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POPS Astronomers See 'Skeleton' of the Universe
Viewed through the world's most powerful telescopes, the discovery "is the first observation of such a prominent galaxy structure in the distant universe, providing further insight into the cosmic web and how it formed," according to a statement by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The assembly of galaxies form filaments "millions of light years long and constitute the skeleton of the universe," it says. "Galaxies gather around them, and immense galaxy clusters form at their intersections, lurking like giant spiders waiting for more matter to digest," it adds. The filaments are located about 6.7 billion light-years away and extend over at least 60 million light-years, the scientists say, adding the structure very likely stretches beyond the area they probed, warranting further observations. "This is the first time that we have observed such a rich and prominent structure in the distant universe," says ESO's Masayuki Tanaka, who led the study.
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POPSGalileo's Spyglass Using ever-more powerful telescopes over the next year, Galileo observed that the Moon was not perfectly smooth, as claimed by Aristotle, but cratered and mountainous. He spotted hundreds of stars previously untouched by human eyes. More critically, he discovered the four inner satellites of Jupiter - still known as the "Galilean moons" in his honour - and learnt that Venus, Earth's closest planet, goes through a full range of phases. Put together, his observations validated the revolutionary theory of Nicolaus Copernicus that Earth orbits the Sun, and not the other way round. Galileo understood the implications of what he had seen, but the Catholic Church was not ready to accept such heresy. Only in 2000 did the Holy See apologise for putting Galileo on trial in 1633, forcing him to recant his ideas lest he face imprisonment or worse. The Vatican also pays tribute to him in an exhibition that opened this month. I never knew that it was only in 20
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POPSColdest, Driest, Calmest Place on Earth Found All these elements combine to make the perfect recipe for an astronomical observation post: "The astronomical images taken at Ridge A should be at least three times sharper than at the best sites currently used by astronomers," Saunders said. "Because the sky there is so much darker and drier, it means that a modestly-sized telescope there would be as powerful as the largest telescopes anywhere else on earth."
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POPSLA-area blaze size doubles, threatens 12,000 homes In Mariposa County, a nearly 7-square-mile fire burned in Yosemite National Park ~~~ An animal sanctuary called the Roar Foundation Shambala Preserve, six miles east of Acton, was in the mandatory evacuation zone, but fire officials decided removing the animals would be "a logistical nightmare," said Chris Gallucci, vice president of operations. ~~~~~ flames about a half-mile away from the communications and astronomy centers on Mount Wilson ~~~~~ which hold transmitters for more than 20 television stations, many radio stations and cell phone providers. ~~~~ Television stations said if the antennas burn, broadcast signals would be affected but satellite and cable transmissions would not be. Two giant telescopes and several multimillion-dollar university programs are housed in the century-old Mount Wilson Observatory. The complex of buildings is both a historic landmark and a thriving modern center for astronomy.
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POPSLens Cleaning Pen for Digital Cameras, Check 6deal.com This product is designed to effectively remove fingerprints, smudges and grease marks on the surface of our camera lens. 2-in-1 designed, ideal for lenses or filters cleaning With retractable brush Suitable For lenses on Digital Camera, cameras, UV, MCUV, PL, CPL, Polarizing, Lenses & Filters, camcorders, binoculars, telescopes, microscopes, rifle scopes, night vision and etc. List Price: $ 4.99 Deal Price: $ 2.49 http://www.6deal.com/en/lenspen-lens-cleaning-pen-for-canon-nikon-sony-olympus.html
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POPSTweeteor Shower Just use the hashtag #Meteorwatch when tweeting. If you’re interested in observing the shower, I urge you to find groups going out; it’s more fun with lots of people, and it’s easier to stay awake. Sky and Telescope’s website has a searchable list of clubs and organizations so you can find out who’s near you. Added bonus: Jupiter is up all night, so if you’re with a group of folks with telescopes you’ll get to see one of the best sights in the sky. Bring binoculars if you have them too; they’re easy to share. The Perseids are a great way to get kids into astronomy, and a wonderful way to spend an evening. Have fun!
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POPSThe beauty and terror of science A good history of science unreels like the practice of science itself. It wends through a world of experiments until a new reality arises. But the more layered story of that journey is that science is not just a process but is the men and women performing it. In his radiant new book, "The Age of Wonder," Holmes treats us to the amazing lives of the pioneering sailors and balloonists, astronomers and chemists of the Romantic era. Making good on the book's subtitle, he takes us on a dazzling tour of their chaotic British observatories and fatal explorations in African jungles, showing us "how the Romantic generation discovered the beauty and terror of science."
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POPSLens Cleaning Pen Kit for Digital Camera lens, Online Shopping Deal Brand new product with high quality Easy to use and carry Designed for removing fingerprints, smudges and grease marks 2-in-1 designed, ideal for lenses or filters cleaning With retractable brush Suitable For lenses on Digital Camera, cameras, UV, MCUV, PL, CPL, Polarizing, Lenses & Filters, camcorders, binoculars, telescopes, microscopes, rifle scopes, night vision and etc. Deal price: 2.51 USD http://www.monde-tech.com/product_info.php?products_id=3425
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POPSSuzaku Snaps First Complete X-ray View of a Galaxy Cluster "In PKS 0745-191, the gas temperature peaks at 164 million degrees Fahrenheit (91 million C) about 1.1 million light-years from the cluster's center." "These Suzaku observations are exciting because we can finally see how these structures, the largest bound objects in the universe, grow even more massive," said Matt George, the study's lead author at the University of California, Berkeley.
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POPSThe most important telescopes in history In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy in 2009, New Scientist takes you on an armchair tour of some of the most important telescopes ever built. For more information on these and other pioneering telescopes, read Eyes on the Skies: 400 Years of Telescopic Discovery by Govert Schilling and Lars Lindberg Christensen (Wiley-VCH, 2009). More interesting stuff on site
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