Sunday, February 28, 2016

NGC 2403 in Camelopardalis

NGC 2403 in Camelopardalis:

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2016 February 19


See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.
Explanation: Magnificent island universe NGC 2403 stands within the boundaries of the long-necked constellation Camelopardalis. Some 10 million light-years distant and about 50,000 light-years across, the spiral galaxy also seems to have more than its fair share of giant star forming HII regions, marked by the telltale reddish glow of atomic hydrogen gas. The giant HII regions are energized by clusters of hot, massive stars that explode as bright supernovae at the end of their short and furious lives. A member of the M81 group of galaxies, NGC 2403 closely resembles another galaxy with an abundance of star forming regions that lies within our own local galaxy group, M33 the Triangulum Galaxy. Spiky in appearance, bright stars in this colorful galaxy portrait of NGC 2403 are in the foreground, within our own Milky Way.

M82: Galaxy with a Supergalactic Wind

M82: Galaxy with a Supergalactic Wind: APOD: 2016 February 21 - M82: Galaxy with a Supergalactic Wind



Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.


2016 February 21


See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.



M82: Galaxy with a Supergalactic Wind
Image Credit: NASA, ESA, The Hubble Heritage Team, (STScI/AURA)
Acknowledgement: M. Mountain (STScI), P. Puxley (NSF), J. Gallagher (U. Wisconsin)
Explanation: What's lighting up the Cigar Galaxy? M82, as this irregular galaxy is also known, was stirred up by a recent pass near large spiral galaxy M81. This doesn't fully explain the source of the red-glowing outwardly expanding gas, however. Evidence indicates that this gas is being driven out by the combined emerging particle winds of many stars, together creating a galactic superwind. The featured photographic mosaic highlights a specific color of red light strongly emitted by ionized hydrogen gas, showing detailed filaments of this gas. The filaments extend for over 10,000 light years. The 12-million light-year distant Cigar Galaxy is the brightest galaxy in the sky in infrared light, and can be seen in visible light with a small telescope towards the constellation of the Great Bear (Ursa Major).

Tomorrow's picture: frozen underworld

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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
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A Supernova through Galaxy Dust

A Supernova through Galaxy Dust: APOD: 2016 February 23 - A Supernova through Galaxy Dust



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2016 February 23


See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.



A Supernova through Galaxy Dust
Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA);
Inset Image: Howard Hedlund & Dave Jurasevich, Las Campanas Obs.
Explanation: Telescopes around the world are tracking a bright supernova that occurred in a nearby dusty galaxy. The powerful stellar explosion was first noted earlier this month. The nearby galaxy is the photogenic Centaurus A, visible with binoculars and known for impressive filaments of light-absorbing dust that cross its center. Cen A is featured here in a high-resolution archival Hubble Space Telescope image, with an inset image featuring the supernova taken from the ground only two days after discovery. Designated SN2016adj, the supernova is highlighted with crosshairs in the inset, appearing just to the left of a bright foreground star in our Milky Way Galaxy. This supernova is currently thought to be of Type IIb, a stellar-core-collapse supernova, and is of high interest because it occurred so nearby and because it is being seen through a known dust filament. Current and future observations of this supernova may give us new clues about the fates of massive stars and how some elements found on our Earth were formed.

Tomorrow's picture: megalopolis USA

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The Tarantula Nebula

The Tarantula Nebula: APOD: 2016 February 26 - The Tarantula Nebula



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2016 February 26


See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.



The Tarantula Nebula
Image Credit & Copyright: Processing - Robert Gendler, Roberto Colombari
Data - Hubble Tarantula Treasury, European Southern Observatory
Explanation: The Tarantula Nebula is more than a thousand light-years in diameter, a giant star forming region within nearby satellite galaxy the Large Magellanic Cloud, about 180 thousand light-years away. The largest, most violent star forming region known in the whole Local Group of galaxies, the cosmic arachnid sprawls across this spectacular composite view constructed with space- and ground-based image data. Within the Tarantula (NGC 2070), intense radiation, stellar winds and supernova shocks from the central young cluster of massive stars, cataloged as R136, energize the nebular glow and shape the spidery filaments. Around the Tarantula are other star forming regions with young star clusters, filaments, and blown-out bubble-shaped clouds In fact, the frame includes the site of the closest supernova in modern times, SN 1987A, at the lower right. The rich field of view spans about 1 degree or 2 full moons, in the southern constellation Dorado. But were the Tarantula Nebula closer, say 1,500 light-years distant like the local star forming Orion Nebula, it would take up half the sky.

