Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2014 Sept. 20: North)

The brightness evolution has slowed down just before the perihelion passage. But now it is so bright as 6.2 mag (Sept. 18, Chris Wyatt). In the Southern Hemisphere, it is observable in the morning sky until mid September. Then it is observable in the evening sky from late September to mid October. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is not observable until late December when the comet will fade down to 13 mag.

Appearing in the morning sky again. Now it is so bright as 7.1 mag (Sept. 17, Marco Goiato). It will be observable in good condition in the Southern Hemisphere after this. But it keeps low in the Northern Hemisphere.

The brightness evolution has slowed down just before the perihelion passage. But now it is bright as 9.4 mag (Sept. 18, Chris Wyatt). It keeps observable in good condition until early November in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is observable only in the evening low sky from late September to mid November. But it will be observable in excellent condition after 2015 January while the comet will be fading. It will pass extremely close to Mars on Oct. 19.

It brightened up to 6.0 mag from July to August (July 24, Maik Meyer). Now it is fading. But it is bright as 8.7 mag still now (Sept. 19, Maik Meyer). It keeps observable in good condition until November in the Southern Hemisphere, or December in the Northern Hemisphere.

It brightened rapidly in outburst in mid October in 2013. It will be fading gradually after this. But it is bright as 11.0 mag still now (Sept. 18, Chris Wyatt). In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in good condition for a long time until the comet fades out. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps extremely low after this.

Now it is 14.7 mag (Aug. 29, iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill). In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be observable at 12-13 mag in excellent condition from 2014 summer to 2015 spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it will locate low around the highlight.

New bright comet. Now it is 12.9 mag and visible visually (Sept. 18, Chris Wyatt). It will approach to the earth in December and January, and it is expected to brighten up to 8 mag. In the Southern Hemisphere, it keeps observable in excellent condition until late January. In the Northern Hemisphere, it keeps extremely low until mid December. But after that, it will be observable in excellent condition.

Now it is 13.9 mag (Aug. 29, iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill). It keeps observable for a long time after this while the comet will be fading gradually.

No bright outburst was reported in July and August. It will be unobservable in mid September in the Northern Hemisphere, or in late October in the Southern Hemisphere.

Now it is 12.8 mag (Aug. 19, Marco Goiato). It keeps bright as 13-14 mag for a long time from 2013 to 2014.

Originally posted here:

Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2014 Sept. 20: North)

Big defeat turns up heat on Comets for tonight's clash

Last updated at 11:55, Saturday, 27 September 2014

Edinburgh Monarchs 60 Workington Comets 34: Workington Comets hopes of winning the Premier League took a massive hit last night as Edinburgh Monarchs took a giant step towards the grand final with a resounding victory.

Rene Bach, on the outside, leads Max Fricke

Comets were comprehensively beaten 60-34 at the Scotwaste Arena in their first meeting in this season's play-offs.

The result now means that Workington must take a maximum of three points from tonights (27th) return fixture at Derwent Park and then beat Berwick Bandits home and away in two weeks time to stand any chance of progressing to the play-off final.

Monarchs dominance on their home track this season continued against Workington, with the Scottish side yet to taste defeat at the Scotwaste Arena.

Monarchs Sam Masters (13 points), Justin Sedgmen (12 points) and Max Fricke (11 points) were all on top form for the league leaders.

Workingtons Ricky Wells (12 points) was the only standout performer for the visitors.

Captain Rene Bach was forced to withdraw from the meeting in heat 12 after hitting the air fence following a collision with Derek Sneddon.

Bach suffered a possible broken nose and is a doubt for tonights return fixture.

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Big defeat turns up heat on Comets for tonight's clash

Big defeat turns up heat on Workington Comets for tonight's clash

Last updated at 11:55, Saturday, 27 September 2014

Edinburgh Monarchs 60 Workington Comets 34: Workington Comets hopes of winning the Premier League took a massive hit last night as Edinburgh Monarchs took a giant step towards the grand final with a resounding victory.

