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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Barry Petchesky

Screenshot 2024-01-03 at 7.47.15 AM

Defector At The Movies

Harold Lloyd Terrifying Babe Ruth With Bad Driving Is Now In The Public Domain

Pr?paration de g?teaux, d?coupe d'une banane. (Photo by Bettina BRINKMANN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Pr?paration de g?teaux

Year In Review

What Horrible Things Did We Do To Our Penises Last Year?

The graceful winding arms of the grand-design spiral galaxy M51 stretch across this image from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. Unlike the menagerie of weird and wonderful spiral galaxies with ragged or disrupted spiral arms, grand-design spiral galaxies boast prominent, well-developed spiral arms like the ones showcased in this image. This galactic portrait was captured by Webb’s Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI). In this image the reprocessed stellar light by dust grains and molecules in the medium of the galaxy illuminate a dramatic filamentary medium. Empty cavities and bright filaments alternate and give the impression of ripples propagating from the spiral arms. The yellow compact regions indicate the newly formed star clusters in the galaxy. M51 — also known as NGC 5194 — lies about 27 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation Canes Venatici, and is trapped in a tumultuous relationship with its near neighbour, the dwarf galaxy NGC 5195. The interaction between these two galaxies has made these galactic neighbours one of the better-studied galaxy pairs in the night sky. The gravitational influence of M51’s smaller companion is thought to be partially responsible for the stately nature of the galaxy’s prominent and distinct spiral arms. If you would like to learn more about this squabbling pair of galactic neighbours, you can explore earlier observations of M51 by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope here.  This Webb observation of M51 is one of a series of observations collectively titled Feedback in Emerging extrAgalactic Star clusTers, or FEAST. The FEAST observations were designed to shed light on the interplay between stellar feedback and star formation in environments outside of our own galaxy, the Milky Way. Stellar feedback is the term used to describe the outpouring of energy from stars into the environments which form them, and is a crucial process in determining the rates at which stars form. Understanding stellar feedback is vital to building accurate universal models of star formation. The aim of the FEAST observations is to discover and study stellar nurseries in galaxies beyond our own Milky Way. Before Webb became operative, other observatories such as the Atacama Large Millimetre Array in the Chilean desert and Hubble have given us a glimpse of star formation either at the onset (tracing the dense gas and dust clouds where stars will form) or after the stars have destroyed with their energy their natal gas and dust clouds. Webb is opening a new window into the early stages of star formation and stellar light, as well as the energy reprocessing of gas and dust. Scientists are seeing star clusters emerging from their natal cloud in galaxies beyond our local group for the first time. They will also be able to measure how long it takes for these stars to pollute with newly formed metals and to clean out the gas (these time scales are different from galaxy to galaxy). By studying these processes, we will better understand how the star formation cycle and metal enrichment are regulated within galaxies as well as what are the time scales for planets and brown dwarfs to form. Once dust and gas is removed from the newly formed stars, there is no material left to form planets. [Image Description: A large spiral galaxy takes up the entirety of the image. The core is mostly bright white, but there are also swirling, detailed structures that resemble water circling a drain. There is white and pale blue light that emanates from stars and dust at the core’s centre, but it is tightly limited to the core. The detailed rings feature bands of deep orange and cloudy grey, which are interspersed by darker empty regions throughout.]

M51 (MIRI image)

Science

Fall Into The Whirlpool Galaxy

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 30: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons smiles after the game against the Toronto Raptors on December 30, 2023 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Toronto Raptors v Detroit Pistons

The Pistons Are On A Winning Streak

A Marcus Rashford kit that says "Rahford."

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Capital

Fanatics Ruined Christmas

Candy cane x-ray

What Did We Get Stuck In Our Rectums Last Year?

COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 21: Elvis Merzlikins #90 of the Columbus Blue Jackets fights Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals in a goal during overtime at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2023. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NHL: DEC 21 Capitals at Blue Jackets

Tom Wilson Earned A Game-Winning Assist By Getting Punched

Uranus Wide (NIRCam Image)

Here’s A Cool Picture Of Uranus

PROVIDENCE, RI - JANUARY 03: Referee Jeffrey Anderson calls a blocking foul during a college basketball game between Marquette Golden Eagles and Providence Friars on January 3, 2018, at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI. Marquette won in overtime 95-90 . (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: JAN 03 Marquette at Providence

Underexplained Lists

Referee And Umpire Signals It’s Fun To Do From Your Couch, Ranked

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) and New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh talk prior to the National Football League game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 25, 2022 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NFL: SEP 25 Bengals at Jets

Zach Wilson May Or May Not Be Willing To Start If The Jets Ask Him, Which They May Or May Not Do

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 24: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on from the sideline during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Miami Dolphins v New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers Now Puttering Around Practice Fields Trying To Shock People

OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 28: Elliotte Friedman interview Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators on Hockey Fights Cancer night prior to a game against the Calgary Flames at Canadian Tire Centre on October 28, 2015 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

Calgary Flames v Ottawa Senators

Journalismism

Elliotte Friedman Is The Most Canadian Scoopster

Fans display American flag during warmups prior to an exhibition game between Team USA and Team Canada on September 9, 2016 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

World Cup Of Hockey 2016 – Canada v United States

Bring Us Canada

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 16: XXXXXXX at Avicii Arena on November 16, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by André Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

2023 NHL Global Series – Sweden – Detroit Red Wings v Ottawa Senators

You’d Duck Too

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 30: Adam Johnson is remembered before the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Anaheim Ducks at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 30, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)

Anaheim Ducks v Pittsburgh Penguins

Manslaughter Arrest Made In Death Of Adam Johnson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 12: Alexis Lafreniere #13 of the New York Rangers celebrates with the bench after scoring a game-tying goal during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2023 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 4-3 in a shootout. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Columbus Blue Jackets v New York Rangers

The Rangers Finally Put Batteries In Alexis Lafrenière

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 8: Joseph Woll #60 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reaches for the puck against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on November 8, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Michael Chisholm/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ottawa Senators v Toronto Maple Leafs

God Bless The Maple Leafs’ Defense

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 15: Flaco, a Eurasian eagle owl that escaped from the Central Park Zoo, continues to roost and hunt in Central Park, February 15, 2023 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)

Flaco, an escaped Eagle owl, remains in Central Park

Birdfector

Flaco Has Flown Free

Illustration of the giant impact hypothesis, with the hypothetical planet Theia colliding with Earth 4.5 billion years ago, created on July 19, 2015. This impact is suggested to be the source of material that created the Moon. (Illustration by Tobias Roetsch/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Theia & Earth Impact Illustration

Curious Earth Lumps Might Be Leftovers From Another Planet It Ate

OTTAWA, CANADA - OCTOBER 14: Michael Andlauer new owner of the Ottawa Senators salutes the crowd as he walks out to give a face-off prior to a game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Canadian Tire Centre on October 14, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Flyers v Ottawa Senators

It’s Really Been A Week For The Senators

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 30: Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (23) skates with the puck on a break away during the third period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Anaheim Ducks on October 30, 2023, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

NHL: OCT 30 Ducks at Penguins

I Can’t Believe The Penguins Managed To Lose That One

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 29: Tommy DeVito #15 of the New York Giants hugs Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets after the Jets' 13-10 overtime win at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

New York Jets v New York Giants

You Can’t Unsee Jets-Giants

A mudskipper jumping to impress another mudskipper

mudskipper

Sports Highlight Of The Day

The Sports Highlight Of The Day Is A Horny Fish Jumping Competition

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Into The Woods

Dare You Traverse The Tricky Trail?

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Tyrod Taylor #2 of the New York Giants looks on in the second quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

New York Giants v Buffalo Bills

The Giants Just Keep Doing Bad Things