It is amazing to think that water, primarily salty oceans, cover the majority of our planet. Yet, much is unknown about the vast existence. Of course, it is relatively difficult to investigate the enviroment, because it is miles and miles deep. This extreme depth creates a large pressure so great that it will crush our bodies. In the past, it was thought that nothing existed there, that it was just empty and open space (talk about denial). With today's advancing technology, scientists are discovering new inhabitants of deep oceans.
Scientists have developed submarines that are specially built to be able to survive the immense pressure of the deep oceans, and have since found several new ecosystems. They have found hydrothermal vents that spit out warm water and chemicals that are used to feed the shrimp, clams, and tube worms that reside down there. These vents are located in underwater gardens. The gardens house the animals that can survive the deep. Even more disturbing, these animals are actually feeding off of the food that drops from the sea above them! Talk about garbage pickers...
Even further, since every used to adopt the "nothing lives down there" theory, people used to dump tons of dangerous chemicals into the ocean blue. Pollution is a big factor in deep oceans, especially because heavier materials will sink to the bottom, and then recycle back up the top centuries later as the currents fluctuate. The chemical dumping is blamed for ten percent of ocean pollution. The rest of the pollution is from run off from land, run off from business and factories, and gas and oil spillages. Maybe we should start looking at what we can control to reduce this. Perhaps we can find more efficient ways to transport oil?
Another interesting feature about the ocean is that it contains most of Earth's heat. It gains the heat from the sun, which heats the surface of the water. This water then densifies the salt in the water. This denser water obviously sinks and travels down to the deep oceans. It could take centuries in order to see this water come back up! So the key to cooling down the world, deheat the oceans!
The deep sea is the home of the world's ugliest animals. The viper fish, for example, is an almost transparent fish. It is basically see through. Another resident is the dragon fish, which is not unaccurate to its name. It has a large head and a lot of razor sharp teeth. Another one is the fangtooth, it only grows to six inches, but it has a very intimidating appearance.
I find it really funny that we used to think that nothing existed down there, out of sight out of mind? I wonder...
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
About The Big Bang Theory
The big bang theory, in summary, is a single statement that tries to explain how the universe came about. There was a time when there was nothing, and now there is something, the universe! The general theory of the big bang is that the universe was born out of a singularity, and is about 13.7 billion years old. Singularities are particularly fascinating because they do not follow any of the rules that give physics its identity. Singularities are believed to reside wihtin the black hole's intensely large gravitational strengh. They are proposed to form by an accumulation of matter that is so compacted that it gains "infinite density".
After this begining stage, the singularity expands and the "big bang" occurred. It started as a small, extremely hot ball of fire into the universe we know today. But the big bang, was not actually a big bang at all. It was more like something that expanded and released its contents. Then came photons, then quarks, the protons, neutrons, and electrons. Then presto, here we are! Why did it happen? How exactly did it happen? Nobody knows...
Of course religion has a different persepective. They believe that God said "Hey, wouldn't it be fun to make something called a universe?" and then it was there. Religions do not question the exactness of how we all came about, they just believe that God created the universe and let the bible take over from that point. Another newer theory is called the "Intelligent Design", which is an awkward mix of religious views and the big bang. It says that God created it, then evolution and natural selection formed us into what is existing today. A little twisted huh?
After this begining stage, the singularity expands and the "big bang" occurred. It started as a small, extremely hot ball of fire into the universe we know today. But the big bang, was not actually a big bang at all. It was more like something that expanded and released its contents. Then came photons, then quarks, the protons, neutrons, and electrons. Then presto, here we are! Why did it happen? How exactly did it happen? Nobody knows...
Of course religion has a different persepective. They believe that God said "Hey, wouldn't it be fun to make something called a universe?" and then it was there. Religions do not question the exactness of how we all came about, they just believe that God created the universe and let the bible take over from that point. Another newer theory is called the "Intelligent Design", which is an awkward mix of religious views and the big bang. It says that God created it, then evolution and natural selection formed us into what is existing today. A little twisted huh?
This whole unknowing thing makes me question what is real and what isn't. I don't think I like space because there is so much unknown. I like finding and discovering new things, but space is such an open and infinite abyss of hidden information. How do we really know what is real from what we think is real? I'm probably thinking to far into it, but it seems like too big of a mess for me to care about. But hey, that's that just simple minded me. ;)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Solar Systems -v- Galaxies
Solar systems are simply defined as a star and all the other celestial bodies revolving around it. This is characteristic of our sun, the eight planets surrounding it and the three dwarf planets such as Pluto, Eris, and Ceres. These planets all are pulled gravitational toward the sun, along with their natural satellites (commonly known to us as "moons"). Solar systems also usually include four inner life bearing planets, four outer gas giant planets, an asteriod belt, another belt made of icy objects, and an interstellar medium. This interstellar medium is where the solar winds from the sun are supposed to finally reach and affect nothing that is beyond it. Of course the star (for us, it is the sun) is the center of the solar system, essentially. This means that the pull of gravity is around this star, and it is bascially the glue that keeps the entire thing together.
