The Artemis II Mission

 

The Apollo program ended in 1972 and NASA did not make a return to the Moon. The Artemis II mission seeks to revive exploration of the Moon. The primary motivation for the space race in the 20th century was Cold War conflict. Tension between major world powers could also be a motivation for this renewed interest. Another motivation is examining the possibilities of commercial spaceflight. This explains why NASA is working with a number of private sector entities. The Artemis II is not going to land on the Moon. Rather it is making assessments about spaceflight conditions and possibilities about making transport a common occurrence. NASA intends to put more astronauts on the Moon. If this is a testing phase of possible colonization, some concerns must be addressed. Space should not be made into a series of colonies or militarized. This is not the goal of the Artemis II mission. The mission is to determine how durable SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft are. Astronauts will collect information that will be used to make another Moon landing. The Artemis II mission is not only about the Moon, but testing the next generation of spacecraft. The program is part of an effort to ensure the efficiency of the deep space exploration system.   

Hedgehogs Are At Risk of Extinction

 

Hedgehogs are at risk of extinction. The hedgehog  population in Europe has been reduced. The data on hedgehogs was collected by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The hedgehog is now classified as near threatened species. This decline in European hedgehog population is the result of habitat destruction. Hedgehogs migrate in response and find their way into gardens. The concern is that pesticides harm them. Efforts are being made for home owners to make their gardens safe for hedgehogs. Fears are mounting that the hedgehog will disappear by 2050. The expansion of roads makes life more precarious for hedgehogs. This forces them to cross roads for food and mates. Being hit by cars contributed to the reduction of hedgehog populations. Agricultural activity and industrial production destroyed hedgehog habitats over a number of years. This will negatively impact the ecosystem. Hedgehogs consume insects and without them the insect population would grow. It is possible that hedgehogs could be a natural insect deterrent for gardens. When any organism disappears the rest of the environment is effected. The new risk to hedgehogs reveals that any animal could fall into risk of endangerment, when previously secure. Ecological damage reduction should be taken into consideration with the building of new infrastructure.  

The Trinity Test Atomic Bomb Detonation (1945)

 

The Trinity test was the first time a nuclear weapon was detonated. This was truly the beginning of the Atomic Age. Humankind had unleashed nuclear power and would grapple with the consequences of nuclear arms races. Manipulation nuclear fission and chain reactions created one of the most lethal weapons in the world. After the detonation, public health was negatively effected. When an atomic bomb is used nuclear fallout remains. The residents of New Mexico close to the radius of detonation found radioactive debris in crops, land, and water. There remains footage of the detonation, which provides a glimpse into the power of the explosion. When citizens realized the disturbance, the US government lied and said it was accident. No attempts were made for evacuation or warnings. The increase in radiation resulted in higher rates of cancer and infant deaths. Further damage to the environment came from uranium mining. As more nuclear tests were being done during the Cold War, fallout spread throughout Nevada. Even if a person was not vaporized by an atomic bomb survivors would fall victim to disease.  

Colossal Squid Seen On Video

 

The Ocean is full of life. What the ecosystem and organisms residing there remain a mystery. The colossal squid was filmed for the first time. Now there is video confirmation of this type of cephalopod. The camera was able to capture the squid at a depth of  600 meters. Many questions are going to arise from this new footage. The behavior of the colossal squid is unknown. More research is required to understand how the organism functions in their natural habitat. Marine biologist speculate this squid shown on video is adolescent age. The colossal squid is believed to grow up to 7 meters. The total weight of this organism can be up to 500 kg. The colossal squid was first identified in 1925. Prior to this scientists and sailors could have seen these animals. The video confirmation only reveals how much is unknown about the Ocean. An estimated 2,000,000 marine species are in the Ocean. Zoologists and marine biologists have not classified them all. Large organism could be occupying most ocean floors and deep depths. The colossal squid must have an ability to illuminate its body. Depths that far in the ocean can be dark. The colossal squid's specific diet must be immense. Fish are a food supply, which could explain why these squids attain large size. With video cameras that can go deeper into the Ocean, marine biology will undergo rapid advancement. The colossal squid's eating habits, behavior, or possible migration patterns can become known. 

