God Particle Found?

Scientists Abuzz Over Controversial Rumor that God Particle Has Been Detected

Mike Wall, Senior Writer
Date: 22 April 2011 Time: 05:37 PM ET
God particle
This track is an example of simulated data modelled for the CMS detector on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. Here a Higgs boson is produced and then decays into two jets of hadrons and two electrons. The lines represent the possible paths of particles produced by the proton-proton collision in the detector while the energy these particles deposit is shown in blue.
CREDIT: CERN

A rumor is floating around the physics community that the world’s largest atom smasher may have detected a long-sought subatomic particle called the Higgs boson, also known as the “God particle.”

The controversial rumor is based on what appears to be a leaked internal note from physicists at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a 17-mile-long particle accelerator near Geneva, Switzerland. It’s not entirely clear at this point if the memo is authentic, or what the data it refers to might mean — but the note already has researchers talking.

to read more go to:    http://www.livescience.com/13853-higgs-boson-signal-lhc-cern.html

Solar Activity

fr/spaceweather.com

APPROACHING ACTIVE REGION: A sunspot located just behind the sun’s eastern limb erupted during the waning hours of May 9th, hurling a spectacular coronal mass ejection into space: movie. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory photographed hot magnetic loops towering over the edge of the sun in the aftermath of the explosion: must-see. Earth was not in the line of fire this time, but the active region is approaching the Earthside of the sun, so future blasts could be geoeffective.

Social & Economic Impacts of Severe Space Weather

Severe Space Weather–Social and Economic Impacts

(fr.2009, but still interesting and of note)

January 21, 2009: Did you know a solar flare can make your toilet stop working?

see captionThat’s the surprising conclusion of a NASA-funded study by the National Academy of Sciences entitled Severe Space Weather Events—Understanding Societal and Economic Impacts. In the 132-page report, experts detailed what might happen to our modern, high-tech society in the event of a “super solar flare” followed by an extreme geomagnetic storm. They found that almost nothing is immune from space weather—not even the water in your bathroom.

Right: Auroras over Blair, Nebraska, during a geomagnetic storm in May 2005. Photo credit: Mike Hollingshead/Spaceweather.com.

The problem begins with the electric power grid. “Electric power is modern society’s cornerstone technology on which virtually all other infrastructures and services depend,” the report notes. Yet it is particularly vulnerable to bad space weather. Ground currents induced during geomagnetic storms can actually melt the copper windings of transformers at the heart of many power distribution systems. Sprawling power lines act like antennas, picking up the currents and spreading the problem over a wide area. The most famous geomagnetic power outage happened during a space storm in March 1989 when six million people in Quebec lost power for 9 hours: image.

 

According to the report, power grids may be more vulnerable than ever. The problem is interconnectedness. In recent years, utilities have joined grids together to allow long-distance transmission of low-cost power to areas of sudden demand. On a hot summer day in California, for instance, people in Los Angeles might be running their air conditioners on power routed from Oregon. It makes economic sense—but not necessarily geomagnetic sense. Interconnectedness makes the system susceptible to wide-ranging “cascade failures.”To estimate the scale of such a failure, report co-author John Kappenmann of the Metatech Corporation looked at the great geomagnetic storm of May 1921, which produced ground currents as much as ten times stronger than the 1989 Quebec storm, and modeled its effect on the modern power grid. He found more than 350 transformers at risk of permanent damage and 130 million people without power. The loss of electricity would ripple across the social infrastructure with “water distribution affected within several hours; perishable foods and medications lost in 12-24 hours; loss of heating/air conditioning, sewage disposal, phone service, fuel re-supply and so on.”

“The concept of interdependency,” the report notes, “is evident in the unavailability of water due to long-term outage of electric power–and the inability to restart an electric generator without water on site.”

see caption

Above: What if the May 1921 superstorm occurred today? A US map of vulnerable transformers with areas of probable system collapse encircled. A state-by-state map of transformer vulnerability is also available: click here. Credit: National Academy of Sciences.

to read more, go to:http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2009/21jan_severespaceweather/

 

Cosmic Ray Hot Spots

Strange cosmic ray hotspots stalk southern skies

Cosmic rays crashing into the Earth over the South Pole appear to be coming from particular locations, rather than being distributed uniformly across the sky. Similar cosmic ray “hotspots” have been seen in the northern skies too, yet we know of no source close enough to produce this pattern.

