In the Comics: Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson Meets Superman

As both a scientist and a Superman fan, there was one story that DC Comics published in 2012 involved both Superman and Neil deGrasse Tyson... where Neil helped Superman see the last light from the exploding planet Krypton. 
 - There is a cool 6 minute video that explains how the story came together, too (see below).
- Rob

Here's the story of how it came to be from the American Museum of Natural History:
 Action Comics #14, published in November 2012 by DC Comics, reveals that even Superman visits the Museum’s Hayden Planetarium—and not just to see the Space Show.
The superhero, it turns out, comes once a year to see images of his far-off home planet, Krypton, said to orbit its home-star every 382 days. To locate the fictional planet in the actual sky, DC Comics worked with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Museum’s Hayden Planetarium. “When an artist’s muse leads to scientific themes,” says Tyson, “we are there to help out.” Tyson elaborates on the process in this video.
VIDEO ON HOW THE STORY HAPPENED: https://youtu.be/uZYLN_Ouu5U

CAPTION: During a roundtable discussion with journalists, Hayden Planetarium Director Neil deGrasse Tyson explains how he helped Superman find his home planet of Krypton. Tyson appears as a character in the recent DC Comics' ACTION COMICS #14, "Star Light, Star Bright." In real life, he consulted a star index and found a real star that supported the backstory of the comic.  The red dwarf star designated for having the ability to support a Krypton-like planet is located in the constellation Corvus 27.1 light years from Earth. The star, designated LHS 2520, possesses a red, highly turbulent surface, somewhat cooler and smaller than the Sun. To find it in the night's sky, amateur astronomers and Superman fans can follow these coordinates: J2000
Right Ascension: 12 hours 10 minutes 5.77 seconds
Declination: -15 degrees 4 minutes 17.9 seconds
Proper Motion: 0.76 arcseconds per year, along 172.94 degrees from due north

FIRST TASK: TYSON DETERMINES KRYPTON ORBITED STAR LHS 2520 IN CORVUS CONSTELLATION
Tyson’s first task was to figure out where the planet Krypton would be located in the galaxy. Using the facts of Superman’s fictional life—such as his age, about 27—Tyson studied published catalogs of known stars to determine a few possible candidates about 27 light years from Earth, around which Krypton might orbit.
After hearing about the candidates, DC Comics homed in on one—a star known as LHS 2520—because it was within the night-sky constellation Corvus, which is Latin for crow. As Superman aficionados know, the mascot of Smallville High School—which Clark Kent attends growing up—is the Crow.

A panel from Action Comics #14, featuring Superman and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
© DC Comics

Back on Earth, astronomers don’t know whether LHS 2520 has any planets orbiting it. But over the past two decades, many astronomers have discovered planets orbiting stars other than our Sun. Though only a small portion of the sky has been surveyed so far, about 800 of these exoplanents have already been discovered, with thousands more observed but not yet confirmed.
Still, distant stars like LHS 2520 are not easily observed; in fact, no telescope today is strong enough to see details of planets as far off as the fictional Krypton would be. To actually see a planet 27 light years away, says Tyson, a telescope “would have to be the width of the Earth!”
Instead, today, exoplanet researchers mostly observe exoplanets indirectly, by watching the effects of a planet’s gravity on the star, or the tiny eclipses that occur as planets “transit,” or cross, a star.
But astrophysicists can combine the powers of telescopes placed at a distance from one another to amplify their powers of observation. Called interferometry, this method, for now, utilizes small telescopes, not powerful enough to observe far-off Krypton-like exoplanets.
SECOND TASK: TYSON DEVISES PLAUSIBLE METHOD BY WHICH SUPERMAN CAN SEE HIS FAR-OFF HOME
To make the comic’s key plot point—Superman observing his home planet’s destruction—scientifically plausible, Tyson combined fact with fiction. In the comic, every actual visible-light telescope on Earth observes Krypton at the same moment, in effect creating a massive interferometer—a feat only possible in comics.

© DC Comics

Sadly for Superman, this amazing technology allows him to observe the long-ago explosion of his home planet, the light from which has taken 27 years to reach Earth. “The Planet Krypton has been gone for years,” reads the comic. “But as far as Superman is concerned—Tonight is the night Krypton died.”

