rjshae

I suppose the difference this time is the application of numerous computer simulations that are used to reproduce essentially all of the observed properties of TNOs. A K-type star is a significant interloper that would have been even more severely disrupted by the more massive Sun, possibly losing members to the Solar System. I wonder if this happened while the Sun was still part of its origin stellar association?

A Stellar Flyby Jumbled Up the Outer Solar System (Universe Today) It does explain a lot. I wonder if it does better than the 9th planet hypothesis that was raised a few years ago to explain the orbits of TNOs? Here's the original paper: Trajectory of the stellar flyby that shaped the outer Solar System (Nature) If they could find a captured object from the other star, that would be solid evidence.

Acolyte wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible either; just okay. I actually think it would have worked better as an animated series.

What I do find is that tends to end meaningful discussion, which is probably one reason it is used. "The other side does it too," just affirms confirmation bias because then neither side is doing anything wrong and you don't have to question your own beliefs.

It's more disturbing than funny to think that somebody has found a way to make the lithium battery explode remotely. I hope there's another explanation.

All this fuss about Taylor Swift's endorsement of Harris reminds me of Oprah Winfrey's support for Obama back in 2008. A pair of economists estimated it added a million votes for Obama. In this case, does it make any difference? Perhaps it brings out more of the youth vote? That group has historically had a low turnout.

It may be consequential, but politics is often stupid and ridiculous. Many people find real life much more interesting, and only pay attention when the election rolls around.

I finished watching the 30 episode Chinese language version of Three-Body on MPlex. It was pretty decent old-school sci-fi although the subtitles were on the poor side. The coolest sci-fi element was watching the tanker pass through the monofilament barrier in the penultimate episode. Some of the concepts were perhaps a bit far fetched, but hey it's sci-fi.

We went to watch Twisters. It was entertaining for the most part, but loud. So darn loud. We couldn't even hear each other's comments. Looks like cinemas are targeting nearly deaf people now.

I'm really hoping I get to roll out Jim Carrey's loser video again. Fun times.

The original Chinese version of Three Body (Problem) is streaming on MPlex, so I've been watching that with subtitles. It's been of pretty decent quality thus far.

Dark Matter Solves The Mystery of How Supermassive Black Holes Exist An intriguing clue as to the nature of dark matter.

Yeah, that one is weird. How do they function like a battery without running out of juice? They must be some sort of catalyst, I would think.

NASA’s Curiosity Rover Discovers a Surprise in a Martian Rock Sulfur is useful in a number of processes, including the production of sulfuric acid.

Heh, funniest thing I've read all day.

Miami is currently 29 C (85 F) with 77% humidity. I.e. it feels like 35 C (95 F). Yeesh, what a horrible place for a high intensity football match.

Perhaps related in theme to "Ghost in the Shell"?