NASA creates first-ever high resolution moon map

Domino's Pizza may have plans for a franchise on the moon (if China doesn't claim the entire thingfirst), but where will they put it? Until now there has only been low resolution images of the moon's surface available. All that has changed thanks to NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. On board is a camera that could fit in the palm of your hand that takes pictures covering most of the moon's surface once a month.

Over 69,000 of those pictures have been stitched together by the science team at the Arizona State University in Tempe to show a single map of the moon. Each small pixel represents about 328 feet across and two football fields in height. The only exception to the coverage are the poles of the moon which don't receive enough light for the camera to capture images, but another image recorder on the orbiter is mapping those regions with the assistance of lasers.

With this new topographical map in hand, scientists can now "...better understand impact crater mechanics, investigate the nature of volcanic features, and better plan future robotic and human missions to the moon," according to Mark Robinson, Principal Investigator of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera. And, of course, people like Richard Branson whose world's first commercial spaceport is nearing completion can set their sights on the next celestial destination for intrepid travelers.

NASA via Gizmodo

This article was written by Dan O'Halloran and originally appeared on Tecca

More from Tecca:

• 70 breathtaking wonders of space flight, alien discovery, and our universe
• 17 of the world's most important spacecraft
• Don't Miss Video of the Day: Astronauts fall down on the moon in this hilarious blooper reel

Credit:

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Facebook tries to make Salman Rushdie change his name to Ahmed

A few days ago, Facebook allegedly kicked famous author Salman Rushdie off of its social network, and then asked him to change his posted name to Ahmed if he wanted to return.

Rushdie -- known for his outspokenness -- went on a rant about the incident on Twitter, where he has more than 100,000 followers. Facebook eventually "buckled," he wrote Monday.

Here's a play-by-play of what happened, according to Rushdie's Twitter feed, which I condensed:

"Amazing. 2 days ago FB deactivated my page saying they didn't believe I was me. I had to send a photo of my passport page," he wrote. "Then they said yes, I was me, but insisted I use the name Ahmed which appears before Salman on my passport and which I have never used.

"Now they have reactivated my FB page as 'Ahmed Rushdie,' in spite of the world knowing me as Salman. Morons. @MarkZuckerbergF? Are you listening?"

Facebook did not respond to CNN's request for comment on the incident.

On Tuesday, his Facebook page, with "Salman" as his first name, appeared to have been reactivated by the social network.

Rushdie rose to international notoriety in the 1980s after his novel, "The Satanic Verses," stirred protests throughout the Muslim world. The Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran issued a fatwa against Rushdie because of the book.

His recent tussle raises issues with Facebook's policy of requiring people to use their real names when registering with the social network. People who don't use their real names are found to be out of compliance with Facebook's rules and can have their accounts deactivated.

"Facebook users provide their real names and information, and we need your help to keep it that way," Facebook's terms of service document says.

Rushdie's situation shows how difficult it can be for people to prove who they are. He submitted his passport to Facebook, he wrote, and still had problems.

Supporters of democratic protests in the Middle East and elsewhere have criticized Facebook and other social networks like Google+ for their real-name policies, saying they prevent people from organizing against authoritarian governments that could use a network like Facebook to crack down.

If they could use pseudonyms, they would be safer, some say.

"There are myriad reasons why individuals may wish to use a name other than the one they were born with," Jillian York wrote on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's blog in July. "They may be concerned about threats to their lives or livelihoods, or they may risk political or economic retribution. They may wish to prevent discrimination or they may use a name that's easier to pronounce or spell in a given culture."

Facebook always has maintained its position as an "identity network." A core philosophy of the site is that people should be themselves -- and should be accountable for their posts with their real names.

Rushdie's case shows how tricky enforcement can be, though.

"This is the sort of thing that makes you wonder what real names policy is all about," Alexis Madrigal wrote on The Atlantic's website. He added: "Seriously, what is the point of forcing Salman Rushdie to go by Ahmed Rushdie? How does this benefit the social Web?"

Rushdie taunted Facebook on Twitter before the site relented and reposted his page.

"Dear #Facebook, forcing me to change my FB name from Salman to Ahmed Rushdie is like forcing J. Edgar to become John Hoover," he wrote. "Or, if F. Scott Fitzgerald was on #Facebook, would they force him to be Francis Fitzgerald? What about F. Murray Abraham?"

He later declared his win over the social network:

"Victory! #Facebook has buckled! I'm Salman Rushdie again. I feel SO much better. An identity crisis at my age is no fun. Thank you Twitter!"

Credit:

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/15/tech/social-media/salman-rushdie-facebook-name/index.html 

Worms!

How cool is that?! there is a version of the best ever old good game Worms now in the android market!

When I was a kid I played with this game for hours!

