CBC News Community team, from left to right: Andrew Yates, Andrea Lee-Greenberg, Lauren O'Neil, John Bowman
If you're part of the CBC News community, you're likely to meet one of us: we're the folks working to produce and promote your stories. Read more about us.
Scientists are abuzz about a coal-colored rock from Mars that landed in the Sahara desert: A yearlong analysis revealed it's quite different from other Martian meteorites.
Not only is it older than most, it also contains more water, tests showed. The baseball-size meteorite, estimated to be 2 billion years old, is strikingly similar to the volcanic rocks examined on the Martian surface by the NASA rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which found water-bearing minerals.
"Here we have a piece of Mars that I can hold in my hands. That's really exciting," said Carl Agee, director of the Institute of Meteoritics and curator at the University of New Mexico who led the study published online Thursday in the journal Science.
Most space rocks that fall to Earth as meteorites come from the asteroid belt, but a number can be traced to the moon and Mars.
Scientists believe an asteroid or some other large object struck Mars, dislodging rocks and sending them into space. Occasionally, some plummet through Earth's atmosphere.
Short of sending a spacecraft or astronaut to the red planet to haul back rocks, Martian meteorites are the next best thing for scientists seeking to better understand how Earth's neighbour transformed from a tropical environment to a frigid desert.
About 65 Martian rocks have been recovered on Earth, mostly in Antarctica or the Sahara. The oldest dates back 4.5 billion years to a time when Mars was warmer and wetter. About half a dozen Martian meteorites are 1.3 billion years old and the rest are 600 million years or younger.
The latest meteorite NWA 7034 — nicknamed "Black Beauty" — was donated to the University of New Mexico by an American who bought it from a Moroccan meteorite dealer last year.
'Here we have a piece of Mars that I can hold in my hands. That's really exciting.'—Carl Agee, Institute of Meteoritics
Researchers performed a battery of tests on the meteorite and based on its chemical signature confirmed that it was blasted to Earth from Mars. At 2.1 billion years old, it's the second-oldest known Martian meteorite that formed from a volcanic eruption.
There's also evidence that it was altered by water. Though the amount released during heating was small — 6,000 parts per million — it was still much more than other Martian meteorites. Scientists said this suggested there was interaction with water near the surface during a time when the planet was mostly dry and dusty.
More tests are under way to determine how long the rock floated in space and how long it had been sitting in the Sahara.
University of Alberta meteorite expert Chris Herd said the find was welcome since most Martian rocks that rain on Earth tend to be younger. And the latest find does not appear to be too contaminated, he said.
"It's fairly fresh. It hasn't been subjected to a whole lot of weathering," said Herd, who had no role in the research.
CBC News Community team, from left to right: Andrew Yates, Andrea Lee-Greenberg, Lauren O'Neil, John Bowman
If you're part of the CBC News community, you're likely to meet one of us: we're the folks working to produce and promote your stories. Read more about us.
Scientists are abuzz about a coal-colored rock from Mars that landed in the Sahara desert: A yearlong analysis revealed it's quite different from other Martian meteorites.
Not only is it older than most, it also contains more water, tests showed. The baseball-size meteorite, estimated to be 2 billion years old, is strikingly similar to the volcanic rocks examined on the Martian surface by the NASA rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which found water-bearing minerals.
"Here we have a piece of Mars that I can hold in my hands. That's really exciting," said Carl Agee, director of the Institute of Meteoritics and curator at the University of New Mexico who led the study published online Thursday in the journal Science.
Most space rocks that fall to Earth as meteorites come from the asteroid belt, but a number can be traced to the moon and Mars.
Scientists believe an asteroid or some other large object struck Mars, dislodging rocks and sending them into space. Occasionally, some plummet through Earth's atmosphere.
Short of sending a spacecraft or astronaut to the red planet to haul back rocks, Martian meteorites are the next best thing for scientists seeking to better understand how Earth's neighbour transformed from a tropical environment to a frigid desert.
About 65 Martian rocks have been recovered on Earth, mostly in Antarctica or the Sahara. The oldest dates back 4.5 billion years to a time when Mars was warmer and wetter. About half a dozen Martian meteorites are 1.3 billion years old and the rest are 600 million years or younger.
The latest meteorite NWA 7034 — nicknamed "Black Beauty" — was donated to the University of New Mexico by an American who bought it from a Moroccan meteorite dealer last year.
