The Vatican is recasting the most famous victim of its Inquisition as a man of faith, just in time for the 400th anniversary of Galileo's telescope and the U.N.-designated International Year of Astronomy next year, according to the AP story.

And people say the Roman Catholic Church is adverse to change. It just needs 400 years to think about it first.

Pope Benedict XVI paid tribute to the Italian astronomer and physicist Sunday, saying he and other scientists had helped the faithful better understand and "contemplate with gratitude the Lord's works."

If you haven't seen the Dugger Family show, you are missing a great real-time experiment in sustainability.

Mom Michelle, 42, had her 18th baby today, according to AP.  She told a local news writer that "as long as God wills it" she will "continue to add to the brood."

You can't make this stuff up. Or maybe you can, but still, I think it's mind-boggling.

A doctor in Colorado found a surprise when removing what he thought was a benign growth from a newborn's brain. Instead of a microscopic tumor, out popped a tiny foot, partially formed hand, a thigh and another partially formed foot.  

The doc said "he could not tell whether the miniature limbs were from a benign stem cell tumor called a teratoma or the remnants of an identical twin that did not split off and survive, a condition called fetus in fetu."

I didn't know that Christmas was associated with hangovers, but apparently in Britain it is. Whatever gets you through family time, I guess. Anyway, the venerable BMJ dedicated some quality space to debunking holiday myths, according to this BBC article.

1. The only cure for a hangover is time. Or more alcohol.
2. Eating late does not equal gaining more weight. Eating lots of bad food does.
3. Sugar does not cause hyperactive behavior. I beg to differ.

A little of this and a little of that today...

I had just clicked "save" to publish my blog and the internet closed without warning, so this is an abbreviated version of my abbreviated blog. Two stories caught my eye on the train ride in to work - the Washington Post's compacted commuter daily, the Express, featured one bona fide science story and one story that mentioned the word science, so I'll include both.

The people of Aroostook County, Maine, win my award for most awesome community today. When you construct what is billed as the largest complete three-dimensional scale model of the solar system in the world, the choice is a no-brainer.

Doug Bachler, the coolest guy I know (after Hank, of course), sent me this link about the model solar system today. (Doug enables my geekiness, so he deserves special mention by name.) Click on the map on the site to see the solar stretch of stunning science.