D-League

[catfaninsc]

Science Break:

RXJ1131 is an extremely luminous quasar that lies 6 billion light years from us. It's brightness is due to a super massive black hole that resides with it. This composite image of the quasar is made up of multiple images over time. While the image looks like a single object it is not. In the center is an elliptical galaxy that is much closer to us that acts as a gravitional lens bending space and light allowing us to see the quasar and the eceretion disc of the black hole farther in the distance.

(click image to expand)
The pink dot is the quasar in different images over time.
Because of this gravitational lensing, very detailed information on the X-ray spectrum – that is, the amount of X-rays seen at different energies – from RX J1131 is detectable which allows us to get a very accurate value for how fast the black hole is spinning. X-rays are produced when a swirling accretion disk of gas and dust that surrounds the black hole creates a multimillion-degree cloud, or corona near the black hole. X-rays from this corona reflect off the inner edge of the accretion disk. The strong gravitational forces near the black hole alter the reflected X-ray spectrum. The larger the change in the spectrum, the closer the inner edge of the disk must be to the black hole. The closer in the faster the black hole is spinning.

The black hole associated with RXJ1131 is spinning at over half the speed of light.

 

[FutureCityCats]

seriously mad respect sir. wish more single dads has this approach to kids.

Well, thanks man. I had to go to five different lawyers before I could get one the handle my case. Four of them laughed me out of their office. It was very unusual in the 70s for a dad to try and get custody of his child. The one that took it was also the school board lawyer and my dad was chairman, so I actually think that's why he took the case.

After the first deposition, she disappeared for 9 freaking months. I had the FBI, state police, county sheriff, and a private detective trying to find her. After 9 months she called one day and said she was going to bring my daughter by and leave her for awhile. So, I didn't question circumstances, I was just glad to get her and would find out details later. She told me her husband had died in a car wreck. As it turned out, he had over dosed in a park in St. Louis.

This is probably more than anyone wants to know but the passion and pain of me not knowing where she was was almost unbearable. I ended up writing the terms of agreement myself and filed in District court in my handwriting. Never had to go by it, she was glad to get rid of her and I was dang glad to get her. She lives in Paducah and we are still very close. Her mother never calls her even to this day. I never said one bad thing about her mother to her. I thought a lot of things but didn't want to put my daughter in bad spot by talking about her mother. Well, reckon that's all. Thanks guys, FCC.

 

[wildcatdonf]

Well, thanks man. I had to go to five different lawyers before I could get one the handle my case. Four of them laughed me out of their office. It was very unusual in the 70s for a dad to try and get custody of his child. The one that took it was also the school board lawyer and my dad was chairman, so I actually think that's why he took the case.

After the first deposition, she disappeared for 9 freaking months. I had the FBI, state police, county sheriff, and a private detective trying to find her. After 9 months she called one day and said she was going to bring my daughter by and leave her for awhile. So, I didn't question circumstances, I was just glad to get her and would find out details later. She told me her husband had died in a car wreck. As it turned out, he had over dosed in a park in St. Louis.

This is probably more than anyone wants to know but the passion and pain of me not knowing where she was was almost unbearable. I ended up writing the terms of agreement myself and filed in District court in my handwriting. Never had to go by it, she was glad to get rid of her and I was dang glad to get her. She lives in Paducah and we are still very close. Her mother never calls her even to this day. I never said one bad thing about her mother to her. I thought a lot of things but didn't want to put my daughter in bad spot by talking about her mother. Well, reckon that's all. Thanks guys, FCC.

That is a very sad story with a happy ending. May God bless you.

 

[AustinTXCat]

Well, thanks man. I had to go to five different lawyers before I could get one the handle my case. Four of them laughed me out of their office. It was very unusual in the 70s for a dad to try and get custody of his child. The one that took it was also the school board lawyer and my dad was chairman, so I actually think that's why he took the case.

