Daily Archives: 05/18/2012

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Solar Eclipse May 20


Annular Solar Eclipse of May 20

The first solar eclipse of 2012 occurs at the Moon’s descending node in central Taurus. An annular eclipse will be visible from a 240 to 300 kilometre-wide track that traverses eastern Asia, the northern Pacific Ocean and the western United States. A partial eclipse is seen within the much broader path of the Moon’s penumbral shadow, that includes much of Asia, the Pacific and the western 2/3 of North America (Figure 1).

The annular path begins in southern China at 22:06 UT. Because the Moon passed through apogee one day earlier (May 19 at 16:14 UT), its large distance from Earth produces a wide path of annularity. Traveling eastward, the shadow quickly sweeps along the southern coast of Japan as the central line duration of annularity grows from 4.4 to 5.0 minutes.

Tokyo lies 10 kilometres north of the central line. For the over 10 million residents within the metropolitan area, the annular phase will last 5 minutes beginning at 22:32 UT (on May 21 local time). The annular ring is quite thick because the Moon’s apparent diameter is only 94% that of the Sun. Traveling with a velocity of 1.1 kilometres/second, the antumbral shadow leaves Japan and heads northeast across the Northern Pacific. The instant of greatest eclipse [1] occurs at 23:52:47 UT when the eclipse magnitude [2] reaches 0.9439. At that instant, the duration of annularity is 5 minutes 46 seconds, the path width is 237 kilometres and the Sun is 61° above the flat horizon formed by the open ocean.

The shadow passes just south of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands as the central track slowly curves to the southeast. After a 7000 kilometre-long ocean voyage lasting nearly 2 hours, the antumbra finally reaches land again along the rugged coastlines of southern Oregon and northern California (Figure 2) at 01:23 UT (May 20 local time).

Redding, CA lies 30 kilometres south of the central line. Nevertheless, it still experiences an annular phase lasting 4 1/2 minutes beginning at 01:26 UT. It is already late afternoon along this section of the eclipse path. The Sun’s altitude is 20° during the annular phase and decreasing as the track heads southeast. Central Nevada, southern Utah, and northern Arizona are all within the annular path.

By the time the antumbra reaches Albuquerque, NM (01:34 UT), the central duration is still 4 1/2 minutes, but the Sun’s altitude has dropped to 5°. As its leading edge reaches the Texas Panhandle, the shadow is now an elongated ellipse extending all the way to Nevada. Seconds later, the antumbra begins its rise back into space above western Texas as the track and the annular eclipse end.

During the course of its 3.5-hour trajectory, the antumbra’s track is approximately 13,600 kilometres long and covers 0.74% of Earth’s surface area. Path coordinates and central line circumstances are presented in Table 1.

Partial phases of the eclipse are visible primarily from the USA, Canada, the Pacific and East Asia. Local circumstances for a number of cities are found in Table 2 (Canada, Mexico and Asia) and Table 3 (USA). All times are given in Universal Time. The Sun’s altitude and azimuth, the eclipse magnitude and obscuration are all given at the instant of maximum eclipse.

The NASA JavaScript Solar Eclipse Explorer is an interactive web page that can quickly calculate the local circumstances of the eclipse from any geographic location not included in Table 1:

eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/JSEX/JSEX-index.html

This is the 33rd eclipse of Saros 128 (Espenak and Meeus, 2006). The family began with a series of 24 partial eclipses starting on 0984 Aug 29. The first central eclipse was total and took place on 1417 May 16. After three more totals and four hybrid eclipses, the series changed to annular on 1561 Aug 11. Subsequent members of Saros 128 were all annular eclipses with increasing durations, the maximum of which was reached on 1832 Feb 01 and lasted 08 minutes 35 seconds. The duration of annularity of each succeeding eclipse is now dropping and will reach 4 minutes with the last annular eclipse of the series on 2120 Jul 25. Saros 128 terminates on 2282 Nov 01 after a string of 9 partial eclipses. Complete details for the 73 eclipses in the series (in the sequence of 24 partial, 4 total, 4 hybrid, 32 annular, and 9 partial) may be found at:

eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsaros/SEsaros128.html

Additional details for the 2012 annular solar eclipse (including tables, maps and weather prospects) can be found at:

eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/ASE2012/ASE2012.html

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The G8 Summit: Iain Keith – Avaaz.org


