A new iceberg about twice the size of Dallas broke a barrier of Antarctic ice, scientists said on Friday.
The event is the latest in a series of breaks in the Larsen B ice shelf, which until recent years has suffered several millennia without such a big change. The break has coincided with warmer temperatures. The new iceberg is listed as A-53.
The last case is separate from one in January in which the world's largest known iceberg ran aground in Antarctica, snuggling up to a glacier known as the Drygalski Ice Tongue.
The new iceberg is about 16 by 35 nautical miles, according to the National Ice Center in Suitland, Maryland, which has controlled the satellite images of the Canadian Space Agency. Broke down January 31.
"Some of the icebergs of similar size that have been separated from the Larsen Ice Shelf have remained in the area for some time, while others have traveled to the north," said Sean Helfrich, a NOAA meteorologist at the National Center for ice. "A-53 can not leave the Weddell Sea this year, and can even break into additional icebergs sometime this year."
Iceberg names are derived from Antarctica, where the first quadrant of its vision. 53 A-53 is the card of the iceberg has been discovered in Antarctica in quadrant A, which includes the Bellinghausen / Weddell Sea region.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
2010 Honda Insight - America's lowest-priced hybrid (2)
The seats have a higher quality than the rest of the material. They are perfectly horizontal and more substantial than that of the Toyota Prius. Front seat has a good overall, but Tall drivers might be a back seat travel. Standard tilt / teleskopicheskoe steering wheel helps drivers find a comfortable driving position. Rear seat legroom is decent, but overall will be tough for those in the average height and hip and shoulder room is limited. While the Honda Insight said the five seats, three adults, are not placed in the back seat, at least not convenient.
Rear seats once a 60/40 split, and they are flat, despite the fact that hybrid batteries are located under them. With the seats up Insight has 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space. With them is 33.9 cubic feet. Honda said the three golf bags fit in conjunction with the rear seat up.
The real story interior multidimensional Environmental Drive Assist system, which contributes to efficient driving techniques. More commonly known as EcoAssist, the system is an economical mode that is activated (see On the road), the functions of leadership and scoring functions. Leadership begins with the function of the digital speedometer, which is located on the upper level Honda signature bilevel instrument panel. It is the background that change colors depending on the technology driving. Go Hard on the gas and brake, and the background blue. Drive less aggressively and have blue-green. Be careful, and it becomes green. Those who want to get the ideal fuel economy will be taught to keep a green SPEEDO as often as possible.
Also included in the leadership of the various screens, multi-information display, which is mounted on the dashboard. The energy flow of the screen shows when the engine is providing the engine or vehicle, if the fuel is used, and when the engine is charging the battery. Another guide screen displays instant and average fuel economy, and another screen in the "Guide" Eco "Bar, which provides real-time information on the braking and acceleration techniques. The farther you move the bar from the center, the less effective you are driving.
Finally, EcoAssist scoring system is a function on two screens in a multi-information display. One screen shows a bar-graph fuel economy estimates for the current trip and for the last three trips. Other, more interesting screen growing leaves, which are the flowers, as you drive more efficiently. This screen points of each trip, and after being turned off the machine, provides the results.
On the road
The experience of driving in a lot Insight, like other Hondas. Steering is quite sharp, with good road feel and easy operation. The economy car Insight not sporting, but it is more stable and less prone to body lean in turns than the Toyota Prius, and many cars of similar size. Hustle Insight into the corner, though, and it is prone to understeer, the state in which the front end slides forward instead of turning, due mainly to attenuate the tires.
Then again, people will not buy Insight because it's sports. They are likely to view that a comfortable car, which had no more than humps or pound of cones. They also will not be a mistake for luxury cars, in part because there are some noticeable tire and wind noise.
Authorities predictably absent. In everyday terms Insight will keep up with traffic and shoppers will realize that they are trading power for fuel economy. Just do not expect to pass with ease.
