Mickey Gubas' Blog: December 2014

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Comet Lovejoy before a Globular Star Cluster

Comet Lovejoy has become visible to the unaided eye. To see the comet, just go outside an hour or so after sunset and look for a fuzzy patch to the right of Orion’s belt. Binoculars and a star chart may help. Pictured here, Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) was captured three days ago passing nearly in front of M79, the globular star cluster visible as the bright spot slightly above and to the left of the comet’s green-hued coma. The nucleus of Comet Lovejoy is a giant dirty iceberg that is shedding gas into a long and intricate ion tail, extending across the image, as it nears the Sun. The comet is expected to become even easier to spot for northern observers during January, as it is rises earlier and, hopefully, continues to brighten. via NASA http://ift.tt/1wDsyMn

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A Simple Gift by RACHEL URQUHART

By RACHEL URQUHART

A writing table anchors a home built on a grandfather’s tragic legacy.

Published: December 31, 2014 at 07:00PM

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Supreme Court Plans to Provide Briefs and Filings Electronically by ADAM LIPTAK

By ADAM LIPTAK

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said the changes would come “as soon as 2016” in his annual year-end report on the condition of the federal judiciary.

Published: December 31, 2014 at 07:00PM

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Wyoming Town Burns in Sub-Zero Temps by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Huge flames ripped through historic buildings in the picturesque western Wyoming town of Dubois as firefighters contended with sub-zero temperatures that froze their hoses and other equipment.

Published: December 31, 2014 at 09:04AM

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Grabbers by Sony Pictures Releasing International

By Sony Pictures Releasing International

On Erin Island, an idyllic fishing village off the coast of Ireland, charming but somewhat work-shy Ciaran O’Shea, is tasked with greeting Lisa Nolan, a straight-laced young officer who has arrived from the mainland. Not that there is much for them

Published: December 31, 2014 at 08:03AM

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House Hunting in … Uruguay by VIRGINIA C. McGUIRE

By VIRGINIA C. McGUIRE

Uruguay’s housing market has slowed this year, with asking prices being lowered and many sellers more willing to negotiate.

Published: January 3, 2015 at 07:00PM

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Fairhaven by Starz

By Starz

Jon (O’Brien), a former high school football star and one time college athlete, has landed back in the place of his youth – Fairhaven – a small fishing village on the Massachusetts coast. At a crossroads in his life, Jon looks for purpose and meanin

Published: December 31, 2014 at 07:05AM

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Hotel Hopes Guests Head Home With a Rescue Dog by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

At this hotel, guests get welcomed with a wagging tail or a warm lick to the face.

Published: December 31, 2014 at 05:41AM

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Monster From The Ocean Floor by VCI Entertainment

By VCI Entertainment

Reports that a Mexican fishing village is terrorized by a creature that lives in the cove draw the attention of a scientist (Stuart Wade) with a one-man submarine and a beautiful tourist (Anne Kimbell), who descends into the dark waters to investiga

Published: December 31, 2014 at 05:36AM

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Hotel Hopes Guests Head Home With a Rescue Dog by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

At this hotel, guests get welcomed with a wagging tail or a warm lick to the face.

Published: December 31, 2014 at 05:00AM

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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

New Laws OK Wine Shipments, Ban Tiger Selfies by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

New state laws taking effect Thursday give livestock in California more living room, approve direct-to-consumer wine shipments in Massachusetts and levy the ultimate punishment on wannabe teen drivers in Nevada by denying them licenses if they skip…

Published: December 30, 2014 at 08:50PM

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Observatory, Mountains, Universe

The awesomeness in this image comes in layers. The closest layer, in the foreground, contains the Peak Terskol Observatory located in the northern Caucasus Mountains of Russia. The white dome over the 2-meter telescope is clearly visible. The observatory is located on a shoulder of Mt. Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, with other peaks visible in a nearby background layer. Clouds are visible both in front of and behind the mountain peaks. The featured three-image composite panorama was taken in 2014 August. Far in the distance is the most distant layer: the stars and nebulas of the night sky, with the central band of the Milky Way rising on the image right. via NASA http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap141230.html

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A Veteran’s Chemical Burns Expanded Military Doctors’ Knowledge, but His Care Faltered by C. J. CHIVERS

By C. J. CHIVERS

An Air Force staff sergeant’s wounding by a chemical round led the Army to urge lifelong monitoring of such cases, but he says he was not tracked after retiring.

Published: December 30, 2014 at 07:00PM

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Review: Desperation Runs Deep in Russia’s ‘Leviathan’ by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Desperation runs through the frozen ground and swelling seas in “Leviathan,” director Andrey Zvyagintsev’s devastatingly beautiful and grand tale of man’s ever deepening helplessness against a corrupt state and an indifferent God.

Published: December 30, 2014 at 07:40AM

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The Wreck of the Kulluk by McKENZIE FUNK

By McKENZIE FUNK

Three years ago, Shell spent millions to send a colossal oil rig to drill in the remote seas of the Arctic. But the Arctic had other plans.

Published: January 3, 2015 at 07:00PM

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House GOP Leader Once Addressed White Supremacists by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

In a revelation that could put a crimp in Republican efforts to reach out to minorities in 2016, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise has acknowledged that he once addressed a gathering of white supremacists, though his office denies any association…

Published: December 30, 2014 at 03:54AM

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