ON THE RECORD

“When we eliminate the need to launch off Mars, we remove the mission's most daunting obstacle.”

Former NASA engineer James McLane on how Mars missions could be easier if we don't bother making provision for astronauts coming back.

SCORECARD

GOING UP: Galileo Galilei

The Vatican is finally set to recognize Galileo's contribution to science by erecting his statue, four centuries after accusing him of heresy.

GOING DOWN: American PhDs

Seven US-educated scientists working at the Max Planck Society's institutes are facing criminal charges for impersonating a doctor — under German law, a US PhD does not qualify them to use the title.

3 GOOD REASONS

… to celebrate Pi Day on 14 March

1. You can be as accurate as you like — for example, 'pi second' will occur on 3/14 at 1:59:26 p.m.

Credit: J. W. PORTER/CORBIS

2. You can engage in pi-related activities, such as, erm, eating pie (circular pies only, please …).

3. It's more accurate than 'Pi approximation day', celebrated on 22 July (or 22/7 to Europeans).

NUMBER CRUNCH

5,000 cows are the newest contributors to California's energy grid, after the opening of a new biogas facility aiming to capitalize on bovine bodily emissions.

1,200 homes per day could be powered by the scheme, which captures natural gas from manure.

16 million citizens of Karachi, Pakistan, wish they were so fortunate — the city has been plunged into blackouts after the energy company that supplies it was cut off over unpaid bills.

Sources: The Times, ABCnews.com, piday.org, Chem. Eng. News