Fascinating Book: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Neil's amazing book

As a scientist (meteorologist) and someone who works with astrophysicists, I had to read the brand
new book "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. In this 208 page book, you'll get a great idea of what the cosmos is made up of, and how things work.
   The book is easy to read, and although I've been working with astrophysicists for about 17 years, this provided some great basic science facts I never picked up. You'll learn about light, dark matter, dark energy, what's between planets, exoplanets, how scientists observe objects in various forms of light from Infrared to ultraviolet. You'll learn about radio waves from space, microwaves, gamma-rays, cosmic rays, etc. You'll understand how looking at objects tell us what they are made of.
   One of the lessons that stuck with me was "Matter tells space how to curve, and space tells matter how to move." That's because matter can warp space (like a magnifying lens).
   There are so many amazing things in this book that I didn't learn in college - and of course, there have been SO many findings on a daily basis with all the satellites we have observing the cosmos.

The day I met Neil at NASA in 2016

   In my job I also work with all of the Hubble Space Telescope findings on a daily basis, so this book as really "brought those to light" and made the findings even more exciting to me.
 - If you're an armchair scientist, love science, love the stars, or just like looking up, you should read this.There is so much more beyond this tiny speck called Earth and you'll be fascinated for a lifetime.
  BTW, I did get to meet Neil DeGrasse Tyson when he came to NASA in 2016. He's a cool guy!   - Rob

NEXT: Neil DeGrasse Tyson Meets Superman (well, sort of) 

ABOUT THE BOOK:  The #1 New York Times Bestseller: The essential universe, from our most celebrated and beloved astrophysicist.

What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There’s no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson.
But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in tasty chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day.
While you wait for your morning coffee to brew, for the bus, the train, or a plane to arrive, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry will reveal just what you need to be fluent and ready for the next cosmic headlines: from the Big Bang to black holes, from quarks to quantum mechanics, and from the search for planets to the search for life in the universe.

House Project: Assembling a Garden Takai Lantern

Franklin made sure we were assembling it correctly!

Have you heard of a Takai Lantern? In addition to renovating and updating things inside the house,
we're always looking for things to do in the backyard to make it more welcoming. Tom recently ordered a bench made of composite wood that won't deteriorate. Most recently we saw a 3 foot high stone garden Takai Lantern structure.

   In fact, it was about 3 years ago that we saw one in the front yard of a neighborhood house, and we really liked it. We hadn't been able to find one until recently though. 

The assembled Takai Lantern

   The "Takai Lantern" is a four piece structure, and stands about 3 feet as each piece is stacked vertically on top of another. The trick was getting it stacked correctly (we looked it up on Google.com).  
  Actually, the hardest part was transporting it. In total it weighs 376 pounds!!!  
We lifted the pieces into the back of our pick up truck, and once we got home, had to carry them together one at a time to the backyard. 
  Since we bought the lantern off a neighbor, and it was scattered in pieces all over the ground, we were unsure how it was supposed to be assembled. It took a couple of tries, and an internet search to find out how it was supposed to look.
  We put the lantern together in one of the backyard vegetation beds next to tall grasses and a plum tree.

Tom and Rob's Talk: Ghosts of Causey Mansion

Tom explains the geography of the mansion

On Aug. 4, we gave a talk called "Explore the Ghosts
of Causey Mansion" about an investigation we did last year. We gave the talk at the monthly meeting of the Inspired Ghost Tracking group in Maryland.
  We talked about our private investigation of this historic Delaware mansion turned really amazing Bed and Breakfast. We were personally invited by the owners to do an investigation to find out who the friendly ghosts are the reside there (there's nothing scary going on, just odd things).
  Tom and I provided an overview of the history and the previous owners of the property. In fact, 2 of Delaware's governors owned the mansion and lived there!
  As a result of our investigation, we were able to confirm two friendly ghosts who live there. Again, they're benign, and just want to live in peace, so they don't bother anyone. They may make your stay more entertaining though, but they don't always make themselves known.

SKETCHING THE GHOSTS: 

Charlie the ghost: confirmed

I (Rob) often sketch what a ghost looks like whenever we go on investigations. Based on what Tom and I experienced I sketched two ghosts - a man and a woman.
 

