(link) On a Mission to the Ball of Fire - The Sun

NASA Article - Author: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA

For quite some time, NASA has sought to solve one of the greatest mysteries in our Solar System, the Sun and all of her dynamics and science. 

Set to launch no later than 2018, this will bring great and imaginative minds together with Science and Physics beyond what I can comprehend. There will be new strides made in making materials that can withstand the heat of the Sun.

According to Lika Guhathakurta, "Solar Probe+ is going where no spacecraft has gone before," Guhathakurta is a Solar Probe+ program scientist at NASA HQ. "For the first time, we'll be able to 'touch, taste and smell' the sun", he stated.

Last year NASA sent invitations around the world inviting great minds and think tanks to submit proposals of possible scientific investigations that could be done with the probe. (The size of the Solar Probe they are sending is about 'smart car' size. (link) What the Solar Probe Will Look Like) Out of 13 Proposals, 5 were chosen:

1. SWEAP -  Solar wind electrons Alphas & Protons Investigation
2. WISPR  -   the Wide-field Imager for Solar Probe Plus 
3. FIELDS -  The Fields Investigation for the Solar Probe Plus
4. ISIS       -    Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun
5. Human -   Solar Probe+ Investigative Scientist (Marco Velli)

There are two questions that scientists have wanted to find answers to...

Why is the sun's atmosphere is so much hotter than its surface? 

what propels the solar wind?

Amazon Books You may Find Interesting!

Mission to the Sun

Mission to Saturn: Cassini and the Huygens Probe

Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator

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NOAA Protects Marine Life

(link) NOAA News Announcement - Marine Animal Protection 

August 23, 2010

This announcement states that the NOAA, has given the Navy a guide to protections for Marine Mammals and other Aquatic Life.

Perhaps I am misinterpreting, but this is really a just a guideline that those who are set up to protect our Ocean's and Marine Wildlife have given. 

As I read it, these are mere suggestions and what NOAA would like to see happen. I notice that the MMPA has been fashioned to this point, to exempt the very ones who do the most damage to our Oceans and all of the life therein.

I have read several news reports recently where pilot whales are washing up, starved and thirsting to death. In the last several months, there have been 25, 45, 12 washing up in droves. Who is going to mitigate that? What is mitigation in the destruction of an entire habitat.(link) Fishing Industry Starving Whales? 

[more links below]

Is it not cruelty that it is acceptable to cause deafness and imbalance to Sea Mammals. One of the "guidelines" given were, "if the Navy personnel, notice Marine activity, within a certain distance, they are to stop underwater explosions and certain Sonar use that causes confusion and sometimes death.

Under the authorization the Navy is required to follow mitigation measures to minimize effects on marine mammals including:

• establishing marine mammal safety zones around each vessel using sonar;
• using Navy observers to shut down sonar operations if marine mammals are seen within designated safety zones;
• using exclusion zones, to ensure that explosives are not detonated when animals are detected within a certain distance; and
• implementing a stranding response plan that includes a training shutdown provision in certain circumstances and allows for the Navy to contribute in-kind services to NOAA’s Fisheries Service if the agency has to conduct a stranding response and investigation.

NOAA’s Fisheries Service and the Navy have worked to develop a robust monitoring plan that includes extensive survey and photo-identification databases that will strengthen the marine mammal density and distribution data available in the Mariana Islands. Additionally, the Navy has developed (with input from NOAA’s Fisheries Service) an integrated comprehensive monitoring plan to prioritize monitoring goals and standardize data collection methods across all of their U.S. range complexes.

I don't know about you, but the last time I was on a job, if it had been up to a Contractor, or Owner to "notice" something that would change their schedule or the course of their day, it would definitely go "Unnoticed".

It appears that no one is responsible anymore for the Protection of our Oceans and the Life therein. Why make an Act at all? Why make exemptions for ITA, to the very ones who do the most destruction. What is mitigation to a dead world? Who do you pay for that? God...

