Why aren’t there any green stars?

Actually, there are a lot of them, including our own Sun!



Thanks to Peter for this item. / star stars astronomer astronomy black body radiator black body radiation spectrum spectra planet brown dwarf black hole visible light radio waves infrared infra-red infra red ultraviolet ultra-violet ultra violet Xrays X-rays X rays peak black hole light black body curve emission spectra spectrum peak peaks temperature higher energy light shorter wavelength gamma rays visible light shine human eye sensitive sensitivity cells retina rods cones color colour red blue green see primary colours Doctor Michelle Thaller Dr. Michelle Thaller Ask an Astronomer Spitzer Space Telescope NASA /

24 tons of towering stone & grace, held together with compression

Vaulted archway at the entrance to the stadium, Olympia, Greece, 200 BC¹
Credit: https://baderjournal.wordpress.com/2016/05/30/katakolon-greece-olympia/

Vaults, constructed without mortar, hidden substructure, or other means of support (apart from compression) have been known since antiquity. Viewed in that light, structures such as that shown above are extraordinary.

But the vault below has the same absence of hidden support!


Armadillo Vault, Venice, Italy, 2016
Credit: Iwan Baan/Dezeen Magazine

If the entire structure looks as if it's about to collapse, consider this: “A football team could dance on top of it.” – Philippe Block, ETH, Zurich

“Other means of support”, during construction:


Credit: Anna Maragkoudaki/Dezeen Magazine

More
http://www.wired.com/2016/06/compression-keeps-24-tons-stone-collapsing/?mbid=nl_6816

Wikepedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vault_(architecture)
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¹ Wikipedia: “Olympia, Greece”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympia,_Greece / 24 tons of towering stone grace held together with compression compression nature nature’s glue Armadillo Vault self-supporting pavilion comprising 399 limestone slabs spanning 52 feet curving bending columns 13th-century Venice building this year’s Architecture Biennale no glue no mortar no hidden substructure 24-ton edifice doesn’t collapse really smart architecture architects engineers opposition between compression pushing together tension pulling apart Eiffel Tower stone-clad cathedrals Europe every bridge ever rely on balancing these two forces Armadillo Vault different direction limestone blocks series of conjoined arches classic form turns compression into strength stands minimalist system tension ties helps balance structure at the ground level need a little help imagine this kind of shape computation Philippe Block research group ETH Zurich developed develop development Armadillo Vault Block Research Group software package RhinoVAULT designed let architects manipulate tension compression forces 3D model design Armadillo inside world heritage site Corderie dell’Arsenale redistribute forces on the floor minimal footprint as possible undulating shape software both functional aesthetic build pavilion RhinoVAULT results assign blocks West Texas quarry numbers specific locations built wooden form inside pavilion laid the stones in place remove scaffolding stones support themselves not put a razor blade between the stones pretty tough football team could dance on top of it American football team walking inside visitors see forces acting on the blocks ceiling visual representation physics Armadillo Vault proof flowing sinuous forms buildings architects don’t need complex steel substructures design tools RhinoVAULT build same elaborate structures with far less material more honest representation of a geometry materials beautiful /

This umbrella tells you if you need to take it with you

Where is your umbrella when you need it? Often at home.

TARAbrella aims to solve this & other problems people have with umbrellas.

Not sure if you’ll need your umbrella? TARAbrella has a system of lights in the handle to warn of rain before you leave the house.



