Spectacular Water Plumes Taller than Mount Everest Discovered on Europa
Huge active plumes containing water vapour being released from the surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa have been discovered. This sensational find was made using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. Europa has been a focus of extraterrestrial research for some time now as there were clear indications that it harbours a liquid ocean beneath its icy crust.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Saturday, November 30, 2013
"Biological Intelligence is a Fleeting Phase in the Evolution of the Universe" (Holiday Weekend Feature)
"Biological Intelligence is a Fleeting Phase in the Evolution of the Universe" (Holiday Weekend Feature)
During an epoch of dramatic climate change 200,000 years ago, Homo sapiens (modern humans) evolved in Africa. Several leading scientists are asking: Is the human species entering a new evolutionary, post-biological inflection point? Paul Davies, a British-born theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist and Director of the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science and Co-Director of the Cosmology Initiative at Arizona State University, says that any aliens exploring the universe will be AI-empowered machines. Not only are machines better able to endure extended exposure to the conditions of space, but they have the potential to develop intelligence far beyond the capacity of the human brain.
During an epoch of dramatic climate change 200,000 years ago, Homo sapiens (modern humans) evolved in Africa. Several leading scientists are asking: Is the human species entering a new evolutionary, post-biological inflection point? Paul Davies, a British-born theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist and Director of the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science and Co-Director of the Cosmology Initiative at Arizona State University, says that any aliens exploring the universe will be AI-empowered machines. Not only are machines better able to endure extended exposure to the conditions of space, but they have the potential to develop intelligence far beyond the capacity of the human brain.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
"Detection of Laser Light May Signal Presence of Alien Technological Civilizations" (Today's Most Popular)
"Detection of Laser Light May Signal Presence of Alien Technological Civilizations" (Today's Most Popular)
Concentrated laser light in the universe may singal the presence of a technological civilizations that might be living on distant planets. “Think about humanity 300 hundred years from now,” said Geoffrey Marcy this past August. Marcy is currently Professor of Astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley, famous for discovering 70 out of the first 100 exo planets. “Suppose we set up a colony on another planet … the most likely way we will communicate with (humans on those planets) is with radio signals or light beams.” Marcy believes that there may be other civilizations in the universe that are years ahead of human society and might currently be communicating with radio signals in a network he calls a “galactic Internet.”
Concentrated laser light in the universe may singal the presence of a technological civilizations that might be living on distant planets. “Think about humanity 300 hundred years from now,” said Geoffrey Marcy this past August. Marcy is currently Professor of Astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley, famous for discovering 70 out of the first 100 exo planets. “Suppose we set up a colony on another planet … the most likely way we will communicate with (humans on those planets) is with radio signals or light beams.” Marcy believes that there may be other civilizations in the universe that are years ahead of human society and might currently be communicating with radio signals in a network he calls a “galactic Internet.”
Saturday, November 02, 2013
"How Did Life Begin on Earth?" --A New Theory Embraces the Cosmic through Geological, Chemical, and Biological Stages
"How Did Life Begin on Earth?" --A New Theory Embraces the Cosmic through Geological, Chemical, and Biological Stages
“When the Earth formed some 4.5 billion years ago, it was a sterile planet inhospitable to living organisms,” said Sankar Chatterjee, Horn Professor of Geosciences and curator of paleontology at the Museum of Texas Tech University. “It was a seething cauldron of erupting volcanoes, raining meteors and hot, noxious gasses. One billion years later, it was a placid, watery planet teeming with microbial life – the ancestors to all living things.” “For may years, the debate on the origins of life centered on the chemical evolution of living cells from organic molecules by natural processes. Chatterjee said life began in four steps of increasing complexity – cosmic, geological, chemical and biological. By studying three sites containing the world’s oldest fossils, he believes he knows how the first single-celled organisms formed in hydrothermal crater basins.
