• Technology

    Supermassive Black Hole Takes a Nap

    By Posted on 4.16.2008 5 Comments

    It packs 4 million times more material than our sun, but relative to the black holes sitting at the center of some neighboring galaxies, it actually doesn't do all that much. The fact that this black hole, known as Sagittarius A*, kicks out billions of times less energy than others of its kind has made it something of a mystery. But now a team of scientists at Kyoto University suggests that Sagittarius A* may be resting after a far more active period a few centuries ago.

    4.18.2008 at 09:23am - Comment by shadowcent

    Why should i care?

  • Technology

    Solar Systems Like Ours

    By Posted on 4.14.2008 11 Comments

    Less than fifteen years ago, the concept of an extrasolar planet orbiting a star much like our own was only a theory. Since that time, we've discovered nearly 300 extrasolar planets in all, but have consistently failed to find systems which orbit around stars resembling the sun. Today, the BBC is reporting on a find by astronomers from St. Andrews University of two gas giants on par with Saturn and Jupiter in orbit around a star half the size of our sun. While the finding is not a direct link to a system similar to ours, it does present an increased likelihood that our system is not unique.

    4.14.2008 at 02:43pm - Comment by shadowcent

    I hope wrer not alone, it would be awesome to meet extrasolar life forms.

  • The Environment

    Breeding the Oil Bug

    By Posted on 4.30.2008 23 Comments

    It could be an aerial photo of an oil spill: liquid spheres pooling, oozing, dwarfing a bedraggled landscape. I half expect to zoom in on poisoned seal pups or waterbirds dragging their oil-soaked feathers. But the scene is microscopic. The landscape is made of E. coli. And whats happening is exactly the opposite of what it seems. The little bugs arent drowning in fuel. Theyre making it.

    4.4.2008 at 03:24pm - Comment by shadowcent

    I hope they can acually do it because it will benfit us all in many ways



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