Discover Magazine's Top 100 Science Stories of 2007

Discover magazine's January 2008 issue reports what the magazine believes to be the top 100 science stories of 2007. It is well worth a read: number 7 is about Dark Matter, number 16 is about a huge hole discovered in space, number 38 is about a math advance in factoring that threatens computer security, number 39 is about the discovery that plants depend on the quantum nature of photons to perform photosynthesis, number 56 presents evidence that a fundamental part of calculus was developed in India 250 years before Newton, number 65 about physicists observing photon superposition collapse for first time, number 87 is about the discovery that bird's retinas have a molecule that respond to both light and magnetic fields, number 96 is about the discovery of the function of the appendix.

2007 was an interesting year in science!

Land plates might shift on super-Earths

I am reading this article, Land plates might shift on super-Earths, on Earth & Sky's website.
According to this article, a planet 50% larger than Earth was discovered in 2007.
And Diana Valencia suggests that plate tectonics may happen on such "super Earths".

Nighthawk Sci Fi Club Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Nighthawk Sci Fi Club is scheduled for 23 December 2007 at 2 PM EST.
Meetings are free and open to the public.

Anniversary of the discovery of pulsars

I am reading this story, Anniversary of the discovery of pulsars, on Earth & Sky's website.
According to this article, on 28 November 1967 a the first pulsar was discovered by Jocelyn Bell.
She was a graduate student at Cambridge University.

Max Planck

I heard the Writer's Almanac for Friday, 14 December 2007.
Max Planck published his theory of quantum mechanics on 14 December 1900, according to the almanac.

A Taste of Armageddon

I saw the ST:TOS episode A Taste of Armageddon early Sunday morning on my local ABC affiliate.

Possible Compromise on Final Day of Climate Talks

I heard this story, Possible Compromise on Final Day of Climate Talks, on NPR.

Geminid Meteors

I heard this Stardate story, Geminid Meteors, on NPR.
I read the script for the story on Stardate's website.
Friday morning about 5 AM, I went out to look for meteors.
I saw about 4 meteors in about 15 minutes.
At first I looked toward the Big Dipper and the North Star.
I did not see any meteors.
When I turned around and looked the other way, I began to see the shower.
The fog started to roll in about 5:30 AM, and I went back inside.

Climate Talks Urge Quick Cut to Global Warming

I am reading this article, Climate Talks Urge Quick Cut to Global Warming by Richard Harris, on RPR's website.

The Alternative Factor

I saw the ST:TOS episode The Alternative Factor on my local ABC affiliate early this morning.

Return of the Archons

I saw the ST:TOS episode Return of the Archons on my local ABC affiliate early last Sunday morning.
The story for this episode was written by Gene Roddenberry.

STS-122, Space Shuttle Atlantis

I am reading the latest new on the Space Shuttle Atlantis on NASA Shuttle's website.
It seems the shuttle will not launch before 2 January 2008.
This delays the installation of the European Space Agency's Columbus Laboratory.

Japanese Spacecraft Probes Sun's Mysteries

I am reading this article, Japanese Spacecraft Probes Sun's Mysteries by David Malakoff, on NPR's website.

NASA Calls Off Space Shuttle Launch

I am reading this article, NASA Calls Off Space Shuttle Launch from the Associated Press, on NPR's website.

ST:TOS Space Seed

I saw this Star Trek original episode, Space Seed, early Monday morning on my local ABC affiliate.
This episode was the basis for the book The Eugenics Wars: The Rise and Fall of Khan Noonien Singh, by Greg Cox, and the movie Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Several original crew members of Star Trek received honorary SCREAM Awards in celebration of the 25Th anniversary of ST II: The Wrath of Khan.

STS-212, Shuttle Atlantis

Shuttle Atlantis is due to lift off Thursday at 4:31 EST according to NASA Shuttle website.

Looking Back on Shuttles Facing 'Final Countdown'

I am reading this article, Looking Back on Shuttles Facing 'Final Countdown'by Pat Duggins and Scott Simon, on NPR's website.

November Meeting

We have our monthly meeting at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights, VA around 2:00 PM tomorrow.

Inflatable Moon Houses Get Icy Test

I heard this article, Inflatable Moon Houses Get Icy Test by Nell Greenfieldboyce, on NPR.
Sounds interesting, but I want to hear how well the idea works at the South Pole.

Carl Sagan

Friday, The Writer's Almanac aired an article on Carl Sagan.
I am reading it on their website, http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/.

Comet Flares Unexpectedly in Northeast Sky

I am reading this article, Comet Flares Unexpectedly in Northeast Sky, on NPR's website.
According to this article Holmes Comet came by.

Astronauts Begin Six-Hour Spacewalk in Orbit

I am reading this article, Astronauts Begin Six-Hour Spacewalk in Orbit, on NPR's website.
Crew of Space Shuttle Discovery arrived at International Space Station.
The Space Shuttle was checked for damage it may have received during launch.
According to this article, a 16-ton compartment is being transferred from the Space Shuttle to the Space Station.

2007 Scream Awards

Last Friday the 2007 Screams Awards were presented. The show was broadcast on Spike TV Tuesday evening. The Scream Awards honor the best in sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and comic books. One of the highlights was the reunion of the remaining members of the cast of Star Trek ll: The Wraith of Khan. Another highlight was Harrison Ford receiving the Hero Award. "Heroes" received the award for the best TV show.

