Catching the death of a comet
Catching the death of a comet.
Catching the death of a comet.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
Catching the death of a comet
A science journal for failed experiments
A new science journal for publishing the results of failed experiments.
A new science journal for publishing the results of failed experiments.
More cracks found in the wings of the Airbus A380
Not good: More cracks found in the wings of an Airbus A380.
Not good: More cracks found in the wings of an Airbus A380.
A meteorite that fell to Earth last July in Morocco has proven to be a rare chunk of Mars.
A meteorite that fell to Earth last July in Morocco has proven to be a rare chunk of Mars.
A meteorite that fell to Earth last July in Morocco has proven to be a rare chunk of Mars.
The TSA has admitted that its agents made a mistake when they strip-searched two elderly women last fall.
I’m so relieved: The TSA has admitted that its agents made a mistake when they strip-searched two elderly women last fall.
And when are we going to admit our own mistake of creating the TSA and get around to abolishing it?
I’m so relieved: The TSA has admitted that its agents made a mistake when they strip-searched two elderly women last fall.
And when are we going to admit our own mistake of creating the TSA and get around to abolishing it?
One hundred tea party leaders to announce support for Newt tomorrow
One hundred tea party leaders to announce their support for Newt Gingrich tomorrow.
One hundred tea party leaders to announce their support for Newt Gingrich tomorrow.
Obamacare’s 34 pilot programs designed to save money will have no effect or will increase costs, according to a Congressional Budget Office report yesterday.
Repeal it: Obamacare’s 34 pilot programs, designed to save money, will have no effect or will increase costs, according to a Congressional Budget Office report yesterday.
I guarantee that they will increase costs, and actually hinder the work of doctors. The number one task of the new Congress after 2012 should be to repeal this abomination of a law as fast as possible.
Repeal it: Obamacare’s 34 pilot programs, designed to save money, will have no effect or will increase costs, according to a Congressional Budget Office report yesterday.
I guarantee that they will increase costs, and actually hinder the work of doctors. The number one task of the new Congress after 2012 should be to repeal this abomination of a law as fast as possible.
The Russian commission investigating the failure of Phobos-Grunt has concluded that the spacecraft failed because of Russian engineering errors, not U.S. sabotage.
Why am I not surprised? The Russian commission investigating the failure of Phobos-Grunt has concluded that the spacecraft failed because of Russian engineering errors, not U.S. sabotage.
I had suspected this whole kerfuffle was a fake issue inspired by Russian politicians. This report proves it.
Why am I not surprised? The Russian commission investigating the failure of Phobos-Grunt has concluded that the spacecraft failed because of Russian engineering errors, not U.S. sabotage.
I had suspected this whole kerfuffle was a fake issue inspired by Russian politicians. This report proves it.
The hi-tech home of a British soccer star has become a threat to radio astronomy.
Who knew? The hi-tech home of a British soccer star has become a threat to radio astronomy.
Who knew? The hi-tech home of a British soccer star has become a threat to radio astronomy.
The Japanese release more details about the hacking of their computers
The Japanese space agency has released more details about the hacking of their computers.
The Japanese space agency has released more details about the hacking of their computers.
Drilling in Antarctica
Drilling down to Lake Vostok has resumed in Antarctica.
This week, a Russian team drilling into Lake Vostok in the center of the Antarctic continent is likely to break through the ice to water. It will be the first time that a subglacial lake has been breached. These modern-day explorers hope to discover whether Vostok, which at 5000 km 3 is the third largest lake on the planet, is teeming with hidden, cold-loving life that could have evolved separately from the rest of the world for hundreds of thousands of years….
After drilling 3720 meters last February, time ran out for the team and the project was stymied just 29.5 meters from its destination as winter set in. Over the summer, they modified their drill bits and now the team is back at work with plenty of time to spare. They had left the large hole filled with antifreeze, so it was ready and waiting for them. It will remain open for years to come, Priscu says, potentially allowing other teams to sample the waters in the future.
Drilling down to Lake Vostok has resumed in Antarctica.
