New "persecution of Christians" have launched worldwide

New "persecution of Christians" have begun worldwide, especially in Muslim states, particularly in the Middle East where Christians are essentially threatened with extinction. 200 million Christians, about 10% of Christians worldwide, "dealt disadvantaged in society, harassed or oppressed actively for their beliefs."

H Civitas, the famous British "think tank" for the civil society,  adopted recently an extensive study on " Christianophobia ", signed by Rupert Shortt, scholar, editor of The Times Literary Supplement and fellow of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford. The study makes it clear that Christians worldwide suffer more hostility than any other religious group, while politicians appear essentially "blind" before the extent of violence against Christians in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Among half to two thirds of the Christians of the Middle East have been forced either to migrate or killed during the last century, leaving the land where Jesus was born without Christians. Apart from violent attacks, killing and plunder, the study notes that "Christians who say their religious beliefs are employed in public services find their professional advancement virtually impossible." Recall that in Britain, where the research was published there have been cases of Christians who even threatened with dismissal because pectoral cross worn when working in the public and private sectors.

Often the persecution and "Christianophobia" relate to fears of authoritarian regimes that Eastern Christianity is a "Western belief" that aims to katavarathrosi them. And contributed to this wasteful use of the term "Crusade» (crusades) by George W. Bush, creating the feeling that one is imminent coordinated attack of Christianity on Islam, which had to fight back.

The state prosecution of Christianity occurs in greater China, where more Christians imprisoned than anywhere else in the world, says the UK Telegraph.

The actual hostility against Christians is constantly growing, and unfortunately help the "Arab Spring," which brought more assertive Islamic political forces in things. The study recorded hundreds of cases of attack by fanatics against Christians, mostly in Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Nigeria, Burma and China.

The only Christian minister in Pakistan, the Catholic Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated last year. The Telegraph carries that after the murder was videotaped message with the words: "I prefer to die for my principles and for the justice in my community rather than to compromise. Share with you that I believe in Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us. "

The Primate of the Orthodox Church, the Syrian Patriarch of Antioch and All the East John of Damascus called all Christians to remain in Syria despite the continuation of the civil war. In his first speech after his election called on the warring parties to end the conflict. In audiovisual message posted on the internet, dissidents threatened to attack two Christian villages where residents do not prosecute government troops there.

Note that the politicians in the western world or icily indifferent to religious genocide taking place on a large scale, as demonstrated by the study of Shortt, or fear that any expression of concern will be featured racist, brandishing political cost.

ΠΗΓΗ: http://www.pentapostagma.gr/2012/12/think-tank.html#ixzz2GZCJavd2

COMET ISON

ΜΑΛΟΝ ΤΟ ΤΕΛΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΟΣΜΟΥ ΑΝΑΒΛΗΘΗΚΕ ΓΙΑ ΛΙΓΟΥΣ ΜΗΝΕΣ!

In 2013 a comet called Ison will put on a once in a lifetime show. The comet is expected to be visible to the naked eye for several months in late 2013, and could at times be brighter than the Moon.
It will be visible from all around the world.

At the moment it is a faint object, visible only in sophisticated telescopes as a point of light moving slowly against the background stars. It doesn't seem much – a frozen chunk of rock and ice – one of many moving in the depths of space. But this one is being tracked with eager anticipation by astronomers from around the world, and in a year everyone could know its name.

Comet Ison could draw millions out into the dark to witness what could be the brightest comet seen in many generations – brighter even than the full Moon.

It was found as a blur on an electronic image of the night sky taken through a telescope at the Kislovodsk Observatory in Russia as part of a project to survey the sky looking for comets and asteroids – chunks of rock and ice that litter space. Astronomers Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok were expecting to use the International Scientific Optical Network's (Ison) 40cm telescope on the night of 20 September but clouds halted their plans.

It was a frustrating night but about half an hour prior to the beginning of morning twilight, they noticed the sky was clearing and got the telescope and camera up and running to obtain some survey images in the constellations of Gemini and Cancer.

When the images were obtained Nevski loaded them into a computer program designed to detect asteroids and comets moving between images. He noticed a rather bright object with unusually slow movement, which he thought could only mean it was situated way beyond the orbit of Jupiter. But he couldn't tell if the object was a comet, so Novichonok booked time on a larger telescope to take another look. Less than a day later the new images revealed that Nevski and Novichonok had discovered a comet, which was named Comet Ison. A database search showed it has been seen in images taken by other telescopes earlier that year and in late 2011. These observations allowed its orbit to be calculated, and when astronomers did that they let out a collective "wow."

Comet Ison has taken millions of years to reach us travelling from the so-called Oort cloud – a reservoir of trillions and trillions of chunks of rock and ice, leftovers from the birth of the planets. It reaches out more than a light-year – a quarter of the way to the nearest star. In the Oort cloud the Sun is but a distant point of light whose feeble gravity is just enough to hold onto the cloud. Every once in a while a tiny tug of gravity, perhaps from a nearby star or wandering object, disturbs the cloud sending some of its comets out into interstellar space to be lost forever and a few are scattered sunward. Comet Ison is making its first, and perhaps only visit to us. Its life has been cold, frozen hard and unchanging, but it is moving closer to the Sun, and getting warmer.

