Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 March 4

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Today's featured article
Tau Ceti is a star in the constellation Cetus that is similar to the Sun in mass and spectral type. At a distance of just under 12 light years from the Solar System, it is a relatively close star. Tau Ceti is metal-deficient and so is thought to be less likely to host rocky planets. Observations have detected more than 10 times as much dust surrounding Tau Ceti as is present in the Solar System. The star appears stable, with little stellar variation. Astrometric or radial velocity measurements have not yet detected companions around Tau Ceti, but given current search refinement, this only excludes substellar companions such as large brown dwarfs. Because of its debris disk, any planet orbiting Tau Ceti would face far more impact events than the Earth. Despite this hurdle to habitability, its solar analog characteristics have led to widespread interest in the star. Given its stability and similarity to the Sun, Tau Ceti is consistently listed as a target for the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, and it appears in some science fiction literature. Unlike other prominent stars, Tau Ceti does not have a widely recognized traditional name. It can be seen with the unaided eye as a faint third-magnitude star. (more...) Recently featured: Round Church, Preslav – Banksia spinulosa – Posting system Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that Český Šternberk Castle (pictured) appears several times in the Albanian-Czech movie The Sorrow of Mrs. Schneider? ... that shortly after it was introduced, the Crash Position Indicator was credited with saving the life of a critically injured airman? ... that on a commission of the Érard company to show off the expressive range of its double-action pedal harp, Maurice Ravel composed Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet? ... that the coral reef crab Zosimus aeneus contains deadly poisonous neurotoxins? ... that Rhône winemaker Jean-Luc Colombo lamented the competition from California wines, describing their rise as "losing civilisation and vulgarising wine"? ... that former Manchester City footballer Lee Crooks is soon scheduled to serve on the frontline in the War in Afghanistan? ... that Luke Matheny, whose hair was described as "a vast black bouffant that makes him look like an untidy microphone", began his Academy Award acceptance speech by joking, "I should've gotten a haircut"? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Wisconsin protests Essam Sharaf is appointed Prime Minister of Egypt by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces after Ahmed Shafik resigns. Pakistani Minister of Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti is assassinated in Islamabad, following years of death threats for supporting Pakistani Christians. Protests (pictured) against proposed legislation affecting public employee labor unions in the U.S. state of Wisconsin enter their third week. The King's Speech wins four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Tom Hooper, at the 83rd Academy Awards. Beji Caid el Sebsi becomes Prime Minister of Tunisia after Mohamed Ghannouchi resigns amid ongoing protests. Amid crackdowns on protesters, the UN Security Council refers the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court and imposes sanctions on Muammar Gaddafi. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
March 4 306 – Roman Herculian guard Adrian of Nicomedia, who had converted to Christianity after being impressed with the faith of Christians that he had been torturing, was martyred. 1386 – Grand Duke of Lithuania Jogaila was crowned Władysław II Jagiełło (pictured), King of Poland, beginning the Jagiellon dynasty. 1899 – Cyclone Mahina struck Bathurst Bay, Queensland, killing over 400 people, the deadliest natural disaster in Australian history. 1918 – The first known case of the so-called Spanish flu was first observed at Fort Riley, Kansas, US. 1980 – Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union was elected to head the first government in Zimbabwe. More anniversaries: March 3 – March 4 – March 5 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now March 4 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Panamanian baseball pitcher Mariano Rivera has spent his entire 16-year Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees. An 11-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Rivera has accumulated 559 saves, the second-most in MLB history, and he holds Major League postseason records for saves and earned run average, among other records.

Photo: Keith Allison

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