China's First Lunar Probe Launches into Orbit

I heard this story, China's First Lunar Probe Launches into Orbit by Anthony Kuhn, on NPR this morning.
According to this article the probe will reach it's orbit on November 5.
Then it will spend one year scanning the Moon's surface.
The launch of an unmanned lunar vehicle is scheduled for 2012.

Shuttle Flight Scheduled

There is a flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery scheduled for 11:38 EDT today according to NASA's website for the Space Shuttle Program.

Nighthawk Sci Fi Meeting

There is a meeting of the Nighthawk Sci Fi Club scheduled for this Sunday 28 October 2007 at 2 PM Eastern Time.
The meeting is free and open to the public.

Japan Struggles to Meet Its CO2 Emissions Limits

I am reading this story, Japan Struggles to Meet Its CO2 Emissions Limits by Madeleine Brand, on NPR's website.

2007 Nobel Prize in Literature

Doris Lessing won this year's Nobel Prize in Literature. Unlike some mainstream writers, Ms. Lessing has never hesitated to acknowledge that she writes science fiction. Her switch to science fiction was not popular with many critics. She responded, " What they don't realize was that in science fiction is some of the best social fiction of out time."
When asked which of her books she considers the most important,she chose her science fiction series Canopus in Argos.
Ms. Lessing was born Doris May Tayler in Persia (now Iran). She is the 11th woman and the oldest person to win the Nobel Prize in Literature

Quantum Computer Discovery Nets Nobel Prize

I heard this story, Quantum Computer Discovery Nets Nobel Prize by Richard Harris , on NPR yesterday morning.
Now we know about how a computer's hard drive can write to and read back so much information thanks to Albert Fert.

'Surface Chemistry' Nets Nobel Prize for German

I heard this story, 'Surface Chemistry' Nets Nobel Prize for German by Dan Charles , on NPR this morning.
Interesting how long and hard work by Gerhard Ertl uncovered how chemical reactions occur on the surface of materials.

Sputnik 50th anniversary on October 4, 2007

I saw this article, Sputnik 50th anniversary on October 4, 2007, on Earth and Sky's website.
According to this article, Sputnik 2 carried a dog named Laika into orbit one month
after Sputnik 1 was launched.
The USA created NASA on October 1958.
And Soviet cosmonaut named Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space on April 12, 1961.
American astronaut Alan Shepard, Jr became the first American in space on May 5, 1961.
On May 5, 1961 President Kennedy addressed a joint session of Congress and said basically the USA was going to send a man to the Moon and bring him back safely to Earth.
On July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon.

I grew up during these years in the 1960s and 1970s.
I saw science fiction become science fact.
I saw new science fiction based on the science that was being done in the 1960s and 1970s.
Star Trek The Original Series is my favorite example of the new science fiction of the 1960s in a television series.
Journey to the Far Side of the Sun(Doppelgänger), Marooned Planet of the Apes and 2001: A Space Odyssey are my favorite examples of the new science fiction of the 1960s in the form of movies.
Star Trek: The Animated Series, UFO and Space 1999 is my favorite examples of the new science fiction of the 1970s in the form of television series.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Silent Running, The Andromeda Strain Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Alien, Solaris and Capricorn One is my favorite examples of the new science fiction of the 1970s in the form of movies.

Explorer Series of Spacecraft

I found this article, Explorer Series of Spacecraft, at the NASA History homepage.

I was looking for information on the Explorer series that started in the late 1950's.
This article gives a list of these from Explorer 1 (Jan 1958) to Explorer 59 (Oct 1981).

Devra Davis: Chemicals, Cancer and You

I heard an interview with Devra Davis on Fresh Air with Terry Gross on NPR yesterday.
Ms. Devra Davis wrote The Secret History of the War on Cancer and When Smoke Ran Like Water: Tales of Environmental Deception and the Battle Against Pollution.
According to the article on NPR's website about this interview:
Ms. Devra Davis teaches epidemiology in the University of Pittsburgh's public-health graduate program.
She also directs the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.
I am looking for both books.

Sputnik Was More Advanced Than U.S. Admitted, Historian Uncovers

I found this article, Sputnik Was More Advanced Than U.S. Admitted, Historian Uncovers by Alex Canizares, on www.space.com
According to the article, Sputnik I and Sputnik II satilites examined the Earth's outer radiation belt, because the Soviet satilites could go into a higher orbit than the USA Explorer series.
The Explorer series examined the Earth's inner radiation belt.
The Soviet's could not observe this belt because they could not pick up the satilites signs from the Southern Hemisphere.
These radiation belts are named after James Van Allen.

Sputnik

I heard a story about the designers of Sputnik this morning on NPR.
I saw something on Sputnik at StarDate's website.
According to the script by Damond Benningfield, Sputnik was launched on a R-7 booster.
And the R-7 booster was originally designed to carry nuclear weapons to targets in other countries.

Sputnik Designers Did Not Fathom It's Impact

I heard a story on Sputnik, Sputnik Designers Did Not Fathom It's Impact by Gregory Feifer, on NPR this morning.
According to this story, Sergei Korolev convinced Soviet leaders, after World War II, that rockets were worth funding.
Sergei Korolev met with Soviet rocket designer Boris Chertok in 1945.
The forth R-7 rocket design tested was the first world's first intercontinental ballistic missile, in 1957.
Sputnik One was launched on the R-7 booster after that, on October 4, 1957.
Sergei Korolev is regarded as the father of the Soviet space program.

Williams Shepherd, 51, the commander of the first full-time crew of the International Space Station.