The 2025 Planetary Alignment

 

A planetary alignment will be visible in the night sky on February 28th, 2025. All planets can be seen. Getting a better view of Neptune or Uranus requires a strong telescope. Those who are located in the Northern Hemisphere can see this phenomena around 8:30 pm. The term planetary alignment can be misleading. The planets of the Solar System are not lined up perfectly. This is a depiction that comes from diagrams and various images. The term refers to planets being visible in the night sky simultaneously . The planets still remain far from each other in relation to solar orbits. Earth is situated in a place that allows other planets to be visible. Some in the general public call it a planetary parade. That is not specific to what is going on with the planets. The planets arranged on the same side of the Sun. Planetary alignments are of interest to astronomers for study. Conjunctions are planets between two other celestial bodies. Opposition describes refers to celestial bodies on other sides of Earth. The mechanics of orbits astronomers want to document. Planetary alignments can be frequent. Prior to the upcoming event, another happened in January. More will occur in a few years. 

Remembering Peter Higgs (1929-2024)

 

Peter Higgs was a British physicists that contributed to the understanding of matter. Higgs proposed an existence of a particle that explains why matter has mass. Back when Peter Higgs proposed the existence of the particle in 1964, the evidence was limited. Detecting particles has been a challenge. However, this is circumvented by technology. Theoretical physics required the use of mathematics as a means of  direct detection. The use of the Large Hadron Collider enable physicists  to detect the Higgs boson. The breakthrough came in 2012 confirming that Higgs' 1964 paper was correct. The discovery contributed to the understanding of the Standard Model. Peter Higgs won the Nobel Prize along with Francois Englert in 2013. The detection of the Higgs Boson also adds to figuring out the origins of the universe. The Big Bang remains a mystery and the birth of the universe is a puzzle.  Most of Peter Higgs' professional career was based at Edinburgh University. The hunt for the Higgs boson involved a large amount of scientists at CERN and data. Peter Higgs impact will be felt for years in the field of physics. The Higgs Boson has the nickname " the God particle." The particle is not a deity or an exact explanation of the creation of the universe. It is one segment to a larger picture. More particles could be discovered in the coming decades. This is dependent on the technology of  particle accelerators. The Higgs boson can best described as a force carrying fundamental  particle. The particle is part of the Higgs field, which explains how protons, electrons, and neutrons are granted their mass. The Higgs Boson has a mass of 125 billion electron volts. The unique attribute of the Higgs boson is that it lacks spin. That characteristic is not present in other elementary  particles. Peter Higgs work expanded humanity's understanding of the subatomic world. More will be discovered about the Higgs Boson as technology advances.   

Chemistry : The Periodic Table And Periodicity

 

The periodic table is a chart designed to classify known elements. The periodic table is a tool of chemistry which contributes to the understanding of matter. Phoenix Learning Group explains the periodic table as a map. The elements can be placed on the periodic table as metals, metalloids, and non-metals. Most of the elements on the table are metals. There are a total of 118 elements listed on the periodic table. The elements are organized by atomic number . The atomic number is the total number of protons in the element. The group represents elements with similar valence electron counts. The columns of the periodic table are the groups. The periods on the chart show elements with the same number of electron shells. The periods are placed in the rows of the chart. To determine the number of neutrons the atomic number must be subtracted from the mass number. Understanding the attributes of elements has enabled chemical engineering. These are the elements known on Earth. There remains a possibility more could exist in the universe. The two mots abundant elements are hydrogen and helium. 

