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: August 2010
Honor Rally
There was a big event in DC over the weekend, in case you missed it. I am still kind of digesting the event, and the contrasts that I have seen. Perhaps I will get a more thoughtful post up later … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Politics
Leave a comment
Quirky observation
The quirky observation from this week involves conditioning. We spent one of the days this week in a very large auditorium in the conference center. Big jumbo monitors to either side of the stage, a large 50″ monitor on the … Continue reading
Posted in observations
Leave a comment
Traveling
It has been a long week on the road. Should be home in another 8 hours or so. Even if it is only for a quick 47 hrs it will be nice to be home, with the screaming children.
Posted in Personal
Leave a comment
Literacy
Early in my consulting career I engaged in a fairly significant, dynamic discussion with a client regarding a software customization that they felt was mandatory. It was there feeling that it was mandatory that we build an interface to all … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, GWOT
Leave a comment
Something to think about
This week finds me on the road again, what else is new. So, I get the chance to miss the first day of school for my 9 year old this year, and all the excitement that goes along with that. … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Marines, Personal
Leave a comment
Seven to One
Lex had an opportunity to pull together a post on the recent stabbing of a NYC cab driver. The whole thing is here, and as usual is a very well constructed. I expect nothing less from a Boat School grad. … Continue reading
Posted in Culture
Leave a comment
Monster Hunter Vendetta
MHV, the next Monster Hunter novel is due out in September / October. The author (Larry Corriea) will be offering autographed copies for sale but, is looking to get an approximate count on how many he needs to stock. That … Continue reading
Posted in Reading
Leave a comment
Joke of the Day
This one is all too funny and can be applied to your choice of industries. FORCE REDUCTION PLAN REF/A/MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC/112215ZFEB2010// REF/B/MSG/USMC WASHINGTON DC/082055ZAPR2010 REF/C/DOC/DFAS-HQ/01AUG2010// SUBJECT: USMC FORCE REDUCTION PLAN NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 032/10. REF B IS MARADMIN GUIDANCE. … Continue reading
Posted in Humor
Leave a comment
Joke du jour
Damn fine joke. The Semper Fi Moment President Obama got off the helicopter in front of the White House, carrying a baby piglet under each arm. The squared away Marine guard snaps to attention, salutes and says:”Nice pigs, sir.” The … Continue reading
Posted in Humor
Leave a comment
Learning From History
It still amazes me how very easy it is to look at the writings of history, and apply them to current events. Somewhere along the line, we have forgotten this message of forty or fifty years ago. Learning From History, … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Economics, Politics
Leave a comment