I looked up this article, Williams Shepherd, 51, the commander of the first full-time crew of the International Space Station. by Todd Halvorson, on www.space.com.
I met Bill Shepherd several years ago.
I enjoyed hearing his talk on the mission to the International Space Station with Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev.

The Space Age

I heard this story, The Space Age, on NPR.
I went to Stardate's website to read the script by Damond Benningfield.
When the Soviet Union's satellite Sputnik 1 went into orbit, the Space Age was born according to this story.
Just to say Soviet Union dates this event to before the Wall came down between East and West Germany, and the time of the "breakaway" republics.
Now after the cold war, Astronauts from the USA and Cosmonauts from Russia work together, from time to time, at the International Space Station.
I met one of those Astronauts, Bill Shepherd, at the Science Museum of Virginia several years ago.

In Japan, Going Solar Costly Despite Market Surge

I heard this story, In Japan, Going Solar Costly Despite Market Surge by David Kestenbaum, on NPR.
I went to NPR's website to read the story.
It seems that the industry needs to be subsidized by the government in a country to help the use of active solar power to become more wide spread from what I have read of the last few months.

Heroes Keeps on Trekkin'

I read this article, Heroes Keeps on Trekkin' by Michael Logan, in the August 27, 2007 issue of TV Guide.
According to this article, Nichelle Nichols joins the cast of the television show Heroes on the forth episode of this season.

Japan Trades in Suits, Cuts CO2 Emissions

I hear this article, Japan Trades in Suits, Cuts CO2 Emissions by David Kestenbaum, on NPR.
I went to NPR's website to read about it.
According to the article, the Kyoto Protocol agreement's impact has been less than what many hoped.

SR-71 Forum

Saturday I went to the SR-71 Forum at the Virginia Aviation Museum. I enjoyed it, and I always seem to learn something every time I go. This time I learned, although I may have heard it at previous SR-71 Forums, that synthetic and multi-viscosity oil were developed by the program that created the SR-71. It is interesting to me that something that has become such an everyday part of our lives was developed because of a need for the creation of the Blackbird, the SR-71.

Welcome to the Dawn mission, going to the heart of the asteroid belt

I heard about this on the news and read about it in this article, Welcome to the Dawn mission, going to the heart of the asteroid belt, on NASA's website

Planetarium Show Stardate: Ancient Horizons at SMV

I saw the planetarium show Stardate: Ancient Horizons at the Science Museum of Virginia.
I thought the show was very good.

NASA Seeks Astronauts for a New Era by Nell Greenfieldboyce

I read this article, NASA Seeks Astronauts for a New Era by Nell Greenfieldboyce, on NPR's website.
Astronaut candidates wanted who are NOT expected to fly on the Space Shuttle according to this article.

Meeting

We had our monthly Nighthawk Sci Fi Club meeting yesterday.
We wished Al Bon Voyage on his business trip.

EU Court Defeats Microsoft in Antitrust Case

I heard this article, EU Court Defeats Microsoft in Antitrust Case, on NPR.
I have followed the antitrust case against Microsoft in the US for awhile.
This article tells of the European Union's case against Microsoft.
It seems that Microsoft lost their case with the EU.

Scientist Measures an Overlooked Greenhouse Gas by Melissa Block

I read this article, Scientist Measures an Overlooked Greenhouse Gas by Melissa Block , on NPR's website after hearing about it on NPR.
According to the article, Katey Walter studies the greenhouse gas methane.
It seems that methane gas is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.

Middle East Virus Likely Cause of Honeybee Collapse John Nielsen

I read this article, Middle East Virus Likely Cause of Honeybee Collapse John Nielsen, on NPR's website.
I have wondered about the cause of Colony Collapse Disorder for some time now.
This article suggests a sign of the cause of the lose of bees if not the cause may have been found to be a virus.

SR-71 Forum

We are planning to attend the SR-71 Forum at the Virginia Aviation Museum on September 29 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It has become one of our yearly outings.

A new planet: astronomer talks about his discovery

I heard this story, A new planet: astronomer talks about his discovery, on NPR.
You can read about this on Earth & Sky's website, http://www.earthsky.org/.
According to this story, Alex Wolszczan co-discovered the first extra-solar planet.

I also heard a presentation on extra solar planets at this month's Richmond Astronomical Society meeting.

2007 International SF/Fantasy Conference and 2007 Worldcon

Last weekend the 2007 International SF/Fantasy Conference was held in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. This conference was sponsored by the periodical Science Fiction World. Science Fiction World was first published in 1979. It once won the World Science Fiction Award for Best Periodical. It has now has a circulation of over 300,000 and is the most influential sci-fi magazine in China and is the largest circulation genre magazine in the world.
Next weekend the 2007 Worldcon will be held in Yokohama, Japan. This will be the first Worldcon held in Japan, the first in Asia for that matter. The guests of honor are Sakyo Komatsu, David Brin, Takumi Shibano, Yoshitaka Amano, and Michael Whelan. A unique aspect of this Worldcon is that it will be combined with the Japan National SF Convention.

The Brutal and the Beautiful Books About Storms and Lighthouses

I read this in the Richmond Reads section of the August 2007 issue of Fifty Plus magazine.
According to John Denniston, Chris Mooney examines both side of the issue of global warming in his book Storm World: Hurricanes, Politics and the Battle Over Global Warming.
According to John Denniston, Sare Werniel captures all of the essence of our attraction to Lighthouses in her book Lighthouses.

I enjoy reading about both topics and am looking for these books.

