BAA Comet section – Institute of Astronomy

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Latest Discoveries Jan 13 The January 2015 edition of The Comet's Tale is publishedJan 15 Discovery of 2015 A1 (PanSTARRS) reportedJan 16 Discovery of 2015 A2 (PanSTARRS) reportedJan 18 Worachate Boonplod reports a Kreutz group comet in real time C3 imagesJan 21 Worachate Boonplod reports a non-group comet in real time C3 imagesJan 22 Zhijian Xu reports a Kreutz group comet in real time C3 imagesJan 25 Worachate Boonplod reports a Kreutz group comet in real time C3 imagesJan 25 Discovery of 2015 A3 (P/PanSTARRS) reportedJan 26 Worachate Boonplod reports a Meyer group comet in real time C2 imagesJan 28 Richard Miles reports a significant outburst on 17P/HolmesJan 31 Zhijian Xu reports a Meyer group comet in real time C2 imagesJan 31 Szymon Liwo reports a Kreutz group comet in real time C3 imagesFeb 04 Discovery of 2015 B1 (PanSTARRS) reportedFeb 04 Update

If there have been no recent updates try The German comet group page or Seiichi Yoshida's page for information or the Liga Iberoamericana de Astronomia for observations.

Planning aids and information for forthcoming comets

An explanation of the information in the ephemerides is given here. The following magnitude parameters, last updated 2015 February 1, are used in the ephemerides, but note that ephemerides are not updated every time the magnitude parameters are.

The following lists [updated 2015 February 1] give the ephemeris details, including the approximate current magnitude and local visibility for all the comets in the CBAT list for the UK, the equator and 40 south. CCD observers should try and observe any comets that have not recently been observed according to the CBAT but which are expected to be within range of their equipment. Negative observations are also useful.

For positions of newly discovered comets see the NEO confirmation page . You can also generate your own ephemerides and elements at the CBAT Minor Planet and Comet Ephemeris Service web page. The elements and ephemerides from the JPL Small-Body Database Browser give estimates of the errors, which are often far larger than might be thought from the accuracy of the elements given by the CBAT. Seiichi Yoshida has pages for currently visible comets, which include finder charts. Seiichi also has a comet rendezvous page, which lists conjunctions between comets, variable stars and nebulae and a comet recovery page, which lists periodic comets not yet recovered at the present return. The T3 project aims to discover comets amongst the population of asteroids influenced by Jupiter. Following a hack at the MPC, MPECs etc are now available at this site

A plot of recent search areas by professional teams looking for NEOS.

Download the January 2015 newsletter, which has a report of an RAS meeting, an article on Rosetta, plus the usual reviews and forecasts.

Download Richard Fleet's GraphDark software for graphically displaying comet (and other object) visibility. Latest version is 2.05, 2007 May.

Download William Schwittek's CometWin software for generating comet ephemerides and visibility diagrams. [Updated 2002 March 5]

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BAA Comet section - Institute of Astronomy

Near Earth Objects

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Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) are comets and asteroids that have been nudged by the gravitational attraction of nearby planets into orbits that allow them to enter the Earth's neighborhood. Composed mostly of water ice with embedded dust particles, comets originally formed in the cold outer planetary system while most of the rocky asteroids formed in the warmer inner solar system between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The scientific interest in comets and asteroids is due largely to their status as the relatively unchanged remnant debris from the solar system formation process some 4.6 billion years ago. The giant outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) formed from an agglomeration of billions of comets and the left over bits and pieces from this formation process are the comets we see today. Likewise, today's asteroids are the bits and pieces left over from the initial agglomeration of the inner planets that include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

As the primitive, leftover building blocks of the solar system formation process, comets and asteroids offer clues to the chemical mixture from which the planets formed some 4.6 billion years ago. If we wish to know the composition of the primordial mixture from which the planets formed, then we must determine the chemical constituents of the leftover debris from this formation process - the comets and asteroids.

