Archive for March, 2008
Positive Review for “42″!
Closed Published March 28th, 2008 on Everyone's Blog Posts - Portland PublishersI was excited to hear that “42″ got a positive review from Booklist. That’s very good news. Coincidentally… I think… the proofs for 42 are coming in on April 2nd…
So… How good is this? Amazing… Why didn’t anyone tell me about these guys???
Starting 1st Corinthians this week…
…for the most Cringe-Inducingly Ironic Book Cover of the Decade goes to…
Phil sent me this email…
Hi - I’m a Villager also and regular play in and around the village on my acoustic gypsy jazz guitar, especially in summer when the weather’s good. Is it possible to post that my group “Gypsy Jazz West” now has a monthly gig upstairs at the Lucky Lab in the village […]
Angry Goat Kills Pastor.
Mars and Titan Double Feature
Closed Published March 23rd, 2008 on Everyone's Blog Posts - Portland Publishers 
Mars and Titan are the hotties of astrobiology! They have so much going for them in terms of supporting past or present life. Case in point are two new articles from nasa.gov.
On Mars, salt deposits indicate places where liquid water once flowed. We’re learning more and more about past conditions on Mars; and, quite frankly, the suggestion that there was past life on Mars is growing more convincing.
This information comes to us from the Mars Odyssey orbiter.
Meanwhile, the Cassini orbiter does it… again! Get this: measurements of Titan’s orbit indicate that it may have an underground ocean of water and ammonia. Water and hydrocarbons make for a promising mix.
Images:
1. Salts Spotted
Odyssey’s Thermal Emission Imagining System pinpointed salt deposits, indicated in blue. This image was taken in false color in order to highlight differences in surface minerals.
Image credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Arizona State University/University of Hawaii
2. A Moon with Atmosphere
A fabulous colorized image of Saturn’s largest moon. Titan is the only moon in our Solar System that has a dense atmosphere.
Credits: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute
3. Zooming In
The Mars Reconnaissance orbiter gives us these views of the surface. This image provides higher-resolution views of the site selected by Mars Odyssey, above.
Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona/Arizona State University/University of Hawaii
As always, I am grateful to NASA and JPL for their permission to use images.