Insight customers are more interested in hybrid drivers. IMA system disables the engine at stops and seamlessly turns it on again. Despite the fact that the engine can not power the car only when the dispersal of Prius system, it can serve as the sole source of power in the low-speed cruising situations. It takes light throttle foot to deal exclusively engine, and it did not last long. Using Econ mode dulls throttle and transmission response. It also reduces the fan speed fan, air conditioner works more often in the mode of recycling, making cruise control acceleration more conservative, and increases the use of idle stop function.
The right to you?
If you're looking for a small but roomy car, which puts a premium on fuel economy, the 2010 Honda Insight is right for you. Honda Insight strategy to make the lowest price of a hybrid in America will do its hybrid technology to more customers. Those who really wants to be green will benefit from Insight in EcoAssist system, which makes a fine teaching good driving habits.
Rear seats once a 60/40 split, and they are flat, despite the fact that hybrid batteries are located under them. With the seats up Insight has 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space. With them is 33.9 cubic feet. Honda said the three golf bags fit in conjunction with the rear seat up.
The real story interior multidimensional Environmental Drive Assist system, which contributes to efficient driving techniques. More commonly known as EcoAssist, the system is an economical mode that is activated (see On the road), the functions of leadership and scoring functions. Leadership begins with the function of the digital speedometer, which is located on the upper level Honda signature bilevel instrument panel. It is the background that change colors depending on the technology driving. Go Hard on the gas and brake, and the background blue. Drive less aggressively and have blue-green. Be careful, and it becomes green. Those who want to get the ideal fuel economy will be taught to keep a green SPEEDO as often as possible.
Also included in the leadership of the various screens, multi-information display, which is mounted on the dashboard. The energy flow of the screen shows when the engine is providing the engine or vehicle, if the fuel is used, and when the engine is charging the battery. Another guide screen displays instant and average fuel economy, and another screen in the "Guide" Eco "Bar, which provides real-time information on the braking and acceleration techniques. The farther you move the bar from the center, the less effective you are driving.
Finally, EcoAssist scoring system is a function on two screens in a multi-information display. One screen shows a bar-graph fuel economy estimates for the current trip and for the last three trips. Other, more interesting screen growing leaves, which are the flowers, as you drive more efficiently. This screen points of each trip, and after being turned off the machine, provides the results.
On the road
The experience of driving in a lot Insight, like other Hondas. Steering is quite sharp, with good road feel and easy operation. The economy car Insight not sporting, but it is more stable and less prone to body lean in turns than the Toyota Prius, and many cars of similar size. Hustle Insight into the corner, though, and it is prone to understeer, the state in which the front end slides forward instead of turning, due mainly to attenuate the tires.
Then again, people will not buy Insight because it's sports. They are likely to view that a comfortable car, which had no more than humps or pound of cones. They also will not be a mistake for luxury cars, in part because there are some noticeable tire and wind noise.
Authorities predictably absent. In everyday terms Insight will keep up with traffic and shoppers will realize that they are trading power for fuel economy. Just do not expect to pass with ease.
Insight customers are more interested in hybrid drivers. IMA system disables the engine at stops and seamlessly turns it on again. Despite the fact that the engine can not power the car only when the dispersal of Prius system, it can serve as the sole source of power in the low-speed cruising situations. It takes light throttle foot to deal exclusively engine, and it did not last long. Using Econ mode dulls throttle and transmission response. It also reduces the fan speed fan, air conditioner works more often in the mode of recycling, making cruise control acceleration more conservative, and increases the use of idle stop function.
The right to you?
If you're looking for a small but roomy car, which puts a premium on fuel economy, the 2010 Honda Insight is right for you. Honda Insight strategy to make the lowest price of a hybrid in America will do its hybrid technology to more customers. Those who really wants to be green will benefit from Insight in EcoAssist system, which makes a fine teaching good driving habits.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
2010 Honda Insight - America's lowest-priced hybrid (1)
When Honda introduced the Insight hybrid model for 2000, it was easy, 2-seat car with a small daily utility. First-generation Toyota Prius (2001-2003) had four doors, but it was the subcompact, which do not offer much space, either. Toyota Hit the jackpot when he submitted more second-generation Prius in 2004. Suddenly, American families could buy a hybrid without sacrificing too much. Now, Honda should be the example, the revival Insight, a large, four-door car. A Honda representative said that the least expensive hybrid in the U.S., to boot.