Tomorrow's picture: the frozen north

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UFO With Aliens Reutlingen "Ohmenhausen", Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany

UFO With Aliens Reutlingen "Ohmenhausen", Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany




This is 100% the best UFO + Alien sighting ever! See for yourself! Location: Reutlingen "Ohmenhausen", Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.



Saturday, February 27, 2016

Discovery Channel Large Asteroid Impact Simulation YouTube

Discovery Channel Large Asteroid Impact Simulation YouTube




Discovery Channel Large Asteroid Impact Simulation

● Discovery Channel - Large Asteroid Impact Simulation (2008).

Earth was born as a result of repeated asteroid collisions, the moon was created by a single giant impact event. Then, Earth's size attracted huge meteorites, which slammed into it, causing super-high-temperature rock vapour to cover the entire surface and evaporate all ocean water. The earliest life-forms survived such infernal events by escaping deep into the ground, miraculously emerging again and again. The Earth has gone through innumerable catastrophic events, and life has survived by acquiring new abilities to live through each crisis. Humans are part of the grand history of life's evolution, which has been closely intertwined with repeated cataclysmic events.

Learn what would happen if an asteroid hit the Earth with this detailed "Large Asteroid Impact Simulation".
An asteroid with a diameter of 500 km. Destination: The Pacific Ocean. The impact peels the 10 km crust off the surface. The shockwave travels at hypersonic speeds. Debris is blasted across into low Earth orbit, and returns to destroy the surface of the Earth. The firestorm encircles the Earth, vaporizing all life in its way. Within one day, the surface of the Earth is uninhabitable. The evidence shows that this has happened at least six times in Earth's history.
Music of Pink Floyd "The Great Gig in the Sky" (1973).

0:12 An asteroid with a diameter of 500 km.
0:47 Destination: The Pacific Ocean.
1:17 The impact peels the 10 km crust off the surface.
1:28 The shockwave travels at hypersonic speeds.
1:53 Debris is blasted across into low Earth orbit,
2:11 and returns to destroy the surface of the Earth.
2:55 The firestorm encircles the Earth,
3:05 vaporizing all life in its way.
3:34 Within one day, the surface of the Earth is uninhabitable.
4:19 The evidence shows that this has happened at least six times in Earth's history.


● Discovery Channel - Simulazione di impatto con un asteroide di grandi dimensioni (2008).

La Terra è nata a seguito di ripetute collisioni di asteroidi, la luna è stata creata da un singolo impatto gigantesco. Poi, le dimensioni della Terra hanno attratto enormi meteoriti, che si sono schiantate su di essa, causando vapori di roccia ad altissima temperatura che hanno ricoperto l'intera superficie e fatto evaporare tutta l'acqua dell'oceano. Le prime forme di vita sono sopravvissute a tali eventi infernali fuggendo in profondità nel terreno, emergendo miracolosamente ancora e ancora. La Terra è passata attraverso innumerevoli eventi catastrofici, e la vita è sopravvissuta attraverso l'acquisizione di nuove capacità per vivere attraverso ogni crisi. Gli esseri umani sono parte della grande storia dell'evoluzione della vita, che è stata strettamente intrecciata con ripetuti eventi catastrofici.

Apprendi che cosa accadrebbe se un asteroide colpisse la Terra, con questa dettagliata "Simulazione di impatto con un asteroide di grandi dimensioni".
Un asteroide con un diametro di 500 km. Destinazione: l'Oceano Pacifico. L'impatto spella i 10 km di crosta via dalla superficie. L'onda d'urto viaggia a velocità ipersonica. I detriti vengono scagliati tutti in orbita terrestre bassa, e ritornano per distruggere la superficie della Terra. La tempesta di fuoco circonda la Terra, vaporizzando tutta la vita in questo modo. Entro un giorno, la superficie della Terra è inabitabile. Le prove dimostrano che questo è avvenuto almeno sei volte nella storia della Terra.
Musica dei Pink Floyd "The Great Gig in the Sky" (1973).