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Near Earth Objects

Comets Sweep the Series After a 10-5 Victory

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February 6, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) Missouri Comets ST. LOUIS, MO "" The Missouri Comets (17-0) swept the series against the St. Louis Ambush (5-12) with a 10-5 victory in front of 6,989 fans at the Family Arena to remain undefeated in the inaugural season of the Major Arena Soccer League.

With a hat trick and four assists (seven points), league leader Leo Gibson was named Borden Man of the Match. A total of six players scored for the Comets.

Head coach Vlatko Andonovski's team was without Stefan Stokic who did not travel due to an abdominal strain injury. In addition, Max Touloute and Cody Hoffman did not dress for the match.

The St. Louis Ambush started off strong and took the lead early in the first quarter when Jeff DiMaria found the back of the net. However, moments later, team captain Vahid Assadpour tied the match 1-1 to end the quarter.

Shortly after the start of the second quarter, Gibson scored his first one of the night before Elvir Kafedzic equalized the match followed by Bryan Perez' only tally of the evening. Assadpour and Matingou notched goals in the second stanza to take a 5-3 lead to the locker rooms.

Four consecutive goals from rookie Kiel Williams, Matingou, Gibson and Brian Harris meant the seventeenth straight victory for the Central Division Champions ending the third quarter with a 9-4 score.

The fourth and last quarter saw each team score once again courtesy of Gibson and Sinclair ending the match 10-5.

Next up, the Comets will visit the Wichita B-52s at Hartman Arena this Sunday at 3:05 p.m. CT.

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Comets Sweep the Series After a 10-5 Victory

Eight Is Just Great for Comets in Adirondack

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February 6, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets A 4-2 victory was the perfect start to the Comets three-in-three weekend, and that's exactly what happened Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center after Utica downed the Adirondack Flames for the eighth consecutive time this season.

Nicklas Jensen, Dustin Jeffrey, Alex Friesen and Brendan Gaunce all scored for the Comets. Dustin Jeffrey's goal was his 14th of the season, which tied him with Brandon DeFazio for the team lead. Jacob Markstrom recorded his thirteenth win of the season and his sixth win against the Flames, as he saved 31 of the 33 shots he faced.

The Flames found their first goal of the night after the clock just pushed past the one-minute mark in the first period. After a heavy forecheck, Markus Granlund outworked Comets defensemen Alex Biega for the puck in the slot. Once he obtained possession of the puck, Granlund ripped one off and put it past Markstrom's glove hand for the 1-0 lead.

At 8:57 the Comets were awarded their second power-play opportunity of the night after Patrick Sieloff was directed towards the penalty box for a cross checking penalty. Just 38 seconds later the puck found it's way into the net after Jeffrey deflected a shot over the shoulder of Joni Ortio for the equalizer. Bobby Sanguinetti and Cal O'Reilly were credited with the secondary assists.

Just 23 seconds later, the Flames regained the lead after a shot from Sena Acolatse was tipped past Markstrom by Drew Shore, to give the Flames a 2-1 lead.

Adirondack's second goal didn't take the wind out of the Comets sails and that was clearly evident towards the end of the first period. Andrey Pedan got it all going for the Comets as he stepped up on the blue line for a slapshot. However, the puck decided to take an alternate route because it was blocked down before it reached the paint. Once the puck was loose in front, Mike Zalewski slid it across the crease and on to the stick of Gaunce, who punished the puck directly into the open net to make it a 2-2 game.

Another opportunity sprung up for the Comets towards the end of the second period after Garnet Hathaway took a slashing call at 14:01. With another power play in the palm of their hands, Alex Biega fired a shot one net. Standing at the top of the crease, Jensen re-directed the puck in to the mesh to make it 3-2. Brandon DeFazio tallied the secondary assist.

The game had the possibility of turning ugly for the Comets because with just less than three minutes left in the game, Alexandre Grenier took a hooking penalty. Shortly after Grenier was sent to the box, Ortio was pulled from net giving the Flames a 6-on-4 advantage over the Comets.

