Seen here in an artist’s rendition (mine — I’m an artist) of exactly what it’ll look like when while in orbit, the European Space Agency’s Gaia Spacecraft will rock a 106-CCD sensor, 1-billion pixel “camera” that’s over three feet wide (like my ass!) in order to create a 3-D map of the universe. Mass Effect galaxy map or GTFO. Along the way, it’s expected to detect (on average) 250 quasars, 30 brown dwarfs, 10 stars with planets orbiting them, and 10 stars exploding in other galaxies - every day. The resulting imaging system is so powerful that it will be able to precisely measure the width of a hair from over 600 miles away, and from here on Earth, it could spot a dime on the moon. OMG please tell me they didn’t build this thing just to spot a lost dime on the moon. IT’S TEN CENTS BRO, LET IT GO. Just sayin’, I don’t bend over for anything less than a quarter. Or a spanking. I’M KINKY AND I DON’T CARE WHO KNOWS. Spacecraft’s billion-pixel camera to spot 10 new planets per day [dvice] Thanks to Clark, who’s hoping for at least one shot of two aliens doing it in a flying saucer.

Read the original here:
Is There Anybody Out There?: Billion-Pixel Space Camera To Discover 10 Planets A Day

Astrology, arguably the most credible of all the sciences (it can predict your future!), has apparently needed a facelift for some time, but, like gravity and plastics taking so long to invent, had managed to fly under the radar . That is, until now . Also, there’s a bonus, previously unused Zodiac sign that’s now in alignment! *cue ‘National Treasure 3′ theme* Astronomer Parke Kunkle tells NBC news that due to the Earth’s changing alignment in the last 3000 years, the sign you are born into now are different than they were long ago. Plus, some astronomers believe there is a 13th Zodiac sign called Ophiuchus, which falls between Scorpio and Sagittarius. “This is not something that happened today. This has gone on for thousands of years,” says Kunkle. “Because of this change of tilt, the Earth is really over here in effect and Sun is in a different constellation than it was 3,000 years ago.” So astrology enthusiasts should be using these dates, which reflect the current alignment of the Sun, Earth and stars. Capricorn: Jan. 20 - Feb. 16 Aquarius: Feb. 16 - March 11 Pisces: March 11- April 18 Aries: April 18- May 13 Taurus: May 13- June 21 Gemini: June 21- July 20 Cancer: July 20- Aug. 10 Leo: Aug. 10- Sept. 16 Virgo: Sept. 16- Oct. 30 Libra: Oct. 30- Nov. 23 Scorpio: Nov. 23- Nov. 29 Ophiuchus: Nov. 29- Dec. 17 Sagittarius: Dec. 17- Jan. 20 Whew, still a Leo. What about you, did you change signs? Because you certainly didn’t change clothes — that’s the same shit you wore yesterday! Haha, what do you mean, how could I tell? Gee I dunno — the ‘KICK ME’ sign, maybe? *punt* *squeak* OMG TELL ME YOU DID NOT JUST FART ON MY SHOE. Ophiuchus, new Zodiac sign dates and your real astrological sign [zap2it] Thanks to smessica, koolaidzeus and Staticwolf, who are all Cobras. Commanders?! PLEEAAAASE LET ME SEE YOUR FACES!

More here:
The Signs Of The Zodiac Have Changed, You’re Now A Cancer (To Society Anyway)

Because even God shines his starlight favorably on me for my birthday, the Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak tonight, possibly signaling the apocalypse . Did I mention Mars, Venus, Saturn and the crescent moon will all be clustered together as well? We’re as good as dead. Suck it 2012, you don’t have shit on my 2010 birthday! Across the Northern Hemisphere, the best time to watch the Perseid meteor shower will be tonight through the pre-dawn hours local time Friday, regardless of where you live. Weather permitting, patient skywatchers could see a shooting star every minute or so. Meanwhile, Venus, Mars and Saturn are clustered in the evening sky and will be joined tonight and Friday by the graceful crescent moon. Anyone with clear skies can easily spot the foursome looming above the western horizon as soon as darkness falls. While the planets and our moon are all very far apart in space, they appear lined up this week thanks to a special circumstance of orbital mechanics. The outer planets, Mars and Saturn, take much longer to go around the sun than the inner planet Venus. Venus “laps” the outer planets frequently, and it never strays far from the sun from our vantage point. Now I’m not suggesting you all walk out of work right now and start birthday partying with me until the Meteor Shower of the Apocalypse arrives, but you and I both know it’s the right thing to do. Seriously — how do you want to spend your final hours: working for the man OR GETTING BELLIGERENT WITH THE GW AND SKIPPING OUT ON OUR TAB? Balls are gross in your court. Spectacular Meteor Shower and Rare Planet Alignment Coincide [yahoonews]

Continued here:
Star Gazing!: Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight