Showing posts with label Space. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Space. Show all posts
July 18, 2010
June 18, 2010
November 01, 2009
October 20, 2009
October 05, 2009
June 30, 2009
May 20, 2009
April 28, 2009
November 18, 2006
The Universe
For as long as I can remember, the universe has intrigued me. When I was a child, I would sit out in the garden and stare endlessly at the night sky, marvelling at the seeming infinity before me. Sometimes, I would feel lonely and insignificant. Whilst at other times, I would feel honoured and integral to the scene above.
I enjoy chasing ideas about perception and mind in relation to space. I believe that the universe, while it may seem expansive beyond imagination, is much closer than our senses dictate to us: That the sense of physical reality is only an illusion, manifested by sensory-selected stimuli required for our survival. Our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and fingers allow us to peer into a universe contrived for our prime needs. However, there is so much more that is out of range of our sense organs.
The dimensions of space, I believe, are deceptive. We can perceive its vastness through our eyes. We can perceive its separateness from ourselves through touch. But, intuitively, I am certain that our place within the universe is far more convoluted and involved. In many ways, the Aborigines may well be correct in their assertion that the universe is being dreamt into existence. As Edgar Allen Poe noted, 'All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.'
Have a look at this illuminating video:
I enjoy chasing ideas about perception and mind in relation to space. I believe that the universe, while it may seem expansive beyond imagination, is much closer than our senses dictate to us: That the sense of physical reality is only an illusion, manifested by sensory-selected stimuli required for our survival. Our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and fingers allow us to peer into a universe contrived for our prime needs. However, there is so much more that is out of range of our sense organs.
The dimensions of space, I believe, are deceptive. We can perceive its vastness through our eyes. We can perceive its separateness from ourselves through touch. But, intuitively, I am certain that our place within the universe is far more convoluted and involved. In many ways, the Aborigines may well be correct in their assertion that the universe is being dreamt into existence. As Edgar Allen Poe noted, 'All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.'
Have a look at this illuminating video:
February 22, 2005
Mars Reveals A Frozen Ocean
Scientists have announced the discovery of a huge sea of frozen ice just below the surface of Mars. This conclusion is based upon analysis of geographical features in the Elyseum region, close to the Martian equator.
The area, which covers 800 km by 900 kms, is scoured by rutted and plated features, similar to fractured ice floes here on earth. The team of scientists believe that the geological features are the result of a large cataclysmic event, in which water flooded the landscape, perhaps some five million years ago.
After the event, the sea froze solid. During the millions of years that followed, the ice was covered by a thick layer of Martian dust.
Suspicions that there may have been ice in the equatorial regions have been circulating for some time, due to the many river features that can be seen in the region.
The European Mars Express, which has been orbiting the planet for one year, will be deploying the Marsis - Mars Advance Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding. The instrument is designed to probe for subterranean permafrost. It is hoped that it will be able to confirm the sea's existence.
The area, which covers 800 km by 900 kms, is scoured by rutted and plated features, similar to fractured ice floes here on earth. The team of scientists believe that the geological features are the result of a large cataclysmic event, in which water flooded the landscape, perhaps some five million years ago.
After the event, the sea froze solid. During the millions of years that followed, the ice was covered by a thick layer of Martian dust.
Suspicions that there may have been ice in the equatorial regions have been circulating for some time, due to the many river features that can be seen in the region.
The European Mars Express, which has been orbiting the planet for one year, will be deploying the Marsis - Mars Advance Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding. The instrument is designed to probe for subterranean permafrost. It is hoped that it will be able to confirm the sea's existence.
January 17, 2005
Titan Revealed
After seven long years, saddled to the Cassini spacecraft, the Huygens probe finally arrived at its destination, Titan. This mysterious moon of Saturn has intrigued astronomers and scientists, ever since it was first discovered by Christiaan Huygens in 1655.
Titan is the second largest moon in the Solar System. It is also larger than the planets Mercury and Pluto, but by definition is labelled a "moon", because it orbits a planet, rather than the Sun.
Titan is unique, because it is the only moon to have a dense atmosphere, mostly formed from Nitrogen, but also Methane and other organic compounds. These compounds are the stuff that life is made of, and so it has been often touted that Titan is a very similar model to primordial Earth.
Due to the density of the atmosphere, it has been impossible for scientists to peer through at the landscape below. However, that has all changed dramatically with the arrival of Huygens, and the glorious data and images the European-built probe has sent to us this week.
