“Everything about it would be bad,” says Mark Hammergren, an astronomer at Adler Planetarium in Chicago, beginning with your attempt to scoop it up. Despite the fact that white dwarfs are fairly common throughout the universe, the nearest is 8.6 light-years away. Let’s assume, though, that you’ve spent 8.6 years in your light-speed car and that the radiation and heat emanating from the star didn’t kill you on your approach. White dwarfs are extremely dense stars, and their surface gravity is about 100,000 times as strong as Earth’s. “You’d have to get your sample—which would be very hard to carve out—without falling onto the star and getting flattened into a plasma,” Hammergren says. “And even then, the high pressure would cause the hydrogen atoms in your body to fuse into helium.”
(This type of reaction, by the way, is what triggers a hydrogen bomb.)
Then you’d have to worry about confinement. Freeing the sample from its superdense, high-pressure home and bringing it to Earth’s relatively low-pressure environment would cause it to expand explosively without proper containment. But if it didn’t blow up in your face—or vaporize your face, since the stuff’s temperature ranges between 10,000˚ and 100,000˚F—and you somehow got it to your kitchen table, you’d be hard-pressed to feed yourself: A single teaspoon would weigh in excess of five tons. “You’d pop it into your mouth and it would fall unimpeded through your body, carve a channel through your gut, come out through your nether regions, and burrow a hole toward the center of the Earth,” Hammergren says. “The good news is that it’s not quite dense enough to have a strong enough gravitational field to rip you apart from the inside out.”
It probably wouldn’t be worth the trouble anyway, Hammergren laments. White dwarfs are mostly helium or carbon, so your teaspoonful would taste like a whiff of flavorless helium gas or a lick of coal. But if you’re desperate for a taste of star, you don’t really need to travel 8.6 light-years—your fridge is full of the stuff. Most of the elements that make up our bodies and everything around us were formed in the cores of stars and then belched out into the universe over billions of years. Basically everything you eat was once part of a star. Might we recommend some star fruit?
UN atomic watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei said this past week that UN experts found "nothing to be worried about" during their first inspection of a previously secret uranium enrichment site in Iran.UN atomic watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei said this past week that UN experts found... more
President Barack Obama has nominated William Magwood to serve on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Magwood is a booster of nuclear power with undisclosed business connections to nuclear energy firms.President Barack Obama has nominated William Magwood to serve on the Nuclear... more
Colorado U.S. Sen. Mark Udall Wednesday took his boldest step yet on the road to a national nuclear renaissance as part of a program designed to combat global warming. He introduced the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative Improvement Act of 2009 in a lengthy speech on the Senate floor in which he acknowledged he was likely stepping on an environmental landmine.
"For some, news that a Udall is speaking favorably about nuclear power will come as a stark - and perhaps unpleasant - surprise. But I also believe public and expert opinion on the risks and benefits of nuclear power has changed," Udall said, referencing the 1979 Three Mile Island power plant meltdown and the industry's struggle to improve its public image in the ensuing three decades.
There is an important nexus between water and global warming. The very energy sources that emit greenhouse gases or cause deadly pollution, also damage our water, our ecosystems and all the life on earth that depends on water.There is an important nexus between water and global warming. The very energy sources... more
Mystery surrounds the fate of a missing Iranian scientist who is reported to have been involved in Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.
Shahram Amiri disappeared in June in Saudi Arabia while on a pilgrimageMystery over Iranian researcher
map
Mystery surrounds the fate of a missing... more
China laid out a plan to curb carbon emissions by 2020 and U.S. President Barack Obama called on all nations to act now to tackle global warming, as world leaders tried to inject momentum into climate change talks.China laid out a plan to curb carbon emissions by 2020 and U.S. President Barack Obama... more
The Bush administration has tried everything to drive a wedge between Iran and Russia - to no avail. The Obama administration now has to deal with some pretty established facts on the ground. In the first part of this report, Pepe Escobar analyzes the implications of the complex relationship between close allies Iran and Russia, articulated on three fronts: nuclear, energy security and weapons.
