23-05-2012 22:26 Sounds of Peace--Eco system 5-12
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Ferrari's F70, an Eco-Friendly Supercar
Many makers of expensive performance cars have long valued one characteristic most: raw power. But now Ferrari, the preferred drug for many deep-pocketed drivers with a need for speed, is turning to fuel-saving hybrid technology to create its most powerful and expensive model. Using technology developed for Formula One racing, the Italian automakers first hybrid, dubbed the F70, will combine two electric motors with a 12-cylinder gasoline engine to produce more horsepower than any previous Ferrari while cutting fuel consumption by 40percent.
The F70 wont come at a Prius price: The vehicle will probably surpass the 660,000 ($850,000) cost of the automakers storied limited-edition Enzo, which the company considers it a successor to, says a person familiar with Ferraris plans who was not authorized to talk about them. Dedicated Ferrari drivers look first at power and technology, says Fabio Barone, president of the Passione Rossa owners club, who has two Ferraris. The new Enzo will satisfy their appetite.
Mercedes photograph by Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
The model is part of a wave of green supercars as high-end automakers step up efforts to make their models environmentally palatable while maintaining or boosting performance. As more models become available and emission rules tighten, sales of hybrid supercars may surge from fewer than 100 this year to more than 2,100 in 2015, according to IHS Automotive (IHS).
Porsche, which sells hybrid versions of its Cayenne sport-utility vehicle and Panamera four-door coupe, plans to start deliveries next year of the 768,000 918 Spyder. The top-of-the-line Porsche sports car will combine a 500-horsepower engine with two 218-hp electric motors to hit a top speed of more than 320 kilometers (199 miles) per hour. BMW (BMW) will roll out its own i8 plug-in hybrid in 2014. The BMW supercar, similar to one used in the film Mission: ImpossibleGhost Protocol, will be able to drive up to 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) on electric power and accelerate to 100kilometers per hour in less than 5seconds. If you want to sell a vehicle in the U.S. and Europe, you must show you want to make the difference in terms of lower emissions, even if you sell a 100,000 car, says Ian Fletcher, an analyst at IHS Automotive. Even a supercar becomes more usable for city driving if it carries a hybrid engine.
Toyota Motors (TM) Lexus, which has led the green technology shift among luxury-car makers, offers five hybrid models, ranging from the $29,120 CT to the $112,750 LS. Daimlers (DAI) Mercedes-Benz sells the $91,850 S-Class hybrid and introduced a diesel-electric version of the E-Class in Germany this year. Even Volkswagens (VOW) ultraluxe Bentley line is considering a plug-in hybrid version of its planned $201,000 to $252,000 SUV.
The Ferrari hybrid will go on sale next year, with the U.S. likely to be its biggest market, according to the person with knowledge of the cars rollout. Ferrari will produce a limited number of the model, with the final price yet to be decided, the person says.
The original Enzo, which sports wing doors, a carbon-fiber body, and a 660-hp engine, was limited to a run of 400 vehicles between 2002 and 2004. Because of its rarity, it now sells for about $1million, according to website Infomotori.com. The Enzo successor will be powered by HY-KERS hybrid technology developed for the brands Formula One team. In the system, the electric motors deliver about an extra 100 hp to the wheels by operating through one of the gearboxs two clutches. The setup transfers power instantaneously between the 12-cylinder engine and the electric motor, Ferrari says.
That brings some important gains for members of the 1Percent with an eco-bent. A 40percent savings in fuel economy would give elite car drivers some green bragging rights and about an additional 9 miles to the gallon vs. a conventional car of comparable weight. But the green benefits of the propulsion changes arent what has supercar fans excited. Instead, its the prospect that adding those supplementary electric motors will actually allow the cars to go even faster without requiring a larger main engine. Boosted by the electric motors, the new supercar may have more than 900 hp, says Barone, the Ferrari club president. Its going to be a sensational car, and it also lowers emissions.
The bottom line: Ferraris first hybrid vehicle, likely to cost more than $850,000, shows that even elite supercars are under pressure to get greener.
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Wave power generator tested in Black Sea storm
// ?> Credit: Eco Wave Power
A medium-sized wave power plant has been successfully tested in storm waters in the Black Sea. The Eco Wave Power (EWP) system, which can generate enough electricity for 10 households from two floaters, was installed to mark international Mother Earth Day in April.
EWP says that once a full commercial scale plant is constructed it will unveil the build and production costs - which will be lower than any other energy generation system.