Ison's surface is very dark – darker than asphalt – pockmarked and dusty with ice beneath the surface. It's a small body, a few tens of miles across, with a tiny pull of gravity. If you stood upon it you could leap 20 miles into space taking over a week to come down again, watching as the comet rotated beneath you. You could walk to the equator, kneel down and gather up handfuls of comet material to make snowballs, throw them in a direction against the comet's spin and watch them hang motionless in front of you. But it will not remain quiet on Comet Ison for the Sun's heat will bring it to life.

By the end of summer it will become visible in small telescopes and binoculars. By October it will pass close to Mars and things will begin to stir. The surface will shift as the ice responds to the thermal shock, cracks will appear in the crust, tiny puffs of gas will rise from it as it is warmed. The comet's tail is forming.

Slowly at first but with increasing vigour, as it passes the orbit of Earth, the gas and dust geysers will gather force. The space around the comet becomes brilliant as the ice below the surface turns into gas and erupts, reflecting the light of the Sun. Now Ison is surrounded by a cloud of gas called the coma, hundreds of thousands of miles from side to side. The comet's rotation curves these jets into space as they trail into spirals behind it. As they move out the gas trails are stopped and blown backwards by the Solar Wind.

By late November it will be visible to the unaided eye just after dark in the same direction as the setting Sun. Its tail could stretch like a searchlight into the sky above the horizon. Then it will swing rapidly around the Sun, passing within two million miles of it, far closer than any planet ever does, to emerge visible in the evening sky heading northward towards the pole star. It could be an "unaided eye" object for months. When it is close in its approach to the Sun it could become intensely brilliant but at that stage it would be difficult and dangerous to see without special instrumentation as it would be only a degree from the sun.

Remarkably Ison might not be the only spectacular comet visible next year. Another comet, called 2014 L4 (PanSTARRS), was discovered last year and in March and April it could also be a magnificent object in the evening sky. 2013 could be the year of the great comets.

As Comet Ison heads back to deep space in 2014 the sky above it would begin to clear as the dust and gas geysers loose their energy. Returning to the place where the Sun is a distant point of light, Comet Ison may never return. Its tail points outward now as the solar wind is at its back, and it fades and the comet falls quiet once more, this time forever.

Police in Peru Burn Over 5 Tonnes of Drugs

Ατάκες Παπακωνσταντίνου στην Επιτροπή Διαφάνειας

Snow Sculptors Create Massive Horse Sculpture in NE China

Romfea.gr | Μια Ρωσική Εκκλησία από χιόνι φιλοτέχνησαν επαγγελματίες τεχνίτες του πάγου, πέριξ της Εθνικής Οδού στην βορειανατολική Κίνα.

Μέχρι σήμερα χιλιάδες έχουν δει το έργο τέχνης, το οποίο χρειάστηκε πάρα πολλές μέρες εργασίας για να ολοκληρωθεί.

NICE PHOTO

LIGHTNING

Coma out for the Dakar 2013

Coma out for the Dakar 2013 - Caselli in!!posted Dec 21, 2012 7:07 PM by The Dakar [ updated Dec 21, 2012 7:14 PM ]




Coma out for the Dakar 2013! KTM, the brand whose factory teams and bikes have sealed eleven consecutive Dakar Rally victories announced in a press conference in Barcelona on Friday that one of its key riders, Spaniard Marc Coma will be unable to ride in the 2013 edition of the world’s most famous rally.
Marc Coma, who injured his shoulder in an accident in the Morocco Rally in October, is not completely fit. The team has therefore decided he should not tackle the event that involves more than 8000 km of perilous riding over the world’s toughest offroad terrain through Peru, Argentina and Chile.
Alex Doringer (KTM Rally Factory Team Manager): “Marc is one of our key riders and together with his teammate Cyril Despres has giving KTM the last seven Dakar titles. While we are disappointed that he is unable to ride, the health and welfare of our factory riders is the most important consideration. If he is not 100 percent fit, it is better for him to sit out the 2013 rally.” Coma, winner of three Dakar titles and the reigning World Cross Country World Championship is, together with his teammate Despres, recognized as one of the world’s finest exponents of rally sport.
A deeply disappointed Coma spoke after the press conference saying: “We worked really hard with the doctors and the physiotherapists right up until the last minute but we have to be realistic. One of the muscles in my shoulder is still giving me problems and there is a lack of movement. This is the logical consequence and we must be honest and clear about the situation.”




Coma, who will now concentrate his efforts on regaining complete fitness ahead of the rest of the 2013 season and looking forward to the Dakar 2014 said he was sad for the team but underlined that the Dakar is a ‘winning project’ for KTM so there was no alternative than to make this announcement. Team manager Alex Doringer said he hoped Marc would be at the start in Lima to wish the team well and see them launch their attack.
Doringer underlined that in view of the high profile that the Dakar Rally has for KTM, that the company had always taken the precaution of having a reserve rider registered with the Dakar organizers, ASO. He said they had now given the green light for the accredited reserve rider to step in and ride Coma’s KTM 450 Rally bike.
“We always took the precaution to have a reserve rider properly registered in case of such circumstances and it will be KTM USA’s Kurt Caselli who will step in to ride Coma’s bike. We want him to ride the Dakar without any pressure, embrace the adventure and learn from the experience,” Doringer said.
Caselli is at the forefront of the US offroad scene and is the current AMA National Hare and Hound Champion. He is a multiple national title winner in premium US offroad events, has been a stalwart in the US International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) Championship and was a member of the KTM team that recently finished second in the 2012 edition of the legendary Baja 1000. Caselli’s start number is yet to be confirmed.
Kurt Caselli: “It has always been a goal in my career to compete in the Dakar. There would be no way possible for me to achieve this without the ongoing support of KTM. To be able to race the greatest off road race in the world aboard the best bike in the world is truly a blessing. This is not only a milestone in my career but also in my life.”