In three days, world leaders could agree to a plan that could stop climate change! The plan would transfer the $1 trillion our governments give to polluters every year and invest it in renewable energy. Key leaders including President Obama support ending these crazy payments, and he is hosting the G8 summit this weekend. Let’s build a massive public campaign for Obama to lead this plan that could literally save our planet! Sign the urgent petition:

Sign the petition

This weekend, the eight most powerful leaders in the world will meet at the G8 summit and could agree to a plan that could literally stop climate change!

It’s crazy, but right now, our governments give nearly $1 trillion a year of our taxpayer money to Big Oil and Coal to destroy our planet. Key leaders, including President Obama who is hosting the G8, have already agreed to stop these polluter payments. Now, if we demand they act on their word and divert this huge sum into renewable energy, experts say we could actually save our planet!

It’s a simple no-brainer that our leaders have already agreed to. Let’s hold their feet to the fire, and push President Obama to lead the world’s largest economies to turn these polluting subsidies green. Sign the urgent petition below and forward this to everyone — a massive campaign now can force them from talk to action:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/a_new_plan_to_save_the_planet/?vl

The only reason we shovel cash into the coffers of Big Oil is their lobbyists have a stranglehold on our governments. But if we demand that our leaders green our tax-money, we’ll increase total global green investment by 400% making solar and wind energy cheaper than oil and coal — in the process saving the planet by putting Big Oil out of business!

We’re rapidly reaching a point of no return on climate change and a treaty to prevent catastrophe is years off. Fortunately, momentum behind this new planet saving plan is building. New Zealand, Mexico and Switzerland are calling for an agreement now, and policy makers from 20 countries including the US, Brazil, and China have just voiced their support. All G8 leaders have publicly committed to ending these dirty subsidies, and right now President Obama is pushing for US legislation to stop them.

Our planet is being destroyed at a terrifying rate and this is our best chance to stop it. Now is the time for action, but without massive public support, the powerful polluters could stall the proposal. It’s up to us to counter the lobbyists with extraordinary people power. We have three days left to get Obama to lead. Sign the petition:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/a_new_plan_to_save_the_planet/?vl

For too long, progress on a global solution to climate change has been held back by self-interest and the profits of Big Oil, Coal and Gas. But, finally governments are realising that cutting subsidies will benefit the climate and help balance out the global economy. If we speak up now, together, our movement can force our leaders to action and free the world from the tyranny of fossil fuels.

With hope,

Iain, Joseph, Alice, Ricken, Diego, Kya and the rest of the Avaaz team

More information:

Hansen: Game Over for the Climate (New York Times):
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/opinion/game-over-for-the-climate.html

A Congressional Push to End All Fossil Fuel Subsidies (The Nation):
http://www.thenation.com/blog/167831/congressional-push-end-all-fossil-fuel-subsidies

Obama says tax breaks for Big Oil need to end (Financial Post):
http://business.financialpost.com/2012/03/29/obama-says-tax-breaks-for-big-oil-need-to-end/?__lsa=7934943e

Fossil-fuel subsidies: Helping the richest get richer (Los Angeles Times):
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/05/opinion/la-oe-mckibben-stop-oil-subsidies-20120404

Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies could provide half of global carbon target (The Guardian):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/19/fossil-fuel-subsidies-carbon-target

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the Republican led House: FY2013, legislation Teapublicans love,won’t pass in Senate &waste of tax payer $ – the Senate back on 5/21


the Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET May 21, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.  It is his intention to resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Legislative Calendar #400, S.3187, the FDA user fees legislation.
  • At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #552, the nomination of Paul J. Watford, of California, to be a United States Circuit Judge for the 9th Circuit with up to one hour for debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.  Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30p), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Watford nomination.
  • If cloture is not invoked, the Senate will resume Legislative Session and conduct a 2nd roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Legislative Calendar #400, S.3187, the FDA user fees legislation.

