Mission to the Underworld

I don't think they will find Pellucidar but I'll be interested in learning how deep they will find life.

It may not be a journey to the center of the Earth, but it could be the closest thing yet.

Scientists are planning to drill all the way through the planet's miles-thick crust to Earth's deep, hot mantle and retrieve samples for the first time. The samples, they say, would rival moon rocks for sheer scientific import—and be nearly as hard to get.

"That has been a long-term ambition of earth scientists," geologist Damon Teagle told National Geographic News.

But a lack of suitable technology and insufficient understanding of the crust have long tempered that ambition.
Now, better knowledge of the Earth's shell and technological advances—for example, a Japanese drill ship equipped with six miles (ten kilometers) of drilling pipe—have put the goal within reach, according to a commentary in this week's issue of the journal Nature, co-written by Teagle, a geologist at the U.K.'s University of Southampton.

Ramses Egyptian Empire

Today on Discovery Enterprise we visit the ruins of an Egyptian Empire whose leader reigned for 67 years.

1300 BC: The mighty Egyptian civilization is in its golden age. Its ruler is Ramses II, a man who intends to be the greatest of the Pharaohs. He will make his mark by building: vast statues; towering obelisks; temples carved from the living rock. Ramses is a giant of a man: he dominates his kingdom for sixty seven years, pushing it on to ever greater glory. The ruins of what he built still stand, but thirty three centuries on; with the aid of new research and cutting edge graphics technology, the true scale of his ambition can now be fully revealed.

Dennis Chamberland

Our friend and co-blogger Dennis Chamberland was on the Space Show on Monday talking to Dr Livingston on undersea colonization. Listen here.

Ohh! I have worked out how to embed mp3 files in blogger! You can use the player below to listen to Dennis if you like.

How the Earth Was Made - San Andreas Fault

Today on Discovery Enterprise we explore the forces which shaped our planet with the highly praised History Channel documentary series “How the Earth Was Made”. In the first episode of this series we will visit perhaps the most well known geological feature on our planet –the San Andreas Fault.

Palenque: Metropolis of the Maya

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present an episode of the History Channel’s documentary series “Lost Worlds” and visit the ancient Mayan Metropolis of Palenque.



Venture to Palenque, a great Mayan city deep in the Mexican jungle abandoned for over a thousand years. Mysterious tombs, palaces, and temples covered by creepers have remained hidden from the world for centuries. But how was this gigantic metropolis built and what purpose did the temples and palaces serve?

The Universe - The Most Dangerous Place in the Universe

Today on Discovery Enterprise we will be taking a tour of the cosmic hot zones -- black holes, galaxy mergers, gamma ray bursts and magnetars. Super black holes can literally lasso Earth out of the solar system.

A clash between two galaxies can result in a ritual called galactic cannibalism. Magnetars are a cosmic magnetic force so strong it could wipe out data on every credit card.

Don't Grow Old

“Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital
and green.” ~ Psalm 92:14

As I approach the half century mark, yet do not feel, act or look my age I have often wondered what it really means to grow old from a personal prospective.


But, I must confess growing older does scare me. My birthdays have never really been occasions of joy or celebration but, more like chronological sign posts that life is slowly and surely ebbing away. Can we ever really slow down our biological clocks and extend our life span another 70 years to enjoy a healthy and vigorous old age and possibly fulfil the Biblical promise of Psalm 92:14?


Today on Discovery Enterprise we present the BBC Horizon documentary – Don’t Grow Old. This episode of Horizon explores the mystery of aging and seeks out answers on what can be done to slow down the aging process?

Wonders of the Universe - Falling

Today on Discovery Enterprise we are proud to present the third episode of the brand new series hosted by Dr. Brian Cox entitled “Wonders of the Universe- Falling”. In this new series, which is a companion series to "Wonders of the Solar System”, Professor Brian Cox reveals how the most fundamental scientific principles and laws explain not only the story of the universe, but the story of us all. In this third instalment of the series Dr. Cox takes a look at the story of the force that sculpts the entire universe which is gravity. Gravity seems so familiar, and yet it is one of the strangest and most surprising forces in the universe. 

The Ascent of Man - Lower than the Angels

Today on Discovery Enterprise we are proud to present the first episode of Jacob Bronowski’s acclaimed PBS series “The Ascent of Man” – “Lower than the Angels”. Jacob Bronowski was a Polish-Jewish British mathematician, biologist, historian of science, theatre author, poet and inventor. He is best remembered as the host of the “The Ascent of Man”. 






The Ascent of Man was a thirteen-part documentary television series produced by the BBC and Time-Life Films first transmitted in 1973, written and presented by Jacob Bronowski. Intended as a series of personal view documentaries in the manner of Kenneth Clark’s 1969 series Civilisation, the series received acclaim for Bronowski’s highly informed but eloquently simple analysis, his long unscripted monologues and its extensive location shoots.  

Astrospies

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present Astrospies, a NOVA documentary concerning the covert space program of the 1960s. In this documentary, NOVA delves into the untold story of this top-secret space race, which might easily have turned into a shooting war in orbit.