“We don’t know where they are coming from,” says Stefan Westerhoff of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Westerhoff and colleagues used the IceCube neutrino observatory at the South Pole to create the most comprehensive map to date of the arrival direction of cosmic rays in the southern skies. IceCube detects muons produced by neutrinos striking ice, but it also detects muons created by cosmic rays hitting Earth’s atmosphere. These cosmic ray muons can be used to figure out the direction of the original cosmic ray particle.

to read more go to:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20436-strange-cosmic-ray-hotspots-stalk-southern-skies.html

 

May 1-7

Overall Color for the Week:    Bright Blue

The Earth is speaking very loudly right now.  In some cases she is shouting.  It is time to listen. It is time to see where then shifts and movements are happening.  There is a pattern and there is a reason. Things are coming together now in new ways, and as part of this, the old must be cleansed and washed out.  There is no anger in this, for the Earth is in all things just and connected to the Universal Consciousness.  We must, likewise, tune into that Universal Consciousness.  Honor your intuition and connect.

You know what is right and you know what is wrong.  The only thing that separates one from the other is action.  This is a week in which your actions can determine many things, including how the next seven months will turn out for you.  There are challenges on the horizon.  There are distractions.  There are people both on your side and otherwise.  Use your intuition this week and be wise in your actions; discriminate.  More can come out of this than you think.

On the larger scene, the world has turned into Tea Party types and people of integrity,  You will be seeing this more and more on the political scene,  not just here in the States, but throughout the world.  There is a cloud of darkness heading towards the Earth and those who are looking for control and who are ruled by ignorance are working to make sure that ir prevails.  It is most important that you, in everything you do and everything you are,  be aware of the truth.  Look beneath the surface and trust your inner knowing. There is work being done in all areas, some to blind and to distract, and some to make clear and unveil.  Know which is which.  This week some of the individuals who have been keeping a low profile while controlling things will find themselves being brought to the forefront.  They will not understand how or why this has happened, but it is a result of the thrust of the energy. They can no longer manipulate from behind the scenes.  And there is a light on the horizon.  Something incredibly positive is on its way, something unbelievable, like out of a myth.  Again, back up your electronics, be prepared for outages, and open up lines of communication with friends and neighbors.

Sunday, May 1:    Light Apricot

Beltane/May Day:     This is a day for getting to the core of things, however when you do, you may just find that the core needs to be broken open.  In order to do that, you need to know what its most important for you.  That is your key. There is a certain kind of magic in the air today that can take you outside of the quotidian into the more-than.  This can be very scary, but it is also liberating.  It is a place for you to move beyond the seeming into what really has meaning.  If you are ready, then go for it.  If you are not, know that the opportunity will return, and it behooves you to prepare for it.  And if you choose not to be a part of this, then that is okay for you.  There is no judgment.  It is all about what you are ready for.

Crystal Energy:    Chlorite Included Quartz—aka “The Potato Crusher”—As a digestive aid, works to break down carbs and allow for proper assimilation of nutrients. Generally, it assists with healing on all levels. Heart Chakra.

Monday, May 2:    Rose Pink

There is a quiet and a comfort in the air today.  It brings remembrance of things past, of a beloved grandparent, a favored pet, a time when things seemed ‘sweetness and light’.  These are memories to be treasured, to be savored.  They will act as support in the times to come.  Tears may be close to the surface today.  It is well to let them flow.  These times bring forth emotions, and it will just become more intense as times progress;  It is best to allow whatever is within to come forth when the feeling arises. This is not a time for storing for later.  This is a time for letting things flow. “To everything there is a season.”  And the season is now.

Crystal Energy:    Cerussite—-This mineral can assist with connection especially between the physical and the non-physical.  It resonates to the chakras above the seventh.

Tuesday, May 3:    Matte Silk

New Moon:    There is a kind of magic in the air today.  It is quiet and elusive, sylph-like.  You can catch it if you will just be open to the potentials all around you.  Under any circumstances, there is change in the air today and you will feel it from the moment you awake.  Whether you choose to make use of it or not is your choice.  This is a time of revision and moving beyond, bit everything happens in the time you so choose.  Take time today to feel what it is that is important for you.   Take time today to look around yourself and see what you can see.  Things may have changed.  You may see some unexpected things.

Crystal Energy:    Purple Aragonite—The energy of this stone is tuned to the double helix frequencies on all levels and in all permutations.  It assists in rising energy through the body and teaches the lessons of birth and death.  It resonates with all chakras.

Wednesday, May 4th:    Light Aquamarine

Today is a day to stand up for what it is that you are passionate about.  If you have enough energy and conviction, then no one can take you down.  It is time to know just what it is that makes you tick.  For too long we have let other persons and institutions dictate to us what is right for us.  Now it is time to do some soul searching and figure what it is that is most important for you.  Then be ready to go out and let the world know.  If you are strong in WHO you are, you will find that you are realizing your dreams much more quickly than you thought was possible.

Crystal Energy:    Black Tourmaline—The energy of this mineral assists with grounding and with clearing.  It works to draw together like minded individuals in harmony.  Root chakra.