———————————————————————————

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 18, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

-The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 22, 2012.3:21:51 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.3:21:50 P.M. -Mr. Woodall moved that the House do now adjourn.1:24:43 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.1:22:38 P.M. -The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification that the national emergency with respect to the stabilization of Iraq will continue in effect beyond May 22, 2012 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed.1:13:55 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.1:08:35 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.1:07:36 P.M. -SPEAKER’S APPOINTMENT – Pursuant to section 703(c) of the Public Interest Declassification Act of 2000 (50 U.S.C. 435 note), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Chair announced the Speaker’s reappointment of the following member on the part of the House to the Public Interest Declassification Board for a term of three years: Admiral William O. Studeman, Great Falls, Virginia.1:07:35 P.M. -SPEAKER’S APPOINTMENT – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276L, and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Chair announced the Speaker’s appointment of the following Members of the House to the British-American Interparliamentary Group: Messrs. Petri, Crenshaw, Latta and Aderholt.1:06:34 P.M. -Mr. Bishop (UT) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May, 30, 2012. Agreed to without objection.1:06:19 P.M. -Mr. Bishop (UT) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, May 25, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. Agreed to without objection.1:05:10 P.M. -Mr. Bishop (UT) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 25, 2012. Agreed to without objection.1:05:02 P.M. -Mr. Bishop (UT) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, May 18, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2012. Agreed to without objection.1:04:54 P.M. -H.R. 4849Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:04:53 P.M. -H.R. 4849On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.1:04:38 P.M. -H.R. 4849Mr. Bishop (UT) asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment.1:03:39 P.M. -H.R. 4310The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 4310.1:01:38 P.M. -H.R. 4348Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:01:37 P.M. -H.R. 4348On Rahall motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by recorded vote: 245 – 169 (Roll no. 293).12:54:23 P.M. -H.R. 4348Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.12:54:22 P.M. -H.R. 4348On Barrow motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 261 – 152 (Roll no. 292).12:48:21 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to instruct conferees on H.R. 4348 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.12:47:47 P.M. -H.R. 4310The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.12:47:42 P.M. -H.R. 4310Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.12:47:41 P.M. -H.R. 4310On passage Passed by recorded vote: 299 – 120 (Roll no. 291).12:40:17 P.M. -H.R. 4310On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 182 – 236 (Roll no. 290).12:20:14 P.M. -H.R. 4310The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.12:13:37 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Garamendi motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to protect American jobs by requiring that naval and U.S. flagged vessels providing service to the Federal Government may not be overhauled, repaired, or maintained in a shipyard outside the U.S. or Guam without a waiver from the Secretary of Defense.12:11:17 P.M. -H.R. 4310Mr. Garamendi moved to recommit with instructions to Armed Services.12:10:09 P.M. -H.R. 4310The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.12:09:46 P.M. -H.R. 4310The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.12:08:53 P.M. -H.R. 4310The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4310.12:08:41 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Price (GA) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 379 – 38 (Roll no. 289).12:02:30 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Rehberg amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 238 – 162 (Roll no. 288).11:38:55 A.M. -H.R. 4310UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.11:38:12 A.M. -H.R. 4310By unanimous consent, the Murphy (PA) amendment was withdrawn.11:34:57 A.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Murphy (PA) amendment No. 133.11:34:54 A.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Murphy (PA),  numbered 133 printed in House Report 112-485 to require that a proposal to reduce more than 1,000 members of the armed forces assigned at a military installation be transmitted via the Presidents budget request and include an evaluation of the fiscal, local economic, budgetary, environmental, strategic, and operational consequences of such closure or realignment and to allow an exception for national security or military emergency.11:33:20 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Flake amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.11:31:43 A.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake amendment N0. 119.11:31:41 A.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Flake,  numbered 119 printed in House Report 112-485 to require that a period of 30 days elapse between the date the Secretaries of Defense and State submit to Congress an update to the report on the strategy to utilize the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund and Congress making the remaining 90 percent of the funds available for assistance to Pakistan.11:30:37 A.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Price (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Price (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.11:26:10 A.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Price (GA) amendment No. 111.11:26:06 A.