Pepe Escobar, born in Brazil, is the roving correspondent for Asia Times and an analyst for The Real News Network. He's been a foreign correspondent since 1985, based in London, Milan, Los Angeles, Paris, Singapore, and Bangkok. Since the late 1990s, he has specialized in covering the arc from the Middle East to Central Asia, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has made frequent visits to Iran and is the author of Globalistan and also Red Zone Blues: A Snapshot of Baghdad During the Surge both published by Nimble Books in 2007.Pepe Escobar revisits the New Great Game, Part 1
The Bush administration has tried... more
Gustavo Zlauvinen, the IAEA Representative to United Nations, on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Paul Jay talks with Gustavo Zlauvinen, an IAEA Representative to United Nations about effectiveness of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT) and the possibilities of achieving the world without nuclear weapons.
Gustavo R. Zlauvinen, of Argentina, is the Representative of the Director General of the IAEA to the United Nations and as Director of the IAEA Office at United Nations Headquarters, New York. Mr. Zlauvinen joined the Argentine Foreign Service in 1986. Upon graduating from the Diplomatic Academy, he served in various capacities in Buenos Aires, Vienna and New York. From 1987 to 1989, he served with the General Directorate for Disarmament and Nuclear Affairs at the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs; from 1989 to 1990, he was a member of the Argentine Commission on the Control of Military Equipment Exports; and, from 1990 to 1991, he was Director of International Relations of the Argentine Space Agency (CNIE), in Buenos Aires.
Italy and France have signed an important accord for cooperation in the production of nuclear energy.
The accord, Scajola explained, ''will regard all aspects of nuclear energy, from collaboration on a European level to questions of security, from technical cooperation to the training of experts, from dismantling old plants to industrial collaboration in third countries''.Italy and France have signed an important accord for cooperation in the production of... more
A number of institutions with licenses to hold nuclear material reported to the Energy Department in 2004 that the amount of material they held was less than agency records indicated. But rather than investigating the discrepancies, Energy officials wrote off significant quantities of nuclear material from the department's inventory records.
“Department of Energy (Department) could not always
accurately account for and had not adequately managed
significant quantities of nuclear material that had been
provided to domestic licensees.” - Audit Report:
The Department's Management of
Nuclear Materials Provided to
Domestic LicenseesA number of institutions with licenses to hold nuclear material reported to the Energy... more
Nuclear power stations are extremely dangerous even though they are very effective in energy production.Nuclear power stations are extremely dangerous even though they are very effective in... more
Nuclear weapons pose grave dangers to all nations. Seeking new weapons and maintaining massive arsenals makes no sense. It is vital that we seek a world free of nuclear weapons. The United States should lead the way, and a President Obama should challenge Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to join us.Nuclear weapons pose grave dangers to all nations. Seeking new weapons and maintaining... more
Russia and Venezuela have signed an agreement to promote the development of nuclear energy for civilian use.
The agreement was signed during a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on the latest leg of his Latin American tour.
Under the accord, Russia would help Venezuela build a nuclear energy plant. Joint gas projects were also approved.
Military co-operation is also high on the agenda of Mr Medvedev's talks with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Russian and Venezuelan warships are scheduled to hold joint military exercises later this week.
The Russian vessels, including the flagship missile cruiser Peter the Great and two support vessels, appeared off La Guaira, near Caracas, early on Tuesday.
The destroyer Admiral Chabanenko docked while Venezuelan forces fired a 21-gun salute.
This is first Russian deployment of its kind in the Caribbean since the end of the Cold War.
Russia is already a major arms supplier to Venezuela, with contracts worth some $4.4bn (£2.39bn).
Mr Medvedev's visit is part of a Latin American tour aimed at boosting both Russia's presence and trade ties in a region traditionally of strategic importance to the US.Russia and Venezuela have signed an agreement to promote the development of nuclear... more
Democrats are trying to make an issue out of comments by Republican presidential candidate John McCain that dismiss Barack Obama's concerns over the safety of nuclear energy.
McCain mimicked his Democratic opponent at a campaign event in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on Oct. 26, saying Obama says nuclear power "has to be safe, environment, blah blah blah," when the two debate over energy policy. McCain went on to say that nuclear power is safe.
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley said Sunday that the remark dismisses safety concerns and insults Nevadans who oppose the construction of a national nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain. Most Nevada elected officials oppose the plan.
