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Selfie of Curiosity ‘Mojovae’ Site on Mount Sharp of MARS !!!!

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This self-portrait of NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover shows the vehicle at the “Mojave” site, where its drill collected the mission’s second taste of Mount Sharp.

The scene combines dozens of images taken during January 2015 by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) camera at the end of the rover’s robotic arm.  The pale “Pahrump Hills” outcrop surrounds the rover, and the upper portion of Mount Sharp is visible on the horizon.  Darker ground at upper right and lower left holds ripples of wind-blown sand and dust.

An annotated version, Fig. A, labels several of the sites Curiosity has investigated during three passes up the Pahrump Hills outcrop examining the outcrop at increasing levels of detail. The rover used its sample-collecting drill at “Confidence Hills” as well as at Mojave, and in late February was assessing “Telegraph Peak” as a third drilling site.

The view does not include the rover’s robotic arm.  Wrist motions and turret rotations on the arm allowed MAHLI to acquire the mosaic’s component images. The arm was positioned out of the shot in the images, or portions of images, that were used in this mosaic. This process was used previously in acquiring and assembling Curiosity self-portraits taken at sample-collection sites “Rocknest” (http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA16468), “John Klein” (http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA16937) and “Windjana” (http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA18390).

Curiosity used its drill to collect a sample of rock powder from target “Mojave 2” at this site on Jan. 31, 2015.  The full-depth, sample-collection hole and the shallower preparation test hole beside it are visible in front of the rover in this self-portrait, and in more detail at http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19115 .  The Mojave site is in the “Pink Cliffs” portion of the Pahrump Hills outcrop. The outcrop is an exposure of the Murray formation, which forms the basal geological layer of Mount Sharp.  Views of Pahrump Hills from other angles are at http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19039 and the inset at http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=6968 .

The frames showing the rover in this mosaic were taken during the 868th Martian day, or sol, of Curiosity’s work on Mars (Jan. 14, 2015).  Additional frames around the edges to extend the amount of terrain included in the scene were taken on Sol 882 (Jan. 29, 2015).  The frames showing the drill holes were taken on Sol 884 (Jan. 31, 2015).

For scale, the rover’s wheels are 20 inches (50 centimeters) in diameter and about 16 inches (40 centimeters) wide.  The drilled holes in the rock are 0.63 inch (1.6 centimeters) in diameter.

MAHLI was built by Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Mars Science Laboratory Project for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, Washington. JPL designed and built the project’s Curiosity rover.

More information about Curiosity is online at http://www.nasa.gov/msl and http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

SOURCE:::::: http://www.nasa.gov

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Things That Hurt Our Immune System ….

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As you probably already know, the health of your immune system is actually YOUR health. The better it is off, the more resistant you are to invading viruses and infection. Many seem to think that the biggest influence on your immune system is vaccinations and diseases. This is only a small part of the story.Your habits, those things you do daily, have a huge impact on your immune system and ultimately – on how protected you are from illness, especially as you get older. Here are 8 behaviors that damage your immune system and that you should avoid for your own good.
1. You don’t chit-chat enough
It is becoming more and more clear that social interaction isn’t just healthy for the mind but also for the body. The mere social behavior may contribute a lot to our well being. Research has shown that a low level of social interaction at home, work, and the community makes us more likely to become sick.
When we lack social engagement, our brains get flooded with anxiety-generating chemicals, and we end up actually living shorter lives than our more sociable friends. One research that our of 270+ people between the ages of 18-55, those that had 6 or more regular social interactions were 4 times better at holding off cold viruses.
How to solve: We all have hectic lives at times, but don’t forget to cultivate and maintain your friendships, they may be just as important as your gym membership.
2. You don’t get enough sleep
 
