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.