Missing Matter Mystery (partially) solved!

Great news for Science! Astronomers have made a huge advance in our understanding of the Universe, by finding 'lost matter'. This discovery is paramount in not only supporting the hypothesis (of additional matter being available to find); but, also by expanding our field of understanding. This discovery is supported by the Big Bang Theory and the hypothesized amount of matter distributed by the initial expansion/i.e. big bang. The problem is that our estimates of all galaxies collectively considered, only barely make a dent in what scientists believe was dispersed. This 'missing matter' is what has now been (1/2) found.

Quasars, primordial black holes and this question - Why is there a black hole at the center of a universe??

Obviously, there is no singular definitive answer to this question (that I know anyway.) I am not a space bot that can travel in time to find the source. But, amazing theorists have ideas; and I, being a pursuer of shaking my own ignorance - read what they have to say.

I started my exploration tonight with an article on MSN about a flare out of the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way. The article discusses how X-rays are expelled from the center of our galaxy, and a group of Japanese scientists have analyzed clouds of this dispersing residue in order to conclude the timing in which our galaxy did this last (presumably to theorize about if and when it will happen again as well as to understand it's origin.)

Lagrangian Points ~ Parking Lots in Space!

There are (5) Lagrangian Points in the Earth & Sun system. Lagrangian Points (also known as Lagrange Points) exist within allocations of space between two bodies of mass and their respective gravitational influence. So, the Earth/Sun system includes the area that the Sun effects with it's gravitational pull on the Earth as well as the Earths area of gravitational effect. Another... If you draw a circle around the Sun including the Earth within it; drew another circle around the Earth as far out as the effect on Mass exists and then converged the two with a third all encompassing circle- that is the system.

The two masses interaction and influence over one another, effect all additional objects that occupy any space within the final circle. As with general relatively and space curvature, all objects orbit if influenced to do so. So, within this system of massive influences on things in orbit; opposing orbits and lines of three interacting orbits exist. When two masses encounter a third as an interference to the balance of the two; both of the massive objects relinquish force, as they are in perfect balance, over the third object. As such, the object is not pulled in an orbit because there is no definitive superior force either way and it will stay 'parked' within this location.

Willy Wonka in Space?

Basic sugar molecules were recently found in space; near a ripe star birthing location in space that could host life due to the fact that Glycolaldehyde is a componant of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid consists of a nitrogeneous base, a ribose sugar and a phosphate)

Click title to read article source.

KAS

New WorldWide Telescope download from Microsoft

This is awesome!! If you have a computer that can handle it :)


KAS

Friday the 13th ~ not like another day, not unlike all others

While reading about atoms... hydrogen atoms and Bohr & Heisenberg, mixed along with time and space and wonderment and confusion. I find, that the world is not all it seems. Our perception blinding our ideals and our ideals blinding our reason. It is in knowledge I am comforted; it's words that ground me.

This week- from the Cytoskeleton aspect of cell composition, to cancer cells & mercury and it's illusive elemental potential; bisphenol A and the dangers of plastics we use every day and their proposed detrimental effects on human health and connection to the obesity epidemic; molecular structure and intrigue; and just this evening -Sylvia Plath- I've been a busy girl.

Great news on the stem cell front ~ finally. How absurd to discuss the 'ethical' applications of any cell in the body. Ethics have nothing to do with biology. What a waste to restrict the progression, even temporarily, for such a ridiculous (human generated, non fact based and essentially made up) reason. How far can one go to argue destined life- and why in the world are human stem cells more worthy of life than other cells? Why is it immoral to alter a stem cell to become other cells (as it's most easily modified) that will lead to the resolution of countless human afflictions? Are more humans REALLY needed on Earth?

Life. News on Mars recently as well. Methane gas is spilling out of cracks on the surface and though this can happen through chemical reaction it also is a byproduct of organisms that could be deep within the surface.

Also newsworthy is the new stimulus package funding for Science ~ yay Obama. As I work within this field and am unsure as to what is public vs institution knowledge, I won't delve to deep. But, funding is focused on research (and all supporting components) that will employ people and will be utilized in the near future. For those whose budgets are strapped due to the waining economy, this additional artery is particularly valuable.

Lastly, I cannot resist but to say (as I thought of it today) I celebrated my 21st birthday on a French compound in Kabul, Afghanistan (the French don't have general rule 1a, and stock full bars at war) upon such a reflection, I am reminded of all the other young minds taken by such expenditures as war. It saddens me.

Life is so short, so valuable and so fickle.

I could use a nice bout of chess right now- to settle my philosophical affliction and ground me in reason, where it's all much easier to assess...

KAS

Great Post ~ Title is linked ~ over on Science & Reason

Great, informative post on Early Galaxy Formation with nice links and quality structure.
KAS

Venus & Jupiter Monday Night

Check it out!! Monday night, available for all to see with the naked eye, are Jupiter and Venus in the night sky. Eye the moon and look for the golden rule;

"Stars twinkle due the fact that they produce light, planets are solid due to the fact that they reflect light"