Rene Bach, on the outside, leads Max Fricke

Comets were comprehensively beaten 60-34 at the Scotwaste Arena in their first meeting in this season's play-offs.

The result now means that Workington must take a maximum of three points from tonights (27th) return fixture at Derwent Park and then beat Berwick Bandits home and away in two weeks time to stand any chance of progressing to the play-off final.

Monarchs dominance on their home track this season continued against Workington, with the Scottish side yet to taste defeat at the Scotwaste Arena.

Monarchs Sam Masters (13 points), Justin Sedgmen (12 points) and Max Fricke (11 points) were all on top form for the league leaders.

Workingtons Ricky Wells (12 points) was the only standout performer for the visitors.

Captain Rene Bach was forced to withdraw from the meeting in heat 12 after hitting the air fence following a collision with Derek Sneddon.

Bach suffered a possible broken nose and is a doubt for tonights return fixture.

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Big defeat turns up heat on Workington Comets for tonight's clash

Blue Comets take care of business

ASHEBORO A dream beginning for the Asheboro High School Blue Comets Friday night meant a nightmare start for the Providence Grove Patriots.

AHS scored touchdowns on its first three possessions of the first quarter and used that momentumn to roll to a 47-21 victory over PG at Lee J. Stone Stadium.

The victory is the second in a row for the Blue Comets, who improved to 3-2 heading into the Mid-Piedmont Conference opener next week against Southwestern Randolph. The loss was the fourth in a row for the Patriots, who now stand 2-4 on the season. PG has next week off before beginning Piedmont Athletic Conference play at High Point Andrews.

Asheboro scored on a three-play 64-yard drive on its first possession, a five-play 64-yard drive on its second possession and a four-play 87-yard drive on its third possession to jump into a 20-0 lead.

We felt we needed to go out there and set the tone at the line of scrimmage, AHS coach Owen George said. The thing is we were able to go out there and execute. We were able to iron out some of the wrinkles we had.

Jake Hall hauled in a 37-yard TD strike from Shyheim Lineberry, Wayne Robertson scored on a 14-yard run and Terry Richmond scored on a 40-yard run for the Blue Comets in the first quarter. Miguel Santos hit two of the three PATs for the 20-0 lead.

Im thinking we just need to get something positive going because they were dominating the line of scrimmage, PG coach Danny Martin said. Owen and his staff did a great job. They had his pegged. We did not execute at all in the first half.

The Blue Comets also used Lineberry in the slot in certain formations, bringing in Nathan Sloan at quarterback.

We had been practicing that for awhile and thought it was something we wanted to do as we prepared for conference play, George said.

Both teams added touchdowns before the end of the first half as Providence Grove forced an Asheboro fumble at the PG 33 and the Patriots took it in, scoring on a 1-yard run by Tanner Breedlove.

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Blue Comets take care of business

How stem cells help cure diseases

MANILA -- The use of stem cell therapy has become an option in treating different medical conditions.

Stem cells are the body's natural healing cells. They are used by human tissues to repair and regenerate damaged cells. In the right environment, stem cells can change into bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, collagen, neural tissue, blood vessels, and even some organs.

There are two kinds of stem cells: adult or embryonic. Adult stem cells appear to be particularly effective against painful joints, repairing cartilage and ligaments, and even painful conditions along the spine.

Adult stem cells are usually harvested from fat tissues. By using technology, the collagen that binds the fat and the stem cells are broken down, separating a solution rich in the patient's own stem cells, which will then be used for treatment.

Stem cells may be effective in the treatment of macular degeneration, Crohns disease and numerous pulmonary conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and fibrosis. Stem cells are also being used for patients suffering from kidney failure and ailments of the bone, cartilage and joints.

However, stem cell therapy is not recommended for patients with active infections or cancer.

In the Philippines, fat-derived stem cell therapy is available through StemCare Institute. At present, the clinic employs an orthopedic team of doctors and surgeons with international qualifications.

