Saturday, August 29, 2009

When I consider the heavens...

I love reading about science. So when I read this stuff about the universe, stars, planets, and other cool stuff like that, I thought you, my fellow science buff, would dig it as well. :)

Enjoy.


When a large star gets old, it explodes, instantly releasing as much energy as the Sun outputs in ten billion years. This is called a supernova, which is Latin for "Wow. No really, Wow."





After the explosion, what's left at the center is a neutron star, which is an extremely dense object with just slightly more mass than our own Sun, crammed into a space the size of New Orleans. A neutron star is so dense that a teaspoonful of one would weigh as much as ten million Oprahs.

Occasionally, a pair of neutron stars will wind up orbiting each other. In 2003, a pair was discovered orbiting about half a million miles apart. This is twice the distance between the Earth and the Moon. Because neutron stars are so massive, however, each orbit takes only two and a half hours.

The astronomers who discovered this binary neutron star system gave it the name PSR J0737-3039. I wonder what these guys name their pets.

Every day, the two neutron stars in PSR J0737-3039 get a quarter of an inch closer together, because of energy loss due to gravitational waves. 85 million years from now, they'll merge together. One minute before this happens, the neutron stars will be only a few hundred miles apart, and orbit around each other 30 times per second. In the final few moments, they'll get much closer together, and extremely angry, and the orbital frequency will increase to 1000 times per second.

This is totally insane. Two city-sized objects, each with the mass of the Sun, whirling around each other 1000 times per second. If you don't think this is impressive, you might as well go back to bed now.

When the neutron stars in PSR J0737-3039 merge, they will probably form a black hole, which is an exotic astronomical object whose gravity is so strong that even humor cannot escape it.

Reminds me of Psalm 8, eh?

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Sault Ste. Marie, MI

On Saturday we drove across the U.P. to a meeting with the Community Baptist Church in the aforementioned town, and were there all day Sunday. On Monday, we took some time to be together as a family!



'A' marks the spot. :)




Playing the trumpet is something I enjoy...




as well as singing together with my family!




Dad preached on 'the potter and the clay'.




Monday was a beautiful day...




for being goofy...




and for enjoying God's creation!


Saturday, August 22, 2009

U.P. State Fair


On Friday some folks form the Northwoods Baptist Church took some of us Raubs to go spread the good news at the fair. I think we passed out over a thousand tracts in one afternoon!

And then Jon and I broke out the bluegrass gear and really got it going! :)






























Grand kids! ;)

My niece and nephew cause quite a stir in the Raub household every time we see them!
























Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Lake Superior

Today my friend and brother-in-law's brother Mark, my brother Jonathan and I took a jaunt up to go kayaking in one of the coolest (in more ways than one) of the Great Lakes. The water was cold, but that didn't stop us from diving and snorkeling, and we were rewarded with some really awesome underwater views! Unfortunately, I don't have an underwater camera, so ya'll will have to put up with our pics in the areas of lesser density... :)

Yes, it really is my sister's 69' Chevy.

































Saturday, August 15, 2009

banjos, bows, and baptists

Today, Bro. Brian Hatfield, Pastor of Beth El Midrash Baptist Congregation, took Jonathan and I to see the shop where Jon's Banjo was made here in Milwaukee. (Incidentally, bro. Brian was the one that gave him the instrument!) The guy who makes 'em has been doing it since the 70's, and he's great at it. I guess that's why he gets around $1500 for a cheap one, eh? Anyway, it was cool to meet the fella who crafted it.

Then Pastor Hatfield took us to the bow-range to shoot his bow. It had been a while since I had a, arrow flinger in my hands, but after I got warmed up I guess I didn't do too bad...

And after a great meal with the Hatfield family in their home, we sung and presented the ministry at their church!

Praise the Lord for a great day with His people.



















Monday, August 10, 2009

Sing His praises!



Psalm 95:1
"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation."




Psalm 30:12

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Family fun









Today the Raub family spent some time together at a cool science center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The exhibits were nice, but I guess the part I liked the best was the aquarium; it was 3 stories tall! You could look down into it, stare into the side of it, and gaze up at it, too. All kinds of sea creatures. From Sea horses to sharks. They even had a place that you could pet some of these crazy sea animals! Pretty awesome stuff. Thank the Lord for a great family.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Bible Baptist Church, Highland, IN, plus!


Hey Ya'll! Just thought I'd throw some picture of the recent happenings around here. Yesterday we, through a good reference or two, were given an opportunity to sing at a great church in northern Indiana. You know those times when all the stars and planets line up, everybody sings as a team, and it just sounds AMAZING and is a real blessing to God's people?

Last night was it.

And in our travels today we took a detour and somehow found ourselves in downtown Chicago. (Which is a real pain for the driver of our rig but awesome for pictures, eh?)





















 
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