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Mathematics and Gravitational Lensing
Einstein rings produced by a galaxy behind the lensing galaxy.
Credit: NASA, ESA, and the SLACS Survey team: A. Bolton (Harvard/Smithsonian), S. Burles (MIT), L.
Koopmans (Kapteyn), T. Treu (UCSB), and L. Moustakas (JPL/Caltech).
A Match in Heaven
Look here and see the magic of mathematics.
A gift for my mathematics loving friends and worshipers of theory. :-)
Saturn in Blue
and Mimas!
European Earth Observation
Credit: EUMETSAT/DLREarth observing satellites have delivered valuable data about our planet for many years. Decision-makers and others, need this data when faced with responding to environmental change, managing sustainable development and responding to natural disasters and civil security issues.
User requirements for these observations system needs continuous updating as well as better coordination. Europe with ESA and the German Space Agency initiate renewed actions for a better Earth Observation System with major political events coming up this fall.
Traces of a White Dwarf
Credit: NASA, NOAO, H. Bond and K. Exter (STScI/AURAThe white dwarf is revealed thanks to our knowledge of the three body system, in this case three stars. We cannot see the white dwarf but its mass influence the orbits of the other stars so we can calculate EVERYTHING! :-)
Credit: NASA, ESA, and A. Feild (STScI)
World Poverty
Cartographer: Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal"Improved natural resource management can support long-term economic growth, from which poor people, in rural areas and elsewhere, can benefit to achieve and sustain social progress and development. The map is a part of a set, presenting different natural resources, with a focus on developing countries, and the use of natural resources for economic growth and poverty alleviation."
Several maps, graphics and illustrations have been developed in a large project about the complex links between environment and poverty reduction. Read Fraxen's own short version and summary of the project.
Hugo Ahlenius (Fraxen) is one of my favorite cartographers making beautiful modern maps.
The White Dwarfs Among Us
Agent Abra asks us to let her know if we see an albino dwarf, or white dwarf, as we astrophysicists call them. According to well established intelligence we should be very careful around the brightest of stars, Sirius. Sirius has a tiny, you got it, white dwarf companion called Sirius B! On the star map above you'll be able to locate approximately where it is. And stay clear of that area!
Please, also note that white dwarfs has their limits. Chandrasekhar limit to be exact (1.44 solar masses). Should the limit be crossed we could all be in great danger as the white dwarf will transform itself into a neutron star or even worse. If the limit is crossed substantially, say more than 3 solar masses, then the white dwarf will turn into a black hole and WE ARE ALL DOOMED!
White Dwarfs in M4
And Abra, do pay attention when you are in M4. As you can see there are plenty of White Dwarfs lurking around in that area.
I'm very glad to learn that you escaped that horrible dwarf. We don't know if it was a potential black hole you dealt with...
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