'Here we have a piece of Mars that I can hold in my hands. That's really exciting.'—Carl Agee, Institute of Meteoritics
Researchers performed a battery of tests on the meteorite and based on its chemical signature confirmed that it was blasted to Earth from Mars. At 2.1 billion years old, it's the second-oldest known Martian meteorite that formed from a volcanic eruption.
There's also evidence that it was altered by water. Though the amount released during heating was small — 6,000 parts per million — it was still much more than other Martian meteorites. Scientists said this suggested there was interaction with water near the surface during a time when the planet was mostly dry and dusty.
More tests are under way to determine how long the rock floated in space and how long it had been sitting in the Sahara.
University of Alberta meteorite expert Chris Herd said the find was welcome since most Martian rocks that rain on Earth tend to be younger. And the latest find does not appear to be too contaminated, he said.
"It's fairly fresh. It hasn't been subjected to a whole lot of weathering," said Herd, who had no role in the research.
[View the story "'January joiners' polarize gym-going crowd" on Storify]
Storified by CBC News Community· Wed, Jan 02 2013 14:09:58
Brace yourself. #newyears #resolution #gym http://pic.twitter.com/cStI9Plwcanaan07
Gym membership sales have been known to spike as much as 100 per cent in some fitness centers in January according to the Wall Street Journal, bringing an influx of new patrons into weight rooms, spin studios and cardio bays around the world.
Finally today I am going to the gym... my new year's resolution is to look hot!!! Lol #feelfat lolTiago Ferreira
Going to go to the gym and meet with my trainer! New Year's resolution here I come!Ashley Besonson
Good afternoon! Off to the #gym for my workout. It's time to get back in shape. New Year's resolution, be healthier & happier.Akira Lane ™
These "January Joiners," as they've come to be known, are freshly motivated, eager to sweat and ready to burn off a little bit of extra holiday indulgence the healthy way -- but for some gym regulars, they're simply a nuisance.
simplysouthernme.com
Lifeofblyss
In recent years, gym regulars have increasingly taken to Twitter and Facebook to air their frustrations.
"So excited for the gym to be crowded with all the New Year's Resolution attendees."- No one ever.John Fichera
if your new year's resolution is to get in shape please go to a gym that's not my gym thanks in advanceLana Berry
Goal: start a gym that is closed in January and only lets people join the other 11 months, to weed out the New Year's resolution crowdJustin
They really should create a New Year's resolution section of the gym.Scott Gray
I'm all for people bettering themselves, except when your New Year's resolution finds its way on my machine at the gym.Miss Bross
Brace yourself.... #gym #bodybuilding #Fitness #NewYearsResolution http://pic.twitter.com/2qzbLpLcKidd
Grrr, As expected the gym was full of 'January Joiners'. #WontBeThereByFebruaryMatt Vincent
Off to Gym. Bet it's full of New Year's Resolution people who won't be there in 6 weeks time. #gymSimon Whyte
Can't wait to see how many 'January gym joiners' there are at the gym tonight. Guaranteed they won't be there by February!Gemma Tunstall
I give it maybe 3 weeks before those who made their new year's resolution to get back in the gym stop going to the gymTimothy Leathem
Not gonna brave the gym until the January joiners have had enough #saturdaythenJoel 'Trip' Clarke
So many people complain about crowded fitness clubs at this time of year that others have come to expect it -- and find the complaints even worse than the crowding itself.
To the people who will complain about NY resolution people at their gym tmw...we get it. You work out. You have superior willpower. CongratsJeff Pasquale
The only thing more annoying than the resolutions gym goers are the people who complain about the resolution gym goersRachel
I started going to the gym 3 weeks ago - does that permit me to be one of those insufferable dbags who complain about the new ppl in JanuaryRay Smith
January, the month where all dedicated gym goers complain about new people being in their gymBILL SQUIRES
What's more annoying: NYE resolution gym goers or the people that complain about them?Whitney
Do not complain about the Resolution Gym-Goers, lest Year Round Gym-Goers be asked to pay larger monthly fees, my smug children.Nicole Cliffe
Oh for the love of Pete! I am complaining abt ppl who complain about the jan 1st resolution gym ppl.Monica.Is.Liberal
Of course, plenty of regular-gym goers are sticking up for the January joiner crowd, reminding them that everybody started somewhere.
