Τετάρτη 12 Νοεμβρίου 2014

Unknown ancient god with astral symbols discovered on stele at cult site in Turkey

Basalt stele revealed during excavations in Southeast Turkey

11 NOVEMBER, 2014 - 22:20 LIZLEAFLOOR

Unknown ancient god with astral symbols discovered on stele at cult site in Turkey

An unidentified, ancient bearded god with astral symbols has been uncovered during an excavation of a sanctuary near the ancient city of Doliche in Southeast Turkey.

The excavation team of 60 researchers and archaeologists from University of Münster and Germany’s Cluster of Excellence has been investigating a 2,000-year-old cult site. The sanctuary’s grounds reveal much about the continuity of religious beliefs over time, as it is made up of various constructions and renovations of different time periods – from a wall from the Iron Age, and the Roman-age foundations from 2nd century A.D., through to its use as a Christian monastery in the time of the crusades. The excavation has revealed finds from all periods of the site’s history, now including a basalt stele featuring a unique Roman relief and depicting an unknown god.

Stele featuring the unknown god. Credit: Peter Jülich, ReligionundPolitik

The stele measures one and a half meters (five feet) and was being used as a buttress in a wall of the Christian monastery on the sanctuary site. Archaeologists suspect the image represents a fertility or vegetation god. AlphaGalileo quotes Dr. Michael Blömer from the Cluster of Excellence, describing the find, “The basalt stele shows a deity growing from a chalice of leaves. Its long stem rises from a cone that is ornamented with astral symbols. From the sides of the cone grow a long horn and a tree, which the deity clasps with his right hand. The pictorial elements suggest that a fertility god is depicted.” The beard composition and arm posture echo back to similar Iron Age depictions.

Excavation director Prof. Dr. Engelbert said of the find in Southeast Turkey, “The image is remarkably well preserved. It provides valuable insights into the beliefs of the Romans and into the continued existence of ancient Near Eastern traditions. However, extensive research is necessary before we will be able to accurately identify the deity,” reports Heritage Daily.

Ruins at the site of the Christian monastery of St. Solomon. Credit: Peter Jülich, ReligionundPolitik

Archaeological work will continue as the site is being prepared to make the sanctuary accessible to the public.

Featured Image: Basalt stele revealed during excavations in Southeast Turkey. Credit: Asia Minor Research Centre

By Liz Leafloor

Τρίτη 11 Νοεμβρίου 2014

Great News for the Web: Obama Urges FCC to Uphold Net Neutrality

BY CADE METZ

11.10.14 |

11:37 AM |

PERMALINK

Image: Free Press/CC

President Barack Obama has called on the Federal Communications Commission to lay down “the strongest possible rules” to protect net neutrality, saying that internet service providers should not be allowed to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace.

On Monday, in a move likely to please operations such as Netflix and Google that offer video and other content over the net, while raising the ire of big-name ISPs such as Comcast and Verizon, the White House released a statement and video from President Obama that aims to reclassify internet service as a utility under Title II of the 1934 Telecommunications Act and push the FCC back toward rules that would prevent ISPs from restricting best access to what you can do and see online.

“I believe the FCC should create a new set of rules protecting net neutrality and ensuring that neither the cable company nor the phone company will be able to act as a gatekeeper,” the statement reads.

In 2010, the FCC established a set of rules designed to protect net neutrality—the notion that all internet traffic should be treated equally—but last year, after a suit from Verizon, a federal court shot down those 2010 rules. And then this year, the FCC issued a new proposal that seemed to undermine net neutrality. This was met with protests from internet activists and companies such as Netflix, with many saying the proposal would allow ISPs such as Comcast or Verizon to throttle video and other content streamed across the net by Netflix and others.

If the FCC reclassifies internet service as a utility under Title II, internet service would become something akin to telephone service, electricity, or water. This would give the FCC the legal freedom to lay down net neutrality laws. But some worry that this would end up slowing the expansion of the internet, giving ISPs less incentive to grow their networks.

In his statement, Obama acknowledged that the FCC is an independent agency, free to address net neutrality as it sees fit, but he made his own stance clear, providing the agency with more political freedom to push back against the big ISPs. “The rules I am asking for are simple, common-sense steps that reflect the Internet you and I use every day, and that some ISPs already observe,” his statement continues.

