Episode #309
News Items
- Two New Elements
- The Decline Effect
- Zicam Inventor Arrested
- Lasers from Human Cells
- Brain Wave Cat Ears
Who's That Noisy
- Answer to last week: Sara Silverman
Science or Fiction
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Item #1
Science
Despite the fact that Vesta has no clouds or snow cover, it is the brightest object in the asteroid belt with an albedo about the same as the Earth. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/nasa-s-dawn-approaches-vesta-207791.aspx
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Item #2
Science
About 1 in every 20 meteorites that fall to the Earth come from Vesta. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/nasa-s-dawn-approaches-vesta-207791.aspx
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Item #3
Science
When it was first discovered in 1807 Vesta was thought to be a moon of its larger cousin, Ceres, which was initially designated a planet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4_Vesta
Skeptical Quote of the Week.
‘In cases where prior knowledge is available, the alternative to ‘an open mind’ is not a ‘closed mind’. It is ‘an informed mind’. In such contexts, any appeal to ‘keep an open mind’ is an appeal to prefer ignorance over knowledge. This is not advisable.’ - Ian Rowland