Margaret the ghost: confirmed.

CONFIRMATION:   After the investigation, we were shown an old photo from the late 1800s early 1900s of a group of people that played tennis on the property and my sketches looked just like 2 of the people who appeared in the photo. The ghosts are friendly and just enjoyed the property then as they do today from the afterlife.

The mansion is an active bed and breakfast and not a place for paranormal seekers, but it's a great place to stay and enjoy the gardens, the historic house, the music (played on the piano by one of the owners), and wonderful breakfasts!

Margaret Ehrlich manager of Inspired Ghost Tracking does introductions

   

**********************
To read about other haunted locations and Rob's encounters, check out his books "Ghosts and Spirits" and "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" in paperback and E-book on Amazon.com

Rob in new video: A Few Odd Minutes: Ghostly Cat in Envy Salon!

  The Video series "A Few Odd Minutes (in Howard County) just published their latest video about a Ghost Cat at the Envy Salon in Ellicott City, Maryland. Rob Gutro, author/medium was interviewed about why the cat may linger. 

   On this episode, we visit a beauty salon with a couple of "permanent" guests. One is a ghost named Catherine and the other is a feline friend that sometimes makes her presence known to the customers.
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/a7-0IUOqoFw

IN THE NEWS: The Health Benefits Of White Wine!

Tom enjoys a glass of wine and there's good news in every glass. Here's the latest findings about white wine that will make you want to pour a glass! 

The Health Benefits Of White Wine, Because There Actually Are Some

By Julie R. Thomson, Huffington Post

Red wine is often lauded for its positive health attributes, but no one stops to consider white.

Now that warm weather is on the horizon, and the need for something refreshing is upon us, it’s time to take a closer look at white wine. Lucky for all you chardonnay and pinot grigio lovers, it actually comes with its own host of good health benefits.

Three of them, to be exact ― enough reason to pop a cork. Here’s what you can get out of a glass of white:

1. White wine can help with heart- and metabolism-related improvements. In a study published in 2015, researchers assigned people with type-2 diabetes to either drink red wine, white wine, or water with dinner for two years while follow a strict mediterranean diet. While red wine drinkers saw the most improvements in heart and metabolism-related improvements, those who drank white also saw improvements. And that’s better than none.

2. Just like red, white wine can help improve cholesterol levels. Another study tracked 146 people over a year, half who drank red and half who drank white. Researchers found that the participants who worked out twice a week and drank wine ― of either kind ― had a significant improvement in cholesterol levels.

Coffee has twice as much antioxidants, but wine is good, too!

3. White wine is good for lung function. Research from the University of Buffalo suggests that drinking white wine ― more so than red ― can help keep your lungs healthy. The link between the two is unclear ― it might be thanks to its antioxidant-rich content, which combat free radicals ― but more research still has to be done.

Of course, it should be noted that most varieties of white wine do have a little more sugar than red, so keep that in mind before you serve yourself a second glass.

And remember, the key to getting health benefits from wine at all is to drink it in moderation.

Who was the actor who played Superboy in the unaired 1961 Pilot?

Yesterday we posted the 29 minute video of the unaired 1961 TV pilot of Superboy. I got curious about the actor, though. His name is Johnny Rockwell!  Here's an article from the "Superman Super Site" that explains who he is and how he wound up doing the show. (the pilot was good, so see yesterday's blog to watch it). - Rob

Johnny Rockwell, then and now

Meet the Actor Who Played Superboy for a 1961 One-Shot TV Episode
 

Johnny Rockwell starred as Superboy in the unaired pilot for 1961's Adventures of Superboy. The plot revolves around Jimmy, Clark Kent and Lana Lang's friend, being ashamed that his father works as a doorman at the Smallville Theater. His opinion changes when Superboy is able to thwart a robbery with Jimmy's father's help.

"I first studied acting with Agnes Moorehead at 20th Century Fox and then did a Playhouse 90 show as an extra. Paul Newman was the star and he suggested to me that I go back to New York and study with Sandy Meisner. It just so happened that Sandy once came out to see him, and I said, “I want to be in this class.” They said, “We're only taking professionals,” but I talked my way into the class. And who was in the class... Barbara Rush, John Erickson, Dyan Cannon and Terry Moore... a few people. Before the Superboy pilot, I did a few things at ZIV, including Lockup, with MacDonald Carey. I also studied at Warner Brothers. They had an acting school. Ty Hardin and I did a film together called As Young As You Are for Paramount.