DAKAR TIME

ΕΝ ΑΝΑΜΟΝΗ ΤΗΣ ΕΝΑΡΞΕΩΣ ΤΟΥ ΝΤΑΚΑΡ 2013 ΑΣ ΖΕΣΤΑΙΝΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΜΕ ΛΙΓΑ ΠΛΑΝΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 2012

Αποκλεισμένα από το Ντακάρ 2012 όπου είχε κατακτώντας τη 2η θέση συνολικά, Robby Gordon εισέρχεται με ένα Hummer που, μετά από προκαταρκτικούς ελέγχους, πληροί όλες τις κανονιστικές απαιτήσεις. Ο Αμερικανός θα είναι στη γραμμή εκκίνησης στις 5 Ιανουαρίου και προσθέτει το όνομά του στη λίστα των υποψηφίων για τον τίτλο.

• 

Φράνσις Φορντ Κόπολα είχε Ματ Ντίλον λένε "δεν ξέρεις ένα βουητό δεν είναι ένα βουητό χωρίς εμένα;" λίγο πριν από την τελική σκηνή της ταινίας ξένοι . Είναι ακριβώς σε αυτό το πνεύμα που Robby Gordon έχει σιγοβράζει μακριά για αρκετές εβδομάδες, εν αναμονή της επίσημης επιβεβαίωσης της συμμετοχής του στο Ντακάρ το 2013. Ενώ οι αναγκαίοι έλεγχοι που διενεργούνται σε Hummer του, ο Αμερικανός φαινόταν από μακριά στα πληρώματα που θα ανταγωνίζονται για τον τίτλο σε λίγες εβδομάδες ». Ακριβώς όπως και ο συμπαίκτης του από το προηγούμενο έτος Nasser Al Attiyah και την επιστροφή Carlos Sainz, τόσο εξοπλισμένα με ολοκαίνουργια buggies, η Καλιφόρνια σόουμαν θα έρθει να αμφισβητήσει την Minis του Stéphane Peterhansel και Nani Roma. Το H3 που πυροδότησε τη συζήτηση για το 2012 έχει ελεγχθεί στα εργαστήρια της Σαρλότ: έχει αρχικά κηρυχθεί ικανοί να πηδούν στους αμμόλοφους του Περού, την Αργεντινή και τη Χιλή, μεταξύ 5 και 20 Ιανουαρίου του επόμενου έτους. Gordon, ο οποίος θα εμφανίζει τον αριθμό 315 στις αγώνα το αυτοκίνητό του στη Λίμα, έχει επίσης ως στόχο να βελτιώσει την 3η θέση που αποκτήθηκε το 2009, κατά την πρώτη της Νότιας Αμερικής Ντακάρ. . Ο "επαναστάτης" θα πλαισιώνεται από συγκυβερνήτης του το 2011, Kellon Walch. Αλλά με την τεράστια ποσότητα των buggies και 4Χ4 ικανή να ανταγωνιστεί στο υψηλότερο δυνατό επίπεδο, θέσεις στο βάθρο φέρει ένα ακόμη υψηλότερο τίμημα!

EIKONEΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΣΠΗΛΑΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΕΩΣ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΝ ΙΕΡΟ ΝΑΟ

Εντός της μεγαλοπρεπούς Βασιλικής της του Χριστού Γεννήσεως στη Βηθλεέμ ξεχωρίζει η θαυματουργός εικόνα της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου, της επονομαζόμενης Βηθλεεμίτισσας.

Η είσοδος για το Ιερό Σπήλαιο

Ο Ιερός Ναός εσωτερικά (δίπλα στο καθολικό). Εκεί που διακρίνεται η μορφή του μοναχού, κατεβαίνει κανείς τα σκαλοπάτια και βρίσκεται μπροστά στο Άγιο Σπήλαιο της Γεννήσεως του Χριστού

Ο Ιερός Ναός της Γεννήσεως

Το Άγιο Σπήλαιο της Γεννήσεως του Χριστού

Το καθολικόν του Ιερού Ναού της Γεννήσεως

XΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ. ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΑ

Συρία: Σφαγή από αεροπορική επίθεση έξω από αρτοποιείο

Δεκάδες άνθρωποι έχασαν τη ζωή τους από αεροπορική επιδρομή που πραγματοποιήθηκε έξω από αρτοποιείο στην πόλη Χάμα στην κεντρική Συρία, όπως ανακοίνωσαν οι ανταρτικές δυνάμεις, με ορισμένες πηγές να ανεβάζουν τον αριθμό των νεκρών στους 200.




«Δεν μπορούμε να έχουμε ακόμη έναν ακριβή αριθμό, γιατί εξακολουθεί να επικρατεί σύγχυση για το ποιος είναι νεκρός και ποιος έχει τραυματισθεί», δηλώνει στέλεχος του ανταρτικού κινήματος.




Η αεροπορική επιδρομή πραγματοποιήθηκε στην Χαλφάγια, μία πόλη που πρόσφατα ανακαταλήφθηκε από τους αντάρτες σε μία νέα προέλασή τους στην επαρχία της Χάμα.




