Encapsulation!

SDO is (almost) encapsulated!  Only a few weeks until the Feb. 9 (or more likely Feb. 12-16) launch. Cool picture from yesterday:

HMI (which I worked on mostly) is the one with the two wedge-shaped white radiators visible in the top right of the spacecraft.  EVE is next to it on the left, and the 4 AIA telescopes are opposite them and not visible.

1/26/10 - a couple more pics as SDO is now sitting on the truck waiting for the ride over to the rocket...

Avahontas, or maybe Pocatar?

Kate and I decided to succumb to the Avatar hype with some friends last night and saw the movie in its full IMAX 3-D glory, and yes it was pretty breathtaking.  I agree with all the people who are saying the amazingly lush and creatively designed visuals - especially in 3D - make all the difference here.  The plot was, well, predictable, as pointed out by this pretty funny FailBlog bit.  (Warning - Spoiler alert I guess, not that you wouldn't know the story after the first 5 minutes of the movie anyway.)

Haiti Earthquake Relief

If you are looking for a way to help with the Haiti earthquake relief efforts from afar, here's a charitable donation option that I think is a good way of doing so - Doctors Without Borders.

They have been working in Haiti for 19 years and are providing some of the much needed medical services that is one of the most urgent of a long list of the country's needs right now.

Is this necessary?

Really?  Is this actually necessary to be a front-page headline on MSNBC.com?  Sheesh.  That is kind of depressing.  Well, on the bright side, maybe some people will read it.