Solar systems are very similar to galaxies in many respects, except that galaxies are much larger. In addition, galaxies contain many solar systems. Although, there are three different kinds of galaxies. The first galaxy is called an elliptical galaxy. These galaxies have no definite structure, and resemble a smushed up ball. The next kind is called a spiral galaxy, and it looks like it has a central nucleus and pinwheels of stars. The last kind is called an irregular galaxy and has no specific shape or size. They must not have known what to call that last one, so they called it irregular.
It is amazing that galaxies and solar systems have very little in difference, and yet it is a very large one. Their sizes!!! I wonder how many galaxies are out there, I wonder how they actually know that these exist, especially since the Milky way galaxy is so vast. What technology do we have that proves that these are out there? The universe is so large and interesting that it is worth investigating. Is there life out there similar to ours? Perhaps, down the road, we will be surprised by the beings hiding somewhere beyond our reach.
Solar systems are very similar to galaxies in many respects, except that galaxies are much larger. In addition, galaxies contain many solar systems. Although, there are three different kinds of galaxies. The first galaxy is called an elliptical galaxy. These galaxies have no definite structure, and resemble a smushed up ball. The next kind is called a spiral galaxy, and it looks like it has a central nucleus and pinwheels of stars. The last kind is called an irregular galaxy and has no specific shape or size. They must not have known what to call that last one, so they called it irregular.
It is amazing that galaxies and solar systems have very little in difference, and yet it is a very large one. Their sizes!!! I wonder how many galaxies are out there, I wonder how they actually know that these exist, especially since the Milky way galaxy is so vast. What technology do we have that proves that these are out there? The universe is so large and interesting that it is worth investigating. Is there life out there similar to ours? Perhaps, down the road, we will be surprised by the beings hiding somewhere beyond our reach.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Comparing Stages of the Sun
Red giants: The red giant phase of a star marks the next progression point to star death. after a star is about a few billion years old, the star starts to run out of fuel (or protons) to burn on. the star then begins to cool and contract, but as it contracts, it heats up. causing the remaining protons to be fused into alphas. these alphas become the new source of energy for the star. Now the star is much hotter than before, and the outer parts of the star begin to swell and expand. Which in turn gives the term "giant" for its name. The first half of the name comes from the shade of red the low level of radiation gives off. Red giants are the most common star visibile to the naked eye, but strangely enough are not very common occurences in space.
White dwarf: after the red giant phase, the star continues to run out of fuel to burn on. When it reaches its breaking point, it then sheds all of its outer layer material and makes a planetary nebula. This planetary nebula leaves behind the core of the star, which keeps burning even hotter then before. The star smolders for approximately another billion years more, all the while running out and cooling down. White dwarfs are particularly interesting due to their characteristic way of compression. most objects in space have a special internal fusion that prevents it from collapsing by the gravity surrounding it. But white dwarfs maintain its existence by quantum mechanics. This means that all the elctrons in the dwarf are forced so close together that they have no where else to go within their energy levels. Since only two electrons can be on energy level they are stuck thus keeping the dwarf alive and in a shape.
Black holes: Black holes are the famous ending to a star's life. They are at least ten times larger than the star itself. While the star burns out, it runs out of substance to keep it alive. As the star reaches its collapsing point, it then has reached zero volume. At this zero volume, it has achieved infinite density. Light rays are now bent around the star and are caught in its orbit. The black holes are so dense, that they do not allow light to escape. The were originally discovered not because the scientists could see them, it was because of the effect they have on surrounding areas.
Our own sun is still striving to be the red giant stage, thank goodness we still have about five billion years left of the sun's life. In fact, as we progress in time, the sun is losing weight. As mentioned earlier, it continues to burn energy, and therefore is now lighter. The sun is about ninety-eight percent of our solar system's mass alone and it burns at 11, 000 degrees farenheit! It have a uneven appearance due to the eruptions that occur on its surface. It is about four and a half billion years old. It is predicted that when the sun is ready to progress into a red giant stage, that the sun will swell so large that it will take the Earth with it. Obviously we still have plenty of time before this is a problem, so rest assured!
White dwarf: after the red giant phase, the star continues to run out of fuel to burn on. When it reaches its breaking point, it then sheds all of its outer layer material and makes a planetary nebula. This planetary nebula leaves behind the core of the star, which keeps burning even hotter then before. The star smolders for approximately another billion years more, all the while running out and cooling down. White dwarfs are particularly interesting due to their characteristic way of compression. most objects in space have a special internal fusion that prevents it from collapsing by the gravity surrounding it. But white dwarfs maintain its existence by quantum mechanics. This means that all the elctrons in the dwarf are forced so close together that they have no where else to go within their energy levels. Since only two electrons can be on energy level they are stuck thus keeping the dwarf alive and in a shape.
