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SPACE: Ultima Thule Looks Like a Snowman

Ultima Thule, an icy world 4 billion miles from the sun, looks like a big snowman. At a news conference on Wednesday, scientists working with NASA’s New Horizons mission released several images that the spacecraft took as it flew by on Jan. 1. The scientists now say with confidence that Ultima Thule long ago was two bodies that got stuck together, what they call a contact binary. “Two completely separate objects that are now joined together,” said S. Alan Stern, the principal investigator for the mission. Full Story at the New York Times

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: Breakable Faith

QSFer Michael Mandrake has a new MM paranormal book out in his Vale Valley series: Breakable Faith. One night equals a test of faith for Father Lance… Trouble always finds Mateo and he’s succumbed to it several times with or without help. However, after running with the wrong kinds of people, he’s decided to turn a new leaf. His attention to detail lands him a job as a tattoo artist, making people’s dreams come true through body art. With this steady gig and his grandmother’s support, Mateo is convinced he can live mostly anxiety free. Father Lance has always suppressed … Read more

SPACE: Is the Drake Equation Useless?

aliens - pixabay

For the precocious hunter of off-Earth life, the Drake equation is the ever-ready, go-to toolkit for estimating just how (not) lonely humans are in the Milky Way galaxy. The equation was developed by astronomer Frank Drake in 1961 in a slight hurry so that attendees of an upcoming conference would have something to confer about, and it breaks down the daunting question “Are we alone?” into more manageable, bite-size chunks.  The equation starts with some straightforward concepts, such as the rate of star formation and the fraction of stars hosting planets. But it quickly moves into tricky terrain, asking for numbers like … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: Going Rogue, by Kass Barrow

QSFer Kass Barrow has a new MM sci fi book out: Going Rogue. He came to save mankind. Falling in love wasn’t part of the equation. Inside every human on this planet is a genetic time bomb that’s already started ticking. A gene planted inside of us seven million years ago by a being known as the Caretaker has mutated causing many of today’s common disorders, first in the brain and then in other less complex organs. Next it will spread to the reproductive system, leading to the eventual annihilation of mankind. The only one who can save us is … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Everyday Details

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Janet Gershen Siegel: How much description of mundane life do you use in your world-building? None, a touch, lots? And why? Writers: This is a writer chat – you are welcome to share your own book/link, as long as it fits the chat, but please do so as part of a discussion about the topic. Join the chat

2018’s Ten Weirdest Science Stories – Live Science

crow - pixabay

What were the top 10 strangest science stories of the past year? It wasn’t easy to choose just 10 — 2018 was pretty darn strange. However, writers at Live Science and at our sister site Space.com managed to put together a list of our favorites; from a space-bound Tesla to an unusual (and uncomfortable) confrontation between a seal and an eel. Ne-crow-philia? Crows can do some pretty amazing things. They use tools. They can solve puzzles. They also, sometimes, have sex with their dead. Scientists placed a dead crow on the ground and watched how other crows reacted. Some mounted … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: Finding Aurora, by Rebecca Langham

QSFer Rebecca Langham has a new FF fantasy book out: Finding Aurora. Aurora Rose slumbers in the city of Oldpass, a cursed kingdom once allied with Grimvein. The victim of a malicious spell, she is powerless to control her own fate. At least, that’s how the story goes. Now, as Grimvein faces attack, Prince Amir has been tasked with the life-threatening rescue of Aurora, his parents hopeful he will marry the princess and secure safety for their kingdom. Talia, the strongest spellcaster in the known lands, protects and guides the prince in his quest to save a woman that threatens … Read more

Me Me Monday!

Me Me Monday!

Welcome to M3: ME ME MONDAY at our FB discussion group – your chance to pop in and tell us about your latest success. Have a new book or short story coming out? Let us know. Just sell something? Let us know so we can cheer you on. HOW IT WORKS: I’ll pin this topic to the top of our FB discussion page for the day. –Please post your announcement as a separate post so we can comment on yours specifically –Check out the other posts and congratulate and share them too! And congratulations!!!

Ooops… Netflix Reboot of Saunt Seiya Anime Series Changes Gender of Popular Character

Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac

In summer 2019, Netflix will release its remake of the ‘80s- and 2000s-era anime classic Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac, an animated series about five cosmic warriors defending Earth against vengeful Greek gods. The original Japanese TV program featured a gentle male character named Andromeda Shun. Shun had long green hair, wore magenta armor, was openly emotional and always tried to resolve conflicts without violence, despite being a skilled warrior. As such, some Saint Seiya fans viewed Andromeda Shun as queer or at least a groundbreaking depiction of a male warrior. However, Netflix’s remake will change Andromeda Shun’s gender to female, upsetting some … Read more