Jules Verne fireballs and DC’s gas plumes

Space Weather News for Sept. 29, 2008

GOODBYE, JULES VERNE:  Earlier today, European mission controllers
commanded the robotic cargo carrier Jules Verne to re-enter Earth's
atmosphere over the south Pacific Ocean.

The disintegrating spacecraft made a spectacular fireball observed
by at least one NASA aircraft and possibly the International Space
Station. First picturesare coming in now and may be found
at http://spaceweather.com

GREAT PROMINENCE:  Sunspot counts remain very low, but solar
activity is not zero. For the third day in a row, astronomers are
monitoring one of the best solar prominences in years. 

The plume of hot gas, twisted into complex shapes by solar magnetic
fields, is nearly 10 times taller than Earth and an easy target
for safely-filtered backyard telescopes.  

Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos and movies.#

~:~

There's another plume of hot gas over Washington today with the
drama of the bailout bill failing to pass. But then I always wait
to see if political balking is merely part of a script with
ultimate results telling more of the true plot than any Capitol
Hill Theater matinee ever reveals. 

Being away from my Astrology software at the moment I hope a
curious astrologer will set up a chart for what I hear is the
next House vote - Thursday at noon EDT. Even if noon is off
a bit it should work as a symbolic chart of the bill's vote. 

And if Hank Paulson gets the vapors again, please someone let
me know. Neptune's fog, vapors, and smokey mirrors are proving
difficult for the lawmakers to see through.

Georgia's Paul Broun cites "cow patties" which aren't appetizing
in the least, are they? Since I'm from Georgia do I need to
translate? Okay. The bailout bill is a pile of merde.

Then there's the White House refusal to cooperate on the Attorneys
General firings investigation as a certain weasel sings like a
canary. 

Yes, George Bush has a lot to be "very disappointed" about today,
it's true. 

And now he knows how I and millions of other people have felt for
almost eight long years of a president's term under which the largest
failures of our nation have occurred.

Gas availability: GA-SC-NC

Friday, Sep 26, as we drove from north Georgia into South Carolina, then North Carolina, we were mainly traveling by way of I-85.

Lack of gas availability was more in evidence than not along the way with the Raleigh area, our destination, somewhat spotty. The shortages in NC are being reported today in the media as worsening, yet I ventured out this morning and saw two gas stations within the city limits that had fuel. I paid $3.99.9 gal for regular which is our preferred grade.

South Carolina along I-85 was very spotty as well – on Friday. This problem changes very quickly from region to region though so if you see a chance to tank up, go for it.

Now this post may not help anyone, but I thought I’d spill the eye-witness beans just in case!