Nighthawk Sci Fi Club Meeting

There is a meeting of the Nighthawk Sci Fi Club scheduled for Sunday, 26 August 2007, at 2 PM Eastern Time.
Meetings are free and open to the general public.

Causal Dynamical Triangulation (CDT)

I read in Scientific American magazine that a new theory called causal dynamical triangulation (CDT) has emerged as a promising approach to solving the problem of unifying the laws of gravity with those of quantum mechanics. For 20 years the leading contender in this quest has been string theory. String theory sets minuscule strings of energy against a fixed background of spacetime. String theory does not generate the spacetime, only the particles and forces that inhabit it.
In the 1980's and 1990's loop quantum gravity was developed as another attempt to unify the laws of physics. Loop quantum gravity describes space as a network of tiny volumes. It does generate spacetime. It has achieved some successes, but has yet to show that the tiny volumes of the theory always come together to form the 4-dimensional spacetime of our everyday world. CDT, which constructs spacetime geometries from 4-simplexes (the equivalent of a tetrahedron, but in four dimensions) is less than 10 years old, but has already achieved this.
The next step for CDT is to incorporate matter into the model to see if it can simulate the full equations of general relativity. Lee Smolin, one of the pioneers of loop quantum gravity, has said that CDT may eventually yield testable predictions, such as slight changes in the speed of high-energy photons caused by the models' nonclassical geometry at small scales.

Shuttle Repair

I read in today's Richmond Times-Dispatch that NASA has decided not to repair Endeavor before it returns to Earth.

Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens's Star Trek Worlds In Collision

I just started reading this book, Star Trek Worlds In Collision, by Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens.
Looks like a Star Trek The Original Series book.

NASA Nears Decision on Shuttle Repair by David Malakoff

I heard this story, NASA Nears Decision on Shuttle Repair by David Malakoff, on NPR this morning.
A space walk and repairs will be done by members of shuttle crew to a deep gauge in the heat shielding on the bottom of the Space Shuttle on NASA's decision according to this story.

Metal "whiskers" -- electrical shorts

I recently read an article about something shocking that I'd never heard of before -- neddlelike metal crystals called whiskers. These whiskers can grow on metal surfaces and have caused electrical shorts that have knocked out guided missiles and communication satellites, shutdown a nuclear power plant, and caused pacemakers and computers to fail.
Whiskers have been studied for over 60 years, but for competitive and liability reasons companies have not publicized them.
Whiskers grow out of so-called whisker grains that form in metal films. Pure tin has gained the most notoriety for developing whiskers, but they can also grow from other metals, including cadmium, silver, and zinc. They are hard to see, even with a microscope. NASA's Goddard has a whisker website -- nepp.nasa.gov/whisker.
So the next time you think the gremlins have gotten into one of your electrical devices, you may want to think "whiskers" instead.

The Radiant Warrior by Leo Frankowski

I have almost finished reading the third book in the Conrad Stargard series by Leo Frankowski.
I am learning about Poland just before the Mongols attack.
It is a good book.

NASA Fuels Shuttle; Launch Plans Move Ahead

I am reading this article NASA Fuels Shuttle; Launch Plans Move Ahead on NPR's website.
Liftoff is scheduled for 6:36 PM ET.

'Phoenix' Land Rover Set for Red Planet Exploration by Joe Palca

According to this article, 'Phoenix' Land Rover Set for Red Planet Exploration, on NPR's website the University of Arizonia is leading a mission to Mars.

Human History Shows a Gift for Adaptability by Christopher Joyce

I heard this story, Human History Shows a Gift for Adaptability by Christopher Joyce, on NPR a few mornings ago.
You can listen to it on NPR's website if you like:
http://www.npr.org/

Comic-Con, San Diego

I read that the comic book convention in San Diego this past weekend was a big success. There were over 125,000 attendees. This convention is the nation's largest pop-culture convention. Leonard Nimoy was there, and it was announced that he will play Spock in the upcoming (2008) Star Trek movie.

George Takei & Mark Zicree on Coast To Coast AM With George Noory

I heard interviews with George Takai and Mark Zicree on Coast TO Coast AM With George Noory this morning.
They talked about Star Trek: New Voyages, "World Enough And Time", Heroes, and the Kirk vs Picard FanLib online event.
The online world premiere on "World Enough And Time" is 23 August 2007.

Scorpius

I heard a story about the constellation, Scorpius, on Stardate while listening to NPR this morning.
The symbol of the scorpion is an important member of the Egyptian zodiac and may have been the symbol of an ancient king in Egypt.
The symbol is on my tombs and temples according to the story.
The text is available on Stardate's website, stardate.org

Battle over Method Thwarts Bottle Recycling by Nancy Cohen

I heard this story, Battle over Method Thwarts Bottle Recycling by Nancy Cohen, on NPR this morning.
It seems that companies who reclaim plastic bottles to make other things out of them need many more plastic bottles.
I may area, there are recycle bins for plastic #1, Polyethylene terephthalate, and #2, High-density polyethylene.
So it is easy for me to recycle these plastics.

Isaac Asimov's The Foundation Trilogy

I just picked up a copy of Isaac Asimov's three books Foundation, Foundation and Empire and Second Foundation.
They are in one book.
This is good literature from a great author.

Astrochemistry - water detected on extrasolar planet

The first convincing evidence of water on a planet outside our solar system has been reported -- planet HD 189733b. Researchers using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope were able to detect water absorption from starlight transmitted through the planet's atmosphere. HD 189733b is just over 60 light years from Earth. It is so close to its parent star in the constellation of Vulpeca the Fox that atmospheric temperatures on the planet can reach 1,200 K.

