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.