There’s always something to do, and this day and age – always something to watch. But staying up late and waking up early is associated by many health experts with a weak immune system that has a reduced amount of killer white blood cells to fight germs and viruses with. A study conducted by the University of Chicago found that men who sleep only 4 hours a night, for 1 week only, only produced half (!) the amount of antibodies designed to fight off flu, compared to those sleeping 7.5-8.5 hours per night.
How to solve: Most adults require 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night, but if you’re still tired half an hour after waking up – your quality of sleep is probably not so good. Try to get enough sleep and if you are tired – consult a sleep specialist, because sleep is crucial to your immune system and overall wellbeing.
3. You’re a downer
Serious research has unequivocally shown that people who tend to look at the glass as half empty and with a leak, have more stress in their lives and worse health. Those that are more optimistic have a higher T-cell count, a better immune response, and more powerful white cells. Now of course it could be that optimistic people take better care of themselves and their health, but it seems quite logical that a blacked look at life will cause your body to also get depressed, and with it your immune system.
How to solve: It’s not that easy to just clap your hands and poof! you’re an optimist. It takes a real commitment to change your
speech and thought patterns, simply by asking yourselves: “what other way can I look at this? Is there a less terrible way to judge this?” Try it, a little at a time. Try to really understand why something, or someone, might be better than you thought. Change will come with time, and with it – a boost to your immune system.
4. You fight with your spouse in the wrong way
A very interesting research by UCLA found that couples that discuss their problems openly receive the same boost to their immune system and killer cell count as they would get from mild exercise. On the flip side, couples that fight by sarcasm, insults and passive-aggressive behavior have less T cells, higher levels of stress hormones (logically) and may take up to 40% loner to recover from injuries than their more open and positive counterparts.
How to solve: Habits and relationship dynamics are also hard things to change, and many couples rely on friendly banter. That’s fine, it is when that banter becomes a bit TOO sharp that you start suffering, and it’s never good for the relationship either. If you have a real problem, discussing it bravely and openly with your spouse is not just healthy for your relationship, but apparently also for your own body.
5. No break from the rat race of stress

immune system

Everyone deals with stress on occasion, but what happens when we are under stress day after day, with hardly any letup? What happens is that your immune system starts experiencing a decline in its ability to fight infection, virus and germ. Periods of stress that do not let up quickly will cause your killer cell count to drop and turn your immune system more sluggish. It is a known fact that widows and widowers are a lot more likely to get sick in the year following the death of their spouse than those who have not gone through this major loss and stress-inducing event.
How to solve: To each their own. We all have things that relieve our stress, whether it’s a scented bath, going to the gym, getting off work for a few days or anything in between. Remember those things that relax you and go do them on a regular basis. That’s right, make room in your busy calender for ‘relaxation’ – that is if you want to live a healthier life.
6. You borrow stuff from other people

Take our advice: If you need to use a pen, bring your own. If you need a calculator, bring your own. If you need a laptop… well, you get the point. Cold and flu germs are passed, more often than not, by hand to hand contact. You never know where an object has been and who has touched it. We’re not saying run away when someone offers you a pen, but we would suggest not making a habit of borrowing other people’s stuff – you never know when you might pick something up and pass it along to your family.

How to solve:  Make a list of the most common items you will need to use during the day. Carry a bag or have some deep pockets for some basic stuff like a pen. Don’t borrow stuff that you can bring from home.
pills
7. Leave those antibiotics alone 

Antibiotics were invented to fight serious infections and germs. Taking antibiotics every time you have a slight illness or a few symptoms will cause your body to develop a more serious resistance to antibiotics, and so you will become vulnerable to the more serious cases of infection. Research has found that patients tending to take a lot of antibiotics have a more suppressed immune system, which means you will get more sick in the future, so you are just postponing this light sickness for a more serious illness down the line.
How to solve:  Only take antibiotics when you have a bacterial infection, take as much as ordered, but do not use them to prevent illness unless instructed to specifically by your doctor. Don’t save antibiotics you didn’t use for the future, use as much as told and throw away the rest.
8. Why so serious?
This may be no laughing matter, but your immune system loves a good chuckle. Research has shown that emotions accompanying real laughter cause a decrease in the level of stress hormones in the body as well as certain immune cells. In a recent research conducted at the Loma Lina University of Medicine, adults watching a funny video for as little as an hour showed significant increases in their immune system activity.
How to solve:  Well, we think this one explains itself! Laughmore, people! Enjoy your favorite comedies, meet with your funniest friends, read silly comics and memes and just open yourself to funny experiences!

SOURCE:::: http://www.ba-bamail.com

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Joke For the Day… ” There is No Way… ” !!!

