a20261

An amateur astronomer discovered asteroid J002E3 orbiting the Earth in 2002. By observing how the object was moving and measuring its spectrum, it was determined that the asteroid was man-made and probably the third stage of Apollo 12's Saturn V rocket.

In early September 2002, spectral and photometric observations of J002E3 were made at IRTF and Mt. Biglow in an effort to determine whether the object was an asteroid or a human-made. Early observations yielded a possible spin-rate and orientation. Additional spectral observations were completed in May 2003 at the Air Force Maui Optical Supercomputing (AMOS) site. Through the modeling of common spacecraft materials, the observations of J002E3 show a strong correlation of absorption features to a combination of human-made materials including white paint, black paint, and aluminum. Absorption features in the near IR show a strong correlation with paint containing a titanium-oxide semiconductor. Using the material model and the orbital information, it was concluded that J002E3 is a human-made object from an Apollo rocket upperstage, most likely Apollo 12.

Here's a cool animation showing how the Earth's gravity temporarily captured J002E3.

Tags: Apollo   astronomy   space

Robbo sez, "Alternet reports on Verizon's stated plan to overturn the Federal Communications Commission's Open Internet Order and charge selective tolls for access to internet content."

At its core Verizon's attack on the FCC is an attack on the idea that regulators have any role to ensure affordable access to an open Internet. Now more than ever we need policies to protect consumers and users of all communications. And as all media converges on digital networks that means policies that protect Net Neutrality.

While Verizon and other ISPs are already raking in immense profits from connecting users to the Internet, they see even higher margins in being able to tell us where to go once we're online. By charging a premium so wealthy businesses can jump to the front of the line, they're playing a game with data delivery that would shove all other sites to the back.

"I think the people who talk about dismantling -- threatening -- Net Neutrality don't appreciate how important it has been for us to have an independent market for productivity and for applications on the Internet," World Wide Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee has said.

Verizon's Outrageous Plot to Crack Up the Internet (Thanks, Robbo!)

I loved every little bit of this letter that producer Steve Albini sent to Nirvana before the recording of In Utero, the band's final studio album. In it, Albini clearly and succinctly lays out his philosophy about recording music and has specific suggestions for working with Nirvana. But the last few paragraphs, about his payment, are awesome. I've reproduced the selection here in full:

#5: Dough. I explained this to Kurt but I thought I'd better reiterate it here. I do not want and will not take a royalty on any record I record. No points. Period. I think paying a royalty to a producer or engineer is ethically indefensible. The band write the songs. The band play the music. It's the band's fans who buy the records. The band is responsible for whether it's a great record or a horrible record. Royalties belong to the band.

I would like to be paid like a plumber: I do the job and you pay me what it's worth. The record company will expect me to ask for a point or a point and a half. If we assume three million sales, that works out to 400,000 dollars or so. There's no fucking way I would ever take that much money. I wouldn't be able to sleep.

I have to be comfortable with the amount of money you pay me, but it's your money, and I insist you be comfortable with it as well. Kurt suggested paying me a chunk which I would consider full payment, and then if you really thought I deserved more, paying me another chunk after you'd had a chance to live with the album for a while. That would be fine, but probably more organizational trouble than it's worth.

Whatever. I trust you guys to be fair to me and I know you must be familiar with what a regular industry goon would want. I will let you make the final decision about what I'm going to be paid. How much you choose to pay me will not effect my enthusiasm for the record.

Some people in my position would expect an increase in business after being associated with your band. I, however, already have more work that I can handle, and frankly, the kind of people such superficialities will attract are not people I want to work with. Please don't consider that an issue.

(via @akuban)

Tags: business   music   Nirvana   Steve Albini

This scene by Luke Watkins Hutchinson (Derfel Cadarn) seems like a slice of someone’s nightmare. Check out the use of the judge’s hairpiece on the face of the ghoul.

