Melissa Venema – Il Silenzio
An evening pause: From a 2008 concert in Amsterdam. The soloist, Melissa Venema, was 13 at the time.
1,000 days without a budget
It is now one thousand days, or three years, since the Democratically-controlled Senate has passed a a budget.
So, who are the do-nothings in Congress then? I must note that the Republican House has passed budgets each year since the 2010 election.
It is now one thousand days, or three years, since the Democratically-controlled Senate has passed a a budget.
So, who are the do-nothings in Congress then? I must note that the Republican House has passed budgets each year since the 2010 election.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon, any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
A new superconducting detector might supersede CCDs for astronomy
Good news: A new superconducting detector might supersede CCDs for large astronomical telescopes.
Ben Mazin, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Barbara, believes that he is on the cusp of a camera breakthrough: his lab is working on a superconducting detector that could eventually replace the charge-coupled devices (CCDs) that have become de rigueur in both consumer and astronomical digital cameras. Mazin’s detectors, known as microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs), can simultaneously count photons, measure their energy and record each one’s time of arrival — something that CCDs can do only after the light is split with a prism or a grating, an extra step that adds to the loss of photons.
And you know that inevitably some variation of this technology is going to find its way into ordinary commercial products.
Good news: A new superconducting detector might supersede CCDs for large astronomical telescopes.
Ben Mazin, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Barbara, believes that he is on the cusp of a camera breakthrough: his lab is working on a superconducting detector that could eventually replace the charge-coupled devices (CCDs) that have become de rigueur in both consumer and astronomical digital cameras. Mazin’s detectors, known as microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs), can simultaneously count photons, measure their energy and record each one’s time of arrival — something that CCDs can do only after the light is split with a prism or a grating, an extra step that adds to the loss of photons.
And you know that inevitably some variation of this technology is going to find its way into ordinary commercial products.
Possible aurora tonight
Tonight is the night to look at the sky, as the solar storm that hit the Earth today could produce spectacular aurora in lower latitudes.
Tonight is the night to look at the sky, as the solar storm that hit the Earth today could produce spectacular aurora in lower latitudes.
Now available in hardback and paperback as well as ebook!
From the press release: In this ground-breaking new history of early America, historian Robert Zimmerman not only exposes the lie behind The New York Times 1619 Project that falsely claims slavery is central to the history of the United States, he also provides profound lessons about the nature of human societies, lessons important for Americans today as well as for all future settlers on Mars and elsewhere in space.
Conscious Choice: The origins of slavery in America and why it matters today and for our future in outer space, is a riveting page-turning story that documents how slavery slowly became pervasive in the southern British colonies of North America, colonies founded by a people and culture that not only did not allow slavery but in every way were hostile to the practice.
Conscious Choice does more however. In telling the tragic history of the Virginia colony and the rise of slavery there, Zimmerman lays out the proper path for creating healthy societies in places like the Moon and Mars.
“Zimmerman’s ground-breaking history provides every future generation the basic framework for establishing new societies on other worlds. We would be wise to heed what he says.” —Robert Zubrin, founder of the Mars Society.
All editions are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all book vendors, with the ebook priced at $5.99 before discount. All editions can also be purchased direct from the ebook publisher, ebookit, in which case you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
Autographed printed copies are also available at discount directly from the author (hardback $29.95; paperback $14.95; Shipping cost for either: $6.00). Just send an email to zimmerman @ nasw dot org.
It doesn’t exist
In a preprint paper published today on the Los Alamos astro-ph website, astronomers have concluded that the exoplanet orbiting the star Formalhaut might not exist. This planet, the first exoplanet ever thought to be directly imaged in visible light, was first described in a paper published in 2008, and was actually tracked in its orbit over several years, as shown in the image on the right.
The new research used the Spitzer Space Telescope to see if the planet’s heat could be detected in infrared wavelengths. Unfortunately, the scientists found nothing.
» Read more
15 Questions The Mainstream Media Would Ask Barack Obama If He Were A Republican
Fifteen questions the mainstream press would ask Barack Obama if he were a Republican.
While many of these questions are simply intended as a way to attack Obama (which of course is what the press does to Republican candidates), the last three are perfectly reasonable and do address directly the actual failures of his administration.
13) Why should the American people reelect you when your 10 year budget saddles America with more debt than all previous Presidents combined?
14) Your stimulus bill cost more in real dollars than the moon landing and the interstate highway system combined. What do we have to show for all of that money spent?
15) Members of your administration promised that the trillion dollar stimulus would keep unemployment under 8 percent. Instead, we’ve had 35+ months of 8% and above unemployment. Doesn’t that mean we wasted a trillion dollars on nothing?