Fortunately, Friesen intercepted the puck during the Flames offensive efforts, and launched it to the other end of the ice and into the open net to seal the game for a final score of 4-2.

The Comets have added another two points to their overall standing (58) which has opened up a six-point gap between them and their North Division rivals (Adirondack Flames).

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Comets improve to 16-0

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Mason High School senior Cameron Arminio isnt a big stats guy.

I dont look at stats, Arminio said. I dont know how much I average a game, or that I lead the team (in scoring), but Ill bet there are a couple of others right behind me.

That team approach continues to pay big dividends for the Comets, who improved to 15-0 after a 71-46 win over Sycamore on Tuesday night. Mason was ranked second in Ohio in Division I in the most recent state poll.

It is exciting to be 16-0 and ranked second in the state, Arminio said. I dont think it ever crossed our mind that we would be second in the state, but we knew we could play this well, so Im not too surprised about that.

Arminio leads the Comets at 12.6 points per game though you wont find him among the Greater Miami Conference leaders. In all, seven Comets average at least six points per game with Eddie Puisis second at 11.2.

We are so deadly as a team, Arminio said. We have five different guys who can go off. I can score three points and I know that someone else will go and score 20.

The balance has allowed Arminio to relax and play the game.

Through the first 15 games, the senior is hitting close to 45 percent from 3-point range, 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the line.

With this group it doesnt put as much pressure on me, he said. I can go out and do other things to help the team without scoring. I know that I am going to have teammates to help me out.

It is a faith that has been forged by hours of sweat.

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Comets improve to 16-0

Patrick Kennedy Recalled by Comets

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February 6, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets Utica Comets Director of Hockey Operations Pat Conacher announced today that the Comets have recalled forward Patrick Kennedy from the ECHL's Evansville Icemen.

Kennedy, 25, has appeared in four games this season as part of two separate call-ups with Utica. He has appeared in 25 games and has registered 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) with Evansville this season. His nine goals tie him for second on the Icemen.

After starting last season with the Icemen, Kennedy was signed by the Comets and played in 40 AHL games with Utica. He recorded a goal and four assists with 10 penalty minutes. A native of Dorchester, ON, Kennedy played his college hockey in central New York at Cornell University (2007-11).

The Comets hit the road tonight to face the Adirondack Flames in the first of back-to-back contests at the Glens Falls Civic Center. All games can be heard on 94.9 FM KROCK or online through http://www.krock.com.

Utica returns to The AUD on Sunday for a 3 p.m. game against the Binghamton Senators. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Comets pennant and all players will be available for autographs following the game. For a complete schedule of Utica Comets games, as well as ticketing information, visit http://www.uticacomets.com.

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Patrick Kennedy Recalled by Comets

Travel Advisor Tips – World Travel Guides and Useful …

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TravelAdvisorTips.com is one-stop travel guide on your road to the most exhilarating world destinations providing numerous travel tips. Just click on one of many travel articles on the website to learn more about a certain destination you are headed to, find out which attractions are worth visiting and which ones you can do without. Travel Advisor Tips travel guide saves you time and money time after time with our overview of many free places to visit and free things to do in places you would expect to spend a fortune at.

For your information our website presents some of the most attention worthy travel articles grouped into 10 major travel destinations presented in the main menu. Simply click on parts of the world that you are considering visiting to learn more travel tips, information on the best hotels, top destinations and a full blown spectrum of attractions virtually for any traveler.

Western Europe located on the smallest land based continent contains within itself an impressive magnitude of cultural and natural riches. It is hard to find any other location in the world that would be appropriate for literally any traveler. What is not to love: castles in Ireland, Royal palaces and Westminster Abbey in England, unique Netherlands capital Amsterdam with a plethora of canals, museums, galleries to explore by day and Red Light district to explore by night? Italy with its Renaissance era architecture, art and cultural heritage, iconic museums and cities is another story in itself. From Bavarian beer festivals in Germany to Vienna Opera House in Austria and Switzerland with its fairy tale like landscapes and world class skiing resorts. But wait, what about France with the Eiffel Tower in Paris and French countryside chateaux spread along Loire Valley. And sizzling Spain wins everyone over not only by its architecture, landscapes but by flamenco dancing and mouthwatering tapas cuisine.

