Points of Information – Page 2316 – Behind The Black

University of Virginia resists releasing climate documents

January 6, 2011 1:13 pm Robert Zimmerman

Another whitewash? The University of Virginia is resisting releasing a variety of climate documents being requested under the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Key quote:

In response to a previous FOIA request, U.Va. denied these records existed. However, during Cuccinelli’s pre-investigation under the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act (“FATA”), a 2007 law passed unanimously by Virginia’s legislature, which clearly covers the work of taxpayer-funded academics, U.Va. stunningly dropped this stance.

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Eight Botched Environmental Forecasts

January 6, 2011 1:45 am Robert Zimmerman

Eight botched environmental forecasts.

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Amateur astronomer takes photo of solar eclipse with ISS

January 5, 2011 10:33 pm Robert Zimmerman

Amateur astronomer Thierry Legault traveled to Oman to not only photograph the Moon as it eclipsed the Sun on January 4, but also capture the International Space Station at the same moment. The image he took of both as they crossed in front of the Sun is amazing.

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Christie actually shutters a government agency

January 5, 2011 7:12 pm Robert Zimmerman

More please! New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has actually shut down a government agency.

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Reorganization at NASA: More Smoke and Mirrors

January 5, 2011 4:09 pm Robert Zimmerman

Keith Cowing: Reorganization at NASA: More smoke and mirrors.

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Manipulative cats fake illness when upset

January 5, 2011 1:08 pm Robert Zimmerman

Science discovers the obvious: Cats are manipulative!

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Muslim scholars praise killer of Pakistan governor

January 5, 2011 11:02 am Robert Zimmerman

The tolerance of Islam: Muslim scholars praise the killer of a Pakistani governor who opposed the execution of anyone convicted of insulting Islam.

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Long-term space flight may be a problem for human reproduction

January 5, 2011 10:41 am Robert Zimmerman

Don’t plan that honeymoon yet! Long-term space flight may be a problem for human reproduction. Key quote:

If exercise keeps muscles in shape [in space], what countermeasure might astronauts use to maintain reproductive health?

Souza laughed.

“That’s a good question,” he said.

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amateur-astronomer-discovers-four-new-planets-from-his-office-at-home-and-he-doesnt-even-own-a-telescope

January 5, 2011 10:23 am Robert Zimmerman

An amateur astronomer, using his computers at home, has discovered four new exoplanets.

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Japan may make second try at Akatsuki-Venus rendezvous one year earlier than planned

January 5, 2011 10:21 am Robert Zimmerman

Japan may try to put Akatsuki into orbit around Venus five years from now, rather than six.

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Root cause of tank cracks possibly found

January 5, 2011 10:10 am Robert Zimmerman

NASA engineers think they might have found the root cause of the cracks that have been appearing on the shuttle external tank. The cracks appear on structural units called stringers. Key quote:

“Some material used for the stringers was found to be ‘mottled,’ with a different surface appearance than the standard material. Testing revealed this mottled material had lower fracture toughness than the nominal material and exhibited unstable crack growth. All of the cracks found during tanking as well as cracks fixed during manufacturing were located on stringers made with this mottled material.”

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