Μέσα σε αυτό το φόντο, ο ειδικός απεσταλμένος της διεθνούς κοινότητας για την ειρήνη στη Συρία Λαχντάρ Μπραχίμι αφίχθη την Κυριακή στη Δαμασκό, όπως διαπίστωσε απεσταλμένος του Γαλλικού Πρακτορείου.




Ο απεσταλμένος του ΟΗΕ και του Αραβικού Συνδέσμου κατέλυσε στο ξενοδοχείο Σέρατον, στο κέντρο της Δαμασκού, σύμφωνα με την ίδια ενημέρωση. Ο Μπραχίμι εισήλθε οδικώς στη Συρία για την, μη προανακοινωθείσα αυτή επίσκεψη, από τον Λίβανο, όπου είχε φθάσει προηγουμένως αεροπορικώς, σύμφωνα με την ανακοίνωση των αερολιμενικών αρχών του Λιβάνου.




Από την πλευρά του, ο Σύρος υπουργός Πληροφόρησης (Τύπου) Ομράν αλ Ζόχμπι διαβεβαίωσε κατά τη διάρκεια συνέντευξης Τύπου στη Δαμασκό πως δεν έχει ενημερωθεί για την επίσκεψη του Μπραχίμι.




Στην προηγούμενη επίσκεψή του στη Δαμασκό, οπότε είχε συναντηθεί με τον πρόεδρο Μπασάρ αλ Άσαντ και άλλους αξιωματούχους, ο Μπραχίμι είχε προσγειωθεί στο διεθνές αεροδρόμιο της συριακής πρωτεύουσας, το οποίο όμως έχει κλείσει πλέον εξαιτίας των σφοδρών συγκρούσεων που σημειώνονται στην πέριξ αυτού περιοχή.




Εν τω μεταξύ, η κυβέρνηση της Συρίας έλαβε αποστάσεις την Κυριακή από τα σχόλια του αντιπροέδρου της χώρας, κατά τον οποίον καμία από τις δύο αντιμαχόμενες πλευρές μπορεί να κερδίσει τον εμφύλιο πόλεμο, υποστηρίζοντας πως οι κυβερνητικές δυνάμεις είναι ακόμη πανίσχυρες.




Την περασμένη εβδομάδα, ο αντιπρόεδρος Φαρούκ αλ Σαράα-ο οποίος δεν βρίσκεται στον στενό κύκλο του προέδρου Μπασάρ αλ Άσαντ-είχε υποστηρίξει σε έντυπη συνέντευξή του πως η χώρα έχει ανάγκη από μία κυβέρνηση εθνικής ενότητας καθώς καμία πλευρά, ούτε οι αντικαθεστωτικοί αντάρτες, ούτε οι κυβερνητικές δυνάμεις, μπορούν να επικρατήσουν στρατιωτικά.




«Υπάρχουν 23 εκατ. άνθρωποι στη Συρία, ο καθένας με την προσωπική του άποψη, αυτή ήταν μία από τις 23 εκατ. απόψεις», υποστήριξε ο υπουργός Πληροφόρησης (Τύπου) Ουμράν αλ Ζαάμπι στη διάρκεια συνέντευξης Τύπου στη Δαμασκό. Ο Ζαάμπι υπογράμμισε στους δημοσιογράφους πως ο συριακός στρατός παραμένει ισχυρός παρά μία μακρά σειρά από προελάσεις και καταλήψεις εδαφών από τις ανταρτικές ομάδες σε όλη τη χώρα. Ο ίδιος υπαινίχθηκε πως πολλές αναφορές για επιτυχίες των ανταρτών είναι «φαντασιοπληξίες, δημοσιογραφικού σκοπού νίκες».




«Έχω να δώσω μία γενική συμβουλή σε εκείνες τις πολιτικές δυνάμεις που αρνούνται τον διάλογο: τα χρονικά περιθώρια στενεύουν. Βιαστείτε και αρχίστε να κινείσθε προς την κατεύθυνση μίας πολιτικής λύσης», πρόσθεσε ο Ζαάμπι. «Αυτά τα στρατιωτικά εγχειρήματα για να ανατραπεί η κυβέρνηση, για να εκδιωχθεί ο πρόεδρος, για την κατάληψη της πρωτεύουσας, ξεχάστε τα. Αυτή είναι η συμβουλή μου», διεμήνυσε ο ίδιος.




Ο υπουργός πρόσθεσε επίσης πως η Συρία ουδέποτε θα χρησιμοποιήσει τα χημικά της όπλα, εάν έχει, σε οποιοδήποτε σημείο μέσα, ή έξω, από τη χώρα. Είναι η πρώτη φορά που κυβερνητικό στέλεχος επισημαίνει σαφώς πως δεν υπάρχει πρόθεση να χρησιμοποιηθεί το χημικό οπλοστάσιο της χώρας, παρά τις περί του αντιθέτου αιτιάσεις των ΗΠΑ και της Δύσης, που δηλώνουν ότι διαπιστώνονται σχετικές προετοιμασίες.




