Snapped connectors led to Indian rocket failure
Snapped connectors led to the failure last week of India’s GSLV rocket.
Snapped connectors led to the failure last week of India’s GSLV rocket.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
Snapped connectors led to Indian rocket failure
Maine seeks exemption from Obamacare
Repeal the damn bill! Maine has asked the Obama administration to be exempted from certain provisions of ObamaCare.
Repeal the damn bill! Maine has asked the Obama administration to be exempted from certain provisions of ObamaCare.
Christians Are Casualties of 10 Baghdad Attacks
Tolerance from the religion of “peace”: Bomb attacks on fourteen Christians homes in Baghdad kill two and wound twenty. Note that though no one has yet come forward to claim responsibility for the attacks, an Islamic group had threatened to do exactly this one week ago.
Tolerance from the religion of “peace”: Bomb attacks on fourteen Christians homes in Baghdad kill two and wound twenty. Note that though no one has yet come forward to claim responsibility for the attacks, an Islamic group had threatened to do exactly this one week ago.
Heading towards a Maunder Minimum
Though I have been saying that the Sun’s lack of sunspots the last two years suggests the possibility of that we might be facing an extended period without solar activity, I am not a solar scientist. Today, in a paper published today on the Los Alamos astro-ph website, a solar scientist says just that. Key quote:
One method that has yielded predictions consistently in the right range during the past few solar cycles is that of K. Schatten et al., whose approach is mainly based on the polar field precursor. The incipient cycle 24 [on-going right now] will probably mark the end of the Modern Maximum, with the Sun switching to a state of less strong activity.
Though I have been saying that the Sun’s lack of sunspots the last two years suggests the possibility of that we might be facing an extended period without solar activity, I am not a solar scientist. Today, in a paper published today on the Los Alamos astro-ph website, a solar scientist says just that. Key quote:
One method that has yielded predictions consistently in the right range during the past few solar cycles is that of K. Schatten et al., whose approach is mainly based on the polar field precursor. The incipient cycle 24 [on-going right now] will probably mark the end of the Modern Maximum, with the Sun switching to a state of less strong activity.
Brazil joins the European Southern Observatory
Brazil has become the first non-European partner in the European Southern Observatory.
Brazil has become the first non-European partner in the European Southern Observatory.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin sues Topps for using his likeness in trading cards
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin has sued Topps for using his likeness in their trading cards.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin has sued Topps for using his likeness in their trading cards.
NASA Wraps Up X-ray Scans of external tank
Updated and bumped: The inspections reveal four additional cracks on Discovery’s external tank.
NASA engineers have finished a series of x-ray scans of Discovery’s external tank.
Updated and bumped: The inspections reveal four additional cracks on Discovery’s external tank.
NASA engineers have finished a series of x-ray scans of Discovery’s external tank.
‘Zombie’ Satellite Comes Back to Life
“Zombie” satellite comes back to life.
“Zombie” satellite comes back to life.
Russian space officials fired over satellite crash
Russian space officials are fired over rocket failure.
Russian space officials are fired over rocket failure.
Pilot who angered TSA with YouTube video goes public
The pilot who was threatened by the TSA because of his YouTube video goes public.
The pilot who was threatened by the TSA because of his YouTube video goes public.
The Sun is no longer blank
After six blank days, the Sun is once again showing spots. As I have mentioned several times in 2010, this might be the last time the Sun is blank for years to come as it ramps up to solar maximum. However, don’t bet on it, as the Sun’s activity has been way below all predictions. The upcoming solar maximum might very well be the first in centuries with blank days interspersed throughout.
After six blank days, the Sun is once again showing spots. As I have mentioned several times in 2010, this might be the last time the Sun is blank for years to come as it ramps up to solar maximum. However, don’t bet on it, as the Sun’s activity has been way below all predictions. The upcoming solar maximum might very well be the first in centuries with blank days interspersed throughout.
Hilarious Error Messages (31 pics)
Why I use Linux: Hilarious Windows error messages. This is typical:
Windows has detected that you have moved your mouse. Please restart your computer.
