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Jan
10
What A New Space Race Would Accomplish
January 10, 2012 | Leave a Comment
With NASA struggling to stay alive and the world mired in economic trouble, interest in astronomy, cosmology and other space-related sciences seems to have waned in the public eye. Yet, the knowledge we glean from space research can help us with practical applications here on Earth, as Huntingdon Life Sciences shows us. Perhaps what we need is a new space race. What would this accomplish? Well, it would:
Expand the search for Earth-like planets outside our solar system
One of the hottest fields in astronomy right now is exoplanet detection, which has benefited greatly from new technologies. Exoplanet detection, which is the discovery of planets outside our star system, used to be only possible by deducing a celestial body in the shadow of a star. Newer, more sophisticated techniques have made it more likely we will discovery planets hospitable for life.
Expand the development of a fusion-powered rocket
Fusion power in a rocket would not only reduce the incredible cost of putting men and women in space, it would exponentially increase the distances we could traverse. As it stands now, space travel is slow and costly.
Increase the chance of a trip to Mars. The Red Planet has beckoned us for years but the sheer cost of making the trip and ambiguity over what this journey would accomplish has hindered progress. A new space race to Mars would probably parallel the Cold War in terms of creating nationalistic pride.
Add to our understanding of climate change
The more science progresses the more we learn about how our planet operates and how it traps and is affected by the sun’s rays and greenhouse gases.
Make us safer from asteroids
In 1883, hundreds of comet fragments narrowly missed the Earth. We didn’t even know about this until recently, after turning up evidence from a 19th century astronomer. A new space race would force us to draw up contingency plans.
Increase the chance of a colony on the moon. Because of cosmic threats like asteroids, as well as more domestic threats like war, disease, and pollution, it’s probably a good idea for humans to not have all our eggs in one basket, so to speak. Establishing a lunar colony would aid in scientific research, as well as provide some DNA safeguards in the event of a planetary calamity.
Learn more about the origins of the universe
The further out we go, the further back we go in time. New telescopes are peering deeper into the history of universe than ever before. Someday it may be possible for us to actually observe the direct aftermath of the Big Bang.
This is what would likely be accomplished with a new space race. While the cost would be high, so too would be the gains in knowledge, technological advancement, and global safety.
Nov
10
Earth and Beyond: A Pictorial Journey
November 10, 2011 | Leave a Comment
Space, the final frontier, with this pictorial journey we will boldly go where only lucky astronauts and the immense reach of a camera lens have gone before. We will gaze in wonder at some stellar sights, feeling very small in comparison to the vast expanse of space and very proud to be part of a race that has reached out from their humble position to the outer limits of the galaxy.
(1) Lift off
A magisterial space rocket lifts off from planet Earth on its mission to outer space.
(2) Another powerful launch
The Columbia Space Shuttle heads for space with all its cylinders blazing.
(3) Home
A beautiful shot of our planet Earth in all her glory.
(4) Antarctic Peninsula
A vertiginous view of the Antarctic Peninsula seen from outer space.
(5) A Long Fall from Space
Autumnal colours surround Lake Superior snapped from space.
(6) Up and Over Down Under
Fires photographed from way above North-Eastern Australia.
(7) High Shot of Low Pressure
Low pressure builds and swirls over the Great Lakes of America.
(8) A Cloud Street Map
Cloud streets and a hurricane billow and blow off the West Coast of America
(9) Nature’s Magic Captured from on High
The wondrous green and red aurora caused by charged particles from a solar wind clashing with oxygen.
(10) A Glorious Sight To Behold
A time-lapse shot of the aurora from the giddy heights of the International Space Station
(11) A Turbulent Typhoon Approaches
A super shot of Typhoon Roke heading for Japan taken from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre.
(12) The Forecast: Clouds, Clouds and Clouds
Cloud vortices curl and curve above Heard Island in the Indian Ocean.
(13) UARS Prior to Re-entry
NASA’s Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) orbits the Earth before it plummeted down into the Pacific Ocean on 24 September 2011.
(14) A Full Moon
A lovely lunar video capturing the pockmarked surface of our shadowy satellite.
(15) A Closer Look at the Lunar Surface
A wonderful video of a lunar landscape flyover.
(16) Solar Power
An immense solar flare roars from the surface of the sun in this stunning image of the centre of our solar system.
(17) Blaze and Flare
The temperature of the Sun’s surface is around 6000 Celsius. In this photo, a fiery flare from it leaps into space.
(18) The Shine of a Sun Spot
The awesome might of the solar surface and a stunning sun spot.
(19) A Solar Eclipse from Space
A chiaroscuro eclipse is even more stunning when seen from space.