Nighthawk Sci Fi Club Meeting

There is a meeting of the Nighthawk Sci Fi Club scheduled for Sunday, 22 July 2007, at 2 PM EDT.

The heavenly origin of copper

I heard this story, The heavenly origin of copper, on Earth & Sky while listening to NPR.
It was Program #5212 of the Earth & Sky Radio series.

It told about the metal copper possibly being formed in very massive stars instead of supernova.

Southpole Astronomy, Southpole Astronomy II and Southpole Astronomy III

I read these stories, Southpole Astronomy, Southpole Astronomy II and Southpole Astronomy III, on Stardate's website.
It was about the view from the South Pole being good for several wavelengths and the IceCube Observatory.

Spheroidal Galaxies, Elliptical Galaxies and Dry vs Wet

I heard these stories, Spheroidal Galaxies, Elliptical Galaxies and Dry vs Wet, on Stardate while listening to NPR.
The first story was about how galaxies form in spheroidal or elliptical galaxies.
The second and third stories were about elliptical galaxies and their formation being controlled by black holes.

You can read about it on Stardate's website, www.stardate.org

Alvan Graham Clark

I heard a story on Alvan Graham Clark on Stardate one morning while listening to NPR.
It seems his family built many of the large telescopes still in use today, back in the 19th century.

You can read about it on Stardate's website, www.stardate.org

Neil deGrasse Tyson on the Today Show

I saw an interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson on the Today Show this morning.
I am looking for his book, Universe Down To Earth.

Chang'e 1

I am reading a Wikipedia entry for Chang'e 1.
It seems that China plans to launch a mission to the Moon starting with the spacecraft named Chang'e 1 in September 2007.

Live from the Antarctic, It's Nunatak

I heard this, Live from the Antarctic, It's Nunatak, on NPR.
I am interested in hearing this band of scientists, from the British Antarctic Survey, perform during the Live Earth concert.
They do research on evolutionary biology and climatic change, according to NPR's website.

9 quick, easy tips to help save Mother Earth

I am reading this article, 9 quick, easy tips to help save Mother Earth
Environmentalist David de Rothschild's guide to stop global warming, on the Today Show's website.


I am looking for the book, The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook by David de Rothschild.

Live Earth hopes action follows global concerts

I am reading this article, Live Earth hopes action follows global concerts More than 150 artists to perform at events around the world, The Associated Press Updated 1:54 p.m. ET July 2, 2007, on the Today Show's website.
Al Gore and Kevin Wall have a large concert planned.
I recall Live 8 and Live Aid concerts.
Good music for a good cause can work.

Michael Crichton's Next

I recently read Michael Crichton's book Next. I feel that his point about gene patents is well made. As he says in his research section, after the fiction story, genes are facts of nature -- like gravity and light -- and nobody should be able to patent them. I would also include stem cells. Stem cells are also facts of nature and no one should be able to patent them.

Climate Counts Website

I heard about this, Climate Counts Website, on NPR a few weeks ago and I saw a news story on it on cable Sunday morning.
Go to http://www.climatecounts.org/
Shopping can be a powerful tool if you shop wisely.
This site may help you find information that can help you shop wiser.

Shuttle Atlantis Touches Down in California

I am reading this article on NPR's website, www.npr.org.
This was the first US shuttle mission to the International Space this year.
The next mission is scheduled for August according to this article.

Climate Game Gives Real Options to Save World by Nell Boyce

I heard this, Climate Game Gives Real Options to Save World, on NPR.
Sounds like an interesting game where you can learn something about climate change.

Stargate's Final Frontier by Ileane Rudolph

I read Ileane Rudolph's article, in the 18 June 2007 issue of TV Guide.
According to this, the The Ark of Truth episode is being ported to DVD.
And the Continuum episode is being ported to DVD too.

It has been a great ten years with this series that continues as Stargate Atlantis.

Nighthawk Sci Fi Club Meeting

There is a meeting of the Nighthawk Sci Fi Club scheduled for Sunday, 24 June 2007, at 2 PM EDT.
Meetings are free and open to the public.

Global Meltdown by Andrew Revkin

I am reading Andrew Revkin's article, Global Meltdown, in the July/August 2007 issue of AARP Magazine.
I welcome the debate over whether the Earth is getting warmer or not because of natural causes or human causes.
I welcome the debate over what is the best way to deal with global warming.
I learned from reading State of Fear, to be careful about what I really believe regarding environmental issues.

Mass of dwarf planet Eris 27% greater than Pluto

I heard this, Mass of dwarf planet Eris 27% greater than Pluto, on NPR this morning.
It was Program #5235 of the Earth & Sky Radio Series with Deborak Byrd and Joel Block.
Eris also has a moon.
Through tracking the orbit of the moon around Eris, the mass of Eris was calculated.

A Conversation with Ray Bradbury on Coast To Coast AM With George Noory

I heard an interview with Ray Bradbury on Coast to Coast AM With George Noory.
John Wells interviewed author Ray Bradbury for about one hour.
Bradbury's advise to writers was:
"Love what you write and write what you love."

U.S. biofuels may stress Latin American food security

I listened to this article, U.S. biofuels may stress Latin American food security, on NPR.
It is program #5234 of the Earth & Sky Radio series hosted by Deborah Byrd and Joel Block.
According to this rain forests in Latin America may be cleared to grow corn for United States biofuels.
This can not be a win/win situation.

