On April 13th 2015, scientists at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory announced that Mars might have water. According to University College of London's Prof. Andrew Coates, the evidence so far has been water on Mars exists, but only as permafrost. He goes on to say, that new data has revealed that there is water on Mars right now.
The latest findings suggest that the surface of Mars is damp with a liquid brine. This brine, or perchlorate is a kind of salt that lowers the freezing point of water. When this perchlorate is mixed with water, it can exist down to a temperature of around -70C. It is believed that during the day the conditions are right for moisture in the Martian air to be absorbed by the salty soil, and that the resultant liquid water may pool or even puddle at night.
Co investigator on the Curiosity Rover, Bo Madsen says that the Martian soil is very porous, and what is being witnessed on Mars is the water seeping down through the soil. He says that because of this, other salts may also dissolve into that water, making it difficult for life to take hold. Other factors, such as cosmic radiation may also serve to prohibit the emergence of life. However, researchers make note that there are microbes on the Earth known as extremophiles, which exhibit the ability to thrive in the harshest of environmental conditions.
With this new discovery, there is still the possibility that some type of organism may yet be found living in the cold, desolate, irradiated conditions that exists on Mars. This may just be the first, small step in the discovery of life on Mars.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Scientists Discover Single Partcle Entanglement
On March 24th 2015, scientists at Griffith University's Center for Quantum Dynamics in Australia and the University of Tokyo in Japan announced that they had detected the quantum entanglement of a single particle. Quantum entanglement occurs when two or more particles are connected over a vast distance. Measuring the quantum state of one of the particles reveals the quantum state of the other.
In the Griffith University/University of Tokyo experiment, a single photon was split between the two labs. Homodyne detectors, (instruments that can measure wave and wave like properties), were used to show that a change in the measurement in one lab really did cause a change of what was measured in the other. The two teams were effectively able to verify the wave form collapse and entanglement of a single photon.
What this means is that the actual photon was only ever in one of the two labs, but the wave function of the photon was detected as having been in both labs. Measuring for the particles location caused its wave function to collapse, and the photon to commit to its whereabouts. The homodyne detectors enabled the scientists to make different measurements at each locations to reveal its wave function.
Entanglement of a single particle helps somewhat to explain why a particle can appear or seem to be in more than one place at a time. It is believed that this discovery may one day be used in quantum communications and quantum computation applications.
In the Griffith University/University of Tokyo experiment, a single photon was split between the two labs. Homodyne detectors, (instruments that can measure wave and wave like properties), were used to show that a change in the measurement in one lab really did cause a change of what was measured in the other. The two teams were effectively able to verify the wave form collapse and entanglement of a single photon.
What this means is that the actual photon was only ever in one of the two labs, but the wave function of the photon was detected as having been in both labs. Measuring for the particles location caused its wave function to collapse, and the photon to commit to its whereabouts. The homodyne detectors enabled the scientists to make different measurements at each locations to reveal its wave function.
Entanglement of a single particle helps somewhat to explain why a particle can appear or seem to be in more than one place at a time. It is believed that this discovery may one day be used in quantum communications and quantum computation applications.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Mysterious Dust Cloud Orbiting Mars
On March 18th 2015, NASA announced that its MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) spacecraft which is currently orbiting Mars, had discovered a cloud of dust orbiting the red planet. The dust cloud was discovered at an altitude of between 93 to 190 miles above the surface of Mars.
The cloud was detected using the MAVEN spacecraft's Langmuir Probe and Waves instrument and was found to be denser at lower altitudes. While scientists are at a loss to explain just how the cloud of dust managed to reach altitude, some are suggesting that the dust may have come from one of Mars' two moons, Phobos or Deimos. There appears to be more of the dust on the day side, which faces the sun than on the night side of Mars.
Other possible suggestions for the mysterious cloud, are that the dust may be the result of the solar winds, or the dust could possibly be the result of meteor showers or passing comets. Scientists have ruled out debris from comet Siding Spring, which passed near Mars on October 19th 2014, which is a month after spacecraft MAVEN arrived at the planet, which was on September 21st 2014. And, MAVEN had observed the dust cloud upon its arrival.
The NASA spacecraft MAVEN also observed an aurora unlike any seen before on Mars. Mars doesn't have an electromagnetic field like we have on Earth, so auroras on the planet are usually seen above patches of the surface that do have a magnet field. However, for five days in December 2014, MAVEN observed a dim aurora spread across the northern hemisphere. NASA says that the lights appeared at about the time a storm of charged particles from the Sun was passing by.
The cloud was detected using the MAVEN spacecraft's Langmuir Probe and Waves instrument and was found to be denser at lower altitudes. While scientists are at a loss to explain just how the cloud of dust managed to reach altitude, some are suggesting that the dust may have come from one of Mars' two moons, Phobos or Deimos. There appears to be more of the dust on the day side, which faces the sun than on the night side of Mars.