Come y'all, don't discourage the January joiners. Stay positive for them. Stay positive at the gym when you see them. Encourage!Katie Heddleston, RD
Never understand why people complain about resolutioners at the gym - let them be!BmoreLoveLeigh
I hate when ppl complain about/ laugh at the new ppl in the gym at the beginning of the year.. you had your first day once too!Chameka Scott
People complain about the gym being busy in Jan. but we should be happy that people are trying to live a healthier life.Fitness19 Chesapeake
Don't complain about the newbs at the gym that will quit in a few weeks; make your #resolution to help one of them keep their #resolutionsAndrew Shutter
Instead of thinking you are lazy and never able to lose weigt, believe that you are able and remember that nothing is impossible !!!Slim girls pics ! Motivation !
And as usual, jokers are weighing in on the January Joiner debate with some light quips of their own.
Some people complain about how crowded the gym gets after New Years, but I celebrate how much shorter the line is at this Taco Bell.Adam Smith
My fave gym day of the year: these noobs make me feel like a gym wizard! ("Why yes, yes I can show u how to turn on the elliptical!")julia lillis
Well, I'm eating powdered donuts and drinking a Big Gulp in my car in the gym parking lot. Almost made it inside this year. Progress!Clarke Kant
A lot of people apparently made a resolution to get a tour of my gym.Alex Baze
My New Year's resolution is to annoy the dedicated gym goers with my presence at Gold's and make them complain about it.Adam Sinnard
tweet about how busy a place is (insert gym, salad bar etc.) due to new year's resolutionCoby Berman
I could complain about all the people going to the gym because of New Years resolutions. But that would take going to one once.Mets In Stitches
What's your take? Should gym regulars go easier on January joiners, or do they have a right to be annoyed by the influx on traffic every year?
Call her the girl with no name.
A 15-year-old is suing the Icelandic state for the right to legally use the name given to her by her mother. The problem? Blaer, which means light breeze in Icelandic, is not on a list approved by the government.
Like a handful of other countries, including Germany and Denmark, Iceland has official rules about what a baby can be named. In a country comfortable with a firm state role, most people don't question the Personal Names Register, a list of 1,712 male names and 1,853 female names that fit Icelandic grammar and pronunciation rules and that officials maintain will protect children from embarrassment. Parents can take from the list or apply to a special committee that has the power to say yea or nay.
In Blaer's case, her mother said she learned the name wasn't on the register only after the priest who baptized the child later informed her he had mistakenly allowed it.
"I had no idea that the name wasn't on the list, the famous list of names that you can choose from," said Bjork Eidsdottir, adding she knew a Blaer whose name was accepted in 1973. This time, the panel turned it down on the grounds that the word Blaer takes a masculine article, despite the fact that it was used for a female character in a novel by Iceland's revered Nobel Prize-winning author Halldor Laxness.
Given names are even more significant in tiny Iceland that in many other countries: Everyone is listed in the phone book by their first names. Surnames are based on a parent's given name. Even the president, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, is addressed simply as Olafur.
Blaer is identified as "Stulka" — or "girl" — on all her official documents, which has led to years of frustration as she has had to explain the whole story at the bank, renewing her passport and dealing with the country's bureaucracy.
Her mother is hoping that will change with her suit, the first time someone has challenged a names committee decision in court.
Though the law has become more relaxed in recent years — with the name Elvis permitted, inspired by the charismatic rock and roll icon whose name fits Icelandic guidelines — choices like Cara, Carolina, Cesil, and Christa have been rejected outright because the letter "c" is not part of Iceland's 32-letter alphabet.
"The law is pretty straightforward so in many cases it's clearly going to be a yes or a no," said Agusta Thorbergsdottir, the head of the committee, a panel of three people appointed by the government to a four-year term.
Other cases are more subjective.
"What one person finds beautiful, another person may find ugly," she acknowledged. She pointed to "Satania" as one unacceptable case because it was deemed too close to "Satan."
The board also has veto power over people who want to change their names later in life, rejecting, for instance, middle names like Zeppelin and X.
When the artist Birgir Orn Thoroddsen applied to have his name legally changed to Curver, which he had used in one form or another since age 15, he said he knew full well the committee would reject his application.
"I was inspired by Prince who changed his name to The Artist Formerly Known As Prince and Puff Daddy who changed his to P. Diddy and then Diddy with seemingly little thought or criticism," he said. "I applied to the committee, but of course I got the `No' that I expected."