Star Wars The Original Radio Drama

I remember listening to this on National Public Radio awhile back.
It is available on CD from NPR.
I enjoyed the Star Wars radio show.
I was not up on Joseph Campbell's books at the time, so I did not see all the mythology behind Star Wars.
I saw the Jedi Knights as martial artists.
I saw "the force" as "ki".
I saw Star Wars as a Good vs. Evil story.
However after Campbell's death, PBS aired a Bill Moyers series, The Power of Myth.
I saw some of the series and was enlightened by it.
I am looking for the book The Power of Myth.

In memory of ...
Joseph Campbell and Peter Cushing

Michael Crichton's Timeline

A while back, I read Michael Crichton's book Timeline. I think that the speculative science the science fiction of the book is based upon is interesting. This is the many-worlds (worlds here means universes) interpretation of quantum mechanics created by Dr. Hugh Everett of Princeton. (This theory is also seen in "Star Trek: The Next Generation.")
According to this interpretation of quantum mechanics, whenever different viable possibilities exist, the universe splits into other universes, one for each possibility. In each of these universes, everything is identical except for the one different choice. From the point of each particular choice, the universes develop independently, and no communication between them is possible. In this way universes branch endlessly.

The novel Timeline spawned Timeline Computer Entertain, a computer game developer that created the Timeline PC game.

Bye-bye, Battlestar by Michael Logan

I read Michael Logan's article Bye-bye, Battlestar, in the 11 June 2007 issue of TV Guide.
I like the new series, but is seems to be ending after 22 more episodes.
The watched the original Battlestar Galactica and liked that as well.
The article say that a two-hour movie, Razor, will air on the Sci Fi Channel in November. The movie is set on the battlestar Pegasus.
I recall the Pegasus from the original series.
Lorne Green was Commander Adama.
It was commanded by Lloyd Bridges as Commander Cane in two episodes The Living Legion: Part 1 and The Living Legion: Part 2.
I also barely remember Lloyd Bridges from the show Sea Hunt.

In memory of . . .

Lorne Green and Lloyd Bridges

Chris Dows and Gregory Giovanni Johnson's Star Trek the manga

I saw a copy of Chris Dows and Gregory Giovanni Johnson's book Star Trek the manga Volume 1: Shinsei/Shinsei, Wednesday.
It says that this is where no manga has gone before.

Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep

I look forward to reading Philip K. Dick's work Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
I enjoyed the movie Blade Runner and I believe it was based on that book.

I have a copy of his work that the movie Total Recall was based on.

Voyage to the Botton of the Sea DVD The Globial Warming Edition

I saw a copy of the pilot movie for the television series, Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea, today.
It was the Global Warming Edition.
I think that is very timely given the plot, even if it is a little fantastic, of this movie and the issue of global warming in the news.

Dinosaurs Alive the IMAX Film

I saw the IMAX Film Dinosaurs Alive.
In the film, there is some footage from the 1920's Roy Chapman Andrews expeditions into Mongolia to the Gobi Desert.
He named one site there the Flaming Hills.
He found the first fossilized dinosaur eggs in nests and new dinosaur species, during these expeditions.
He may have been the model for Harrison Ford's "Indiana Jones" in the Indiana Jones movies.

In memory of . . .
Roy Chapman Andrews

Waiting For Gravity Gravitional Waves Could Give Astronomers An Unprecidedted View Into Acts of Astronomical Violence by Trudy E. Bell

I am reading Trudy E. Bell's article, Waiting For Gravity Gravitional Waves Could Give Astronomers An Unprecedented View Into Acts of Astronomical Violence, in the July 2006 issue of IEEE Spectrum magazine.
It is interesting that the equipment, at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, described in this article may detect gravitational waves, for example from an exploding star.

Old World, New Grid CERN's massive parallel processing system is expanding from particle physics to everything else, and from Europe to everywhere...

I am reading Fabrizo Gagliardi & Francois Grey's article, "Old World, New Grid CERN's massive parallel processing system is expanding from particle physics to everything else, and from Europe to everywhere else" , in the July 2006 issue of IEEE Spectrum magazine.
The European Organization for Nuclear Research operates the large Hadron Collider in Switzerland near Geneva.
It is expected to generate so much data that a very large group of computers is needed just to store and process the data.
I am looking for the book The Grid: Blueprint for a New Computing Infrastructure by
Ian Foster and Carl
Kesselman.
I am also looking for the book Angles & Demons by Dan Brown.

Sci-fi Stamps

The United States Post Office has a set of Star Wars stamps on sale now. Even if you have never collected stamps, as a Sci-fi fan you may want to have these. Also, there is a set of Super Heroes stamps that depict older comic book heroes. You have to go to usps.com for these now because these stamps are no longer sold at the post office -- they are 39 cents and no longer enough for first class postage.

WhoPays For E-Waste? Washington state sticks manufactures with recycling tab by Tekla S. Perry

I am reading Tekla S. Perry's article, Who Pays For E-Waste? Washington state sticks manufactures with recycling tab, in the July 2006 issue of IEEE Spectrum Magazine.
I want to check on state laws in the USA regarding electronic waste.
Recycling of old electronic equipment is needed but who has to pay for it?

Sci-Tech: The Movie Fifteen films that try to cross-prollinate art and science by Stephen Cass

I am reading Stephen Cass's article, Sci-Tech: The Movie Fifteen films that try to cross-pollinate art and science, in the July 2006 issue of IEEE Spectrum Magazine.
I believe that films should show more real science, especially science fiction films.
So I enjoyed this article a lot.

