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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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Category Archives: Heroes
It Ought to be
A national holiday. At least it should get as much attention as Elvis’ birthday. On May 26, 1907 Marion Robert Morrison came into the world in Winterset, Iowa. When he left on June 11, 1979 he was John Wayne, an … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Heroes, History
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It
It amazes me that so many people just don’t get “it”. In this context “it”, is very simply there are things happening in the world that you are not meant to know. These things happen because someone makes a decision. … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Heroes, Military, observations
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Can you do this??
This one has been making the rounds on the internet for a few days now, and I am late to the party. It’s worth the full 8 minutes of your time to work through this one. Not an easy thing … Continue reading
Posted in Heroes, Shooting
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Words to Live By
Over at Kyle Defoor’s place, he posted a quick piece that includes this video. Now, the important things here. The intro and closing are done by Marcus Luttrell. I have written about Marcus before. This man’s story is incredible and … Continue reading
Tucson Rant
As I was growing up the Vietnam War was in pretty much full swing. The manner in which veterans and active duty personnel were treated as they returned really colored much of my thinking, and opinions of veterans, in a … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Events, Heroes
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Christmas is Coming….
Y’all get some boots for someone on you Christmas List, and get a pair for yourself too. Get yours at Boot Campaign
Posted in Culture, Heroes
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Domestic Heroes
There is a lot of focus on our military forces, and those that are in harm’s way right now. This is as it should be. But, at the end of the day, there are plenty of folks right here in … Continue reading
Posted in Heroes, Soldier's Angels
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Remember
27 years ago. Beirut . It was the bloodiest day in the Corps’ history since World War II, when Marines fought to secure Iwo Jima. On October 23 1983, around 6:20 am, a yellow Mercedes-Benz truck drove to Beirut International … Continue reading
Posted in Evil walks the earth, Heroes, History, Marines, Terrorism
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On War: Joe Rosenthal & Iwo Jima – Plog Photo Blog
Most Americans do not understand why Marines hold the battles of our Corps, and in particular Iwo Jima, and the Pacific campaign, with such reverence. Perhaps these incredible photos will help. On War: Joe Rosenthal & Iwo Jima – Plog … Continue reading
Posted in Heroes, History, Marines, USMC
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July 4th – Liberty
Today marks the 234 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, our Independence Day. The day that a small, representative group of individuals penned a document that set forth their complaints against the Crown, and the intention to break free from … Continue reading
Posted in Heroes, History, Holidays
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