0:12 Un asteroide con un diametro di 500 km.
0:47 Destinazione: l'Oceano Pacifico.
1:17 L'impatto spella i 10 km di crosta via dalla superficie.
1:28 L'onda d'urto viaggia a velocità ipersonica.
1:53 I detriti vengono scagliati tutti in orbita terrestre bassa,
2:11 e ritornano per distruggere la superficie della Terra.
2:55 La tempesta di fuoco circonda la Terra,
3:05 vaporizzando tutta la vita in questo modo.
3:34 Entro un giorno, la superficie della Terra è inabitabile.
4:19 Le prove dimostrano che questo è avvenuto almeno sei volte nella storia della Terra.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

UFO SIGHTINGS - Nelio Guerson HD Filmora Wondershare Video Editor





Wednesday, February 24, 2016

UFO Espectacular UFO en Guadalajara México Diciembre 2012 UFO




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STRANGE SKY 2015: Mysterious Dancing Light & Clouds, Altered Atmosphere





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Thursday, February 18, 2016

FANTASTIC PHOTOGRAPHY Milky Way over the Pinnacles in Australia

Milky Way over the Pinnacles in Australia:

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 February 17



See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.
Explanation: What strange world is this? Earth. In the foreground of the featured image are the Pinnacles, unusual rock spires in Nambung National Park in Western Australia. Made of ancient sea shells (limestone), how these human-sized picturesque spires formed remains unknown. In the background, just past the end of the central Pinnacle, is a bright crescent Moon. The eerie glow around the Moon is mostly zodiacal light, sunlight reflected by dust grains orbiting between the planets in the Solar System. Arching across the top is the central band of our Milky Way Galaxy. Many famous stars and nebula are also visible in the background night sky. The featured 29-panel panorama was taken and composed last September after detailed planning that involved the Moon, the rock spires, and their corresponding shadows. Even so, the strong zodiacal light was a pleasant surprise.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

The Rise and Fall of Supernova 2015F

The Rise and Fall of Supernova 2015F:

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 February 9
Explanation: Sit back and watch a star explode. The actual supernova occurred back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, but images of the spectacular event began arriving last year. Supernova 2015F was discovered in nearby spiral galaxy NGC 2442 by Berto Monard in 2015 March and was unusually bright -- enough to be seen with only a small telescope. The pattern of brightness variation indicated a Type Ia supernova -- a type of stellar explosion that results when an Earth-size white dwarf gains so much mass that its core crosses the threshold of nuclear fusion, possibly caused by a lower mass white-dwarf companion spiraling into it. Finding and tracking Type Ia supernovae are particularly important because their intrinsic brightness can be calibrated, making their apparent brightness a good measure of their distance -- and hence useful toward calibrating the distance scale of the entire universe. The featured video tracked the stellar disruption from before explosion images arrived, as it brightened, and for several months as the fission-powered supernova glow faded. The remnants of SN2015F are now too dim to see without a large telescope. Just yesterday, however, the night sky lit up once again, this time with an even brighter supernova in an even closer galaxy: Centaurus A.

Galaxies in the River

Galaxies in the River: APOD: 2016 February 10 - Galaxies in the River



Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.


2016 February 10


See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.



Galaxies in the River
Image Credit & Copyright: CEDIC Team - Processing: Markus Blauensteiner
Explanation: Large galaxies grow by eating small ones. Even our own galaxy practices galactic cannibalism, absorbing small galaxies that get too close and are captured by the Milky Way's gravity. In fact, the practice is common in the universe and illustrated by this striking pair of interacting galaxies from the banks of the southern constellation Eridanus, The River. Located over 50 million light years away, the large, distorted spiral NGC 1532 is seen locked in a gravitational struggle with dwarf galaxy NGC 1531 (right of center), a struggle the smaller galaxy will eventually lose. Seen edge-on, spiral NGC 1532 spans about 100,000 light-years. Nicely detailed in this sharp image, the NGC 1532/1531 pair is thought to be similar to the well-studied system of face-on spiral and small companion known as M51.

Tomorrow's picture: adventures in spacetime

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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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LIGO Detects Gravitational Waves from Merging Black Holes

LIGO Detects Gravitational Waves from Merging Black Holes:

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 February 11


See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.
Explanation: Gravitational radiation has been directly detected. The first-ever detection was made by both facilities of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in Washington and Louisiana simultaneously last September. After numerous consistency checks, the resulting 5-sigma discovery was published today. The measured gravitational waves match those expected from two large black holes merging after a death spiral in a distant galaxy, with the resulting new black hole momentarily vibrating in a rapid ringdown. A phenomenon predicted by Einstein, the historic discovery confirms a cornerstone of humanity's understanding of gravity and basic physics. It is also the most direct detection of black holes ever. The featured illustration depicts the two merging black holes with the signal strength of the two detectors over 0.3 seconds superimposed across the bottom. Expected future detections by Advanced LIGO and other gravitational wave detectors may not only confirm the spectacular nature of this measurement but hold tremendous promise of giving humanity a new way to see and explore our universe.

