Worm, astronaut, meteoroid, creationism

==> If you have the cash, you can have a bone-feeding worm named after you. This story is about raising money for scientific research by allowing folks to pay to have new species named after them.

At Scripps, before an animal is put up for sale, researchers run a background check in scientific journals and perform DNA tests to make sure it’s unique.

“We wouldn’t offer a species name unless we’re absolutely certain it’s never been described before,” said Scripps curator Greg Rouse, who had an Australian feather-duster worm — Pseudofabriciola rousei — named for him by a colleague.

Last year, the Florida Museum of Natural History netted $40,800 from an anonymous donor for a novel Mexican butterfly species. The insect was named after a deceased Ohio mother of three sons who fought in World War II.

==> Tomorrow is the deadling for all of you dreaming of becoming astronauts. You can apply with NASA for the class of 2009. There are some qualifications to meet, of course.

Applicants must meet physical standards and educational requirements, which include a bachelor’s degree in engineering, math or science and at least three years of experience in one of these fields. Teaching experience, including experience at the K-12 level, is considered to be qualifying experience; therefore, educators are encouraged to apply.

==> 100 years ago today: Tunguska.

“If you want to start a conversation with anyone in the asteroid business all you have to say is Tunguska,” said Don Yeomans, manager of the Near-Earth Object Office at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. “It is the only entry of a large meteoroid we have in the modern era with first-hand accounts.”

==> Gotta love poorly-reasoned arguments from folks crying about creationism not getting a spot on the public school science lesson plans.

… why is it that your school system can teach only evolution and not teach creationism? Naturalistic processes have failed miserably to explain how non-living cells could somehow build themselves into the first living cell.

What’s lacking here is any proposal for how the letter writer proposes that creationism be taught in the science classroom. What scientific lesson plan would be offered that doesn’t simply bash evolution or other science?

==> Now, make a news headline out of the words in the post title. I’ll let y’all take the lead on this one.

About Brandon Haught

Communications Director for Florida Citizens for Science.
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5 Responses to Worm, astronaut, meteoroid, creationism

  1. PatrickHenry says:

    Now, make a news headline out of the words in the post title. I’ll let y’all take the lead on this one.

    Unlucky creationism cult destroyed by meteoroid just as they witness a worm evolve into an astronaut.

  2. Green Earth says:

    Ha ha! Win!

  3. Noodlicious says:

    Seconded! 🙂

  4. firemancarl says:

    Zing!

  5. cope says:

    “Astronaut photo of fossil worm on meteroid refutes creationism”

    PH is a tough act to follow.

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