Employment update
A depressing but honest unemployment update.
A depressing but honest unemployment update.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
Employment update
The recovery of the Lunar Orbiter images from the 1960s
The early Lunar Orbiter images, taken in the mid-1960s, have been reprocessed and recovered, in a spectacular manner.
The early Lunar Orbiter images, taken in the mid-1960s, have been reprocessed and recovered, in a spectacular manner.
Launch Date Set For First Orbital Sciences COTS Demo
December 14 has been set as the target date for the first test launch of Orbital Sciences’s commercial ferry to ISS. Key quote:
The flight is scheduled to include delivery of a token cargo load using Orbital’s first Cygnus visiting vehicle, a service module combined with a pressurized cargo module.
December 14 has been set as the target date for the first test launch of Orbital Sciences’s commercial ferry to ISS. Key quote:
The flight is scheduled to include delivery of a token cargo load using Orbital’s first Cygnus visiting vehicle, a service module combined with a pressurized cargo module.
Using Apollo data, scientists detect Moon’s molten core
Using old Apollo data, scientists have detected the Moon’s molten core.
Using old Apollo data, scientists have detected the Moon’s molten core.
Egypt Muslims to act as “human shields” at Coptic Christmas Eve mass
Here’s some good news: Egyptian Muslims have volunteered to act as “human shields” at the upcoming Coptic Christmas Eve mass.
Here’s some good news: Egyptian Muslims have volunteered to act as “human shields” at the upcoming Coptic Christmas Eve mass.
NPR Boss Who Fired Juan Williams Resigns
Progress? The NPR manager who fired Juan Williams has resigned. In addition, NPR’s CEO has been denied her 2010 bonus because of “concern over her role in the termination process.” And what does Juan Williams think of this?
“It’s good news for NPR if they can get someone who is the keeper of the flame of liberal orthodoxy out of NPR. . . , She had an executioner’s knife for anybody who didn’t abide by her way of thinking. . . . And I think she represented a very ingrown, incestuous culture in that institution that’s not open to not only different ways of thinking, but angry at the fact that I would even talk or be on Fox.”
Progress? The NPR manager who fired Juan Williams has resigned. In addition, NPR’s CEO has been denied her 2010 bonus because of “concern over her role in the termination process.” And what does Juan Williams think of this?
“It’s good news for NPR if they can get someone who is the keeper of the flame of liberal orthodoxy out of NPR. . . , She had an executioner’s knife for anybody who didn’t abide by her way of thinking. . . . And I think she represented a very ingrown, incestuous culture in that institution that’s not open to not only different ways of thinking, but angry at the fact that I would even talk or be on Fox.”
Two old unused Soviet Almaz space stations sold to private company
Two old unused Soviet Almaz space stations have been sold to a private company and have arrived in their new home on the Isle of Man. Key quote:
The stations will be initially stored in Jurby, but there plans for research, testing and possible launch into orbit.
For those who do not know, the Almaz station was built in the 1970s by the Soviet Union to do manned military reconnaissance. Two manned Almaz stations were eventually flown, Salyut 3 and Salyut 5. The station hull itself became the fundamental module for all subsequent Soviet/Russian stations, including Mir and ISS.
Two old unused Soviet Almaz space stations have been sold to a private company and have arrived in their new home on the Isle of Man. Key quote:
The stations will be initially stored in Jurby, but there plans for research, testing and possible launch into orbit.
For those who do not know, the Almaz station was built in the 1970s by the Soviet Union to do manned military reconnaissance. Two manned Almaz stations were eventually flown, Salyut 3 and Salyut 5. The station hull itself became the fundamental module for all subsequent Soviet/Russian stations, including Mir and ISS.
TSA bans bikini woman for ‘unusual contour’ around buttocks
A woman in a wheelchair — whom the TSA had previously interrogated for an hour then denied her entry when she arrived at the airport in a bikini — was later refused entrance when she arrived fully clothed because of an “unusual contour” around her buttocks. Key quote:
Banovac offered to strip for the agents to prove that she’s not hiding anything. However, since TSA agents aren’t allowed to fully undress a passenger, they had no choice but to deny her access to her flight.
Does one get the feeling that the TSA agents are out to get this woman because she makes them look like fools?
A woman in a wheelchair — whom the TSA had previously interrogated for an hour then denied her entry when she arrived at the airport in a bikini — was later refused entrance when she arrived fully clothed because of an “unusual contour” around her buttocks. Key quote:
Banovac offered to strip for the agents to prove that she’s not hiding anything. However, since TSA agents aren’t allowed to fully undress a passenger, they had no choice but to deny her access to her flight.
Does one get the feeling that the TSA agents are out to get this woman because she makes them look like fools?
Republicans kill global warming committee
Republicans kill House global warming committee.
