biggest black hole orbiting a star 1.8 million light-years

This NASA handout artist's illustration recieved 31 October 2007 shows the IC 10 X-1 system, the black hole lies at the upper left and its companion star is on the right. The two objects orbit around a center of gravity once every 34.4 hours. US astronomers have discovered the biggest black hole orbiting a star 1.8 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia, with a record-setting mass of 24 to 33 times that of our Sun, NASA said 30 October 2007.The stellar companion is a type known as a Wolf-Rayet star. Such stars are highly evolved and destined to explode as supernovae. The black hole companion is shedding its outer envelope in a powerful wind, and some of this gas is captured by the black hole’s powerful gravity.

Feldberg mountain ..Germanny

Strollers enjoy the view from the Feldberg mountain 31 October 2007 in the Taunus region, western Germany. Meteorologists forecast sunny autumn weather for wide parts of Germany.

Halloween show in New York's

The NBC "Today" television show cast costumed as the 1960's "The Munsters" televison series, appear during annual Halloween show in New York's Rockefeller Center, Wednesday Oct. 31, 2007. They are, from left, Al Roker as Grandpa Munster, Tiki Barber as their pet dragon Spot, Matt Lauer as Herman Munster, Meredith Vieira as Lily Musnster, Hoda Kotb as Marilyn Munster, and Natalie Morales as Eddie Munster

bus explosion in the city of Togliatti...

Emergency workers treat a victim of a bus explosion in the city of Togliatti October 31, 2007. A bomb on a bus in the Russian car-making city of Togliatti killed at least eight people and injured 50 on Wednesday in what authorities called a terrorist attack

Firemen work on a scene of a bus explosion in the city of Togliatti October 31, 2007. At least eight people were killed and 56 were injured on Wednesday in an explosion on a bus in the Russian city of Togliatti and authorities said they were treating the suspected bombing as a terrorist act

Peggy McAlpine give a thumbs up as she paraglides off a 2,500-foot (762-metre)

One-hundred-year old Peggy McAlpine give a thumbs up as she paraglides off a 2,500-foot (762-metre) mountain peak in Kyrenia, northern Cyprus October 31, 2007. The self confessed "daredevil" leaped into record books on Wednesday by paragliding off the mountain peak. The jump was to mark McAlpine's hundredth birthday, which she had celebrated the day before when she received a congratulatory telegram from the Queen.

South Florida as winds and rain from Tropical Storm Noel ..

A lone beach-goer walks on the sand Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, on Fort Lauderdale Beach in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rough surf warnings were in effect for much of South Florida as winds and rain from Tropical Storm Noel pelted the area.

treatment in a hospital in Baqouba..

A boy gets treatment in a hospital in Baqouba, 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, after being injured in a roadside bomb blast

Tropical Storm Noel washed away the seawall

Chris Strand stands on a concrete walkway that was left seeming going to nowhere as high winds and waves caused by Tropical Storm Noel washed away the seawall 31 October, 2007 in South Palm Beach, Florida. The National Hurricane center continues to issue an advisory for Southern Florida saying they should monitor the progress of the Noel

viewed from the top of the Space Needle... "Mayors Climate Summit

A morning sun burns through fog over Seattle Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007 as viewed from the top of the Space Needle. The city will host the "Mayors Climate Summit, " Thursday and Friday, a meeting of more than 100 mayors from across the country to discuss steps U.S. cities can make to address the effects of climate change.

Refugees line up to get food ...

Refugees line up to get food and supplies from U.N. peacekeepers at a school in the Cite Soleil slum, Port-au-Prince, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007. Floodwaters and mudslides spawned by tropical storm Noel killed at least 48 people in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, officials said Wednesday, raising the death toll as the storm regained force over water and curved toward Florida and the Bahamas

new Airbus 380 "Superjumbo" has completed ...

This undated photo released by Lufthansa Technik shows a mock-up of a proposed interior to be installed on an Airbus 380 the company plans to convert for a private user. The new Airbus 380 "Superjumbo" has completed its maiden commercial flight and there are already plans to transform the world's largest passenger plane into the pinnacle of private luxury, an executive jet.

This undated image released by Lufthansa Technik shows the floor plan of a proposed interior to be installed on an Airbus 380 the company plans to convert for a private user. The new Airbus 380 "Superjumbo" has completed its maiden commercial flight and there are already plans to transform the world's largest passenger plane into the pinnacle of private luxury, an executive jet.

flooded street of Villahermosa,...

A man waits in his boat waits at a flooded street of Villahermosa, state of Tabasco, after the overflowing of the Carrizales river. About 250 thousand people were evacuated in the state because of floods

class of skiers..

