Water Ice on Mercury

  NASA's Mercury-orbiting spacecraft Messenger has sent back solid evidence that permanently shadowed craters at Mercury's north pole contain water ice and possibly complex organic molecules.  Mercury has generally been thought to be bone-dry, but 20 years ago Earth-based telescopes discovered reflective, bright patches at Mercury's north and south poles that suggested the presence of water ice.

Monthly Meeting

  Sunday we have our regular monthly meeting at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights.  We usually get started some time between 2:30 and 3:00 PM.


 Everyone with an interest in science fiction and/or science is welcome !

Huge Asteroid to Pass Earth Tonight: How to Watch Online

I am reading this article Huge Asteroid to Pass Earth Tonight: How to Watch Online on Yahoo's website. I saw an image of asteroid 4179 Toutatis during an Astronomy group meeting Tuesday evening.

Hunting the Edge of Space: The Ever-Expanding Universe

I watched a NOVA episode Hunting The Edge of Space: The Ever-Expanding Universe a few days ago on PBS.

I watched NOVA: Hunting the Edge of Space episode The Mystery of the Milky Way earlier this morning on Pbs.

I am reading this article NASA: There’s enough ice on Mercury to encase Washington, D.C. By Eric Pfeiffer, Yahoo! News | The Sideshow. According to the article NASA's Messenger spacecraft has found evidence of ice on the planet closest to the Sun.

I am looking at this article Saturn's monster storm at Yahoo's website. There are several photos sent back from NASA's Cassini orbiter.

Monthly Meeting

  We have our regular monthly meeting at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights Sunday.  We usually get start sometime between 2:30 and 3:00 PM.

  Everyone with an interest in science fiction and/or science is welcome!

I saw a story on Nathan Myrvold, Ph.D. on a repeat of NOVA Science NOW television show earlier this morning. I am reading up on his working under Steven Hawking at the University of Cambridge.

I was watching NOVA on PBS last weekend and saw a story on FoldIt game. I am looking at their website (http://fold.it/portal/) for more information.

Total Solar Eclipse This Week: How to Pack for Eclipse-Chasing Adventures

I am reading this article Total Solar Eclipse This Week: How to Pack for Eclipse-Chasing Adventures By Imelda B. Joson and Edwin L. Aguirre, SPACE.com Contributors | SPACE.com.

I watched this story The scientific truth about climate change earlier this morning on Sunday Morning. I am reading this story at http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57548138/the-scientific-truth-about-climate-change/

X-rays from Milky Way Black Hole

NASA's newest x-ray eyes in the sky has detected an X-ray burst from the black hole at the center of our galaxy: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/oct/HQ_12-370_NuSTAR_First_Images.html

Regular Monthly Meeting

  This coming Sunday we have our regular monthly meeting at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights.  Most people are there by 3:00 PM.


   Everyone with an interest in science fiction and/or science is welcome!

I am reading this article Private SpaceX Cargo Ship Launching 'New Era' for Space Station Today By Tariq Malik | SPACE.com on Yahoo's website. According to this article liftoff is scheduled for 2035 EDT today.

New Universe Expansion Constant

  NASA has announced that its space telescope Spitzer Space Telescope has been able to yield new data that has given a new Hubble Constant, which is a measure of the rate of expansion of the universe.

I am reading this article SpaceX, NASA Target Oct. 7 Launch For Resupply Mission To Space Station on NASA's website.

Monthly Meeting

  Sunday we have our regular monthly meeting at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights.  We usually start arriving around 2:00 PM and hope to have everyone there by 2:300 PM.


  Everyone with an interest in science fiction and/or science is welcome.

Jack McDevitt

  I am reading Jack McDevitt's book Time Travelers Never Die.  Jack McDevitt was the author guest of honor at the 2009 Ravencon.

I am reading this article NASA: Observe and “wink” at the moon this month on WTVR's website. And I am looking at the International Observe the Moon Night website http://observethemoonnight.org/resources

I am reading Storms from the Sun: The Emerging Science of Space Weather by Michael J. Carlowicz and Ramon E. Lopez

I am reading this article Neil Armstrong Talks About The First Moon Walk on NPR's website. http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2010/12/08/131910930/neil-armstrong-talks-about-the-first-moon-walk

I am reading this article Mars rover Curiosity aces first test drive By Irene Klotz | Reuters on Yahoo's website. According to this article, Curiosity landed on Bradbury Landing on 6 Aug 2012. This site was named by NASA after Ray Bradbury.

