M Thomas Apple Author Page

Science fiction, actual science, history, and personal ranting about life, the universe, and everything

Aristotle had something to say about this…

March 1, 2024
MThomas

Do you believe in fate/destiny?

Every choice closes off one path and opens another…

Today’s quote

February 29, 2024
MThomas

Philosophy is always dangerous because it promotes the creation of new ideas.

Frank Herbert, Heretics of Dune

I’m excited to announce my books Approaching Twi-Night and Adam’s Stepsons will be promoted as part of a special sale on @Smashwords to celebrate 2024 Read an Ebook Week from March 3 – March 9. Be sure to follow me for more updates and links to the promotion for my books and many more! #ebookweek24 #Smashwords

Yet another “super-Earth” – maybe with a sibling?

February 28, 2024
MThomas

So, astronomers need to know both mass and diameter to determine whether a planet is truly similar enough to ours to host some form of Earth-like life. If the planet has a low mass and a large radius, it is likely like a so-called mini-Neptune with a gassy atmosphere and little rock. If it has a higher mass but a smaller radius, it’s probably a rocky planet like ours.

The possibility that TOI-715 b is rocky “would be exciting because that supports it being more of a habitable planet versus some sort of other world,” says Moran.

https://www.astronomy.com/science/recently-discovered-super-earth-might-be-habitable/

TOI-715 orbits a red dwarf star around 137 light years away, so we won’t be getting there any time soon. But after finding this planet last year, astronomers also are trying to confirm the existence of another smaller, closer to Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone (i.e., in an orbit that permits liquid water necessary for life to evolve).

And the name of the possibly new “sibling” planet?

“TIC 271971130.02”

Uh. We gotta come up with cooler names, folks.

For starters, they orbit a dwarf star.

Eat a sun a day…

February 26, 2024
MThomas

Astronomers have discovered what may be the brightest object in the universe, a quasar with a black hole at its heart growing so fast that it swallows the equivalent of a sun a day.

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/black-hole-devouring-sun-day-may-universes-brightest-object-rcna139507

Have a nice day!

From the Thought Police files…

February 25, 2024
MThomas

If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?

I would not ban any words from any language, ever. I am not a Language Nazi.

People should learn that words have power, words hurt, and words heal. People should learn when to say or write what to whom, when and where. Banning language does not prevent people from using language, and in fact simply adds to language power.

Only Nazis ban language. Think for yourself. Grow up!

That’s no m…no, wait, sorry, it is!

February 25, 2024
MThomas

Astronomers have found three previously unknown moons in our solar system — two additional moons circling Neptune and one around Uranus.

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/astronomers-spot-new-tiny-moons-neptune-uranus-rcna140285

One takes nearly 27 years to circle Neptune.

The “new” moon of Uranus is only 8 kilometers (5 miles) in diameter.

And there are likely many more yet to be discovered.

Intuitive touches down…is a bizarre sentence…

February 23, 2024
MThomas

A robotic spacecraft made history Thursday becoming the first privately built craft to touch down on the lunar surface, as well as the first American vehicle to accomplish the feat in more than 50 years.

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/moon-landing-odysseus-touches-down-lunar-surface-n1308924

Congratulations! 🎉

You now have one week before shutting down permanently.

Jeez. Really? That’s a very expensive week at $118,000,000. Glad the taxpayers approve (?)

Booooooring

February 22, 2024
MThomas

What bores you?

What doesn’t?

OK, I guess I’ll play along…

  • Boring people
  • People who talk a lot but say very little
  • Morning “news”
  • Talk shows
  • Game shows
  • Most TV, to be quite honest
  • Pop music. Of any era.
  • Dancing
  • Politicians
  • Business people
  • Pointless paperwork
  • Activities that require no thought or skill
  • Card games (seriously…sorry, I just don’t get the attraction)
  • Long lists about boring things (hey!)

Today’s quote

February 22, 2024
MThomas

Never attempt to reason with people who know they are right!

Lord Leto
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