Model lineup
Honda Insight 2010 is offered in two TMK, LX and EX. Standard LX features include cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, 160 W AM / FM / CD stereo with four speakers, multi-information display, and P175/65R15 tires on steel wheels with wheel covers.
Notable additions include the EX trim side mirrors with turn signal indicators, cruise control, steering wheel shift paddles, USB audio interface, two additional speakers and light alloy wheels. Another version EX comes with a navigation system and Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone, IPod interface and additional steering wheel control.
Discuss: The Honda Insight hybrid Toyota Prius competitor for supremacy?
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, active front seat head restraints, tire pressure monitoring and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution are standard for all Insight TMK. Traction control and electronic stability control are standard on the EX TMK.
Under the hood
2010 Honda Insight functions of the next-generation Honda Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. Honda says it has improved and strengthened its production methods to reduce the cost of a hybrid system. IMA system uses the electric motor and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with the help of the motor and turn the 1.3-liter I-VTEC 4-cylinder engine from at stoplights. In some situations, sustained cruising, about 40 miles / h, the engine can move the car for a short period of time without power. Engine 88 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque. The combined output of 98 horsepower electric motor and 123 pound-feet of torque.
Customers will be most interested in the Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings, which are 40/43 MPG (city / highway). This is less than 2 MPG on the road than the Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius trails 8 MPG in the city and 2 MPG on the highway. Insight is classified as Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV).
The interior of the
It argues Honda Insight hybrid is the cheapest on the market, it is not surprising that the interior reflects this fact. There is some evidence that the Insight is built on price, with a lot of hard plastic, cheap carpeting and few amenities. LX TRIMs absence of the center console, and the EX has a small console bin is a little more than elbow. Before the center console has a number of valuable space to put things. It can be transformed into a line and separate the various trinkets, but it is not a rubber mat to keep things from sliding around.
Model lineup
Honda Insight 2010 is offered in two TMK, LX and EX. Standard LX features include cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, 160 W AM / FM / CD stereo with four speakers, multi-information display, and P175/65R15 tires on steel wheels with wheel covers.
Notable additions include the EX trim side mirrors with turn signal indicators, cruise control, steering wheel shift paddles, USB audio interface, two additional speakers and light alloy wheels. Another version EX comes with a navigation system and Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone, IPod interface and additional steering wheel control.
Discuss: The Honda Insight hybrid Toyota Prius competitor for supremacy?
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, active front seat head restraints, tire pressure monitoring and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution are standard for all Insight TMK. Traction control and electronic stability control are standard on the EX TMK.
Under the hood
2010 Honda Insight functions of the next-generation Honda Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. Honda says it has improved and strengthened its production methods to reduce the cost of a hybrid system. IMA system uses the electric motor and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with the help of the motor and turn the 1.3-liter I-VTEC 4-cylinder engine from at stoplights. In some situations, sustained cruising, about 40 miles / h, the engine can move the car for a short period of time without power. Engine 88 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque. The combined output of 98 horsepower electric motor and 123 pound-feet of torque.
Customers will be most interested in the Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings, which are 40/43 MPG (city / highway). This is less than 2 MPG on the road than the Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius trails 8 MPG in the city and 2 MPG on the highway. Insight is classified as Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV).
The interior of the
It argues Honda Insight hybrid is the cheapest on the market, it is not surprising that the interior reflects this fact. There is some evidence that the Insight is built on price, with a lot of hard plastic, cheap carpeting and few amenities. LX TRIMs absence of the center console, and the EX has a small console bin is a little more than elbow. Before the center console has a number of valuable space to put things. It can be transformed into a line and separate the various trinkets, but it is not a rubber mat to keep things from sliding around.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Blizzards and cold temperatures pound nation
Minneapolis - arctic air to extend its control Wednesday below zero temperatures, stretching from Montana to northern New England and frost nipping the Gulf Coast.
It was so cold Wednesday in the northern state of Minnesota - 38 below zero at International Falls, with a chill wind at night is estimated at 50 below - that some ski areas are closed for the day.