Fifteen questions the mainstream press would ask Barack Obama if he were a Republican.
While many of these questions are simply intended as a way to attack Obama (which of course is what the press does to Republican candidates), the last three are perfectly reasonable and do address directly the actual failures of his administration.
13) Why should the American people reelect you when your 10 year budget saddles America with more debt than all previous Presidents combined?
14) Your stimulus bill cost more in real dollars than the moon landing and the interstate highway system combined. What do we have to show for all of that money spent?
15) Members of your administration promised that the trillion dollar stimulus would keep unemployment under 8 percent. Instead, we’ve had 35+ months of 8% and above unemployment. Doesn’t that mean we wasted a trillion dollars on nothing?
Leaving Earth: Space Stations, Rival Superpowers, and the Quest for Interplanetary Travel, can be purchased as an ebook everywhere for only $3.99 (before discount) at amazon, Barnes & Noble, all ebook vendors, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit.
If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big oppressive tech companies and I get a bigger cut much sooner.
Winner of the 2003 Eugene M. Emme Award of the American Astronautical Society.
"Leaving Earth is one of the best and certainly the most comprehensive summary of our drive into space that I have ever read. It will be invaluable to future scholars because it will tell them how the next chapter of human history opened." -- Arthur C. Clarke
Members of the Democratic Congressional Black Caucus on Monday charged that voter ID laws are aimed at preventing black voters and specifically aimed at defeating Barack Obama.
Members of the Democratic Congressional Black Caucus on Monday charged that voter ID laws are intended at preventing blacks from voting and are specifically aimed at defeating Barack Obama.
“It is clear to me that whether racially based or not, this is a direct attempt, not only to undermine the election process, but a specific attempt to derail what surely would be and ought to be the re-election of Barack Obama,” Rep. Donna Christensen (D-VI) said on the floor.
So, according to these Democratic elected officials, blacks are either too stupid to carry ID, or are all criminals who fear being identified. What bigotry.
Or maybe these Democratic elected officials simply want to maintain the possibility of voter fraud.
Members of the Democratic Congressional Black Caucus on Monday charged that voter ID laws are intended at preventing blacks from voting and are specifically aimed at defeating Barack Obama.
“It is clear to me that whether racially based or not, this is a direct attempt, not only to undermine the election process, but a specific attempt to derail what surely would be and ought to be the re-election of Barack Obama,” Rep. Donna Christensen (D-VI) said on the floor.
So, according to these Democratic elected officials, blacks are either too stupid to carry ID, or are all criminals who fear being identified. What bigotry.
Or maybe these Democratic elected officials simply want to maintain the possibility of voter fraud.
Romney and Gingrich offer contrasting space policy views in Florida debate
Romney and Gingrich and their contrasting space policy views, as stated during in Florida debate last night.
Romney and Gingrich and their contrasting space policy views, as stated during in Florida debate last night.
The Panama Canal is expanding
A 33,000-year-old dog skull found in a Siberian cave, when compared with other ancient dog remains found in a Belgium cave, suggest to scientists that the domestication of dogs took place separately in many different places.
A 33,000-year-old dog skull found in a Siberian cave, when compared with other ancient dog remains found in a Belgium cave, suggest to scientists that the domestication of dogs took place separately in many different places.
A 33,000-year-old dog skull found in a Siberian cave, when compared with other ancient dog remains found in a Belgium cave, suggest to scientists that the domestication of dogs took place separately in many different places.
The Producers
An evening pause: From Mel Brooks’ classic film, The Producers (1968), a good description of how our modern government functions.
Cavers in West Virginia return a stalagmite to its original cave home after nearly fifty years
Cavers in West Virginia have returned a stalagmite to its original cave home after nearly fifty years above ground.
Cavers in West Virginia have returned a stalagmite to its original cave home after nearly fifty years above ground.
The biggest solar storm to be aimed at the Earth in seven years is expected to reach us by Tuesday.
The biggest coronal mass ejection to be aimed at the Earth in seven years is expected to reach us by Tuesday.
No need to panic. Not only is the storm still relatively mild compared to past eruptions, the airline and electrical industries are actually well prepared for this event. However, if you want to see the aurora, this will probably be a good opportunity.
The biggest coronal mass ejection to be aimed at the Earth in seven years is expected to reach us by Tuesday.
No need to panic. Not only is the storm still relatively mild compared to past eruptions, the airline and electrical industries are actually well prepared for this event. However, if you want to see the aurora, this will probably be a good opportunity.
Gingrich plans ‘visionary’ speech on space this week in Florida
Gingrich has announced that he plans to give a “visionary” speech on space this week in Florida.
