Up in the Sky - NASA releases images from Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer

NASA's Images from looking into the heavens: click here

Nebula SH 2-235

Sydney's society art show - the Archibald in 2011

Once again the the Archibald Portrait exhibition has arrived on the 2011 art calender. Amongst the 41 selected entries are portraits of Roy Ananda, John Coetzee, Matt Moran, Hugo Weaving, Robert Jacks, Dr Ann Lewis , Richard Roxburgh, Robyn Nevin, Prof Penny Sackett, Cathy Freeman, Richard morecroft, Tim Storrier (a self portrait) and the ubiquitious Margaret Olley. The awarding of the first prize to Ben Quilty for his portrait of Margaret Olley (shown below) cements her position in Australia as the most often painted artist by other artists. The Archibald is often a bit of a controversial painting contest however the 2011 exhibition is relatively steady fare with no surprises.

Earth Hour 2011

2011 - A new year and a new direction ?

As a new year beckons, its often an appropriate time to reflect back on what has transpired over the past twelve months (and in some cases further back than just a year) and formulate resolutions for the next year. Some larger questions to come to mind: will the international financial system experience further 'aftershocks' from the Global Financial Crisis with the US economy still stunted and the European Union bailing out weaker member states ? Shall the war in Afghanistan reach any milestone or achievement progressing to a point where the planned US withdrawal  appears viable? Will there continue to be some intra-state progress with environmental controls and carbon emission reduction ?  And where will technology lead us in the next year with the convergence of communication, media and computing hardware and software. These larger macro questions all have an impact on the micro individual level and even disciples of game theory would find it difficult to accurately predict the year ahead.

Rising sea levels and Australia's coastal urban communities

With the prospect of rising sea levels across the World in the next ten to twenty years and 85% of Australians living on the coastal fringe of the Continent, the maps released by the Federal Department of Climate Change and OzCoasts makes interesting scrutiny. For most locations and the State capitals, rising sea levels have only a modest impact, but for reclaimed land and waterfront developments on artificially created landmass, the situation is very different with water inundation almost impossible to prevent.

http://www.ozcoasts.org.au/climate/sd_visual.jsp

Solar energy has the appeal in Australia

Encouraging news on the uptake of a key alternative renewable energy source:

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/aussies-do-their-bit-as-solar-panel-use-surges-20101221-193q3.html

Christmas 2010

Christmas each year through the celebration of the Christian calendar provides an opportunity to share the holiday spirit and reflect on the past year's events and the coming year's challenges. For many people, notwithstanding the joy of sharing over the festive season, the awareness of life's passing moments and the passage of time can be a confronting experience. It was interesting to read media reports that in 2010, the major charities are reporting that volunteers are at a record high to assist at this time, and  in fact that charities have had to turn potential volunteers away. Some in fact, filled their volunteer quotas in advance some months ago. The motivations of all people have a basis in sharing and generosity but mixed with this altruism is just a tinge of guilt about having some good fortune in life when many others do not. In this sense, a feeling of being useful is often a counterpoint to match this uncomfortable feeling in what can be, in general terms, a remarkably uncomforatable period of the year.