The President called for new rules that prevent ISPs from blocking or throttling content and from prioritizing certain content for a fee. “No service should be stuck in a ‘slow lane’ because it does not pay a fee,” the statement says. “That kind of gatekeeping would undermine the level playing field essential to the Internet’s growth. So, as I have before, I am asking for an explicit ban on paid prioritization and any other restriction that has a similar effect.”

He also said that the notion of net neutrality should apply not only to the “last mile” connections between ISPs and consumers, but to the connections between the various networks at the heart of the internet. “The connection between consumers and ISPs—the so-called ‘last mile’—is not the only place some sites might get special treatment,” he says. “I am also asking the FCC…if necessary to apply net neutrality rules to points of interconnection between the ISP and the rest of the internet.”

This last stance could mark a change in the very notion of net neutrality, which many argue should only apply to the last mile. Certainly, ISPs also have the power to affect how traffic flows between back-end network providers—though the situation is rather complicated. It’s so complicated, the debate will likely continue for years to come.

Δευτέρα 10 Νοεμβρίου 2014

Εντυπωσιακή και υπερήφανη σημαία 150 τ.μ. στην Χίο [ΒΙΝΤΕΟ- ΦΩΤΟ]

Δευτέρα, 10 Νοεμβρίου 2014

Εντυπωσιακή και υπερήφανη σημαία 150 τ.μ. στην Χίο [ΒΙΝΤΕΟ- ΦΩΤΟ]

Πλήθος κόσμου στην έπαρση της σημαίας 150 τ.μ. στο λιμάνι της Χίου

Με την ανάκρουση του Εθνικού Ύμνου από τη φιλαρμονική του Δήμου Χίου και παρουσία πλήθους κόσμου, αιρετών, στρατιωτικού αγήματος και της ΑΕΝ Χίου, συνοδεύτηκε η έπαρση της γιγαντιαίας σημαίας 150 τ.μ. στο Λιμάνι της Χίου.

Πρόκειται για μία πρωτοβουλία της Ιεράς Μητρόπολης Χίου στα πλαίσια του εορτασμού των 102ων Ελευθέριων του νησιού από τον Οθωμανικό ζυγό στις 11/11/1912.........
Δείτε παρακάτω το βίντεο με την έπαρση της Σημαίας.

Η σημαία που αναρτήθηκε με τη χρήση ειδικού γερανού, ελλείψει ειδικού ιστού τέτοιου που να μπορεί να αντέξει το μέγεθός της θα παραμείνει σε αυτή τη θέση μέχρι και την Τετάρτη και θα υψώνεται από εδώ και στο εξής σε κάθε εθνική επέτειο.

«Είναι μία σημαία για να σκεπάζει τη Χίο μας, το Αιγαίο μας, την πατρίδα μας. Και για να θυμηθώ και τον λόγο του ποιητή «Αυτή δεν είναι από πανιού λωρίδα καμωμένη, είναι από αίμα και καπνούς κι από φωτιά βγαλμένη»», ανέφερε στις δηλώσεις του ο Μητροπολίτης Χίου κ. Μάρκος.

Πηγή: http://ellpalmos.blogspot.com/2014/11/150.html#ixzz3Igyq1Ecb

Ultra-light vehicles and armed drones: AUSA 2014 tech round-up15 October 2014

Ultra-light vehicles and armed drones: AUSA 2014 tech round-up15 October 2014 Grant Turnbull

The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition was held in Washington DC this week. Spanning three days, it’s one of the biggest land warfare expos in the world with manufacturers keen to show off their latest products and military officials on the look out for new tech. If you couldn’t make it, we’ve identified some of the most notable equipment on display this year.

Vehicles

Several manufacturers showcased new vehicles or components at this year's AUSA. There was a particular focus on ultra-light vehicles, which is a change from the usual emphasis on up-armoured heavy vehicles like MRAPs or armoured personnel carriers. One reason for this is the US Army's interest in a brand-new family of ultra-light vehicles for expeditionary missions.

General Dynamics displayed its Flyer 72 vehicle, which recently went into low rate initial production (LRIP) as part of a contract with US Special Operations Command. The Flyer 72 has a top speed of 100mph, can carry up to nine combatants and be transported inside a CH-47 Chinook. Polaris Defense - known for its military quad bikes - unveiled its own ultra-light vehicle known as DAGOR, which it hopes could compete for a future US Army contract.