Την ίδια ώρα, ο Οργανισμός Ισλαμικής Συνεργασίας (ΟCI) κατήγγειλε την Κυριακή τις απειλές που έχουν εκτοξεύσει ισλαμιστές μαχητές ενάντια σε χριστιανικές κοινότητες στη Συρία, απευχόμενος συνάμα την μετεξέλιξη της πολιτικής σύρραξης σε θρησκευτικό πόλεμο στο εσωτερικό της χώρας. Σε ανακοίνωσή του, ο ΟCI εκτιμά πως τέτοιου είδους απειλές «αντιβαίνουν στις αρχές του Ισλάμ, που διακηρύσσουν την ανεκτικότητα, την αδελφοσύνη και την ειρήνη».




Ο πανισλαμικός Οργανισμός, που στις τάξεις του απαριθμεί 57 μέλη, προειδοποίησε για τον κίνδυνο «διολίσθησης σε μία δογματική σύρραξη» στη Συρία. Σε βίντεό τους, που αναρτήθηκε χθες στο διαδίκτυο, οι αντάρτες κατά του Μπασάρ αλ Άσαντ προειδοποιούν τους κατοίκους της Μχάρντα και ντ' αλ Σκιλμπίγια (δύο χριστιανικών κοινοτήτων στο κέντρο της Συρίας) πως θα τους επιτεθούν προκειμένου να απομακρύνουν μονάδες των κυβερνητικών δυνάμεων που σταθμεύουν εκεί.




Με ένα ποίμνιο 1,8 εκατ. πιστών, η συριακή ορθόδοξη κοινότητα έχει παραμείνει στο περιθώριο της εμφύλιας σύρραξης. Η κεφαλή της Εκκλησίας και μεγάλο τμήμα των πιστών της, φοβούμενοι τους



ισλαμιστές, έχουν λάβει θέσεις υπέρ του Άσαντ.

NASA - Witness the Launch of the next Landsat Satellite

NASA - Witness the Launch of the next Landsat Satellite

Witness the Launch of the next Landsat Satellite

02.10.13

Editor's Note: The registration for this event will be delayed to open and will be open longer. Registration is now going to open from noon EST on December 20, 2012 until noon EST on January 7, 2013. Thank you for your understanding of these changes.

---

NASA will host a two-day event for 80 of its social media followers on ­­­­­­Sunday, Feb. 10, and Monday, Feb. 11, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, Calif., for the launch of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, a satellite that continues a record-breaking 40 years of Earth observations.

Landsat satellites provide the longest continuous global record of the Earth's surface – ever. The first Landsat satellite launched from Vandenberg in 1972 and now what will become the eighth satellite in the Landsat series is scheduled to also launch from Vandenberg. This satellite, the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM), continues Landsat's critical role in monitoring, understanding and managing our resources of food, water and forests.

A collaboration between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Landsat program provides data that shows the impact of human society on the planet - a crucial measure as our population surpasses seven billion people. Landsat data has, over time, led to the improvement of human and biodiversity health, energy and water management, urban planning, disaster recovery and agriculture monitoring, all resulting in incalculable benefits to the U.S. and world economy.

LDCM will join the aging Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 satellites in orbit to produce stunning images of Earth’s surface along with a wealth of scientific data.

NASA Social participants will have the opportunity to:

• Hear first-hand accounts by the Landsat Mission science and engineering teams.
• Get a behind-the-scenes tour of Vandenberg Air Force Base's Western Range including:
• A rare look inside the the Western Range Operational Control Center (WROCC), which provides safe control of all launches from Vandenberg. The WROCC includes the control center, mission flight control center, weather center and transportation control center.
• Tours of the Landsat Launch Mission Control room, the LDCM launch pad & The Vandenberg Heritage Center
• Vandenberg's on-base private museum, located at historic Space Launch Complex-10. This visit includes historic briefings and artifacts dating to the earliest launches from the West Coast.
• Meet fellow space enthusiasts who are active on social media.
• Meet members of NASA’s social media team.

All sites on VAFB are subject to closure due to mission requirements

*** On the day of launch, NASA Social participants and their friends and families are invited to a special public viewing area to watch LDCM achieve orbit aboard an Atlas-V rocket. ***

Registration opens on this page at noon EST on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 and closes at noon, EST on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013 Monday, Jan. 7, 2013.

Register Now ›

---

What is a NASA Social?

A NASA Social is an informal meeting of people who use social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Participants at this event will be provided a unique in-person experience at the U.S. Air Force Western Test Range at Vandenberg Air Force Base and NASA, which they are encouraged to share with others through their favorite social network.

Guests will have an opportunity to learn more about ­­­­­­NASA and its Earth science missions, the Landsat program and the USGS, Vandenberg Air Force Base, and to experience the rocket launch of a satellite into orbit around Earth.

How do I register?

Registration opens at noon EST on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 and closes at noon, EST onWednesday, Jan. 2, 2013 Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Check back on this page for the registration link.  Eighty participants will be randomly selected from online registrations. Registration is for one person only (you) and is non-transferable.

Additional registrants will be placed on a waiting list.

Do I need to have a social media account to register?

Yes. This event is designed for active social media users who follow Vandenberg Air Force Base, the USGS and NASA on Twitter (@30thSpaceWing, @NASA_Landsat, @USGSLandsat, @NASA, @NASASocial), Facebook (NASA, 30thSpaceWing, Landsat,USGS) and Google+ (NASA). The goal of NASA Social is to allow people who regularly interact with each other via social networks to meet in person and discuss space exploration.