After the first deposition, she disappeared for 9 freaking months. I had the FBI, state police, county sheriff, and a private detective trying to find her. After 9 months she called one day and said she was going to bring my daughter by and leave her for awhile. So, I didn't question circumstances, I was just glad to get her and would find out details later. She told me her husband had died in a car wreck. As it turned out, he had over dosed in a park in St. Louis.

This is probably more than anyone wants to know but the passion and pain of me not knowing where she was was almost unbearable. I ended up writing the terms of agreement myself and filed in District court in my handwriting. Never had to go by it, she was glad to get rid of her and I was dang glad to get her. She lives in Paducah and we are still very close. Her mother never calls her even to this day. I never said one bad thing about her mother to her. I thought a lot of things but didn't want to put my daughter in bad spot by talking about her mother. Well, reckon that's all. Thanks guys, FCC.

That is a very sad story with a happy ending. May God bless you.

+1. Happy it worked out for you, FCC.

 

[stevo51]

Good morning Leaguers
Woke up early - at 7 - as I thought I would, but am happy to say I went back to bed and got back up at 9
sitting here with some coffee, reading through the boards - nice and quiet so far this morning, well, mostly

Don -so sorry to hear about your friend. CF is right about funeral costs; although in the Atlanta area, the average is closer to $7500. It all depends on what you want to do - the biggest costs, of course, are the casket and the burial site. It does depend on what the widow wants.

Lots of stuff going on today - as usual. But will be checking in every so often.

Probably a burial with visitation is closer to 10k. The only variables:
Buried versus cremation
Size of marker
Graveside ceremony versus visitation and using the funeral directors facility

 

[wildcatdonf]

On my bounty hunting ex-convict friend. He died a disabled pauper with a 4 year old daughter. I am going to stay out of the financial end of his burial and whatever. I already have several charities that I support. I have to draw the line somewhere. There is nothing that I can do. The mother and child will have to move in with the maternal granddaddy.

 

[Bkocats]

On my bounty hunting ex-convict friend. He died a disabled pauper with a 4 year old daughter. I am going to stay out of the financial end of his burial and whatever. I already have several charities that I support. I have to draw the line somewhere. There is nothing that I can do. The mother and child will have to move in with the maternal granddaddy.

there IS only so much you can do Don. I know it's hard, though.

 

[FutureCityCats]

You're a good man Don, a good man. Rest, and know it will work out for them. FCC.

 

[stevo51]

Late in the day, but I'd like to remember a few I've known who've served:

My maternal grandfather in WWI. He was trained to go to Europe as an infantryman when he contracted Spanish Flu and was kept at Camp Knox

My Uncle Gilbert who landed with the Marines on the first wave at Tarawa

My Uncle Frank who was a ground crew member for the Army Air Force in England

My Uncle Cecil who was the only survivor in his tank in Italy when it was blown up by a shell and he was thrown clear

My Uncle Prentice who was in the Navy in the Pacific

My Uncle Palmer who served in the Army from the Normandy invasion until VE Day

My good friend, Clyde Hilburn, who enlisted after Pearl Harbor and spent the war as a quartermaster on the USS North Carolina

Our neighbor when I was young, Stanley Jenkut, who was in the second wave on Omaha Beach, and later in Korea and Vietnam

All of the above have passed on

My Uncle Bobby who was an officer in the Air Force in the 50's

A high schoolmate, Dennis Vance, killed in Vietnam in '68

One of my best friends, John Henderson, who died of kidney cancer at age 43. He was shot down twice in Vietnam while attached to the 173rd Airborne Brigade out of Pleiku in '67/'68. We think exposure to Agent Orange caused the cancer.

Lt. Benjamin Hall, who I did not know but my son went to Infantry Officer Basic with him and thought highly of him. KIA in eastern Afghanistan while leading his platoon in a firefight, he took a round in the side between his body armor plates and bled out. From a military family, he is buried at Arlington and the ceremony can be viewed on line.

