Updates

Now that we have seen all the teams in action here is what I think on their chances of making it to the finals.

GROUP A:

SOUTH AFRICA; MEXICO, URUGUAY, FRANCE

I don’t think any of the teams have what it takes to make it past the next round where the face Argentina and most probably South Korea.

Also the French finally have come to realize that they are in the wrong tournament (football) and not handball as they had prepared for. (And the French are cribbing that Mexico and Uruguay will conspire for draw to keep them out of the second round. I think they forgot that they even do not deserve to be here).

GROUP B:

ARGENTINA; NIGERIA; KOREA REPUBLIC, GREECE

Argentina: See you in Johannesburg on July 11.

I don’t think Korea will make it past the quarter final.

GROUP C:

ENGLAND; USA; ALGERIA; SLOVENIA

Capello hag got it all wrong. While all other nations have one team representing them at the world cup, England has 23 individuals, any 11 of them on field at one time. (And I had picked England to at least make it to the SF).

GROUP D:

GERMANY; AUSTRALIA; SERBIA; GHANA

While Germany impressed against Australia they were ordinary against Serbia, Still I think Germany can go all the way to the semi-finals.

GROUP E:

NETHERLANDS, JAPAN, CAMEROON, DENMARK

Go DUCTH!!

They might end up facing Brazil in the quarter finals..

GROUP F:

ITALY; PARAGUAY; NEW-ZEALAND; SLOVAKIA

The defending champions look a shadow of themselves. I don’t see anyone from this group making it to the semis.

GROUP G:

BRAZIL; PORTUGAL; Côte d'Ivoire; KOREA DPR

Brazil look set to make at least to the semis. I think Korea will make it to the second round until Portugal or Côte d'Ivoire step up their game.

GROUP H:

SPAIN, CHILE, SWITZERLAND, HONDURAS

Despite their initial loss I think Spain will make it to semis.

FIFA WC 2010 SOUTH AFRICA

Now that the world cup is finally round the corner here are predictions (finally) for the biggest sporting event on the planet.

GROUP A:

SOUTH AFRICA; MEXICO, URUGUAY, FRANCE

SOUTH AFRICA: They qualified as the hosts. I do not see them progressing through the first round.

MEXICO: At one point during the qualifications it seemed doubtful that we would see Mexico in South Africa. But after the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson they got their campaign back on tracks. Carlos Vela the young Arsenal striker will be the player to watch out for.

I think they will have to fight it out with Uruguay for the second qualification spot from the group.

FRANCE: They should not have qualified in first place for the WC. But the French handball team is here and it will be very difficult for them to not win the group. If they win their group they might find themselves facing Nigeria or Argentina (less likely). But I hope they get knocked out in the group stage.

URUGUAY: They qualified via the playoffs for the WC. I don’t think they will progress beyond the first round.

GROUP B:

ARGENTINA; NIGERIA; KOREA REPUBLIC, GREECE

ARGENTINA: They survived a torrid qualifying campaign to reach the WC. The question is will Lionel Messi perform for them. If he does then I think Argentina has one of the SF berth assured. With Maradona as their coach it will be interesting to see the team selection. Aside from Messi players like Tevez and Sergio Aguero are match winners in their own right.

NIGERIA: Assuming they finish first or second in the group they can face either France or Mexico. (I think they will finish second). It will be an interesting second round match and I believe Nigeria can reach the Q/F.

SOUTH KOREA: They are strong Asian contenders but I do not see them finishing above Argentina or Nigeria in the group.

GREECE: Winners of EURO 2004, it will be very difficult for Greece to progress to next round from this group.

GROUP C:

ENGLAND; USA; ALGERIA; SLOVENIA

England: From pretenders to serious contenders, England under Fabio Capello is a team to reckon. With players like Rooney, Lampard, Terry, Gerrad they are hoping for a second WC win. The only weak link in the chain is the goal keeper. I think the lack of a strong keeper will see England miss out the WC. A SF spot seems likely for Capello’s men.

USA: I expect them to qualify second (although Algeria might have some other ideas) from the group behind England. This would mean that they are likely to face Germany in the next round; where they will make an exit from the WC.

Algeria: I hope they give USA the run for their money for the second spot in the group. If they draw their match with the USA it may go down to goal difference to see who clinches the second qualifying spot.

