March 26, 2013 image showing the amount of ozone in the ozone layer. White is higher amounts, red is lower. Source: nnvl.noaa.gov

In March, 2012, a hole in the Ozone Layer above Greenland appeared suddenly. By the year’s end, a dramatic melting of Greenland’s ice sheet was observed.

The Antarctic hole has become a thing of the past. And according to the UN, the ozone layer depletion has stopped. “Mission Accomplished!!” they said back  in 2010.

Looking at this image from NOAA’s Environmental Visualization Laboratory, it would seem to suggest the Arctic Ozone Hole has healed itself.

sadly, it looks like only 1/3 of Earth’s Ozone layer remains. UV indexes of 14 have been observed in Puerto Rico, 11 in Hawaii, and it is only March!!

Wild extreme flips of temperature, precipitation, sea surface temps, and now wild variations in the ozone layer and magnetosphere… also Sunspot counts falling into the 40s…

Hold tight to your butts! We are witnesses to the effects on a living ecosystem of coalescence at the galactic center! As x-ray counts are expected to be 100 times greater than the Sun by the end of the year, the wildness of the variations will become more frequent and more violent.

CFCs?!! CO2?!! Wow… I’m not sure what is sadder- The fact ‘they’ tried to push this bullshit on us, or the fact so many of you bought it!

Keep your head UP!!

Magnetogram image from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, GSFC, NASA, November 1, 2012 @ 0430 UTC

Our Sun has a magnetic cycle that spans approxamately 22 years from peak to peak. In the above image, the positive and negative polarity is presented in a black vs. white presentation. For about 11 years, the polarity of the sunspots in the northern hemisphere cross the Sun in a black/white/black/white fashion, while the spots in the south go white/blcak/white/black. (or opposite, depending on what part of the cycle we see the Sun in.)

This pattern, opposite in the north from the south, changes when the peak (or trough… max or min) is reached. The changing of polarity of a group of spots or one spot signals the cycle is at maximum, or when the cycle is about to change.

In the Southern hemisphere, on the eastern limb of the Sun, we have a spot with a reversed polarity!! Ladies and gentlemen…. Solar Cycle #24 has reached its Maximum!!

Ummmm…. The odd thing is, the Sunspot count, as of 1219 UTC on 11/01/2012 is 35. I recorded the highest count on November 10, 2011 @ 220. Originally that was forecasted to be peak of this cycle. Then it was extended to late 2012… or early 2013… now it is May 2013, I think.

The forecast for this cycle was a weak cycle with a lower peak than the previous cycle. So that seems to be the case. But, if we reach peak at an extremely low Sunspot count, could this mean that solar output is on the verge of collapse? Could we be on the brink of a Grand minimum? And, is this a symptom of an overall event? As our Solar System starts to be inundated by electrons and other cosmic rays from the coalescence of G2 and Sgr A*, will our Sun have a “grand finale” with one big final Cycle 24 superflare?

Hey… who says that climate change has to be so damn local? All the other planets are gettin’ in on the changes, why not the Sun?

If you want to be prepared, visit FEMA.gov and read all about it in the disaster heading labeled “Space Weather”.

Keep your head UP!!

Relativistic Jets of an Active Galactic Nucleus. Image found @ fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov

Today, October 6, 2012, at 10:27 UTC, the most important telegram (to date) was posted in The Astronomer’s Telegram-

http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=4456

I have re-printed it in full here, acknowledging that I have, in no way, any ownership of the presented information. All links to previous ATels will lead you to the wonderful site listed above, and rightly so, since The Astronomer’s Telegram is the owner and presenter of the following-

We report on optical monitoring observations of the outburst of the black hole candidate X-ray binary Swift J174510.8-262411 (Sw J1725-26; e.g. GCN #13744; ATel #4383; #4393; #4394; #4450) with the Faulkes Telescope South (FTS; located at Siding Spring, Australia) in SDSS i’-band, Bessel R and Bessel V filters. The first FTS images were acquired just 19 minutes after the original Swift BAT trigger. The source was a suspected GRB initially, and several short (10 – 30 sec) exposures were taken under a GRB (afterglow) follow-up program. Images in the same filter were combined. A source was detected at the coordinates of the optical/infrared and radio counterparts (ATel #4380; #4394; the optical association was confirmed with the detection of broad H-alpha emission; ATel #4388), with the following magnitudes (using field stars in the USNO and NOMAD catalogues to calibrate the flux) on 2012-09-16 (starting at 09:34 UT) = MJD 56186.40: V = 19.59 +- 0.44; R = 18.53 +- 0.05; i’ = 17.22 +- 0.07. There may be systematic errors in these magnitudes by up to a few tenths of a mag due to the typical inaccuracies of the catalogue field star magnitudes.

