Preparing for Hurricane Irene
If you are on the east coast, this post is for you: Preparing for Hurricane Irene.
If you are on the east coast, this post is for you: Preparing for Hurricane Irene.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
Preparing for Hurricane Irene
Asteroid dust from Hayabusa prove origin of the most common meteorites
Asteroid dust from Hayabusa have been linked to the origin of the most common meteorite types found on Earth.
Asteroid dust from Hayabusa have been linked to the origin of the most common meteorite types found on Earth.
Starbucks CEO calls for business boycott of campaign contributions until debt is solved
The CEO of Starbucks, a big time contributor to past Democratic candidates, is organizing an end to all campaign contributions until a long term solution to the federal debt is solved.
The CEO of Starbucks, a big time contributor to past Democratic candidates, is organizing an end to all campaign contributions until a long term solution to the federal debt is solved.
Astronomers discover planet made of diamond
Astronomers have discovered a planet literally made of diamond.
The new planet is far denser than any other known so far and consists largely of carbon. Because it is so dense, scientists calculate the carbon must be crystalline, so a large part of this strange world will effectively be diamond.
Astronomers have discovered a planet literally made of diamond.
The new planet is far denser than any other known so far and consists largely of carbon. Because it is so dense, scientists calculate the carbon must be crystalline, so a large part of this strange world will effectively be diamond.
Divers have recovered the telegraph and some of the steering equipment from the Lusitania, a liner sunk off Ireland by a German submarine in 1915.
Divers have recovered the telegraph and some of the steering equipment from the Lusitania.
Divers have recovered the telegraph and some of the steering equipment from the Lusitania.
The immediate consequences of the Progress freighter failure
The immediate consequences of the Progress freighter failure:
- The next manned space ship launch from Baikonur likely to be postponed.
- ISS crew may be cut to 3 until Progress situation clarified.
- Russia postpones Soyuz rocket launch after crash (different launch than the manned mission above).
The longer term consequences? Congress will anguish over the lack of a shuttle. Some will demand more money for the program-formerly-called-Constellation, while others will demand more money for the new commercial companies. In either case, they will ignore the reality of a bankrupt federal government that simply can’t afford either at the moment.
The immediate consequences of the Progress freighter failure:
- The next manned space ship launch from Baikonur likely to be postponed.
- ISS crew may be cut to 3 until Progress situation clarified.
- Russia postpones Soyuz rocket launch after crash (different launch than the manned mission above).
The longer term consequences? Congress will anguish over the lack of a shuttle. Some will demand more money for the program-formerly-called-Constellation, while others will demand more money for the new commercial companies. In either case, they will ignore the reality of a bankrupt federal government that simply can’t afford either at the moment.
Many businesses are considering dropping healthcare when Obamacare goes into effect in 2014
Depending on the survey, from 9 to 30 percent of all businesses are considering dropping their employer-sponsored healthcare plans when Obamacare goes into effect in 2014.
In other words, Obama was lying when he said you could keep your plan under Obamacare.
Note too that poll numbers continue to show a solid majority of the public wants Obamacare repealed.
Depending on the survey, from 9 to 30 percent of all businesses are considering dropping their employer-sponsored healthcare plans when Obamacare goes into effect in 2014.
In other words, Obama was lying when he said you could keep your plan under Obamacare.
Note too that poll numbers continue to show a solid majority of the public wants Obamacare repealed.
Stars as cold as the human body
The Alarming Significance of Culture
The alarming significance of culture.
During a recent conversation with a close Jewish friend I asked him what he thought separated Jews from most other ethnic groups. I was expecting him to talk about how a shared history of oppression had strengthened Jews and brought them closer together. But his answer was both surprising and controversial. “Unlike gentiles, especially Christians,” he said, “Jews do not believe in an after life as such. There is no God up there dictating your lot in life. We don’t believe the meek shall inherit the earth. We truly believe in the power of an individual’s free will, guided of course by right principles.” [emphasis mine]
The alarming significance of culture.
During a recent conversation with a close Jewish friend I asked him what he thought separated Jews from most other ethnic groups. I was expecting him to talk about how a shared history of oppression had strengthened Jews and brought them closer together. But his answer was both surprising and controversial. “Unlike gentiles, especially Christians,” he said, “Jews do not believe in an after life as such. There is no God up there dictating your lot in life. We don’t believe the meek shall inherit the earth. We truly believe in the power of an individual’s free will, guided of course by right principles.” [emphasis mine]
Cops confiscate cameras at Ohio Republican congressman’s town hall
Freedom of speech alert: Cops confiscate cameras at Ohio Republican congressman’s town hall. With video.