Instructor Paval, second from left, teaches a class of skiers at Vail, Colo., on April 23, 2007.

storm triggered mudslides and floods in the Dominican ...

A motorist drives past as heavy surf crashes against a sea wall along the Eastern coastline of New Providence in Nassau, Bahamas, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007. The storm triggered mudslides and floods in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, pushing the death toll to 60

Myanmar sells rubies and other semi-precious stones..

A woman from Myanmar sells rubies and other semi-precious stones at a market in this Oct. 21, 2007 file photo in Mae Sot, Thailand, . Myanmar rubies are some of the worlds best however with the recent crackdown by the military run government against pro-democracy elements the world has become more aware and renewed calls to boycott products from the southeast Asian nation are growing

fisherman ....Chiloe 1000 km south of Santiago.

A fisherman pushes his boat at the coast of Queilen, a small town in the south of the Archipelago of Chiloe, 1000 km south of Santiago, 31st October 2007

Cirque du Soleil production of "Wintuk"..

Performers act in the opening scene during a dress rehearsal 31 October 2007 for the World Premiere of the brand new Cirque du Soleil production of "Wintuk" to open at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The show about a enchanting winter tale will run from 01 November to 06 January 2008

Elena Lev performs with the Hoops during a dress rehearsal 31 October 2007 for the World Premiere of the brand new Cirque du Soleil production of "Wintuk" to open at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The show about an enchanting winter tale will run from 01 November to 06 January 2008.

flooded street of Santo Domingo..

People walk in a flooded street of Santo Domingo, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007. Floodwaters and mudslides spawned by tropical storm Noel killed at least 48 people in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, officials said Wednesday, raising the death toll as the storm regained force over water and curved toward Florida and the Bahamas

Southeastern end of Mexico city, one of the most populated..

A farmer works in his field of nopal (Opuntia, Cactaceae family) in the administrative division of Milpa Alta, inside Mexico City, 18 October 2007. In the Southeastern end of Mexico city, one of the most populated and contaminated cities of the world, a green spot of 28,680 hectares is the place where one of the best Nopal is cultivated. The nopal is used in more than 350 typical Mexican dishes

Stallholders offer their nopal (Opuntia, Cactaceae family) production at the distribution centre of the administrative division of Milpa Alta, inside Mexico City, early morning 25 October 2007. In the Southeastern end of Mexico city, one of the most populated and contaminated cities of the world, a green spot of 28,680 hectares is the place where one of the best Nopal is cultivated.The nopal is used in more than 350 typical Mexican dishes

New York Restoration Project's "Hulaween"..

From left, Miss USA Rachel Smith, Miss Universe Riyo Mori and Miss Teen USA Hillary Cruz attend the New York Restoration Project's "Hulaween" benefit gala at the Waldorf-Astoria, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007 in New York.

annual Village Halloween Parade..New York City

Onlookers watch the annual Village Halloween Parade 31 October 2007 in New York City. Approximately two million visitors attend the event each year, making it the largest Halloween celebration in the country.

Migrant workers pose for a wedding photo...

Migrant workers pose for a wedding photo at a demolished site in Chongqing municipality October 31, 2007. Five couples took free wedding photos offered by a real estate developer to mark the local Migrant Workers' Day, which falls on November 4, local media reported. Picture taken October 31, 2007

82-millimetre recoilless rifle during an attack ..

An Afghan machine gunner shoots his weapon seconds after his position was hit by a Taliban shell during an ambush in Zhari district of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan October 23, 2007. Just after the shell from an 82-millimeter recoilless rifle exploded, the soldier bounded out of the ditch and ran through the smoke, his heavy machine gun blazing from the hip, Rambo-style. Picture taken October 23, 2007

Master Corporal Frank Flibotte (L) helps move wounded Sergeant-Major Paul Pilote to safety while another Canadian soldier from the NATO-led coalition provides covering fire after their position was hit by a Taliban shell from an 82-millimetre recoilless rifle during an attack in Zhari district of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, October 23, 2007. Picture taken October 23, 2007.

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tropical depression 16 intensifying into the tropical storm Noel.

MANDATORY CREDIT AFP PHOTO/NASA/MODIS A handout picture captured by Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) from NASA’s Terra satellite and taken late in the morning of 28 October 2007 shows the tropical depression 16 intensifying into the tropical storm Noel. Though still weak, the storm was beginning to take the distinct shape of a tropical cyclone. A dense circle of clouds converged over the Caribbean Sea just south of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and a long tail of clouds curled over Puerto Rico. Shadows cast by towering thunderstorm clouds make the cloud layer appear to be boiling in places. At least 43 people were killed in floods and landslides triggered by Tropical Storm Noel as it struck Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and tore across Cuba 31 October

100 Buddhist monks marched and chanted in northern Myanmar

A truck carries Buddhist monks near the Shwe-Gu-Gyi pagoda in Bago, Myanmar Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. More than 100 Buddhist monks marched and chanted in northern Myanmar for nearly an hour Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, the first public demonstration since the government's deadly crackdown last month

multiple bombings across Thailand's troubled south,..