Stills from the TV show

"When Superboy was casting, I was on the lot working on a pilot called Time Out for Ginger. As soon as I heard about the part being available, I went over and found out where the office was on a break. I walked in and Whitney Ellsworth was playing gin rummy with the head of the studio. I told him, “You don't have to look any further. I can fly.” I was also a very good gin player at the time, so I said I would play the winner. Whit won, so I started playing him and began winning. At that point I more or less knew I had the job. I did have to read a few lines, but I think I got the job because I was a good gin player.” – Johnny Rockwell, Superboy 

Source: http://www.supermansupersite.com/rockwell.html

Found! An unaired 1961 TV Pilot of "Superboy"

After George Reeves, the 1950s TV Superman was found dead, TV producers decided to create a "Superboy" TV show in 1961. I found this after searching for information about the Superman TV show (which I've been watching again recently on DVD). Here's the link if you want to watch this 1961 TV black and white pilot.
 Description:  Unsold Pilot of Superboy made after the death of George Reeves. Was a good production. There were 13 episodes written, but only this one was filmed.
NEXT: Who was the Actor who Played Superboy in the 1961 show? 

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/a_3F_G2A3V4

A fun Cozy Mystery: Hair of the Dog by Laurien Berenson

I've read several books by Laurien Berenson in her series "A Melanie Travis Mystery," and have enjoyed them all. "Hair of the Dog" was another fun cozy mystery. 
  This is one of her earlier books (from 1997). It was well-done, and you'll learn a LOT about how people show dogs, because Melanie and her aunt peg show standard poodles. It's an interesting look at the industry, while she figures out a murder, or two! So many suspects. An enjoyable mystery!
 - Rob 

ABOUT THE BOOK:
The dog days of summer have just begun, and Melanie Travis is looking forward to savoring each lazy afternoon. And where better to enjoy herself than at her Aunt Peg's Fourth of July barbecue? It sounds ideal, until an uninvited guest proves that even the laziest dog day of the year can suddenly turn vicious.

Melanie knew someone should have kept Barry Turk on a short leash. The star poodle handler and ladykiller had a habit of chicanery that bred contempt in the dog show circuit, particularly among its female members. But when Barry is shot dead in his own driveway, even Melanie is stunned at how unsporting the competition can get. Soon Melanie is investigating a litter of suspects which includes Barry's ruthless young assistant, her hot-tempered boyfriend, A Blue Ribbon judge with a grudge, and even Barry's last lover, Alicia. Now, as Melanie digs for clues deep under Connecticut's well-groomed surface, she finds herself sniffing around in the killer's own backyard, and counts herself lucky to have the animal instincts to keep herself alive.

Home Project! Desk Assembly

Dolly gives Tom a kiss for assembling the desk

Today's blog is about a project for our home office/TV room. Last week I wrote about a home project that we did in the  kitchen. 
  We decided that the desk that I've been using to telework for several years was getting weathered and worn, so we found a new desk. 

Tyler says that Daddy Tom's work passed inspection

  I (Rob) carried the box to the 2nd floor home office space and that was the extent of my contribution. (Yes, I still work out, so I can carry it!). Tom spent a while building the desk and our dogs, Dolly (who gave him a kiss), Franklin and Tyler looked on to ensure he did it correctly. 

Dolly, Franklin and Tyler ensuring the desk is coming together

  Tyler gave Tom's work a passing grade.
    The work space I'm in is small, but because it's upstairs, it's bright so it's the perfect place for a desk. We have skylights in the ceiling and windows on two other sides. It's really a cool corner of a room to work in because

Franklin found the desk comfortable, too!

there's so much natural light. 
   It's always nice to have a new desk. Franklin agreed with that sentiment, because as soon as we put it in place, he crawled under it and took a nap!

