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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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Daily Archives: December 24, 2009
Never Forget
A Soldier’s Christmas The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, my daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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Tip of the Spear
Deployed at Christmas? It is tough. Technology has improved things to some degree but, in general terms it is one of the tougher things to mentally deal with. Don’t forget the guys that are out there at the tip of … Continue reading
Posted in GWOT, Heroes, Holidays
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Merry Christmas, My Friend
Back when I was on active duty (way back when) one of my “co-workers” penned the poem below. As you might imagine it evokes an emotional reaction for many of us. MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY FRIEND ‘Twas the night before Christmas, … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays, USMC
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Oliver North
This really would have been a better Thanksgiving post but, I think it is appropriate any day of the year. From one of my contemporary heroes…
Posted in GWOT, Heroes, Holidays
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Christmas Eve 2009
Another Christmas Eve has arrived. I trust that everyone has found their way to some time with family and friends. Spending as much time on the road as I do, I find that as hectic as this time of year … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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