The Base of The Human Brain Illustration From De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septum (1543)

 

Andreas Vesalius wrote De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septum, which revolutionized medicine. The seven volume work was the most detailed text on human anatomy. Vesalius was able to get bodies for dissection and this enabled him to give descriptions of the human body. Many of his discoveries disproved Claudius Galen's medical assertions. Galen's concepts had been dominant since the Roman Empire. Galen did not have the advantage of cadavers for dissection. The impressive element of Vesalius' work is the detailed illustrations of organs and their systems. The image of the human brain is the most incredible. The illustration shows the base of the brain. What can be seen are the cerebellum, olfactory bulbs, and optic nerves. The left and right hemispheres show both fissures and convolutions. The drawing is precise to a contemporary medical text. What was missing from Humani Corpis Fabrica was the depiction of neurons. The reason was a limitation of technology. Andreas Vesalius did not have access to a microscope. Without such tools certain parts of the human body could not be detected. Vesalius did not fully comprehend the brain's physiology. The understanding  of neurotransmitters and electrical impulses through the brain cells would come centuries later. Surgeons and doctors probably had a suspicion that the brain was responsible for the senses. The challenge was proving transduction to be true. The human brain is the most complex organ of the body. It controls movement, consciousness, thought, and involuntary biological function. There is more to uncover about this intricate organ. Vesalius put emphasis on an observational methods. The teaching of medicine and surgery changed to a more empirical approach.  

The Discovery of The Promachocrinus Fragarius

 

Marine biology discovered a new organism. Antarctica is home to a sea based species known as promachocrinus fragaris. The recent detection reveals there is more work to be done in the fields of zoology and marine biology. The common name for this creature is the Antarctic  strawberry feather star.  Promachocrinus fragaris has what appears to be 20 tentacle like structures. Zoologists sometimes call them arms.  The nubs on its body do resemble fruit in shape. Hence why it was given the name. The morphology of this organism has evolved for ocean floor travel. The body of this organism contains cirri. The cirri are circular like bumps on its body. The structures have small claws which enable promachocrinus fragaris to grip to the seafloor. The sea lifeform falls under the class Crinoidea. Starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and sand dollars are a part of this class. The unusual aspect of the organisms morphology is the number of appendages. Most feather stars have 10, while  promachocrinus fragaris has 10 more. The reason it took so long to detect this animal was due to location. The promachocrinus fragaris was found 1.7 km (3, 840 ft)  below the surface. According to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography finding new species is common. The challenge is classifying them correctly and giving formal names. The ocean remains a mystery and the nature of the seafloor is more complex than previously thought. Various types of fish, starfish, and completely different organisms could reside on the seafloor. Barriers prevent humankind from fully reaching that area. The possibility does remain that new species are emerging, but have not been discovered. The promachocrinus fragaris is an invertebrate, but little is known about its physiology. Overtime, more information will be collected allowing for a deeper understanding of deep sea lifeforms. 

Albert Einstein Explains Mass-Energy Equivalence

 

Mass and energy are the same entity. This is known as mass-energy equivalence. Albert Einstein explains in this video clip the concept. Mass-energy equivalence can best be described as energy equals mass times the speed of light squared. The equation    has become recognizable to the general public. Mathematics is used in theoretical physics to express natural phenomenon. Mass-energy equivalence emerged out of the special theory of relativity. A diminutive amount of mass can be converted into a large amount of energy. Experimental confirmation of this was achieved in 1932. Mass-energy equivalence  was used to develop new technologies. Nuclear power plants. particle accelerators,  and nuclear weapons are the reason the idea connects to applied science. Relativistic mechanics were required to explain the physics of the subatomic world and the universe. Considerations have to be made in terms of frame of reference, relativistic mass, and relativistic energy. Newtonian mechanics was limited by describing physics in terms of the absolute.  

