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Sunday, January 16, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Anti Mater

It turns out thunderstorms pack a much bigger punch than most people think. In the mid-1990s, we found that lightning and the associated electric field above a thunderstorm can be strong enough to produce a gamma ray blast detectable from space. These terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) are believed to occur all over the world at a rate of about 500 per day. Researchers using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope have discovered a similar, but previously undetected phenomena: the production of an antimatter beam from the top of these storms.
Fermi is built to observe and measure gamma rays from anywhere in the Universe, but it has also been used to look at terrestrial events as well. Over its first three years, Fermi has identified 130 TGFs. These TGFs have included gamma rays with an energy of 511 keV—the energy signature of an electron-positron annihilation event.
In all but four of these TGF events, the Fermi observatory was directly over a thunderstorm. Scientists hypothesize that the strong electrical field found at the top of thunderstorms can, under the right conditions, create "an upward avalanche of electrons." These electrons are accelerated to nearly the speed of light, and when they bounce off air molecules, they emit high-energy gamma rays—the TGFs.
So many high-energy gamma rays are created that some literally turn from energy to mass in the form of an electron-positron pair. These particles and antiparticles then reach orbit, triggering Fermi's sensors when the positron collides with its regular matter counterpart.
The times when an antimatter collision was detected and Fermi was not directly over a thunderstorm provide an interesting glimpse into where these particles go. On December 14, 2009, Fermi was located over Egypt and picked up the positron-electron annihilation's signature; however, the nearest electrical storm was occurring some 2,800 miles to the south in Zambia. This storm existed below Fermi's line of sight, below the horizon, so there was no way that the observatory could have picked up the TGF directly.
It seems that the particles emitted by the storm were being swept along in a helical motion, traveling in a south-to-north direction along the Earth's magnetic field lines. As they swept past the Fermi telescope, their signature was picked up. As they continued their path up the magnetic field line, they reached the ionosphere north of Fermi's location. Here, the particles bounced and began heading south again along the field line. A secondary signal was observed as the particles again washed over the Fermi a mere 23 milliseconds later.
This work has led the researchers to conclude that all TGFs are associated with electron/positron beams that spray high energy particles into space. Their work is set to be published in an upcoming edition of Geophysical Research Letters.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A passenger in a hired limousine leaned over to ask the driver
For the time and gently tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.
The driver shrieked, lost control of the vehicle, nearly hit a
Bus, drove up over the curb and stopped just inches from a large plate
Glass window.
For a few moments everything was silent in the cab. Then, the still shaking driver said, "Are you OK? I'm so sorry, but you scared the daylights out of me."
The badly shaken passenger apologized to the driver and said he didn't realize that a mere tap on the shoulder would startle the driver so badly.
The driver replied, "No, no, I'm the one who is sorry, it's entirely my fault.
Today is my very first day driving a limo, I've been driving a hearse for the past 25 years."
Friday, January 7, 2011
Gifted with one of the most angelic and heart-opening voices of our time, Angelina is often compared to Sarah Brightman and Charlotte Church.
Armand's brilliant compositions, powerful vocals and engaging presence inspire us all to love life passionately.
Come and hear them sing their versions of "Ave Maria, songs from "Romeo and Juliet," "Titanic," and the "Phantom of the Opera," plus many of their original love songs.
DATE: Monday, Jan. 11th, 7 p.m.
VENUE: Center for Spiritual Living, 4600 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa 33617
DONATION: Generous Love Offering
ALSO, at the same location:
The day before, Sunday, 1/9/11, at 12:30, Armand and Angelina are conducting a NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTE PLAYSHOP.
LEARN TO PLAY THE NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTE!
For centuries people have been mesmerized by the hypnotic sounds from these gentle, easy-to-play flutes.
Whether you have a musical background or have always wanted to play a musical instrument, this playshop is for you.
Please join Armand and Angelina for a fun, magical day of music. Flutes will be available to play and can be purchased if you wish.
Center for Spiritual Living
4600 E. Busch Blvd.
Tampa 33617
TIME: 12:30
DONATION: Love Offering
For more about Armand & Angelina, visit their website: www.armandandangelina.com
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
A couple weeks ago, I told you that Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski had released a proposal on net neutrality--but that we didn't have enough of the details to know whether it was a strong one.
Unfortunately, now that we've got more information about his proposal, it's becoming clear that without significant changes it would take us in the wrong direction.
Although the Obama administration is on record as supporting net neutrality, the draft leaves far too many loopholes for corporations to prioritize certain content on the Internet, and even legitimizes some discriminatory behavior.
In short, as it's currently written, it's worse than nothing.From Al *:)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Here's what to do:
First - Vote on this one.
Second - Send it to other folks and have THEM vote - then we will see if the results get published.
The Question is:
"Does the Second Amendment give individuals the right to bear arms?”
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Make Ma Ma Happy *:)
Dangerous | Safer | Safest | Ultra Safe |
What’s for dinner? | Can I help you with dinner? | Where would you like to go for dinner? | Here, have some wine. |
Are you wearing that? | You sure look good in brown! | WOW! Look at you! | Here, have some wine. |
What are you so worked up about? | Could we be overreacting? | Here’s my paycheck. | Here, have some wine. |
Should you be eating that? | You know, there are a lot of apples left. | Can I get you a piece of chocolate with that? | Here, have some wine. |
What did you DO all day? | I hope you didn’t over-do it today. | I’ve always loved you in that robe! | Here, have some wine. |