[BLOG] Some Friday links

[rfmcdonald]

• Centauri Dreams notes that the Milky Way Galaxy, though vast, is actually quite dim. People positioned outside of it wouldn't see much.


• D-Brief notes the discovery of a planet orbiting one of two stars in a reasonably close binary system at an Earth-like distance. Good news for Alpha Centauri?


• The Dragon's Gaze links to a paper on the exoplanet systems of subdwarf B stars.


• The Dragon's Tales links to a paper examining the methane reservoirs on Titan.


• Far Outliers notes recent commentary suggesting that Russia would prefer Ukraine not develop a capable modern state, since that could weaken Russian influence.


• Language Hat shares a list of 55 peculiarities of Canadian English.


• Language Log disproves the argument that Canadians are more apologetic than others.


• Marginal Revolution notes controversies over fracking in Australia.


• The Volokh Conspiracy notes the interesting results of a lawsuit lodged against a bar by a former employee claiming sexual and religious harassment.


• Window on Eurasia notes how modernization in Russia is threatening minority ethnic groups, and looks at Russian Orthodox-tinged militias in Ukraine.