SGU Episode 301

Introduction
You're listening to the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, your escape to reality.

This Day in Skepticism

 * April 23, 2009: 2009 The gamma ray burst GRB 090423 is observed for 10 seconds. The event signals the most distant object of any kind and also the oldest known object in the universe.

Hottel UFO Document

 * http://theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=3089 http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/18/the-jfk-ufo-connection-bogus-documents-or-unanswered-questions/

New Method to find Exoplanets

 * http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110418084007.htm

Plans for NASA Space Shuttles

 * - NASA to decide where retired shuttles go: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/13/where-the-shuttles-will-come-to-rest/ - NASA eyes private successors to the shuttle: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13124924 - Endeavor's last flight: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/19/endeavours-last-flight-april-29/

Another Power Balance Lawsuit

 * http://theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=3111

Nails of Christ

 * http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/12/jesus-crucifixion-nails_n_848285.html

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week - simulation of gravity waves from black holes.

Science or Fiction
Item #1: A recent study suggests that all people have one of three types of gut flora ecosystems, which does not follow racial or geographical lines. Item #2: Scientists have developed a fabric-like material that can automatically repair itself if it is scratched or even cut. Item #3: Computer simulations find that temperatures and pressures in the Earth's mantle are sufficient for the abiogenesis of long-chain hydrocarbons - the formation of oil from methane rather than decomposing organic matter.

Skeptical Quote of the Week
"'I think that it is much more likely, that the reports of flying saucers are the results of the known irrational characteristics of terrestrial intelligence, rather than the unknown rational efforts of extraterrestrial intelligence.' -Richard Feynman"