Grace Lee Whitney's The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy

I am looking forward to reading Grace Lee Whitney's book, The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy.
Star Trek The Original Series is my favorite.
I enjoy reading the bibliographies written my stars of the show.

Stanislaw Lem 's The First Spaceship To Venus and Solaris

I watched the movie, The First Spaceship To Venus.
I believe that Stanislaw Lem wrote a novel, Astronauci, that the film was based on.

I also watched both versions of the movie Solaris.
I believe that movie was based on his novel Solaris.

In memory of . . .
Stanislaw Lem

STS-117 Crew

Space Shuttle Atlantis is on the way to the International Space Station.
According to the NASA website, the crew will inspect the shuttle's heat shield and get ready for their arrival at the space station on Sunday.
Today is their first full day in orbit after lifting off Friday from the Kennedy Space Center.
Seven crew members are aboard the shuttle.

In No Time Searching For The Essence Of Time Leads To A Confounding Question: Does It Even Exist? by Tim Folger

I am reading Tim Folger's article, In No Time Searching For The Essence Of Time Leads To A Confounding Question: Does It Even Exist?, in the June 2007 issue of Discover.
Ideas on time's arrow and whether time exists at all seems to be in the current literature on physics and quantum mechanics a lot.

Through a Glass, Darkly by Marc Bain

I read Marc Bain's article, Through a Glass, Darkly, in the Periscope section of the 28 May 2007 issue of Newsweek.
It seems that the Hubble Space Telescope has recorded what may be a dark-matter ring that formed when two clusters of galaxies collided.

Tour Industry's Green Revoluntion DMB, Madona, Pearl Jam, Coddplay and more team up to fight globial warming by Evan Serpick

I read this article, in the 14 June 2007 issue of Rolling Stone Magazine, Tour Industry's Green Revolution DMB, Madonna, Pearl Jam, Coldplay and more team up to fight global warming by Evan Serpick.
It is interesting to see some artists going to biodiesel as a fuel for the buses and trucks that carry their equipment during their tours.

Michael Crichton's Next

I am reading Michael Crichton's book Next.
It is a good book.

I also read his book, The Andromeda Strain, and saw the movie The Andromeda Strain.
It is a great book and great movie, if you like germ outbreaks as a theme.
I read his book, The Terminal Man and saw the movie The Terminal Man.
It is a good book and good movie, if you like surgical behavior modification as a theme.
I read his book, Sphere, and saw the movie Sphere.
It is an interesting book and an interesting movie.
I like science fiction to hold up a mirror and reflect something back about humanity.
This movie and book does that in a literal way.

Europe's Carbon Trading Market Sees Brisk Business by Christopher Joyce

I heard this on National Public Radio yesterday, Europe's Carbon Trading Market Sees Brisk Business by Christopher Joyce. This is part of a year-long series, Climate Connections.
Given the Group of Eight Summit for 2007 just started, this is right on time.
This report tells something about how CO2 emissions are handled by some businesses in Europe.
Go to www.npr.org and search for Climate Connections From NPR and National Geographic.

Bjarne Stroustrup's The Design and Evolution of C++

I read the article, The problem with programming by Bjarne Stroustrup in the Q&A section of the January/February issue of Technology Review.
Now I am looking for his book The Design and Evolution of C++.
C++ is one of my favorite languages to use.
Setting up late trying to debug my programs in C and C++ was not one of my favorite ways to pass the time.

Club Meeting

There is a Nighthawk Sci Fi Club meeting scheduled for this Sunday, 27 May 2007, at 1400 EDT

Bill Bryson's A Shory History of Nearly Everything

Recently, I listened to an audio book abridgement of Bill Bryson's book A Short History of Nearly Everything (the title is humorous). What Mr. Bryson presents here is an interesting, condensed history of science -- physics, geology, chemistry, paleontology, meteorlogy, astronomy, oceanography, and biology. Some of it is a little dated -- dark matter is mentioned, but not dark energy -- still, this audio book is well worth a listen. It should enhance your science fiction reading and viewing.

Dr. Cliff Pickover's The Heaven Virus

I heard an interview with Dr. Cliff Pickover on Coast To Coast AM With George Noory.
He had some interesting things to say about physics, computer science and the movie, The Matrix.
I am looking for his book, The Heaven Virus.

Isaac Asimov's Fantastic Voyage II: Destination Brain

I just picked up Issac Asimov's book Fantastic Voyage II: Destination Brain.
I saw the movie, Fantastic Voyage, and read Asimov's book Fantastic Voyage.
I also watched an animated series based on that movie years ago.

Jules Verne's Journey To The Center of the Earth

I am reading Jules Verne's book, Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Years ago, I enjoyed an animated series, Journey to the Center of the Earth, based on the book.
I still enjoy Rick Wakeman's album, Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Ravencon

We attended Ravencon at the Doubletree Inn near the Richmond, VA airport. A good time was had by all. There were many interesting panel discussions, lots of games, and many sights to see.
Steve Stiles was the artist guest of honor. His sense of humor was particularly engaging.
Robert J. Sawyer was the writer guest of honor. He was an outstanding speaker, who is one of only seven writers in history to win all three of the world's top awards for the best science-fiction novel of the year -- the Hugo, the Nebula, and the Joseph W. Campbell Memorial Award. He is the only writer in history to win the top science-fiction awards in the United States, Japan, France, and Spain. He seemed rather young to have accomplished all of this. Definitely a talented man.

