https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/science-ticker/antarctica-larsen-c-ice-shelf-cracking

Global Warming is Real!!   Ice sheets are calving...weakening the mail ice shelf!!!  https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/science-ticker/antarctica-larsen-c-ice-shelf-cracking

Grav Waves???

LIGO discovers third gravitational wave!!!

For those who have seen accounts of Red Rain on Secrets of Space or other science programs, I have discovered an article from the journal Microbiology ( ) in which the authors have found a way of identifying the presence of DNA in the heart of these red cell that fell as red rain in Kerala, South India over a period of several months in 2001. Here is the conclusion of the authors of this highly technical article: "We report results showing the location of a red pigment in the external layers of red rain cells and its apparent role in the impermeability to various staining reagents, including DAPI. We also show that extraction of this pigment from Phase contrast CFP ET-DsRed GFP YFP Fig. 3. Phase-contrast micrographs of red rain cells suspended in DMSO and their corresponding fluorescence emission under excitation filters [cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), ET-DsRed, GFP and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)]. The arrow points (see Article for photos) to cells surrounded by invisible matrix, which appears to be their leaked inner contents fluorescing under all excitation filters....the outer layer with DMSO enhances the permeability of red rain cells to chemical stains, allowing positive DAPI staining, indicating the presence of DNA in the central core. Results based on polarizing microscopy indicate the crystalline nature of the red pigment in the peripheral layers. It is also evident that the removal of red pigment allows these cells to fluoresce at a wide range of excitation wavelengths, whilst untreated cells are completely refractive. Although the nature of the red compounds is still uncertain, it is clear from this investigation that these compounds firmly intercalate deep into the thick outer layers of these cells, which may facilitate resistance to hostile environments. The results presented here do not make the origin of the red rain cells of Kerala any clearer, but do clearly indicate the presence of DNA, and offer an explanation for the negative staining results reported by Louis & Kumar (2006). It is possible that these red cells arrived on earth via space dust from space missions, or from meteorites. What do you think? For article see the following: Microbiology Society Journals is inviting submissions of research papers and reviews that explore topics surrounding archaea for a new thematic collection. MICROBIOLOGYRESEARCH.ORG

Reminds me of current political situation!!!

"Begging the Question" and its proper use as a Logical Fallacy

Currently, many people use the phrase, “begging the question” to mean that something needs to be questioned, or that such and such is a question that need to be answered. But for those trained in classical Logic, this is a misuse of the phrase. Aristotle defined this fallacy in his Prior Analytics (Bk. II xvi 64b28–65a26) stating that such a fallacy occurs when one begs or assumes the point to be proven. In other words, the conclusion of an argument is assumed to be true, u...

Happy Anniversary Space Telescope Hubble: View this short video for the fascinating history of a great scientific instrument!!!

Please check out this NOAA website with the latest Global Warming information:

http://www.noaa.gov/news/january-was-3rd-warmest-on-record-for-globe


Global Warming is real despite what some in Congress say!!!

Sincerely, Dr_Why

What is Time????

For an interesting discussion on the nature of time, see the Scottish philosopher MacTaggart's discussion in Wikipedia.   His distinction between two theories of time, based on either the "A-series" and the "B-series" has become a standard way of debating the topic in philosophy.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unreality_of_Time

Consider the Carrington Event:  Why is it important to us now?  Perhaps we should not be so dependent on our digital devices?

In 1859, Sir Richard Carrington observed a coronal mass ejection of staggering proportion that was aimed at the earth producing a large geomagnetic storm in our magnetosphere.


The author of the Wikipedia article on this event (See this link to the article:  Wikipedia Article reference ) makes this worrisome statement: "Studies have shown that a solar storm of this magnitude occurring today would likely cause more widespread problems for a modern and technology dependent society."

A great and wonderful logician and philosophy professor has died.  Raymond Smullyan who wrote widely on logic and mathematics.  I used his logic books  in my courses...Here is his obit from the NYTimes...check it out..   Wonderful Puzzle books such as "What is the Name of this Book?"

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/11/us/raymond-smullyan-dead-puzzle-creator.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fobituaries&action=click&contentCollection=obituaries&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=sectionfront