Possible transuranic element discovered!

Big, BIG news in the fancy chemistry biz today, via Slashdot we have this paper which claims discovery of a new stable element up in the atomic number 120, 122 range. Slightly less sciency is the blog here.

From the paper:

In summary, mass spectral evidence has been obtained for the existence of a long-lived
superheavy isotope with an atomic mass number of 292 and t1/2 ³108 y. Based on predicted
chemical properties of element 122, it is probable that the isotope is 292122, but a somewhat
higher Z cannot absolutely be excluded. Because of its long lifetime, it is deduced that a longlived
isomeric state rather than the normal g.s. was observed at A=292. The hypothesis that it
is a high spin SD or HD isomeric state is discussed.

They found the new material in samples of naturally occurring thorium (Th90), and estimate its half life in the 100 million year (10^8) range. The usual half life of elements higher up the periodic table than plutonium is measured in nanoseconds. Meaning this stuff sticks around long enough for us to be able to do things with it.
This is confirmation of a long held but unproved theory, that there are stable super-heavy nuclear states waaaay up the periodic table from the stuff we make in atom smashers. Awesome.

The Superheavy Phantom

Olympic wrestling event starts early.

Well, between London and Paris we've had a great bunch of Olympic wrestling events to watch.

Some highlights of the action!


From Paris, we have this awesome combination wrist lock/shoulder dislocation move by Black Jacques Shelac of the Paris Gendarmerie on... hey, is she in Jacques' weight class? Possible foul there, we'll have to wait for the judges decision on this one.

Ah, this is more like it. Bobbie "The Crusher" Creel displays beauty form with this throw-down on Jimmie Protester, while the Chinese "Olympic" security officer in the blue and white track suit pretends he's not reaching for his pistol.Here's Jimmie going for the torch, just before Bobbie gets a hold of him. That's Bobbie's arm there, reaching into the scrum of Chinese "security" who are pretending not to be armed just as hard as they can.

From London again, this SWEET flying tackle by Bobbie "The Crusher" in a bout with Fu "The Boot" Man Shoe, as Bobbie takes Fu down off his bike.

BEAUTY take down by the Paris team, note the arm twisted up behind the head and shoulder under the arm pit. That's going to hurt when Jean Le Protesteur meets the pavement! Only fair, he's trying to swipe a lit torch from the one-legged girlie in the wheelchair. Naughty Jean!

Some on-the-floor moves from London, looks like Bobbie is going for a choke-out. Lots of blue suited Chinese "security" here, looks like the boys have successfully suppressed that reach-for-the-gun reflex in this picture. (Are chokes allowed in Olympic wrestling?)

Check out this great set up as Bobbie goes for the pin in London. There's that weight-class mismatch again though, the judges are going to have trouble on this one.


Finally the triumph in London, The entire Greater London Police force AND the Chicom "Security" team took on all comers, and between them managed to get The Torch through town. And that's what's important, the torch.

Here they are, shoulder to shoulder and looking good. Kinda brings a tear to your eye, don't it?

Leni Reifenstahl's not dead folks. Her spirit lives on in the Olympic Movement!

How to tell who you're messing with.

Kate over at Small Dead Animals has posted a shot of some Lefty bloggers. I never heard of most of them, frankly. But the interesting thing is this could be any office party. Couple girls, bunch of guys, no distinguishing characteristics that would make you think "Lefties!!!!" Not even a Che t-shirt.

For that I think you'd have to go around the front of the house and see what they drove up in.
Couple of these:

Couple of those:


Couple of these:




Couple of those:

You get the idea.

This here's the kind thing that shows up in front of a Conservative picnic.












Or possibly:

It's not a value judgment, I'm just sayin'. ~:D