Schools from Iowa to Ohio, opened late, so children should not be in the coldest part of the morning. In some schools closed.
The cold wave also depressed in the Northeast, dramatically reduces the temperature in New York in a single digits below zero - Tuesday, after reading in 30 years, National Weather Service said. Thermometers read 8 below at Massena, on the St. Lawrence River , a wind chill of minus 25 degrees.
Public transport in Albany, New York, collided with a chill 6 degrees, with brisk winds that feel like 15 below zero, but some people claimed they did not mind.
"I'm cold weather fan," said Geoff Plant Colonie, NY, as he sat reading a newspaper in Albany cafe. "I wanted to see a cold winter." Later, he said, he planned to go for a walk "to get some sun."
Not far from the shore of Lake Superior, Ironwood, Mich., Fell to 25 below zero around midnight, and then warmed up to 8 hours the next morning, only 8 below, the National Weather Service said.
Further south, the morning temperature was only 20 years from Texas to Georgia and along the Gulf Coast weather service reported only a low of 28 Mobile, Ala.
Cold was accompanied by ice and snow that glazed the pavement, and was the cause of numerous traffic accidents on Tuesday from Minnesota to Indiana.
Very cold was the cause of at least one person died on Tuesday. 51-year-old man died of cold in northern Wisconsin after wandering from his Hayward home.
Cold stores towing and auto repair companies are engaged through Wisconsin, as well as public works crews, with frozen pipes and water mains.
"We are working mainly in the 24 hours a day with broken chains," said Dave Goldapp with the Milwaukee Public Works.
As cold air pushed to the east of the country, there was a slight improvement on the northern Plains, where Grand Forks, ND, posted a low of 24 below zero, which is Tuesday at a record low of 37 below. In Minnesota, International Falls fell to minus 40 on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the wind chill hit 58 below zero in northern Minnesota town of Hallock, but Mark Johnson said that as soon as temperatures reach a certain point, hail, is irrelevant. For example, he said, 38 degrees below zero, not much different from the 24 below.
"We kind of acclimated here in this country," he said. "Every year, in winter, he was going to get to this point. Just as if he does not remain as a whole month, you can do everyday to get through it."
It was so cold Wednesday in the northern state of Minnesota - 38 below zero at International Falls, with a chill wind at night is estimated at 50 below - that some ski areas are closed for the day.
Schools from Iowa to Ohio, opened late, so children should not be in the coldest part of the morning. In some schools closed.
The cold wave also depressed in the Northeast, dramatically reduces the temperature in New York in a single digits below zero - Tuesday, after reading in 30 years, National Weather Service said. Thermometers read 8 below at Massena, on the St. Lawrence River , a wind chill of minus 25 degrees.
Public transport in Albany, New York, collided with a chill 6 degrees, with brisk winds that feel like 15 below zero, but some people claimed they did not mind.
"I'm cold weather fan," said Geoff Plant Colonie, NY, as he sat reading a newspaper in Albany cafe. "I wanted to see a cold winter." Later, he said, he planned to go for a walk "to get some sun."
Not far from the shore of Lake Superior, Ironwood, Mich., Fell to 25 below zero around midnight, and then warmed up to 8 hours the next morning, only 8 below, the National Weather Service said.
Further south, the morning temperature was only 20 years from Texas to Georgia and along the Gulf Coast weather service reported only a low of 28 Mobile, Ala.
Cold was accompanied by ice and snow that glazed the pavement, and was the cause of numerous traffic accidents on Tuesday from Minnesota to Indiana.
Very cold was the cause of at least one person died on Tuesday. 51-year-old man died of cold in northern Wisconsin after wandering from his Hayward home.
Cold stores towing and auto repair companies are engaged through Wisconsin, as well as public works crews, with frozen pipes and water mains.
"We are working mainly in the 24 hours a day with broken chains," said Dave Goldapp with the Milwaukee Public Works.