“When the Earth formed some 4.5 billion years ago, it was a sterile planet inhospitable to living organisms,” said Sankar Chatterjee, Horn Professor of Geosciences and curator of paleontology at the Museum of Texas Tech University. “It was a seething cauldron of erupting volcanoes, raining meteors and hot, noxious gasses. One billion years later, it was a placid, watery planet teeming with microbial life – the ancestors to all living things.” “For may years, the debate on the origins of life centered on the chemical evolution of living cells from organic molecules by natural processes. Chatterjee said life began in four steps of increasing complexity – cosmic, geological, chemical and biological. By studying three sites containing the world’s oldest fossils, he believes he knows how the first single-celled organisms formed in hydrothermal crater basins.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Teleportation: Behind the Science of Quantum Computing
Teleportation: Behind the Science of Quantum Computing
It might seem like something straight from the Star Trek universe, but two new research experiments—one involving a photon and the other involving a super-conducting circuit—have successfully demonstrated the teleportation of quantum bits.
The advances these two research groups have made may improve the way quantum bits are sent, leading to faster processors and larger-scale encryption technologies.
It might seem like something straight from the Star Trek universe, but two new research experiments—one involving a photon and the other involving a super-conducting circuit—have successfully demonstrated the teleportation of quantum bits.
The advances these two research groups have made may improve the way quantum bits are sent, leading to faster processors and larger-scale encryption technologies.
Saturday, August 03, 2013
"Einstein's Prediction" --Proof of Gravitational Waves' Existence Imminent
"Einstein's Prediction" --Proof of Gravitational Waves' Existence Imminent
Nearly a century after Albert Einstein first predicted the existence of gravitational waves, a global network of gravitational wave observatories has moved a step closer to detecting the faint radiation that could lead to important new discoveries in our universe. Gravity waves are ripples in space generated by extreme cosmic events such as colliding stars, black holes, and supernova explosions, which carry vast amounts of energy at the speed of light.
David Blair is a Winthrop Professor of Physics at The University of Western Australia and Director of the Australian International Gravitational Research Centre at Gingin - 87km north of Perth. He leads the WA component of a huge international team that has announced a demonstration of a new measurement technique called ‘quantum squeezing' that allows gravitational wave detectors to increase their sensitivity. "This is the first time the quantum measurement barrier has been broken in a full scale gravitational wave detector," Professor Blair said. "This is like breaking the sound barrier: some people said it would be impossible. Breaking that barrier proved that supersonic flight was possible and today we know that it is not a barrier at all.
"This demonstration opens up new possibilities for more and more sensitive gravitational wave detectors."
These events are thought to be happening about once a week within the range of new detectors. They should achieve first detection within a few years of beginning operation as their sensitivity is steadily improved.
With the addition of quantum squeezing, physicists will be able to see much more distant sources. However a southern hemisphere detector is needed to be able to pinpoint the location of signals and to reduce interference.
"Already gravitational wave detectors have been proved to be the most sensitive gravitational instruments ever created. They measure motions measured in attometers...one millionth of one millionth of one millionth of a metre. The motions they detect are tiny, even compared to the size of a proton," Professor Blair said.
"The new results prove that the physicists are on track to take them to even higher levels of sensitivity. This will open up the gravitational wave spectrum and allow humanity for the first time to hear the myriad of gravitational sounds that are thought to be constantly rippling through space at the speed of light."
Nearly a century after Albert Einstein first predicted the existence of gravitational waves, a global network of gravitational wave observatories has moved a step closer to detecting the faint radiation that could lead to important new discoveries in our universe. Gravity waves are ripples in space generated by extreme cosmic events such as colliding stars, black holes, and supernova explosions, which carry vast amounts of energy at the speed of light.
David Blair is a Winthrop Professor of Physics at The University of Western Australia and Director of the Australian International Gravitational Research Centre at Gingin - 87km north of Perth. He leads the WA component of a huge international team that has announced a demonstration of a new measurement technique called ‘quantum squeezing' that allows gravitational wave detectors to increase their sensitivity. "This is the first time the quantum measurement barrier has been broken in a full scale gravitational wave detector," Professor Blair said. "This is like breaking the sound barrier: some people said it would be impossible. Breaking that barrier proved that supersonic flight was possible and today we know that it is not a barrier at all.
"This demonstration opens up new possibilities for more and more sensitive gravitational wave detectors."
These events are thought to be happening about once a week within the range of new detectors. They should achieve first detection within a few years of beginning operation as their sensitivity is steadily improved.