StemCare, with the advancement of stem cell technology and the refinement its of clinical protocols through international experts, now offers more accessible treatment options for patients suffering from these degenerative orthopedic conditions.

Kim Atienza and Inno Sotto. Composite Image

Among the personalities who have used stem cell therapy in the country are Inno Sotto, a fashion designer who is suffering from a tear in his right elbow, and Kim Atineza, who is using fat stem cell injections to help strengthen and repair his knee joints after suffering from Guillain-Barre disease.

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How stem cells help cure diseases

Common Curry Ingredient Could Help The Brain Battle The Affects Of Alzheimers

September 27, 2014

Chuck Bednar for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

Eating spicy Indian food could help boost the brains ability to heal itself, according to new research published in Fridays edition of the journal Stem Cell Research and Therapy.

According to Damian Gayle of The Daily Mail, aromatic turmerone, a compound found in the popular curry spice turmeric, could encourage the growth of nerve cells believed to help repair the brains of those suffering from neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia or Alzheimers disease.

In lab tests involving rats, researchers from the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3) in Germany, the University Hospital of Cologne Department of Neurology and the Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research found that aromatic turmerone promoted the proliferation of brain stem cells and their development into neurons.

The study authors believe it could help scientists develop new ways to treat conditions that kill brain cells, which include strokes and Alzheimers. However, they told BBC News health reporter Smitha Mundasad that additional trials are required to see if the affect is applicable to humans.

The researchers injected the rodents with the compound, and then scanned their brains, Mundasad explained. They found that activity increased in the regions of the brain known to be involved in nerve cell growth following infusion with the bioactive compound. Specifically, they found that the subventricular zone (SVZ) was wider and the hippocampus had expanded in the brains of rats injected with aromatic turmerone.

In a different part of the trial, the researchers bathed rodent neural stem cells (NSCs) in different concentrations of aromatic tumerone extract. NSCs are stem cells found within adult brains that differentiate into neurons, and play a vital role in the self-repair and recovery of brain function in neurodegenerative diseases, the authors explained.

Rat fetal NSCs were cultured and grown in six different concentrations of aromatic tumerone during a 72-hour period, and at some concentrations, the compound was shown to increase stem cell proliferation by as much as 80 percent without having any impact on cell death. Furthermore, the cell differentiation process also became accelerated in cells treated with the aromatic tumerone compound when compared to untreated controls.

In a statement, lead author and INM-3 researcher Dr. Maria Adele Rueger said, While several substances have been described to promote stem cell proliferation in the brain, fewer drugs additionally promote the differentiation of stem cells into neurons, which constitutes a major goal in regenerative medicine. Our findings on aromatic turmerone take us one step closer to achieving this goal.

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Common Curry Ingredient Could Help The Brain Battle The Affects Of Alzheimers

International Space Station Arm Maneuvering CRS-4/Dragon for Docking (9/23-2014) – Video


International Space Station Arm Maneuvering CRS-4/Dragon for Docking (9/23-2014)
ISS crew members use the Canadarm2 to maneuver the CRS-4/Dragon spacecraft for docking with the ISS. The crew captured the capsule at 6:52am Sept. 23 2014 26...

By: Ron111770

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International Space Station Arm Maneuvering CRS-4/Dragon for Docking (9/23-2014) - Video

Despite broken solar panel, Soyuz docks safely with space station

A Russian-built Soyuz capsule carrying a crew of three reached the International Space Station late Thursday (Sept. 25), despite a stuck solar array that failed to deploy just after its launch six hours earlier.

The Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft linked up with the station at 10:11 p.m. EDT (0211 GMT) as the two spacecraft sailed high over the Pacific Ocean. The Soyuz arrived at the space station with American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts including Elena Serova, the first female cosmonaut ever to visit the International Space Station.

Russia's Soyuz vehicles are three-person spacecraft made up of a crew capsule, orbital module and service module powered by two winglike solar arrays. Initially, Russian engineers were concerned the stuck portside solar array would block a radiator and lead to hotter temperatures inside the Soyuz, but the capsule's crew reported all was well, NASA officials said. [See launch photos of the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft]

The Soyuz clearly had enough power for a smooth docking, despite being at half-capacity.