The Black Sea was chosen is it allowed EWP's wave power generators to be tested in uncontrolled waters.
EWP tested its Wave Clapper and Power Wing floaters and measured the KW output obtained from various wave heights and timescales, even surviving five metre storm waves.
It also examined the influence of side waves, connected the floaters to electric devices and showed an electricity supply, tested how they performed close to each other, united both floaters to one electric grid and charged a common accumulator and tested the storm-protection mechanisms.
The medium-scale power plant will now be tested in different coastal conditions, in order to show that it can operate in different ocean areas.
EWP will the construct its first commercial scale Sea Wave Power Plant, and reveal the exact prices of construction and production, which the company claims will be cheaper than any other renewable or traditional energy generation system.
EWP founder, David Leb, says, "Eco Wave Power is aware of the impact that pollution has on the world. According to a Cornell study, about 40 percent of deaths worldwide are caused by water, air and soil pollution. Such environmental degradation, coupled with the growth in world population, is major causes behind the rapid increase in human diseases.
"Both factors contribute to the malnourishment and disease susceptibility of 3.7 billion people. EWP wants to prove that there is another way for energy generation. The clean way is the right way for the world."
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Hastens Introduces New Adjustable Bed and Eco Down Collection
KOPING, Sweden, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Utilizing 160 years of bed-making expertise and mixing it with cutting-edge technology, Hastens makes a great night's sleep even better with two new introductions, both arriving in stores this month.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/NE11384 )
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110801/NE44512LOGO-a )
The Lenoria is an adjustable continental bed designed to look much like the existing beds in the Hastens continental range but is equipped with some impressive adjustable features to ensure you experience the best possible sleep. A new and improved Okimat 8 motor allows you to raise your head and feet at the same time by the simple touch of a button. And to ensure your Hastens Lenoria experience is as relaxing as possible, this button is housed on a state-of-the-art remote from which you can control the movement of the motor using Bluetooth control via Android mobile phones. The Lenoria is outfitted with a wall-hugging feature enabling the bed to maintain consistent distance from the wall above the bed's head, no matter what position it adjusts to. This ensures that bedside tables remain within easy reach.
Also new is a sumptuous collection of eco down products, including pillows and duvets. All are designed, of course, to work in tandem with all of our premium hand-crafted beds made in Sweden. As personal preference plays a vital part in choosing down, the Hastens collection includes six different firmness options for pillows and three weights in duvets, allowing each person to find the just the right fit for their lives.
As with all Hastens products, the new bed and the down collection have been made with the finest, natural materials to ensure the highest quality of sleep. The bed is made with ten layers of natural materials including natural flax, wool from New Zealand and the Netherlands, hypoallergenic horsehair and quality cotton. All carefully assembled with skilled craftsmanship to create a bed, which provides you with the best in natural climate control, unparalleled comfort and design.
Hastens leaves no stone unturned when campaigning for the best sleep and our down collection is no exception. Using only the finest, natural materials, including luxury feathers and light 100% cotton outer shells, the new down collection ensures you sleep at the optimum warmth and ultimate comfort. As with Hastens world-renowned mattresses, all of our down products regulate body temperature and are highly durable. To promote an undisturbed and restful sleep, the large cluster downs have been intricately designed to incorporate an effective absorption rate and release moisture via the hydrotransport system, creating a healthy and dry sleeping environment all year round.
The Hastens Lenoria will be available in 21 colors of Hastens' iconic checked fabric, so you'll be certain to find a fabric to harmoniously match your bedroom interior. The bed also has three frame options including oak, white and black, complete with chassis.
About Hastens:
Hastens was founded in 1852 and for 160 years has aimed to offer people the best sleep possible. Famous for its characteristic blue check, all beds are handmade in Koping, Sweden by skilled craftsmen using only the finest of natural materials. The passion put into every bed created makes Hastens one of Sweden's strongest brands today, carrying the Swan eco-label and CE mark.Hastens is represented in its own stores and by distributors in over 200 stores, in 33 countries worldwide.
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Hastens Introduces New Adjustable Bed and Eco Down Collection
Duke Energy Teams Up With China's ENN For 'Eco-City' Projects
When Duke Energy?s chief technology officer David Mohler visits China next week, he?ll stop by the city of Langfang to check out a project that aims to show what a city of the future might look like if it incorporates coal-based and renewable energy generation, biofuel production and water recycling. The
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Duke Energy Teams Up With China's ENN For 'Eco-City' Projects
Eco village heating too costly to run – Video
Published Friday, 25 May 2012
Only half of the 400 expected homes were built at the private Woodbrook Housing development after the developer collapsed, but doubts have been raised whether the biomass plant would ever have been financially viable.