With the addition of quantum squeezing, physicists will be able to see much more distant sources. However a southern hemisphere detector is needed to be able to pinpoint the location of signals and to reduce interference.
"Already gravitational wave detectors have been proved to be the most sensitive gravitational instruments ever created. They measure motions measured in attometers...one millionth of one millionth of one millionth of a metre. The motions they detect are tiny, even compared to the size of a proton," Professor Blair said.
"The new results prove that the physicists are on track to take them to even higher levels of sensitivity. This will open up the gravitational wave spectrum and allow humanity for the first time to hear the myriad of gravitational sounds that are thought to be constantly rippling through space at the speed of light."
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Russian Spacecraft Delivers Spacesuit Repair Kit to International Space Station | Space.com
Russian Spacecraft Delivers Spacesuit Repair Kit to International Space Station | Space.com
An unmanned Russian spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station Saturday (July 27) bearing food, supplies and a repair kit for a malfunctioning spacesuit on the orbiting outpost. - See more at: http://www.space.com/22145-russian-rogress-space-station-docking.html#sthash.BOXAJXOo.dpuf
The cargo ship is loaded with nearly 3 tons (2.7 tonnes) of food, fuel, hardware and science experiment equipment for the six-person crew of the station's Expedition 36 mission. Among its cargo is a set of tools intended to help the astronauts investigate and patch up the spacesuit that malfunctioned during a July 16 spacewalk outside the orbiting laboratory. An unmanned Russian spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station Saturday (July 27) bearing food, supplies and a repair kit for a malfunctioning spacesuit on the orbiting outpost. - See more at: http://www.space.com/22145-russian-rogress-space-station-docking.html#sthash.BOXAJXOo.dpuf
The cargo ship is loaded with nearly 3 tons (2.7 tonnes) of food, fuel, hardware and science experiment equipment for the six-person crew of the station's Expedition 36 mission. Among its cargo is a set of tools intended to help the astronauts investigate and patch up the spacesuit that malfunctioned during a July 16 spacewalk outside the orbiting laboratory. - See more at: http://www.space.com/22145-russian-rogress-space-station-docking.html#sthash.BOXAJXOo.dpuf
An unmanned Russian spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station Saturday (July 27) bearing food, supplies and a repair kit for a malfunctioning spacesuit on the orbiting outpost. - See more at: http://www.space.com/22145-russian-rogress-space-station-docking.html#sthash.BOXAJXOo.dpuf
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Image of the Day: A View of Spaceship Earth from Saturn
Image of the Day: A View of Spaceship Earth from Saturn
Earth, which is 898 million miles (1.44 billion kilometers) away in this image, appears as a blue dot at center right; the moon can be seen as a fainter protrusion off its right side.
Earth, which is 898 million miles (1.44 billion kilometers) away in this image, appears as a blue dot at center right; the moon can be seen as a fainter protrusion off its right side.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
NASA Hubble Finds a True Blue Planet | NASA
NASA Hubble Finds a True Blue Planet | NASA
Earlier observations have reported evidence for scattering of blue light on the planet. The latest Hubble observation confirms the evidence.
If seen directly, this planet would look like a deep blue dot, reminiscent of Earth's color as seen from space. That is where the comparison ends.
On this turbulent alien world, the daytime temperature is nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and it possibly rains glass -- sideways -- in howling, 4,500-mph winds. The cobalt blue color comes not from the reflection of a tropical ocean as it does on Earth, but rather a hazy, blow-torched atmosphere containing high clouds laced with silicate particles. Silicates condensing in the heat could form very small drops of glass that scatter blue light more than red light.
Hubble and other observatories have made intensive studies of HD 189733b and found its atmosphere to be changeable and exotic.
HD 189733b is among a bizarre class of planets called hot Jupiters, which orbit precariously close to their parent stars. The observations yield new insights into the chemical composition and cloud structure of the entire class.
Earlier observations have reported evidence for scattering of blue light on the planet. The latest Hubble observation confirms the evidence.
If seen directly, this planet would look like a deep blue dot, reminiscent of Earth's color as seen from space. That is where the comparison ends.