I am afraid our careless demeanor in caring for our Planet will be our own demise. Is there anything that can be done? No. Probably not. Considering that "Energy" and Oil/Gas Exploration simply must file for a permit to "accidentally" kill a bunch of Marine Mammals and Aquatic life, I think it is safe to say, kiss our Oceans goodbye. 

I do hope humans enjoy living on a planet as plain, dry desert as Mars. Everyday I must wonder, if Mars once was as green and lush as Earth used to be...because in my 50 years, I have watched jungles, forests and entire populations of animals, disappear. Even more startling, is we are losing entire cultures of Peoples by the destruction of their habitat. This has been happening several hundreds of years .

(link) Incidental Taking of Marine Life - Permits and Exemptions

(link) Marine Mammal Protection Act - and Exceptions 

(link) PDF File of 1972 MMPA - to stop the eradication of Marine Mammal Species 

(link) Experts check Stranded Whales for Injuries

(link) Whales threatened by toxic metals

ESA - Observing the Earth - Greenland glacier gives birth to giant iceberg

(link) ESA - Observing the Earth - Greenland glacier gives birth to giant iceberg

Send out the announcements! One of the largest glaciers on our planet just recently gave birth to a Giant Iceberg!  In the Glacial Household, this is referred to as Calving. Yes similar to a buffalo giving birth to a calf. For all those who are considered "deniers" of Climate Change and/or Global Warning, this is just a cute story manufactured by Hippies and Tree Huggers, go back to Watching Fox, you may lose the momentum of brainwashing. It would be a shame if you started looking at facts, and were to think for yourself. Hurry, I think Glenn is about to rant and rave that the First Lady was in Spain for a worldwide PETA meeting...

Now, for those of you who are free to evaluate information, please use the Link at the top of the page to see a historic event in Environmental change. To be clear, the Greenland glacier, calving an iceberg, is not an increase in the polar cap. I promise.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has a satellite called Envisat. Envisat is one of many of ESA's satellites orbiting our solar system, and keeping watch over our Universe. The type of system that is used in Envisat is called Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR). ASAR image captures of July 31, 2010, August 4, 2010 and Saturday, the 7th, 2010 showed movement, and the breaking of what is called the glacial tongue.

(The photo on the Right shows cracks and breaking of the glacial tongue on August 4th, 2010.)

Until August of this year, the glacier was moving at about 1km per year. On August 3rd the ice tongue was intact...the next day it separated from the glacier. That was calving, or the Glacier giving birth to the iceberg.

(The photo on the left is a 1991 image of the Petermann Glacier of NW Greenland.)

At this time, ESA in partnership with other agencies are monitoring the Strait of Nares. It's size at 245 square km is enormous...in the U.S. measure it is about 8 square miles big. Perhaps Sara Palin can see it from her backyard.

The Nares Strait connects the Lincoln Sea and Arctic Ocean with the Baffin Bay. The strait is usually navigable by icebreakers during August/September, when sea ice extent is at its minimum after the summer melt period. Envisat ASAR images will be used in the coming days to monitor the movement of the giant iceberg in support of icebreaker navigation.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the ESA for the beautiful imagry, and for monitoring our globe. Perhaps with this warning, and quick dispersal of the Petermann Glacier human beings will wake up and quit taking our plant for granted. This rapid loss of Glacial Ice this quickly is something Earth has not seen in recorded history. What will happen? I don't know.

CDC - Reports on Gulf Oil Disaster 2010 - Human Health

(link)Deep Water Horizon - Emergency Report on Health Effects - 2010

Today's Report is a detailed explanation of Human Health effects being monitored by the CDC (Center for Disease Control).