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A man gets pulled over by the police for speeding.

The cop walks up to the car and says to the driver, “Sir, did you know that you were going 60 miles an hour?”

The driver says, “Officer, there is no way I could have been going 60 miles an hour!”

The cop says, “Really! Why is that?”

The driver replies, “I could not have been going 60 miles an hour because I’ve only been out driving for 25 minutes.”

SOURCE::::: http://www.joke a day.com

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படித்து ரசித்தது … ” உடல் எழுத்து…. வைரமுத்துவின் வரிகள் “

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உடல் எழுத்து

அதிகாலை எழு

ஆகாயம் தொழு

இருதயம் துடிக்கவிடு

ஈறழுந்தப் பல் தேய்

உடல்வேர்வை கழி

ஊளைச்சதை ஒழி

எருதுபோல் உழை

ஏழைபோல் உண்

ஐம்புலன் புதுக்கு

ஒழித்துவிடு புகைமதுவை

ஓட்டம் போல் நட

ஔடதம் பசி

அஃதாற்றின் எஃகாவாய்.

SOURCE::::: http://www.leninkarky .wordpress.com

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” You Think Our City Roads are More Congested ? … Watch this Video clip !!!”

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Both Europe 24 and North Atlantic Skies were designed to give an overview of the daily complexity and volumes of air traffic across the UK and Europe and to do so in a way that was cinematic and exciting to watch. I think we were able to do that to great effect, but we now want to take you a little deeper.

We are therefore very excited to publish UK 24 – your guided tour to some of what makes UK aviation work.

Our airspace is busy, complex and there is a lot going on. Each year we manage around 2.2 million movements, peaking at over 8,000 a day (although there are around 7,000 on this particular day), with only 5.5 seconds delay per flight attributable to NATS. Obviously there are the flows of large aircraft from the airports into and out of the UK, but there is also a lot of activity outside controlled airspace. UK 24 is designed to help visualise the breadth and depth of UK aviation and why airspace is such an important asset.

The day starts with the bow wave of transatlantic traffic heading towards the UK on their organised and separated tracks. This is quickly joined by traffic from Europe and the first waves of departures from UK airports. Over a short period of time the traffic levels grow to show the main trunk roads of airspace as well as the hubs around London, Manchester and central Scotland.

We then move to give a unique view of the holding stacks over London and how they are a fundamental part of the Heathrow operation, providing the constant flow of traffic that makes it the world’s busiest dual runway airport with 1,350 movements a day.

Our tour then take us around the UK, including the other major airports, our two control centres in Swanwick and Prestwick, some general aviation traffic and examples of military training off the east coast of England and near to North Wales. We then dwell on the spider’s web of helicopter tracks that originate from Aberdeen, taking people and vital supplies to and from the North Sea oil and gas rigs.

We hope you enjoy this insight into the complexity and beauty of a day of UK air traffic and the value of airspace as the invisible infrastructure that makes it all work.

Value of aviation to the UK economy

The aviation sector and its supply chain generates over £20bn per year in economic output and directly employs circa 220,000 people. At Heathrow alone, goods worth £133 billion were shipped in and out last year, more than the combined value of goods transiting through the UK’s two largest ports, Felixstowe and Southampton.

Aviation is on average a much more productive sector than the rest of the economy; each pound spent on upgrading our aviation infrastructure is expected to generate over £5 in return. In addition aviation is a significant growth sector within key regions for UK trade, for example China, the Middle East and Turkey have ambitious plans to more than double their capacity.

Without additional capacity in the UK, we risk the rapid growth in traffic and its associated commerce being focused elsewhere.

SOURCE:::: Brendan Kelly in http://www.nats.aero.blog

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Message For the Day….” Whether it is Punishment or Protection , it is all Out of Dharma…”

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Following the true path of dharma, we will be in a position to receive much more benefit than what is anticipated. On the other hand, if we tread a path different from dharma, then we will find that if we have a thousand desires, not even one of those desires will be fulfilled. One who destroys dharma will in turn be destroyed by dharma, but one who protects dharma will in turn be protected by dharma. Whether it is punishment or protection it can arise only out of dharma. It is only by dharma that we can attain prosperity. We should try to follow the path followed by Dharmaraja (Yudhisthira) at least to a certain extent. Invest time to understand Indian culture, the scriptures(Ithihasas and Puranas) and Vedas and their sacred inner significance. There is no room for cruel and bad ideas, and it is possible for everyone to lead a good and happy life.