On this turbulent alien world, the daytime temperature is nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and it possibly rains glass -- sideways -- in howling, 4,500-mph winds. The cobalt blue color comes not from the reflection of a tropical ocean as it does on Earth, but rather a hazy, blow-torched atmosphere containing high clouds laced with silicate particles. Silicates condensing in the heat could form very small drops of glass that scatter blue light more than red light.
Hubble and other observatories have made intensive studies of HD 189733b and found its atmosphere to be changeable and exotic.
HD 189733b is among a bizarre class of planets called hot Jupiters, which orbit precariously close to their parent stars. The observations yield new insights into the chemical composition and cloud structure of the entire class.
Monday, July 08, 2013
Explosion in Number of Potentially Habitable Worlds
Explosion in Number of Potentially Habitable Worlds
The number of potentially habitable worlds circling red dwarf stars—the most abundant type of star in our Milky Way galaxy—may have just doubled to 60 billion, a new study suggests.
So what's new? Researchers found that the atmospheric circulation and cloud cover on these exoplanets meant these worlds could orbit their stars more closely than previously thought—expanding the habitable zone around red dwarf stars.
The number of potentially habitable worlds circling red dwarf stars—the most abundant type of star in our Milky Way galaxy—may have just doubled to 60 billion, a new study suggests.
So what's new? Researchers found that the atmospheric circulation and cloud cover on these exoplanets meant these worlds could orbit their stars more closely than previously thought—expanding the habitable zone around red dwarf stars.
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Two Alien Planets With 'Endless Oceans' --"Unlike anything in our Solar System"
Two Alien Planets With 'Endless Oceans' --"Unlike anything in our Solar System"
“These planets are unlike anything in our solar system. They have endless oceans,” said lead author Lisa Kaltenegger of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and the CfA. “There may be life there, but could it be technology-based like ours? Life on these worlds would be under water with no easy access to metals, to electricity, or fire for metallurgy. Nonetheless, these worlds will still be beautiful, blue planets circling an orange star — and maybe life’s inventiveness to get to a technology stage will surprise us.”
These two "Water World" planets orbit the star Kepler-62. This five-planet system has two worlds in the habitable zone — the distance from their star at which they receive enough light and warmth that liquid water could theoretically exist on their surfaces. Modeling by researchers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) suggests that both planets are water worlds, their surfaces completely covered by a global ocean with no land in sight. Kepler-62 is a type K star slightly smaller and cooler than our sun. The two water worlds, designated Kepler-62e and -62f, orbit the star every 122 and 267 days, respectively.
They were found by NASA’s Kepler spacecraft, which detects planets that transit, or cross the face of, their host star. Measuring a transit tells astronomers the size of the planet relative to its star.
Kepler-62e is 60 percent larger than Earth, while Kepler-62f is about 40 percent larger, making both of them “super-Earths.” They are too small for their masses to be measured, but astronomers expect them to be composed of rock and water, without a significant gaseous envelope.
As the warmer of the two worlds, Kepler-62e would have a bit more clouds than Earth, according to computer models. More distant Kepler-62f would need the greenhouse effect from plenty of carbon dioxide to warm it enough to host an ocean. Otherwise, it might become an ice-covered snowball.
“Kepler-62e probably has a very cloudy sky and is warm and humid all the way to the polar regions. Kepler-62f would be cooler, but still potentially life-friendly,” said Harvard astronomer and co-author Dimitar Sasselov.
“The good news is — the two would exhibit distinctly different colors and make our search for signatures of life easier on such planets in the near future,” he added.
The discovery raises the intriguing possibility that some star in our galaxy might be circled by two Earth-like worlds — planets with oceans and continents, where technologically advanced life could develop.
“Imagine looking through a telescope to see another world with life just a few million miles from your own. Or, having the capability to travel between them on a regular basis. I can’t think of a more powerful motivation to become a space-faring society,” said Sasselov.
Kaltenegger and Sasselov’s research has been accepted for publication in
“These planets are unlike anything in our solar system. They have endless oceans,” said lead author Lisa Kaltenegger of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and the CfA. “There may be life there, but could it be technology-based like ours? Life on these worlds would be under water with no easy access to metals, to electricity, or fire for metallurgy. Nonetheless, these worlds will still be beautiful, blue planets circling an orange star — and maybe life’s inventiveness to get to a technology stage will surprise us.”