Millions remember the countdowns, launchings, splashdowns, and parades as the U.S. raced the USSR to the moon in the 1960s. But few know that both countries also ran parallel space programs, whose covert goal was to launch military astronauts on spying missions. Co-produced by investigative journalist James Bamford, acclaimed best-selling author of The Puzzle Palace and Emmy Award-winning producer Scott Willis, “Astrospies” uncovers new clues about the tensest period of the Cold War, when the U.S. and USSR were on the verge of war and desperate for intelligence on each other’s nuclear capabilities.

Lost Horizons - The Big Bang

Today on Discovery Enterprise we join Professor Jim Al-Khalili in following the development of the Big Bang as revealed by over fifty years of science journalism by the BBC.

Is the Universe Infinite?

Today on Discovery Enterprise we explore a cosmic question – Is the Universe Infinite? Today’s video feature comes from the SpaceRip channel on YouTube.

How far do the stars stretch out into space? And what's beyond them? In modern times, we built giant telescopes that have allowed us to cast our gaze deep into the universe. Astronomers have been able to look back to near the time of its birth. They've reconstructed the course of cosmic history in astonishing detail.

The first human death in Space

Here's a heroic story of courage and personal sacrifice. How cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov sacrificed his life to save his friend Yuri Gargarin. I once read that Gargarin was so angry as to what happened he throw his drink in Leonid Brezhnev face. I don't know if its true or not but he should have.

NOTE: SOME OF THE PHOTOS ARE DISTURBING


Cosmonaut Crashed Into Earth 'Crying In Rage'
Everyone knew the mission would fail — the technicians, the pilot and the friend who would replace him if he deserted the mission. But Soviet leaders demanded a triumph in space, and so in 1967, Vladimir Komarov allowed himself to be launched towards his own death......

Wonders of the Universe - Stardust

Today on Discovery Enterprise we are proud to present the second episode of a brand new series hosted by Dr. Brian Cox entitled “Wonders of the Universe”. In this new series, which is a companion series to "Wonders of the Solar System”, Professor Brian Cox reveals how the most fundamental scientific principles and laws explain not only the story of the universe, but the story of us all In this second instalment of the series Dr. Cox attempts to find the answer to the questions, what are we? And where do we come from? 

This episode tells the story of matter. Professor Brian Cox goes in search of humanity's very essence to answer the biggest questions of all: what are we? And where do we come from? 

Iran claims to have built the world's first "flying saucer"

The British newspaper the Daily Mail ran an interesting news story on Thursday March 17th that Iran claims to have built the world’s first “flying saucer”.

It's not clear how far or how high it can fly or even how big it is and what makes it take off.

Danes in Space

We have mentioned Copenhagen Suborbitals before. Here's a TED talk by one of their leaders:

Orbital Refueling

Communication satellites are very expensive but their life is limited by the amount of fuel they  carry Once the fuel is gone they can not make the necessary orbital adjustment and their usefulness is over. If a way was found to refuel them  the owners could extend the life of their valuable asset.  A Canadian company MDA will be sending up a spacecraft to GEO to offer such a service.

Two satellite companies have announced a new deal to launch the first spacecraft designed to refuel other satellites in orbit.
The refueling craft – a flying satellite gas station – will be built by the Canadian company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) and is slated to launch in 2015. Communications satellite company Intelsat, based in Luxembourg and Washington, has signed on as its first client, agreeing to pay more than $280 million over time for its satellites to be refueled.

Until now, satellites orbiting around Earth have been limited by how much fuel they carry onboard. Once those tanks run dry, the satellites die, sometimes languishing in space as uncontrollable debris that then poses the risk of colliding with other spacecraft.

The new plan offers the potential not just to extend the lives of working satellites, but to help combat the growing space junk problem. The satellite, called the Space Infrastructure Servicing (SIS) vehicle, is designed not just to transfer more fuel into existing satellites, but to inspect, tow, reposition and make minor repairs to them.

In addition to its tank of fuel, the refueling satellite will carry a robotic arm that can be used to grab onto satellites and tug at stuck solar array panels, for example, or attempt other minor fixes to broken parts.

The e-book revolution

Cover via Amazon

As a former bookshop owner I have been expecting stories like this for some time. My prediction is that current book shops will be decimated over the next 5-10 years. they will go the way of instant photoshops and music stores but book sales will boom. Unless the adapt current publishers may go to the wall. The 21st Century publisher will operate without the cost of printing, distribution, ware housing etc. 

From slashdot:

Hugh Pickens writes writes "Joe Konrath has an interesting interview with independent writer John Locke who currently holds the coveted #1 spot in the Amazon Top 100 and has sold just over 350,000 downloads on Kindle of his 99 cent books since January 1st of this year, which, with a royalty rate of 35%, is an annual income well over $500k. Locke says that 99 cents is the magic number and adds that when he lowered the price of his book The List from $2.99 to 99 cents, he started selling 20 times as many copies — about 800 a day, turning his loss lead into his biggest earner. 'These days the buying public looks at a $9.95 eBook and pauses. It's not an automatic sale,' says Locke. 'And the reason it's not is because the buyer knows when an eBook is priced ten times higher than it has to be. And so the buyer pauses. And it is in this pause—this golden, sweet-scented pause—that we independent authors gain the advantage, because we offer incredible value.' Kevin Kelly predicts that within 5 years all digital books will cost 99 cents. 'I don't think publishers are ready for how low book prices will go,' writes Kelly. 'It seems insane, dangerous, life threatening, but inevitable.'"