Black holes: Black holes are the famous ending to a star's life. They are at least ten times larger than the star itself. While the star burns out, it runs out of substance to keep it alive. As the star reaches its collapsing point, it then has reached zero volume. At this zero volume, it has achieved infinite density. Light rays are now bent around the star and are caught in its orbit. The black holes are so dense, that they do not allow light to escape. The were originally discovered not because the scientists could see them, it was because of the effect they have on surrounding areas.
Our own sun is still striving to be the red giant stage, thank goodness we still have about five billion years left of the sun's life. In fact, as we progress in time, the sun is losing weight. As mentioned earlier, it continues to burn energy, and therefore is now lighter. The sun is about ninety-eight percent of our solar system's mass alone and it burns at 11, 000 degrees farenheit! It have a uneven appearance due to the eruptions that occur on its surface. It is about four and a half billion years old. It is predicted that when the sun is ready to progress into a red giant stage, that the sun will swell so large that it will take the Earth with it. Obviously we still have plenty of time before this is a problem, so rest assured!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Science -v- Pseudoscience
There are several fields of research that are classified as sciences, but which ones are real, fact supported sciences? A science is simply defined as something that is observed, identified, described, experimentally investigated, and a theoretically explained phenomena. Such examples are chemistry, physics, biology, and earth sciences. All of these sciences have had extensive studies that have been duplicated hundreds of time and have all supported the theories or facts that the science is based upon.
Sciences are able to be replicated but Pseudosciences on the other hand, are false sciences that is a theory, methodology, or a practice taht is considered to be without scientific foundation. Examples of pseudosciences are homeopathy, which was developed in the late eighteenth century with the thinking that giving diluted amounts of the substance causing a person their illness would eventually cure them. Another is phrenology, which was developed in the nineteenth century and says that a person's character, intelligence, and mental capacity can be determined by the shape and irregularities of their skulls. Dianetics is also considered a pseudoscience, it is associated with the religion of scientology and believes that a person can get rid of certain emotions, sensations, or fears through a soul specific method. It is based on this phrase "what the soul is doing to the body through the mind".
Seemingly complete opposites, yet these sciences do differ. Boths methods having to do with human sciences use similar procedures of obtaining information, creating a hypothesis, and then spreading their newly found research to the rest of the science community. The conclusions are not always the same but the way they gain their information is. Any science is up for stipulations based on what religions or beliefs a person is associated with, therefore, who really knows what is real and what isn't. In addition, sciences change everyday with new found knowledge. All sciences, whether real or pseudo, do have an impact and a purpose with everyday lives. Whether they are simply a cure all or some mental trick to help suffers feel better, they all can work to some extent. To some, sciences considered realistic are accepted as fact by others not so much. For example, many people believe that global warming exists while others do not. There is scientific reasons that prove that it is possible, but others refuse to believe them. Some people swear on homeopathy medicines rather than clinical ones, and many people have had success with curing themselves and others have not. All sciences, in my opinion, can be considered real or pseudo. It all depends on what you believe in and what you cannot believe. I believe that they all have a purpose, whether they are believable/functional or not.
Sciences are able to be replicated but Pseudosciences on the other hand, are false sciences that is a theory, methodology, or a practice taht is considered to be without scientific foundation. Examples of pseudosciences are homeopathy, which was developed in the late eighteenth century with the thinking that giving diluted amounts of the substance causing a person their illness would eventually cure them. Another is phrenology, which was developed in the nineteenth century and says that a person's character, intelligence, and mental capacity can be determined by the shape and irregularities of their skulls. Dianetics is also considered a pseudoscience, it is associated with the religion of scientology and believes that a person can get rid of certain emotions, sensations, or fears through a soul specific method. It is based on this phrase "what the soul is doing to the body through the mind".
Seemingly complete opposites, yet these sciences do differ. Boths methods having to do with human sciences use similar procedures of obtaining information, creating a hypothesis, and then spreading their newly found research to the rest of the science community. The conclusions are not always the same but the way they gain their information is. Any science is up for stipulations based on what religions or beliefs a person is associated with, therefore, who really knows what is real and what isn't. In addition, sciences change everyday with new found knowledge. All sciences, whether real or pseudo, do have an impact and a purpose with everyday lives. Whether they are simply a cure all or some mental trick to help suffers feel better, they all can work to some extent. To some, sciences considered realistic are accepted as fact by others not so much. For example, many people believe that global warming exists while others do not. There is scientific reasons that prove that it is possible, but others refuse to believe them. Some people swear on homeopathy medicines rather than clinical ones, and many people have had success with curing themselves and others have not. All sciences, in my opinion, can be considered real or pseudo. It all depends on what you believe in and what you cannot believe. I believe that they all have a purpose, whether they are believable/functional or not.
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