• The Gulf Coast Oil Spill can affect human health. Hydrocarbon products produced from petroleum - have toxic effects. Crude light petroleum is not as bad, but it is not healthy.
• Crude oil contains over 1000 compounds (hydrocarbons are the clincher). Alkanes, cycloalkanes - mixed with - organic compounds have nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. Other substances that are alarming, and dangerous are metals, such as iron, nickel, copper and vanadium. The scientific community can expound.
• This report states that the lighter hydrocarbons that include benzene, xylene, toluene evaporate within the first 1- 2 days. Usually before reaching shore
• The medium and heavy oils often make near to or land on shore. This is also called "weathered" crude oil or "mousse." The dangers come from particulate matter (too small to see with the human eye. ppm = parts per million are how particulate matter is measured.
• The particulate matter is from the Fumes of the "mousse" that comes near to, or lands on the shore.
• The "weathered" crude oil fumes, can cause "oil burns", and fumes created from the mix with oil dispersant's are toxic to human health. How much harm depends on many factors.
• One study, (1991 NIOSH) shows the first effect is irritated mucus membranes.
• Real symptoms of mental or behavioral health - Anxiety, Stress and Depression have been frequently seen in previous oil spill disasters (Aguilera 2010) The mental conditions must be considered when treating patients. (No, it is not 'all in your head.')

The summation of this announcement is that for individuals who are easily affected by respiratory irritants, those who have been exposed to the toxic fumes need to find a clean air, and clean water source. Get into an air conditioned area with recycling air.

If a person is contaminated on the skin, wash with soap and water immediately. DO NOT USE GASOLINE-SOLVENTS - or INDUSTRIAL CLEANERS - in a tight spot, you can use Baby Oil or tanning lotion to remove oily, tar-like residues.

Children and women who are expecting should not be exposed to the oil, contaminated water, or fumes.

To Report Health concerns call 1-800-222-1222 or online at http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/About/FindLocalPoisonCent


This report, (available at the Link on the top of the page) goes on to recommend resources and steps for finding help for patients affected by the Deep Water Horizon toxic, human physical & mental health issues.


The best advice is to avoid waters and air affected by the "mousse" and fumes.


Workers who are responding to clean-up efforts will be affected mentally and emotionally - it is that being Human thing. Under "Mental Health" the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will respond. http://www.samhsa.gov/Disaster


National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Traumatic Incident Stress: Information for Deep water Horizon ResponseWorkers and Volunteers - http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/oilspillresponse/

This Is Not A Move For Clean Energy! This is a Push for Nuclear, Natural Gas Extraction, and "Clean Coal"

The Department of Energy & Department of National Security Sign a Mutual Agreement!

I do not know who is really in charge of the U.S. Department of Energy, but they know the only way they will continue to have their Power and High Paying Jobs is to keep the Energy Companies putting out Dirty Energy.

So much money is made in Mountaintop-Removal Coal Mining, Nuclear Energy and Natural Gas Extraction, that there will never be Environmental Justice!

In Government Speak, a "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU), is a little private negotiation that is made between government agencies to work together. The idea that the U.S. Department of Defense has been in the background making plans to "accelerate clean energy innovation & enhance national Energy Security - Is a frightening thing.

means if you protest against Natural Gas Extraction, or Nuclear Power, you can be considered an enemy combatant against National Security.

I have spent years, trying to give understanding to the regular everyday person who may not understand all of these acronyms and other Governmenteze that non-regulators or non-attorney are expected to understand. Out of 1000 people, maybe 3 or 4 will respond. In this case it is More than Vital that you contact your Senators, Representatives (sic), and President to let them know this is not acceptable, and it is NOT in the best interest of our Ecology or Economy.

It will be putting the same old boys who manipulated Regulations and Pollution Laws to benefit the Dirtiest Energy Providers. There must be a New Economy. There must be a Looking Up for our energy needs. These Energy Oligarchy's have been in charge, taking 20 - 30 percent of each Americans income per month...just to keep the lights on.