Users on all social networks are encouraged to use the hashtags #Landsat and #NASASocial. Updates and information about the event will be shared on Twitter via @NASA_Landsat and @NASASocial and via posts to Facebook and Google+.

What are the registration requirements?

Registration indicates your intent to travel to the Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, Calif., and attend the two-day event in person. You are responsible for your own expenses for travel, accommodation, food and other amenities.

Some events and participants scheduled to appear at the event are subject to change without notice. NASA, the U.S. Air Force and the USGS are not responsible for loss or damage incurred as a result of attending. NASA, the U.S. Air Force and the USGS moreover, are not responsible for loss or damage incurred if the event is cancelled with limited or no notice. Please plan accordingly.

Vandenberg Air Force Base is a government facility. Those who are selected will need to complete an additional registration step to receive clearance to enter the secure areas. To be admitted, you will need to show two photo identifications (one must be government issued with photo) that match the name provided on the registration. Those without proper identification cannot be admitted. All registrants must be at least 18 years old.

Can I register if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. Non U.S. citizens must provide passport information. If you have a green card, you will be processed as a U.S. citizen. Those who are selected will need to complete an additional registration step to receive clearance to enter the secure areas. To be admitted, you will need to show two photo identifications (one must be government-issued with photo) that match the name provided on the registration. Those without proper identification cannot be admitted. All registrants must be at least 18 years old.

Does my registration include a guest?

Because of space limitations, you may not bring a guest. Each registration provides a place for one person only (you) and is non-transferable. Each individual wishing to attend must register separately.

*** On the day of launch, NASA Social participants and their friends and families are invited to a special public viewing area to watch LDCM achieve orbit aboard an Atlas-V rocket. ***

What if I cannot come to Vandenberg?

If you cannot come to Vandenberg to attend in person, you should not register for the NASA Social. You can follow the conversation using the #Landsat and #NASASocial hashtags on Twitter. NASA may broadcast a portion of the program on Feb, 10 and 11. You can watch the launch on Feb. 11 on NASA TV or in person at the Vandenberg public viewing site. NASA, the USGS and Vandenberg will provide regular launch and mission updates on @NASA and @NASA_Landsat.

If you cannot make this NASA Social, don't despair; NASA is planning others in the near future at various locations. Check back onhttp://www.nasa.gov/social for updates.

When will I know if I am selected?
After registrations have been received and processed, an email with confirmation information and additional instructions will be sent to those selected and those on the waitlist. We expect to send notifications no later than Jan. 18

If you do not make the registration list for this NASA Social, you can still attend the launch and participate in the conversation online. Find out about ways to experience the launch at NASA.gov/Landsat.

What if the spacecraft's launch date changes?

Hundreds of different factors can cause a scheduled launch date to change multiple times. The launch date will not be official until after the Flight Readiness Review, which is scheduled for February 8, 2013. If the launch date changes prior to Feb. 10, NASA, the USGS and the Air Force may adjust the date of the NASA Social accordingly to coincide with the new target launch date. NASA will notify registrants of any changes by email.

If the launch is postponed, attendees may be invited to attend the launch at a future date.

NASA Social attendees are responsible for any additional costs they incur related to any launch delay. We strongly encourage participants to make travel arrangements that are refundable and/or flexible.

Does registration for and/or attendance at the NASA Social qualify me for media accreditation?

Your NASA Social registration and/or attendance does not qualify you for news media credentials at NASA or at Vandenberg Air Force Base, now or in the future.

Have a question not answered here? Need more information? Help is available by sending an email to HQ-Social@mail.nasa.gov.

Register Now ›

AFRICA TIME

AΦΡΙΚΗ. Η χωρα των αντιθεσεων. Εκει που σιγουρα αμα δεν πεθανης απο καποια αρωστια,θα πεθανης σιγουρα απο καποια σφαιρα.Εκει που γινονται ομαδικα εγκληματα και σφαγες χωριων,η ανθρωπινη ζωη δεν εχει καμια  αξια, και δεν βγαινη τιποτα προς τα εξω,γιατι ο μονος τροπος εποικινωνιας ειναι τοπικος.Ενας πολεμος 20 περιπου χρονια,μεσα στις ζουγκλες μεταξυ ανταρτων,στρατιωτων,και διαφορων συνοριακων κρατων,τοπικων συμοριων και εγκληματιων δεν λεει να σταματηση.Ενα ντοκυμαντερ που αξιζη να δειτε.
A

Επιχείρηση στο υπό κατάληψη κτίριο "Βίλα Αμαλία"

ΠΛΑΝΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΒΙΛΑ ΑΜΑΛΙΑΣ ΜΕΤΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΠΙΧΕΙΡΗΣΗ ΠΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΝΗ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΝ ΤΙΤΛΟ ΒΙΛΑ

A swoosh in space: Merry Christmas from Hubble

A swoosh in space: Merry Christmas from Hubble


The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope celebrates the holiday season with a striking image of the planetary nebula NGC 5189.


Planetary nebulae represent a final brief stage in the life of a star like the Sun. While consuming the last of the fuel in its core, the star expels a large portion of its outer regions, which then heats up and glows brightly, showing intricate structures that scientists are still trying to fully understand. The structure visible within NGC 5189 is particularly dramatic, and Hubble’s image of the nebula is by far the most detailed yet made of this object [1].

