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A team of astronomers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have discovered another moon orbiting the dwarf planet Pluto.
They say the new moon, Pluto's fifth, is likely irregular in shape and six to 15 miles across. Provisionally designated S/2012 (134340) 1, it was detected in nine separate sets of images taken by Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 on June 26, 27, 29, and July 7 and 9. The moon circles Pluto in a 58,000 mile-diameter orbit.
“The moons form a series of neatly nested orbits, a bit like Russian dolls,” said team leader Mark Showalter of the SETI Institute in Mountain View, Calif.
The Pluto team is intrigued that such a small planet can have such a complex collection of satellites.
The new discovery provides additional clues for unraveling how the Pluto system formed and evolved.
The favored theory is that all the moons are relics of a collision between Pluto and another large Kuiper Belt object billions of years ago. The Kuiper Belt is a broad zone of icy Pluto-like bodies orbiting beyond Neptune. Pluto itself is considered to be a Kuiper Belt object.
The new detection will help scientists navigate NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft through the Pluto system in 2015, when it makes an historic and long-awaited high-speed flyby of the distant world.
The team is using Hubble to scour the Pluto system to uncover potential hazards to New Horizons. Moving past the dwarf planet at a speed of 30,000 miles per hour, the spacecraft could be destroyed in a collision with even a BB-shot-size piece of orbital debris.
“The discovery of so many small moons indirectly tells us that there must be lots of small particles lurking unseen in the Pluto system,” says Harold Weaver of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md.
“The inventory of the Pluto system we're taking now with Hubble will help the New Horizons team design a safer trajectory for the spacecraft,” adds Alan Stern of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colo., the mission’s principal investigator.
Pluto’s largest moon, Charon, was discovered in 1978 in observations made at the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. Hubble observations in 2006 uncovered two additional small moons, Nix and Hydra. In 2011 another moon, P4, was found in Hubble data.
In the years following the New Horizons Pluto flyby, astronomers plan to use Hubble’s planned successor, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, for follow-up observations.
The Webb telescope's infrared vision will be able to measure the surface chemistry of Pluto, its moons, and many other bodies that lie in the distant Kuiper Belt along with Pluto.
For more information about New Horizons and its mission to Pluto visit http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/ .
Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A fire burning in a remote area of the Mendocino National Forest continued to grow on Friday as firefighters used burnout operations to fight the blaze.
On Friday night, Mendocino National Forest officials reported that the Mill Fire, burning 10 miles west of Stonyford near Upper Letts Lake, had reached 25,534 acres and was 50-percent contained. Full containment is estimated to take place Friday, July 20.
Five outbuildings have been destroyed already, and the Friday report stated that more than 400 homes are still threatened in the areas of Fouts Springs, Board Camp Spring, Stonyford and Century Ranch.
No cause has yet been reported. “All we know is that it’s under investigation,” Amy Reid, a U.S. Forest Service staffer and public information officer on the incident, told Lake County News.
Over the course of Friday, officials had reported acreage increases totaling more than 6,500 acres.
“A lot of that new acreage has to do with the burning operations that are under way,” said Reid.
She estimated that the fire could still see significant growth due to plans for continued burning operations.
“They’ll burn as long as conditions are favorable,” Reid said.
Reid said the fire’s south flank has been the most active, and burned steadily until about 4 a.m. Friday when a nighttime inversion layer set in, bringing a layer of stable air, higher humidity and cooler temperatures.
“Generally fire behavior will settle down when you get that inversion,” Reid explained.
The fire has proved to be challenging, she said, with a number of factors coming into play.
Reid said the Mill Fire is burning in extremely rugged terrain, with firefighters having to work on steep hillsides.
It’s also slope driven, and given to quick uphill runs. While firefighters are working on building deep trenches on the fire line, Reid said the fire can roll down below them and come up quickly at them.
“That’s a really dangerous situation,” she said, with a lot of potential for injury to firefighters.
The incident team reported that flame lengths on some of those uphill runs in brush have been 20 to 40 feet high.
“Additionally, we’ve been having unseasonably dry conditions for this time of year,” said Reid, which makes it conducive for really extreme fire behavior.
The area where the fire is burning also has wind factors that come into play, influenced by the marine layer and heating of the air from the Sacramento Valley, she said.
Reid said fire restrictions began on Friday in the Mendocino National Forest. More details can be found at http://bit.ly/Lkujwe .
In addition, archery season is beginning on Saturday, which Reid said is a concern for fire officials.
“This particular area of the district is very popular for hunters,” she said.
However, the area is closed because of the fire, so she said hunters must find other areas to go for now.
While the smoke from the fire had filled Lake County’s air basin earlier in the week, air quality has improved, with the Lake County Air Quality Management District forecasting good conditions over the weekend.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Four little orange tabby kittens are awaiting adoption at Lake County Animal Care and Control.
The kittens all are male, and about 12 weeks old.
Some have short coats, one has a medium-length coat, and they each weigh about two pounds.
All are friendly and playful.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
If you are getting ready to go on vacation but feel uncomfortable because you have planned your vacation better than you have planned your legal affairs then you are not alone.
It’s only natural to have some concern in case something unexpected might happen while away. Underlying this nagging concern are two levels of reality. Why are you holding back from getting your affairs in order? What can and should you do before leaving?
Procrastination and apprehension over one’s mortality are two common reasons why people indefinitely postpone getting their affairs in order.
However, consider the following: It is far easier to get one’s affairs in order when there is no compulsion to do so and when times are easy as opposed to doing so under compulsion in an emergency; and, getting one’s affairs in order gives one an immediate peace of mind to live life more fully.
What one can do varies with one’s own circumstances and needs.