Slovenia: Stunned Russia to reach the WC. They have a slim chance of making the second round, but I do not think they will make it out of the group.

GROUP D:

GERMANY; AUSTRALIA; SERBIA; GHANA

Germany: The Germans are always a strong side and it is expected that they will win the group. Having to face the second placed team from group C means that they should get through to the Q/F without much trouble. It is here where thighs can get interesting as they might end up facing Argentina.

Australia; Ghana; Serbia: The second qualifying spot from this group is open and any one of the three teams can grab it. I don’t think there is much to separate the three and the results will depend on the performance of the teams on the match day. Whoever finishes second will draw England in the next round which should mean an end to their campaign.

GROUP E:

NETHERLANDS; JAPAN, CAMEROON, DENMARK

Netherlands: Now that Spanish have won Euro 08; the Netherlands can be officially labeled as the perennial under achievers. They are in a difficult group with Cameroon and Denmark both teams capable of causing upsets. If the Dutch can play their game I expect them to top the group; but it will not be easy

Japan: They were the first team to qualify for the WC. To reach the second round in this WC will be a monumental effort for them.

Cameroon: Although they barely qualified for the WC I expect them to reach the next round. If they can pip the Netherlands they will have a very good chance of making the Q/F.

Denmark: They won their qualifying group (over Portugal). Much depends upon their game with Cameroon.

GROUP F:

ITALY; PARAGUAY; NEW-ZEALAND; SLOVAKIA

Italy: They are the defending world champions. They are not as strong as they were in 06, but it would be foolish to write them off. The real test will be in the Q/F where they might end up playing Spain.

Paraguay, Slovakia: They will fight it out for the second qualifying spot from the group.

New Zealand: An incredible achievement for them to have qualified for the WC. I don’t see them causing any troubles for the rest of the teams.

GROUP G:

BRAZIL; PORTUGAL; Côte d'Ivoire; KOREA DPR

Brazil: Probably the favorites along with Spain. They had a good qualifying run and although placed in a though group look set to go all the way to the finals.

Portugal: The bad boys of last world cup. Their qualifying run was not smooth and had to qualify through the payoffs. They will fight it out with Côte d'Ivoire for the second qualifying spot.

Côte d'Ivoire: Probably the strongest team in Africa, I think they will outplay Portugal for the second qualifying spot.

KOREA DPR: A complete unknown. They can be the spoilers in the group by holding one of the other teams to a draw.

GROUP H:

SPAIN, CHILE, SWITZERLAND, HONDURAS

Spain: The current number 1 team in the world is favorites along with Brazil to lift the world cup. The probably have the side amongst all the teams in the competition. I think a final between Spain and Brazil is on the cards.

Chile: Another strong team from South America. They can make it into the next round but will face Brazil there.

Switzerland: They can upset Chile for the second spot only to meet Brazil in the second round.

Honduras: They qualified for the WC by superior goal difference over Costa Rica. I don’t see them making any waves at the competition.

ITALIA WINS !!!!!!!!

THE FINAL :- ITALIA WINS....ITALIA WINS....ITALIA WINS....
Zidane ...oh ....Zidane what were you thinking? What a way to end a career with a senseless head-butt to the chest of Italy defender Marco Materazzi. But what a day for the Azurries....they win the world championship for the fourth time. What a match...and Italians finally won a penalty shootout.


1) ITALY :- WORLD CHAMPIONS .......The Azzurries simply ROCK. What a performance from Italy. Despite the scandal going on back home the azzurries played some fantastic football. The defense was awesome with Buffon doing a really good job on the goal line. Cannarovo, Grosso, Zambrotta, Gatuso and Materazzi ....what a defensive line and Nesta was out injured. Totti, Lucatoni, Inzaghi and Del Piero led the attack supported by Gattuso and Pirlo who ruled the midfield. Hats off to the Azzurries.

2) GERMANY :- They had the advantage of having possibly the best the coach in the world cup in Juergen Klinnsmann. I wish he continues to stay as the coach. I was really impressed with the Germans.... they had a new flair in their game. The squad was balanced with young players like Podolski, Lahm, Odonkor and Schweinsteiger and with vetrans like Ballack, Klose, King Kahn and Lehman. I really fancy the Germans do well in Euro 2008 and the next world cup along with ofcourse the Azzurries.