Residents are now facing running costs for the wood-chip fuelled heating that are three and a half times those of natural gas.
Sean McErlean, who owns a home in the village expressed his disappointment but said he was happy there was some resolution to the situation.
He said: "It's unfortunate that the resolution now means the end to the eco lifestyle that many people bought into with the district heating system".
On Monday at a meeting householders were given a number of proposed options by the management company.
The options for the energy centre included upgrading the system but it seems more likely the development will be converted to natural gas.
Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea supported the residents' search for a solution but said they still have homes to be proud.
"We looked at the figures, the scheme as it was presented is not viable. That says something about this type of installation. The more you get to understand the more you realise that it doesn't really work in this particular environment, so there's an issue with moving forward," he said.
"But we still have houses that are particularly well built and insulated, there's a future in those aspects but as for district heating systems they would need to look hard and long at them."
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Eco Wave Power Successfully Installed its First Fully Operational Wave Energy Power Plant
TEL AVIV, Israel, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
** Eco Wave Power's Medium-Scale Wave Energy Generation System, is successfully operated in the Black Sea.
Eco Wave Power has successfully installed a medium-scale wave energy power plant, in the Black Sea, during the month of April, 2012. The installation of EWP's system, took place during that month in recognition of the international Mother Earth Day, celebrated in more than 175 countries every year.
A video of the testing is available at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCNz-QW3JYY&feature=youtu.be
The Black Sea providedEco Wave Powerwith real-life conditions necessary for the testing of EWP's wave energy devices under uncontrolled wave heights and wave periods.
Among the different tests, Eco Wave Power has examined the characteristics of 2 different floaters shapes, the "Wave Clapper" and the "Power Wing", and also performed the measuring of the KW output in different wave heights and periods, measuring the influence of side waves on the floaters and the connections, connecting the floaters to electric devices and showing an electricity supply(with and without an accumulator), examining the influence of floaters in proximity to each other, examining the option to unite both floaters to one electric grid and charge a common accumulator, as well as -examining the floaters' storm-protection Mechanisms.
On the 18th and 19th of April the Black Sea has experienced stormy conditions. During which, Eco Wave Power has decided to stress-test its floaters. Consequently, Eco Wave Power had operated its floaters, at a wave height of up to 5 meters. The results were astonishing. Eco Wave Power's floaters had survived the storm, without damages.
In addition, Eco Wave Power had concluded that 2 medium-scale wave energy devices are sufficient for the production of electricity for 6 to 10 households. Now, Imagine what a hundred commercial scale floaters could do.
The next phase of EWP will be to move the medium-scale power plant to a different coastal structure, in order to show our potential clients that EWP's wave energy generation system can be easily connected to almost any ocean structure. After this, EWP will build its first commercial scale Sea Wave Power Plant, and reveal the construction and production prices, this will be cheaper than any other renewable or traditional energy generation system.
David Leb, Founder, stated that "Eco Wave Power is aware of the impact that pollution has on the world. According to a Cornell study, about 40 percent of deaths worldwide are caused by water, air and soil pollution. Such environmental degradation, coupled with the growth in world population, are major causes behind the rapid increase in human diseases. Both factors contribute to the malnourishment and disease susceptibility of 3.7 billion people. EWP wants to prove that there is another way for energy generation. The clean way is the right way for the world."
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Eco Wave Power Successfully Installed its First Fully Operational Wave Energy Power Plant
Gary Oldman joining 'RoboCop' remake
It looks like perennial bad guy Gary Oldman will play the mad scientist in the highly anticipated remake of "RoboCop."
According to the Hollywood Reporter, The Dark Knight Rises star will play opposite cyborg cop Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) in the upcoming MGM vehicle.
A sci-fi film originally built around Arnold Schwarzenegger, RoboCop is about a police officer who narrowly escapes death by morphing into a cyborg.
Oldman will play Norton in the new version, the man responsible for RoboCop's metamorphosis. Only he finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place once the deed is done: should he stay loyal to the corporation he works for or help the machine retrace its human roots?
The robotic film - which has a tentative release date of summer 2013 - could begin shooting in Toronto as early as September, THR reports.