According to the cop on the video, he was following instructions from the Congressman. Either way, the cop should be fired for violating these citizen’s rights.
And it doesn’t matter if a Democrat or Republican does this. It is wrong, it is disgusting, and it is inexcusable. Such politicians should be kicked out of office immediately.
Freedom of speech alert: Cops confiscate cameras at Ohio Republican congressman’s town hall. With video.
According to the cop on the video, he was following instructions from the Congressman. Either way, the cop should be fired for violating these citizen’s rights.
And it doesn’t matter if a Democrat or Republican does this. It is wrong, it is disgusting, and it is inexcusable. Such politicians should be kicked out of office immediately.
Watching a black hole devour a star, 3.9 billion light years away
Watching a black hole devour a star, 3.9 billion light years away.
Watching a black hole devour a star, 3.9 billion light years away.
Progress freighter launch fails
The launch of a Progress freighter to ISS today has failed, with the freighter ending up crashing into Siberia.
This is very bad news for the station. Everyone in the space industry knows that with the shuttle gone, it will be a challenge to maintain supplies to the station’s the six-person crew. Losing just one supply ship will strain the station’s supplies, if not now in the long run for sure.
Worse, this is the first launch failure of the Soyuz rocket that puts both Progress and manned Soyuz capsule into orbit in more than eleven years. The next manned crew is scheduled for launch on September 21. Whether this failure will delay that launch remains unknown.
The launch of a Progress freighter to ISS today has failed, with the freighter ending up crashing into Siberia.
This is very bad news for the station. Everyone in the space industry knows that with the shuttle gone, it will be a challenge to maintain supplies to the station’s the six-person crew. Losing just one supply ship will strain the station’s supplies, if not now in the long run for sure.
Worse, this is the first launch failure of the Soyuz rocket that puts both Progress and manned Soyuz capsule into orbit in more than eleven years. The next manned crew is scheduled for launch on September 21. Whether this failure will delay that launch remains unknown.
The geology behind the Virginia earthquake of August 23
The geology behind the Virginia earthquake of August 23. And an even better analysis, with maps, can be found here.
The geology behind the Virginia earthquake of August 23. And an even better analysis, with maps, can be found here.
Top 10 Most Wonderful Canyons in the World
The ten most wonderful canyons in the world. With pictures.
These canyons are beautiful, but I am baffled that the list excludes the Grand Canyon, even though they repeatedly compare these ten canyons to it.
The ten most wonderful canyons in the world. With pictures.
These canyons are beautiful, but I am baffled that the list excludes the Grand Canyon, even though they repeatedly compare these ten canyons to it.
Budget Office: this year’s deficit to hit $1.28 Trillion
According to the Congressional Budget Office, this year’s deficit will be about $1.28 trillion, the third highest deficit in history, exceeded only by the previous two budgets of the Obama administration.
Note also that any cuts mentioned in the above article are not cuts, merely reductions in the overall growth of government. (Another example of a journalist lying for the government.) All told, the federal government will still continue to grow in the next few years at a pace that far exceeds inflation, the economy, or anything you can imagine in the real world.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, this year’s deficit will be about $1.28 trillion, the third highest deficit in history, exceeded only by the previous two budgets of the Obama administration.
Note also that any cuts mentioned in the above article are not cuts, merely reductions in the overall growth of government. (Another example of a journalist lying for the government.) All told, the federal government will still continue to grow in the next few years at a pace that far exceeds inflation, the economy, or anything you can imagine in the real world.
NASA’s costs estimates too low for Congress’s heavy-lift rocket
Surprise, surprise! An independent analysis of NASA’s budget estimates to build Congress’s heavy-lift rocket, the program-formerly-called-Constellation, are untrustworthy and likely low.
“All three program estimates assume large, unsubstantiated, future cost efficiencies leading to the impression that they are optimistic,” the team said in its key findings. A risk assessment revealed the funding reserves projected for all three programs are insufficient, according to Booz Allen Hamilton. NASA has not disclosed its internal cost estimate for the Space Launch System. “Due to procurement of items still in development and large cost risks in the out years, NASA cannot have full confidence in the estimates for long-term planning,” the executive summary said.
This project is nothing more than Congressional pork. It will never get built. Sadly, it might waste a lot of money before it never gets built.
Surprise, surprise! An independent analysis of NASA’s budget estimates to build Congress’s heavy-lift rocket, the program-formerly-called-Constellation, are untrustworthy and likely low.