This week, a Russian team drilling into Lake Vostok in the center of the Antarctic continent is likely to break through the ice to water. It will be the first time that a subglacial lake has been breached. These modern-day explorers hope to discover whether Vostok, which at 5000 km 3 is the third largest lake on the planet, is teeming with hidden, cold-loving life that could have evolved separately from the rest of the world for hundreds of thousands of years….
After drilling 3720 meters last February, time ran out for the team and the project was stymied just 29.5 meters from its destination as winter set in. Over the summer, they modified their drill bits and now the team is back at work with plenty of time to spare. They had left the large hole filled with antifreeze, so it was ready and waiting for them. It will remain open for years to come, Priscu says, potentially allowing other teams to sample the waters in the future.
A stat to embolden skeptics of NASA and the government
Eric Berger has uncovered a statistic about the U.S. space program that will certainly embolden skeptics of NASA and the government.
Eric Berger has uncovered a statistic about the U.S. space program that will certainly embolden skeptics of NASA and the government.
In a break from standard practice, U.S. military has removed the links to its tracking data of Phobos-Grunt.
Could the Russians be right!? In a break from standard practice, U.S. military has removed the links to its tracking data of Phobos-Grunt.
On Jan. 12, the Space Track website originally published information on the estimated re-entry track for Phobos-Grunt, a Russian probe that malfunctioned shortly after its November 2011 launch and was stuck in low-Earth orbit for more than two months.
After routine updates and revised estimates over the course of the next two days, the military removed links to these re-entry predictions and did not publish final confirmation data on the spacecraft’s fall on Jan. 15, according to Aviation Week.
A careful analysis of recent activities by U.S. radar show that it could not have affected Phobos-Grunt. Yet, the U.S. military has now taken actions that not only break with standard procedures, they draw attention to the issue. All very astonishing.
Could the Russians be right!? In a break from standard practice, U.S. military has removed the links to its tracking data of Phobos-Grunt.
On Jan. 12, the Space Track website originally published information on the estimated re-entry track for Phobos-Grunt, a Russian probe that malfunctioned shortly after its November 2011 launch and was stuck in low-Earth orbit for more than two months.
After routine updates and revised estimates over the course of the next two days, the military removed links to these re-entry predictions and did not publish final confirmation data on the spacecraft’s fall on Jan. 15, according to Aviation Week.
A careful analysis of recent activities by U.S. radar show that it could not have affected Phobos-Grunt. Yet, the U.S. military has now taken actions that not only break with standard procedures, they draw attention to the issue. All very astonishing.
Orbital Sciences has once again delayed its first launch of Antares, the rocket that will lift its Cygnus cargo capsule to ISS.
Orbital Sciences has once again delayed its first launch of Antares, the rocket that will lift its Cygnus cargo capsule to ISS.
A hold-down test of Orbital Sciences Corp.’s Antares rocket, a prerequisite for the launch vehicle’s maiden flight, likely will not be completed before April because of ongoing tests and certification work on the vehicle’s launch pad at Wallops Island, Va., a launch official said.
As much as I am a fan of these private companies (Orbital and SpaceX), I also recognize the great risks. Both companies are building new rockets and capsules, and have many enemies. If they fail, those enemies will jump on their effort like sharks, ready to shut them down and move all government funding to NASA’s big heavy-lift program. Thus, they have to succeed. Better to delay and get things right then hurry and have them blow up in everyone’s face.
Orbital Sciences has once again delayed its first launch of Antares, the rocket that will lift its Cygnus cargo capsule to ISS.
A hold-down test of Orbital Sciences Corp.’s Antares rocket, a prerequisite for the launch vehicle’s maiden flight, likely will not be completed before April because of ongoing tests and certification work on the vehicle’s launch pad at Wallops Island, Va., a launch official said.
As much as I am a fan of these private companies (Orbital and SpaceX), I also recognize the great risks. Both companies are building new rockets and capsules, and have many enemies. If they fail, those enemies will jump on their effort like sharks, ready to shut them down and move all government funding to NASA’s big heavy-lift program. Thus, they have to succeed. Better to delay and get things right then hurry and have them blow up in everyone’s face.
The Supreme Court has refused to block a court suit against the San Francisco cops who entered a home and killed a resident without a warrant
Good: The Supreme Court has refused to block a court suit against the San Francisco cops who entered a home without a warrant and ended up killing one of its residents.