Thursday, May 5:    Frosty White

Things will become clearer in the energy of this day.  The question is one of how much do you truly want to know.  There are things that have been happening around you, of which you were not aware, however you did have some sense that something was going on.  In the current energy, these things will drift to the surface.  This is a day for knowing what you can deal with and how much you are prepared to act when things become uncomfortable.  The choice is, as always, yours.  There is no blame in the energy of the day, only a caution.  Look at things before you act and act only when you are ready to have whatever happens happen.  If you prefer not to deal, then look away.

Crystal Energy:    Hemimorphite—-The energy of this silicate assists with the full functioning of the brain.  It resonates with the Third Eye and Crown Chakras.

Friday, May 6:    Dark Purple

Thoughts, ideas, dreams, and illusions are all part of what will be happening today.  You will find that your take on things will be different from what it usually is.  Your perspective is shifting, almost imperceptibly, and that slight bit of difference is what will intrigue you and cause you concern. It brings with it the feeling of having lost a bit of control, and at this time, people find it very important to be in control.  Furthermore, things will be coming your way today that will bring up to you truths about yourself that you would rather not acknowledge.  The best course today is to be open to what comes.  Allow it to be there, and see it for what it is.  Take hold of the lessons there, and move on.  By so doing, you will have learned a lot and progressed even more.

Crystal Energy:     Psilomelane—-The energy of this element is very grounding, giving one the sense of coming home.  It resonates with the first two chakras.

Saturday, May 7:    Dark Cerulean

Derby Day:    Know what it is that you stand for.  Know what it is that is important for you.  Be strong in that knowing and be assured that righteousness will ultimately prevail.  This is a day on which old values and new knowing can clash. You may find yourself having to make a choice between friends, between family members.  Be strong in WHO you are and you will win the day.  This is not to be the heavy, rather to let you know how much power you have in every situation when you decide to act on what you know in your heart to be right.

3D Satellite View of Storms

Satellite Captures 3-D View of Violent Storms that Ravaged the US on April 27-28

by NANCY ATKINSON on APRIL 28, 2011

A simulated 3-D flyby of the TRMM satellite around severe storms on Aprill 28, 2011. Credit: NASA/SSAI, Hal Pierce

NASA’s Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite captured 3-D images of severe thunderstorms that were spawning tornadoes over the eastern United States on April 28, detecting massive thunderstorms and very heavy rainfall. Tornadoes associated with this extremely unstable weather left at least 202 dead across the Eastern U.S, with injuries numbering over a thousand.

To read the rest of the article and view the other images, go to:

http://www.universetoday.com/85244/satellite-captures-3-d-view-of-violent-storms-that-ravaged-the-us-on-april-27-28/

 

Emerging Solar Flares

fr/spaceweather.com

SOLAR FLARES: Emerging sunspot complex 1195-1196 is crackling with M-and C-class solar flares. John Stetson and students in South Portland, Maine, caught one of them in this snapshot taken April 21st at 1500 UT:

“Big sunspot 1193 was an attractive target,” says Stetson, “but the real action was taking place around the sun’s southeastern limb.” Indeed, that is where readers with solar telescopes should point their optics. AR1195-1196 is growing in complexity and more flares could be in the offing.

 

Solar Image

STRANGE BEAUTY: It’s been almost a year since NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory began taking pictures of the sun. As the first anniversary of First Light approaches on April 21st, researchers are taking stock of the observatory’s many accomplishments. One of the most profound results turns out to be aesthetic: the sun is more beautiful than anyone imagined. Consider the following extreme ultraviolet image, taken just hours ago, of the magnetic canopy of sunspot complex 1191-1193:

This stunning snapshot is actually routine material for SDO. The observatory produces a daily torrent of beauty that, even now, mission scientists haven’t grown used to. Normally unflappable researchers are frequently caught staring slack-jawed at SDO movies. And when they’re done, they don’t have the vocabulary to describe what they have seen. Many of the phenomena SDO catches have no textbook names. SDO’s starscapes may turn out to be as prized to poets, artists, and writers as they are to no-nonsense solar physicists.

fr/spaceweather.com

 

Teleportation Happens

Quantum Leap: Bits of Light Teleported to Another Place

Clara Moskowitz, LiveScience Senior Writer
Date: 14 April 2011 Time: 02:01 PM ET
An illustration of the quantum teleportation of
An illustration of the quantum teleportation of ‘Schrodinger’s Cat’ wave packets of light.
CREDIT: Science/AAAS

Our world is getting closer to “Star Trek” every day, it seems. Scientists announced today (April 14) they’ve been able to teleport special bits of light from one place to another, a la “Beam me up, Scotty.”

While the advance doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll ever be able to teleport people, it does represent some pretty nifty, mind-bending physics.

Teleportation requires taking advantage of a quirk of quantum physics called entanglement. Two particles can be bonded so that even when separated by large distances, they communicate instantly, and what happens to one affects the other. (It’s a situation so bizarre Einstein called it “spooky action at a distance.”)

to read more go to: http://www.livescience.com/13715-teleportation-schrodingers-cat-quantum-light.html