Archive for February 14th, 2007

Coin shows Cleopatra’s ugly truth

Feb 14, 2007 in news, fun


Antony and Cleopatra, one of history’s most romantic couples, were not the great beauties that Hollywood would have us believe, academics have said.

A study of a 2,000-year-old silver coin found the Egyptian queen, famously portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor, had a pointed chin, thin lips and sharp nose.

Her Roman lover, played by Richard Burton, had bulging eyes, thick neck and a hook nose.

The tiny coin was studied by experts at Newcastle University.

The size of a modern 5p piece, the artefact from 32BC was in a collection belonging to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, which is being researched in preparation for the opening of a new Great North Museum.

See the entire news here.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Beautiful

Feb 14, 2007 in science

The Hubble Telescope is a telescope in orbit around the Earth, named after astronomer Edwin Hubble.

Its position outside the Earth’s atmosphere provides significant advantages over ground based telescopes - images are not blurred by the atmosphere, there is no background light scattered from the atmosphere, and the Hubble can observe in ultra-violet light that is absorbed by the ozone layer.

Since its launch in 1990, it has become one of the most important instruments in the history of astronomy. It has been responsible for many ground-breaking observations and has helped astronomers achieve a better understanding of many fundamental problems in astrophysics.

Hubble’s Ultra Deep Field is the deepest (most sensitive) astronomical optical image ever taken.

This picture was taken by Hubble and shows a image of the “last breath” of a midget star.
It’s just amazingly beautful.

Via wiki

Popularity: 3% [?]

Reveal light makes your apartment feel like less of a cave

Feb 14, 2007 in technology, geek, gagdets

Is your apartment a dark, depressing pit? You know, no windows, no natural light, all that good stuff? Sure, it’s a studio apartment in a basement in a lousy part of town, but hey, it’s only $175 a month! Who needs natural light when you’ve got a deal like that?


If you’ve made that sacrifice with your living situation, you could add some cheer to your place with this Reveal Light. Tricking you into feeling like there’s a bright window on one wall, it projects the outline of a window with a tree in it on whatever surface you point it at.

Will it really make your place feel like less of a claustrophobic pit? I’m not sure, but it certainly seems worth a shot before you completely turn into a hermit.

It goes on sale in April with a price that has yet to be announced. — Adam Frucci

Reveal Light, via Sci-Fi

Popularity: 2% [?]

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