Were As Close to the Sun as Were Going to Get

Literally as I write this the Earth is leaving the point in its orbit known as Perihelion. Simply, this is the point where Earth is closest to the Sun.

Now, many of you in the northern hemisphere may be looking outside at the wintery weather and wondering how that can be.

As it happens, however, the proximity of the Earth to the Sun during its year long trek along its orbit only accounts for very small variations in the surface temperature; at most a few degrees.

The main reason for the seasons is the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the orbital plane.

Don't believe me, or want a full explanation? Read here for more details.

Were As Close to the Sun as Were Going to Get

Literally as I write this the Earth is leaving the point in its orbit known as Perihelion. Simply, this is the point where Earth is closest to the Sun.

Now, many of you in the northern hemisphere may be looking outside at the wintery weather and wondering how that can be.

As it happens, however, the proximity of the Earth to the Sun during its year long trek along its orbit only accounts for very small variations in the surface temperature; at most a few degrees.

The main reason for the seasons is the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the orbital plane.

Don't believe me, or want a full explanation? Read here for more details.

Were As Close to the Sun as Were Going to Get

Literally as I write this the Earth is leaving the point in its orbit known as Perihelion. Simply, this is the point where Earth is closest to the Sun.

Now, many of you in the northern hemisphere may be looking outside at the wintery weather and wondering how that can be.

As it happens, however, the proximity of the Earth to the Sun during its year long trek along its orbit only accounts for very small variations in the surface temperature; at most a few degrees.

The main reason for the seasons is the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the orbital plane.

Don't believe me, or want a full explanation? Read here for more details.

Were As Close to the Sun as Were Going to Get

Literally as I write this the Earth is leaving the point in its orbit known as Perihelion. Simply, this is the point where Earth is closest to the Sun.

Now, many of you in the northern hemisphere may be looking outside at the wintery weather and wondering how that can be.

As it happens, however, the proximity of the Earth to the Sun during its year long trek along its orbit only accounts for very small variations in the surface temperature; at most a few degrees.

The main reason for the seasons is the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the orbital plane.

Don't believe me, or want a full explanation? Read here for more details.

Stephen Hawking Reveals Greatest Mystery in the Universe Women

I have to admit, I didn't see this one coming.

When New Scientist Magazine asked the famed physicist what he thinks about most his response was simple. "Women. They are a complete mystery."

While most of us aren't world renowned astrophysicists, credited with furthering our understanding of black holes and the Universe in general, it seems there is at least one trait that most of us share with the famed cosmologist.

Space Shuttle Discovery on its Way to DC

One of the iconic machines of the 20th century is on its way to Washington D.C. to be displayed at the Smithsonian.

The event, including the flight to Dulles, can be seen on NASA's website. They'll have video of the shuttle preparation and interviews about the program and the future of manned space flight. If you just want to catch the landing - which is really impressive as it involves being piggybacked on a modified 747 - tune in around 10:00 am EDT today.

Should We Continue to Fund the James Webb Telescope

When most people think about astronomy they almost immediately picture beautiful images of nebulae, galaxies and star clusters. The primary reason they are able to visualize these objects is because of the amazing work of the Hubble Space Telescope.

The detail with which we can appreciate the heavens has increased significantly in the last couple decades since the commissioning of that historic observatory.

Hubble is now entering the final stages of its operational life; there are no more repair missions, no more upgrades. Once this orbiting telescope fails, it is done forever.

Anticipating this, NASA has been hard at work to have a replacement ready. The James Webb Telescope was intended to pick up where Hubble left off, too peer deeper into the Universe, to see with greater detail what lay around us in this great expanse.

But such advanced technology comes at a price. A big price. Estimated to cost about $2.5 billion and be launched around 2013, the cost has ballooned to nearly $9 billion with a launch date likely in 2018.

And with a completion date so distant the cost could yet again rise. This begs the question, is it worth it?

I have to admit that I am conflicted on this one. Generally I am all for pure scientific research; it is in our nature as humans to seek to understand the Universe around us and to seek discovery, even when a practical application isn't readily obvious.

On the other hand this project was been plagued by mismanagement and waste. And I am certainly not in favor of rewarding such actions with additional funding, especially in this economic climate. Not to mention that the project trajectory is still uncertain and could, yet again, spiral out of control.

A quandary then. I am going to open this up to you all. Read here for more details on this topic and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Engineers working on the mirrors for the James Webb Space Telescope; Credit: NASA