I am reading this article Space Elevator Science - Climb to the Sky - A Tethered Tower by Michael Laine on Kickstarter's website.

I am reading this article on Yahoo's website. Skull pushes back clock on early human migration

I am reading this article on Yahoo's website. NASA rover Curiosity shoots a Mars rock with laser

Monthy Meeting

  Our regular monthly meeting is this coming Sunday at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights.  We should get started sometime between 2:30 and 3:00 PM.


  Everyone with an interest in science fiction and/or science is welcome!

I am reading this article Galaxy cluster is a star-forming powerhouse on WTVR's website.

Mars Rover's 'Voice' Captured During Nail-Biting Landing

The Mars rover landed on Mars earlier this month. I am reading this article. Mars Rover's 'Voice' Captured During Nail-Biting Landing SPACE.com By Mike Wall | SPACE.com

Einstein: His Life and Universe

  Recently, I have been listening to an audio book version of Walter Issacson's book "Einstein: His Life and Universe."  I strongly recommend it to anyone with an interest in science.

NOVA: The Fabric of the Cosmos

I am watching the last two NOVA episodes of The Fabric of the Cosmos series. Fascinating . . . I am reading the transcripts from all four episodes: What is Space, Illusion of Time, Quantum Leap and Multiverse.

New Planet Found, Smaller Than Earth, Orbiting Distant Star

I am reading this article New Planet Found, Smaller Than Earth, Orbiting Distant Star By NED POTTER.

Sally Ride

I am watching CNN and they announced that Dr. Ride died.

Regular Monthly Meeting

  Our regular monthly meeting is Sunday at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights.  We should get started sometime between 2:30 and 3:00 PM.

  Everyone with an interest in science fiction and /or science is welcome.

Higg's Boson

  Scientists at CERN hailed the discovery of "the missing cornerstone of physics Wednesday, cheering the apparent end of the decades-long search for the Higgs Boson. First proposed as a theory in the 1960s, the elusive particle has been hunted by at least two generation of physicists who believed it would help shape our understanding of the how the universe began and how its most elemental pieces fit together.  At CERN physicists shed tears reflecting on the decades of work brought the to this momentous occasion. The new particle appears to share many of the same qualities as the one predicted by Scottish physicists Peters Higgs and others and is perhaps CERN's greatest accomplishment in its history.

Chinese spacecraft docks with orbiting module

I am reading this article Chinese spacecraft docks with orbiting module on Yahoo's website.

Newfound Object Is Faintest Distant Galaxy Seen at Universe's Edge

I am reading this article Newfound Object Is Faintest Distant Galaxy Seen at Universe's Edge on Yahoo's website.

Ray Bradbury

I just heard on PBS's News Hour program that Ray Bradbury passed on 5 June 2012. He was 91.

Venus in Transit--The Last of Our Lifetime

I am reading this post Venus in Transit--The Last of Our Lifetime on Storify.com I am looking at this post PHOTOS AND VIDEOS: Venus in Transit on WTVR.com It was too cloudy yesterday before Sunset for me to see the Venus transit. I am reading this post Watching the transit of Venus… from Saturn 15:59 05 June 2012 by Maggie McKee on www.newscientist.com/ I am looking forward to hearing about the Cassini spacecraft's attempt to view the transit of Venus across the Sun, later this year.

Cyber Spy Program Flame Compromises Key Microsoft Security System

I am reading this article Cyber Spy Program Flame Compromises Key Microsoft Security System By LEE FERRAN and RHONDA SCHWARTZ | ABC News on Yahoo's website. Microsoft released a patch for this problem. I am reading this post Microsoft certification authority signing certificates added to the Untrusted Certificate Store on TechNet.com

SpaceX Dragon Capsule Splashes Down in Pacific, Ending Historic Test Flight

I am reading this article SpaceX Dragon Capsule Splashes Down in Pacific, Ending Historic Test Flight on Yahoo's website. Splash down was a success!

Space X Departs International Space Station

I am reading this article Space X Departs International Space Station on WFMY News2's website. I am waiting for splashdown.

Medal of Freedom for Glenn, Dylan, Albright, others

I am reading Medal of Freedom for Glenn, Dylan, Albright, others on TODAY's website. Congratulations John Glenn!

"Flame" computer virus strikes Middle East; Israel speculation continues

I just heard about "Flame" virus on the news. I am reading "Flame" computer virus strikes Middle East; Israel speculation continues on CNBSNews's website. This looks bad to say the least.