Solutions to other umbrella problems:

● Left it in the bus/train/taxi/coffee shop – Bluetooth tracker will remind you as you move out of range (~10 metres (30 feet))

● Adds weight to an already heavy bag/backpack – carbon fibre runner & framework for a weight of only 198 grams (7 ounces)

● Not specifically an umbrella problem, but a light in the crown lights the way & warns of your presence to motorists

Gizmag
http://www.gizmag.com/tarabrella-rain-predicting-umbrella/43678/

Cnet
http://www.cnet.com/au/news/is-a-smart-umbrella-a-dumb-idea/

Indiegogo project
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tarabrella-the-world-s-first-super-umbrella/x/9010251#/ / TARAbrell lightweight smart umbrella features integrated advanced weather detection system anti-lost tracker anti loss glowing LED tip carbon-fiber material construction five times stronger than steel TARA company behind new umbrella launched Indiegogo Campaign early-bird backers umbrella wall mount charging stand device color-changing LED display handle alerts you when it's umbrella weather umbrella's key features TARA feather weight 198 grams TARAbrella lighter than iPhone weather forecast system built-in pressure-sensing hardware provides accurate weather forecast 6 hours patented safety runner durability ease of use combine locked release with a simple click super LED light TARAbrella super LED light brighten up dark foggy places ensure the user's safety in hazardous conditions anti-lost loss tracker detachable clip alert wearer move more than a set amount of feet from the TARAbrella Bluetooth ergonomic design handle handle TARAbrella ergonomically fit in your hand comfortable hold for extended periods smooth texture crowdfunding campaign project crowdfunded project risk contributing campaign crowdfunding site policies Indiegogo refund policies campaign project /

Wild storms lash the coast of Eastern Australia

Sydney beachfront homes may need to be dismantled – engineer
Credit: ABC – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

No one weather event proves that climate change is happening. However, the series of unusual weather events, world wide, that have been on-going for a number of years, together, form a substantial body of evidence. Just one such event is the extraordinary storm that, at the moment, is battering the east coast of Australia.

NSW weather: Sydney's beachfront homes may need to be partially dismantled, engineer says
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-07/sydney-weather-storm-damaged-beachfront-homes-likely-dismantled/7487056

In the face of this & other events world wide, many see the firing of up to 350 climate scientists from Australia's CSIRO, (Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation) as extraordinarily ill advised.

East coast erosion should stop CSIRO from cutting climate jobs: planning expert
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-07/east-coast-erosion-should-stop-csiro-from-cutting/7485650

Other signs of climate change

11 record hot months in a row
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/04/11-record-hot-months-in-row.html

Recent unusual weather worldwide calls for urgent preventive action, UN official warns
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52915#.V1aGwZOGORs

Why We’ll Keep Having Weird Weather in 2016
http://time.com/4164945/weird-weather-2016/ / East coast erosion stop CSIRO cutting climate jobs planning expert expert coastal planning massive erosion along the east coast wake up call for all political parties CSIRO good reason to halt plans cut climate scientists jobs Professor Barbara Norman chair of urban and regional planning University of Canberra The World Today protecting coastal properties responsibility of State Government planning legislation coastal planning expert massive erosion along the east coast of Australia wakeup call wake up call wake-up call all political parties reason CSIRO halt plans cut the jobs climate scientists fire Professor Barbara Norman chair or urban and regional planning University of Canberra State Government local councils responsible protecting coastal properties State Government responsibility planning legislation planning acts implementing state policy State Government risks and liabilities for coastal planning dumping it on local councils we were starting to get some good coastal planning around Australia national coordination floods on the weekend coastal planning controls Queensland New South Wales New South Wales and Queensland Governments Australian Federal Government review coastal controls New South Wales proposed set of reforms Queensland develop a new state coastal plan population is growing most of that growth is expected to be along the coast particularly the east coast consequences big challenge national challenge National Government projections this country growth coastal Australia primarily on the eastern sea board seaboard sea-board expansion continuing urban pressures risks of climate change very very significant public policy issue other countries United States well funded National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration NOAA other examples in other countries national coastal plan national coastal strategy national framework ministers work together support State Governments local governments election campaign urging all sides of politics national plan 25 reports nationally inquiries last 30 years all with the same message we need a national coastal strategy ask all political leaders major political parties conservatives liberals Labor Greens commit to a national coastal strategy coastal development climate change global warming Great Barrier Reef resolved at the local level Governments at a national level money risk liabilities what's happening in the northern beaches in New South Wales who will pay for the costs of rehabilitation who will pay for the cost of repair National Government responsibility State Governments balanced approach development responsibility falls to local councils resources means deal with it political issue CSIRO scientists providing the data to local councils data disappears scientists disappearing councils Australia's east coast Sydney northern beaches a lot of erosion in northern New South Wales Queensland's Gold Coast for example wake-up call wake up wakeup call CSIRO sackings of the climate scientists should be a wake-up call we need science need clear data accessible data members of the public decision-makers transparency and accountability risks absolutely fundamental to solving these problems Australia CSIRO's future Asia-Pacific information serious work collaboration in our region /