On his thirtieth birthday, he bought a full-page advertisement that read, "From February 1, 2006, I hereby change my name to Curver Thoroddsen. I ask the nation, my friends and colleagues to respect my decision."
"I can understand a clause to protect children from being named something like `Dog poo,' but it is strange that an adult cannot change his name to what he truly wants," he said.
Thoroddsen is keeping his protest to the media. But Eidsdottir says she is prepared to take her case all the way to the country's Supreme Court if a court doesn't overturn the commission decision on Jan. 25.
"So many strange names have been allowed, which makes this even more frustrating because Blaer is a perfectly Icelandic name," Eidsdottir said. "It seems like a basic human right to be able to name your child what you want, especially if it doesn't harm your child in any way."
"And my daughter loves her name," she added.
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield took a moment today on the International Space Station to send a New Year's greeting back to Earth in both English and French.
"It is a tremendous privilege to be one of the new guys on board the International Space Station," he said.
"I want to wish everybody a very happy new year ... 2013 really promises to be a productive one for all of us on board."
Hadfield, 53, arrived a few days before Christmas and is scheduled to stay until May. He will take over command of the station in March.
Hadfield has been in regular communication with his 37,000-plus Twitter followers (@Cmdr_Hadfield) since his voyage began.
On New Year's Eve, he posted photographs of Canada as seen from above, including some of Toronto, Quebec City, Prince Edward Island and the Rockies.
He also explained that the space station runs on Coordinated Universal Time — the same time zone as London, England. Hadfield had said he would be floating over the Indian Ocean when the clock struck midnight.
He joked that he would be celebrating with noisemakers, hats and grape juice.
Police in Halifax have a very fishy case on their hands.
A Metro Transit bus driver found a suitcase near Kearney Lake Road and Dunbrack Street on Dec. 31.
The driver called Halifax Regional Police, who put their own call out for help on Wednesday.
"Are you missing a suitcase full of lobster and gifts?" police said in release.
The black medium-sized suitcase contains Christmas gifts, women's clothing and a number of packages of frozen lobster. There is no name tag or identification.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 902-490-5016.
"Fiscal cliff" and "spoiler alert" are among the words and phrases that have landed on the 38th annual List of Words to be Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness as decreed by Michigan Lake Superior State University.
Other top banished words and phrases include:
Released annually, in tongue-in-cheek fashion, the list contains words or phrases nominated by people from all over the world.
"Fiscal cliff" was the most-nominated due to what the school says is overuse by the media when describing the U.S. federal tax increases and spending cuts that will come into play if Congress doesn't come to agreement on how to deal with a set of tax cuts, which expire in 2013.
Bucket list was one of about 100 new additions in the 11th edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary in 2012. It's a person's 'before I die to-do list.' "You can't turn on the news without hearing this," opined Christopher Loiselle of Midland, Mich.
The term is used to describe what financial commentators are deeming an economic calamity once those tax cuts expire, at the same time that a payroll tax cut is set to end, which will mean a two-per-cent tax hike for all salaried workers. Other tax breaks on things like the alternative minimum tax and the unemployment extension kick in, just as the first round of taxes related to President Obama's health-care plan become law.
"Spoiler alert" came in second. The words are used to warn readers or viewers about an upcoming plot point in a film or TV show. According to one of the nominators, Joseph Foly of Fremont., Calif., the phrase is "used as an obnoxious way to show one has trivial information and is about to use it, no matter what."
"Bucket list" soon became popular after a 2007 movie of the same name starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson came out. In it, two men who meet in a cancer ward decide to cross off their life's "to do" list before they kick the bucket, so to speak.
Spokesman Tom Pink said the school has now "banished" a total of 900 words or phrases with nominations mostly coming through the university's Facebook page.
With social media being so prominent these days, Pink said it's no surprise that "YOLO" made the list — stands for "You Only Live Once" in texting language.
"The list surprises me in one way or another every year," said Pink.
With files from The Associated PressA big question for many Russians in 2013 may be, "How do I get a beer around here?"
Under a law that took effect on New Year's Day, selling beer at Russia's ubiquitous kiosks is banned.
Beer now can be purchased only at restaurants, cafés and stores of at least 500 square feet.
The law also changes beer's classification from a food to an alcoholic beverage, meaning it can't be sold in any store from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Kiosks mushroomed along Russian sidewalks and roadsides after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, reflecting a lively but disorderly free market. In recent years, kiosks have gradually faded away as conventional stores got more of a foothold, but they are still common.