VIDEO Two Black Holes Merge

Two Black Holes Merge:

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 February 12
Explanation: Just press play to watch two black holes merge. Inspired by the first direct detection of gravitational waves by LIGO, this simulation video plays in slow motion but would take about one third of a second if run in real time. Set on a cosmic stage the black holes are posed in front of stars, gas, and dust. Their extreme gravity lenses the light from behind them into Einstein rings as they spiral closer and finally merge into one. The otherwise invisible gravitational waves generated as the massive objects rapidly coalesce cause the visible image to ripple and slosh both inside and outside the Einstein rings even after the black holes have merged. Dubbed GW150914, the gravitational waves detected by LIGO are consistent with the merger of 36 and 29 solar mass black holes at a distance of 1.3 billion light-years. The final, single black hole has 62 times the mass of the Sun, with the remaining 3 solar masses converted into energy in gravitational waves.

Star Forming Region S106

Star Forming Region S106:

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 February 16



See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.
Explanation: Massive star IRS 4 is beginning to spread its wings. Born only about 100,000 years ago, material streaming out from this newborn star has formed the nebula dubbed Sharpless 2-106 Nebula (S106), featured here. A large disk of dust and gas orbiting Infrared Source 4 (IRS 4), visible in brown near the image center, gives the nebula an hourglass or butterfly shape. S106 gas near IRS 4 acts as an emission nebula as it emits light after being ionized, while dust far from IRS 4 reflects light from the central star and so acts as a reflection nebula. Detailed inspection of a recent infrared image of S106 reveal hundreds of low-mass brown dwarf stars lurking in the nebula's gas. S106 spans about 2 light-years and lies about 2000 light-years away toward the constellation of the Swan (Cygnus).