Scientist: Evolution debate will soon be history

I am reading this article Scientist: Evolution debate will soon be history on USA Today's website. The scientist is Richard Leakey and he predicts "skepticism over evolution will soon be history" according to this article. The Leakey family (the late Louis, Mary, Richard, Meave, Louise) have done a lot of work unearthing pieces of the fossil record of early man.

AMATEUR ASTRONOMY ON A BUDGET

I am reading this article AMATEUR ASTRONOMY ON A BUDGET by Michael W. Lewis (http://thechocolatebox-gbm4thecure.blogspot.com/2012/05/thursdays-truffle-ishobbies.html) on this blog: http://thechocolatebox-gbm4thecure.blogspot.com/

Bones of Turkana

I watched the PBS program Bones of Turkana. I enjoyed the update on what Richard Leakey discovered in the area around Kenya's Lake Turkana.

SpaceX Launch

  I watched the SpaceX launch Tuesday morning.  It certainly didn't look as big and powerful as the Space Shuttle, and it seemed to move slower, but it didn't cost anywhere near as much either.

SPACE: NASA and SpaceX successfully launch

I am reading this article SPACE: NASA and SpaceX successfully launch by Carrie Rose on WTVR's website posted here: http://wtvr.com/2012/05/22/space-nasa-and-spacex-successfully-launch/ . I am glad the launch was successful this morning at 0344 EDT.

Monthly Meeting

Our regular monthly meeting will be this coming Sunday at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights.  It will probably around 3: 00 PM before we get started.


Everyone with an interest in science fiction and/or science is welcome.

NASA Expedition 31

NASA tweeted: NASA ‏@NASA Hatches are open between the Soyuz & #ISS. All 6 #Exp31 crew members are aboard. I am looking at information on Soyuz that was launched on 14 May 2012 at 2301 EDT and docked at 17 May 2012 at 1236 EDT on International Space Station, on NASA's website. Soyuz TMA-03M Crew: Oleg Kononenko, Andre Kuipers, Don Pettit Launch: › Dec. 21, 2011, 8:16 a.m. EST Docking: › Dec. 23, 2011, 10:22 a.m. EST Landing: July 1, 2012 Soyuz TMA-04M Crew: Joe Acaba, Gennady Padalka, Sergei Revin Launch: › May 14, 2012, 11:01 p.m. EDT Docking: May 17, 2012, 12:36 a.m. EDT Landing: Sept. 17, 2012

I am listening to an interesting interview of Professor of Biology and Cognitive Science at Vassar College, John Long on Coast To Coast AM. Robots fascinate me. I am looking for his book Darwin's Devices: What Evolving Robots Can Teach Us About the History of Life and the Future of Technology.

Deadliest Tornadoes and Hunting for the Super Twister

I watched two episodes of NOVA on tornadoes. It is interesting that scientists are still looking for the reason that some storms produce tornadoes and some do not.

Plastic-Eating Fungi Found in the Amazon May Solve World’s Waste Problem

I am reading this article PLASTIC-EATING FUNGI FOUND IN THE AMAZON MAY SOLVE WORLD’S WASTE PROBLEM By Emma Hutchings, on PSFK's website. I am looking at some information on Yale's Rain Forest Expedition and Laboratory educational program on a Yale website. I am reading an article Biodegradation of Polyester Polyurethane by Endophytic Fungi on the American Society for Microbiology's website.

New Research Brings Satellite Measurements and Global Climate Models Closer

I am reading this article New Research Brings Satellite Measurements and Global Climate Models Closer on ScienceDaily's website. I want to read more articles on the calibration of instruments on satellites used to measure Earth's temperature.

NOVA Secrets of the Sun

I watched the NOVA episode Secrets of the Sun several times. I am looking at more information on that episode of PBS's website. Given the recent coronal mass ejections we experienced on Earth this was a very interesting show.

NASA on Twitter

I read some recent posts by NASA on Twitter.com NASA ‏ @NASA Soyuz and #ISS hatches closed at 1:12 am EDT. Deorbit burn set for 6:49 am EDT. Watch on NASA TV at 6:30 am: NASA ‏ @NASA Soyuz and #ISS hatches scheduled to close at 1 am EDT. Watch live on NASA TV beginning at 12:45 am: NASA ‏ @NASA Everything's good for #ISS Exp. 30 crew to land in Kazakhstan Friday morning. Watch live at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv at 12:45 am EDT

Live Chat: Why Aren't There More Female Scientists, Engineers?