If the police invade a home without a warrant they are no different than thieves. Get a warrant, however, and everything changes.
Good: The Supreme Court has refused to block a court suit against the San Francisco cops who entered a home without a warrant and ended up killing one of its residents.
If the police invade a home without a warrant they are no different than thieves. Get a warrant, however, and everything changes.
Skyscrapers As Spaceships
As we spend more of our lives in cyberspace, we come to expect its primary characteristics (convenience, efficiency, abundance) to define our off-screen lives as well. And supertall, mixed-used skyscrapers are currently the most potent physical approximations of the virtual world we have. They’re environments designed for maximum convenience and efficiency, with elevators functioning like hypertext, taking you almost instantly from one mode of existence to the next. Push a button and you’re at work. Push another button, you’re at home.
There’s a lot more. Read the whole thing.
As we spend more of our lives in cyberspace, we come to expect its primary characteristics (convenience, efficiency, abundance) to define our off-screen lives as well. And supertall, mixed-used skyscrapers are currently the most potent physical approximations of the virtual world we have. They’re environments designed for maximum convenience and efficiency, with elevators functioning like hypertext, taking you almost instantly from one mode of existence to the next. Push a button and you’re at work. Push another button, you’re at home.
There’s a lot more. Read the whole thing.
On Tuesday the Treasury Department began using pension funds to keep the federal debt below the debt limit.
The day of reckoning looms closer all the time: On Tuesday the Treasury Department began using pension funds to keep the federal debt below the debt limit.
This action is, at this time, only a stop-gap until the debt ceiling is raised $1.2 trillion as per Obama’s request. Nonetheless, it signals the federal government’s increasingly dire debt problems.
The day of reckoning looms closer all the time: On Tuesday the Treasury Department began using pension funds to keep the federal debt below the debt limit.
This action is, at this time, only a stop-gap until the debt ceiling is raised $1.2 trillion as per Obama’s request. Nonetheless, it signals the federal government’s increasingly dire debt problems.
Listening online to the sounds at the ocean floor
In a visit to Pope Benedict last month, Britain’s chief rabbi spoke out against the persecution of Christians in Islamic countries, and defended the free market values of Judeo-Christian culture.
In a visit to Pope Benedict last month, Britain’s chief rabbi spoke out against the persecution of Christians in Islamic countries, and defended the free market values of Judeo-Christian culture.
What I found most disturbing in this article is highlighted below:
Separately, in a speech to the British House of Lords, Sacks denounced increasing persecution of Christians by radical Islam, warning that the “fate of Christians in the Middle East today is the litmus test of the Arab Spring.” In Rome and in London, he was more outspoken than are many of Europe’s often muted church officials, who typically fear to defend their faith, their culture, or their persecuted brethren. [emphasis mine]
How tragic that European church officials no longer have the courage to condemn persecution by Islamic radicals.
In a visit to Pope Benedict last month, Britain’s chief rabbi spoke out against the persecution of Christians in Islamic countries, and defended the free market values of Judeo-Christian culture.
What I found most disturbing in this article is highlighted below:
Separately, in a speech to the British House of Lords, Sacks denounced increasing persecution of Christians by radical Islam, warning that the “fate of Christians in the Middle East today is the litmus test of the Arab Spring.” In Rome and in London, he was more outspoken than are many of Europe’s often muted church officials, who typically fear to defend their faith, their culture, or their persecuted brethren. [emphasis mine]
How tragic that European church officials no longer have the courage to condemn persecution by Islamic radicals.
It looks like there will be no manned Soyuz missions launched from South America.
It looks like there will be no manned Soyuz missions launched from South America.
An ESA study conducted between 2002 and 2004 found that because the Soyuz has not been designed to land in the sea, a French Guiana launch that had to be aborted would endanger the spacecraft and its crew as it would likely have to ditch in the Atlantic Ocean. The Soyuz spacecraft have always landed on land in the former Soviet territory of Kazakhstan.
It looks like there will be no manned Soyuz missions launched from South America.