Great Paranomal Mystery: The Haunted Heart: Winter by Josh Lanyon

Recently I (Rob) finished reading a well-done paranormal mystery that involved 2 gay characters called "The Haunted Heart: Winter" by Josh Lanyon. After reading the free excerpt on Kindle and enjoying it, I bought the book.  I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I had a hard time putting it down.
The characters were intriguing and the mystery and ghost story was well done.  As a paranormal investigator myself , I really enjoyed how the characters wanted to solve the mystery.
 Looking forward to reading much more from this author.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 
The Haunted Heart series. Four seasons. Four ghosts. Two hearts.:

Winter : First in a NEW series!
Still grieving over the sudden death of his lover, antiques dealer Flynn Ambrose moves to the ramshackle old house on Pitch Pine Lane to catalog and sell the large inventory of arcane and oddball items that once filled his late uncle's mysterious museum.
But not all the items are that easy to catalog. Or get rid of...
Since Alan died, Flynn isn't eating, isn't sleeping, and isn't spending a lot of time looking in mirrors. But maybe he should pay a little more attention. Because something in that 18th Century mirror is looking at him.

.

In the News: Household dust makes people fat!

Mr. Monk dusting

Thankfully, since Tom is a meticulous housekeeper (like Mr. Monk)- This research shows how and why we've been able to maintain our weight. We sweep, vacuum, and clean every day!

Household dust makes people fat, groundbreaking research indicate

People should keep their homes spotless if they want to avoid putting on weight, new research suggests.

Amounts of dust as low as 3 micrograms - well below the mass of dust that children are exposed to daily - caused measurable effectsDr Heather Stapleton, Duke University
The quantities were significantly lower than the amounts to which children are averagely exposed.
HOW IT WORKS- 
The dust particles were found to contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), synthetic or naturally occurring compounds that can interfere with or mimic the body’s hormones.
WHERE ARE THESE FOUND?
These include flame retardants in sofas and carpets, as well as phthalates, substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility.
ALREADY KNOWN
It was already known that EDCs present a range of other potential health risks, including being associated with cognitive problems and learning disabilities, and putative research had suggested that exposure in early life may also cause weight gain later in life.

THE NEW RESEARCH
However, the new experiments by Duke University in North Carolina showed for the first time that house dust, laced with EDC chemicals, can cause cells to accumulate more fat.
Dr Christopher Kassotis, who led the research, said: “We were most surprised by how low the concentrations were that we saw having an effect.”

The researchers collected dust samples from 11 homes and introduced them to mouse cells - a model for the reaction in humans. 

Dust from nine of the samples prompted the cells to divide, thereby creating a larger pool of precursor fat cells, while seven of the samples spurred the mouse cells to mature and accumulate more fat.Only one dust sample had no effect.
The research team said the risk of disruption to metabolic health was likely to be particularly high in children.
EDCs are particularly harmful to humans during phases of intense development, namely pregnancy, early childhood and puberty, because of their power to disrupt crucial hormones needed for growth.
Dr Heather Stapleton, another of the researchers, said: "This suggests that the mixture of these chemicals in house dust is promoting the accumulation of triglycerides and fat cells."
"Amounts of dust as low as 3 micrograms - well below the mass of dust that children are exposed to daily - caused measurable effects."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has previously estimated that children consume 50 milligrams of house dust each day.

Among the 44 individual common house dust contaminants tested in the experiment, pyraclostrobin (a pesticide), the flame-retardant TBPDP, and DBP, a commonly used plasticizer, had the strongest fat-producing effects. Some manufacturers have reduced the use of EDCs in products, but many are still common in consumer goods.

Last month, the European Chemicals Agency voted unanimously to recognise a prominent type of EDC, bisphenol A (BPA), as a threat to human health, meaning it could soon be restricted in EU countries.
The chemical found in CDs, DVDs, kettles and water bottles and has been linked to a range of hormone-twisting health effects including cancer, learning difficulties and diabetes.
BPA is currently one of the world’s best-selling chemicals, with around a third of the nearly 4 million tonnes produced each year sold in Europe.
Originally developed as a synthetic mimic of  oestrogen, the female sex hormone, it helped spur the 1950s plastic revolution, but has since been linked to male infertility.
Despite the growing recognition of the dangers of EDCs, the chemicals remain ubiquitous in most homes.
The findings were published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.