NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

May 31, 2023

Simulation: A Disk Galaxy Forms

How did we get here? We know that we live on a planet orbiting a star orbiting a galaxy, but how did all of this form? Since our universe moves too slowly to watch, faster-moving computer simulations are created to help find out. Specifically, this featured video from the IllustrisTNG collaboration tracks gas from the early universe (redshift 12) until today (redshift 0). As the simulation begins, ambient gas falls into and accumulates in a region of relatively high gravity. After a few billion years, a well-defined center materializes from a strange and fascinating cosmic dance. Gas blobs some representing small satellite galaxies continue to fall into and become absorbed by the rotating galaxy as the present epoch is reached and the video ends. For the Milky Way Galaxy, however, big mergers may not be over – recent evidence indicates that our large spiral disk Galaxy will collide and coalesce with the slightly larger Andromeda spiral disk galaxy in the next few billion years.

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4UF9Akman0

Nevada Governor Signs Bill Granting Abortion Access

May 31, 2023

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo has approved a bill that codifies an existing executive order related to abortion that blocks prosecutions for out-of-state residents who seek the procedure and in-state providers.

The rare move positions Nevada as one of the only Republican-led states to enact such pro-abortion policies. Despite identifying as “pro-life,” Lombardo pledged to honor the 1990 referendum vote that granted abortion up to 24 weeks in Nevada.

Lombardo’s decision to sign the law distinguishes him from most other Republican governors who have not sought similar pro-abortion policies. Most conservative-led states have moved to restrict abortion in the face of what they’ve described as the Democrats’ extreme abortion policies.

The legislation builds upon a previous executive order issued by former Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, which prohibits state agencies from aiding out-of-state investigations that might lead to the prosecution of abortion patients traveling to Nevada.

The issue of the executive order became a significant point of contention during Lombardo’s closely contested reelection campaign in 2022. The new law also means that doctors providing abortions can’t be penalized or disqualified by medical licensing boards and commissions.

Initially, Lombardo expressed his intention to revoke the executive order, but later he reversed his stance and pledged to uphold it, a change that was highlighted by Sisolak’s campaign. In February, Lombardo indicated his willingness to sign the bill, which does not introduce any additional provisions beyond what was already included in Sisolak’s executive order.

Elizabeth Ray, a spokeswoman for Lombardo, said in a statement that the governor had made a campaign commitment to ensure Nevada wouldn’t prosecute women seeking abortions in the state.

“Today, Governor Lombardo kept that commitment,” she said.

Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, a Democrat and the legislation’s sponsor, commended Lombardo.

“I want to thank [Lombardo] for following through on his commitment to ensuring that Nevada won’t participate in prosecutions of women who come here to exercise their reproductive rights,” Cannizzaro said.

Several Democratic-controlled states, including California, Colorado, and Rhode Island, have enacted similar pro-abortion measures.

Lombardo joins a small group of Republican governors, including Vermont Gov. Phil Scott and former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, who have signed legislation that establishes pro-abortion policies. The vast majority of GOP governors share the party’s anti-abortion platform.

The Nevada Republican Party expressed dismay when two female Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in supporting the legislation during its advancement in the state Senate.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/nevada-governor-signs-bill-granting-abortion-access_5302123.html