United Kingdom is a country that adores its queen, never misses its 5 oclock ritual and was hosting 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Throughout its long history it had taken part in just about any major world event showcasing its great military might and political wit. Today, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are hosting millions of tourists drawn to their attractions including 25 UNESCO World heritage sites, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square in London and, of course, prehistoric remnants from the Stone Age to the Dark Age. Then there are cities like Edinburgh, Leeds, Yorkshire Dells and Glasgow full of old world charm coupled with modern ultra urban night clubs and restaurants.

Eastern Europe slowly waking up from its almost century long behind the Iron Curtain Wall slumber is welcoming more visitors than ever before attracted by its immense cultural and natural resources that until recently remained closed for Western tourists. There are many reasons to come to the Eastern part of Europe to see Russian churches, palaces and unbelievable museums, Baltic States boasting even more beautiful coastal landscapes and culture, sample tasty Polish cuisine and marvel at its medieval castles in Warsaw and Krakow. Among other top destinations here is Prague in Czech Republic that offer it all to visitors ranging from its historical architecture, lovely museums and top notch gastronomy. Then there are Danube River cruises and world-renown spas in Budapest, Hungary and medieval castles in Transylvania, Romania. And finally gorgeous seaside resorts in Bulgaria and Greece coupled with priceless historical sites like Mount Olympus and Acropolis in Athens are without a doubt some of the top reasons of coming here.

Russia, being the largest country on Earth, does not fall short on the top notch attractions being offered by your travel guides. Indeed, occupying territories spanning across multiple geographical and climatic zones, there is so much to see, from the Russian Far East and Siberia regions boasting some of the most beautiful National Parks, lakes, mountain ranges and diverse wildlife to world class Black Sea resorts by Sochi. In Moscow, visitors can take in some of the best sites in the country including Kremlin, the Red Square, Bolshoy Theatre and an array of amazing cathedrals. In the cultural capital of the country, Saint Petersburg, some of the best attractions are the most renowned museum in the world The Hermitage, Alexander Nevsky Monastery, magnificent palaces and a series of stunning bridges. The country is immense in its size so referring to one of many travel articles on the website will help plan your trip more effectively.

Scandinavia is a scarcely populated region in Nordic Europe containing just a handful of countries with some of the most impressive sceneries and landscapes. Norway with its majestic fjords, troll culture and beautiful sea ports; Iceland boasting stunning glaciers, gorgeous Gullfoss Waterfall and geothermal springs are welcoming millions of visitors in search of their outdoor wonders. In Finland, tourists love relaxing in wooden cottages, going sledding and playing in snow castles. Visit cultural Stockholm in Sweden and a magnitude of islands in Denmark along with Viking heritage sites.

The United States of America is one incredible travel destination presented by 50 distinct states spanning from the West coast of California to the East coast of New York, Alaska way north in the Arctic and Hawaii in the North Pacific. Indeed, it is hard to choose which state to visit, what to see in do in this huge country but do not despair since we have plenty of travel articles on American destinations to keep your coming for more. Our travel guide across the United States will teach you how to save money in New York City if you want to see all of its incredible attractions ranging from the Statue of Liberty, Metropolitan Museum, Central Park and much more. In addition, we will help you learn which cities are worth visiting and which must-see attractions in California to include in any itinerary. From world famous zoo and Balboa Park and its museums in San Diego to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to great beaches near Los Angeles, we have you covered. In America you can gamble in Las Vegas, see 4 former American Presidents carved into the Mouth Rushmore in South Dakota, visit Grand Canyon in Arizona and take in the cowboy culture in Texas. Ski in Colorado, camp in the Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and see incredible Great Lakes in the Midwestern portion of the USA. It does not stop here: Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans, Kentucky Derby and gorgeous tropical beaches of Florida. In Alaska you can enjoy majestic northern landscapes, feast on fresh salmon and visit the Kenai Fjords National Park. Then there is Hawaii like no other state with a plethora of islands to surf and swim, Polynesian culture to explore and cuisine to savor.