Other possible suggestions for the mysterious cloud, are that the dust may be the result of the solar winds, or the dust could possibly be the result of meteor showers or passing comets. Scientists have ruled out debris from comet Siding Spring, which passed near Mars on October 19th 2014, which is a month after spacecraft MAVEN arrived at the planet, which was on September 21st 2014. And, MAVEN had observed the dust cloud upon its arrival.
The NASA spacecraft MAVEN also observed an aurora unlike any seen before on Mars. Mars doesn't have an electromagnetic field like we have on Earth, so auroras on the planet are usually seen above patches of the surface that do have a magnet field. However, for five days in December 2014, MAVEN observed a dim aurora spread across the northern hemisphere. NASA says that the lights appeared at about the time a storm of charged particles from the Sun was passing by.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Music Streaming Services Edge Out CDs In 2014
On March 19th 2015, it was announced that music streaming services had earned more revenue than CDs in 2014. The news is a reflection of new figures released by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). The figures also show that digital downloads are also in decline, while sales for vinyl are on the rise.
Revenue from streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, and Vevo reached $1.87 billion dollars in 2014, while CD sales accounted for $1.85 billion dollars. The margin is small but may be evidence that streaming services could at some point become the music industry's top revenue gainer.
Over all physical sales were still strong. Physical sales were responsible for 32% of the market while streaming only accounted for 27%. The RIAA maintains that over all music industry revenues remained flat in 2014. In light of that fact, what do to the streaming numbers mean? While some may say that this is clear evidence that music fans prefer not to own their own copy of their favorite releases, the resurgence of vinyl would suggest otherwise.
Even with its modest gains in the last several years, the fact that people are returning to the vinyl format says a lot about the long form presentation's ability to provide the consumer with something that they physically own. Also, while steaming has managed to over take CDs, it has yet to undo digital downloads, even though sales of downloads are in decline. The biggest problem that streaming services face, is how much they are willing to pay recording artists whose content they depend on heavily.
If artists continue to feel that streaming is devaluing their music, their will continue to be more of them pulling their music from those services. Right now, everybody want to get in on what looks like a good thing. But, without the music of recording artists, the whole thing will not happen. It is possible, however, that this is just a shakeout period as new technologies begin to reach more and more people, and the newness of said technologies begins to wear off. If in time this turns out to be the case, then what we may one day find, is a balance between virtual and physical platforms.
Revenue from streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, and Vevo reached $1.87 billion dollars in 2014, while CD sales accounted for $1.85 billion dollars. The margin is small but may be evidence that streaming services could at some point become the music industry's top revenue gainer.
Over all physical sales were still strong. Physical sales were responsible for 32% of the market while streaming only accounted for 27%. The RIAA maintains that over all music industry revenues remained flat in 2014. In light of that fact, what do to the streaming numbers mean? While some may say that this is clear evidence that music fans prefer not to own their own copy of their favorite releases, the resurgence of vinyl would suggest otherwise.
Even with its modest gains in the last several years, the fact that people are returning to the vinyl format says a lot about the long form presentation's ability to provide the consumer with something that they physically own. Also, while steaming has managed to over take CDs, it has yet to undo digital downloads, even though sales of downloads are in decline. The biggest problem that streaming services face, is how much they are willing to pay recording artists whose content they depend on heavily.
If artists continue to feel that streaming is devaluing their music, their will continue to be more of them pulling their music from those services. Right now, everybody want to get in on what looks like a good thing. But, without the music of recording artists, the whole thing will not happen. It is possible, however, that this is just a shakeout period as new technologies begin to reach more and more people, and the newness of said technologies begins to wear off. If in time this turns out to be the case, then what we may one day find, is a balance between virtual and physical platforms.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Mysterious Lights on Dwarf Planet, Ceres
On February 19th 2015, The NASA Dawn spacecraft took photos of two bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres, in the asteroid belt. The photos, which were taken at a distance of 29,000 miles, revealed a second spot of light in addition to a first spot which was observed in photos taken at a distance of 238,000 miles on January 16th 2015.
Both bright spots appear to lie within the boundaries of a crater. Scientist aren't sure what these bright spots are. One theory is that since the lights seem to disappear as they rotate into darkness, that it's likely that they are areas of salt. It is also being suggested that the lights could be lava or the result of some kind of volcanic activity.
The Dawn spacecraft entered orbit around Ceres on March 6th, 2015 at 16 percent of the distance between the Earth and the Moon. The space craft is 310 million miles from the Earth. The Dawn spacecraft was launched in September of 2007 with a mission to investigate the two most massive bodies in the asteroid belt, Vesta and Ceres. It explored the asteroid Vesta between 2011 and 2012.
The Dawn spacecraft is due to pass into a black out period when it passed behind the sun. Scientist at NASA expect the the spacecraft to transmit even clearer photos by mid to late April 2015, when it becomes visible again. If all goes well the Dawn spacecraft should reach its science mapping orbit by December 2015 and complete its primary mission by June 2016.