These two "Water World" planets orbit the star Kepler-62. This five-planet system has two worlds in the habitable zone — the distance from their star at which they receive enough light and warmth that liquid water could theoretically exist on their surfaces. Modeling by researchers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) suggests that both planets are water worlds, their surfaces completely covered by a global ocean with no land in sight. Kepler-62 is a type K star slightly smaller and cooler than our sun. The two water worlds, designated Kepler-62e and -62f, orbit the star every 122 and 267 days, respectively.
They were found by NASA’s Kepler spacecraft, which detects planets that transit, or cross the face of, their host star. Measuring a transit tells astronomers the size of the planet relative to its star.
Kepler-62e is 60 percent larger than Earth, while Kepler-62f is about 40 percent larger, making both of them “super-Earths.” They are too small for their masses to be measured, but astronomers expect them to be composed of rock and water, without a significant gaseous envelope.
As the warmer of the two worlds, Kepler-62e would have a bit more clouds than Earth, according to computer models. More distant Kepler-62f would need the greenhouse effect from plenty of carbon dioxide to warm it enough to host an ocean. Otherwise, it might become an ice-covered snowball.
“Kepler-62e probably has a very cloudy sky and is warm and humid all the way to the polar regions. Kepler-62f would be cooler, but still potentially life-friendly,” said Harvard astronomer and co-author Dimitar Sasselov.
“The good news is — the two would exhibit distinctly different colors and make our search for signatures of life easier on such planets in the near future,” he added.
The discovery raises the intriguing possibility that some star in our galaxy might be circled by two Earth-like worlds — planets with oceans and continents, where technologically advanced life could develop.
“Imagine looking through a telescope to see another world with life just a few million miles from your own. Or, having the capability to travel between them on a regular basis. I can’t think of a more powerful motivation to become a space-faring society,” said Sasselov.
Kaltenegger and Sasselov’s research has been accepted for publication in
Friday, July 05, 2013
Lords of the Ring Nebula: Stargazers' Photo Completes Cosmic Quest | Space.com
Lords of the Ring Nebula: Stargazers' Photo Completes Cosmic Quest |
Space.com
The Ring Nebula, also known as Messier 57 or NGC 6720, appears to look like a massive circle due to our perspective on Earth. André van der Hoeven, Terry Hancock, Fred Herrmann, Mike van den Berg and Mathijn Ippel logged in a combined 104 hours of exposure time to take this photo. The image was released to SPACE.com on June 28, 2013.
CREDIT: André van der Hoeven, Terry Hancock, Fred Herrmann, Mike van den Berg and Mathijn Ippel
Space.com
The Ring Nebula, also known as Messier 57 or NGC 6720, appears to look like a massive circle due to our perspective on Earth. André van der Hoeven, Terry Hancock, Fred Herrmann, Mike van den Berg and Mathijn Ippel logged in a combined 104 hours of exposure time to take this photo. The image was released to SPACE.com on June 28, 2013.
CREDIT: André van der Hoeven, Terry Hancock, Fred Herrmann, Mike van den Berg and Mathijn Ippel
Friday, June 21, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Cosmology: The Timeline of Everything We Know - From Quarks to Quasars
Cosmology: The Timeline of Everything We Know - From Quarks to Quasars
First would be that prior to the big bang it is possible there was no previous era. Matter, energy, space and time began abruptly. Another posits that of Quantum emergence – space and time develop out of a primeval state describe by a quantum theory of gravity. Then there is the landscape multiverse of string theory – due to differences of quantum tunneling and quantum fluctuations between different energy states, this theory reorganizes a multiverse of universes in a new type of field ordered from most energetic to least energetic. As this new type of postulated field (called inflation) decays it releases the remainder of its energy and “buds” off the eternal, infinite space and expands rapidly. And lastly the cyclic universe, were the big bang is just the latest in the continual expansion, collapse and renewed expansion of space and time. The beginning is not really the beginning at all, only the latest stage in a continuing cycle.
Image: Gary S Chapman/Photographer (Source)
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