(20) Look upon Mercury
A beautiful shot of Mercury’s moon-like surface, craggy and scorched by the Sun.
(21) Beautiful Venus
The rocky surface of the red-hot planet Venus
(22) Mighty Mars
Favourite of science fiction writers, Mars is just as incredible in reality.
(23) Ringed Saturn
A mesmerising sight, Saturn and its majestic rings.
(24) The Giant Jupiter
The biggest of the gas giants and largest planet in our solar system.
(25) A Look at Europa
One of Jupiter’s moons, Europa has ice and water on its surface, which has led to speculation about whether it can or does sustain life.
(26) Distant Uranus
Another gas giant, Uranus was the first planet found by telescope.
(27) Far Off Neptune
Initially Neptune’s existence was predicted by mathematics, before telescopes became powerful enough to view him.
(28) Pluto Out In the Cold
Images of the icy dwarf planet from the Hubble Space Telescope.
(29) An Image of Andromeda
A stunningly detailed photograph of the Andromeda Galaxy, approximately 2.5 light years away.
(30) A spiralling Galaxy of Stars
A magnificent spiralling disc of stars in the far off galaxy NGC 2841, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.
(31) Jets from a Black Hole
Incredible imagery of a black hole as it spews jets into the cosmos.
(32) Turbulent Centre of a Black Hole
The mysterious centre of a black hole as it emits bright light. The route to another dimension?
This list of galactic images was compiled and written by PrinterInks – suppliers of top brand printer cartridges, including Dell, Samsung, HP, Canon and Epson ink cartridges.
Each of the images and videos used in this post are, at the time of posting, held under the Creative Commons licensing.
Nov
1
Scientific Ideas That Seemed Crazy at the Time
November 1, 2011 | Leave a Comment
By its very nature, science seeks to challenge. It asks brave questions, and comes up with answers that may seem ridiculous. Sometimes, those answers are not ridiculous, but become part of common knowledge, accepted by all. Here are just some of those ideas:
1) The Earth being round
The ancient Greeks were the first to realise that the earth is not flat, but round. Evidence included observations of the horizon, and early astronomy (it is a misconception that people believed in a flat earth into the Middle Ages: by then, most people knew it was round). At the time of discovery, the idea of a flat earth would have seemed counter-intuitive to many.
2) The Earth orbiting the sun
It was also the ancient Greeks who established at the earth orbited the sun, and not the other way around. The earth, they realised, was not the centre of the universe, but merely a part of it. This theory – heliocentrism – was espoused by Galileo in the seventeenth century, who challenged the Catholic church’s view that it was against the scripture, who accepted the idea relatively quickly.
3) Evolution
Darwin’s theory of evolution ran contrary to the creationist views which were mainstream in his time. However, overwhelming evidence led to its acceptance even by many religious people, although many still hold counter-evolutionary views, especially in the US.
4) Mendhelian inheritance
This is the theory, developed by Gregor Mendel in the 1860s, is the theory of how characteristics are passed down from one generation to another, through genes. His ideas were initially ignored: it was only in the twentieth century that they were taken up by other scientists, and went on to form the basis of modern genetics.
5) Global warming
The first theory that man’s activity could affect the world’s climate emerged in the late nineteenth century, but were disbelieved by most. It was not until the 1930s that scientists began to realise that they were likely true, and extensive research has taken place since. Nevertheless, the idea remains a controversial one, and is still refuted by some.
Other scientific theories are emerging all the time, and many seem utterly implausible. There is still so much that we do not know about our planet, and beyond it. Quantum physicists deal in ‘dark matter’ – so-called because they have limited understanding of what it is, though it is thought to be the basis of ‘black holes’. Other theories which seem impossible, but may yet be proven, are constantly studied. For example, it is thought that teleportation will be possible, perhaps within decades, and embryonic teleportation involving single atoms has already taken place: called ‘quantum entanglement’.
Another unlikely sounding theory is the ‘Copenhagen entanglement’. This holds that it is possible for something to be in two places at once: demonstrated by the ability of a particle to pass through two slits at the same time. There are many possible bizarre manifestations of these theories, and others. Who knows, they may yet come to shape our world.
Rachel is a freelance blogger with a background working on science parks and an interest in making science more accessible.
Oct
19
Learn How Gravity Works — Again, as an Adult
October 19, 2011 | Leave a Comment
I went to a science center exhibit a few weeks ago that had you step on a scale and it showed you how much you weighed on planet Earth (wake-up call that I need to return to the gym), followed by what you’d weigh on each of the other planets. The interactive exhibit explained that the variation is due to gravity. Gravity, which I found to be a complicated theory to grasp as a child, can be easily explained at 800loadcel.com. But, essentially, it is what keeps you standing upright and not smushed to the Earth right now.