Last but not least, my son, Brandon, who is now a Major and about to graduate from the Command and General Staff Course at Ft. Leavenworth. He is a Ranger and Jump Schools graduate and led a rifle platoon in the 82nd in Helmand and Nuristan Provinces in Afghanistan.

 

[wildcatdonf]

Home again home again at last. Took off about 2 hours early. Need the rest, seriously. The ironman is not the ironman any longer. I hope my apple comes tomorrow.

 

[wildcatdonf]

Late in the day, but I'd like to remember a few I've known who've served:

My maternal grandfather in WWI. He was trained to go to Europe as an infantryman when he contracted Spanish Flu and was kept at Camp Knox

My Uncle Gilbert who landed with the Marines on the first wave at Tarawa

My Uncle Frank who was a ground crew member for the Army Air Force in England

My Uncle Cecil who was the only survivor in his tank in Italy when it was blown up by a shell and he was thrown clear

My Uncle Prentice who was in the Navy in the Pacific

My Uncle Palmer who served in the Army from the Normandy invasion until VE Day

My good friend, Clyde Hilburn, who enlisted after Pearl Harbor and spent the war as a quartermaster on the USS North Carolina

Our neighbor when I was young, Stanley Jenkut, who was in the second wave on Omaha Beach, and later in Korea and Vietnam

All of the above have passed on

My Uncle Bobby who was an officer in the Air Force in the 50's

A high schoolmate, Dennis Vance, killed in Vietnam in '68

One of my best friends, John Henderson, who died of kidney cancer at age 43. He was shot down twice in Vietnam while attached to the 173rd Airborne Brigade out of Pleiku in '67/'68. We think exposure to Agent Orange caused the cancer.

Lt. Benjamin Hall, who I did not know but my son went to Infantry Officer Basic with him and thought highly of him. KIA in eastern Afghanistan while leading his platoon in a firefight, he took a round in the side between his body armor plates and bled out. From a military family, he is buried at Arlington and the ceremony can be viewed on line.

Last but not least, my son, Brandon, who is now a Major and about to graduate from the Command and General Staff Course at Ft. Leavenworth. He is a Ranger and Jump Schools graduate and led a rifle platoon in the 82nd in Helmand and Nuristan Provinces in Afghanistan.

May God bless them all. That is an impressive list.

 

[catfaninsc]

Last but not least, my son, Brandon, who is now a Major and about to graduate from the Command and General Staff Course at Ft. Leavenworth. He is a Ranger and Jump Schools graduate and led a rifle platoon in the 82nd in Helmand and Nuristan Provinces in Afghanistan.

Thank him for his service.

 

[catfaninsc]

May God bless them all. That is an impressive list.

You have one that deserves our thanks also Don.

 

[wildcatdonf]

You have one that deserves our thanks also Don.

You are correct, sir. Please keep #3 in your prayers.

 

[stevo51]

Most were lucky. Henderson was a Huey pilot during the worst of it. He was there for the Tet offensive in '68. He was shot down twice, both times on take off. My Uncle Cecil was in a coma for two weeks. My son saw combat at Sangin, Musa Qu'alah, and The Tora Bora area. My friend Clyde saw a lot of kamikaze attacks at the end. Uncle Gilbert was the luckiest. He didn't get a scratch.

 

[stevo51]

You are correct, sir. Please keep #3 in your prayers.

Is he at Benning?

 

[wildcatdonf]

Is he at Benning?

He is at Ft. Campbell. He will be at Ft. Benning in a little over two weeks the last I heard for Ranger School.

 

[Bkocats]

@stevo51
Bless you sir - and thank you for sharing that list
Thank your son for me
Prayers for all

 

[stevo51]

He is at Ft. Campbell. He will be at Ft. Benning in a little over two weeks the last I heard for Ranger School.

Didn't know if he'd recycled yet or not. Usually.....and I say usually...they will know he is recycling and he won't get the arbitrary BS you get in the first phase. Will To Win and Teamwork.....