Astronomers Detect One of The Largest Cosmic Explosions

 

Astronomers have detected one of the largest cosmic explosions. The announcement came from Dr. Phillip Wiseman who led the observations. The observations were conducted by Southampton University. The cause of the explosion is thought to be the result of gas being sucked into a supermassive black hole. Space is a strange and exciting place with new objects to be discovered. The size of the explosion was about 100 times the Solar System. The explosion has been given an official name. Astronomers refer to it as AT2021lwx. The light that comes from the explosion allows astronomers on Earth to detect it. AT2021lwx is still emitting energy. The event could either be the product of a supernova or tidal disruption event. This refers to when a star gets too close to a black hole and gets damaged in the process. Technically, AT2021lwx was detected in 2020 by the Zwicky Transient Facility. However, astronomers needed to collect more data for confirmation. Calculating the brightness required knowing the distance. The distance was determined to be 8 billion light years away. The fact that AT2021lwx is so bright for this long only adds to the mystery. A supernova or tidal disruption event's brightness only lasts a few months. It is unknown when AT202llwx will fade away. Over the next few years astronomers are going to find more cosmic explosions. Examining these occurrences might provide more information on the attributes of black holes.

The Earth's Core Activity

 

The Earth's core activity has gotten the attention of scientists. The core might have stopped spinning or is going in reverse. The Earth's core contains a liquid outer section and a solid part in the middle. The recent detection was done by analyzing seismic wave data. The data was collection from over the past 60 years. According to researchers at Peking University, the core could have stopped around 2009. Only now has it resumed its rotation, but in an opposite direction. The core tends to rotate counter-clock wise. There might be a pattern for which scientists do not know the reason for. Knowledge of the Earth's core is difficult to acquire. Getting equipment to the core for examination would require advanced engineering. The immense pressure would destroy any camera that could go there.  The outer core contains nickel and liquid iron. What core activity  demonstrates is more must be  discovered about Earth. Just below the surface is a unique environment. The change in core activity is nothing to cause alarm. There are no disturbances on the surface related to ecological systems. Rotation change according to the study occurred in the 1970s. Based on the models it is predicted another will happen in the 2040s. The information is of use to geology and geophysics. The Earth has certain movement cycles related to its core. The mystery is what is the purpose of changes in rotation. Seismologists are attempting to provide an answer. The technological limitations and gaps in knowledge remain obstacles.   

The Subarachnoidal Lymphatic-like Membrane Has Been Discovered

 

An incredible discovery has been made in neuroanatomy. A new structure known as the subarachnoidal lymphatic-like membrane was detected. The previously unknown anatomical structure was discovered through neuro-imagining and techniques developed by microbiology. The structures function most likely acts as a protective barrier. The area can be a place in which immune cells monitor the brain from infections and inflammation. The discovery was made through research by the University of Rochester and University of Copenhagen. The new information reveals much about the connection between cerebrospinal fluid and immune system response. The brain has a method of waste disposal and protection. The common understanding was that the meningeal layer had only three layers. Those layers included the dura, arachnoid, and pia layers. The new layer is located between the arachnoid and pia layers.   The newly discovered membrane is similar to mesothelium. These membranes are designed to protect organs in the body. The subarachnoidal lymphatic-like membrane is a much thinner membrane, but still very selective about what molecules pass through to get access to cerebrospinal fluid. The discovery can be utilized to have a greater understanding of diseases of the brain. Abnormalities in the membrane could have a role in multiple sclerosis, dementia, and severe central nervous system infections. The clue given was that a larger amount of immune cell gather in the SLYM during inflammation. This also happens during aging. The brain does change with age. Knowing more about the brain can ensure the best methods of maintaining cognitive health. More information can also aid in treating traumatic brain injuries.  The subarachnoidal lymphatic-like membrane contains its own central nervous system immune cells. The discovery of this anatomical structure demonstrates there is much more to learn about immune system response and the nervous system.    