I heard an story about this Live Chat: Why Aren't There More Female Scientists, Engineers? on the News Hour yesterday evening. I am reading about this on PBS's website for the News Hour at (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/04/stemchat-why-arent-more-women-in-science-and-engineering.html). A live chat is scheduled for noon ET Friday, April 27, with Judy Woodruff.

Space Tornadoes, Baby Stars, and Ancient Galaxies

I am looking at images of Space Tornadoes, Baby Stars, and Ancient Galaxies on PBS's website. Nice looking images posted here.

Asteroid Mining Venture Backed by Google Execs, James Cameron Unveiled

I am reading this article Asteroid Mining Venture Backed by Google Execs, James Cameron Unveiled By Mike Wall, SPACE.com Senior Writer on Yahoo's website. This sounds like a good way to get resources by I am not sure when it will happen.

NASA’s new earthquake monitoring network uses GPS for improved accuracy

I am reading this article NASA’s new earthquake monitoring network uses GPS for improved accuracy By Tecca | Today in Tech on Yahoo's website. This sounds very helpful for first responders in the states mentioned especially in stronger earthquakes.

UrtheCast The Earth Video Camera

I heard about UrtheCast on the morning news earlier today. I went to the website (http://www.urthecast.com/) to learn more about it. According to this, UrtheCast is putting HD cameras on the space station and streaming them to the web.

Laura A. Burns

Laura A. Burns (http://www.ravencon.com/burns-laura/) gave a very interesting panel discussion on the International Space University (www.isunet.edu) last Saturday morning.

Ted Bethune

I attended Ted Bethune's (http://www.ravencon.com/bethune-ted/) excellent panel discussion on The International Space Station, the Moon and Mars last Saturday evening.

Regular Monthly Meeting

Sunday we have our regular monthly meeting at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights. We plann to start aroud 2:00 PM, but usually we are an hour or so later getting started.

Everyone with an interest if science fiction or real science is welcome.

NASA Space Shuttle

I saw some live video of the Space Shuttle Discovery flying toward Dulles International Airport this morning aboard a 747.

Secrets of Molecule that Helped Build the Universe Exposed

I am reading this article Secrets of Molecule that Helped Build the Universe Exposed on Yahoo's website.
I need to read some more about the triatomic hydrogen ion.

The Mighty Mathematician You’ve Never Heard Of

I am reading this article The Mighty Mathematician You’ve Never Heard Of By NATALIE ANGIER on The New York Times website.

Mystery Cloud Appears on Mars

I am reading this article Mystery Cloud Appears on Mars by Irene Klotz, Discovery News, on Space.com.

Europe Launching Heaviest Space Station Cargo Ship Friday

I am reading this article Europe Launching Heaviest Space Station Cargo Ship Friday
by Denise Chow, SPACE.com Staff Writer, on Space.com
According to this article the Automated Transfer Vehicle 3 should launch in about 30 minutes from the Guiana Space Center.

John Carter

I went to see the movie John Carter this past. It is based on the old Edgar Rice Burroughs's stories about the princess of Mars. Although there has been some discussion about where these stories are science fiction, Edgar Rice Burroughs seems to be a good storyteller, and I recommend the movie.

Monthly Meeting

Our regular monthly meeting will be Sunday at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights. It will probably be around 2:30 to 3:00 PM before we start gettting together. If you get there a little earlier, wait for us - we'll be there.

Everyone with an interest in science fiction or real scinece is welcome!

See How Earth's Moon Evolved in New NASA Videos

I am reading this article See How Earth's Moon Evolved in New NASA Videos on Yahoo's website.

Second Biggest Flare Of the Solar Cycle

I am reading this article Second Biggest Flare Of the Solar Cycle on NASA'a website.
According to this article a coronal mass ejection (CME) hit the Earth sometime this morning.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

I am listening to an interview of Neil deGrasse Tyson on Coast To Coast AM with George Noory radio show.

Solid Buckyballs in Space

Using data from the Spitzer Space Telescope, Astronomers have, for the first time, found solid buckyballs in space. Previously, the carbon spheres had been found only as a gas.

John Glenn, ‘no ordinary pilot,’ marks 50 years since orbit of Earth, says he’s no hero

I am reading this article John Glenn, ‘no ordinary pilot,’ marks 50 years since orbit of Earth, says he’s no hero on The Washington Post's website.

John Glenn

50 Years ago today, John Glenn was launched into space, orbited the Earth 3 times in a spacecraft nicknamed Friendship 7 and returned safely to Earth.