Why I use Linux: Hilarious Windows error messages. This is typical:
Windows has detected that you have moved your mouse. Please restart your computer.
Buy a Batmobile
Buy your very own Batmobile! Key quote: “The car also has a fully functioning flame thrower.”
Buy your very own Batmobile! Key quote: “The car also has a fully functioning flame thrower.”
Vast Storm Rampages Across Saturn
A vast storm rages across the face of Saturn.
A vast storm rages across the face of Saturn.
SOHO Spacecraft Discovers Its 2,000th Comet
The SOHO spacecraft, in space monitoring the Sun since 1995, has discovered its 2000th comet!
The SOHO spacecraft, in space monitoring the Sun since 1995, has discovered its 2000th comet!
1931 vs 2010
Want to know what’s going to happen? What the 1930s tell us about today.
Want to know what’s going to happen? What the 1930s tell us about today.
Support for ObamaCare Repeal At 60%
Nor am I alone is wanting the damn bill repealed: Support for the repeal of ObamaCare remains at 60%.
Nor am I alone is wanting the damn bill repealed: Support for the repeal of ObamaCare remains at 60%.
ObamaCare plans for high-risk patients attracting fewer, costing more than expected
Repeal the damn bill! Health plans for high-risk patients under ObamaCare are attracting fewer customers while costing far more than expected. Key quote:
Last spring, the Medicare program’s chief actuary predicted that 375,000 people would sign up by the end of 2010. In early November, the Health and Human Services Department reported that just 8,000 people had enrolled.
Repeal the damn bill! Health plans for high-risk patients under ObamaCare are attracting fewer customers while costing far more than expected. Key quote:
Last spring, the Medicare program’s chief actuary predicted that 375,000 people would sign up by the end of 2010. In early November, the Health and Human Services Department reported that just 8,000 people had enrolled.
Texas goes to war with the EPA over carbon-emission rules
The war between Texas and the EPA over carbon-emission rules heats up.
The war between Texas and the EPA over carbon-emission rules heats up.
The just ended 111th Congress Added More Debt Than First 100 Congresses Combined
Numbers to scare you: The just ended 111th Congress added more debt than the first hundred Congresses combined.
Numbers to scare you: The just ended 111th Congress added more debt than the first hundred Congresses combined.
Astronauts4hire taking applications
Want to become an astronaut? The private company Astronauts4Hire is taking applications.
Want to become an astronaut? The private company Astronauts4Hire is taking applications.
NASA’s Ares rocket dead, but Congress lets you pay $500 million more for it
As I’ve said, it’s all pork: NASA’s Ares rocket is supposingly dead, but the continuing resolution from Congress requires NASA to spend $500 million more for it.
It is also a mess, but I’ve said that before also!
As I’ve said, it’s all pork: NASA’s Ares rocket is supposingly dead, but the continuing resolution from Congress requires NASA to spend $500 million more for it.
It is also a mess, but I’ve said that before also!
The Lawless Obama Administration
The lawless Obama administration. Key quote:
Obama uses his control over Executive Branch agencies to do what Congress or the courts have forbidden. It’s worked, sometimes, for him over the past few years. But he’s out of time now: the GOP-led House can defund many of these efforts, even if it can’t put a stop to them completely.
Just so no one has any doubts, doing something that both Congress and the courts say is forbidden is breaking the law. And it appears that the Obama administration has a fetish for this sort of thing.
The lawless Obama administration. Key quote:
Obama uses his control over Executive Branch agencies to do what Congress or the courts have forbidden. It’s worked, sometimes, for him over the past few years. But he’s out of time now: the GOP-led House can defund many of these efforts, even if it can’t put a stop to them completely.
Just so no one has any doubts, doing something that both Congress and the courts say is forbidden is breaking the law. And it appears that the Obama administration has a fetish for this sort of thing.
Funeral processions should be banned
The government solution to everything: A Texas district attorney says that funeral processions should be banned.
