An Age of Magic

Water discovered on the moon!

A manned Moon base could become a reality within 20 years after scientists revealed today there are large quantities of water on the surface of the Earth’s satellite. The discovery increases the chances that humans may one day live permanently on the Moon inside protective domes,  mining the rocks and dust for water to drink and power spacecrafts. The scientific discovery made by the Indian lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 is due to be announced by Nasa today.

Dr Jessica Sunshine, one of the researchers who found the water, said: ‘It’s sort of just sticking on the surface. We always think of the Moon as dead, and this is sort of a dynamic process that’s going on.’ Ten years ago, scientists found traces of water lying in the shadowy craters at the Moon’s poles.  The latest announcement comes two weeks before a Nasa probe will be smashed near the Moon’s south pole to see whether it can kick up buried ice.

The discovery, with three studies being published in the journal Science today and a Nasa briefing, could refocus interest in the moon.

Popularity: 60% [?]

Amazing haul of anglo-saxon gold found in Staffordshire

The largest haul of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found has been discovered by a metal detector enthusiast on farmland in Staffordshire, it was revealed today. Experts say the hoard, which is at least as significant as any other treasure from the Anglo-Saxon era ever unearthed, is worth millions and could have belonged to a king.

The discovery of at least 1,345 different items, thought to date back to the seventh century, is expected to redefine perceptions of the period. Terry Herbert, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, came across the collection as he searched a field near his home with his trusty 14-year-old detector and is now in line for a seven-figure sum. It had been hidden for more than 1,300 years but was recently thrown up by ploughing and amazingly, some was just sitting on the top of the ground.

Experts have already examined the 1,345 items but another 56 clods of earth have been X-rayed and are known to hold more metal artefacts, meaning the figure is likely to rise to around 1,500. At least 650 are gold, weighing more than than 5kg, and another 530 are silver, weighing around 1kg. This is far bigger than previous finds – including the Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk.

Many of the items in the hoard are warfare paraphernalia inlaid with precious stones, including sword pommel caps and hilt plates. Experts say it is the best example of Anglo-Saxon workmanship they have ever seen and may have belonged to Saxon royalty, possibly the King of Mercia.

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Another way to water those plants…

I’ll bet you have sometimes wondered why your neighbours tomatoes are much bigger than yours…or his cucumbers, pumpkins or cabbages…? the answer might be simpler than you thought – wee. That’s right – piddle, widdle, p*ss, however you wish to call it, but good old homegrown urine has been shown to cause increased growth in garden vegetables.

Now your neighbour would not be simply standing out in the garden and letting loose; it has to be mixed with wood ash to do any good on the plants. Reminds me of the time a male friend told me how he sorts the problem of a frozen car door lock in the winter; instead of racing off to the car accessories outlet for some WD40 to unstick the lock he just undid his fly and piddled on the door lock. The warm wee thawed the lock and, voila, the key turned.

It’s true I tell you – ask any man!

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