Hubble has been a key tool for studying planetary nebulae for years, and many of its images have become famous. As well as being highly attractive, planetary nebulae tell us about the ultimate fate of the Sun, which will form such a nebula when it runs out of fuel in a little over five billion years.


The intricate structure of the stellar eruption looks like a giant and brightly coloured ribbon in space. Credit: NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

These nebulae were named by astronomers studying them through early telescopes with little magnification and optics that were far from sharp. The brightly coloured nebulae are often roughly spherical, and many appear green or blue like Uranus and Neptune, so their appearance evoked that of gas giant planets like those in the outer Solar System.

Many of them do indeed look somewhat planetlike, but NGC 5189 certainly does not: the nebula forms a dramatic reverse S-shape.

Looking at the detail of Hubble’s image, possible thanks to Hubble’s very high resolution, the nebula shows a series of dense knots in the clouds of gas. The gas and radiation flowing out from the dying star carves out shapes in the clouds, forming glowing bow-wave-like patterns towards the centre of the nebula.

The knots in NGC 5189 are a reminder of just how vast the planetary nebula is. They might look like mere details in this image, but each and every one is a similar size to the entire Solar System.

The star at the centre of the nebula, a dense white dwarf, is far too small to see as anything other than a point of light, even though it is roughly the size of the Earth.

The overall shape of NGC 5189 can counterintuitively tell us about what is happening on very small scales around the tiny central star. NGC 5189’s shape is reminiscent of a lawn sprinkler, with matter being expelled from the star, which is wobbling as it rotates.

Similar structures have been seen before, especially in planetary nebulae with binary stars at their centres. This is also a likely explanation for the structure of NGC 5189, though to date, only one star has been found at the nebula’s centre.

Via Hubble/ESA

Smart Brabus E-Bike

Το Smart Brabus e-bike έκανε το ντεμπούτο του στην Έκθ
Smart Brabus E-Bike

εση Αυτοκινήτου της Γενεύης το 2012 αυτό το μήνα. Έχει ένα κομβικό σημείο 500 watt κινητήρα, αρκετή ενέργεια για να χτυπήσει περίπου 25 μίλια/ώρα.

Αυτό είναι διπλή η δύναμη του τακτικού έξυπνο ποδήλατο που έχει πολύ κάτω από κινητήρα 250 watt κινητήρα κόμβο.

Μοιάζει με το έξυπνο θα έρθει με ένα ταμπλό του αυτοκινήτου bionx με ένα κατά παραγγελία iphone κάτοχος προστέθηκε στις. Η bionx συστήματα είναι ένα ευρέως διαθέσιμο πεντάλ βοηθήσει sytem, ​​η οποία τροφοδοτείται ελαφρά και αυτόματα προσθέτει δύναμη στο ρυθμό αναβάτες χωρίς τη χρήση του γκαζιού. Είναι όμως ως ένα wimpy σύστημα e-bike κύκλους. Στα 500 watts, αυτό το έξυπνο ποδήλατο έχει δύο φορές την ισχύ του Smart απόθεμα, να πάρει αυτό το ποδήλατο σε πάνω από 20 μίλια/ώρα ίσως 25 μίλια/ώρα.

Μοιάζει η Brabus χρησιμοποιεί το BionX PL500 σύστημα, το οποίο μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί με γκάζι ή πεντάλ βοηθήσει και προσθέτει επίσης αναγεννητική πέδηση, ένα δύσκολο επίτευγμα με ένα κινητήρα κόμβο.





Αυτό το ποδήλατο μοιάζει με μια σοβαρή προσφορά e-ποδήλατο με ζάντες έθιμο του άνθρακα γίνεται για ένα κινητήρα κόμβο και δισκόφρενα. Το ποδήλατο έχει επίσης μια γλυκιά σύστημα ιμάντα μετάδοσης κίνησης.

Στόχος Smart με αυτό το ποδήλατο είναι να απελευθερώσει με την Brabus ηλεκτρικό αυτοκίνητο με το ίδιο χρώμα με την ιδέα του περισσότερο στυλ, περισσότερη δύναμη, περισσότερο και αποκλειστικότητα. Το σύνθημα για την Brabus γραμμή είναι "πράσινη καρδιά και την ψυχή μαύρη".

Η Brabus ηλεκτρικό ποδήλατο θα αρχίσει να πωλείται αργότερα αυτό το έτος. Τιμολόγηση δεν έχει κυκλοφορήσει ακόμα, αλλά υποψιαζόμαστε με βάση τις τιμές της τακτικής έξυπνο e-bike, αυτό θα πρέπει να λιανικής σε περίπου $ 5.000.

Monika Jagaciak: Top Model at Spring/Summer 2013 Fashion Week | FashionTV

lol

All Access: Cotto vs. Trout - Full Episode 2 - Epilogue - SHOWTIME Boxin...

The Detailed Universe: This will Blow Your Mind.

AGIA SOFIA scares THEM TOURKOUS

AGIA SOFIA scares THEM TOURKOUS

NIKOU Chiladakis

Author-journalist-Turkology

From the first moment that Constantinople fell to the Ottomans and Muhammad Fatih eisirthe riding the white horse of the Hagia Sophia, (where for some time, according to Turkish sources, remained motionless, looking with rapture the Pantocrator in the dome while impressive Capture scene and a Turkish film history), the great temple of Orthodoxy became the focus of various myths and legends circulated among the occupiers, causing an intense awe of this masterpiece of Orthodoxy now had surrounded the four Ottoman minarets .