Canada is second largest nation in the world blessed with incredible outdoors like fresh water lakes, vast forests, Canadian Rockies mountain range and culture heavily affected by British and French influence. It does not matter whether you head to this North American destination to ski, fish, kayak or enjoy its great outdoors, all seasons are great to indulge in the best vacation destination imaginable. Savor the best lobsters and whale watch in Nova Scotia, take in the culture and chic of cosmopolitan Vancouver, visit its beautiful Banff National Park in Alberta, dive into the French cultural epicenter in Quebec City and Montreal. Finally, do not miss the popular attraction in North America Niagara Falls and Royal Canadian Mint in the capital Ottawa.

Mexico is one of the most beloved tourist destinations in the world combining 6000 miles of coastline, incredible cultural attractions, historical heritage and some of the best cuisines in the world. Tourists will find a myriad of world class resorts in places like Cozumel, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco and many more ideal for water sports and leisure activities. Lots of archaeological sites with remnants of ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations are some of the top attractions including Chichen Itza, Teotihuacan and Uxmal.

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Cheap Flights, Round the World & Student Travel | STA …

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Gay and Lesbian Travel a booming segment at ITB Berlin 2015

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The Gay & Lesbian Travel Pavilion, the world's largest LGBT platform, welcomes new exhibitors discussion round at the ITB Berlin Convention on the prospects for LGBT social media campaigns a cult event: the ITB TomOnTour Party on 4 March 2015

Gay and lesbian travel is one of the fastest-growing markets in the international travel industry. Ever since 2010 ITB Berlin has grouped all the relevant providers on an attractive combined display in order to focus attention on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender tourism (LGBT). The Gay & Lesbian Travel Pavilion in the centrally located entrance area in front of the Caribbean Hall 3.1b, now showcases the world's largest range of LGBT tourism products at any trade fair.

Among this year's exhibitors attending the Pink Pavilion for the first time are Mykonos Accommodation Center with Gay-friendly Hotels from Mykonos, the Stockholm Gay & Lesbian Network with EuroGames 2015, Dorsett Hotels and Zenith Travel from Ecuador. Key West, Fort Lauderdale as well as Toronto and Ontario, are represented for the first time with their own stand at the world's largest travel trade show. Wien Tourism together with the popular Vienna Gay Caf and ITB LGBT partner TomOnTour/ Diversity GmbH are long-standing exhibitors at the show. The stand of Vienna features a cube with a large photo of Conchita Wurst and questions about the Eurovision Song Contest which in 2015 will take place in Vienna. Those who get the right answers will be able to win prizes. Also taking part again are the Spartacus Gay Guide, Brazil with ABRAT and Embratur, Argentina Turismo LGBT, Diversity Consulting from Madrid, the Ella Festival from Majorca, Gay Gran Canaria, the IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association), together with World Rainbow Hotels, Gay Guide 365, Here Media, and co-exhibitors from Tel Aviv and Barcelona.

Following its successful launch last year, in 2015 the Gay & Lesbian Media Networking Brunch will be taking place on Wednesday, 4 March. From 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. members of the media will be able to get together in an informal atmosphere with representatives of destinations and other tourism providers. Part of it will be the Ella Festival for Women, One & Only Hotels, Toronto and Ontario, Hotel GranVia Kyoto from Japan, Spartacus and TomOnTour and, for the first time, the city of Athens, which is acting as the main sponsor of the event. Another regular highlight is the reception organised by the Spartacus Gay Guide on 5 March 2015, the Thursday of ITB. Among those taking part are IGLTA, the Berlin Aids relief organisation and Air Berlin. On the Saturday of ITB 'Queer Tango', a legendary event and major attraction for the public, will be taking place on the gay and lesbian stand of Argentina. Taking place on 4 March 2015 at the Park Inn on Alexanderplatz will be the ITB Party by TomOnTour, a cult event for partygoers. Admission is by invitation only. Visit Florida is the exclusive partner of the event. On 6 March 2015 the community will be getting together with the IGLTA for an evening reception at the Axel Hotel. Admission here is also by invitation only.