"The solar array is still not deployed?" Russia's Mission Control asked the Soyuz crew as the craft neared the station.

"No, but the power situation is fine. It just doesn't look good from the point of view of photographs," Soyuz commander Alexander Samokutyaev radioed back. "We're eating and drinking, and we're being merry. Everything is as it should be."

The docking occurred just hours after a flawless launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where Serova and her crewmates NASA astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore and cosmonaut Alexander Samokutyaev bid farewell to Earth to begin a nearly six-month space mission. Trio joined three other space travelers already aboard the station: astronaut Reid Wiseman of NASA; Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency; and Russian cosmonaut Maxim Suarev, who commands the station's Expedition 41 crew.

Wiseman said he and his Expedition 41 crewmates watched a live video feed of the launch and even captured a photo of the liftoff from space, which he posted on Twitter.

"That looked like a good ride," Wiseman radioed down to NASA's Mission Control in Houston. "We look forward to seeing them in orbit, and we'll have dinner ready waiting for them."

The Soyuz crew was due to enter the space station at about 11:55 p.m. EDT (0355 GMT) to join the station team, as well as receive congratulatory calls from their family and officials in Russia's Mission Control Center. Serova, Wilmore and Samokutyaev will live and work aboard the International Space Station until March 2015. Wiseman, Gerst and Suarev are due to return to Earth in November of this year.

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Despite broken solar panel, Soyuz docks safely with space station

Despite broken solar panel, Soyuz docks safely with space station (+video)

A Russian-built Soyuz capsule carrying a crew of three reached the International Space Station late Thursday (Sept. 25), despite a stuck solar array that failed to deploy just after its launch six hours earlier.

The Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft linked up with the station at 10:11 p.m. EDT (0211 GMT) as the two spacecraft sailed high over the Pacific Ocean. The Soyuz arrived at the space station with American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts including Elena Serova, the first female cosmonaut ever to visit the International Space Station.

Russia's Soyuz vehicles are three-person spacecraft made up of a crew capsule, orbital module and service module powered by two winglike solar arrays. Initially, Russian engineers were concerned the stuck portside solar array would block a radiator and lead to hotter temperatures inside the Soyuz, but the capsule's crew reported all was well, NASA officials said. [See launch photos of the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft]

The Soyuz clearly had enough power for a smooth docking, despite being at half-capacity.

"The solar array is still not deployed?" Russia's Mission Control asked the Soyuz crew as the craft neared the station.

"No, but the power situation is fine. It just doesn't look good from the point of view of photographs," Soyuz commander Alexander Samokutyaev radioed back. "We're eating and drinking, and we're being merry. Everything is as it should be."

The docking occurred just hours after a flawless launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where Serova and her crewmates NASA astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore and cosmonaut Alexander Samokutyaev bid farewell to Earth to begin a nearly six-month space mission. Trio joined three other space travelers already aboard the station: astronaut Reid Wiseman of NASA; Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency; and Russian cosmonaut Maxim Suarev, who commands the station's Expedition 41 crew.

Wiseman said he and his Expedition 41 crewmates watched a live video feed of the launch and even captured a photo of the liftoff from space, which he posted on Twitter.

"That looked like a good ride," Wiseman radioed down to NASA's Mission Control in Houston. "We look forward to seeing them in orbit, and we'll have dinner ready waiting for them."

The Soyuz crew was due to enter the space station at about 11:55 p.m. EDT (0355 GMT) to join the station team, as well as receive congratulatory calls from their family and officials in Russia's Mission Control Center. Serova, Wilmore and Samokutyaev will live and work aboard the International Space Station until March 2015. Wiseman, Gerst and Suarev are due to return to Earth in November of this year.

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Despite broken solar panel, Soyuz docks safely with space station (+video)

'The ticket changed my destiny'

Tong Jingjing's decision to reserve a seat on a spacecraft has propelled her life to new heights.