Keeping NASA's Next Space Telescope Under Control: Q&A with Scott Willoughby

I am reading this article Keeping NASA's Next Space Telescope Under Control: Q&A with Scott Willoughby by Denise Chow, SPACE.com Staff Writer on Space.com.
I am interested in the James Webb Space Telescope.

Janice Voss, Veteran of 5 Space Shuttle Flights, Dies at 55

I am reading this article Janice Voss, Veteran of 5 Space Shuttle Flights, Dies at 55
By Robert Z. Pearlman, collectSPACE.com Editor.

Bus-Size Asteroid to Give Earth Close Shave Friday

I am reading this article Bus-Size Asteroid to Give Earth Close Shave Friday
By Mike Wall, SPACE.com Senior Writer Space.com on Space's website.
According to this the asteroid is scheduled to pass by around 1030 EST. today.

Coronal Mass Ejection from the Sun

I am reading about the Coronal Mass Ejection that hit Earth's magnetic field on 24 January 2012, according to SpaceWeather's website.

Seth Shostak

I am listening to an interview with astronomer Seth Shostak on Coast To Coast AM with George Noory.
He is talking about SETI.

Dr. Li Chia-Wei

I saw an interview with Dr. Li Chia-Wei, CEO of Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation and Environmental Protection Foundation, on Taiwan Outlook television show Tuesday.
He discussed preserving tropical plants that are almost extinct.

The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor

I am reading The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor.
According to today's edition, Sir Francis Bacon was born today in 1561.
He developed a theory that became known as the scientific method.

Regular Monthly Meeting

We will be having our regula monthly meeting at Books-A-Million in Colnial Heights on Sunday around 2:00.


Everyone with an interest in science fiction is welcome!

The Unobservable Universe

I am reading an ebook, The Unobservable Universe by Scott M. Tyson.

Lawrence M. Krauss

I am listening to an interview of theoretical physicist Lawrence M. Krauss on Coast To Coast AM.
Two of his most popular books are A Universe From Nothing and Quantum Man.

Astronomers Find Three Smallest Planets Outside Solar System

I am reading this article Astronomers Find Three Smallest Planets Outside Solar System on Science Daily's website.

Russian spacecraft turned space junk to crash soon

I am reading this article Russian spacecraft turned space junk to crash soon
By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, Associated Press, on Google's website.
Looks we have a few more days before this unmanned Phobos-Ground probe falls back to Earth.

Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow

I recently finished reading a book by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow titled The Grand Design. It was interesting and I need to study it some more. The copyright date is 2010.


Leonard Mlodinow is a Caltech professor who was once a Star Trek writer. Everyone knows Stephen Hawking.

Franz Boaz

I am looking at Wikipedia entry on Franz Boaz.

Steven Weinberg

I recently finished reading Steven Weinberg's book Dreams of a Final Theory. It was very good. I recommend it whole-heartily.

Steven Weinberg was one of the winners of the Nobel Prize for the development of the Electroweak theory.

Stephen Hawking

It is Stephen Hawking's birthday.
I am looking at his website.
http://www.hawking.org.uk/

Kitty Ferguson

I am looking at Kitty Ferguson's website.
http://kitty-ferguson.com/

I am interested in reading Stephen Hawking: An Unfettered Mind, Measuring the Universe:
Our Historic Quest to Chart the Horizons of Space and Time, Prisons of Light:
Black Holes, Steven Hawking: Quest for a Theory of Everything and Black Holes In Spacetime.

Scott Tyson

I am listening to Coast To Coast AM.
They are rebroadcasting the last hour of yesterdays radio show.
Scott Tyson, author of The Unobservable Universe, is talking about quantum physics.
I am looking at Scott Tyson's website as well.
http://www.theunobservableuniverse.com/

Exploring Stephen Hawking's 'Unfettered Mind'

I am listening to Fresh Air with Terry Gross radio show Exploring Stephen Hawking's 'Unfettered Mind'.
Kitty Ferguson is talking about physics and Stephen Hawking.

Quadrantid Meteor Shower, First of 2012, May Dazzle Early Wednesday

I am reading this article Quadrantid Meteor Shower, First of 2012, May Dazzle Early Wednesday By Denise Chow, SPACE.com Staff Writer, on Yahoo's website.

Issac Asimov

Asimov may have been born in 1920.
http://www.asimovonline.com/asimov_home_page.html

His books are some of my favorite science books.

NASA's Twin Grail Spacecraft Reunite in Lunar Orbit

I am reading this article NASA's Twin Grail Spacecraft Reunite in Lunar Orbit on NASA's website.
According to this article Grail-B probe is now in orbit around the Moon.