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- 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
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Monthly Archives: December 2008
A Christmas Eve Carol
Amazing what can be done with just a few voices.
Posted in Holidays, Music
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Christmas
For those that know me, you know that I am much too much of a scientific nerd. As a result it is really difficult for me to go “all in” on the metaphysical, particularly organized religions. I could go on … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Holidays
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Taking Care…
…of our own. For those of you unfamiliar with this event… This voluntary effort was started in 1992 by Morrill Worcester of the Worcester Wreath Company, in Harrington, Maine. Arlington was the largest focus of the commemorative ceremony, but not … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Heroes, Holidays
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A Carol from Achmed
I don’t believe that I have never heard of Achmed before. Funny stuff.
Posted in Holidays, Humor
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Christmas 2008 – Part III
I had almost forgotten this small bit of history. A reminder of just how special this holiday is.
Posted in History, Holidays
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A Message of Peace
“Aloha snackbar, to all fundamentalist Islamoretard heathen followers of a lunatic pedophile psychopath (piss be upon him). You moon-rock worshipping, misogynistic, homoerotic, murderousley-intolerant, savagely ignorant, bereft of common-sense, lacking basic human decency, and deprived of alcohol-humor-fun clueless dumbasses… I WISH … Continue reading
Posted in Humor
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Christmas 2008 – Part II
I think the season serves as a focal point in this case for something that we often take for granted. While I know that feeling of walking a post on a cold, dark, rainy December night there is a reason … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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Christmas 2008 – Part 1
Time for a repost of some of my thoughts from last year. I must say that this one does not change for me. Christmas and the Christmas season means many things to many people. I think that the season is … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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Gun Safety
Or…what could I possibly do that is wrong? This is a spoof, that has some warnings: 1. If sensitive ears are present wait to play this one later (language). 2. Don’t drink anything while watching
Posted in Guns, Humor
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Best Comments of Terrorism
This has got to be, by far, the best commentary on terrorism. Even though it is meant to be humorous…it hits the mark. The Daily Show With Jon StewartM – Th 11p / 10c Mumbai Tragedy Barack Obama Interview John … Continue reading
Posted in Humor, Terrorism
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