Articles by Oralloy

AR-15 lower receiver created with a 3-D printer:

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Every few years, we get a new higher-resolution image of the Cosmic Microwave Background, and the Planck Space Observatory just delivered our latest update:

Full resolution:
http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=51553
(Note the “Image Hi-Res Versions” section in the right hand column.)

Comparison with the resolution of our previous best image:
http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=51554

A look at some of the structures observable in the pattern:
http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=51559

I wasn’t paying attention when Yahoo closed the “news” messageboards, so I don’t know how they went about it.

But on the morning of March 2, the regular Yahoo messageboards were given notice that all boards would be closed on April 1.

Then, on the evening of March 3, before most boards had organized an alternative home, all posting was disabled.

The Hubble Space Telescope has done a long exposure (holding the shutter open for days at a time) of the edge of the universe using the Wide Field Camera 3, producing what will probably be the most distant image of the universe that the Hubble will ever produce (since it isn’t scheduled to receive another camera upgrade).

They’ve found a galaxy with a redshift of 11.9

More details here: http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2012/48/full/

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“Java 7 Update 10 and earlier Java 7 versions contain an unspecified vulnerability that can allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.”

“This vulnerability is being attacked in the wild, and is reported to be incorporated into exploit kits. Exploit code for this vulnerability is also publicly available. We have confirmed that Windows, OS X, and Linux platforms are affected. Other platforms that use Oracle Java 7 may also be affected.”

http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA13-010A.html

http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/62561

No leaks so far.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/business/energy-environment/breakaway-oil-rig-runs-aground-in-gulf-of-alaska.html

Apparently The Great Comet of 1680 was only one piece of a comet that broke apart.

Another piece is incoming:

http://www.space.com/17762-newfound-comet-dazzling-2013-display-c2012s1.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/09/120927-new-comet-2012-s1-ison-science-space-moon

http://billmoyers.com/2012/12/05/fcc-may-give-murdoch-a-very-merry-christmas

If anyone else is going to go see The Hobbit (or buy the book), there is some important technical information to consider first.  Not all theaters (or books) are the same.

Regarding the movies, there is not only a choice between 3-D and 2-D, but a new third option: 3-D at 48 frames per second.

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Wow!  Talk about a shock assault. 

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