Designed through a unique collaboration between sculptor Anish Kapoor, architect Arata Isozaki, and the Lucerne Festival, Ark Nova is the first large-scale infalatable concert hall ever constructed. Conceived over a year ago, the mobile structure will open to the public on October 14th and will be host to concerts, events, and workshops in tsunami-damaged areas around the country.

Made from a translucent purple membrane reminiscent of a parachute, the organic structure can inflate in roughly two hours and seats up to 500 people, and will be easily transported around the region. Additionally, wood from tsunami-damaged cedar trees at the Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima was repurposed to build seating and acoustic reflectors in the hall’s interior. You can read more about it over on Spoon & Tamago and see more photos on Lucerne Festival Ark Nova’s Facebook page.

The folks over at MyLapse just created this fascinating glimpse of Barcelona using a technique that turns timelapse footage into a kaleidoscope, similar to the Mirror City video we saw back in July. Beautiful.

We now have Grumpy Cat & Boo Cake Pops. Bakerella shares with us how to make these adorable and..(Read...)

< Spork> Holy shit
< Spork> So, don't run into stuff when you're in the blimp in GTA V. It Hindenburgs
<@relsqui> Spork: so what you're saying is "run into stuff"
< Spork> relsqui: Yes
< Spork> relsqui: Ideally other blimps

++ | --

Look twice, because this fantasy tower by Kris Kelvin (Montgomery Burns) is larger than it looks (Kris says it’s over 1.4m tall). The ramshackle, staggered look of the tower is terrific, and all the texturing on the walls gives a lot of personality to the structure.

I know I’ve been missing in action here on the blog, but if you’ve been following me on Facebook, and you really should be , I posted yesterday that I’ve been getting ready for BrickCon with my newest mosaic.

Oh yes, bow ties are cool! Ever since Doctor Who returned to the airwaves on 2005, I’ve become an unashamed Whovian. As it is the 50th anniversary of the classic show, I figured I’d try my hand at portraying the current Doctor Matt Smith in my mosaic style.

Overall the mosaic from concept to completion took about a week and a half. It actually took longer as I did the initial design 2 months ago, but I was too busy with commissions and LEGO conventions to actually get around to building it till just a few days ago. I started building Friday and just finished up an hour ago.

I posted a “teaser pic” on Facebook also

Several people correctly guessed that it was the Doctor.

People often ask what computer program I use. And although I do used a few programs to do the initial color values, I mainly design the mosaic by hand. Here’s what it looks like.

This will be debuting at BrickCon 2013 next month and if you are still thinking of going as an attendee you only have one more day to register, so get on it!

This Halloween, Target is teaming up with fashion and costume designer, and former “Project Runway” contestant Chris March to create an exclusive line of larger-than-life Halloween wigs.


above: Former project Runway contestant and costume designer Chris March

The limited-time collection features over-the-top foam wigs, each priced at $20 or less, that will help Target guests create the perfect Halloween look. Inspired by his experience as a costume designer, March designed eight show-stopping styles: Geisha, Greaser, Starlet, Witch, Medusa, Monster Bride, Mohawk and Afro.










“I’ve been designing costumes and wigs for more than 20 years and my new collection with Target is so beyond my wildest dreams we couldn't call it anything but ‘Big Fun,’” said Chris March. “The wigs are inspired by fun and iconic characters and will help everyone create unforgettable Halloween costumes.”

“Halloween is a time for guests to have fun and dress up and Chris is the perfect partner to bring these over-the-top designs to life through the ‘Big Fun’ collection,” said Stacia Andersen, senior vice president, merchandising, Target.



Available starting Sept. 15 in U.S. and Canada Target stores, and online at Target, the playful collection serves as the centerpiece of Target’s Halloween product assortment.

Spend $50, Get Free Shipping on Select Halloween Costumes at Target (Valid 8/25-10/31)

How did you start all this? 