Will keep him in my thoughts

 

[stevo51]

Good day to all. Hopefully I will be able to get on here a bit more this week.

 

[Bkocats]

Good day to all. Hopefully I will be able to get on here a bit more this week.

that would be great

 

[wildcatdonf]

Sugar is now in Daddy's lap trying to feel better about the firecrackers. Poor baby.

 

[catfaninsc]

And let us not forget @AustinTXCat . Thank you fine sir for your service. This craft beer is for you.

 

[FutureCityCats]

Good day to all. Hopefully I will be able to get on here a bit more this week.

That would be good stevo. And thanks for that list. FCC.

 

[wildcatdonf]

 

[Bkocats]

And let us not forget @AustinTXCat . Thank you fine sir for your service. This craft beer is for you.

thanks for the reminder, Catfan -
and thank YOU ATC

 

[wildcatdonf]

 

[wildcatdonf]

 

[wildcatdonf]

 

[AustinTXCat]

And let us not forget @AustinTXCat . Thank you fine sir for your service. This craft beer is for you.

Thank you. Prost!

 

[AustinTXCat]

Good morning and Happy National Macaroon Day.

 

[FutureCityCats]

Morning ATC. 66 here in the City. How you doing my friend? FCC.

 

[AustinTXCat]

Good morning, FCC. Thanks. Currently 76°F here in ATX. Cloudy with rain chances increasing this afternoon. I'll ride my bike in to work.

 

[WettCat]

I had the incredible privilege to sit and talk to these two American heroes yesterday, along with a multitude of other Green Berets and retired Green Berets as part of a charity event for the Special Operations Charitable Trust. I've met sports starts, music stars, etc. but no one has ever left me in awe once you read and understand what they did for our country. Without question, the most impactful Memorial Day I've ever had. Thanks again to all who have served.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_B._Beikirch

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Donlon

The second gentleman was escorted by another Green Beret who was with him the night they were both wounded, and lost 6 of the 12 men in their camp.

 

[AustinTXCat]

May is Older Americans Month. Happiness to you and yours.

In other words, continue giving 'em hell.

 

[catfaninsc]

Morning D. Greetings from the shanty. Hope this day finds you well.


More coffee...........................

 

[wildcatdonf]

• Good Morning, posters.
• 73°F in Johns Creek. Sunny and beautiful. VFR. Perfect.
• Dark Magic going.
• Willie's Roadhouse entertaining.
• Sprinklers ran earlier. Emerald Zoysia looking good.
• Short work week for some.
• Have a nice day.
• Over.

 

[Bert Higginbotha]

Morning D-Leaguers. Some of the best posters on earth.

Mowing is in my immediate future.

 

[Bkocats]

Good morning, all
looking to be another warm and muggy day. 72 so far, going to get up to 86
have had two cups of coffee, considering a third
granddaughter coming today - can't wait

@WettCat thank you for posting that.

 

[WettCat]

In addition to the otherworldly interaction with the soldiers, the day also presented a few opportunities for an old music fan. Met Larry Gatlin, Kid Rock, Big & Rich, Cowboy Troy and the members of Parmalee. Watched the first half of the Big & Rich show from backstage---yes, it's B&R, but I've never seen a show from backstage so it was pretty cool to see the bandmates interaction, the support team, etc. Actually way less hectic than I expected. All very low-key and professional.

They had the MOH winners their wives and my wife and I on stage while they sang one of their songs and then God Bless America.Pretty surreal---B&R and 3-4,000 fans singing God Bless America in front of me while I sat on stage on a barstool at a mock bar while Larry Gatlin served me a shot of Crown. From someone in the crowd....

Behind the singers is a gentlemen in a red/white/blue shirt, he's one of the MOH recipients. We were sitting behind him....at a bar...drinking a shot of Crown...from Larry Gatlin. F'ing surreal.