“All three program estimates assume large, unsubstantiated, future cost efficiencies leading to the impression that they are optimistic,” the team said in its key findings. A risk assessment revealed the funding reserves projected for all three programs are insufficient, according to Booz Allen Hamilton. NASA has not disclosed its internal cost estimate for the Space Launch System. “Due to procurement of items still in development and large cost risks in the out years, NASA cannot have full confidence in the estimates for long-term planning,” the executive summary said.
This project is nothing more than Congressional pork. It will never get built. Sadly, it might waste a lot of money before it never gets built.
Buses vs high speed trains: the buses win
Buses vs high speed trains: the buses win.
Buses vs high speed trains: the buses win.
Blue Origin to do a test flight tomorrow
Blue Origin, one of the four commercial companies NASA hopes to use to get crew up and down from ISS, plans to do a test flight tomorrow. Hat tip to SpaceRef.
This company, founded by Jeff Bezos of amazon.com, has generally released very little information about their effort.
Blue Origin, one of the four commercial companies NASA hopes to use to get crew up and down from ISS, plans to do a test flight tomorrow. Hat tip to SpaceRef.
This company, founded by Jeff Bezos of amazon.com, has generally released very little information about their effort.
Bigelow in negotiations to supply privately-built modules to ISS
Bigelow Aerospace is in negotiations with both NASA and Japan to supply ISS with privately-built modules
The module could be rented out as an ISS storage unit, making the station less dependent on frequent resupply flights, says Hiroshi Kikuchi of JAMSS. To show that the modules are capable of safe, crewed operation, Bigelow is also negotiating with NASA to attach one to a US-owned ISS module.
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Bigelow Aerospace is in negotiations with both NASA and Japan to supply ISS with privately-built modules
The module could be rented out as an ISS storage unit, making the station less dependent on frequent resupply flights, says Hiroshi Kikuchi of JAMSS. To show that the modules are capable of safe, crewed operation, Bigelow is also negotiating with NASA to attach one to a US-owned ISS module.
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Crime rate drops in Virginia bars after concealed carry is allowed
Crime rate drops in Virginia bars and restaurants serving alcohol after concealed carry guns are allowed.
Crime rate drops in Virginia bars and restaurants serving alcohol after concealed carry guns are allowed.
“How dare this lawfare organization use lawfare against our boat.”
The first earthrise
Egyptians Protest Outside Israeli Embassy With Swastika Sign Saying “The Gas Chambers Are Ready”
The religion of peace: Egyptians protest outside the Israeli embassy with swastika sign that says “The gas chambers are ready.”
The religion of peace: Egyptians protest outside the Israeli embassy with swastika sign that says “The gas chambers are ready.”
Federal debt increased $4 trillion under Obama, the most under any president
Just remember, it is never his fault: The federal debt increased $4 trillion under Obama, the most by any president.
Just remember, it is never his fault: The federal debt increased $4 trillion under Obama, the most by any president.
Super-Earth spotted on the edge of habitable zone
A super-Earth has been identified orbiting its star on the edge of the habitable zone.
A super-Earth has been identified orbiting its star on the edge of the habitable zone.
FCC finally kills off fairness doctrine
Some good regulatory news: The FCC finally killed off the fairness doctrine today.
Some good regulatory news: The FCC finally killed off the fairness doctrine today.
University shutters manned sub research program after forty years
Feeling the pinch: A Florida university has shuttered its manned submersible research program after forty years of operation due to lack of funds.
Feeling the pinch: A Florida university has shuttered its manned submersible research program after forty years of operation due to lack of funds.
NASA pushes for funds to save the James Webb Space Telescope
NASA pushes for funds to save the James Webb Space Telescope.
NASA pushes for funds to save the James Webb Space Telescope.
NASA announces awards for three technology demonstration space missions
NASA has announced three awards for technology demonstration space missions, all set to fly within four years. More details here.
The three missions are:
- A solar sail demonstration mission, flying a sail 38 by 38 meter sail.
- A demonstration of in-space laser/optical communications technologies.
- The use of a high-precision atomic clock in space.
I especially like the solar sail mission because of its long range possibilities, though the other technologies would probably be put to practical use more quickly.
NASA has announced three awards for technology demonstration space missions, all set to fly within four years. More details here.
The three missions are:
- A solar sail demonstration mission, flying a sail 38 by 38 meter sail.
- A demonstration of in-space laser/optical communications technologies.
- The use of a high-precision atomic clock in space.
I especially like the solar sail mission because of its long range possibilities, though the other technologies would probably be put to practical use more quickly.