Category Archives: Science

Science

California Sues Car Companies & Exxon Secrets

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Before I turn in for the night – the State of California has launched law suits against 6 car companies (GM, Toyota, Ford, Honda, Chrysler & Nissan) under the Federal Common Law of Public Nuisance. It contains this rather enlightening quote:

Defendants’ motor vehicle emissions in the United States account for approximately nice percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions

I don’t suppose I should be amazed by that, but it’s still a staggering statement – vehicle use in the US alone accounts for ~ 9% of global CO2 output.

You can read the actual law suit (PDF) mirrored at The Age. Thanks to my lovely wife for forwarding an email about the suit on to me..

On a related note, a friend and colleague (also called Chris) sent me a link to a site called ExxonSecrets.org where you can find out about the web of anti-climate-change organisations that get funding from Exxon and how they are connected.

SMART-1 Goes Out With A Bang

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Spacecraft down at 0542 GMT, the BBC says:

Astronomers are now analysing a plume of fresh lunar “soil”, or regolith, kicked up by the crash. They have also been looking for the bright flash as the probe hit the surface. The impact was expected to leave a 3m by 10m crater on the Moon’s surface, spreading debris over 78 sq km (30 sq miles).

The Planetary Society reports:

SMART-1 scientist Detlef Koschy confirmed that mission control lost the SMART-1 signal at 10:42:19. He reported that folks at ESOC applauded when the “mission ended just as planned.” Team members at ESOC are now downloading final pictures. SMART-1 took images up to about 5 minutes before impact.

Astrobiology Magazine reports:

The European Space Agency’s Smart-1 mission ended on September 3rd 2006, at 07:42 CEST (05:42 UT). Its final lunar resting place is located at 46.2º West longitude and 34.2º South latitude.

Update: the Canada France Hawaii Telescope on Mauna Kea has the following image of the impact!

Observation of the Impact of Smart-1 - Christian Veillet - Principal Investigator

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

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The BBC is reporting that the text of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been adopted by the UN.

Those countries that sign up to it will have to enact laws and other measures to improve disability rights and also agree to get rid of legislation, customs and practices that discriminate against disabled people.

The US has abstained from the treaty, claiming it has no need to sign up because they already have such legislation.