We subsequently observed the source on three further dates; 2012-09-21, 2012-09-25 and 2012-10-04 (MJD 56191.4, 56195.4 and 56204.5) with exposures of 100 – 200 sec per filter. The source brightened between 2012-09-16 and 2012-09-21, peaking at V = 19.36 +- 0.18; R = 18.20 +- 0.09; i’ = 16.84 +- 0.04 on the latter date, before fading slightly since. Our most recent magnitudes, on 2012-10-04 were R = 18.31 +- 0.04; i’ = 17.07 +- 0.04. The optical peak flux occurred around the time of the peak hard X-ray (Swift BAT and INTEGRAL IBIS) flux (ATel #4436, #4450). At this time, the radio flux was also very bright (ATel #4394, #4410) and the X-ray spectrum was starting to soften away from the low/hard state (ATel #4401, #4436, #4450).

The R-i’ colour became slightly redder when it brightened, which is not expected for thermal emission, but has been reported when synchrotron emission from the jet makes a relatively stronger contribution near the peak of the low/hard state (e.g. Russell et al. 2011). The compact jet has been confirmed as a bright, flat spectrum radio source (ATel #4394, #4410). Since then the R-i’ colour has evolved, becoming bluer by ~0.15 mag in the last 10 days. This is expected as the jet normally starts to fade at optical/infrared frequencies at this stage of the outburst (e.g. Homan et al. 2005; Coriat et al. 2009; Russell et al. 2007; 2011; Buxton et al. 2012; Dincer et al. 2012), before the radio. The disc may now be dominating the optical emission. Assuming the source continues to soften, we may expect the compact jet to be quenched and relativistic jet ejection(s) to be launched in the near future, as also suggested by the X-ray evolution (ATel #4450).

The Faulkes Telescope observations are part of an on-going monitoring campaign of ~ 30 low-mass X-ray binaries (Lewis et al. 2008). The Faulkes Telescope South is maintained and operated by Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network. FL acknowledges support from the Dill Faulkes Educational Trust.”

-end

Did you get that? This is speaking to the compact jet visible @ the Galactic center. The Chandra X-ray Observatory images of Sgr A* shows a well-defined jet coming from our Galaxy’s Supermassive Black Hole (SMBH). But, as stated above, it will soon “…be quenched and relativistic jet ejection(s) to be launched in the near future…”.

We are standing on the threshold of a new era. In our lifetimes, GC has not been visible. We have never looked up and seen the flowing golden fires of Valhalla. Only via IR telescopes can we gain images of the home of the gods. And, when combined with x-ray images, the Galactic center is so beautiful and stunningly active, it can fill one’s heart with a sence of longing and emptiness… for at one distant point in humanity’s history this empty point in space was filled with light and fire and inspiration. Constantly changing and daring our ancestors to question why and how.

“The R-i’ colour became slightly redder when it brightened, which is not expected for thermal emission, but has been reported when synchrotron emission from the jet makes a relatively stronger contribution near the peak of the low/hard state…” 

It is believed that as the dust cloud, named G2, enters the GC region, a synchrotron bow shock emission will form, acceleration electrons to a near-relativistic speed. Heating due to tidal forces and collisions will slow some particles and they will fall on to the accretion disk, making the image shown at the top a good example of what Milky Way will look like in the next few weeks.

The closest approach for G2 will be June, 2013. BUT, six months before and after will be how long the ‘fireworks’ will last. According to some, they may last quite a bit longer…

Keep your head UP!!

Image from the Naval Ice Center

 After falling to the lowest levels seen in recorded history, between September 19 and September 26 sea ice has increased by 268,700 sq km. Though the ice will not be as thick as seen in the last few decades, we will not see an Ice Free Arctic in 2012.

