harsens-rob's

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Galaxies Sip Through Swirly Straws | Video

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/spaceheadlines/~3/MF6ZFTD2rLo/21305-galaxies-sip-through-swirly-straws-video.html

Computer simulations of galaxies growing over billions of years show that cold gas to power stars spirals into the cores of galaxies along spiral filaments.  

space_com

Titan Unmasked: 1st Map of Saturn Moon's Topography Revealed

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/spaceheadlines/~3/1RPxZ-uqS0E/21291-titan-topographic-map.html

The global topographic map of Titan offers an unprecedented look at the surface of Saturn's largest moon.

space_com

Strong Solar Flare Leads Magnetic Loop Dance | Video

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/spaceheadlines/~3/Pfi0MKfPjjM/21303-strong-solar-flare-leads-magnetic-loop-dance-video.html

An M5-class flare erupted on the Sun on May 22nd, 2013 and magnetic fields worked their magic with super-heated plasma. The flare is seen in a combination of extreme ultraviolet light (at 171 and 304 Angstroms) by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

space_com

Minor Lunar Eclipse Tonight: How to Watch It Online

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/spaceheadlines/~3/rOOsjeSVc98/21304-lunar-eclipse-webcast-tonight.html

The online Slooh Space Camera will provide a live view of the May 24 lunar eclipse at 11:37 p.m. ET (0337 GMT).

embers_log

reading books....

I've been in a real reading jag lately (not that unusual for me; I find a new author then I usually get intense about inhaling all of their books as soon as possible). I also joined Goodreads.com about a year or so ago, and for the first time in my life I've been tracking the books I've read on that site. So looking at that list at GoodReads.com I discover I've already read 60 books in 2013! LOL
Here I thought I read about 2 per week, but in fact it is more than that. Of course most of these are light weight books, most of them are a fast read.

You'll notice (if you look at that link of the books I've read) that I give very high ratings; I give 5 stars to books that are clearly never going to be classics, that no one would confuse with great literature, and that will never add anything to or change my life. That is because I don't demand all that from my reading (I get that from my meditation and Vedic recitation). I am (obviously) not searching for great/brilliant/literary books to read. I'm looking for entertainment.

It is true that I could be a harsher judge on writing quality, clearly Colin Cotterill's and John Burdill's mysteries are far more beautifully written (with more spiritual depth, and real information about other cultures) than anything Nora Roberts will ever write.... But I'm judging on over all enjoyment (sue me):

my rating system (more or less)Collapse )

You will also notice (if you look at that link) that I've been reading mostly mysteries, some sci-fi/fantasy, and little else. I do stick to genres I enjoy. Favorites by authors in my genre:

some favorite books in no particular orderCollapse )

Of course I could name a lot more: Ellis Peters (Cadfael Mysteries), Tony Hillerman (Jim Chee & Leaphorn mysteries), Dick Francis, Rex Stout (Nero Wolfe Mysteries), and many more.

Of course I've also recently read all of George R.R. Martin's 'Song of Ice and Fire', and I will always love J.R.R. Tolkein's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, as well as C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles. I've read other fantasy and Sci-Fi, but mostly I'm into mysteries.

space_com

Giant Lego Star Wars X-Wing Lands In New York | Video

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/spaceheadlines/~3/zhgpxZUPpjg/21302-giant-lego-star-wars-x-wing-lands-in-new-york-video.html

The world's largest LEGO model, a massive Star Wars X-Wing spaceship, was displayed in New York's Times Square Thursday. The spectacular structure consists of more than 5.3 million of the company's multi-colored plastic bricks.

space_com

Space Trip With Leo DiCaprio Auctioned For $1.5 Million | Video

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/spaceheadlines/~3/gtEf19gbiHA/21301-space-trip-with-leo-dicaprio-auctioned-for-1-5-million-video.html

A star-studded celebrity auction for the charity amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, raises over 25 million dollars (19 million euros) at the Cannes film festival, with one lucky bidder winning the chance to fly into space with Leonardo DiCaprio

space_com

Space History Photo: LASRE Pod Matting to SR-71

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/spaceheadlines/~3/B-9xICaZGas/21300-lasre-pod-matting-to-sr71.html

A view of the Linear Aerospike SR Experiment pod during a fit-check at Lockheed Martin Skunkworks in Palmdale, California.

space_com

Trip to Space With Leonardo DiCaprio Sells at Auction for $1.5 million

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/spaceheadlines/~3/ZIcA4acAHz8/21299-virgin-galactic-leonardo-dicaprio-spaceflight.html

The winner bidder will fly on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo with the actor.

space_com

Hadfield Hits: How To Shave In Space | Video

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/spaceheadlines/~3/cuSGkq9rpXg/21298-hadfield-hits-how-to-shave-in-space-video.html

The Expedition 35 commander demonstrates how astronauts shave on the International Space Station.

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