To me, this does not bode well. The last thing the American aerospace industry needs right now is another politician dictating a “new” path. The best thing Gingrich could do is to endorse the effort to have private companies do the work, and to then outline how he will get the government out of their way.
Gingrich has announced that he plans to give a “visionary” speech on space this week in Florida.
To me, this does not bode well. The last thing the American aerospace industry needs right now is another politician dictating a “new” path. The best thing Gingrich could do is to endorse the effort to have private companies do the work, and to then outline how he will get the government out of their way.
This year’s hunt for meteorites in Antarctica bagged more than 300.
The deadline to apply for NASA’s next astronaut class is Friday.
Act quick! The deadline to apply to join the next astronaut class at NASA is Friday.
Though if you ask me (and no one is), it probably makes more sense to apply to Virgin Galactic, Scaled Composites, SpaceX, or Stratolaunch if you want to be a space cadet, as these are going to be the guys in charge in coming years.
Act quick! The deadline to apply to join the next astronaut class at NASA is Friday.
Though if you ask me (and no one is), it probably makes more sense to apply to Virgin Galactic, Scaled Composites, SpaceX, or Stratolaunch if you want to be a space cadet, as these are going to be the guys in charge in coming years.
The dunes of Titan
The Supreme Court today ruled unanimously that police must have a warrant before they can attach a GPS tracker to anyone’s vehicle.
A victory for freedom: The Supreme Court today ruled unanimously that police must have a warrant before they can attach a GPS tracker to anyone’s vehicle.
A victory for freedom: The Supreme Court today ruled unanimously that police must have a warrant before they can attach a GPS tracker to anyone’s vehicle.
Woman skier becomes the first person to ski solo across Antarctica under her own power.
U.S. Senator Rand Paul has been detained by the TSA for refusing a patdown
U.S. Senator Rand Paul has been detained by the TSA for refusing a pat down.
Has the TSA now made you feel safer?
U.S. Senator Rand Paul has been detained by the TSA for refusing a pat down.
Has the TSA now made you feel safer?
Rasmussen: Gingrich polls nine points ahead of Romney in Florida
Lou Reed – Perfect Day
Egyptian Islamists Torch Homes and Businesses in Coptic Village
Islamic election politics: Egyptian Islamists torched the homes and businesses of Christian Coptics this week in an effort to prevent them from voting in the next election.
Islamic election politics: Egyptian Islamists torched the homes and businesses of Christian Coptics this week in an effort to prevent them from voting in the next election.
Want to know who leads in the Republican candidate delegate count? Go here.
Former Obama staffer arrested in false ID scheme
A former Obama staffer has been arrested in false ID scheme aimed at implicating a Republican office-holder in unethical behavior.
“So on its face, Edwards’s identity theft appears to be part of a coordinated effort by the Iowa Democratic Party to bring down the Republican Secretary of State so he can be replaced with a Democrat. We hope that Edwards will get the long jail term that he deserves, but the more important question is, from whom was he taking instructions? Circumstantially, one would guess from his boss, Jeff Link. But if so, who was instructing (and paying?) Link’s firm? The White House? Tom Harkin? Iowa’s Democratic Party?”
Of course, hoards of mainstream journalists are now gathering in Iowa to cover this story.
A former Obama staffer has been arrested in false ID scheme aimed at implicating a Republican office-holder in unethical behavior.
“So on its face, Edwards’s identity theft appears to be part of a coordinated effort by the Iowa Democratic Party to bring down the Republican Secretary of State so he can be replaced with a Democrat. We hope that Edwards will get the long jail term that he deserves, but the more important question is, from whom was he taking instructions? Circumstantially, one would guess from his boss, Jeff Link. But if so, who was instructing (and paying?) Link’s firm? The White House? Tom Harkin? Iowa’s Democratic Party?”
Of course, hoards of mainstream journalists are now gathering in Iowa to cover this story.
Hear the Roar and Pay Attention
John Cleese on The Muppets Show
Bankrupt and owing the taxpayers half a billion dollars, Solyndra has been caught destroying brand new parts
Bankrupt and owing the taxpayers half a billion dollars, Solyndra has been caught destroying brand new parts.
Bankrupt and owing the taxpayers half a billion dollars, Solyndra has been caught destroying brand new parts.
Stratolaunch announced yesterday the groundbreaking of its facility at Mohave
Stratolaunch announced yesterday the groundbreaking of its production facility and hanger at Mohave.
Stratolaunch announced yesterday the groundbreaking of its production facility and hanger at Mohave.
Reaching the summit of K2
An evening pause: Climbing those last few hundred feet and reaching the summit of K2, the world’s second highest mountain.