A Stunning New Image of the Pillars of Creation

The European Space Agency’s Herschel Space Observatory released a stunning new image of the Eagle Nebula and the area of star formation known as the Pillars of Creation. The Herschel Observatory focuses on the far infrared spectrum and is capable of seeing the coldest and dustiest objects in space. In this image the observatory shows this well know Nebula in Spectacular color in detail in spectacular detail. The Pillars of Creation can be seen sticking up in the central-lower part of the image.  Thanks to the Daily Mail for the image and  article:

This image is taken from the x-ray and infrared spectrum as opposed to the Hubble image below that is in the visible spectrum.  Hubble’s picture was taken in 1995 and is one of the most famous images in the legacy of the space telescope.

In other space news be sure to check out the Hubble 3D film at your local IMAX theater (probably at your local science museum). Here’s a look at the trailer.

 

Nietzsche Quote of the Day

Extreme positions are not succeeded by moderate ones, but by contrary extreme positions. – Friedrich Nietzsche, The Will to Power

Running With The Bulls

Pain, anguish, blisters, and diarrhea are some of the things you prepare for when running a marathon. One thing you’d never expect is to be chased by herd of stampeding cattle. But this is exactly what happened to me at last week’s Tucson Marathon.

I had just past the ten mile mark of the marathon and made the left hand turn onto the out and back road that led to the Biosphere 2 dome. My pace was steady, maybe even a little too fast – I didn’t want to burn out at the end. The ache in my left hamstring had calmed down over the last few miles, but I expected it to scream back to life during this uphill section of the course. After making the turn the course crossed a cattle guard that had been covered by plywood and then made a slow ascent to the turn-around point.

Something moving through the brush on the left side of the road caught my eye. A small herd of cattle was running alongside the road not twenty feet away. Exhilarated and slightly frightened by this revelation I continued running and tried to point them out to fellow runners.

“Hey,” I called out. “We’re running with the bulls!” They couldn’t seem to hear me.

Just then the lead bull made a quick right turn and came stampeding directly towards me. In a panic I increased to a sprint. The herd hit the pavement just a moment after I was out of the crossing zone. Breathing a great sigh of relief I turned my head to watch the stampede cross the road. Fortunately the gap between me and the next runner was wide enough to let the cows through without killing anyone. In all the excitement one of the bulls slipped and went skidding across the road causing a massive cow pileup. Then just like that, they were gone into the undergrowth.

I managed to regain focus and finished the marathon with a new personal record. I had expected pain and delirium, but I never expected to find myself running with the bulls.

Women are the Greatest Mystery in the Universe agrees Birthday boy Stephen Hawking!

Stephen Hawking is one of the most preeminent physicists of modern times and author of the most popular, but not read or understood books of all time: A Brief History of Time. In it he discusses topics such as black holes, event horizons, and imaginary time. Imaginary time? What the hell is that? He must be smoking something strong.

Now he has finally admitted something most men have suspected since the dawn of time, the greatest mystery in the universe is….Women. Of course! Even if you think you have one figured out, you still can’t understand her. Well played, Dr Hawking. Well played.

What is just as impressive as his work in astrophysics and popularizing science has been his ability to live and flourish with Lou Gerhig’s disease to the age of 70! Happy Birthday Dr. Hawking, you are an inspiration.

Stephen Hawking: Women are ‘a complete mystery’ says Quantum physicist | Mail Online.

Happy Winter Solstice 2011!

Celebrate Saturnalia and start the one year countdown to the end of the Mayan Calendar on December 21, 2012. It’s the End of the World Baby!

Magic Mushrooms Return to Psychology Labs

‘Magic Mushrooms’ Return to Psychology Labs 40 Years After Leary – Bloomberg.

The Coolest Earth Time Lapse Video You’ll See All Day

The music is a bit annoying and the video goes on for five minutes, but what else are you doing for the next five minutes?

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

JAW DROPPING Space Station time lapse! | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine.

Is the NBA showing solidarity with the Occupy movement and General Strike?

The recession drags on, unemployment remains high, and Europe is on the verge of dragging the world into chaos and a global depression.

All the while the Occupy movement spreads across the US while calls ring out for a national General Strike.