Sunday, February 14, 2016

OKLAHOMA EARTHQUAKE TODAY 14-02-2016 MAGNITUDE 5.1 United States Fairview

OKLAHOMA EARTHQUAKE TODAY 14-02-2016 MAGNITUDE 5.1 United States Fairview


 Oklahoma rattled by state's third-largest earthquake; 5.1 recorded near Fairview  Recent Earthquakes Near Oklahoma, United States Sorted: Recent    Oklahoma, United States has had: (M1.5 or greater)  16 earthquakes today 43 earthquakes in the past 7 days 178 earthquakes in the past month 3,418 earthquakes in the past year The largest earthquake in Oklahoma, United States:  today: 5.1 in Fairview, Oklahoma, United States this week: 5.1 in Fairview, Oklahoma, United States this month: 5.1 in Fairview, Oklahoma, United States this year: 5.1 in Fairview, Oklahoma, United States   Oklahoma's strongest earthquakes Oklahoma's 10 strongest earthquakes as of Saturday: 5.6 — Prague, Lincoln County, Nov. 6, 2011 5.5 — El Reno, Canadian County, April 9. 1952 5.1 — Fairview, Major County, Feb. 13, 2016 4.9 — Bennington, Bryan County, Oct. 22, 1882 4.8 — Prague, Lincoln County, Nov. 8, 2011 4.8 — Prague, Lincoln County, Nov. 5, 2011 4.8 — Fairview, Major County, Jan. 6, 2016 4.7 — Carmen, Alfalfa County, Nov 19, 2015 4.7 — Nash, Grant County, Nov. 30, 2015 4.5 — Crescent, Logan County, July 27, 2015 4.5 — Marshall, Logan County, Mar. 30, 2014   Related story: 32 Oklahoma quakes in 24-hour period could foretell stronger temblor, experts say Related: Gov. Mary Fallin dips into emergency fund for earthquake research Related: Wastewater disposal volumes rose 81 percent in six years as earthquakes rumbled more frequently The third-largest earthquake in recorded state history rocked parts of western Oklahoma on Saturday morning near the site of other large, recent temblors. The quake registered a magnitude of 5.1 and was recorded northwest of Fairview at 11:07 a.m., according to preliminary estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey. A 3.9 aftershock followed about 10 minutes after the earthquake, according to the USGS. At 5.1, the temblor will be the state’s third-largest earthquake, according to Oklahoma Geological Survey data. The state’s largest earthquake is a 5.6 recorded out of Prague in 2011. The second was a 5.5 recorded near El Reno in 1952. Before Saturday, those two were the only quakes in state history to exceed a 5.0 magnitude. Saturday’s quake surpassed a 4.8 recorded on Jan. 6 for this year’s largest earthquake. Both the 4.8 and Saturday’s 5.1 were centered near Fairview, according to USGS data. Officials were preparing a further response to the state’s earthquake outbreak even before Saturday’s temblors. The Oil and Gas Conservation Division of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission on Tuesday is scheduled to release details of a large regional plan to address the continuing earthquakes in such areas as Fairview, Cherokee, Medford and elsewhere in the western region, according to a release from the commission. “We have long been worried about the earthquakes in that area, in the sharp rise in seismicity,” OCC spokesman Matt Skinner said. “Obviously, ... it takes time to put together the plan.” The plan involves a large-scale regional reduction in oil and gas wastewater disposal for an approximately 5,000-square-mile area in western Oklahoma and will affect more than 200 Arbuckle disposal wells, the release states. “In this case, there is nothing more to be done — we have a plan in place to deal with this,” Skinner said. “To be clear, we’ll release the specific details on Tuesday publicly, but the plan itself is already in place and the operators started to be notified on Thursday of this week.” How the commission has responded to seismic events has evolved over the years. Two years ago, for example, commissioners took a well-by-well approach, Skinner said. “As the data becomes available to the researchers we’re working with, we’re putting together these plans, and these plans will continue until we obviously have brought the overall rate down,” he said. “As the knowledge grows, so will the plan.” Researchers agree that disposal wells injecting into the Arbuckle formation pose the highest potential risk for causing damaging earthquakes in Oklahoma. The action taken by the commission is not a response to Saturday’s event specifically, but to the overall increase in earthquakes in the region, Skinner said. The whole region is the newest area of production and has been steadily growing. “This latest event simply underscores — it’s like the big bold underline — how important it is to put this plan in place,” Skinner said. Before Saturday, Oklahoma had been shaken by seven earthquakes of at least 4.0 magnitude in 2016. Those quakes were all recorded within the first eight days of January. The strongest of those — the 4.8 on Jan. 6 — was among a swam of 32 earthquakes recorded over a period of about 24 hours. Through Friday evening, Oklahoma had recorded 133 quakes this year that measured at least 3.0, according to the Oklahoma Geological Survey. As of Saturday evening, the USGS had recorded more than a dozen earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.5 or greater in Oklahoma, including the magnitude-5.1 temblor. All but three were in the Fairview area.
OKLAHOMA EARTHQUAKE TODAY 14-02-2016 MAGNITUDE 5.1 United States Fairview

5.1 magnitude earthquake 34 km from Fairview, Oklahoma, United States

about 17 hours ago

UTC time: Saturday, February 13, 2016 17:07 PM
Your time: Saturday, February 13 2016 3:07 PM
Magnitude Type: mww
USGS status: Reviewed by a seismologist
Reports from the public: 3893 people

Oklahoma rattled by state's third-largest earthquake; 5.1 recorded near Fairview

Recent Earthquakes Near Oklahoma, United States Sorted: Recent   
Oklahoma, United States has had: (M1.5 or greater)

16 earthquakes today
43 earthquakes in the past 7 days
178 earthquakes in the past month
3,418 earthquakes in the past year
The largest earthquake in Oklahoma, United States:

today: 5.1 in Fairview, Oklahoma, United States
this week: 5.1 in Fairview, Oklahoma, United States
this month: 5.1 in Fairview, Oklahoma, United States
this year: 5.1 in Fairview, Oklahoma, United States


Oklahoma's strongest earthquakes
Oklahoma's 10 strongest earthquakes as of Saturday:
5.6 — Prague, Lincoln County, Nov. 6, 2011
5.5 — El Reno, Canadian County, April 9. 1952
5.1 — Fairview, Major County, Feb. 13, 2016
4.9 — Bennington, Bryan County, Oct. 22, 1882
4.8 — Prague, Lincoln County, Nov. 8, 2011
4.8 — Prague, Lincoln County, Nov. 5, 2011
4.8 — Fairview, Major County, Jan. 6, 2016
4.7 — Carmen, Alfalfa County, Nov 19, 2015
4.7 — Nash, Grant County, Nov. 30, 2015
4.5 — Crescent, Logan County, July 27, 2015
4.5 — Marshall, Logan County, Mar. 30, 2014


