That site was El Robusto. I like the article! A gravitational disturbance (there must be so many kinds and alternate places…) likely kicked 2008 KV42 to its present orbit. A possible “transition object” on its way to becoming a Halley-type comet. Thanks, Frank. Do you know if it’s Neptune or Uranus that is tipped well over? Well I should just go look it up and quit babbling. Just stepped into wOw now.

I agree with joan. You are a lovely person, Dona.

The future is India’s as well. If the US maintains its level of consumerism. On a lighter note I share your enthusiasm, EKA! Jastrow co-authored my $13 text book. Even though I would never excel in astrophysics, I had the knack for complex concepts and qualitative information. I could also tell a yarn. My answer to the quiz question on stellar evolution (life-cycle really) was five pages long. The prof caught up with me in the hallway and looked at me like I was from another planet. I bet you are equivalent to Patrician Burchat in your own way. Big picture, enthusiasm, smarts. And the math thing. Cest la vie.

There are some excellent text books and periodicals on astronomy. And I imagine you have your own library, James. Buying them in this day and age is painfully pricey. Have you noticed? My astronomy text book was $13 in the early ’70s. And I thought THAT was bad. But if you love the subject matter it and enjoy reading it could be your fallback option. It’s a favorite pastime of mine.

Do you folks remember the Ma Bell educational movie series from the mid 1900s? I have enduring memories of “Hemo the Magnificent”, that movie about the circulatory system targeted for young people. What is most remarkable about blood is its likeness to sea water. What an A-ha moment for young Hines! Single cell organisms zipping around in nutrient-rich seas. Some cells formed primitive collaboratives by linking together structurally while each cell maintained contact with the sea water to stay alive. Now imagine the greater risk taken by a cell capable of a specialized function (and no way to pay back a student loan) when it agreed to join the first multicellular arrangement requiring that it function inside the outer layer of cells. That’s when osmosis, semi-permeable membranes and lawyers became necessary. This organism with specialization and primitive circulation actually made it through the teenage years and the rest is natural history.

If you find the link to Brain on Music I’d be pleased to get it, Frank. About your brain. I’ll comment later…

Didn’t it seem she was having to check herself from going into more depth on a concept, or clapping her hands and saying ” Isn’t this cool stuff?”. Some educators are captivating. You’re so right, James.

Dr Burchat was excellent. Just listened to the video tonight. Could eat ‘n drink this stuff. I wish I was there in the audience — she said they’d be talking astrophysics for the next 72 hours. (a TED sleep-over?) Your post was good, Frank. The brain. In undergrad physiology lab years back we attached leads to our heads then zoned out to get the pens to draw alpha waves on the printout. Then took on various cognitive challenges to see the beta wave nuances. Experiments on your own brain… fun! Interesting about the MRI studies. Wouldn’t you love to see the brain’s responses to music - Bach Suites on cello, opera? Thanks for web sites above, too.

That’ll make a dent in yer grry ‘matter’. Lyrical whimsy to the nth. What does Imao mean?

That’s Burchat. Excuse my typo, Doctor.

Guess you’ll have to take the ‘matter’ up with Dr. Burchart. She has a ‘flare’ for sub-atomics. What did Maxwell do with his equations? Look, I’m no Einstein, but I’d look under the accelerator.

You message is in Reader’s Voices today, joan — your friends are cheering!

Does ‘ordinary matter’

Hope you get a gentle rain that feeds the watershed and heals the fauna. Do you happen to reside in Asheville? Hear it’s lovely. Or other town?

What is the name of the Gastinel cello CD just released, Frank?