That is easy, back in early 2000 I put some drawings on Explodingdog.com and haven’t stopped since then. I have tried many different projects, some turning out good others failing. One step at a time, keep going and it makes sense.

Though I am enjoying it all, I can’t say I’ve become successful, but I suspect that is just an elusive feeling I will never get to grasp. 

But I can still give you advice!

My advice is this:

Don’t listen to people who tell you the most important thing is “Hard Work”. 

I am not saying you won’t have to work or that it won’t be hard sometimes, but it is bad advice. 

"Hard Work" is like wheels on a car, you need the right wheels if you are going to go forward. You also need the right amount, more isn’t going to make anything better.

I listened to these people who said “Hard Work” and I ended up putting eighteen wheels on my Honda Civic thinking I was going to haul lumber. I ended up crashing that car and needed to pick up all the lumber that was all over the highway. I miss that car.

It works the other way too, if you do have a truck and you are hauling lumber don’t think “Hard Work” is going to make your eighteen wheeler handle like a motorcycle. You are going to miss that turn, go through the guardrail, fly off the cliff and burn up in a fireball. All because you listened to the advice that “Hard Work” is the most important thing.

Don’t think you are going to invent a square wheel either, wheels are round for a reason.

One more thing, don’t listen to people who compare things to cars, that is the worst.

Good  luck.

Sam

Please resist any and all “hairy situation” jokes.

Brilliant official LEGO Designer, Adam Grabowski (Misterzumbi), created this minifig scale version of the “Orca” from Steven Spielberg’s JAWS six years ago, and has only now gotten around to sharing it with the world. I’d say the reason he works for LEGO making many of our favorite sets is pretty obvious. Well played Misterzumbi.

 

I’ve noticed the Red Sox’ beards for a while now. Haven’t said much about them because I was waiting to see if there was some higher purpose to them beyond team bonding and image-crafting. Maybe some charitable thing? Maybe solidarity with a friend or fan suffering from some illness? I don’t know. Stuff happens and…

Cash cat..(Read...)

Over at Wired.com, David Kravets writes about an order by a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) judge demanding that the US government begin to declassify its opinions related to the Patriot Act. The order "means the government likely will have to make public opinions surrounding the court’s legal interpretations of Section 215 of the Patriot Act," a controversial provision that allows FISC "to authorize broad warrants for most any type of 'tangible' records, including those held by banks, doctors and phone companies."

With the PocketPlug case, charging cable is no longer needed to charge your iPhone. The black shell..(Read...)

Spetznas..(Read...)

Paris, France

Oxford, UK

Oxford, UK

The Whitehall street entrance, London

Dongseo elevated highway, Busan

Harrods, London

Sacre-Coeur church in Montmartre, Paris

These architectural watercolor studies by Sunga Park seem to drip and fade out of focus like a memory or a dream. The graphic designer and illustrator currently lives and works in Busan, South Korea as a wallpaper designer but it seems her true passion is for watercolor and other artistic endeavors. See much more of her work on Behance and Flickr. If you liked this, also check out the work of Maja Wronska.

This amazing brick built Appa, the 6 legged flying buffalo from the series Avatar: The Last Airbender, seems perfectly timed with the second season of The Legend of Korra coming on September 13th. I always felt that LEGO’s initial attempt at doing a licensed theme on The Last Airbender failed to capitalize on what fans would truly want, and a gorgeous, constructed Appa like this one built by perennially featured Tyler (Legohaulic) is at the top of the list of what they should have done. I really would love to see a theme based on Korra.

A new app encourages players to throw their phones as high as possible, then records the peak height reached. Here's how it works.

The RearViz mirror features a collapsible convex mirror, for a wider angle of view, the device..(Read...)