Both bright spots appear to lie within the boundaries of a crater. Scientist aren't sure what these bright spots are. One theory is that since the lights seem to disappear as they rotate into darkness, that it's likely that they are areas of salt. It is also being suggested that the lights could be lava or the result of some kind of volcanic activity.
The Dawn spacecraft entered orbit around Ceres on March 6th, 2015 at 16 percent of the distance between the Earth and the Moon. The space craft is 310 million miles from the Earth. The Dawn spacecraft was launched in September of 2007 with a mission to investigate the two most massive bodies in the asteroid belt, Vesta and Ceres. It explored the asteroid Vesta between 2011 and 2012.
The Dawn spacecraft is due to pass into a black out period when it passed behind the sun. Scientist at NASA expect the the spacecraft to transmit even clearer photos by mid to late April 2015, when it becomes visible again. If all goes well the Dawn spacecraft should reach its science mapping orbit by December 2015 and complete its primary mission by June 2016.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Solar Plane Attemps Round The World Flight
On March 8th 2015, a solar powered airplane named the, "Solar Impulse 2," took off from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The planes pilots, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg are attempting to fly their plane around the world. The plane flew the first leg of its journey 910 miles to Muscat and Oman at a speed of 45 kilometers an hour. The flight took 13 hours.
The "Solar Impulse 2," is very light. It weighs less than 5,070 pound or about as much as a full sized pickup truck. It has a wingspan of 236 feet which is wider than a 747. Its has four electric motors with propellers each measuring 13 feet in diameter. The "Solar Impulse 2," is a solo pilot craft with an unheated and unpressurized cockpit that measures 3.8 meters. Inside is a reclining couch seat that has a removable bottom for a toilet.
The aircraft is powered by lithium-ion batteries that are recharged by 17,000 solar cells. Piccard and Borschberg are attempting to be the first to fly around the world using only the power of the sun, in an effort to show that the technology can be used to reduce the use of fossil fuels. They believe that solar power is the fuel of the future and view it as a source of clean, renewable energy,
The "Solar Impulse 2," is very light. It weighs less than 5,070 pound or about as much as a full sized pickup truck. It has a wingspan of 236 feet which is wider than a 747. Its has four electric motors with propellers each measuring 13 feet in diameter. The "Solar Impulse 2," is a solo pilot craft with an unheated and unpressurized cockpit that measures 3.8 meters. Inside is a reclining couch seat that has a removable bottom for a toilet.
The aircraft is powered by lithium-ion batteries that are recharged by 17,000 solar cells. Piccard and Borschberg are attempting to be the first to fly around the world using only the power of the sun, in an effort to show that the technology can be used to reduce the use of fossil fuels. They believe that solar power is the fuel of the future and view it as a source of clean, renewable energy,
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
More Serbian Craters
On February 24th 2015, it was announced that two mysterious craters found in Serbia last July were not the only ones. Researchers have now found a total of seven craters so far, and it is believed that it is possible that there may be more. Two of the craters have turned into lakes, while another is rimmed by 20 mini craters.
Vasily Bogoyavlensky, a scientist with the Moscow based Oil and Gas Research Institute has called for more and serious research of the cause of the craters. He believes that rising global temperatures may have caused the permafrost to melt. This melting in turn has caused pockets of methane trapped beneath the surface of the ice to explode, releasing the gas into the atmosphere.
Five of the craters are located on the Yamal Peninsula, while another crater labeled B2 is located in the Yamal autonomous district, which is home to a major oil field. Bogoyavlensky's concerns are two fold. Workers in the oil fields may be at risk from explosions of pressurized gases if there is more melting of the ice. His other concern, is that more methane being released into the atmosphere may add to rising global temperatures. This could cause more ice to melt.
Bogoyavlensky says that he doesn't want to scare anyone, but it is known that even though methane doesn't last long in the atmosphere, it can however cause more of an increase in climate change than CO2. He say that not enough is known about how the craters were created and an urgent investigation is needed.
Vasily Bogoyavlensky, a scientist with the Moscow based Oil and Gas Research Institute has called for more and serious research of the cause of the craters. He believes that rising global temperatures may have caused the permafrost to melt. This melting in turn has caused pockets of methane trapped beneath the surface of the ice to explode, releasing the gas into the atmosphere.
Five of the craters are located on the Yamal Peninsula, while another crater labeled B2 is located in the Yamal autonomous district, which is home to a major oil field. Bogoyavlensky's concerns are two fold. Workers in the oil fields may be at risk from explosions of pressurized gases if there is more melting of the ice. His other concern, is that more methane being released into the atmosphere may add to rising global temperatures. This could cause more ice to melt.
Bogoyavlensky says that he doesn't want to scare anyone, but it is known that even though methane doesn't last long in the atmosphere, it can however cause more of an increase in climate change than CO2. He say that not enough is known about how the craters were created and an urgent investigation is needed.
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