Archive for October, 2010

800 Trillion

That’s a really big number…800 Trillion…but what does it represent?  No, it’s not the national debt and no it’s not the amount that Wall Street firms will be giving out in bonuses this year.

Instead, it’s the total mass (in Suns) of a recently discovered cluster of galaxies that resides about 7 billion light years (another really big number) from us.  A galaxy cluster is just that, a group of galaxies that are gravitationally bound together.  So that number represents an amount of mass equivalent of 800 trillion of our Suns in that cluster of galaxies.

But how much mass is that?  And how do we put a number like that into perspective?  It’s just too big to comprehend.  So let’s break it down.

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True Grit Coen Style

This looks pretty awesome…might actually prompt me to make a trip to the theater.

Program Note

Just a heads up that PBS will be airing a 6 hour series, called God In America, starting Monday October 11th.   There is a preview on their website, but I’ve included it below as well.

Watch the full episode. See more FRONTLINE.

From what I’ve read, the show will span a 500 year period from early European contact with the new world to the 2008 election.  I’m expecting a fair portrayal of the role of religion in the founding of the country.  Although, those with extreme views on both sides of that subject will likely not be pleased and come up with reasons to dismiss this series.  Finally, I’m curious how much those of us without religion will be discussed.

I’ll try and add my comments of the show to my monthly movie reviews for October.  Stay tuned.

September Movies

September was a busy month with work and travel,  so I didn’t get much spare time to watch movies.  In fact, I only saw one movie last month…way below my average.  But, I did find time to watch the recently released Dexter Season 4 episodes.  Hopefully I can get back on schedule in October.  So not much of a list, but here it is anyway.

As always, click through to see the ratings and reviews.

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