The Oscar nominees got his hands full until then: his next role is as Commissioner Gordon in "The Dark Knight Rises," which hits theaters July 20.
Also, his new period crime flick, "Lawless," co-starring Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy, just debuted at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Gary Oldman – Gary Oldman Signs Up For Robocop Remake
Gary Oldman has signed up to for the 'RoboCop' remake, which will see him play Norton, a scientist who creates the technology that brings the cyborg police officer to life.
Gary Oldman has signed up for the 'RoboCop' remake.
The 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' actor will star as Norton, a scientist who creates the technology that brings the titular super-human cyborg - who is played by Joel Kinnaman - to life in the MGM reboot of the 1987 sci-fi movie.
But Gary's alter-ego will find himself torn between a callous company and the machine - who was formerly a police officer called Alex Murphy saved from the brink of death and turned into a robot cop - trying to rediscover his humanity, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Jose Padilha will direct the motion picture, with Marc Abraham and Eric Newman in line to produce.
The filmmaker had previously revealed Michael Fassbender was his top choice to play the cyborg - who was originally portrayed by Peter Weller in the first two 'Robocop' movies in 1987 and 1990 before Robert Burke took over in 1993's 'Robocop 3' - and the 'Shame' actor even signalled his interest about starring in the project.
Jose said: ''I can't talk yet, it's too early to speak, but there are some actors I like. I really like the Fassbender, I'd like to talk to him - I'll talk to him. There's a possibility ....''
Michael explained: ''You know, I'm always open. I'll take a look at the script and sit down with the director and have a conversation. It's not definitely like, 'Oh, I've got to play RoboCop before I retire.' I don't have that about anything. I don't go, 'I have to play the Dane one day, or Hamlet.' I don't really think like that.
''I just wait and see what comes up, and I'm always open to it. If I react to the script, then I'm up for anything.
''It could be kind of fun [to wear the iconic outfit]. It could be kind of good to have a helmet that I could hide behind for most of the film too, that sounds kind of appealing.''
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South Bay beaches earn above average water quality scores
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Most beaches from Marina del Rey to San Pedro aced water quality tests last year during the dry summer season, although several sites along the South Bay coastline earned failing scores during rain events, a new report has found.
The 2011-12 Beach Report Card - released annually by the group Heal the Bay before Memorial Day weekend - is based on water sampling for fecal bacteria pollution conducted by health agencies and dischargers along the West Coast.
This year's report analyzed 650 sites for summer dry-weather water quality and more than 300 locations year-round, grading them on an A-F scale. Samples were collected from April 2011 to March 2012.
The higher the grade, the lower the risk of swimmers getting ill with the stomach flu, skin rashes and ear and upper respiratory infections.
In many areas, wet-weather grades drag behind dry-weather scores. During rainy periods, stormwater runoff can flow untreated toward the coast, carrying contaminants such as trash, animal waste and pesticides.
Locally, several sites earned A's during the summer (dry) monitoring period but got F's for wet-weather scores. They include the Imperial Highway storm drain near Los Angeles International Airport, Grand Avenue at El Segundo's beach, 28th Street in Manhattan Beach and the Herondo Street storm drain on the Hermosa/Redondo Beach border.
Heal the Bay is drawing attention to low wet weather scores in hopes of encouraging infrastructure
"There's still a lot of F's that we're dealing with in the wet weather," she said. "We've had some success."
James said she believes government agencies will have to take a "multipronged approach" to solving the problem by pursuing new projects and low-impact development rules.
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Presenting: US's best beaches
San Diego CVB
Coronado Beach in San Diego tops this year's list of best beaches, compiled annually by "Dr. Beach" Stephen Leatherman.
By Rob Lovitt, msnbc.com contributor
According to Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, there are approximately 650 major public recreational beaches in the United States. Only one, though, can be No. 1.
What strand of sand earns that designation? This year, the honor goes to Coronado Beach near San Diego, which tops Leathermans 2012 annual list of the Top 10 Beaches in the country. Released on Friday, the full list includes:
The annual list, which Leatherman has compiled since 1991, is based on 50 criteria, ranging from natural conditions (sand softness, water temperature, wave size) to human-related factors (for example, noise, trash or public safety).
Stretching from the iconic Hotel del Coronado to Silver Strand State Beach, this years winner rose from second place in 2011 and third place in 2010.
Its flat and hundreds of yards wide so its great for walking and playing, said Leatherman, who has spent much of his career researching and monitoring beaches as director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University in Miami.
