Thanks to Brendan Loy
Category Archives: Science
Ison almost visible
Comet Ison, earlier heralded as perhaps the comet of the century, has finally brightened to the point that it is almost visible to the naked eye. Astronomers expect Ison to be brightest on about November 28. It will then disappear behind the sun. It may or may not reappear on the other side; no one is sure if it will survive its close encounter with Sol.
Comet ISON, as seen through a really nice telescope around Nov. 8. Image: Copyright Adam Block/Mount Lemmon SkyCenter/University of Arizona
Did I do that?!
In 2006, climate change experts from Bangor University in north Wales found a very special clam while dredging the seabeds of Iceland. At that time scientists counted the rings on the inside shell to determine that the clam was the ripe old age of 405. Unfortunately, by opening the clam which scientists refer to as “Ming,” they killed it instantly.
They did not even count the rings correctly–a later recount showed the clam to be 507 years old. Dingbats…and we are supposed to trust these guys?
Watch out for falling space junk!
A few science briefs from the New York Times includes a paragraph or two about the European satellite that fell from space last week, and the predicted 100 tons of debris expected to enter earth’s atmosphere in the next year.
Photo from The Sidney Morning Herald
Saturn, say cheese!
A photo of Saturn eclipsing the sun from the Cassini spacecraft.
Are we approaching John Galt’s machine?
Generating electricity from background microwave energy.
I find it hard to believe that there is enough background microwave energy to generate much electricity, but I am no physicist. And they have some pretty smart folks up there at Duke, I am told.
Antarctica is not melting
The science is settled
From Climate Depot:
New Study: Global warming ‘pause’ may last for 20 more years – Study says warmer temperatures are largely due to natural 300-year cycles.
New Executive Order–prepare for climate change
From Bridget Johnson at PJ Tatler:
President Obama just issued an executive order “to prepare the Nation for the impacts of climate change by undertaking actions to enhance climate preparedness and resilience.”
“The impacts of climate change — including an increase in prolonged periods of excessively high temperatures, more heavy downpours, an increase in wildfires, more severe droughts, permafrost thawing, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise — are already affecting communities, natural resources, ecosystems, economies, and public health across the Nation. These impacts are often most significant for communities that already face economic or health-related challenges, and for species and habitats that are already facing other pressures. Managing these risks requires deliberate preparation, close cooperation, and coordinated planning by the Federal Government, as well as by stakeholders, to facilitate Federal, State, local, tribal, private-sector, and nonprofit-sector efforts to improve climate preparedness and resilience; help safeguard our economy, infrastructure, environment, and natural resources; and provide for the continuity of executive department and agency (agency) operations, services, and programs,” the order states.
The Order doesn’t say what type of climate change we are to prepare for, warming or cooling, but I have no doubt that it will cost us money. Recent evidence may be pointing to a Maunder Minimum-type change, but the Administration continues to promote greenhouse gas disaster blaming.
C’mon guys, why are we continuing to pretend that “the science is settled”, and disaster is imminent if we do not immediately cripple our economy?
Comets!
From Universe Today, four comets at once:
No fewer than four bright-ish comets greet skywatchers an hour before the start of dawn. From upper left counterclockwise: C/2013 R1 Lovejoy, 2P/Encke, C/2012 X1 and ISON. Credits: Gerald Rhemann, Damian Peach, Gianluca Masi and Gerald Rhemann
And here is how to find them:
Rarely are four comets this bright in the same quadrant of sky. This map shows the sky facing east about two hours before sunrise on Oct. 31.
Fred Sullivan 