Related story: 32 Oklahoma quakes in 24-hour period could foretell stronger temblor, experts say
Related: Gov. Mary Fallin dips into emergency fund for earthquake research
Related: Wastewater disposal volumes rose 81 percent in six years as earthquakes rumbled more frequently
The third-largest earthquake in recorded state history rocked parts of western Oklahoma on Saturday morning near the site of other large, recent temblors.
The quake registered a magnitude of 5.1 and was recorded northwest of Fairview at 11:07 a.m., according to preliminary estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey.
A 3.9 aftershock followed about 10 minutes after the earthquake, according to the USGS.
At 5.1, the temblor will be the state’s third-largest earthquake, according to Oklahoma Geological Survey data.
The state’s largest earthquake is a 5.6 recorded out of Prague in 2011. The second was a 5.5 recorded near El Reno in 1952. Before Saturday, those two were the only quakes in state history to exceed a 5.0 magnitude.
Saturday’s quake surpassed a 4.8 recorded on Jan. 6 for this year’s largest earthquake. Both the 4.8 and Saturday’s 5.1 were centered near Fairview, according to USGS data.
Officials were preparing a further response to the state’s earthquake outbreak even before Saturday’s temblors.
The Oil and Gas Conservation Division of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission on Tuesday is scheduled to release details of a large regional plan to address the continuing earthquakes in such areas as Fairview, Cherokee, Medford and elsewhere in the western region, according to a release from the commission.
“We have long been worried about the earthquakes in that area, in the sharp rise in seismicity,” OCC spokesman Matt Skinner said. “Obviously, ... it takes time to put together the plan.”
The plan involves a large-scale regional reduction in oil and gas wastewater disposal for an approximately 5,000-square-mile area in western Oklahoma and will affect more than 200 Arbuckle disposal wells, the release states.
“In this case, there is nothing more to be done — we have a plan in place to deal with this,” Skinner said. “To be clear, we’ll release the specific details on Tuesday publicly, but the plan itself is already in place and the operators started to be notified on Thursday of this week.”
How the commission has responded to seismic events has evolved over the years. Two years ago, for example, commissioners took a well-by-well approach, Skinner said.
“As the data becomes available to the researchers we’re working with, we’re putting together these plans, and these plans will continue until we obviously have brought the overall rate down,” he said. “As the knowledge grows, so will the plan.”
Researchers agree that disposal wells injecting into the Arbuckle formation pose the highest potential risk for causing damaging earthquakes in Oklahoma.
The action taken by the commission is not a response to Saturday’s event specifically, but to the overall increase in earthquakes in the region, Skinner said.
The whole region is the newest area of production and has been steadily growing.
“This latest event simply underscores — it’s like the big bold underline — how important it is to put this plan in place,” Skinner said.
Before Saturday, Oklahoma had been shaken by seven earthquakes of at least 4.0 magnitude in 2016. Those quakes were all recorded within the first eight days of January.
The strongest of those — the 4.8 on Jan. 6 — was among a swam of 32 earthquakes recorded over a period of about 24 hours.
Through Friday evening, Oklahoma had recorded 133 quakes this year that measured at least 3.0, according to the Oklahoma Geological Survey.
As of Saturday evening, the USGS had recorded more than a dozen earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.5 or greater in Oklahoma, including the magnitude-5.1 temblor. All but three were in the Fairview area.


Tuesday, February 9, 2016

PHOTO Light Pillars over Alaska

Light Pillars over Alaska:

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 February 8



See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.
Explanation: What's happening behind those houses? Pictured here are not auroras but nearby light pillars, a nearby phenomenon that can appear as a distant one. In most places on Earth, a lucky viewer can see a Sun-pillar, a column of light appearing to extend up from the Sun caused by flat fluttering ice-crystals reflecting sunlight from the upper atmosphere. Usually these ice crystals evaporate before reaching the ground. During freezing temperatures, however, flat fluttering ice crystals may form near the ground in a form of light snow, sometimes known as a crystal fog. These ice crystals may then reflect ground lights in columns not unlike a Sun-pillar. The featured image was taken in Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks in central Alaska.