Autumn by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa

Autumn by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa

Winter by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa

Winter by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa

Spring by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa

Spring by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa

Summer by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa

Summer by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa

A few days ago Colleen Theisen who helps with outreach and instruction at the Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa shared an amazing gif she made that demonstrates something called fore-edge painting on the edge of a 1837 book called Autumn by Robert Mudie. Fore-edge painting, which is believed to date back as early as the 1650s, is a way of hiding a painting on the edge of a book so that it can only be seen when the pages are fanned out. There are even books that have double fore-edge paintings, where a different image can be seen by flipping the book over and fanning the pages in the opposite direction.

When I realized the book Theisen shared was only one of a series about the seasons, I got in touch and she agreed to photograph the other three so we could share them with you here. Above are photos of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter which were donated to the University of Iowa by Charlotte Smith. How much fun are these? Keep an eye on the University of Iowa’s special collections Tumblr as they unearth more artificats from the archives.

Update: Because this post is getting so much attention, here are some more amazing fore-edge paintings found on YouTube.

The Bridge is a new gripping crime drama on the FX network. Adapted from the Swedish television series, Bron, it's a present-day crime thriller exploring the tensions on the U.S. - Mexico border.



Sonya Cross, played by cool blonde actress Diane Kruger, is an El Paso,TX homicide detective with Asperger's Syndrome who teams up with Mexican counterpart from Chihuahua State Police, Marco Ruiz (played by the sexy Demian Bichir) to catch a serial killer operating on both sides of the border.



From the very first episode I noticed the distressed leather jacket worn by Sonya Cross. With a faint image of a horse image on the back, two tigers (one patch and one illustrated), leopard print shoulder insets, a fading red star on the right sleeve and embellished with such personal items as a row of safety pins on the shoulder and duct tape on the cuff, she rarely takes it off. By the 7th episode I was both obsessed with the show - and the leather jacket.



I did a bit of research and found, via the Costume Designer's Guild, that the jacket was custom made by costume designer Anna Terrazas and her team.



According to Terrazas, Kruger's character is a “very uniform person and does the same routine every day.” As such, Sonya doesn’t have a real sense of style. One piece that will potentially stand out to viewers, however, is a vintage leather jacket that Sonya wears all the time. Viewers eventually come to find out that the jacket once belonged to Sonya’s sister.




“[The jacket] doesn’t make sense for what she does as a detective or who she is, but the whole idea is that it has sentimental value and is worn in memory of her sister,” says Terrazas.



Terrazas says it took a very long time to find the right jacket, but eventually they came across the staple piece in a vintage store in Los Angeles. Terrazas and her team worked to age and distress the leather so that it would appear to be as old and special as the story intended.




“I like to work in teams, everything is very collaborative,” says Terrazas, adding that each team member was allowed to give suggestions for the jacket or add their own personal touch. For example, she says, they painted a horse onto the back of the jacket because Sonya’s sister had a love for horses. The jacket also has hidden studs on the back under the collar and inside the jacket, as well as two “piercings,” which were popular in the 90s – one for Sonya and one for her sister.

“The studs and hidden details are more for Diane than they are for the audience,” she says. “They make the character and story more real.”



Don't miss The Bridge and this fabulous leather jacket. It's on The FX Network Wednesdays at 10pm.



images courtesy of the FX network and Anna Terrazas.

Books Bookends designed by Dmitry Kul, he made these bookends that seamlessly fit in with the books..(Read...)

Cuddle Mattress lets you hug your sweet heart intimately without any wrist or arm problems. You'll..(Read...)

Alex Jones (Orion Pax) called on the Power of Grayskull and finished his custom series of Masters of the Universe creations. His updated Castle Grayskull is rock solid and packed with tons of details. The rock foundations and crumbling brickwork are excellent. He also built HE-MAN’s Power Sword and Axe in all of their full-scale glory. Alex says that the series is now complete and will be displayed at GRAYSKULL CON 2013. This has been quite an impressive series. Whether or not you are a MOTU fan, the builds have been superior and the customized figs are done nearly to perfection. Check out Alex’s website for more photographs and information!

The project is called “Voyage on the Planet” by designer Chiu Chih. A backpack of..(Read...)