Alcor Life Extension Advances Cryonics

 

Alcor Life Extension  is reported to have 199 people in cryonic preservation. Most of the people who decided to undergo this procedure were diagnosed with severe illnesses that do not have a cure. The idea is to keep them in cryonic preservation until biomedical science finds solutions. The process is not just a simple freezing of a human body. The body is placed in an ice bath. Then a CPR device is used to ensure proper blood circulation. Medications are also applied for the purpose of cell protection. The bodies are in reality are not frozen, but vitrified. The people are contained in liquid nitrogen.  Preventing blood clots and abnormal blood pressure are the major objectives to make the process successful. There are concerns about cryonic preservation. The bioethics make critics wonder  if some are attempting to attain immortality. The people in the facility are technically deemed legally dead. Biologically, they are not. Cryonics from this perspective seems like inducing  the ill into a coma or long slumber. The process has not shown to be effective. Then what must be considered is that the cures for cancer or ALS might never be found. That means the people preserved would just remain that way . Alcor Life Extension will not be in business forever. The restoration of consciousness and acclimating the revived could be more difficult than anticipated. Cryonic preservation as a biomedical technology would be limited. However, if it could reach a higher  of advancement  it could be applied to space travel. This could be a solution to space exploration to galaxies lightyears away. Preserving astronauts would make space travel much easier for long missions. Knowledge is limited  about the long term effects of cryonic preservation. At the moment it is not a practical solution to biomedical conditions or the challenges of space travel.   

The First Photographs of Sagittarius A

Astronomers were able to get the first images of Sagittarius A. This was made possible by Event Horizon Telescope. This project was worked on by an international team. Sagittarius A is about 26,000 light years from the Solar System. Sagittarius A is a supermassive black hole located at the Galactic Center of the Milky Way Galaxy. These images are  revealing more information about the most bizarre objects in  space. The Event Horizon Telescope collaboration involved a global network of telescopes. The technique used to obtain the image is known as very long baseline array interferometry. A combination of radio antennas was used to gain information from space. Atomic clocks and supercomputers were used to produce this image. The biggest problem getting an image is that a black hole bends light. There are accretion disks, which account for a shape being seen in darkness. What is incredible is that plasma travels around Sagittarius A at high speeds. Plasma is a super heated gas. Stars are also close to this black hole. The gravitational force is controlling star movement. Some astronomers have suggested that dark matter could also be next to Sagittarius A. With more images and observations about black holes being produced, it confirms the  the theory of relativity. Theoretical physics and mathematics were able to provide early descriptions of black holes. More is to be learned about Sagittarius A. Overtime technology will enable humankind to explore unknown objects of the universe. 

The Large Hadron Collider Is Back In Operation

 

After three years of shutdown for upgrades the Large Hadron  Collider is back in operation. This is the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator. Located in Switzerland, this technology allows physicists to explore the subatomic universe. Further experiments might reveal information about dark energy and dark matter. The Large Hadron Collider accelerates particles to the speed of light. These collisions that happen provide information about subatomic particles. The Higgs boson was verified by the Large Hadron Collider in 2012. What was once only predicted by mathematics can be confirmed by technology and experimentation. The upgrades could result in the discovery of more particles. The injectors got improvements. This part of the particle accelerator feeds beams of particles into the collider. The facility requires a large number of superconducting magnets. This helps harnessing large amounts of energy and with movement of protons for collision. The new engineering upgrades means that the name will be changed. More work is planned for 2028. Then LHC will be called High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider. The Large Hadron Collider has gone through a series of runs and upgrades. During each hiatus more improvements are made. The operation periods include Run 1 ( 2009-2013), Run 2 (2015-2018), and currently Run 3. The Large Hadron Collider is under the supervision of the European Council for Nuclear Research(CERN) . There is speculation that new experiments with the Large Hadron Collider  could discover another fundamental force. 

Jonathan The Tortoise Is The Oldest Living Land Animal

 

According to zoologists Jonathan the tortoise is one of the oldest land animals. Born in 1832 this tortoise has seen three centuries . This would make him a total of 190 years old. Some have suspected that  Jonathan could be over 200 years old. The problem is that there is no record of his exact date of birth. His species has longevity, but it is not fully  understood how it was attained. There must have been some form of adaptation, which enabled tortoises to live so long. Genetics might also explain this phenomenon. It could be a trait of natural selection. Jonathan's diet consists of cabbage, carrots, apples, cucumber, and various fruits. His activities consist of eating, sleeping, and mating. The reason this animal generates interest is due to Jonathan's life span. It is possible he could live for another century  or more. This feat has gotten Jonathan recognition in the Guinness  Book of World Records. Not only is he the oldest land animal, but remains the oldest tortoise. Jonathan's scientific name is Aldabrachelys Gigantea Hololissa. The giant Seychelles tortoise resides in St Helena. 