Some people only need a simple will (I.e., those with small estates under $150,000) while most other people need a living trust to avoid probate at death and perhaps for other reasons.
That said, anyone can write a handwritten will prior to going on vacation in order to have some peace of mind that their estate, even if subject to probate, will nonetheless go to their intended death beneficiaries.
This is especially true for unmarried couples who wish to leave some portion of their estate to their partner; otherwise the probate assets will all pass to their heirs.
Using a handwritten will is neither a desirable approach nor a long-term solution. It is not as reliable and helpful as an attorney prepared and executed will.
How is a valid handwritten (holographic ) will executed?
Unlike a regular will a holographic will is handwritten and is not witnessed. The essential requirements are as follows: First, the will must show the testator’s testamentary intentions (I.e., “this is my will”). Second, the will must state the bequests (gifts).
Gifts can be stated in various ways: Specific gifts of items of property to named persons and/or to identifiable classes of people (e.g., my children, my spouse); and/or percentages (that total 100%) of one’s remaining estate allocated to specific persons and/or classes.
Third, a primary and alternative executor(rix) to administer the will should be named. Finally, the will must be signed and dated by the testator.
Also, with retirement and life insurance plans, it is wise to call the administrator and enquire who is named as primary and alternative death beneficiaries.
One may be surprised to learn that no alternative beneficiary is named or that who is named is no longer appropriate. If necessary, request a change in death beneficiary form and instructions.
Next, everyone should have powers of attorney for incapacity planning to control financial, property and health care decisions during the principal’s disability. Incapacity planning can be accomplished most simply by completing California’s Uniform Statutory Power of Attorney and Advance health care declaration forms.
Explanations for each of the individual powers listed in the power of attorney can be obtained by going on-line and searching for “California uniform statutory power of attorney explanation of powers.”
Is the foregoing approach to estate planning ideal or completely sufficient?
Not usually. Laypersons using the above approach will not typically cover all the important issues they need to address.
For example, conferring gifting authority to transfer real and personal property to loved ones, which is often relevant for Medi-Cal planning purposes, requires additional special instructions to be added to the statutory power.
Before leaving on vacation, place all legal documents in a safe location and ensure that the necessary persons have access. Then relax and enjoy your vacation!
Dennis A. Fordham, attorney (LL.M. tax studies), is a State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law. His office is at 55 First St., Lakeport, California. Dennis can be reached by e-mail at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Officials said Friday that Lake County’s air quality continues to improve after days of clogging wildland fire smoke, with the weekend forecast showing air quality to be in the “good” category.
Lake County Air Quality Management District, which issued the Friday update, also advised that community members should remain cautious due to the ability for conditions to change rapidly.
The district said testing shows that ozone and particulate levels remain below the state and federal health-based standards.
The Mill Fire in the Colusa County portion of the Mendocino National Forest has sent a cloud of smoke high above the horizon, with that smoke filling the air basin earlier this week.
Both Lake County and neighboring Mendocino County issued air quality alerts earlier in the week because of the smoke, and the East Park Reservoir in Colusa County also was closed to recreation activities in part because of air conditions.
The local air district said the improved conditions seen in the latter part of the week resulted from firefighting efforts and sustained westerly transport winds.
Smoke impacts in Lake County are likely through the weekend as east winds are forecast for parts of Saturday and Sunday, the district reported.
While officials don’t anticipate unhealthy air quality throughout Lake County, localized pockets of
heavy smoke are possible.
Strong west winds are predicted for late afternoon through early evening on both Saturday and Sunday, which will help keep Lake County’s air clear of heavy smoke, the district reported.
The Mill Fire is expected to be contained on Friday, July 20, the Mendocino National Forest reported.
Gov. Jerry Brown has directed additional state resources deployed to assist in fighting wildfires burning throughout Northern California.
Significant fires are burning in three Northern California counties – Placer, Trinity and Colusa counties and have burned over 30,630 acres, destroyed at least five structures and displaced hundreds of residents.
A highly trained Cal Fire Incident Management Team is now coordinating the attack on the 1,300-acre “Robbers Fire” in Placer County.
The wildfire is burning three miles northwest of the community of Foresthill and was only 10 percent contained as of early Saturday morning. Officials say 170 residences are threatened and 1,626 personnel are assigned to try and get the upper hand on the fire.
“We’ve had a brief reprieve from large fire activity the last two years,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of Cal Fire. “But the exceptionally dry winter has set the stage for a more active fire season this year and we’re seeing fire activity now that we would typically not see until late August.”
Governor Brown also directed the California National Guard to activate five specially equipped UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and trained guard personnel to assist state and local firefighters as well as emergency management and mutual aid resources available through the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA).
“The California Military Department is supporting Cal Fire and Cal EMA to provide critical resources and personnel to protect the residents affected by these wildfires,” said Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, Adjutant General, California Military Department. “We are prepared to provide additional support and stand ready wherever and whenever we are needed.”
Cal EMA has deployed 23 mutual aid strike teams comprised of firefighting equipment and personnel from around the region.
A total of 150 engines and approximately 469 personnel are deployed as a part of these state-coordinated strike teams. They join hundreds more local firefighters in impacted areas.
“Our hearts go out to those impacted by these wildfires,” said Secretary Mark Ghilarducci of the California Emergency Management Agency. “We know how important it is to have a quick, coordinated response to these disasters and that’s what our team has been focused on around the clock. We’re working closely with the other agencies and keeping a close eye on the rest of the state as the hot weather and winds pose additional challenges.”
Ghilarducci stressed that residents near these wildfires should pay close attention to information and direction from local authorities in case additional evacuations are necessary.