In the summer of 2011, sea ice levels dropped dramatically, too. But in the 2011 winter and the Spring of 2012, the sea ice in the Bering Sea marched south as far as the port of Dutch Harbor, farther than many fishing boat captains had seen since the 1970s.

Sea Ice levels in the summer obviously do not predict sea ice levels for the following spring. But if last years numbers tell us anything of what we should expect to see this year, it is that ‘extreme’ and ‘new normal’ are phrases that will describe natural phenomenons for years to come.

Keep your head up!

I grabbed a .pdf of “Morals and Dogma”, written by Albert Pike, and wasn’t expecting to find the secret that Freemasons hold. I was hopping, I won’t lie! But was realistic. the first three degrees of Masonry hold the keys to the secret, and once the third degree is finished, the secret is reviled. The remaining 29 degrees are for deeper philosophical contemplation and furthering of all Masons toward bettering themselves through charity for all humanity and devotion to furthering knowledge of the ultimate mysteries of the universe.

…You know, everyday kinds of things.

I am not a Freemason. I do not know their ‘secrets’. I have read this masterpiece of literature and have found, what I believe, to be the truth and it is the secret that all Master masons know. It is a truth that only a handful of people have known throughout human history…. kings, queens, learned sages…. and men who were admitted into the fraternity. And, it seems, that even the admitted persons were not fully briefed on the ultimate depth of the truths. Only the select few knew how significant the truths are.

And only now, with the advancements in quantum physics, string theory, and ‘M’ Theory, can we see how exact and awe inspiringly accurate these ancient truths are. Written in 1870, described within this book are the sciences of electromagnetism, relativity, quantum mechanics, particle entanglement, and illusions to the answers of questions we seek to find here on this site…

Change is coming. Out of the darkness the light will come. All things have been created by ‘god’ and from him, all things that come are good. I believe this, and I am an Atheist!! The allegorical stories and contemplations dating back 12,000 years all lead to one very striking conclusion-

Aristotle says: “It has been handed down in a mythical form from the earliest times to posterity, that there are Gods, and that The Divine compasses entire nature. All besides this has been added, after the mythical style, for the purpose of persuading the multitude, and for the interest of the laws and the advantage of the State. Thus men have given to the Gods human forms, and have even represented them under the figure of other beings, in the train of which fictions followed many more of the same sort. But if, from all this, we separate the original principle, and consider it alone, namely, that the first Essences are Gods, we shall find that this has been divinely said; and since it is probable that philosophy and the arts have been several times, so far as that is possible, found and lost, such doctrines may have been preserved to our times as the remains of ancient wisdom.”

-Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma , page 283

I had to read that a few times to, first grasp, and then understand the exact nature of what was said! (wow!)

But, Bro. Pike, speaking about the Ancients seeking wisdom and knowledge while looking into the heavens, makes a statement that enlightens us to the true nature of what religious teaching is trying to convey. The truth behind the allegory-

“To them, all the lights of the firmament were created only to give light to the earth, as its lamps or candles hung above it. The earth was supposed to be the only inhabited portion of the Universe. The world and the universe were synonymous terms. Of the immense size and distance of the heavenly bodies, men had no conception. The Sages had, in Chaldaea, Egypt, India, China, and Persia; and therefore the sages always had an esoteric creed, taught only in the mysteries and unknown to the vulgar. No Sage, in either country, or in Greece or Rome, believed the popular creed. To them the Gods and Idols of the Gods were symbols, and symbols of great mysterious truths.”

-Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma , page 302

I came to the conclusion a few years ago that ALL stories of religion, being so similar, must have been a story of a worldwide space-based event… or multiple events. I found the proof in the Norse Mythology. The goddess Freyja, in multiple myths, weeps tears of gold.

In all of the universe there is only one place to create gold…. from a dead star. When a star goes nova, elements heavier than iron are created. Gold is one of them. The stories of Freyja crying “tears of gold” are allegorical stories of stars going supernova, or, more specifically in her case, explosions and showers of gold from the Galactic Center, Sgr A*, or Valhalla, home of the Norse Gods.

Keep your head UP!!

This is the projected path, found on spaceweather.com and created by the men and women at GSFC-

Note how two blasts combine to form one big headache

As we approach predicted Solar Maximum in early 2013, should we all be prepared for another “Carrington Event”?