Gay and Lesbian Tourism Panel at the ITB Berlin Convention

At the ITB Berlin Convention the ITB Destination Days will be addressing once again the topic of gay and lesbian travel. On Friday, 6 March 2015, taking the gay and lesbian market as an example, international experts Richard Gray, managing director of LGBT Market, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Shiho Ikeuchi, director of Overseas Marketing Hotel Granvia Kyoto; Kristin Hansen, of the Ella Festival, Majorca, and Rika Jean-Franois, responsible for CSR and LGBT travel at ITB Berlin and member of the board of IGLTA, will be debating "the potential of social media to successfully influence niche markets." Matt Skallerud of Pink Banana Media, Los Angeles, will be holding an introductory paper. Moderating the event will be Thomas Bmkes, managing director and senior consultant of Diversity Tourism GmbH and long-standing advisor in LGBT matters to ITB Berlin.

ITB Berlin's commitment to cultural diversity is not confined to the dates of the show. Thus, on request the ITB Academy organises events at various destinations with information on global developments. The show has also committed to strategic partnerships regarding the development of the LGBT travel product with Wien Tourismus and visitBerlin. In the context of its social responsibilities the world's largest travel trade show also sees itself in a pioneering role and promotes tolerance and the implementation of human rights. ITB Berlin is a member of the IGLTA and supports the IGLTA Foundation.

ITB Berlin 2015 will take place from Wednesday to Sunday, 4 to 8 March. From the Wednesday to the Friday ITB Berlin is open to trade visitors only. The ITB Berlin Convention is held parallel with the trade fair, from Wednesday to Saturday, 4 to 7 March 2015. It is the world"s largest specialist convention for the industry. More details are available at http://www.itb-convention.com. ITB Berlin is the leading trade fair for the worldwide travel industry. In 2014 a total of 10,147 companies and organisations from 189 countries exhibited their products and services to 174,000 visitors, who included 114,000 trade visitors.

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Gay and Lesbian Travel a booming segment at ITB Berlin 2015