As cold air pushed to the east of the country, there was a slight improvement on the northern Plains, where Grand Forks, ND, posted a low of 24 below zero, which is Tuesday at a record low of 37 below. In Minnesota, International Falls fell to minus 40 on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the wind chill hit 58 below zero in northern Minnesota town of Hallock, but Mark Johnson said that as soon as temperatures reach a certain point, hail, is irrelevant. For example, he said, 38 degrees below zero, not much different from the 24 below.
"We kind of acclimated here in this country," he said. "Every year, in winter, he was going to get to this point. Just as if he does not remain as a whole month, you can do everyday to get through it."
Sunday, January 11, 2009
gardening checklist
There are still lots of things you can plant, and you can start the new year on the right foot by doing timeless chores that will add to your garden's health as spring approaches.
Everything you accomplish now will make spring that much sweeter.
Trees and shrubs
This month's tree and shrub tasks are all about planting, pruning and protecting.
If you live in a place that has mild winters, you can still plant trees of all kinds: fruit trees, shade trees and flowering trees; and choosing them is fun now, since nurseries tend to add their new selections in January.
On a day when temperatures are below freezing, plant new evergreens, rose bushes and deciduous shrubs.
While you shouldn't prune flowering trees until after they've bloomed, you can now prune most shrubs and deciduous shade trees.
When you notice new buds on deciduous trees, possibly late this month or in early February, give them their third and last shot of dormant spray -- follow the label's instructions and avoid spraying on days that are windy, rainy or below freezing.
Keep up with raking; fallen leaves can do heavy damage if left to smother grass.
If you have snowfall, knock snow off the branches of evergreens and fine-branched deciduous trees using an upward motion to keep limbs from breaking -- don't risk the benign fluffy stuff turning into ice overnight. If breakage does occur, prune broken branches.
Little live things
Wouldn't it be nice if birds ate slugs for a living? If you're a feeder of birds, don't stop now -- during this month they'll need all the help they can get, and it needn't be fancy. Birds will likely find any station above snow level, from old logs to carpet scraps.
Every slug you catch before it reproduces can spare you from facing several more generations. (And you thought rabbits were prolific.)
Maintenance
Take this chance to get sleek for spring. No, not to buff up for your getaway swimwear -- you know, the fun stuff. Machines. Tools.
Any machine repair you have done now will spare you spring headaches -- or at least a long wait in the queue that begins to form in February. Consider mowers, chain saws and other power tools.
Clean, sharpen and oil hand tools, from clippers to shovels.
Perennials
Even after the holidays, the catalog season continues.
Start planning your spring garden now by making a map of your garden, including what you'd like to plant where, with seed and bulb catalogs by your side for inspiration.
Clear away mulch from winter-blooming bulbs.
Dig up and divide winter-blooming bulbs after they've flowered.
In mild climates, you may still be able to plant hyacinths, tulips, daffodils and crocuses.
If an unexpected warm streak fools bulbs into thinking it's springtime, help protect them with an extra light layer of mulch.
Weeding
It's a nasty job, but unless your garden is buried under snow, somebody has to do it. Too bad weeds don't take winter vacations.
Many weeds are still merrily going through their flowering and seeding cycle even in January. Uproot them before seeds spread to spare yourself weeding future generations.
Winterizing
With winter in full force, there are several things you can do to protect challenged plants, trees, shrubs and even birds.
Don't haul that Christmas tree out to the curb just yet: Its branches can be used to protect tender plants and even root vegetables and perennials or to form a wind or sun shield for shrubs such as azaleas, rhododendrons, holly and boxwood. Or the full tree can be staked near a feeder to shield birds from cold. (Place far enough away to avoid accidents with cats.)
If you live in an area that has heavy winters and you haven't yet wrapped newly planted trees or thin-barked trees such as maple, ash, mountain ash and linden, do so now. Wrap from the base upward to repel moisture.
Keep protecting tender plants against freezes by covering them with burlap or other cloth supported by a perimeter of stakes; just don't let the cloth touch the leafy parts.
Houseplants
Winter houseplant care is more about attentive restraint than high maintenance.
When you water, which should be minimal during the winter, do it just enough so that water saturates the soil and comes through the drainage holes; at this time of year, plants left in standing water can suffer root damage.