     In recent years, however, some events focusing Hagia Sophia and culminating in an unexpected appearance in the summer of 2008 by Angelo in the dome, the Turks have created an intense atmosphere of distrust and fear of things to come. Resurfaced alongside all those legends that occasionally had shocked and had caused Muslims a typical phobia re emergence of orthodox Christian identity of the church and cosmogonic implications of this shocking event, despite the fact that operated until 1934 as a Muslim mosque.

     So last January, (01/20/2012), the large circulation Turkish newspaper, Sabah, presented a truly amazing tribute to the "Mysteries of the Holy Wisdom», (Ayasofya 'nın gizlemleri), which is reflected in a lively way that climate phobia paid their last Turks for what are hidden within the church and what promise to happen in the coming years.

     The first important element of this tribute is a slight phobia distinguished by the Turks to the hidden crosses, symbolic and otherwise, which are inside the church, but the floor plan as one can distinguish it from above. So much awe observed for the so-called (as the report attributes the Turks), "Cross of Saint Andrew the Apostle," who is known as the founder of the Church of Constantinople. So, according to Sabah, on the roof of the church is the Cross of St. Andrew in diagonal form, an important symbol not only lost in the centuries of Ottoman occupation, but dominates the whole symbolic significance. Also the "Cross of Justinian 'scares Turks and legends mention an ancient relic that is secret from Hagia Sophia and even from Egypt and has tremendous power. Generally, the structure of this great architectural masterpiece Orthodox, according to Turkish sources themselves, based on the Christian symbol of the Cross and this inspires awe and a subtle fear of the future restoration of Hagia Sophia in natural holder, ie Orthodox worship.

     But besides the crosses, and the Turks say other mysteries and scary for them to exist within the church. So, says the legend, it is known that after the conversion of the church into a mosque built in known Mihrab (Muslim place of prayer), which appeared on the eastern side of the church in the direction of Mecca. But the interesting thing is that according to the Turkish legends in front of the mihrab is buried a coffin made of gilt bronze. In this coffin lies the remains of Queen Sophia (obviously is identification with the Holy Wisdom). This queen Sophia and her coffin is, according to the Turkish legends, with a "mandate" that has passed through the centuries until today. This command indicates that there is no need to touch this casket or even touch it. If this happens, then, according to legend, this will cause the "uprising" of Queen Sophia and then a terrifying noise would jerk the whole structure of the temple causing seismic eschatological events that scare the Turks.

     But the legend of Queen Sophia has continuous. Thus, according to Turkish reports, the coffin is protected four archangels who are above the Dome of the church. The archangels are, they say they believe the Turks are Tzemprail, Michael, Israfil and Azrail. In fitting with the Turks, Tzemprail protects the Byzantine emperors, Michael the church from enemy attacks while Tzemprail and Israfil were the messengers of the events of the war in the Byzantine emperors. And these four archangels have regularly after the fall of Constantinople to protect the coffin of Queen Sophia of risk profane someone to open it and to bring about the Second Coming.

     Another important myth that Muslims say is the legend of the "Hidden Patriarch" resembling the Greek legend of the hidden priest. As the Turkish tradition, in the southern part of the temple there is a narrow corridor that leads to a very old and very mysterious arachniasmeni gate for which the legend mentions it as the "Gate Closed". According to Turkish reports, when Muhammad entered the Fatih in Istanbul Greek Orthodox Patriarch, the latter together with the attendants had assumed in this liturgy. Once the Ottoman hordes invaded the church, the Patriarch and all his entourage entered into the gate that closed and then lost while the gate was sealed and no one ever dared to open. Every year at Resurrection Orthodox Christians in front of the gate, as the Sabah state characteristics are shown .... red eggs! The legend is complemented by the prophecy that scares the Turks, that when the gate is opened, the temple will be heard again Christian Greek Orthodox chants so scared and alone in the idea of ​​opening this mysterious portal.

     The Turkish newspaper reports and the mystery of the underground tunnel that is centrally located inside the temple. As mentioned, this point there is a passage that leads to a large tunnel. In this tunnel, as the Turkish newspaper, leads to the Princes' Islands and even to the island first. The mystery of the Turks is how this tunnel was constructed and what role he played in the long history of the church.

     Mystery of the Turks is the large footprint of a large animal foot, maybe elephant is on the southwest side of the dome while here and have become some eschatological stories. Under the Turks the impression this is the horse of Mohammed the Conqueror, but the question is how the horse stepped on at this point that is up toward the dome.

     Large awe creates the Turks, as the Sabah and various mosaics that have emerged with all the magnificence of the past decades in the church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, despite the fact that the Muslim religion considers sin as the representation of a person associated with religious events. Special awe their causes known mosaic depicting the Virgin Mary having Jesus and John the Baptist on the right and left. The Turks have called the features "Mosaic Revelation" and the symbolism makes the eschatological significance is strong among Muslim Turks.

     Also special mention is made for mosaics depicting famous Byzantine emperors, as John Comnenus with Jesus Christ and Emperor Constantine duel with the Empress Zoe. All these depictions cause intense awe as this whole orthodox Christian magnificence and inner strength that manifest these mosaics have spawned several legends about the eschatological symbolism. The symbols are related to the Turkish fears about returning to the surface and the power of the Holy Eastern Roman Empire with the blessing of Jesus Christ himself.