Republicans kill House global warming committee.
City contractor mistakenly demolishes Pittsburgh man’s home
Our government at work: City contractor mistakenly demolishes Pittsburgh man’s home.
Our government at work: City contractor mistakenly demolishes Pittsburgh man’s home.
University of Virginia resists releasing climate documents
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.
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.
Eight Botched Environmental Forecasts
Amateur astronomer takes photo of solar eclipse with ISS
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.
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.
Christie actually shutters a government agency
More please! New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has actually shut down a government agency.
More please! New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has actually shut down a government agency.
Reorganization at NASA: More Smoke and Mirrors
Keith Cowing: Reorganization at NASA: More smoke and mirrors.
Keith Cowing: Reorganization at NASA: More smoke and mirrors.
Manipulative cats fake illness when upset
Science discovers the obvious: Cats are manipulative!
Science discovers the obvious: Cats are manipulative!
Muslim scholars praise killer of Pakistan governor
The tolerance of Islam: Muslim scholars praise the killer of a Pakistani governor who opposed the execution of anyone convicted of insulting Islam.
The tolerance of Islam: Muslim scholars praise the killer of a Pakistani governor who opposed the execution of anyone convicted of insulting Islam.
Long-term space flight may be a problem for human reproduction
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.
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.
amateur-astronomer-discovers-four-new-planets-from-his-office-at-home-and-he-doesnt-even-own-a-telescope
An amateur astronomer, using his computers at home, has discovered four new exoplanets.
An amateur astronomer, using his computers at home, has discovered four new exoplanets.
Japan may make second try at Akatsuki-Venus rendezvous one year earlier than planned
Japan may try to put Akatsuki into orbit around Venus five years from now, rather than six.
Japan may try to put Akatsuki into orbit around Venus five years from now, rather than six.
Root cause of tank cracks possibly found
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.”
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.”
Andromeda’s once and future stars
Andromeda’s once and future stars. Great images of the galaxy too!
Andromeda’s once and future stars. Great images of the galaxy too!
Vulture tagged by Israeli scientists flies into Saudi Arabia and is arrested for being a spy
You can’t make this stuff up! A vulture, tagged by Israeli scientists to study the bird’s migration patterns, flew into Saudi Arabia where it was arrested as a spy.
You can’t make this stuff up! A vulture, tagged by Israeli scientists to study the bird’s migration patterns, flew into Saudi Arabia where it was arrested as a spy.
The 10 Most Underreported Stories for 2010
House to vote Thursday on 5 percent cut to office expenses
More progress: The House plans to vote Thursday on a five percent cut in office salaries and expenses.
More progress: The House plans to vote Thursday on a five percent cut in office salaries and expenses.
Flightless prehistoric bird used its wing bones to clobber rivals
A flightless prehistoric bird, about the size of a chicken and found only in Jamaica, used the blunt and thick bones at the end of its wings as a weapon against its rivals.
A flightless prehistoric bird, about the size of a chicken and found only in Jamaica, used the blunt and thick bones at the end of its wings as a weapon against its rivals.
The Playboy pin-up who went to the moon and back
The Playboy pin-up who went to the moon and back
the-playboy-pin-up-who-went-to-the-moon-and-back
A Playboy topless calendar pin-up that went into lunar orbit on Apollo 12 is up for sale.
A Playboy topless calendar pin-up that went into lunar orbit on Apollo 12 is up for sale.
Arianespace Needs Aid To Avoid Loss in 2010
Another government-operated business that is losing money: Arianespace is requesting financial aid from the member nations of the European Space Agency to avoid a loss in 2010. This despite the fact that “the current request comes at a time when Arianespace might be expected to be in prime financial health.”
Another government-operated business that is losing money: Arianespace is requesting financial aid from the member nations of the European Space Agency to avoid a loss in 2010. This despite the fact that “the current request comes at a time when Arianespace might be expected to be in prime financial health.”
Viking Found Organics on Mars, Experiment Confirms
New research confirms that the Viking landers did find organics on Mars back in the 1970s. Listen also to the September 15, 2010 and September 23, 2010 radio interviews that John Batchelor and I did with Viking project scientist Gilbert Levin and Christopher McKay of the Ames Research Center on this very subject.
New research confirms that the Viking landers did find organics on Mars back in the 1970s. Listen also to the September 15, 2010 and September 23, 2010 radio interviews that John Batchelor and I did with Viking project scientist Gilbert Levin and Christopher McKay of the Ames Research Center on this very subject.
Firefox takes top browser spot in Europe
This is the kind of change I like: Firefox has become the number one browser in Europe, beating out Internet Explorer.
This is the kind of change I like: Firefox has become the number one browser in Europe, beating out Internet Explorer.