It has a fantastic Mediterranean climate. The water quality is excellent, and theres a great lifeguarding program so its safe for families, he told msnbc.com.
For Leatherman, the annual list is part of a lifelong passion for coastal environments, an interest that stretches from his childhood in Charlotte, N.C., where his parents built him a backyard sandbox, to the publication of his latest book, Field Guide to the Waters Edge (National Geographic Books, $21.95), earlier this month.
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Sunshine & Sand: The Best Beaches of 2012 Revealed
Even chilly waters can be a welcome beach experience: This year's award for best beach in the United States goes to Coronado Beach in San Diego, where the waters are considered warm only if you're not visiting from the East.
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Local beaches get mostly good grades in 'Heal the Bay' report
The Bay Area's beaches got a mostly clean bill of health in a report released Thursday by an environmental group that monitors water quality at beaches along the West Coast, although bayside beaches scored less well.
The nonprofit group Heal the Bay analyzed weekly bacterial pollution from hundreds of beaches statewide, including 69 beaches in San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa and Marin counties.
Of those, 54 Bay Area beaches received "A" grades on the A-to-F scale based on levels of weekly bacterial pollution tracked from April to October of last year.
Bay Area beaches along the Pacific Ocean fared better in the ratings than ones along the Bay, with 98 percent of oceanside spots receiving "A" or "B" grades compared to 88 percent of bayside beaches, said Amanda Griesbach, a beach water quality scientist with Heal the Bay.
The group also released a "Beach Bummer List" of the top 10 most polluted beaches in California, and no Bay Area beaches were on this year's list.
Of the 10 beaches on that list, seven were in Los Angeles County and two were in Orange County.
Santa Cruz County's Cowell Beach, ranked second-most polluted, was closest on the list to the Bay Area.
Poor grades, such as Cowell Beach's "F," indicate that beachgoers face an increased risk of contracting illnesses -- including the stomach flu, ear infections and skin rashes -- compared to those visiting cleaner beaches.
Baker Beach at Lobos Creek, where a news conference was held Thursday to announce the report's release, was No. 8 on last year's "Beach Bummer" list but has improved to a "B" grade this year, Griesbach said.
The worst marks received by Bay Area beaches were at San Mateo County bayside beaches that experience limited circulation, including Pillar Point Harbor, Oyster Point, Aquatic Park and Lakeshore Park, which received D's and F's for their summer conditions.
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Local beaches get mostly good grades in 'Heal the Bay' report
SoCal beaches get mixed grades on water quality
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Most beaches from Marina del Rey to San Pedro aced water quality tests last year during the dry summer season, although several sites along the South Bay coastline earned failing scores during rain events, a new report has found.
The 2011-12 Beach Report Card - released annually by the group Heal the Bay before Memorial Day weekend - is based on water sampling for fecal bacteria pollution conducted by health agencies and dischargers along the West Coast.
This year's report analyzed 650 sites for summer dry-weather water quality and more than 300 locations year-round, grading them on an A-F scale. Samples were collected from April 2011 to March 2012.
The higher the grade, the lower the risk of swimmers getting ill with the stomach flu, skin rashes and ear and upper respiratory infections.
In many areas, wet-weather grades drag behind dry-weather scores. During rainy periods, stormwater runoff can flow untreated toward the coast, carrying contaminants such as trash, animal waste and pesticides.
Locally, several sites earned A's during the summer (dry) monitoring period but got F's for wet-weather scores. They include the Imperial Highway storm drain near Los Angeles International Airport, Grand Avenue at El Segundo's beach, 28th Street in Manhattan Beach and the Herondo Street storm drain on the Hermosa/Redondo Beach border.
Heal the Bay is drawing attention to low wet weather scores in hopes of encouraging infrastructure
"There's still a lot of F's that we're dealing with in the wet weather," she said. "We've had some success."
James said she believes government agencies will have to take a "multipronged approach" to solving the problem by pursuing new projects and low-impact development rules.
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Blue Flag record for NI beaches
24 May 2012 Last updated at 09:30 ET
Northern Ireland has achieved its highest ever number of blue flag awards for its beaches and marinas.
Twenty-three beaches have been given blue flag status, which recognises good standards in water quality, safety, and beach facilities.
The 2012 figure is a significant improvement on last year, when only eight beaches were awarded blue flags.
Environment Minister Alex Attwood said the beach summits he called last year seemed to be "bearing fruit".