Thank you, gravity!
Gravity is not the only scientific theory that is hard to sum up in a few words. As a former science major, I struggled to see things as only black or white. I found the topics interesting, but it was difficult to see why water boiled at a specific temperature and not one degree sooner, how load cell calibration worked or where exactly kinetics came into play. This may be why I ended up changing my major.
Science for dummies
The average person doesn’t need to know every single who, what, when, where, and why of biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and meteorology. But a running knowledge of how the world works comes in handy for helping your kids on homework, water cooler conversations, and if you’re ever picked to go on Jeopardy.
I find that watching shows on the Discovery Channel rekindles my childhood love of learning. Shows like “Myth Busters,” which uses science to explain why or why not old wives’ tales are true (for example, talking on your cell phone while pumping gas will make you blow up), is a fun way to engage the audience while exposing them to more complicated theories and processes.
More fun when you can play along
I am also a huge fan of attending museums and exhibits geared toward kids. My boyfriend and I recently went to the Maryland Science Center and Baltimore Aquarium. The day trip proved to be a fun one that included learning (and relearning!) about marine wildlife, germs, DNA, and the human body.
I especially love interactive exhibits. From mazes that teach about the human digestive system to a display on Antarctica that has real parkas worn on the tundra available for visitors to try on, it’s just more fun to lean while doing.
Many websites offer at-home ideas to help your kids get the extra attention needed to learn about a specific lesson in science class. Use baking soda and vinegar to teach about chemical interactions via a volcano for chemistry. Take them outside for some hands-on ecology while helping out in the garden. And maybe you’ll also rekindle your love of science in the process.
Now that you know more about how to enjoy the science all around us, dig deeper into a topic of your choice, such as why with load cell calibration is important (800loadcel.com can help!).
Post written by guest blogger James Tennant.
May
23
Nano-coatings for Scientific Research
May 23, 2011 | Leave a Comment
Liquid repellent nano coating is a technology which allows surfaces to be liquid repellent without changing their look or feel. They can be applied to a wide range of products and can add significant value for product manufacturers and scientific researchers alike. With consumer products such as textiles for shoes or swimwear, or coatings for mobile phone keypads, the advantages of a water repellent surface are clear. Nano coatings on sports goggles can reduce the problems of smudging and nano coating of hearing aids can protect them against corrosion damage. However, what are the application and benefits for scientific research?
There are several applications for water repellent nano coatings in the field of life sciences. In work where it is advantageous to have minimal liquid retention on surfaces there are some clear applications for nano coating technology. For biological science and microbiogical laboratory equipment, nano coating technology is beneficial in minimising the risk of false positives, transfer loss and cross contamination. Nano coatings are proven to be non – toxic, non – irritating, hypoallergenic and are effective even at high temperatures; in other words, ideal for life sciences. Suitable applications include consumables such as Petri dishes, pipette tips and microtitre plates.
Nano coatings are resistant to washing processes and continue to be functional following any solvent washing. They are compatible with steam and radiation, to allow suitable sterilisation steps. With no effect on the optical clarity of product and with no leachable substances, liquid repelling nano coating is the natural choice for life science research consumables.
In laboratory work, where pipetting accuracy is critical, nano coating of pipette tips can have very substantial benefits. Pipette tips coated with a water repellent nano coating exhibit massively reduced liquid retention. This means that much less of the pipetted liquid adheres to the interior of the pipette tip, increasing the accuracy of the dispensed volume.
In microbiological laboratories, where the sterility of consumables is critical to avoid cross contamination, nano coating can be a significant bonus. Since micro – organisms can generally survive wherever water is a liquid, water repellent consumables such as pipette tips and Petri dishes are a clear benefit. As nano coatings are unaffected by steam or radiation treatment, there is no risk when the consumables undergo sterilisation prior to use.
Nano coatings also have a number of beneficial applications to filtration. Liquid repellent coatings enhance porous and micro-porous filtration membranes and are particularly effective in reusable filtration membranes. Performance is enhanced by increasing oil and water repellence, whilst not affecting pore size (and therefore air flow) or pore distribution. The nano coating technology can improve working efficiencies, capture rate and reliability and as such has many applications in the biosciences, industrial filtration and processing, electronics, water treatment and the food and beverage industry.
The properties and efficiency of solar cells and engineered glass are detrimentally affected by dirt and staining. Nano coatings can substantially improve performance of these instruments by resisting adherence of water, dirt and frost. Using liquid repellent nano coatings for these applications can therefore increase the variety of climates and locations they can be used in.
Article by P2i.com – Market leaders in nano-technology and water repellent coatings.
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