Hope it will be fun for you as it was fun for me! :)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.ea.worms_row&feature=top-games#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDIwOCwiY29tLmVhLndvcm1zX3JvdyJd

Does the Call of Duty maker hope to rock the world of social games?

by Joe Osborne

Activision Blizzard, the publisher of hit shooter series Call of Duty, appears to have a love-hate relationship with Facebook gaming. But that scale appears to slowly be tipping in the lovey-dovey direction. During a recent interview with Bloomberg, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick hinted that the company's next move could be a social one, and in a big, big way.

"The exciting thing about Zynga or Facebook as a platform, is they're bringing new audiences to gaming that have never been gamers before," Kotick told Bloomberg. "When you think about that target of a 50 or 55-year-old woman that has never really experienced a game, or someone who's coming in for the first time to play a game with their friends on Facebook, that is a fantastic new platform." 

These comments are far more enthusiastic about social gaming than Activision has ever been. While strides have been made to capitalize on the benefits of social gaming with the Call of Duty Elite service, other execs within the company appear even threatened by the prospects of Facebook games. But recently, CFO Thomas Tippl revealed that the shooter king is "methodically investing in mobile and social gaming projects."

"Now, we're never gonna be first guys into those markets, but we usually are the best," Kotick said, closing the interview with Bloomberg on a high note. We'll just have to see how Zynga and EA respond to that. In the video interview below, skip to about 4:30 to hear Kotick's thoughts on Facebook games.


Credit:
http://blog.games.com/2011/11/11/call-of-duty-activision-social-games/

Neptune Canada is one big undersea experiment

by Mark R

Studying the sea is very important to more than just biologists, and the Neptune Canada is the “world’s largest cabled undersea observatory”.

It isn’t just called Neptune because it is under the sea, but it is a very clever acronym for North-East Pacific Time-series Undersea Networked Experiments. Whoever thought of that acronym is a complete genius. The Neptune has sensors located in Western British Columbia, through the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate, and stretches out over 530 miles.

There are six nodes spread out at various locations, and I believe that one of them is seen in the image here. It has 250 instruments in between these nodes, and it has collected 10 terabits of scientific data since December of 2009.

All of this amounts to sensors that measure and record still and video images as well as scientific data such as microbe samples, temperature, pressure, salinity, and current flow. All of this data is available to the public for free at the official website.

As you might have guessed, this system costs $106 million to install, and needs $12 million to maintain its services. I wonder if we have discovered any valuable enough data to justify this expense, or else this product will just be abandoned at the bottom of the ocean.

Credit:
http://gizmodo.com/5831450/can-the-worlds-largest-undersea-observatory-find-a-kracken-in-the-next-25-years/gallery/1
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20110817/neptune-canada-big-undersea-experiment/

Hackers Turn Up Heat on Steam Gaming Platform

Can't believe this is true!

Up to 35 million gamers with accounts on Steam, the multiplayer and digital games distribution platform developed by Valve, may be at risk following a breach of its database.

Information in the database included usernames, passwords, data on members' game purchases, and members' email and billing addresses and encrypted credit card information, Valve said on Thursday.

However, there's no evidence that the hackers stole encrypted card numbers or information that could personally identify anyone, Valve claims.

There's also no evidence that members' credit cards are being fraudulently used by third parties, Valve added.

The first indication of the attack was the defacing of Steam forums on Sunday, Valve stated.

"Based on the information we have so far, it seems to me that [Valve] responded pretty quickly, and seemingly as honestly as they can," Roger Thompson, chief emerging threats researcher at ICSA Labs, told TechNewsWorld.

Credit:
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Hackers-Turn-Up-Heat-on-Steam-Gaming-Platform-73743.html

50 natural wonders: The ultimate list of scenic splendor

Water, fire and ice have combined to make some of the most spectacular scenery in the world -- from giant crystal caves to mud volcanoes and rock formations that look like works of art.

If your office and daily commute aren't a fitting reminder of the extraordinary natural diversity of planet earth, get some inspiration from these incredible scenes.

1. Pulpit Rock, Preikestolen, Norway

If there are any preachers here, they'll be telling you to get back.

With a 604-meter drop from a flat plateau down to Lysefjord with no safety railings, this is not a place for vertigo sufferers.

Keep well back from the edge and you can still enjoy the fantastic scenery over Kjerag peak, which itself drops 984 meters.

Preikestolen is south of Jørpeland. From the designated car park it's a 90-minute hike to the viewpoint. www.visitnorway.com. Guided tours can be arranged through the Stavanger tourist board: info@RegionStavanger.com; +47 51 85 92 00

2. Gran Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Pass the fries.

The Gran Salar de Uyuni in southern Bolivia takes in more than 10 square kilometers of salt. It feels more like a desert than a lake.

The flat, white landscape causes optical illusions and reflects colors. There's even a hotel made almost entirely of salt and an island where giant cacti grow in the middle of the salt lake.