The minister presented the awards at Crawfordsburn Country Park in County Down on Thursday.
Crawfordsburn beach was among the winners, receiving its first blue flag.
Mr Attwood said: "Today's increase in blue flag and seaside awards is great news for Northern Ireland's beach users and seaside towns as they know they can expect the best when they see a blue flag or a seaside award symbol."
Eleven beaches were awarded the international blue flag. Three resort and eight rural beaches received seaside awards and two blue flags were presented to marinas.
The minister said: "Good water quality and the safety of beaches are key to our economy and tourism and we must strive to achieve highest quality standards for the enjoyment of Northern Ireland's entire world famous coastline."
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Water quality at L.A. County beaches improves
Heal the Bay credits the gains to a drier winter and construction of more facilities to capture, treat and divert tainted storm water. But the county still has seven of the state's top 10 most polluted beaches. The water at 82% of Los Angeles County's beaches earned solid A or B grades in Heal the Bay's annual Beach Report Card, but many of the state's most polluted shores continue to be in the ...
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New books for travel and outdoors look at beaches, road trips, getting outside with kids
NEW YORK, N.Y. - A field guide for beaches, a road trip guide and a couple of books for city-dwellers looking to get outdoors with kids offer inspiration and information for planning adventures this season.
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New books for travel and outdoors look at beaches, road trips, getting outside with kids
Water at California beaches cleanest in years
Michael Short
Angella Miller of Chicago walks out into the water to skip rocks at Baker Beach, one of two beaches in San Francisco that received top honors in the annual water-quality survey. The other is Ocean Beach.
Dry weather and stricter regulations have boosted water quality at Bay Area beaches to their cleanest level in years, a report released Thursday found.
Nearly every beach in the Bay Area, and throughout the state, had dramatically lower levels of bacteria and pollution than last year, according to an annual survey of 650 West Coast beaches by Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica environmental group.
"This is one of our best years yet," said Amanda Griesbach, a water-quality scientist at Heal the Bay, which compiled its data from weekly water-quality checks throughout the year along the California coast. "Especially with summer coming, people should be happy that beaches in California are clean."
Six local beaches earned top honors, including four in San Mateo County and two in San Francisco: Sharp Park and Rockaway beaches in Pacifica, Montara State Beach, Dunes Beach in Half Moon Bay, and Baker and Ocean beaches in San Francisco.
Nearly all beaches in the Bay Area earned "good" or "excellent" grades, including some in the past that have been among the most polluted, such as Baker Beach.
The report looked at bacteria and pollution seeping into coastal waters from sewage plants, industry and urban runoff. Tougher state and federal standards on water treatment and pollution have led to fewer beach closures and generally cleaner water, according to the report.
Over the past few years, the State Water Resources Control Board and its regional offices have tightened controls and increased enforcement on water treatment plants, refineries, factories and sewage treatment facilities, said Tim Moran, spokesman for the state water board.
"It's a continual process. But we try to identify the problems and take action when we can," he said.
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Chicago beaches open today
The Chicago Park District's beaches open for this year's swim season at 11 a.m. today.
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OK, one more eclipse shot | Bad Astronomy
Ive posted a lot of stuff about Sundays annular eclipse (see Related Links below), and I figured I was done but then I got a pretty remarkable picture sent to me.
During the eclipse, in northern California, two men sent a small (6 cubic meter) helium-filled balloon up to 90,000 feet (roughly 27 km). Equipped with a camera and an ingenious system that used puffs of gas to orient the payload, they took this pretty amazing shot of the eclipse:
[Click to penumbrenate.]
Thats the Earth on the left (duh), and on the upper right you can see the eclipsed Sun! They used a solar filter to cover half the cameras view so that they could get the correct exposure for both the Earth and the much brighter Sun.
I really enjoyed reading their story on how they set this up and executed it. I especially liked how they launched, sat around to watch the eclipse itself, then set off to find the balloon once it came back down (shredded after it popped at its lofty apex).
I love stuff like this! Basic equipment, clever people, and a can-do attitude results in something remarkable. Well done!
P.S. My friend and fellow Boulder astronomer Stuart Robbins posted a series of lovely timed sequences from the eclipse that he took in Albuquerque. Its well worth a click!
Related Posts:
- A fake and a real view of the solar eclipse FROM SPACE! - Gallery: When the Moon ate (most of) the Sun - The May 20, 2012 annular solar eclipse in motion - Followup: Supereclipse
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