Visitor Locations
- Portrait of a Doomed Asteroid
A new study provides a possible explanation of mysterious X-ray flares detected by the Chandra K-ray Observatory for several years in the region of Sagittarius A*, or Sgr A*. The study suggests a cloud around Sgr A*, a supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way Galaxy, which contains hundreds of trillions of asteroids and comets that have been stripped from their parent stars. The flares occur when asteroids of six miles or larger in radius are consumed by the black hole. An asteroid that undergoes a close encounter with another object, such as a star or planet, can be thrown into an orbit headed towards Sgr A*. If the asteroid passes within about 100 million miles of the black hole, roughly the distance between the Earth and the sun, it is torn into pieces by the tidal forces from the black hole. These fragments would then be vaporized by friction as they pass through the hot, thin gas flowing onto Sgr A*, similar to a meteor heating up and glowing as it falls through Earth's atmosphere. A flare is produced and eventually the remains of the asteroid are swallowed by the black hole. Image Credit: Illustrations: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss
Read More
Monthly Archives: March 2008
Another “What kind of _____ are you?”
I received this in marketing material earlier in the week. I see it is getting some play around the blogosphere, so I am joining the bandwagon. I kind of like the results. I am a: Colt model 1911 in 45ACP … Continue reading
Posted in Firearms
Leave a comment
Market Drivers
Since I seem to be on a political theme today, let’s do one more. From The Redplanet today’s lesson in market drivers.
Posted in Presidential Politics
Leave a comment
Democrats Too Far Left?
Ed Morrissey has moved over to Hot Air, and is highlighting an op-ed peice in the Wall Street Journal, written by George McGovern. Ed postulates that perhaps if the democratic party is “too far left for George McGovern, you know … Continue reading
Posted in Presidential Politics
Leave a comment
Doc’s Vera
Over at Doc Russia’s site, the Marine turned ER doc has been teasing us for months with the prospect of meeting Vera. Finally he has introduced us. I have to say that it appears that he has done a fine … Continue reading
Posted in Firearms
Leave a comment
Campus Defense
Over at Wasted Electrons, Nate has a nice Open Letter directed at college students. You should go over and read it. Now I have to tell, you I think I support most of his points. I know from my own … Continue reading
Posted in Firearms, Self Defense
Leave a comment
USS Houston
Over at Cdr. Salamander’s place he runs a Friday series, “Fullbore Friday”. He pulls together some great stories for the series. Today’s feature is about the survivors of the USS Houston. The USS Houston, was a ship that was sunk … Continue reading
Posted in Heroes
Leave a comment
Clinton Legacy – Party Directives
So far this this presidential election cycle I have been sitting back and enjoying the show. When Fred Thompson was in the race, I thought that we finally had an individual who brought forth a set of values that were … Continue reading
Posted in Presidential Politics
Leave a comment
What Class /Character
I Am A: Lawful Neutral Human Ranger/Wizard (4th/3rd Level) Ability Scores: Strength-15 Dexterity-18 Constitution-17 Intelligence-16 Wisdom-14 Charisma-15 Alignment: Lawful Neutral A lawful neutral character acts as law, tradition, or a personal code directs him. Order and organization are paramount to … Continue reading
Posted in Humor
Leave a comment
Media Reporting
An interesting little piece over here on what many people are finally beginning to realize. Checkout the video while you are there.
Posted in Society
Leave a comment
Prince Harry – Returning to Britian
This news hit the blog wire Thursday, and really pisses me off. Here we have someone of obvious notoriety that is very quietly making a difference. He is out there carrying on a tradition of service, on the “tip of … Continue reading
Posted in Society
Leave a comment