Tong Jingjing hasn't yet taken the private space flight she has booked but says her experiences since buying the ticket have already been out of this world.

The banker from Beijing says she has been surprised her planned trip (almost) to the stars has made her a star, and new opportunities have taken off before her spaceship.

"The ticket has changed my destiny," says the 41-year-old banker from Beijing. "Agents have been chasing me, offering to turn me into a celebrity. Many companies have invited me to become their spokeswoman."

Tong is among 32 Chinese who have booked flights aboard XCOR Aeronautics' flight on the Lynx II craft scheduled to start ushering tourists into space between 2015 and 2016. She'll pay about US$100,000 (S$127,726) to travel 103 km from Earth.

Tong is excited to see how viewing the planet from afar will change how she looks at it after she returns.

"So many things have happened since I bought the ticket in July that make me think life is so wonderful," she says.

A 3-D printing company asked her to test its model in zero gravity. A bank has invited her to be a spokeswoman for its credit card. And a cosmetics company offered her 2 million yuan (S$415,300) to promote their products, she says.

"They thought I look much younger than my age when they saw my photo in media reports," Tong says.

The BBC will document her life before the flight, she says. "If I don't make it back to Earth, that will be a precious record for my family."

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'The ticket changed my destiny'

Gwyneth Paltrow Turns 42 TodaySee Her Best Red Carpet Moments!

Yup, you read that rightGwyneth Paltrow is actually 42 today! It's no secret that the Goop gal is an obvious style icon with impeccable taste, and the birthday girl's red carpet looks are no exception.

Blending sophistication and glamour into one neat package, the Iron Man actress turned heads in a soft blush Prada gown with a T-back bow at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. The glossy blonde wowed again earlier in the year at the Academy Awards, wearing a sleek metallic Calvin Klein creation.

NEWS: Gwyneth Paltrow teams up with Diane von Furstenberg for a Goop-inspired collection

Working a bit more color into her usual neutral palette, Paltrow picked a frothy peach Zac Posen creation for the 2007 Oscars. Then switching it up entirely, the actress stepped out in a sparkling emerald Ellie Saab creation at the 2011 Bambi Awards in Germany. And oh my, did she look dayum good.

Her 2011 Met Gala Stella McCartney gown returned to neutrals with a sleek champagne shade. But make no mistakethe backless, high-slit creation was nothing short of red-hot.

After perusing through her red carpet highlights, we know two things as a fact: First, Gwyneth's red carpet taste is genius. Second, she's an absolute ageless beauty.

PHOTOS: See all of Gwyneth's best looks

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Gwyneth Paltrow Turns 42 TodaySee Her Best Red Carpet Moments!

Curiosity Rover Report: A Taste of Mount Sharp (Sept. 25, 2014) – Video


Curiosity Rover Report: A Taste of Mount Sharp (Sept. 25, 2014)
NASA #39;s Curiosity Mars rover has collected its first drill sample from the base of Mount Sharp. The scientific allure of the layered mountain inside a crater drew the team to choose this part...

By: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

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Curiosity Rover Report: A Taste of Mount Sharp (Sept. 25, 2014) - Video

India’s Mars Mission Mangalyaan sends first shocking image from Mars, NASA stunned – Video


India #39;s Mars Mission Mangalyaan sends first shocking image from Mars, NASA stunned
India Mars Mission Mangalyaan sends first images from Mars, India Mars Mission Mangalyaan sends first shocking images from Mars, NASA stunned.

By: tvonthelines

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India's Mars Mission Mangalyaan sends first shocking image from Mars, NASA stunned - Video

Expedition 41/42 Launches, Arrives, and Enters the International Space Station – Video


Expedition 41/42 Launches, Arrives, and Enters the International Space Station
Expedition 41/42 Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev and Flight Engineers Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Barry Wilmore of NASA launched on the Russian Soyuz...

By: NASA

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Expedition 41/42 Launches, Arrives, and Enters the International Space Station - Video