Ring Galaxy

Ring Galaxy



Credit: NASA, R. Lucas (STScI/AURA)

Going in circles is practically unavoidable if you live in THIS galaxy! :-)

Flat Earth

Variations over flat



It looks flat but it might be bumpy. When you are speeding the bumps in the road becomes more 'significant'. Personally, I am known to ignore those highly irritating fake road bumps that are made so to replace regular well functioning brakes. I am totally against bumps.

I take great pleasure in reading about those who make sure that flat is really flat - and do not include any kind of bumps. Variation over vast distances of only 61 mm is acceptable also by me! Go Bloodhound! :-)

Planet, Planets and More Planets

Planets, Planets and More Planets



Credit: NASA

I say yes to more planets, even if they revolve around another star. :-)

A Bad Universe

A Bad Universe



Does this to you!! :-)

The Universe is the biggest comfort to me - all the bullschlache we see about Ghosts, Mediums, Paranormal and all that stupid, stupid boring stuff is killing me. It is everywhere, sitcoms, 'reality' shows, movies, the whole entertainment sector. And it is sooo boring*. The real stuff on the other hand, never stops to amaze me. And Phil Plait is clearly sharing my view on this.

Stellare endorses Phil Plait coming show on Discovery - Bad Universe. I encourage all my readers to help promote real science (over the other stuff). Spread the 'science holy' word, please! :-)

Share this link as widely as you possible can. Spam away! hehehe Little devilish smile from Stellare :-P

*I do no judge anybody who for some weird reason appreciate the entertainment part, I am just not into that kind of silliness.

Satellite Watch

Satellites Watching You



Satellite tracking systems seem logical and effective for controlling criminals. They are reported to be working very well in this article in BBC.

BUT, I do not like it. I've always said it is only a matter of time before we are all tracked down. A few generations into the future that is. In addition to cut the cord when we are born the authorities will implant a tiny chip making it possible to do all sorts of things, including tracking us with satellites throughout the human lives. Such chips will include advantages for each individual too, of course, but now we are talking about the downside. :-)

Back to criminals of today. We are assuming that all criminals are justly identified as such. That is a very naive thought. It is just too easy to misuse the legal system. And we all make mistakes all the time. Simple mistakes are also made in our legal systems.

Satellite tracking makes legal mistakes more serious and devastating to its victims.

Water: Qinghai Lake

Qinghai Lake



Qinghai lake is just magnificent. And the biggest inland salt lake in China. Situated on 3200 meter it is the second highest in the world, only beaten by Namtso lake on the Tibetan plateau. I've had the extraordinary pleasure of visiting them both.

Pakistan Flood - Victims Need Help

Pakistan Needs Help



The graphics above shows the distribution of aid pr person pr country. If you look at the total amount of money the US is the biggest contributor. But, not surprisingly, Norway is the country who is most generous if you look at money pr person.

The Sun

The Sun



Credit: NASA

Just because 'she' is pretty....:-)

SMOS satellite sees Pakistan flooding

SMOS Sees Flood in Pakistan



SMOS is short for Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity and it is one of ESA's Earth Explorers satellites. SMOS was launched last year and activated under the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters to assist in the relief and management of the flood in Pakistan.

Information about soil moisture compliments the information gathered by other satellites.

Robonaut

Robonaut



Credit: NASA


Me want! I just do!

Brain Boundlessly Complex

Brain Boundlessly Complex



That is what I've always said: It is more complicated than you think! :-)

It sounds better in Norwegian, I'm afraid: Det er mer komplisert enn som så... = It is more complicated than that.... This phrase is applicable in almost any context. :-)

Main message here is that the brain is constructed more like a network than a hierarchy.

Summer Auroras in Scandinavia

As the Sun is becoming more active again (finally) we get to see displays of CME here on Earth. The magnificent blast on 1st of August came to us as aurora borealis (or Northern Lights) on the night the 4th.



Credit: NASA


I was lucky to see it with my own eyes from my home on the country side slightly north of Oslo. In the land of the midnight sun, auroras in the summer are not easy to spot, if at all, as the nights are to light.In the southern part of Norway it was however dark enough to view the heavenly spectacle. Even in Denmark, the southern most Scandinavian country, could see the impressive light show in the sky this time. Below is a selection of images from Scandinavia.



Northern Light over Jevnaker, Norway (close to my home)
Credit: Trym Norman Sannes




Northern Lights over Ringsaker, Norway
Credit: Ragnar Johnskås




Northern Lights over Central Stockholm, Sweden
Credit: Peter Rosén




Northern Lights over Denmark
Credit: Jesper Grønne



All images were found on the excellent Spaceweather site. They have a special section for the August 2010 aurora event.

Here Comes The Sun

Here comes the Sun!



Shredding off some CME, creating auroras and maybe knocking out GPS - the Sun-Earth connection at display shortly! :-)

Mona Lisa X-rayed

Mona Lisa X-Rayed



Art and science - at ESRF and Louvre