Dr. Mae Jemison on The Importance of Space Exploration (2014)

 

Dr. Mae Jemison explains the importance of space exploration. The need to explore space can be a benefit to humanity. It can be a unifying force in a divided world. A new space race should not be an extension of world power competition. It should be an activity of collaboration among nations. Dr. Jemison explains humanity has bee connected to space  for most of its history. Ancient civilizations used the stars to make calendars and when to plant crops. The stars helped sailors navigate the seas.  Today satellites are essential for GPS. There exists a possibility in which human beings will colonize other planets and star systems. This will take a significant amount of time, effort, and innovations in technology. Dr. Mae Jemison wants to see humankind have that capability in a century. The 100 Year Starship project seeks to make this happen. Dr. Jemison wants space exploration to be a project in which all can be a part of. Space exploration she believes be enriching for the Earth. 

Lasting Machine Schematic (1883)

 

The lasting machine was an invention created  by Jan Ernst Matzeliger (1852-1889) . This machine  brought major changes to the production of shoes. Matzeliger had his lasting machine patented in 1883. The image above is the original schematic. Jan Matzeliger was born in Suriname and later emigrated to the United States. At an early age he demonstrated talent for mechanics. His interest grew leading him to make inventions of his own. One problem in the 19th century was the production of shoes. Shoes were at a time made by hand. To replicate the same size a mold had to be from either stone or wood. That was known as a last. The last would be the basis for the shoe size and shape. The biggest challenge was joining the soles to the upper shoe. The machine that Jan Matzeliger created was able to solve the problem of slow shoe production. Now a shoe producer could produce more in a day and not be concerned about errors in the molding of the shoes. Matzeliger did most of his engineering work in Lynn, Massachusetts. He moved there in 1877  with an interest in the town's growing shoe industry. Starting off as an apprentice, Cordwainers are shoemakers that produce them from leather. Matzeliger noted that the lasting process was not as efficient as it could be. Using his skills that he gained as a mechanic, began building a machine to aid in production. Prior to coming to America Jan Matzeliger worked as a mechanic on a Dutch East Indies merchant ship. The lasting machine that he made reduced the cost of footwear. This enabled more shoes to be produced. A total of  700 pairs of shoes could be made in a day. Jan Matzeliger lasting machine became a major success. The Consolidated Lasting Machine Company was formed in 1889 with Matzeliger having a large portion of the stock. Unfortunately, he did not live to enjoy his success contracting tuberculosis. Jan Matzeliger continues to be remembered as one of the important black inventors. Without the lasting machine modern shoe production would not have been possible.    

The Rise of Carbon Capture Plants

 

Carbon emissions have become a growing concern for safety of the environment. The exacerbation of the green house effect can cause an increase of the Earth's temperature. The challenge of climate change requires innovative solutions. What is developing is the rise of carbon capture plants. Iceland activated one of the world's biggest carbon capture plants on September 8,  2021. The Orca carbon capture plant takes CO2 and seals it underground. This becomes counted as a negative emission. The problem is that more of these plants would have to be constructed to make a significant change. Every nation  would need one to collectively bring down CO2 emissions. Only 15 direct air capture plants are in operation . The technology is new, so there needs to be more examination of its effectiveness. The Orca plant uses a combination of fans and filters to capture carbon dioxide. The CO2 is mixed with water. When pushed underground it will become rock.  A question does remain of the long term effects of this. Consultations with petrologists and geologists should be done before embarking on larger projects. From a perspective of ecology, carbon capture plants could be beneficial. A combination of planting more trees, investment in renewable energy, and creation of new technology can reduce extreme climate change. Carbon capture plants will become a priority in the coming decades.