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Astronomy Picture of the Day 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. 2003 April 12 Mercury on the Horizon Credit & Copyright: Juan Carlos Casado Explanation: Have you ever seen the planet Mercury? Because Mercury orbits so close to the Sun, it never wanders far from the Sun in Earth's sky. If trailing the Sun, Mercury will be visible low on the horizon for only a short while before sunset. If leading the Sun, Mercury will be visible only shortly...

Astronomy Picture of the Day 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. 2003 March 23 Alpha Centauri: The Closest Star System Credit: 1-Meter Schmidt Telescope, ESO Explanation: The closest star system to the Sun is the Alpha Centauri system. Of the three stars in the system, the dimmest -- called Proxima Centauri -- is actually the nearest star. The bright stars Alpha Centauri A and B form a close binary as they are separated by only 23 times the Earth-...

Astronomy Picture of the Day 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. 2003 March 20 Sunrise Analemma Credit & Copyright: Anthony Ayiomamitis Explanation: Astronomically speaking, at the Equinox on March 21, 0100 UT (March 20, 8:00 PM ET) the season changes. For this Equinox the Sun rises due east as it crosses the celestial equator heading north. In celebration, consider this spectacular sunrise analemma! An analemma is the figure-8 loop you get when you mark the position of the Sun...

<p>WASHINGTON -- To Don Henley's ears, the FM dial has been transformed from a bazaar of choices to a place where "everybody gets the same McDonald's hamburger."</p> <p>Taking issue with the musician on Capitol Hill Thursday, the chairman of a company that operates 1,200 stations said it makes a point of offering a variety of formats, from talk to country to rock to Spanish language.</p>

Widely used cholesterol-lowering drugs could relieve multiple sclerosis, say researchers. The drugs might also work on other diseases where the immune system attacks the body. The drugs, called statins, are commonly prescribed to fight heart disease. The new study shows that they may also work on the immune system, reducing brain inflammation. Multiple sclerosis is thought to arise when the immune system assaults the nervous system. It strikes with unpredictable symptoms including fatigue, tremor and paralysis. Existing treatments can slow, but not stop, the advance of the disease. Scott Zamvil of the University of California, San Francisco, and his team...

From its origins in classical thought and Christianity, Western culture has always had a strong tendency towards universalism. This principle has long been expressed in the idea of the unity of human kind and the belief that all human beings had a common origin and were equal before God. During the European Enlightenment, these Christian concepts were secularized to produce the notions of a common human nature and universal human rights. At the same time, the West produced a scientific method that was so successful its practitioners assumed they had found the key that would open the way to knowledge...

Astronomy Picture of the Day 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. 2002 July 5 Many MoonsCredit & Copyright: Corrado Alesso Explanation: Whimsical and creative, this multiple exposure suggests that planet Earth's sky could be very dramatic indeed if it were graced by many moons. And in James Thurber's well-known children's story, Princess Lenore was comfortable with the idea of many moons, even if the wise men of the King's court failed to understand. But just for the Royal Astronomer...

Astronomy Picture of the Day 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. 2002 June 12 A Partial Eclipse Over the Golden Gate Bridge Credit & Copyright: Gerard Barkats Explanation: Part of the Sun disappeared behind the Moon earlier this week. Previously, the waning Moon was best visible from all places on Earth during the early morning hours because it led the Sun. As the Moon orbited the Earth, however, the Sun caught up to it and passed it on the...

Nation: Police say arsonist blames personalities for starting fires The Associated PressHANOVER, Pa. (March 30, 2002 7:11 p.m. EST) - A volunteer firefighter charged in seven arsons in York County told police he has multiple personalities, one of which he blamed for starting fires that he would later help put out, police said. Justin Yongue, 20, faces more than 39 felony charges in connection with arsons in the southern Pennsylvania county from Oct. 4 to Jan. 29. All the fires were in Penn and West Manheim townships, about 30 miles south of Harrisburg. No one was injured in the series...