The government solution to everything: A Texas district attorney says that funeral processions should be banned.
New research using DNA kills mites that are killing bees
Researchers think they have found a way to use DNA to kill the mite that is killing bees in Britain, without harming the bees themselves.
Researchers think they have found a way to use DNA to kill the mite that is killing bees in Britain, without harming the bees themselves.
Hawaii’s earmark funding spigot appears to go dry
Oink! “Nonprofit groups, for-profit businesses, the University of Hawaii, and state and local governments” in Hawaii are faced with a loss of funding due to the end of earmarks in Congress.
What is most interesting about this article isn’t just that it gives a great deal of space to those who oppose earmarks and spending (something you don’t see that often in an AP article), but that the comments are almost universally in favor of eliminating earmarks as well as cutting the federal government. A truly hopeful sign.
Oink! “Nonprofit groups, for-profit businesses, the University of Hawaii, and state and local governments” in Hawaii are faced with a loss of funding due to the end of earmarks in Congress.
What is most interesting about this article isn’t just that it gives a great deal of space to those who oppose earmarks and spending (something you don’t see that often in an AP article), but that the comments are almost universally in favor of eliminating earmarks as well as cutting the federal government. A truly hopeful sign.
“Nuts!”
India’s geosynchronous rocket fails at launch
Bad news for India’s space program: It’s geosynchronous rocket, GSLV, failed today less than two minutes after launch. Key quote:
[The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)] has had a troubled past with GSLV, with only two of the seven launches so far claiming total success. Though ISRO claims that four launches had been successful, independent observers call at least two of them either failure or partial success. When it comes to launching its workhorse PSLV, ISRO has had 15 consecutive successes.
Bad news for India’s space program: It’s geosynchronous rocket, GSLV, failed today less than two minutes after launch. Key quote:
[The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)] has had a troubled past with GSLV, with only two of the seven launches so far claiming total success. Though ISRO claims that four launches had been successful, independent observers call at least two of them either failure or partial success. When it comes to launching its workhorse PSLV, ISRO has had 15 consecutive successes.
So You Lost Your Election
Iowahawk: So You Lost Your Election: An outplacement transition guide for unemployed Congressmen. Key quote:
The road to your new non-Washington career begins with an inventory of your personal strengths and competencies. Read the critical skill list below, and circle the ones that you possess.
* Telling other people what to do
* Demanding money
* Peddling influence
* Talking loudly over others
* Condescension / arrogance
* Threatening, browbeating, arguing
* Narcissism
* Evading responsibility
* Spin control
As a former Washington professional, you probably circled four or more of the above. Yes, there are some private sector industries where these skills are valued – such as journalism, bill collection, professional wrestling, higher education, and carnival barking. Unfortunately, these are all declining industries with low wages and/or fierce job competition. In order to maintain your standard of living, you will probably have to seek employment in other industries where you will find surprisingly little demand for your skills.
Iowahawk: So You Lost Your Election: An outplacement transition guide for unemployed Congressmen. Key quote:
The road to your new non-Washington career begins with an inventory of your personal strengths and competencies. Read the critical skill list below, and circle the ones that you possess.
* Telling other people what to do
* Demanding money
* Peddling influence
* Talking loudly over others
* Condescension / arrogance
* Threatening, browbeating, arguing
* Narcissism
* Evading responsibility
* Spin controlAs a former Washington professional, you probably circled four or more of the above. Yes, there are some private sector industries where these skills are valued – such as journalism, bill collection, professional wrestling, higher education, and carnival barking. Unfortunately, these are all declining industries with low wages and/or fierce job competition. In order to maintain your standard of living, you will probably have to seek employment in other industries where you will find surprisingly little demand for your skills.
San Francisco bookshop owner to close over ADA lawsuit
Maybe Shakespeare was right about lawyers: A San Francisco bookshop owner is being forced to close her store because of an ADA lawsuit.
Maybe Shakespeare was right about lawyers: A San Francisco bookshop owner is being forced to close her store because of an ADA lawsuit.