Anniversary of the Battle of Midway 4-7 June 1942

Credit: heeve.com/

Although the Battle of Midway had been in preparation since the Battle of the Coral Sea one month earlier, & the battle itself continued for 4 days, it was substantially won & lost in the space of 5 minutes – at 10:20¹ on 04 June, attacks began which destroyed 3 Japanese aircraft carriers:

10:20¹ aircraft carrier Kaga
Akagi
10:25 Soryu

At 17:05 the same day, Japanese carrier Hiryu was also destroyed.

Dauntless dive bombers² accounted for all Japanese shipping losses.

Losses³

Japan

4 carriers sunk
1 heavy cruiser sunk
1 heavy cruiser damaged
248 aircraft destroyed
3,057 killed
37 captured

USA

1 carrier sunk
1 destroyer sunk
~150 aircraft destroyed
307 killed

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Midway

http://www.heeve.com/modern-history/the-battle-of-midway.html
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¹ “Battlefield S1/E3 - The Battle of Midway”, PolyGram Video International

² Wikipedia: “Douglas SBD Dauntless”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_SBD_Dauntless#Specifications_(SBD-5)

³ Wikipedia: “Battle of Midway”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Midway / Battle of Midway decisive naval battle Pacific Theater of World War II World War 2 World War Two between 4 and 7 June 1942 six months after Japan attack on Pearl Harbor one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea United States of America USA US Navy Admirals Admiral Chester Nimitz Frank Jack Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance decisively defeated attack attacking fleet Imperial Japanese Navy Admirals Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Nobutake Kondo Midway Atoll inflicting devastating damage Japanese fleet irreparable military historian John Keegan most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare operation earlier attack on Pearl Harbor eliminate the United States as a strategic power in the Pacific Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere Japanese demoralizing defeat force U.S.A. capitulate Pacific War ensure Japanese dominance in the Pacific luring American aircraft carriers trap occupying Midway overall barrier strategy extend Japan's defensive perimeter response Doolittle air raid on Tokyo operation preparatory preparation further attacks Fiji Samoa Hawaii plan handicapped faulty Japanese assumptions American reaction poor initial dispositions American codebreakers determine date location planned attack forewarned U.S. U.S.A. US USA Navy prepare ambush four Japan's large aircraft carriers Akagi Kaga Soryu Hiryu six-carrier force that had attacked Pearl Harbor six months earlier heavy cruiser sunk U.S. lost aircraft carrier Yorktown destroyer Battle of Midway exhausting attrition Solomon Islands campaign Japan's capacity replace losses materiel particularly aircraft carriers men well-trained pilots maintenance crewmen mounting casualties United States massive industrial training capabilities losses easier to replace Battle of Midway considered turning point in the Pacific War /

Looks like a burger, tastes like a burger ...

Credit: Nellie Bowles/The Guardian

Rule of thumb is that it takes 10 plant calories to make 1 meat calorie. It follows that, in general, 10 times as many calories are available by eating plant based foods, rather than animals. Environmental impact of plant based foods has a similar advantage. Cattle in particular, have a large carbon footprint due to the amount of methane produced in their digestive tract, & release mainly orally.¹

With this in mind, a start up called Impossible Foods, is attempting to create a plant-based burger which is indistinguishable from one made from meat.

