Just downloaded the EA demo application, which I am interested in using for Systems Engineering. Anyone want to weigh in on their experience with EA?

In this entry, I described something I thought was pretty anomalous. Since then, I've seen something very similar several times. The other day, I managed to get some 10x binoculars on it when it was right overhead. What I saw no longer looked like a point source, but an aircraft with orange lights running down the length of the underside of its fuselage. No running lights on the wingtips that I could discern. This must be some kind of military aircraft, perhaps a tanker, but its odd appearance is simply due to a bright underside light That seems to be roughly omnidirectional in its brightness.

I had hoped for something stranger, but at least there is one less wild goose to chase.

It's been more than 30 years since I took a stats course. Any recommendations for a good, not overly dumbed-down intro stats book that uses R?

Check out the latest Paracast for an interview with Jacques Vallee. In the 1950s and 60s, before the laughter curtain descended, a number of scientists took a serious interest in UFOs. Vallee was one of them, and wrote several influential books.

The latest AWA podcast got me thinking. The technology for flying cars isn't that far off. the main problems are systemic - how we handle all that extra air traffic, especially around areas like mine where there is already lots of air traffic, and around areas where people converge, like shopping centers and sports stadia? There are other non-trivial problems, like fail-safe systems that don't require much pilot skill to get you safely to the ground in event of mechanical failure or bad weather, even in the presence of bodies of water, power lines, railroad tracks, smokestacks, etc.

It basically comes down to systems and software - engines and airfoils shouldn't be that tough, especially since we don't need these vehicles to fly all that fast or all that high an altitude. I think it's an interesting set of problems.

Excuse me, but I have to go enlist in the Ukrainian Army.

Michael Totten is always an interesting read with a totally independent viewpoint informed from being on the ground a lot in war zones. This dispatch from Iraq has some interesting insights.

From Tromso, Norway, a pretty picture for your enjoyment. I am jealous (of the photograph, not living in Tromso in February).

To convince me, there needs to be some corroboration...

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