An ESA study conducted between 2002 and 2004 found that because the Soyuz has not been designed to land in the sea, a French Guiana launch that had to be aborted would endanger the spacecraft and its crew as it would likely have to ditch in the Atlantic Ocean. The Soyuz spacecraft have always landed on land in the former Soviet territory of Kazakhstan.
A class of fourth-grade students have renamed NASA’s two Grail lunar probes “Ebb” and “Flow”.
A class of fourth-grade students have renamed NASA’s two Grail lunar probes “Ebb” and “Flow”.
A class of fourth-grade students have renamed NASA’s two Grail lunar probes “Ebb” and “Flow”.
The Obama administration formally announced today that it is joining Europe in writing an international code of conduct for space.
What could go wrong? The Obama administration formally announced today that it is joining Europe in writing an international code of conduct for space.
The State Department announcement describing the administration’s intentions notes the U.S. will not agree to anything “that in any way constrains our national security-related activities in space or our ability to protect the United States and our allies.” However, it is also so vague about what they will agree to that I wonder what the point is. Either this whole effort is a waste of time, or it carries the risk that our government will agree to a treaty with unintended consequences that cannot be predicted.
In such a circumstances, it seems to me that the wiser thing to do would be to do nothing.
What could go wrong? The Obama administration formally announced today that it is joining Europe in writing an international code of conduct for space.
The State Department announcement describing the administration’s intentions notes the U.S. will not agree to anything “that in any way constrains our national security-related activities in space or our ability to protect the United States and our allies.” However, it is also so vague about what they will agree to that I wonder what the point is. Either this whole effort is a waste of time, or it carries the risk that our government will agree to a treaty with unintended consequences that cannot be predicted.
In such a circumstances, it seems to me that the wiser thing to do would be to do nothing.
Some of Darwin’s fossil samples have been rediscovered, hidden in plain sight at the British Geological Survey.
Some of Darwin’s fossil samples have been rediscovered, hidden in plain sight at the British Geological Survey.
Some of Darwin’s fossil samples have been rediscovered, hidden in plain sight at the British Geological Survey.
The satellite communications company Intelsat has backed out of a deal to have a robot refuel some of itsr orbiting satellites.
Bad news: The satellite communications company Intelsat has backed out of a deal to have a robot refuel some of its orbiting satellites.
Apparently Intelsat would rather rake in the cash by launching new satellites rather than take a risk at a new technology that could save its customers a lot of money.
Bad news: The satellite communications company Intelsat has backed out of a deal to have a robot refuel some of its orbiting satellites.
Apparently Intelsat would rather rake in the cash by launching new satellites rather than take a risk at a new technology that could save its customers a lot of money.
The ten Most Hated Companies in America
The ten most hated companies in America. All of which seem to have forgotten that the customer voluntarily gives them his or her money.
And to balance the sheet: The ten most admired companies in America.
That one company shows up on both lists, however, kind of tells us all how silly these lists are.
The ten most hated companies in America. All of which seem to have forgotten that the customer voluntarily gives them his or her money.
And to balance the sheet: The ten most admired companies in America.
That one company shows up on both lists, however, kind of tells us all how silly these lists are.
House Republicans try to rescind a $100 billion European bailout fund created by the Democrats and Obama in 2009
House Republicans are trying to rescind a $100 billion European bailout fund created by the Democrats and Obama in 2009.
Makes sense to me. How can you be loaning money to others when you are in debt yourself?
House Republicans are trying to rescind a $100 billion European bailout fund created by the Democrats and Obama in 2009.
Makes sense to me. How can you be loaning money to others when you are in debt yourself?
Russia is now claiming that a U.S. military radar might have disabled Phobos-Grunt.
Looking for scapegoats: Russia is now investigating whether a U.S. military radar signal might have disabled Phobos-Grunt.
The state news agency RIA Novosti quoted Yury Koptev, former head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, as saying investigators will conduct tests to check if a U.S. radar emissions could have impacted the Phobos-Ground space probe, which became stuck in Earth’s obit for two months before crashing down. “The results of the experiment will allow us to prove or dismiss the possibility of the radar’s impact,” said Koptev, who is heading the government commission charged with investigating causes of the probe’s failure.