Boeing Defense also showcased its 'modular' Phantom Badger ultra-light vehicle, which for the first time was equipped with a mortar module and ammunition trailer. Like the Flyer 72 or DAGOR, the Phantom Badger is light enough to be sling loadable, air-dropped or loaded into the back of an Osprey or Chinook. Even if Phantom Badger doesn't win a US Army contract, at least it wins the competition for best name.

Other vehicle news included an announcement by Textron Systems that it will be providing Bulgarian armed forces with ten new Commando armoured vehicles. Three vehicle types will delivered including an ambulance variant, command and control (C2) variant and a turreted variant equipped with a 40mm main gun. All the vehicles will be deployed in support of the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan.

Vehicle components

Oshkosh Defense used AUSA to debut its newest driver assist safety systems for its successful M-ATV range of vehicles. The systems on show ranged from basic forward collision warning devices to fully autonomous vehicle operation in high-threat environments. One technology demonstrated by Oshkosh was the 'Surround View System' fitted to its newest Intervention variant of its M-ATV. Surround View incorporates six wide-angle cameras to give operators a 'birds-eye view' of the vehicle.

General Dynamics gave a glimpse into the future with a demonstration of its Multipurpose Unmanned Tactical Transport (MUTT). The small, four-wheel vehicle is designed to lighten the load for forward-deployed, dismounted units by carrying up to 300kg of equipment and supplies. General Dynamics reportedly said at AUSA that it is ready to launch full production of an electric-powered MUTT.

During the show, metal manufacturer Alcoa announced it had produced the world's largest single-piece forged aluminium hull in collaboration with the US Army Research Laboratory. Modelling and simulations show a single-piece underbody could provide twice the protection against blasts over traditional hulls which have welded seams. The hull is now being tested by the US Army to test its durability.

Lastly, Northrop Grumman set out its solution to extend the life of the high-mobility multipurpose wheeled-vehicle (HMMWV), or Humvee, in service with the US Army and other militaries around the world. Northrop is working with Meritor Defense and Pratt & Miller Engineering to upgrade existing Humvees and restore them to their original performance and payload capabilities. The US Army has not yet committed itself to upgrading the Humvee, but Northrop has positioned itself well if the call comes.

Soldier tech and dismounted weapons

It wouldn't be a land forces exhibition without a good helping of dismounted soldier technology. Israeli company TAR-Ideal introduced a new soldier marker which could lessen the incidence of friendly fire. Called the TL5 Pro, the personal marker can be used in infra-red mode which makes it invisible to the naked eye but visible to friendly forces using IR sensors. The marker is already in use by the Israel Defence Force and can also be used as a helicopter landing strip marker.

Raytheon announced a number of products including the latest version of its global positioning system anti-jam (GPS-AJ) capability, called Landshield. The system, according to Raytheon officials, provides the "most advanced" anti-jam capability for simultaneous L1 and L2 GPS frequencies. GPS anti-jam capabilities are becoming increasingly important as GPS jammers proliferate thanks to decreasing costs and increased effectiveness. Raytheon also unveiled a new wearable technology called Distributed Common Ground System-A Lite which provides battlefield information on a wrist-worn display.

Saab presented its latest man-portable shoulder-launched weapon system at this year's AUSA. The next-generation Carl Gustaf M4 - which is known as the M3A1 MAAWS in the US Army - is lighter than previous variants weighing approximately 15 pounds and is compatible with future battlefield technology such as intelligent sighting systems. The M3 variant has seen extensive service with US Army Rangers and US Special Forces, so expect to see a lot of interest in the M4.

Outdoors company Rocky Brands displayed its newest military boot designed for jungle operations. With the US increasing its presence in the Pacific, there will be a huge investment in clothing designed to address the challenges presented by this environment. Rocky Brands' newest jungle boot will be tested soon by US soldiers in Hawaii, according to company officials.

Aviation, manned and unmanned systems

Unmanned vehicles and new helicopter concepts have been prominent at this year's show. Just before AUSA began, Sikorsky unveiled its S-97 Raider prototype which it hopes will become the future benchmark for military helicopters. The revolutionary design features a composite fuselage, a pair of coaxial rotors and a six-blade pusher propeller. This means the S-97 has a cruising speed of 253mph, double that of conventional helicopters.

