Clipmarks | vk2yoc's 'australian' clips

The Sunspot Enigma: The Sun is “Dead”—What Does it Mean for Earth?

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:57:47 GMT

clipped by: vk2yoc
clipper's remarks: I wish they'd make up their minds.

Dark spots, some as large as 50,000 miles in diameter, typically move across the surface of the sun, contracting and expanding as they go. These strange and powerful phenomena are known as sunspots, but now they are all gone. Not even solar physicists know why it’s happening and what this odd solar silence might be indicating for our future.

Although periods of inactivity are normal for the sun, this current period has gone on much longer than usual and scientists are starting to worry—at least a little bit.

"This is the fastest temperature change in the instrumental record, and it puts us back to where we were in 1930," Dr Chapman noted in The Australian today.

If the world does face another mini Ice Age, it could come without warning.

Now this 11-year low in Sunspot activity has raised fears among a small but growing number of scientists that rather than getting warmer, the Earth could possibly be about to return to another cooling period

"Stock up on fur coats"…just in case.

Can a Shark's Tail Play a Role in the Planet's Energy Future?

Sat, 31 May 2008 09:55:14 GMT

clipped by: vk2yoc
clipper's remarks: Lots of very clever people are coming up with the ideas, how about Governments helping a little too.

Clip Source: www.dailygalaxy.com

A fascinating example of a next-generation power source mimicking the genius of nature is the Australian firm BioPower Systems, which has developed Biowave and the bioSTREAM: an ocean power system that harnesses energy from both wave and tides by mimicking the motion of underwater plants and fish in the ocean currents to generate electricity.

Biomimicry is a new science that studies nature’s best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems. Studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell is an example of this “innovation inspired by nature.”

The wave power system, bioWAVE, mimics the swaying motion of sea plants, like kelp. The device, which is anchored to the ocean floor, has buoyant “blades” which oscillate with the flow of waves. What was particularly interesting was that in violent stormy conditions, the system will automatically lie flush against the bottom, preventing or at least minimizing damage.

How do they do it?

WILL PLASTICS KILL OUR OCEANS?

Sat, 31 May 2008 09:47:52 GMT

clipped by: vk2yoc
clipper's remarks: This is a must read for everyone, I've clipped this problem before, but it just gets worse.
Read the full article, it's scary, but there is some hope.

Clip Source: www.dailygalaxy.com

The UN Environment Program estimates that there are 46,000 pieces of plastic litter in every square mile of ocean, and a swirling vortex of trash twice the size of Texas has spawned in the North Pacific.

Eco-friendly legislation that targets the production and distribution of plastic bags has been introduced in Israel, San Francisco, Ireland and China. Addiionally, a recent scientific discovery (see below) offers a potential long-term solution to the global plastic crisis.

But if there is an unfathomably massive collection of plastic junk out there, then why doesn't everyone already know about it, and why aren't we doing something about it?

Ian Kiernan, the Australian founder of Clean Up the World,

"It was just filled with things like furniture, fridges, plastic containers, cigarette lighters, plastic bottles, light globes, televisions and fishing nets," Kiernan says. "It's all so durable it floats. It's just a major problem."

Israelis Teach Their Children Well.

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:21:13 GMT

clipped by: vk2yoc
clipper's remarks: If you support Israel, you support this.

Clip Source: www.thewe.cc

Israeli children sign their missiles ‘with love’

Never have I witnessed such an appalling display of utter contempt for human life.

And they're not even ashamed to beam it across the globe, for all the world to see.

THIS is U.S. atrocities, US tax dollars support.

US/Israel — an arrogant, war-like people who indoctrinate their children in the art of murderous and cavalier warfare.

Dear Lebanese/ Palestinian/ Canadian/ American/ Muslim/ Christian/ Australian/ or Anyone else who stands in our way,

DIE.

love,
Israeli Kids

Weapon supplied and paid for by US

“I don’t think that our viewers know that Israel actually occupied Lebanon for 18 years and that in the past 6 years alone it’s launched 11,782 missiles over the Lebanese border. In comparison, Hizbullah had launched 100 missiles over the border.”

Do Americans know that?

Do you now know???

Oct. 31, 1917: a Page in Military History

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:23:05 GMT

clipped by: vk2yoc
clipper's remarks: "1917: Australian mounted troops take Beersheba, Palestine, by launching what is often billed as the last successful cavalry charge in military history.

This claim is disputed, however, depending on what is meant by "successful cavalry charge." Both the Russians and Germans had limited, small-scale successes using mounted troops during World War II, although nothing approaching the scale of Beersheba."

Then again, the Light Horse were not cavalry, but mounted infantry.

Clip Source: www.wired.com

The town of Beersheba, photographed in 1917 during its capture by Austrailian mounted troops.
Image: Courtesy Australian War Memorial

Using two regiments, the 4th and 12th Light Horse, the Aussies attacked the Turkish lines in front of Beersheba, then a southern outpost of the tottering Ottoman Empire. The main objective was not the town itself but the wells nearby, needed to supply British and Australian troops desperately short of water.

The attackers bypassed most of the front-line pickets and struck at the Turkish rear, with the 4th attacking the trenches while the 12th slipped through a gap and rode into Beersheba. Dismounting, the horsemen engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat, stabbing with their bayonets and using their rifles as clubs. The Turks soon broke, and the wells were captured before they could be destroyed. The town fell in the same assault.

Tags: australian, history, light horse

History's last great mounted charge.

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:09:25 GMT

clipped by: vk2yoc
clipper's remarks: 90th Anniversary of the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade's charge at Beersheba.

Clip Source: www.diggerhistory.info

The charge of the 4th and 12th Australian Light Horse Regiments (4th Lt Horse Brigade) at Beersheba.

The two regiments moved off at the trot, gradually fanning out until there was five yards between each horseman. 'Speed and surprise were their one chance',

'and almost at once the pace was quickened to a gallop'. Four miles ahead lay Turkish trenches, many cleverly concealed even from aircraft reconnaissance and surrounded on nearby hills by machine gun and artillery positions.

As the Turkish trenches neared, rapid rifle fire began to take its toll. Horses and men in the first line began to drop.

About half-a-mile from the town, the Brigade began to overrun fugitive troops and guns. Some surrendered but others elected to fight and Light Horsemen here and there dismounted to capture them by rifle and bayonet. Led by two ground scouts about 80 yards ahead, the charge swept on.

A terrible disorder soon reigned with some Light Horsemen reduced to using their rifles as clubs.

Tags: australian, history