Main/Transhuman – Television Tropes & Idioms

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"Your mind is software. Program it. Your body is a shell. Change it. Death is a disease. Cure it. Extinction is approaching. Fight it." Transhumans, sometimes called Posthumans, are people who have exceeded the normal mental and physical abilities. The "how" that happened can be anything from magic to science, the only thing that's common among all of them is that they are better than was possible before. A positive portrayal of transhumanism generally places a work on the Enlightenment side of the Romanticism Versus Enlightenment spectrum while a negative portrayal or conspicuous absence of it does the opposite. In fact, most popular media deals with transhumanism and anything relating to it as being 'dehumanizing' or even comparable to Eugenics with little chance for anything different. Thus, it has become a cliche that transhumanists are Sci Fi Nazis or Evilutionary Biologists with a God complex, even though it has an equal potential to be used for good. Generally, anarcho-Cyber Punk writers focus on the evils of Transhumanism. So do religious Moral Guardians, when ironically, many religions espouse a Transhumanist plane of existence free from the sinfulness of flesh. On the other hand, transhumanists and utilitarians themselves focus on the benefits. The main reason why Transhumanism's opponents tend to be very uncomfortable about it, however, is because of the implied radical alteration of what it means to be human. It is therefore assumed by said opponents that, while the idea does have potential for positive outcomes, if there was to be a negative outcome, then it probably would not be reversible. Even though this trope is called Transhuman, it's not actually limited to humans. Other species or entities that are enhanced count as well. The word 'transhuman' is actually found in legitimate scientific and political debates far more often than in fiction, although this has began to change in recent years courtesy of authors such as Charles Stross, Alastair Reynolds and Greg Egan. In spite of this, being transhuman encompasses many of other science fiction staples with their distinct tropes: Artificial Human: A man-made biological/organic human, often with purposefully modified genes. Artificial Limbs: A limited form of enhancement that's specific to the limbs. Ascend to a Higher Plane of Existence: The mystical or religious variant. Assimilation Plot: Transforming an entire species into a Hive Mind with an unified purpose. Badass Transplant: See Artificial Limbs above. Being Human Sucks/Humans Are Flawed: A major motivation. Beware the Superman: Where transhumanism has an overall negative net effect on the world. Bio-Augmentation: Biological enhancement, as compared to a Cyborg. Brain Uploading: The physical limitations of a body are outright removed. Cloning Blues: Are Clones People? Or just expendable? With LEGO Genetics, they may end up being more than we could ever imagine. Cybernetics Eat Your Soul: Artificial limbs and organs make you less "human" in a way that has some sort of measurable or observable consequence. Used as a "balance" for being enhanced, usually seen in Cyberpunk RPGs. Cyborgs: Cybernetic enhancement. This is what most people think of when they think of transhumans. Designer Babies: Making a person better before they're even born. Emergency Transformation: If you become better than you were before. Better. Stronger. Faster. Evilutionary Biologist: A transhumanist who thinks that Utopia Justifies the Means and believes that what they do is the "natural" evolutionary path, rather than some controlled change. Genetic Engineering Is the New Nuke: Genetics = magic. Humans Are Psychic in the Future: The concept is self-explanatory, if not the science. Magic Enhancement: Magical transhumansim, when applied to people, at least. Nanomachines: One of the most common ways to become Transhuman is through them. Pro-Human Transhuman: Despite no longer being (fully) human, the character still identifies with humanity. Super Breeding Program: Using genetic trait inheritance to create better people. Sufficiently Advanced Aliens: Nearly always have advanced themselves to god-like power instead of starting out like that. Super Human Trafficking: Abuse of transhumans via slavery, organ trafficking, and other means. Super Serum: One of the ways to become one, but be wary of it's Psycho Serum cousin. Super Soldier: This one usually relies on the physical aspect of transhumanism for war. The Singularity: A hypothetical scenario where we become transhumans due to acceleration of progress. Transhuman Aliens: Where what appears to be a species of aliens turns out to actually be transhumans. Transhuman Treachery: For when this makes you go bad. Touched by Vorlons: Aliens or whatnot might be the cause. bermensch: Gratuitous German, meaning "Over-man" or "superman". Transhumans are likely to be transcendent not just on physical, but also on psychological and moral perspectives. Ultimate Life Form: The end-all and be-all of transhumanism (if they were purposely made). Uplifted Animal: A Trans-Animal, basically. We Can Rebuild Him: Forced to be enhanced due to injury, instead of personally seeking it out. Working for a Body Upgrade: Enhanced because they earned it as a job perk. For some of the abilities a Transhuman might have, see Stock Superpowers. See also No Transhumanism Allowed. This may be used as an aspect of a Cyberpunk or Post-Cyberpunk setting.

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'Cause it's gonna be the future soon, I won't always be this way/As the things that make me weak and strange get engineered away...

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Transhuman Traditionalism

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The Monstrosity of Materialism in the Alien Film Series

Abstract: In the Alien Film Series, the cosmos is dominated by the personification Materialism in the interstellar corporation. Materialism understands matter to be both intrinsically self-enclosed and extrinsically other-caused. This dual relation results in the paradox of Materialism, in which matter is both enclosed within itself and caused by what is other than itself. The paradox of Materialism is concretely embodied in the alien monster, which is the monstrosity of Materialism. The greatest of all monsters is that which profanes the sacred order of the cosmos by threatening to disintegrate its absolute self-identity. The disclosure of the monstrosity of Materialism causes consciousness to become alienated from and opposed to itself. The violent battle with the alien is thus a spiritual conflict for the absolute identity of self-conscious mind. The alien terrifies audiences because it threatens to negate, falsify, and annul this idea of an essential identity between man and God.

