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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: June 2009
Incredible — Fact or Fiction
Interesting news report out of Chicago here. It seems that citizens within the city are not “law-abiding”. What you say, citizens are breaking the law? In the midst of all of the focus on gun control particularly in large cities, … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Gun Control
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Musical Interlude
A couple of new music treats that are popping up out there. A little different sound than what is in the mainstream and I am kinda digging it. Definite lyrical uniqueness as well.
Posted in Music
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My How Times Have Changed
Today we have “journalists” that have been convicted for crimes in North Korea. Historically our response would probably have been to overtly move a carrier battle group into the area. Supplement that with some covert activity in North Korean waters, … Continue reading
Posted in Foriegn Policy
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The Generation Gap
It amazes me as I raise my kids, that the world has become what it is. The other day a couple of the neighboring kids were climbing a tree in my yard. My wife expected me to come unglued. Now, … Continue reading
Posted in Culture
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D-Day
Over the last couple of days much has been said about the anniversary that we are recognizing. Perhaps none have said it better than this man did, 25 yrs ago.
Posted in Culture, Heroes, History
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Friday Funny
Did you hear about the 83 year old woman who talked herself out of a speeding ticket by telling the young officer that she had to get there before she forgot where she was going? Makes perfectly good sense to … Continue reading
Posted in Humor
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Sad State
This is a pretty interesting quiz out there. The questions are pretty straight forward but, the results overall are very scary. Go take the quiz, here, check your results vs. the general averages and results. It is all current events … Continue reading
Posted in Culture
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Thing’s I’ve Learned….
…Brigid has all the good posts! So get on over there, and learn what she has learned. Take heed of #10 this is a fundamental and previously unwritten rule that will catastophic consequences if violated. #9 is a fundamental corollary … Continue reading
Posted in Guns, Humor
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Founding Principles
Here’s a nice breakdown of the principles that this country was founded on, and how far we are straying
Posted in Politics
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