Hubble has a new set of eye balls and, via Meg Marquardt's lovely cosmic slide show, they're seeing deeper and more clearly into space than ever:
Hubble's facelift will allow it to continue its mission for at least another decade. At that time, it is thought another, more powerful telescope, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, will take its place. Precisely what will happen to Hubble is unknown, though one option is to send it out deeper into space to see just what its miraculous technology can uncover.
On a less optimistic note, the summary of the Augustine Commission report (.pdf) on the future of the US Space Program is out. I have some highlights and thoughts here.
- Looking for a job in academia in the midst of the Bush economic disaster? Kim Hannula has some advice and helpful hints.
- Sean Carroll introduces a paper on the fascinating idea that dark matter may come in a complex hierarchy of structures, perhaps loosely analogous to atoms and molecules. Dark matter chemistry, biochemistry; dare we speculate on cosmos altering Photino Birds?
- I had the opportunity to chat with Realclimate contributor and world renown climatologist Michael Mann about paleotempestology -- the study of ancient cyclones and climate -- resulting in this article, Lessons of the Norse.
- Earlier this week we noted the growing effort to pressure the UK to issue a long, long overdue formal apology on behalf of Alan Turing. I'm pleased to say that apology has been issued, details and discussion in Adrianrf's diary.