Sathya Sai Baba

Image of the Day…. ISS astronauts’ Space Walk Today… Feb 25…

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Today’s spacewalk – the 2nd of 3 planned – began at 7:10 a.m. EST (1210 UTC) and will last 6.5 hours. This post has links to today’s live coverage, plus spectacular images from Saturday’s spacewalk.

NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore works outside the International Space Station on the first of three spacewalks preparing the station for future arrivals by U.S. commercial crew spacecraft, Saturday, February 21, 2015. Fellow spacewalker Terry Virts, seen reflected in the visor, shared this photograph on social media. View larger. \ Image credit; NASA

NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore works outside the International Space Station on the first of three spacewalks preparing the station for future arrivals by U.S. commercial crew spacecraft, Saturday, February 21, 2015. Fellow spacewalker Terry Virts, seen reflected in the visor, shared this photograph on social media.
View larger. | Image credit: NASA

Today – February 25, 2015 – beginning at 7:10 a.m. EST (1210 UTC), International Space Station (ISS) astronauts are performing the second of three spacewalks to prepare the orbiting laboratory for future arrivals by U.S. commercial crew spacecraft. NASA TV coverage has begun and will go until 2 p.m. EST (1900 UTC) Wednesday. Watch here

NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Terry Virts completed the first spacewalk on February 21 and the third is scheduled for Sunday, March 1.

The spacewalks are designed to lay cables along the forward end of the U.S. segment to bring power and communication to two International Docking Adapters slated to arrive later this year. The new docking ports will welcome U.S. commercial spacecraft launching from Florida beginning in 2017, permitting the standard station crew size to grow from six to seven and potentially double the amount of crew time devoted to research.

NASA astronaut Terry Virts Flight Engineer of Expedition 42 on the International Space Station is seen working to complete a cable routing task while the sun begins to peak over the Earth’s horizon on February 21 2015. Image credit: NASA

Ground controllers have maneuvered the space station’s large robotic arm Canadarm2 in place for work planned for Wednesday’s spacewalk. Spacewalkers Barry Wilmore and Terry Virts will start their spacewalk at 7:10 a.m. EST to lay more cables and lubricate one of Canadarm2’s two latching end effectors, which serve as tip or base for the robotic arm. They will also prepare the Tranquility module for the relocation of the Permanent Multipurpose Module and the new Bigelow Expanded Activity Module later this year.

All three spacewalks are in support of the long-planned ISS reconfiguration from its current configuration, which was designed to support visiting Space Shuttles, to its new configuration optimived for future visiting commercial crew and cargo vehicles.

While cargo vehicles attach to the ISS using the process of berthing, whereby they are captured with the station’s robotic arm and positioned below a berthing port prior to being bolted into place, commercial crew vehicles will not use this method.

This is because the process of un-berthing takes a long time to complete, since cables and ducting between the visiting spacecraft and the ISS must first be manually disconnected, control boxes installed, hatches closed, and then the visiting spacecraft must be maneuvered away from the station with the robotic arm.

This means that berthing ports cannot support a rapid evacuation of crew from the ISS should it ever be necessary, which will be one of the primary roles of the commercial crew vehicles as they serve as “lifeboats” during their crew’s stay at the ISS.

Instead, crewed vehicles will attach to the ISS via a process of docking, whereby the visiting spacecraft flies itself all the way into its docking port and attaches via a capture ring striking a corresponding attachment mechanism.

The leading end effector of the Canadarm2 (bottom foreground) will be lubricated Wednesday when astronauts Barry Wilmore conduct their second spacewalk. Imge credit: NASA TV

Bottom line: NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Terry Virts aboard the International Space Station completed the first of three spacewalk on February 21, 2105. The second is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25 and the third for Sunday, March 1. The astronauts are securing cables to prepare the orbiting laboratory for future arrivals by U.S. commercial crew.

SOURCE::::: http://www.earthskynews.org

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