of the entire rover at some point in the future.
Oy. A design problem in Curiosity’s drill makes it a threat to short out the electronics of the entire rover at some point in the future.
Vi Hart – What was up with Pythagoras?
On the air
I will be doing what almost always turns out to be a two hour interview today with Dr. Space, David Livingston, on The Space Show. Feel free to tune in.
I will be doing what almost always turns out to be a two hour interview today with Dr. Space, David Livingston, on The Space Show. Feel free to tune in.
Glide tests of Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser shuttle are now scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2013.
Glide tests of Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser shuttle are now scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2013.
The vehicle they will be flying is only a prototype built expressly for these unmanned tests. A separate flight model is under construction and will be used for later manned suborbital tests, followed by a third vehicle built for orbital flights.
Glide tests of Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser shuttle are now scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2013.
The vehicle they will be flying is only a prototype built expressly for these unmanned tests. A separate flight model is under construction and will be used for later manned suborbital tests, followed by a third vehicle built for orbital flights.
Kazakhstan is considering cancelling the lease that allows Russia to use the launch facilities in Baikonur.
More bad news for Russia: Kazakhstan is considering cancelling the lease that allows Russia to use the launch facilities in Baikonur.
More bad news for Russia: Kazakhstan is considering cancelling the lease that allows Russia to use the launch facilities in Baikonur.
Yann Frisch
A look at some modern animals, drawn with the same limited fossil record we have for the dinosaurs.
The uncertainty of science: A look at some modern animals, drawn with the same limited fossil record we have for the dinosaurs.
In other words, almost everything we assume about the dinosaurs is probably wrong.
The uncertainty of science: A look at some modern animals, drawn with the same limited fossil record we have for the dinosaurs.
In other words, almost everything we assume about the dinosaurs is probably wrong.
R.I.P. Patrick Moore (1932-2012).
R.I.P. Patrick Moore (1932-2012).
R.I.P. Patrick Moore (1932-2012).
North Korea has halted preparations for its planned rocket launch.
North Korea has halted preparations for its planned rocket launch.
North Korea has halted preparations for its planned rocket launch.
During a launch yesterday the upper stage of Russia’s Proton rocket failed to put the satellite into its proper orbit.
Bad news for Russia: During a launch yesterday the upper stage of a Proton rocket failed to put the satellite into its proper orbit.
With this, the third failure in the past 16 months for the Briz-M upper stage, I expect that the Proton’s customers will continue to flee, as has Echostar.
Bad news for Russia: During a launch yesterday the upper stage of a Proton rocket failed to put the satellite into its proper orbit.
With this, the third failure in the past 16 months for the Briz-M upper stage, I expect that the Proton’s customers will continue to flee, as has Echostar.
A fuel leak has now been pinpointed as the cause of the Delta 4 rocket launch problem in October.
A fuel leak has now been pinpointed as the cause of the Delta 4 rocket launch problem in October.
A fuel leak has now been pinpointed as the cause of the Delta 4 rocket launch problem in October.
Gullies on Vesta?
Katherine Jenkins – Requiem for a Soldier
An evening pause: On this anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I give thanks to the past generation that gave me freedom.
I wish you’d lived to see
All you gave to me
Your shining dream of hope and love
Life and libertyWe are all one great band of brothers
And one day you’ll see – we can live together
When all the world is free.
It now appears that the next launch of the X-37B is set for Tuesday, December 11.
It now appears that the next launch of the X-37B is set for Tuesday, December 11.
This would mean that the engine problems that occurred on a Delta 4 rocket launch in October have been resolved.
It now appears that the next launch of the X-37B is set for Tuesday, December 11.
This would mean that the engine problems that occurred on a Delta 4 rocket launch in October have been resolved.
A tour of the impact craters that Curiosity created when it landed on Mars.
A tour of the impact craters that Curiosity created when it landed on Mars.
A tour of the impact craters that Curiosity created when it landed on Mars.
Celtic Harp Orchestra – Miranda and the Tempest
If you and a friend happen to have $1.4 billion, the new private company Golden Spike wants to take you to the Moon.
The competition heats up: If you and a friend happen to have $1.4 billion, the new private company Golden Spike wants to take you to the Moon.
Golden Spike’s news release said the venture would make use of existing rockets as well as commercial spacecraft that are currently under development to send expeditions to the lunar surface, with the estimated cost of a two-person lunar surface mission starting at $1.4 billion.
There will be a lot of press stories about this. And it is good, as it illustrates again the increasing shift from government-run space missions to a robust private industry. The idea of a private company doing this is no longer considered absurd but perfectly reasonable.
Whether Golden Spike itself will do it, however, is another thing entirely. Please forgive me if I reserve the right to be a little skeptical at this point.
The competition heats up: If you and a friend happen to have $1.4 billion, the new private company Golden Spike wants to take you to the Moon.
Golden Spike’s news release said the venture would make use of existing rockets as well as commercial spacecraft that are currently under development to send expeditions to the lunar surface, with the estimated cost of a two-person lunar surface mission starting at $1.4 billion.
There will be a lot of press stories about this. And it is good, as it illustrates again the increasing shift from government-run space missions to a robust private industry. The idea of a private company doing this is no longer considered absurd but perfectly reasonable.
Whether Golden Spike itself will do it, however, is another thing entirely. Please forgive me if I reserve the right to be a little skeptical at this point.
Lacking focus
A new National Research Council report released yesterday says that NASA lacks focus nor can it complete the missions it has with the resources available.
» Read more
Looking at the Earth from space at night.
The planet that never sleeps: Looking at the Earth from space at night.
The planet that never sleeps: Looking at the Earth from space at night.
The GAO is concerned about the future budget and schedule of the James Webb Space Telescope.
O goody: The GAO is concerned about the future budget and schedule of the James Webb Space Telescope.
This is very bad news if true for NASA’s astronomy program. Webb was originally budgeted at $1 billion and scheduled to launch in 2011. Its budget is now $8.8 billion and its launch is now set for October 2018. And until it launches there is little money to build any other space telescope.
O goody: The GAO is concerned about the future budget and schedule of the James Webb Space Telescope.
This is very bad news if true for NASA’s astronomy program. Webb was originally budgeted at $1 billion and scheduled to launch in 2011. Its budget is now $8.8 billion and its launch is now set for October 2018. And until it launches there is little money to build any other space telescope.
The toughest bridge in the world
An evening pause: I think the trucks in this video are a perfect metaphor for the American public’s attitude towards the federal debt. So what there are yellow flashing warning signs! Charge on!