The Carrington Event occurred in August-September, 1859, and was the first solar storm directly observed. It caused the Northern Lights to be seen in Hawaii and Cuba. It also electrified telegraph lines, shocking technicians. If the event happened today, major telecommunications ON EARTH could be zapped. Anything not shielded by a Faraday Cage would be damaged. Files lost, computers destroyed, cell phones dead…. but that would not matter, because the cell towers would all be fried as well.

As individuals, we should be concerned and prepared for any natural disaster! As much info as possible makes us all ready. But what about our government?

Below are images found on NASA’s site-

In a “Carrington Event” situation, these cities would be without power for as long as it would take to build a new generator.

This is DHS’s assessment of what is at stake if collapse of the electrical grid and/or telecommunications grid would occur

So, if all of this is so fragile and interconnected, then FEMA and DHS should have a very comprehensive and robust plan in the event our nation were to lose vital infrastructure, right? To prevent loss of life due to riots and/or terrorism in the powerless cities from coast to coast.

Well, you would think! FEMA.gov has a list of natural disasters and a plan for each of them. And, newly added to the site, is “Space Weather”.

It’s no more than a couple of paragraphs. The big point everyone needs to know?-

Don’t eat food that has not been refrigerated longer than 48 hours.

As far as one can see by searching FEMA’s website, DHS’s website, or any other emergency management site provided by the United States Government, in the event of a loss of electricity that could last on the order of months, without communications farther than one can see smoke signals, and no electronic funds available (let alone medical history or prescription data, welfare WIC food stamps, etc…) all of this caused by a CME from the Sun, the UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTS YOU TO KNOW….

Don’t eat that old sushi in the frig. It might have gone bad.

Don’t buy it? spaceweather.com has a couple of things you can read about the Carrington Event and what could happen. FEMA.gov, ready.gov, DHS.gov are all available for you to use and gather information to keep your family safe. So long as you have no use for things like the internet or cell phones, or electricity… or showers and flushing toilets!

Keep your head UP!!

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
844 AM CST WED JAN 25 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LEAGUE CITY HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR…
  MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS…

* UNTIL 915 AM CST

* AT 840 AM CST…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO
  WAS LOCATED NEAR PINEHURST… MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE TORNADO WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  LAKE CONROE DAM…PANORAMA VILLAGE…MAGNOLIA AND CONROE.

According to spaceweather.com-

“As expected, a CME hit Earth’s magnetic field on Jan. 24th at approximately 1500 UT (10 am EST). The impact produced a G1-class geomagnetic storm and bright auroras around the Arctic Circle.”

But… the NICT Magnetosphere simulation had not seen a spike in the magnetosphere untill today. (Below image is from the NICT)

This suggests the worst is yet to come. This evening into the morning hours of the 26th. It takes time for the ‘ripples’ to come down from the poles.

The news of the CME leaving the Sun was reported 3 days prior to impact here on Earth…. 3 DAYS WARNING. yet sever weather was forecasted only 6 to 12 HOURS before the tornadoes tore through Arkansas.

according to Goddard Space Flight Center, a CME, class M9 (almost an x-class flare) is en-route now. Impact expected January 24 at 14:18 UTC (+/- 7 hours).

Having this kind of time to warn of the incoming flare and the tornado outbreak that will follow, why would the NWS not release a general alert? Something like-

“We expect a 100% chance of tornadoes and severe weather on January 24-25, 2012. All persons within the United States should be aware and prepared on these dates and put in place their preparedness plans.”

If they are right, how many lives would be saved? If they are wrong, it is time to explain that they are attempting to expand their ability to forecast extreme weather events, and this is why they made the warning.

“A Weather Ready Nation” is the motto of the NWS. Education of what is causing our weather will enable all to be prepared and save countless lives.

Below- Images of the incoming CME, due here on january 24, 2012- Image 1 from GSFC. Image 2 from SDO.

The CME compressed Earth’s magnetosphere and exposed Geosync satillites to Solar winds. These satillites orbit at 25,000 miles above the Earth’s surface.

Below: NICT Magnetosphere Simulation from 2012/01/23

Earth’s magnetosphere (simulation) from the NICT on 2011/11/22