venus

The 404 1,186: Where we're bad at the Internet (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Scientists to do tests to make sure this whole thing isn't just a computer simulation.

- Ban on demanding Facebook passwords among new 2013 state laws.

- Arizona bill would outlaw posing as others on Facebook or Twitter.

- Apple: "Do Not Disturb" will remain disturbed until January 7.

- An infinitely large wall of text editable by anyone, at your own risk.… Read more

Steve Jobs' yacht freed in time for Christmas

Steve Jobs' yacht, a floating goddess of a dinghy dubbed the Venus, was freed from impound in the Netherlands in time for Christmas. It's a typical feel-good holiday story, except that it involves a dispute over an extravagant boat and millions of dollars between the estate of an American icon and a renowned French designer.

Apparently when superstars of their respective industries get together to collaborate on hundred million dollar projects like the Venus, they don't necessarily sign very explicit contracts.… Read more

Steve Jobs' yacht gives insights into his design process

Last month, we stumbled upon videos of Steve Jobs' yacht, the Venus, which was reportedly unveiled a year after Jobs' death. The sleek, clean design has a certain Apple Store look to it, complete with a row of 27-inch iMacs on board, but there's no evidence the crew will don those blue Genius bar shirts.

Then recently SuperYacht Times interviewed French designer Philippe Starck, who Jobs collaborated with to design Venus. (You might remember erroneous reports earlier this year that alleged Starck was involved in designing a new Apple product -- turns out the project in question was actually … Read more

The Venus transit of a lifetime

The stars aligned early this week for the transit of Venus, a special astronomical phenomenon that usually only occurs twice in a century. During this happening, observers can view Venus' passage across the sun from Earth. After it completes the final stretch on June 6, the event won't occur again until December 11, 2117.

Crave scoured the photo-sharing site Flickr and found some truly mesmerizing shots from amateur photographers based in the U.S., as well as several snaps from people planted elsewhere around the world.… Read more

Watch Venus' trek across the sun without going blind (live video)

If you don't want to wait another 105 years to watch Venus make its way across the face of the sun, here are ways to safely observe today's event, which starts around 2 p.m. PT.

You can watch NASA's live feed:

Streaming Live by Ustream

You can watch CBSNews.com's live feed (Click here starting around 2:30 p.m. PT).

Or, watch it from the convenience of your smart phone via the Venus Transit app, available on Android and iOS. The app also lets you share your observations with other viewers.

If you want … Read more

Venus transit app lets users track the planet's rare voyage

One of the rarest celestial events viewable from Earth will occur Tuesday -- the planet Venus will make a trek across the face of the sun. Such an event has only been observed six times in recorded history, and the next occurrence won't come until 2117, so space buffs are gearing up for the big show.

One way to stay tuned -- and also help scientists record Venus' voyage -- is by using an app called VenusTransit. With this app, which is available on Android and iOS, amateur astronomers can join the ranks of historic explorers like Capt. James … Read more

Wii U, Halo 4, and the expectations of E3

In today's show, we're stretching our thumbs, looking to Venus and pondering iPhone popularity:

It's time to gear up for the year's big video game conference, E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo. The coverage begins around 9 a.m. Pacific, noon Eastern when Microsoft holds its press event. Expect talk of Halo 4 and new entertainment features tied to Xbox Live.

Sony will be holding a press event late Monday evening, and Nintendo will be having one Tuesday to reveal more on the Wii U, right as the show floor opens.

Google will be holding an event … Read more

Next week's solar transit of Venus the last until 2117

On June 5 in the Americas and June 6 in the rest of the world, people will be able to see one of the rarest predictable events in astronomy: a solar transit of the planet Venus.

Over a six-hour period the disc of Venus will be silhouetted against the sun. Seeing it safely requires a special eye-protection filter, available for a dollar or so -- alternately, a telescope or binoculars can safely project an image onto a wall or sheet of paper. But if you miss it, your next chance won't come until the year 2117.

Every century or … Read more

Pilot mistakes Venus for plane, sends own plane into dive

We've all driven down a road, looked away, looked back and mistaken a bear for the Abominable Snowman. Or a Toyota Prius for a car.

However, when you're in the air, slight errors of visual comprehension might be magnified.

For it seems that an Air Canada pilot, on his way from Toronto to Zurich, woke up from his scheduled nap and mistook Venus for an oncoming planet. Ah, no, that last "t" shouldn't be there. He thought it was a plane.

So, as CNN dives into it, he pressed the appropriate buttons and levers and … Read more