Glow In The Dark Venus

Who: ESA's Venus Express spaceship

Where: Venus

When: February 25, 2009

What: The ESA's Venus Express spaceship observed that there was a glow around Venus durning nighttime. This glow is impossible to see with the naked eye, however, the scientists saw it using a Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer(VIRTIS) which is something used to see wavelengths. 

 

Why: The glow was caused by the Sun's ultraviolet light rays.

My Opinion: I think it makes a lot of sense that the weird glow was caused by UV rays since Venus is right by the Sun. Also, I wonder if the scientists were shocked when they saw this or if this happens often.   

I got my info from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224133735.htm 

Highway Robbery in Russia

In Moscow, on February 23rd, there were 7 suspects who stole about 43 million rubles or $ 1 million in cash on the highway! You might ask, how did this happen, well 2 of the 7 suspects dressed up as traffic police. When the 2 suspects told their victims to stop their car the five other suspects held them at gunpoint. Two bankers told police that the suspects had automatic riffles. It is still unknown why these people did this. I think this is crazy. I have never heard anything like this before! I wonder if police will release the names of these people. I hope no one was harmed and those 7 suspects go to jail for causing what police said, on of Russia's biggest armed robberies in years. 

I got my info from: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29347537/ 

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Awsomeness

Red VS Blue

Who: Researchers at the University of British Columbia

When: Thursday, February 5, 2009

Where: England

What: Researchers did a study with 600 people. The test was to see if people's performance is different when they are looking at red or blue. Some people did the red test and had better results in remembering words and stuff like that. The other people took the blue test and did better in creativity.

Why: The researchers did the test to see if it is true that if you work in a room that has a lot of red in it, you're work will be more accurate and if you work in a room with a lot of blue in it you're work will be more creative.

My Opinion: I think this is true. The colors that are around you make an impacted on the kind of way you feel. For example, if you are working in a yellow room, you are going to feel more energized than if you were working in a black room. The opposite effect of red rooms vs blue rooms makes since because red is the opposite color of blue, so the feelings are going to be different.

I got my info from: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/science/06color.html?_r=1&ref=science&pagewanted=print

Chuck, the Groundhogs Day groundhog

On February 2nd, Groundhogs Day, Chuck the groundhog bit the New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg. A day after this, the zookeepers from the Staten Island Zoo(where the incident happened) decided to take Chuck out for another photo op. However, things don't go as planed. Chuck spotted a photograph of Mayor Bloomberg that was planted there by a photographer. Then, he flared his teeth  and rubbed his lips in the corner on the picture. In my opinion, this groundhog is crazy. In the article it states,"He's usually well behaved," insisted Doug Schwartz, a zookeeper." Based on what happened over those two days Chuck is either just crazy, or hates Major Bloomberg.    

I got my info from: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/nyregion/04groundhog.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

Peanut Products Recall

Who: FDA (Food and Drug Administration)  

When: Friday, January 23rd 

Where: United States 

What: There is a recall on peanut butter and peanut paste products from the Peanut                   Corporation of America (PCA) in Georgia(processing plant). These products include some cookies, crackers, cereal, candy, ice cream and some pet food products.  

Why: The peanut butter and peanut paste has been contaminated with salmonella typhimurium, which can make you very sick.   

My Opinion: I think that this recall is going to be hard for people to avoid. This is because a lot of food is made with peanut paste or peanut butter. I hope this recall doesn't last long.   

I got my info from: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html 

 

Inauguration of Barack Obama

On Tuesday, January 20th, a historic event took place in Washington DC.  Barack Obama was inaugurated to be the first African American president of the United States. Over a million people traveled long distances and fought the brutal, cold, weather to wittiness this. And, many people watched all day at home. This was truly a proud moment for Americans. 

"In his inaugural address, Mr. Obama promised to take "bold and swift" actions to restore the economy by creating jobs through public works projects, improving education, promoting alternative energy and relying on new technology." said The New York Times. In this article it states that as Barack Obama took the oath to become president, he used the same bible that was used by Abraham Lincoln on his inauguration. Also, it says that people were packed from the National Mall all the way to beyond the Washington Monument. This was the biggest crowd ever! However, the inauguration does not stop there.

Later in the day , there were many balls and everyone was pumped. In my second article from Access Hollywood, it says "President Obama and his wife finally arrived to the MTV and Service Nation's Youth Ball after 10:30 pm,taking the stage to loud chants of "O-B-A-M-A" and "Yes We Can" from the patrons gathered." Preforming at this ball was Fall Out Boy, Kanye West and Kid Rock, while Usher, Rosario Dawson and Tobey Maguire were there. Another ball that took place was the Neighborhood Ball where Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige and will.i.am took the stage and had Queen Latifah as a special appearance. The other balls were the Western Ball with a duet from Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony, the Midwestern Ball where Sherly Crow preformed and finally the Commander in Chief Ball where Bon Jovi sang. All of these balls took place all across Capitol Hill.

In my opinion the inauguration was truly a spectacular and historic moment. After watching it on TV, I wish that I was there to wittiness it in person. This was a proud moment for all Americans and proves that Matin Luther King Jr.'s speech, "I have a Dream" has really come true.  

I got my first article from: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/us/politics/20web-inaug2.html?s...uguration%20of%barack%20obama&at=Search&scp=2&pagewanted=print

I got my second article from: http://www.acceshollywood.com/beyonce-mariah-and-more-step-out-at-inaugural-balls-to-celebrate-president-obama_article_13166