Gran Salar de Uyuni is 533 kilometers south of La Paz and 200 kilometers southwest of Potosì. www.rutaverdebolivia.com. Guides can be arranged through www.rutaverdebolivia.com or www.unique-southamerica-travel-experience.com

Also on CNNGo: World's 50 best beaches

3. Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania

More than enough room to swing a very big cat.

The Ngorogoro Crater is Africa’s Eden. Created when a huge volcano exploded 2-3 million years ago, the 300 square kilometer caldera now offers the best chances of seeing Africa’s wild animals.

Lions, rhino, leopards, elephant and buffalo are the “big five” present among around 25,000 animals, and nearly every species present in East Africa, which call the area home.

Besides that, the crater itself offers dramatic vistas, especially at sunrise.

From Kilimanjaro International Airport you can fly or drive the 55 kilometers to Arusha, from where you can organize tours and accommodation inside and outside the crater: www.ngorongorocrater.org

4. Paria Canyon, Arizona, United States

Not all great waves can be surfed.

The Paria River in northern Arizona carved its own smaller version of the Grand Canyon. Some of the rock formations, including The Wave, are just as spectacular.

Visitors need a permit from the Bureau of Land Management -- the permit for an overnight trek comes with a “human waste bag,” so if you want to visit this natural wonder, you'll have to prepare to pack your waste.

Fee: US$6 per person (and per dog) for day hiking and US$5 for overnight hiking.

The Paria Contact Station is 69 kilometers east of Kanab. You can hire a guide through the Bureau of Land Management -- see their website for a list of authorized guides: www.blm.gov

5. Volcanic eruptions at Stromboli, Italy

A fireworks show millions of years in the making.

Part of the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily, Stromboli is a small volcanic island with several hundred brave inhabitants.

Unlike most volcanoes, Stromboli's is constantly spewing lava fountains, gas and ash. Fascinating for volcanologists, but also great for day-trippers who fancy seeing live lava action.

For natural fireworks, take a boat trip around the island at night.

Fee: Boat trips cost €15-20 (US$21-28) per person.

Arrange boat tours from harbors on the north coast of Sicily (Messina, Cefalù, Palermo). www.swisseduc.ch

6. Mud volcanoes of Gobustan, Azerbaijan

One of the few places you can bathe in a volcanic eruption.

Mud lovers trek to Gobustan's strangely Martian landscape, 65 kilometers south of Azerbaijan's capital Baku, where thick gray mud regularly spews from small volcanoes.

The mud is thought to have medicinal qualities, so don't be surprised if you see people stripping down and lathering themselves in the goo. Look out for the area's Roman inscriptions and the petroglyphic rock art.

About 70 kilometers west of Baku

7. Jeita Grotto, Nahr al-Kalb Valley, Lebanon

Cavemen didn't have it so bad after all.

Eighteen kilometers northeast of Beirut, these underground limestone caves were inhabited in prehistoric times and continue to attract human visitors with their vivid colors and stalactite formations. The biggest stalactite in the world is here.

The caves consist of a network of chambers -- with an upper and a lower gallery -- stretching out for nine kilometers and accessible by an underground river.

The nearest town is Juniyah, just a few kilometers away. Cave tours last two hours. www.jeitagrotto.com

8. Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail, Wales

You can almost hear the male choirs in the distance.

Rated by Cheap Flights as one of the 10 best hiking trails in the world, this path twists 300 kilometers from St. Dogmaels to Amroth in southwest Wales.

It's often wet and windy, but if you strike lucky on a sunny day this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Scented gorse and crimson heather brighten the way.

Look for seals in the waters below.

Paths are signposted -- join the path on the coast between St. Dogmaels and Amroth. Details on guided walks and activities can be found on the National Trails website -- including self-guided walks with baggage transfer. nt.pcnpa.org.uk

Also on CNNGo: Thrill seeker's bucket list -- 50 thrilling experiences

9. Pangong Tso Lake, India-China

Beautiful to look at. But swimming here is only for masochists.

This saltwater lake deep in the Himalayas at an altitude of 4,350 meters lies astride a disputed border area between India and China-governed Tibet.

Don't let that put you off -- the rarefied air make the colors and clarity of the lake intense.

Pangong Tso is reached by a mountain road from the Indian town of Leh, but you'll need to get a permit via a registered tour guide.

Get to Leh by road from Jammu, or by plane from Delhi. At Leh arrange a permit and travel by road 4-5 hours to the lake. Permits and tour guides can be arranged through reputable travel agents such as Kuoni

10. Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, Norway

Not a Norwegian motor car.

If you only have time to visit two fjords in your lifetime, make it the Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord in southwest Norway.

These are among the world's longest and deepest fjords, with high vertical cliffs, deep waters and giddy waterfalls. Both are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Trips can be arranged from Bergen and Ålesund. www.fjordtours.com

CREDIT:
Read more: 50 natural wonders: The ultimate list of scenic splendor | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/play/natural-wonder-bucket-list-50-spectacular-places-see-639593?hpt=hp_bn10#ixzz1dPT65nEu