Chilean Quake Likely Shifted Earth’s Axis, NASA Scientist Says

Just remember it has happened, but you'll never know it.

The earthquake that killed more than 700 people in Chile on Feb. 27 probably shifted the Earth’s axis and shortened the day, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientist said.

[snip]

The length of the day should have gotten shorter by 1.26 microseconds (millionths of a second),” Gross, said today in an e-mailed reply to questions. “The axis about which the Earth’s mass is balanced should have moved by 2.7 milliarcseconds (about 8 centimeters or 3 inches).”

I can't imagine spending my days coming up with such data. Maybe that's just me, though.



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NASA says no fix needed to shuttle

Pray to your God that this is so because the consequences if wrong could be dire.

NASA decided yesterday that no repairs are needed for a deep gouge in Endeavour's belly and the space shuttle is safe to fly home.

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NASA Dismisses Lovelorn Astronaut

File under: No shit.

In an official statement on Wednesday, NASA said U.S. Navy Capt. Lisa Nowak's position as a NASA astronaut has been terminated, effective March 8, by mutual agreement between the space agency and the U.S. Navy.

Nowak is charged with attempted kidnapping and burglary with assault after confronting Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman at Orlando International Airport last month.

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Arrest prompts NASA selection review

There's nothing wrong with NASA reviewing how they screen astronauts nor in the support they provide them after being hired. Its unfortunate an alleged murder attempt prompted it.

A shocked NASA said on Wednesday it would review its screening process for mental and medical problems after astronaut Lisa Nowak's arrest on charges she tried to kill a romantic rival for another astronaut.

The U.S. space agency said it had no indication before Nowak was jailed on Monday in Orlando, Florida, that she was troubled. It said it would look for flaws in its selection and support system for astronauts.

However, I'm sure this sort of thing happens all the time. Most of us have heard of homicidal police officers. They're few, but do slip through. And that's because psychological tests can't uncover all the dark secrets in a person's soul. I also would guess such tests are even less effective at discovering who is likely to "lose it" when in love and jealous.

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