This NASA image obtained on Earth Day, April 22, 2009, shows the Great Wall of China and Inner Mongolia photographed by Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao on the International Space Station. Despite myths to the contrary, the wall isn't visible from the moon, and is difficult or impossible to see from Earth orbit without the high-powered lenses used for this photo. Getty Images logo Getty Images 6 months ago

This NASA image obtained on Earth Day, April 22, 2009, shows the Great Wall of China and Inner Mongolia photographed by Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao on the International Space Station. Despite myths to the contrary, the wall isn't visible from the moon, and is difficult or impossible to see from Earth orbit without the high-powered lenses used for this photo.

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  1. In this image provided by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory the surface Saturn's moon, Enceladus, captured by Cassini on its Nov. 2, 2009, flyby of Enceladus. The camera was pointing toward Enceladus from approximately 14,000 kilometers (9,000 miles) away.
  2. Ben Shelef, left, and David Bashford of the LaserMotive discuss their entry into the $2 million Space Elevator Games after the device was weighed-in at the end of the day at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  3. Thomas Nugent, left, and Jordin Kare of the LaserMotive team talk about their entry in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  4. This handout photo from NASA shows the KC Space Robots robot climbing a cable suspended from a helicopter, not shown, in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  5. This handout photo from NASA shows the LaserMotive robotic climber nearing the goal on a cable suspended from a helicopter, not shown, in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  6. A member of the University of Saskatchewan dozes off after spending most of the night preparing the team's entry into the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  7. Photovoltaic cells, temporarily protected by colored plastic, are seen below as Andrew Williams of the University of Saskatchewan works on his team's entry into the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  8. This handout photo from NASA shows David Bashford, right, lead of the LaserMotive team, preparing their robotic climber entry in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. After three years without a winner in a NASA-backed competition to develop the science fiction space elevator concept, the team from Seattle on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 collected $900,000 after its laser-powered robotic machine raced up more than 2,950 feet (nearly 1 kilometer) of cable dangling from a helicopter.
  9. This handout photo from NASA shows David Bashford, right, lead of the LaserMotive team, preparing their robotic climber entry in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  10. KC Space Pirates team member Dan Leafblad is reflected in the mirror of the laser used by his team in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  11. Photovoltaic panels, which convert laser light into electrical energy similar to solar panels, are seen on the bottom of the LaserMotive entry in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  12. An electric motor powered by photovoltaic cells below provides the lifting force for the LaserMotive entry into the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  13. Team leader David Bashford, right, prepares the LaserMotive robotic climber during the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  14. This handout photo from NASA shows Dan Leafbflad, left, and other members of the KC Space Pirates preparing their robotic climber entry in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  15. This handout photo from NASA shows Brian Turner, left, and Dan Leafblad preparing the KC Space Pirates robotic climber for its run in the $2 million Space Elevator Games at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. In a the test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter, on a course 900 meters (2,953 feet) high.
  16. CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - OCTOBER 28: NASA's Ares 1-X test rocket lifs off from launch pad 39-b at the Kennedy Space Center October 28, 2009 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA has designed the Ares to be the replacement to the aging space shuttle fleet.

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  1. NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 08: (L-R) Actresses Susan Sarandon and Eva Mendes attend a screening of Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans at the SVA Theater on November 8, 2009 in New York City.
  2. FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 08: Crew members push the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, driven by Kurt Busch, down pit road to victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 8, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. Kurt Busch had to be pushed to victory lane do to running out of gas.
  3. FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 08: Crew members push the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, driven by Kurt Busch, down pit road to victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 8, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. Kurt Busch had to be pushed to victory lane do to running out of gas.
  4. NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 08: TV personality Ron Claiborne attends a screening of Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans at the SVA Theater on November 8, 2009 in New York City.
  5. NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 08: Actress Susan Sarandon attends a screening of Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans at the SVA Theater on November 8, 2009 in New York City.
  6. NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 08: TV personality Ron Claiborne attends a screening of Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans at the SVA Theater on November 8, 2009 in New York City.
  7. A vertical cattle mixer/feeder is shown at a farm equipment manufacturing business in Merced, California October 27, 2009. Since 1837 when blacksmith John Deere created the first polished-steel plow so farmers could cut furrows through dense prairie soil, farm equipment makers have been a mainstay of U.S. Manufacturing. But the sharp contraction in the U.S. economy starting in late 2007 and the subsequent surge in the dollar as investors sought the safety of U.S. government securities made sales tough -- especially overseas. Picture taken October 27.
  8. Federal policemen stand guard outside the hotel where businessmen are attending the Business Summit in Monterrey November 8, 2009.
  9. Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim leaves the hotel after a conference with businessmen at the Business Summit in Monterrey November 8, 2009.
  10. Former Formula One Renault driver Nelson Piquet takes part in the Grand Prix Easykar 2009, in the Caribbean port city of Cartagena November 8, 2009.
  11. Kurt Busch celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Fort Worth, Texas.
  12. Kurt Busch celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Fort Worth, Texas.
  13. Police investigators view debris from a San Miguel Corporation sign outside its headquarters in Mandaluyong city, east of Manila, Philippines, after a man hurled an explosive device on Monday Nov. 9, 2009. Two explosions, the other outside a supermarket, rocked the metro area early Monday. No injuries were reported.
  14. Police investigators view debris from a San Miguel Corporation sign outside its headquarters in Mandaluyong city, east of Manila, Philippines, after a man hurled what is believed to be an explosive device, on Monday Nov. 9, 2009. Two explosions, the other outside a supermarket, rocked the metro area early Monday. No injuries were reported.
  15. Police investigators gesture as they view debris from a San Miguel Corporation sign outside its headquarters in Mandaluyong city, east of Manila, after a man hurled an explosive device on Monday Nov. 9, 2009. Two explosions, the other outside a supermarket, rocked the metro area early Monday. No injuries were reported.
  16. British comedian Russell Brand, left, and girlfriend U.S. singer Katy Perry pose at the after show party following his one man show at the Royal Albert Hall, in west London, Sunday Nov. 8, 2009.