To date, generating a string of random numbers has been all but impossible, since deciding on a number requires a method to do so, and therefore a lack of randomness. That could change however, as researchers have managed to use a quantum system to generate a string of reportedly truly random numbers. The length of that string? Well, 42, of course.

(continue reading…)

This is the Eskimo or Clownface Nebula, also known as NGC 2392. It’s formation began roughly 10,000 years ago and was first observed by William Herschel in 1787. Wiki has this to say about it’s makeup:

It is surrounded by gas that composed the outer layers of a Sun-like star. The visible inner filaments are ejected by strong wind of particles from the central star. The outer disk contains unusual light-year long orange filaments.

The picture was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, which turns 20 this year.