In this great time of need the billionaires and millionaires that makeup the NBA have cancelled games and the whole season is on the brink.

Why would we ever spend any more money on these greedy bastards? Sure, its all about the fans.

NBA Lockout: Union To Meet As Clock Continues Ticking On 2011-12 Season – SB Nation New York.

Occupy Oakland Update

By now most everyone knows about Occupy Oakland’s clash with the Oakland Police Department. Tensions are currently high and the Occupation and protests are ongoing. Here is a quick recap of what happened.

First came the tear gas:

Then came news that a Marine who served two tours in Iraq had been shot in the head with a rubber bullet and was in critical condition.

Fellow Marines reacted.

And now, Scott Olsen’s injury has become a focus point and rallying cry for Occupy Oakland and the entire Occupy movement.

And now video of Scott Olsen just prior to being shot: More here.

Dylan Ratigan Has One Demand

A Bad Day for American Companies

Monday, October 3 2011 was a terrible day for America companies in the market. Is bankruptcy on he horizon for both Bank of America and American Airlines?

American Airlines AMR

Bank of America BAC

Dow Jones	10,655.30	-2.36%
S&P 500	1,099.23	-2.85%
Transportation		-2.47%
AMR	1.98	-33.11%

BAC

5.53

-9.64%

OccupyWallSt – Here Comes the Cavalry!

Transit Workers Union Local 100 joins #OccupyWallSt

Is Revolution Coming to America?

Probably not, but don’t tell that to Occupy.

On September 17, an estimated 1,000 protesters descended on Wall Street. The protest was called by the Candian group Adbusters and supported by the hacker group Anonymous. They are Occupy and they are legion.

While it is hard to tell exactly what they are protesting (take your pick: war, recession, unemployment, corporatocracy, Rick Perry, etc.) they are a determined bunch and proclaim that they will not leave until their demands are met. Of course, one problem is the fact that the group has yet to make a clear unified set of demands. They claim to have “one demand”, but don’t seem quite sure what that demand is or will be. However, it probably has something to do with those banks at whose doorsteps they are sleeping.

This nascent movement seems to have been inspired by the Arab Spring and the European Summer. Much like the protests abroad, Occupy is using the internet, facebook, and twitter to organize in their hope of igniting an American Autumn.

The goal of Occupy is to incite a nation wide movement to occupy major city centers across the country. And don’t look now but it may be working. Already Occupy groups have sprung up in Portland, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. A group has already begun to gather in Chicago.

After experiencing years of the Great Recession, rampant unemployment, declining opportunity, growing wealth and income disparities, and ongoing wars abroad, will this movement be the one that catalyzes the American underclass? Stat tuned.

Websites: https://occupywallst.org/  http://occupytogether.org/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OccupyTogether

Twitter: #OccupyWallst  #OccupyTogether  #OccupyPhoenix

Happy Equinox!

Happy Equinox! The Autumnal Equinox marks the end of summer and beginning of fall, it is one of the two days of the year that the length of night and day are equal. For millennia this day has marked the changing of the seasons and beginning of the harvest season.

So go try to balance an egg on the equator, just don’t try it in the Amazon.

For many cultures the equinox is a high holy day and for our Judaic friends it is closely related with Rosh Hashanah and the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days. So Happy New Year!

Happy Equinox! Happy Mabon! Chichen Itza at the Equinox

Breaking the Seal

Overheard as I began my evening run: “Bridal shops have various sizes of pillows to approximate the size your fetus (will be on your wedding day).”  Certainly this is the seventh and final sign of the coming apocalypse.  In fact, I was surprised that all those around me weren’t immediately raptured  up to heaven, leaving me alone to enjoy a nice peaceful jog.  But then I remembered that I live in San Francisco.  So, the rapture could have happened last May and I would never notice.

Now, I don’t have any problem with pregnant brides, but that’s why god invented eloping.  Shoot Las Vegas is a short 6 hour drive away (8 if insist on stopping to piss).  Why the hell do we need simulated fetuses for dress fittings?  Just when I thought I’d never understand women, I do.

I just hope that on her special day, the bride ends up having twins so her dress splits as she walks down the aisle.  And of course the dress will be white.