The current Roscosmos head, Vladimir Popovkin, previously said the craft’s malfunction could have been caused by foreign interference. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin acknowledged U.S. radar interference as a possible cause but said it was too early to make any conclusions. “This version has the right to exist,” Rogozin said Tuesday. “There is evidence indicating that frequent disruptions in the operation of our space technologies occur in that part of the flight path that is not visible to Roscosmos and is beyond its control.”
Though this might be technically possible, it is incredibly unlikely. For Russian politicians to focus on this issue indicates serious problems in both their space engineering community and their political culture.
Looking for scapegoats: Russia is now investigating whether a U.S. military radar signal might have disabled Phobos-Grunt.
The state news agency RIA Novosti quoted Yury Koptev, former head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, as saying investigators will conduct tests to check if a U.S. radar emissions could have impacted the Phobos-Ground space probe, which became stuck in Earth’s obit for two months before crashing down. “The results of the experiment will allow us to prove or dismiss the possibility of the radar’s impact,” said Koptev, who is heading the government commission charged with investigating causes of the probe’s failure.
The current Roscosmos head, Vladimir Popovkin, previously said the craft’s malfunction could have been caused by foreign interference. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin acknowledged U.S. radar interference as a possible cause but said it was too early to make any conclusions. “This version has the right to exist,” Rogozin said Tuesday. “There is evidence indicating that frequent disruptions in the operation of our space technologies occur in that part of the flight path that is not visible to Roscosmos and is beyond its control.”
Though this might be technically possible, it is incredibly unlikely. For Russian politicians to focus on this issue indicates serious problems in both their space engineering community and their political culture.
Private-sector experience? Oh, no!
Private-sector experience? Oh, no!
People have started to learn some disturbing facts about likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney: He once worked for Bain Capital — which is what’s known as a private-sector business. Harmless as the term sounds, it’s much scarier once you understand how such outfits operate.
A private-sector business doesn’t even pretend to make decisions based on how to best help people or what creates the most jobs or even on what will most equally distribute income. It makes decisions based only on what creates a profit.
Yes, it’s frightening to think that something so mercenary even exists — even worse that someone who worked for something like that could actually become president. Of course, the only people who should lead our country and manage our economy are those who remain unsullied by the private sector’s for-profit mentality: career politicians.
Read the whole thing. Once again, Frank Fleming hits the nail on the head.
Private-sector experience? Oh, no!
People have started to learn some disturbing facts about likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney: He once worked for Bain Capital — which is what’s known as a private-sector business. Harmless as the term sounds, it’s much scarier once you understand how such outfits operate.
A private-sector business doesn’t even pretend to make decisions based on how to best help people or what creates the most jobs or even on what will most equally distribute income. It makes decisions based only on what creates a profit.
Yes, it’s frightening to think that something so mercenary even exists — even worse that someone who worked for something like that could actually become president. Of course, the only people who should lead our country and manage our economy are those who remain unsullied by the private sector’s for-profit mentality: career politicians.
Read the whole thing. Once again, Frank Fleming hits the nail on the head.
SpaceX has delayed its February 7 launch of Dragon to ISS
SpaceX has delayed its February 7 launch of Dragon to ISS.
SpaceX has delayed its February 7 launch of Dragon to ISS.
Geothermal energy developers plan to pump 24 million gallons of water into a dormant volcano in Oregon this summer to demonstrate a new way to generate electricity.
Geothermal energy developers plan to pump 24 million gallons of water into a dormant volcano in Oregon this summer to demonstrate a new way to generate electricity.
The irony I glean from this article is this: Pumping water underground to produce energy from geothermal sources (a source liked by the environmental movement) is good. However, pumping water underground to produce energy from gas or oil (energy sources hated by the environmental movement) is bad. And yet, what difference really is there between either effort?
Geothermal energy developers plan to pump 24 million gallons of water into a dormant volcano in Oregon this summer to demonstrate a new way to generate electricity.
The irony I glean from this article is this: Pumping water underground to produce energy from geothermal sources (a source liked by the environmental movement) is good. However, pumping water underground to produce energy from gas or oil (energy sources hated by the environmental movement) is bad. And yet, what difference really is there between either effort?