Not to be outdone, Bell Helicopter displayed a mock-up of its V-280 Valor which it also hopes will find favour with US Army officials. The V-280's design is fundamentally different from the S-97 but it is still capable of flying faster and farther than today's helicopters. The Valor, with its huge tilt rotors, resembles a mini V-22 Osprey and will be capable of carrying up to 14 troops. Valor and Raider both represent a significant shift in future helicopter design - but which one will come out on top?

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) also featured prominently during the show, solidifying their position as an essential capability for modern armed forces. Israeli company Flying Production unveiled 'Da Vinci' during the expo, a multirotor micro UAV which can take-off and land autonomously and carry a 5.4kg payload. The micro UAV's payload can include the company's own dual electro-optic/infrared sensors called Galileo. Importantly, the entire system is man-portable giving troops vital ISR capabilities whenever it is required.

Textron Systems' stand also displayed the Fury guided missile mounted on a Shadow M2 UAV. The Fury guided missile is designed to be an affordable way of integrating weaponry onto smaller tactical UAVs like the Shadow, rather than larger platforms like Reaper or Predator. Textron, in collaboration with Thales UK, is working closely with the US Marine Corps on requirements for the new system. It appears any UAV, no matter how big or small, could now be considered a weapons platform.

Παρασκευή 7 Νοεμβρίου 2014

A timelapse of the Sun in 4K

Δημοσιεύτηκε στις 7 Νοε 2014

The surface of the sun from October 14th to 30th, 2014, showing sunspot AR 2192, the largest sunspot of the last two solar cycles (22 years). During this time sunspot AR 2191 produced six X-class and four M-class solar flares. The animation shows the sun in the ultraviolet 304 ångström wavelength, and plays at a rate of 52.5 minutes per second. It is composed of more than 17,000 images, 72 GB of data produced by the solar dynamics observatory (http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/). This animation has be rendered in 4K, and resized to the Youtube maximum resolution of 3840×2160. The animation has been rotated 180 degrees so that south is 'up'. The audio is the "heartbeat" of the sun, processed from SOHO HMI data by Alexander G. Kosovichev. Image processing and animation by James Tyrwhitt-Drake.

5 Animals That Do Winter Better Than You

Δημοσιεύτηκε στις 7 Νοε 2014

While you shiver and pine for warmer climates, these five animals are owning winter.

► Flying Car - AeroMobil 3.0 demonstration

Δημοσιεύτηκε στις 7 Νοε 2014

An advanced prototype of the flying roadster AeroMobil 3.0 was unveiled in Vienna during the Pioneers Festival that celebrates entrepreneurship, technology and innovation.
A beautifully designed fully functional prototype of a flying car developed and built in only 10 months.

The current flying car prototype AeroMobil 3.0 incorporates significant improvements and upgrades to the AeroMobil 2.5. It is now finalized and is being tested in real flight conditions since October 2014. Initially certified by the Slovak Federation of Ultra-Light Flying, it now entered a regular flight-testing program.
The AeroMobil 3.0 prototype is very close to the final product. It is predominantly built from the same materials as the final product, such as advanced composite materials for the body shell, wings, and wheels. It also contains all the main features that will be incorporated into the final product, such as avionics equipment, autopilot and an advanced parachute deployment system.
Currently the AeroMobil 3.0 prototype will serve two main purposes. First, it will be used to test and improve the final performance, features, and characteristics. Second, it will be used for initial marketing purposes, including presentations at major trade shows.

AeroMobil was designed in a way to fit into existing road infrastructure – its size is comparable to a limousineor a large luxury sedan. It has low maintenance costs and can be parked in regular parking slots in cities. It uses standard gasoline instead of kerosene, and it can therefore be fuelled at a regular gas stations.
AeroMobil also implements a number of other advanced technologies, such as a variable angle of attack of the wings, which significantly boosts the efficiency of take-off and shortens the take-off requirements, and sturdy suspension, which enables take-off and landing at relatively rough terrain.

President Obama Meets with His Cabinet

Δημοσιεύτηκε στις 7 Νοε 2014

President Obama holds a Cabinet meeting on November 7, 2014.