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Price (GA),  numbered 111 printed in House Report 112-485 to require the Department of Justice to order an investigation into the possible violation of U.S. law regarding numerous leaks of sensitive information involving U.S. and Israeli military, intelligence, and operational capabilities and to provide the Administration with 30 days after bill becomes law to begin its investigation and 60 days after enactment to report to Congress.11:25:19 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Hunter amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.11:20:25 A.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hunter amendment No. 77.11:20:15 A.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Hunter,  numbered 77 printed in House Report 112-485 to require that the Navy, no later than 30 days after enactment, provide the Committee on House Armed Services with a report on the Navy’s review, findings and actions pertaining to Medal of Honor nominee Marine Corps Sergeant Rafael Peralta; and would require that the report account for all evidence submitted.11:19:29 A.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rehberg amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rehberg demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.11:10:10 A.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rehberg amendment No. 59.11:10:06 A.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Rehberg,  numbered 59 printed in House Report 112-485 to ban any reductions to the strategic nuclear triad unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that: (1) further reductions in the Russia Federations arsenal are needed for compliance with New START limits; and (2) Russia is not developing or deploying nuclear delivery systems not covered by New START limits. Amendment would also protect all three legs of the nuclear triad from elimination.11:08:56 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the McKeon amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.11:03:50 A.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon amendments en bloc #6.11:03:07 A.M. -H.R. 4310Amendments en bloc  offered by Mr. McKeon,  comprised of the following amendments printed in House Report 112-485: Nos. 92, 96, 103, 105, 108, 118, 121, 129, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 138, 139, and 141.11:02:33 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the McKeon amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.10:58:06 A.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon Amendments En Bloc #5.10:58:00 A.M. -H.R. 4310Amendments en bloc  offered by Mr. McKeon,  comprised of the following amendments printed in House Report 112-485: Nos. 62, 64, 70, 72, 73, 76, 81, 82, 88, 90, 91, 99, 101, 112, and 130.10:57:37 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the McKeon amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.10:53:53 A.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon Amendments En Bloc #4.10:53:45 A.M. -H.R. 4310Amendments en bloc  offered by Mr. McKeon,  comprised of the following amendments printed in House Report 112-485: Nos. 56, 58, 61, 67, 68, 78, 79, 106, 114, 113, 115, 116, 120, 122, 123, and 125.10:52:30 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Pearce amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 121 – 300 (Roll no. 287).10:48:07 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Franks (AZ) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 241 – 181 (Roll no. 286).10:44:42 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Lee (CA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 77 – 344 (Roll no. 285).10:39:08 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Coffman (CO) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 226 – 196 (Roll no. 284).10:35:53 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Duncan (SC) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 229 – 193 (Roll no. 283).10:32:37 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Lee (CA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 170 – 252 (Roll no. 282).10:28:05 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Rigell amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 220 – 201 (Roll no. 281).10:24:55 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Price (GA) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 241 – 179 (Roll no. 280).10:21:41 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Johnson (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 175 – 245 (Roll no. 279).10:18:21 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Johnson (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 160 – 261 (Roll no. 278).10:14:36 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Sablan amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 118 – 303 (Roll no. 277).10:11:14 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Cummings amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 394 – 27 (Roll no. 276).10:05:22 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Carson (IN) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 180 – 241 (Roll no. 275).10:01:48 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 164 – 256 (Roll no. 274).9:57:34 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Keating amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 192 – 229 (Roll no. 273).9:53:28 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Coffman (CO) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 209 – 211 (Roll no. 272).9:49:35 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Gohmert amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 243 – 173 (Roll no. 271).9:46:06 A.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Smith (WA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 182 – 238 (Roll no. 270).9:17:00 A.M. -H.R. 4310UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.9:15:59 A.M. -H.R. 4310The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.9:15:40 A.M. -H.R. 4310Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4310 — “To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2013, and for other purposes.”9:02:49 A.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.9:02:32 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Courtney to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:02:26 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.9:01:17 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:57 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.