As Huygens descended through the orange atmosphere, the intriguing alien landscape revealed itself. There is something mystical in being able to witness a scene that has never been observed by humans before. What is particularly exciting, is that these images appear to show oceans, rivers and lakes; familiar geographical features yet to be found anywhere else. However, these oceans and rivers are not made up of water, but perhaps liquid Methane or Ethane. Huygens should give answers to these questions, as the data is poured over by scientists.
What does it all mean to us? Well, the information that may be learned from Titan, could reveal hints to the extent in which the chemical building blocks of life are spread throughout the universe. If this is confirmed, then it could enhance the argument that we may not be alone.
To stare at photographs of rocks, hills and distant horizons on other worlds, such as on Mars and Titan, is an intoxicating glimpse of what lies ahead for human exploration.
Titan is the second largest moon in the Solar System. It is also larger than the planets Mercury and Pluto, but by definition is labelled a "moon", because it orbits a planet, rather than the Sun.
Titan is unique, because it is the only moon to have a dense atmosphere, mostly formed from Nitrogen, but also Methane and other organic compounds. These compounds are the stuff that life is made of, and so it has been often touted that Titan is a very similar model to primordial Earth.
Due to the density of the atmosphere, it has been impossible for scientists to peer through at the landscape below. However, that has all changed dramatically with the arrival of Huygens, and the glorious data and images the European-built probe has sent to us this week.
As Huygens descended through the orange atmosphere, the intriguing alien landscape revealed itself. There is something mystical in being able to witness a scene that has never been observed by humans before. What is particularly exciting, is that these images appear to show oceans, rivers and lakes; familiar geographical features yet to be found anywhere else. However, these oceans and rivers are not made up of water, but perhaps liquid Methane or Ethane. Huygens should give answers to these questions, as the data is poured over by scientists.
What does it all mean to us? Well, the information that may be learned from Titan, could reveal hints to the extent in which the chemical building blocks of life are spread throughout the universe. If this is confirmed, then it could enhance the argument that we may not be alone.
To stare at photographs of rocks, hills and distant horizons on other worlds, such as on Mars and Titan, is an intoxicating glimpse of what lies ahead for human exploration.
July 22, 2004
Out Among The Stars...
With all the tragedy that seems to permeate through our current times, I have found the missions to Mars and Saturn exciting distractions. Each day, I visit the websites in anticipation of new images of these strange, faraway worlds:
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini-Huygens/index.html for Saturn.
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/ for Mars.
I can appreciate that the hardcore geology that the current Mars Rovers have been undertaking is NOT exactly Star Trek, but what a joy to view those glorious shots of the Red Planet's horizons.
The site also includes a video photo-montage of the sun setting, and it gave me such a Romantic sense of loneliness, as our Solar companion dips behind those unfamiliar hills. Another shot, taken by Spirit, showed a distant star-like object in the sky, among many other stars, except this particular bright speck is our home earth!
The Saturn mission promises to deliver endless treats over the next four years. After taking seven years to travel to Saturn, the Cassini spacecraft has finally reached its destination. Straight away, beautiful close-up shots of Saturn's rings have been sent to us. To see the impressive scale and the natural forces of gravity on its rings, both from Saturn and its moons, is breathtaking.
In December, the Hyugens probe, which is currently saddled to Cassini, will be dropped on to Saturn's largest moon, Titan. What is remarkable about this particular body, is that it has a thick nitrogen atmosphere with traces of methane, and may even have oceans. Could Titan sustain life? We may soon find out!
How lucky we are to see such incredible things!
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini-Huygens/index.html for Saturn.
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/ for Mars.
I can appreciate that the hardcore geology that the current Mars Rovers have been undertaking is NOT exactly Star Trek, but what a joy to view those glorious shots of the Red Planet's horizons.
The site also includes a video photo-montage of the sun setting, and it gave me such a Romantic sense of loneliness, as our Solar companion dips behind those unfamiliar hills. Another shot, taken by Spirit, showed a distant star-like object in the sky, among many other stars, except this particular bright speck is our home earth!
The Saturn mission promises to deliver endless treats over the next four years. After taking seven years to travel to Saturn, the Cassini spacecraft has finally reached its destination. Straight away, beautiful close-up shots of Saturn's rings have been sent to us. To see the impressive scale and the natural forces of gravity on its rings, both from Saturn and its moons, is breathtaking.
In December, the Hyugens probe, which is currently saddled to Cassini, will be dropped on to Saturn's largest moon, Titan. What is remarkable about this particular body, is that it has a thick nitrogen atmosphere with traces of methane, and may even have oceans. Could Titan sustain life? We may soon find out!
How lucky we are to see such incredible things!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