3) FRANCE :- Zidane Zidane......what a sad way to end a illustrous carrer. I had not even picked France to advance to the quarter finals. Zinedine Zidane showed us why is considered as probably the best payer in past decade. Not that he had to..we already knew that, but he cast a shadow on that with the senseless butt on Materazzi. Altough I was totally blown away by Zidane I was not that impressed by France except for their game against Italy and Brazil. I am not sure how their future team looks with Zidnae, Makelele, Thuram retiring from the game. Barthez looked shaky in the goal. One player who stood out along with Zidane was Ribery. He was impressive with his speed and skills. Altough Henry got 3 goals I doubt he was at is best. I don't think France will do well in Euro 2008 but can regroup in 2010. The French need a new coach along with some younger players.

4) PORTUGAL :- The bad boys of the world cup with 24 yellow cards and 2 red cards. The portugese did really well under Scolari to reach the semi-finals. Ronaldo was impressive with his runs up the flanks but he needs support with a good center forward. Ricardo was great in the goal. This was also probably the last we saw of Figo in international football. If they can find a good center forward they can be a pretty good side for Euro 2008.

Rest later.

The man The machine.........

Oh....how I wish I had a snowmobile more than anything else.........The best thing to own during winter........no restrictions on where to go...one is no longer limited by the roads and the weather......with a snowmobile no hill no plain and no forest is out of bound....it is an ultimate expression of power and freedom.......

.

M31

The sky has been very good in the night of August 3 to 4, 1764; & the constellation Andromeda was near the Meridian, I have examined with attention the beautiful nebula in the girdle of Andromeda, which was discovered in 1612 by Simaon Marius, & which has been observed since with great care by different astronomers, & at last by M. le Gentil who has given a very ample & detailed description in the volume of the Momoirs of the Academy for 1759, page 453, with a drawing of its appearance. I will not report here what I have written in my [observing] Journal: I have employed different instruments for examining that nebula, & above all an excellent Gregorian telescope of 30 pouces focal length, the large mirror having 6 pouces in diameter, & magnifying 104 times these objects: the middle of that nebula appeared rather bright with this instrument, without any appearance of stars; the light went diminishing up to extinguishing; it resembles two cones or pyramides of light, opposed at their bases, of which the axis was in the direction form North-West to South-East; the two points of light or the two summits are about 40 minutes of arc apart; I say about, because of the difficulty to recognize these two extreminties. The common base of the two pyramides is 15 minutes [of arc long]: these measures have been made with a Newtonian telescope of 4 feet & a half focal length, equipped with a micrometer of silk wires. With the same instrument I have compared the middle of the summits of the two cones of light with the star Gamma Andromedae of fourth magnitude which is very near to it, & little distant from its parallel. From these observations, I have concluded the right ascension of the middle of this nebula as 7d 26' 32", & its declination as 39d 9' 32" north. Since fifteen years during which I viewed & observed this nebula, I have not noticed any change in its appearances; having always perceived it in the same shape.

Image is taken from here.

Extract from
Mem. Acad. for 1771, p. 446-447 (first Messier catalog).
[p. 457] 1764.Aug. 3. RA: 7.26.32, Dec: 39. 9.32.B, Diam: 0.40.
The beautiful nebula in the girdle of Andromeda.

Binary

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The brother's were Wright !!!!!

From the earliest times, humans have had a fascination with the heavens. Many believed that the heavens were home to the gods. Religions related stories of airborne chariots and winged angels that descended from the heavens to speak to humans. Flying creatures that were half human and half beast were legendary, and birds and fantastic winged creatures pulled boats and other vehicles through the air.
Few moments in history have done more to capture the essence of the human spirit - freedom of the pursuit of dreams - than the Wright brother's historic first flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.... twelve seconds that changed the world! And what twelve seconds they were...Mankind was no longer confined to the ground but could soar the vast heavens as gracefully as a bird without any limitations.
In the last one hundred years, and to a lesser extent for thousands of years, both aviation and spaceflight have played an important part in social history. Most would agree that this role has largely been positive. Aviation has made the world smaller and brought people closer together. It has provided an avenue for those with special skills and talents in countless areas to shine and to express themselves. It has improved the lives of many people. Spaceflight, too, had a positive impact on life in the 20th century. It has opened up the vastness of the Universe and if not exactly able yet to explain how life began, has provided us with substantial clues. It has, to a great extent, achieved what writers could only imagine a hundred years ago.