Volunteers carry an injured Buddhist man to a hospital following an attack by militants in Thailand's restive southern Yala province, 31 October 2007. One person was killed in multiple bombings across Thailand's troubled south, while two suspected militants died in a gun battle with security forces. More than 2,600 people have been killed in the almost daily shootings, bombings and ambushes that have plagued the Muslim majority region since unrest erupted in January 2004.

Thai soldiers tranport injured Buddhists following an attack by militants in Thailand's restive southern Yala province, 31 October 2007. One person was killed in multiple bombings across Thailand's troubled south, while two suspected militants died in a gun battle with security forces. More than 2,600 people have been killed in the almost daily shootings, bombings and ambushes that have plagued the Muslim majority region since unrest erupted in January 2004

a ceremony marking the 90th anniversary of the World War One "Charge of Beersheeba"

Andy Clarke (R) leads (L-R) Michael Graham, Paddy O'Brien and George Baczocha as they lead guests across a street in central Sydney after a ceremony marking the 90th anniversary of the World War One "Charge of Beersheeba" by the Australian Light Horse October 31, 2007. The charge by more than 800 Australian horsemen against Turkish forces on this day in 1917 is recognised as the world's last great cavalry charge

Miami Beach, Florida...

Christina Rossi, on vacation from Scotland, tries to roll up her beach matt as it is blown about by winds caused by Tropical Storm Noel 30 October 2007 in Miami Beach, Florida. The National Hurricane Center issued an advisory to Southern Florida saying they should monitor the progress of Noel.

storm that killed more than a dozen people.... Dominican Republic

People wash their belongings in a river after flashfloods and mudslides hit outside of San Cristobal October 30, 2007. Tropical Storm Noel weakened slightly as it moved inland over northern Cuba on Tuesday, but the storm that killed more than a dozen people in the Dominican Republic was expected to briefly become a hurricane later in the week somewhere near the Bahamas

A resident walks on an empty beach in South Beach, Miami as Tropical Storm Noel moves close to the south of Florida October 30, 2007. Tropical Storm Noel weakened as it moved across Cuba on Tuesday, dumping torrential rain on already water-logged areas of the Caribbean island after killing at least 18 people in flashfloods and mudslides in the Dominican Republic and Haiti

Residents enjoy the wind in South Beach, Miami as Tropical Storm Noel moves close to the south of Florida October 30, 2007. Tropical Storm Noel weakened as it moved across Cuba on Tuesday, dumping torrential rain on already water-logged areas of the Caribbean island after killing at least 18 people in flashfloods and mudslides in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

A resident fishes in South Beach, Miami as Tropical Storm Noel moves close to the south of Florida October 30, 2007. Tropical Storm Noel weakened as it moved across Cuba on Tuesday, dumping torrential rain on already water-logged areas of the Caribbean island after killing at least 18 people in flashfloods and mudslides in the Dominican Republic and Haiti

Vietnam's preference for baby boys over girls

Mothers hold their newborn babies at Hanoi Maternity Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, Monday, Oct. 29, 2007. Vietnam's preference for baby boys over girls is further tripping Mother Nature's scale in Asia, already skewed by the strong desire by Chinese and Indians to have more sons. The trend could lead to the increased trafficking of women and social unrest, according to a United Nations report. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)

Green Island, about 33km (20 miles)

Tourists walk up a hill on Green Island, about 33km (20 miles) off the eastern coast of Taiwan October 13, 2007.

flooded street due to heavy rains caused by tropical storm Noel..

In this photo released by United Mision in Haiti, MINUSTAH, U.N. Brazilian peacekeepers rescue residents from a flooded street due to heavy rains caused by tropical storm Noel, in la Plaine, Port-au-Prince, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007

Residents struggle to cross a flooded street due to heavy rains caused by tropical storm Noel, in la Plaine, Port-au-Prince, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007.

Forces F-2 jet fighter is engulfed in flames..

A Japan Air Self-Defense Forces F-2 jet fighter is engulfed in flames at a airport in Toyoyamacho, Aichi Prefecture (state), central Japan, Wednesday morning, Oct. 31, 2007. The plane crashed an instant after takeoff and went up in flames, lightly injuring the two pilots, a spokesman for aircraft's manufacturer said

Dressed as Tigger, Braden Tucker...

Dressed as Tigger, Braden Tucker, 5 months old attends the Safe Halloween event at the Kern County Museum Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007 in Bakersfield, Calif.