Self-Alienated Horror

In Ridley Scotts 1979 film Alien, the crew of the commercial salvage ship the Nostromo is directed by the Weyland Corporation to investigate a distress signal on an uninhabited world whereupon they discover a mysterious derelict craft of extraterrestrial origin. The cargo chamber of the wreckage contains thousands of mysterious leathery eggs. Each egg appears to hatch a spidery-limbed "face-hugger" that envelopes human faces, penetrates their oral cavities, and implants an alien zygote which, after a brief period of natal gestation, violently bursts forth from within the bodies of their unwilling hosts. The infant alien which emerges from within a human host rapidly matures into a murderous beast which indiscriminately assails, assimilates, and annihilates all advanced living organisms within its surrounding biosphere.

In David Fincher's 1992 film Alien, the alien is smuggled by the survivors of the events of Aliens aboard an escape pod to crash-land upon on the isolated penal colony Fiorina 161. The meteoric arrival of the alien within their midst leads them, in faith and ignorance, to understand the beast as an omen of the forthcoming apocalypse. Through the collective activity of the alien hive, the alien monstrosity assumes the overriding purpose to exponentially expand to contaminate, corrupt, and consume all life in an endless entropy of self-annihilation.

The alien monster assimilates the appearance of man without his essential reason: it shares a human figure yet expresses neither pity nor remorse. In the alien man's physiology and technology become indiscriminately conjoined. The alien appears as a vicarious embodiment of the technical constructed-ness of human nature. Through this indissoluble fusion of mans naturality and artificiality, the violent exterior battle with the alien dramatizes an interior conflict over the essential nature of man between the opposed notions of necessarily inherited naturality with contingently produced artificiality. Yet the conclusion of the Alien film series appears to leave this conflict unresolved in a dramatic aporia. Neither the nature of man, nor the alien, nor even the relation of man and alien are conclusively elucidated. The alien thus haunts our essential self-understanding as a monstrous living paradox that symbolically dismembers the integral coherency of life, nature, and the human spirit.

"The Titan Prometheus wanted to give man equal footing with the gods. For this purpose he was cast out of Olympus. Well, my friends, the time has finally come for his return."

The expedition of the eponymously named space-ship Prometheus embodies this same mythic quest to wrest forbidden knowledge from what is absolutely other-than mankind. The events which transpire prior to human history have important consequences for the relationship between man and aliens, as the seeding of the Earth by the Engineers announces a wholly new relation between this alien race of supermen and man that, once discovered, transforms our collective idea of human nature, the essence of life on Earth, and the ultimate purpose of human life.

In our space-faring future, we discover a sub-human alien contagion that attaches to a human host, assimilates the essence of man, and is birthed with the cancerous potential to destroy all life. In the pre-historical past, the natures of man and alien have been designed by the superhuman Engineers. The continuity and coherence of human nature is thus doubly threatened by negation at both its original beginning and its final end: the essence of man is designed as a monstrous material artifact, just as man's future purpose is consumed by material monsters. The beginning and end of man is thus altogether enveloped in matter and determined by Materialism. Materialism suppresses form within matter, and then negatively individuates material atoms from one another and within themselves. The consequence is the paradox of Materialism in which all beings are thought to be negated, divided, and annulled. The furthermost negativity of this paradox terminates in the absolute annihilation of being and the logic of nihilism. The horror of the alien is the result of this furthermost alienation of the human nature from itself through the absolute negation of its original nature and final purpose.

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Transhuman Traditionalism

FAQ Part 2: MEsenchymal Stem cell therapy for CAnadian MS patients (MESCAMS) – Video

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FAQ Part 2: MEsenchymal Stem cell therapy for CAnadian MS patients (MESCAMS)
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and the Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Research Foundation have announced a $4.2 million grant in support of the MEsenchymal Stem cell therapy for CAnadian.

By: MSSocietyCanada

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FAQ Part 2: MEsenchymal Stem cell therapy for CAnadian MS patients (MESCAMS) - Video