Arthur C. Clark's 2001: A Space Odyssey

I read Authur Clark's book 2001: A Space Odyssey and saw the movie, 2001, years ago.
Great book and great movie.
Classical music and sci fi work well together in the movie.
I also read Clark's book 2010: Odyssey Two and saw the movie 2010 The Year We Made Contact.

Robert A. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land

I read Robert Heinlein's book Stranger in a Strange Land years ago.
I also read Podkayne of Mars.
Good books by a great author.

Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s Slaughterhouse-Five

I read Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s book Slaughterhouse-Five and saw the movie based on the book years ago.
It is a good book and interesting movie.

In memory of . . .
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Stargate: SG-1 last run and the mythology of the shows

This coming Friday night the last series of new shows for Stargate: SG-1 begins. The hour before SG-1 there will be a program concerning the mythology of Stargate. I'm really looking forward it. Al and Mike have mentioned liking Joseph Campbell's presentations on mythology in regard to Stagate, and I'm curious to see what the people who do Stargate have put together.
After SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis has a new show.

Carl Sagan's Contact

I am reading Carl Sagan's book Contact.
I also read his book Cosmos.
Both are great books if you like science in general and astronomy, especially radio astronomy in the case of Contact.

In memory of . . .
Carl Sagan

The Island

The sci-fi movie The Island is really worth a look. The story is profound, and the photography, acting, and directing is very good. This movie is artistic and at times even poetic. I've been trying to understand why it wasn't much of a success at the box office. The conclusion I've reached is that it is ahead of its time. Any other observations?

Leo Frankowski's The High-Tech Knight

I am reading Leo Frankowski's book, The High-Tech Knight(Book Two in the Adventures of Conrad Starguard).
I read the first book in the series, The Cross-Time Engineer.
I am learning about Polish history while reading these good books.

In science fiction, time travel is sometimes used.
However in physics, is it possible to use a machine to transport a person back in time to the same planet in the same universe?

Patricia D. Cornwell's Postmortem

I read Patricia Cornwell's book Postmortem.
I also read her other books in the Kay Scarpetta series:
All That Remains, Body Of Evidence, From Potter's Field, The Body Farm, Cruel And Unusual, Unnatural Exposure, Cause Of Death, The Last Precinct, and Blowfly.

They involve forensics science and are good books.
The Virginia Institute of Forensics Science and Medicine came into being during the writing of some of these books.

Club Meeting

There is an informal Nighthawk Sci Fi Club meeting scheduled for Saturday, 21 April 2007, at Ravencon 2007.

The Dresden Files

Mike and I have been watching "The Dresden Files," a new show on the Sci-fi Channel. We started watching it because Dr. Who's season was over and Stargate's season doesn't start until April 13. Surprise, surprise, "The Dresden Files" is a really good show! Technically, it's not sci-fi, but it's produced by and shown on the Sci-fi Channel, so... I suppose the show could be called a light-hearted, supernatural, detective show. Whatever, the writing, acting , and directing is good -- a quality show. I recommend you check it out.

Club Meeting

There is a Nighthawk Sci Fi Club meeting scheduled for this Sunday, 25 March 2007, at 1400 EDT.

A. C. Crispin's Sarek

I read Ann C. Crispin's book Sarek.

Events in this book occur after the events of the movie Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

In Memory of . . .
Gene Roddenberry, DeForest Kelly, Brock Peters, Mark Lenard and Jane Wyatt

Ben Mezrich's The X-Files: Skin

I have read Ben Mezrich's The X-Files: Skin.

I have read Charles Grant's The X-Files: Goblins and The X-Files: Whirlwind.
I have read Kevin Anderson's The X-Files: Ground Zero, The X-Files: Ruins and The X-Files: Antibodies.

These books are based on Chris Carter's television series, The X-Files, which ran for nine seasons.
Agents Dana Scully and Fox Mulder are interesting characters in the series and these books.

Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time From The Big Bang To Black Holes

I read A Brief History of Time to prepare for Brian Greene's book The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory.
The reading went well from Hawking's book to Greene's book.
Greene lists Hawking's book, in a list of books he suggests you read, in the back of his book.
String theory, general relativity, special relativity and quantum mechanics are discussed in a manner that makes these ideas simpler to understand.

STARGATE

With a certain degree of sadness, I am looking forward to the last ten episodes of Stargate: SG-1, starting April 13, 2007. It has been a great ride -- the longest-running show in the history of Sci-fi. Thankfully, this will not be the end of SG-1. There are definite plans for at least two SG-1 movies -- it will be great to see SG-1 on the big screen! Also, Stargate: Atlantis will continue, with Samantha Carter as a recurring character. Long live Stargate!

Michael Crichton's book State of Fear

After reading State of Fear, I decided to read the books Michael Crichton said he read while researching this book.
He has a list of the books and publications he read, in the back of this book.

Also I heard an interview with Dr. Orrin Pilkey, of Duke University, on Coast To Coast AM With George Noory. He talked about mathematical models and their use for predictions.

I decided to be more cautious about believing in solutions based on mathematical models, when the models may be less that accurate.

A Post from Jim Regarding Our Purpose

Our purpose is to explore science fiction and its place in illuminating human existence. We believe that in order to do this we must study real science -- with an open but skeptical mind.

We would be pleased if you would join us on our voyage...

Live long and prosper,

Jim

Club Meeting

There is a Nighthawk Sci Fi Club meeting scheduled for this Sunday, 25 February 2007, at 1400 EST.

Hailing Frequencies Open

This blog is for Nighthawk Club news.
Also this blog is for the polite and friendly discussion of science fact and science fiction topics.

Live long and prosper . . .