[Science] Helium-burning binary stars give us a new tape measure for the Universe.

Helium-burning binary stars give us a new tape measure for the Universe.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2289169/Astronomers-measure-distance-closest-neighbouring-galaxy--reveal-just-163-000-light-years-away.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
The Large Magellanic Cloud, the largest satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. Accurate estimates of the distance to this galaxy help calibrate measurements of the expansion rate of the Universe.

This Just in: Higgs Boson Still Boring
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/03/boring-higgs-results/
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NASA prepares Curiosity rover for huge solar flare
http://www.slashgear.com/nasa-prepares-curiosity-rover-for-huge-solar-flare-06272894/
Following close on the heels of NASA's Curiosity rover being moved from safe mode back into active status following an issue with one of its on-board computers, the space agency has now put it into sleep mode due to the threat of a giant solar flare.

International conference debates fate of endangered species
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/06/international-conference-debates-fate-of-endangered-species/
From polar bears and butterflies to the West African manatee and all manner of stingrays, the fate of many creatures is being debated in Bangkok this week, as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) updates its list of ...

Elephants under threat as trade in illegal ivory triples over past decade, UN ...
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44295&Cr=poaching&Cr1=
A relatively fresh carcass being turned over to look for bullet wounds on the underside at Zakouma National Park, Chad. Photo: Darren Potgieter/CITES/UNEP.

Monster Comet may have Mars in its Crosshairs
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/03/06/monster-comet-may-have-mars-in-its-crosshairs/
Comet Siding Spring may be quite a sight in Martian skies in October 2014. Artwork courtesy of Kim Poor. Mars may have a really bad day next year on October 19th.

How to see Comet Pan-STARRS
http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Comet-making-closest-approach-ever-of-Earth-4329626.php
To see the comet, look for it in the west, just to the left of the point on your horizon where the sun sets, shortly after sunset beginning in the next few days.

Old dog bones teach scientists new trick
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/03/06/earliest-known-dog-fossils-found-in-russia
It hardly needs to be said that there's a long evolutionary distance between Banana Joe and wolves. The Affenpinscher that took best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February is at least 16,000 years removed from the days of roaming ...

On Jupiter's Moon Europa, Underground Ocean Bubbles Up to Surface
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/06/173626166/under-its-frozen-exterior-scientists-say-europas-ocean-is-salty-like-ours
The huge ocean sloshing beneath the icy shell of Jupiter's moon Europa likely makes its way to the surface in some places, suggesting astronomers may not need to drill down deep to investigate it, a new study reports.

'Viking sunstone' found in shipwreck
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21693140
A crystal found in a shipwreck could be similar to a sunstone - a mythical navigational aid said to have been used by Viking mariners, scientists believe.

St. Paul's Academy to Whatcom science fair for students countywide
http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2013/03/young-scientists-in-training/
BELLINGHAM - More than 100 students will put their ideas to the test in a countywide science fair at St. Paul's Academy Saturday, March 9. This is the first time that the school is hosting its Whatcom County Science Fair, which will run for most of the day in ...

Sharp increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide brings climate catastrophe closer
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/TU4FFhbJlNHT2E6HqPKQOO/Global-CO2-levels-inching-towards-alltime-high.html
My posts about stuff like THIS usually elicit only yawns or a few snarky comments from global-warming deniers. But I intend to persist.