Turn plants every two weeks for balanced foliage as they seek sunlight.
Check for pests in the greenhouse and on houseplants; treat with organic products so kids and pets aren't endangered.
Hold off on transplanting those plants whose roots are potbound.
On nights that are extremely cold, be sure to draw the curtains or blinds of plant windows.
Everything you accomplish now will make spring that much sweeter.
Trees and shrubs
This month's tree and shrub tasks are all about planting, pruning and protecting.
If you live in a place that has mild winters, you can still plant trees of all kinds: fruit trees, shade trees and flowering trees; and choosing them is fun now, since nurseries tend to add their new selections in January.
On a day when temperatures are below freezing, plant new evergreens, rose bushes and deciduous shrubs.
While you shouldn't prune flowering trees until after they've bloomed, you can now prune most shrubs and deciduous shade trees.
When you notice new buds on deciduous trees, possibly late this month or in early February, give them their third and last shot of dormant spray -- follow the label's instructions and avoid spraying on days that are windy, rainy or below freezing.
Keep up with raking; fallen leaves can do heavy damage if left to smother grass.
If you have snowfall, knock snow off the branches of evergreens and fine-branched deciduous trees using an upward motion to keep limbs from breaking -- don't risk the benign fluffy stuff turning into ice overnight. If breakage does occur, prune broken branches.
Little live things
Wouldn't it be nice if birds ate slugs for a living? If you're a feeder of birds, don't stop now -- during this month they'll need all the help they can get, and it needn't be fancy. Birds will likely find any station above snow level, from old logs to carpet scraps.
Every slug you catch before it reproduces can spare you from facing several more generations. (And you thought rabbits were prolific.)
Maintenance
Take this chance to get sleek for spring. No, not to buff up for your getaway swimwear -- you know, the fun stuff. Machines. Tools.
Any machine repair you have done now will spare you spring headaches -- or at least a long wait in the queue that begins to form in February. Consider mowers, chain saws and other power tools.
Clean, sharpen and oil hand tools, from clippers to shovels.
Perennials
Even after the holidays, the catalog season continues.
Start planning your spring garden now by making a map of your garden, including what you'd like to plant where, with seed and bulb catalogs by your side for inspiration.
Clear away mulch from winter-blooming bulbs.
Dig up and divide winter-blooming bulbs after they've flowered.
In mild climates, you may still be able to plant hyacinths, tulips, daffodils and crocuses.
If an unexpected warm streak fools bulbs into thinking it's springtime, help protect them with an extra light layer of mulch.
Weeding
It's a nasty job, but unless your garden is buried under snow, somebody has to do it. Too bad weeds don't take winter vacations.
Many weeds are still merrily going through their flowering and seeding cycle even in January. Uproot them before seeds spread to spare yourself weeding future generations.
Winterizing
With winter in full force, there are several things you can do to protect challenged plants, trees, shrubs and even birds.
Don't haul that Christmas tree out to the curb just yet: Its branches can be used to protect tender plants and even root vegetables and perennials or to form a wind or sun shield for shrubs such as azaleas, rhododendrons, holly and boxwood. Or the full tree can be staked near a feeder to shield birds from cold. (Place far enough away to avoid accidents with cats.)
If you live in an area that has heavy winters and you haven't yet wrapped newly planted trees or thin-barked trees such as maple, ash, mountain ash and linden, do so now. Wrap from the base upward to repel moisture.
Keep protecting tender plants against freezes by covering them with burlap or other cloth supported by a perimeter of stakes; just don't let the cloth touch the leafy parts.
Houseplants
Winter houseplant care is more about attentive restraint than high maintenance.
When you water, which should be minimal during the winter, do it just enough so that water saturates the soil and comes through the drainage holes; at this time of year, plants left in standing water can suffer root damage.
Turn plants every two weeks for balanced foliage as they seek sunlight.
Check for pests in the greenhouse and on houseplants; treat with organic products so kids and pets aren't endangered.
Hold off on transplanting those plants whose roots are potbound.
On nights that are extremely cold, be sure to draw the curtains or blinds of plant windows.
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