If this is not challenged now, and it is approved in all of its splendor, our Earth will not survive the completion of the 24 new Nuclear Plants, or legalization of "Clean-Coal Technologies" There is no such thing as Clean Coal. One more time, I am asking proponents of Honest Clean Energy to consider Energy from the beginning to end. Waste By-Products and the Environmental Damage done in obtaining resources for our Energy generation.

Stop this Today! I beg of you, please protest this with the people you voted into office!

Power from the Sun: A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity

Rural Electric Co-op Settles to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations

(link) - Department of Justice (DOJ) Announcement                                     Friday, July 23, 2010

"Indiana-Based Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative Reaches Settlement to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations: Marks 20th Settlement Under U.S. Power Plant Enforcement Initiative" 

When an Environmental Case reaches the Department of Justice, this means that a business or industry who violate Federal Pollution rules, laws or statutes, have been 'sued' by the Federal Government.

In this case; US vs. Hoosier Energy Rural Electric, The Power plants have agreed to reduce their pollution emissions by more than 24,500 tons per year. Hoosier will pay a civil penalty of $950,000.00 and spend $5,000,000.00 on their own business properties and in undoing some of the damage (mitigation) that their excess pollutants have done. I don't know how you can clean air, that is riddled with metals and other particulates (microscopic pieces of toxins that adhere to the hydrogen (water & oxygen) in the Air.

The Coal-Fire plants; Merom and Ratts Stations are in the Southwest area of Indiana.

This is a proposed settlement - lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and is subject to a 30-day Public Comment period and Final Court approval...

Citizens, I pray you know this means it is Very Important to get involved and respond during the Public Comment Period...If not, what can happen is a few people who are a part of this Co-op, will convince everyone that as a Co-op, every electric customer will end up paying for this...and won't it be better to just forego the fines, or reduce them to a couple of thousand dollars? Then, the Energy owners will pitch and moan how much it is going to cost to retro-fit their facilities; again paid for by the Victims, better known as Customers.

The "customers" at Merom have a per capita income of nearly $17,000.00. Only 86% have a high school diploma. Only 20% are employed in the coal industry, the rest are wood products, and construction. Merom residents will not have a voice, they will not have a say...That is not Environmental Justice!

I cannot locate any information on the town of Ratts, only that it is adjacent to Bloomington, Indiana.

There is no link on the DOJ website, nor on the Southern District Court of Indiana for public comments. I went to (link) The US District Court - Southern District of Indiana's Web Site ,and the only way you can communicate with them is through a PACER System. The PACER system requires a credit card for validation purposes, but practicing attorneys have membership...wonder how many Citizens in Southern District of Indiana have a credit card? This means there is not a way given to unrepresented Citizens to comment. This means, Industry will be the only ones able to comment on this proposed settlement...

Forwarded complaint to DOJ, Sierra Club and RePower America, due to the lack of available resources for Public Comment.

USGS Release: Media Advisory: Congressional Briefing: Thinking Regionally, Acting Locally (7/19/2010 3:05:05 PM)

USGS Release: Media Advisory: Congressional Briefing: Thinking Regionally, Acting Locally (7/19/2010 3:05:05 PM)

Meeting to be held July 23, 2010

Natural Resources Challenges On a Large Scale

Contacts: Catherine Puckett - 352-278-0165
Alex Demas - 703-648-4421


This U.S.G.S. briefing will focus on Landscape-scale Science & how it can be used to make decisions on impacts. The focus will pay attention to the Wyoming Conservation Land programs to make the world a friendlier place for water, land and sky critters. There will be discussion surrounding optimum land-use. Focus will be given to at-risk and endangered species.


This briefing will be at 1334 Longworth House Office Building, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC

~*~ July 23, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

Host- The Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment


To Write to the Office of Communication:

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey   
Office of Communication
119 National Center
Reston, VA 20192


This is specifically being held for the media, minutes and copies of this meeting may be requested. The release by the USGS States that decision makers need ideas to "secure water for cities and wildlife, to adapt to climate change...


Learn how researchers look at the natural world and how their perspective informs public policy.