Guests at a burger-tasting on Wednesday involving hundreds of burgers (see image above) were generally impressed.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/02/impossible-foods-plant-burger-taste-test

http://www.techinsider.io/impossible-foods-burger-2016-5
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¹ Dr Karl Kruszelnicki: “Cow burps bump up methane”, http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2010/10/05/3029973.htm / Raj Aggarwal took a bite burger chewed chew taste texture tastes like a burger very tasty founder startup Localytics not quite bloody enough though bloody burger made of plants fake meat startup Impossible Foods bloody Impossible Foods burgers realistic uncompromising meat eater won’t be able to tell the difference offset environmental damage cows cattle beef satiate beef-hungry American population consumes 10bn 10 billion pounds of ground beef every year appeals to a hardcore meat lover vegetables Impossible Foods founder CEO Pat Brown Code Conference California deep molecular investigation desirable properties texture juiciness the aromas how it cooks faux burgers New York City restaurant restaurant Impossible Foods employee veggie burger makers Silicon Valley startup in heavy secrecy Code Conference tech-focused event Impossible Foods mass–tasting hundreds of burgers all food manufacturing relies on technology to some extent history food nature combined with human ingenuity Bread plant meat professor Department of Biochemistry biggest threat to the global environment use of animals for food replace meat marketplace market place approach creating food outperforms this market /

2 weeks with Android N Beta

Credit: digitlab.info

Android N has some interesting new features, including:
● enhanced notifications
● native multi-window mode
● fast app switching

JR Raphael found these & other enhancements so compelling, that he decided to try the beta on his personal phone:
http://www.computerworld.com/article/3077992/android/android-n-beta.html

Want to try the beta? The easy way? – site linked below appears to be down at 01:20 Saturday 08oct2016 – image above impacted too
http://digitlab.info/How-to-install-Android-N-Preview-OTA-Update-via-Android-Beta-Program-Easy-way/

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_N / Android N beta on my personal phone living with Google's latest pre-release software don't try this at home using Google's new Android N Beta Nexus 9 tablet put the software onto my own personal phone Nexus 6P using pre-release software developer preview work in progress smart phone smartphone smart-phone rely on morning to night risk Android Google first beta-quality candidate considered stable enough to run on your primary device first two Android N developer previews intended for developers only daily or consumer use N previews tablet device new Android N Beta stability Android N beta inside my pocket Android N device you carry all day different perspective state of the software real-world user experience third pre-release Android N impressively smooth and snappy using a beta version in-progress OS update Android N feels immediately familiar generally a good thing operating system OS Android Google Marshmallow Android N pretty significant in day-to-day use Android N refined notifications 6.0-level device Google clusters of individual cards being grouped together app easily expandable Visual appeal Android N notification native ability respond to a message within its notification enhanced version workaround Google Hangouts feels noticeably more natural to use any app can take advantage of it developers update apps support the feature widespread utility Android N's addition native multi-window mode two apps on screen at the same time Samsung and other manufacturers Samsung devices easy to use value on a tablet productivity-oriented working on a document typing out an email viewing a Web page Android apps the fast-app switching feature Android N tap Overview key twice back and forth between your current process last app you were using flip between apps so quickly super convenient almost always easier taking the time to set up a side-by-side multi-window environment Android Android N' cleaned up Overview interface interface multiple similar-looking instances same app screen cluttered confusing useful Android limiting Overview seven most recently used apps feature much more practical customizable Share menu sharing any app apps Share menus standard system interface counterintuitive Android N expanded Quick Settings interface devices older Android software quick toggles main notification interface handy much better use of screen space control order contents fully expanded Quick Settings menu good Android N Beta third-party apps updated for full N-level optimization some apps Pandora Chrome wallpaper app restart the phone error messages pre-release OS update apps Android N cleaned up Overview menu Overview interface previous versions of Android compatibility issues software Nexus 6P software in a pre-release state final version /