NASA Pic of Day

Today's NASA photo documents the first use of the dust-removing tool by the Mars rover Curiosity.

Never have so many scientists been so fascinated by dusting and vacuuming.

Wicked, wicked hot down under

This sounds like a joke...but I doubt people like smofbabe are laughing much.

It is so hot in Australia (how hot is it?) that weather charts have been changed to add layers of heat-intensity color. Based on forecasts, the province of South Australia is due temps exceeding 50°C./122°F.

The worst parts of South Australia are now deep purple.

Deep Purple: I remember when that was a band, and not the state of global warming.

And it is feared that more colors will need to be added, as forecasts might tip over the 54°C allowed for on the map.

Excuse me while I step outside into the 38°F/+3.4°C weather on the back deck to have a smoke.

I confess to a sneaking urge...

...to begin debating, on a certain email list, the merits of different types of bread for the manufacture of perfect French toast. But that would be wrong and evil. So I will ask you all:

[Poll #1889178]

And yes, if you typo something in a poll and then come back later, it won't let you actually correct it. *grrrr*

Ah, youthful good looks

Airport security at JFK mistakes Emma Watson for an unaccompanied minor child.