McCain supports the plan, Obama opposes it.
McCain spokesman Rick Gorka says Democrats are "definitely reaching" in their interpretation of McCain's remarks. He says it's "preposterous" to say McCain doesn't care about the safety of Nevadans.Democrats are trying to make an issue out of comments by Republican presidential... more
Some proposals to improve the way nuclear power plants look.
At the moment, they all look like nothing more than concrete boxes -- hasn't anyone ever thought of changing the shape of the box a little? Some proposals to improve the way nuclear power plants look.
At the moment, they... more
By now, both candidates agree that global warming is a reality but they don't necessarily agree on what to do about it. In our Collective Journalism special "U.S.: Killing the Earth?" we look at the affect climate change has on the environment and on the Presidential election. We investigate alternative energy sources, the growing green collar job sector, consequences of dramatic climate change and potential solutions to the crisis.
This special features the work of Collective Journalism contributors around the country, from Missouri to California, from Florida to Minnesota.
Collective Journalism, Current's citizen journalism program, works by combining perspectives from contributors like you around the world. All month until Election Day, CJ will be airing special investigations into the most important issues of this election.By now, both candidates agree that global warming is a reality but they don't... more
Arkitka, the flagship Russian nnuclear icebreaker, has been retired after 30 years. She will be used as a research tool to increase the lifespan of her sister ships.Arkitka, the flagship Russian nnuclear icebreaker, has been retired after 30 years.... more
PARIS, France (AP) -- The French and Venezuelan foreign ministers say they are looking at possibly collaborating on civilian nuclear energy projects in Venezuela.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and France's Bernard Kouchner speak in Paris on Thursday.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner also says France would like to use Venezuela as a go-between with Iran in discussions about its disputed nuclear program. However, Kouchner says the Iranians have proved unreceptive to the approach.
Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro told reporters in Paris Thursday his country is interested in going nuclear, adding that humanity's future depends on it.
Kouchner said France "is ready to work with our Venezuelan friends" on the matter.
Venezuela is a major petroleum exporter, while France is home to nuclear giant Areva and is a leading exporters of nuclear technology.PARIS, France (AP) -- The French and Venezuelan foreign ministers say they are looking... more
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate on Wednesday voted to overturn a three-decade ban on atomic trade with India, giving final congressional approval to a landmark U.S.-India nuclear cooperation accord and handing President Bush a rare foreign policy victory in his final months in office.
The accord, which the Senate passed 86-13, will allow American businesses to begin selling nuclear fuel, technology and reactors to India in exchange for safeguards and U.N. inspections at India's civilian, but not military, nuclear plants. The pact, which the House approved Saturday, marks a major shift in U.S. policy toward nuclear-armed India after decades of mutual wariness.
It now goes to Bush for his signature.
Bush hailed the Senate's vote, saying in a statement that the legislation approving the accord "will strengthen our global nuclear nonproliferation efforts, protect the environment, create jobs and assist India in meeting its growing energy needs in a responsible manner."
Congressional approval caps an aggressive three-year diplomatic and political push by the Bush administration, which portrays the pact as the cornerstone of new ties with a democratic Asian power that long has maintained what administration officials consider a responsible nuclear program. Administration officials also have championed the opportunities for U.S. companies to do business in India's multibillion-dollar nuclear market.
Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., said the pact protects U.S. national security and nonproliferation efforts while building "a strategic partnership with a nation that shares our democratic values and will exert increasing influence on the world stage."
"With a well-educated middle class that is larger than the entire U.S. population, India can be an anchor of stability in Asia and an engine of global economic growth," Lugar said.
Opponents say lawmakers, eager to leave Washington to campaign for the November elections, rushed consideration of a complicated deal that they said could spark a nuclear arms race in Asia. The extra fuel the measure provides, they say, could boost India's nuclear bomb stockpile by freeing up its domestic fuel for weapons.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said the accord "will almost certainly expand the production of nuclear weapons by India" and help dismantle the architecture of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the global agreement that provides civilian nuclear trade in exchange for a pledge from nations not to pursue nuclear weapons.WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate on Wednesday voted to overturn a three-decade ban on... more