Liquid water on Mars?

Dubbed transient slope lineae, these narrow flows (seen here inside Horowitz crater) could mark where salty brines are trickling across the Martian surface. This view is about 650 feet (200 m) across, and colors have been strongly enhanced to show subtle differences.

NASA / JPL / Univ. of Arizona via sky and telescope

We know there's water ice on Mars but what about liquid water? Conventional wisdom has it that water can not exist on Mars because of the low atmospheric pressure. However a brine solution may exist at least for a time on the Martian surface:

More recently, some scientists on the polar-probing Phoenix mission noticed little blobs clinging to the craft's landing struts and suggested they might water droplets. Unfortunately, they're hard to see in Phoenix's self-portraits, and not everyone is convinced.

But there's new indications that liquid water is indeed flowing in small amounts during the Martian summer. The evidence comes from the super-resolving HiRISE camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has seen dark rivulets form, grow, and then fade in the planet's southern hemisphere. These transient slope lineae, as they've been dubbed by Alfred McEwen (University of Arizona) and his colleagues, could be formed by brines containing enough salt to depress their freezing points by more than 100°F (50° to 60°C). He described them yesterday at the annual Lunar & Planetary Science Conference in Texas.

More here.

Asteroids: The Good the Bad and the Ugly

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present an episode from the highly acclaimed BBC science documentary series entitle “Asteroids: The Good the Bad and the Ugly”.

Famed for their ability to inflict Armageddon from outer space, asteroids are now revealing the secrets of how they are responsible for both life and death on our planet. Armed with an array of powerful telescopes, scientists are finding up to 3000 new asteroids every night. And some are heading our way.

Fukushima Nuclear Accident – a simple and accurate explanation

As I said I'm discounting media reports regarding the Japanese reactors as I do not believe they are credible. Thanks to the internet we have other sources of information. Barry Brook over at Brave New Climate has provided an excellent and easy to understand explanation of what is happening. I won't reprint it here but click on the link and be informed.  

Why I'm not paying much attention to media reports of the Japanese Nuclear disaster

I think this is very much a case when all mass media reports on the problems at Fukushima Daiichi reactors need to be treated with caution. Remember:

1) The area has been through a massive natural disasters. The  normal lines of communication are no longer  there.

2) Few of the English speaking reporters know Japanese,  that's going to be a big handicap

3) Few have the necessary technical training to understand the issues

4) The people who actually know whats going on will be working flat out to get the reactors under control not talking to journalists.

So its not surprising we had one TV reporter who was sent there admitting she had no idea whats going on. But they are over there and are paid to get the Story. So a Story we will get, how factual that Story will be is another matter.

Personally, I'm paying little attention to news reports. What I am following are specialist sites like

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_Battle_to_stabilise_earthquake_reactors_1203111.html

And  blogs by people with years of  hand on experience in the nuclear industry including the operation of reactors.
like:

http://atomicinsights.blogspot.com/

UPDATE: Here's an example of what I mean. The fire pictures from 35 sec onwards are from a burning LNG plant! Nothing to do with nukes. You can see the photos here: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/03/earthquake-in-japan/100022/

Mars Rising - The Search for Life

Today on Discovery Enterprise we will explore one of the most enduring and tantalising questions connected to the red planet. In the sixth and final instalment of the Discovery Channel's landmark television series Mars Rising - The Search For Life. William Shatner narrates this exciting series.

Wonders of the Universe - Destiny

Today on Discovery Enterprise we are proud to present the first episode of a brand new series hosted by Dr. Brian Cox entitled “Wonders of the Universe”. In this new series, which is a companion series to "Wonders of the Solar System”, Professor Brian Cox reveals how the most fundamental scientific principles and laws explain not only the story of the universe, but the story of us all 



In the first instalment of “Wonders of the Universe” - “Destiny” Dr. Cox, attempts to understand the nature of time and its role in creating both the universe and ourselves. He takes a look at the cycles of time which define our experience of life on Earth. 

To purchase “Wonders of the Universe” and other BBC Documentaries visit the BBC’s Online Shop or Amazon.com. 

2012: Science or Superstition?

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present, for your entertainment, another pseudoscientific documentary about the alleged end of the world that is supposed to occur on December 21st, 2012.

As I have said in a previous posting I do not believe in any of these predictions of the so called end time or a coming renewal, or a rebirth of consciousness.

Let us assure you our dear readers of Discovery Enterprise that on Friday December 21st, 2012, in all probability “the Earth's magnetic poles will not flip, California will not break apart and slide into the sea, and a secret monster planet will not smash into Earth out of the invisible nowhere”. On Saturday December 22nd, 2012 we will be back to the old everyday concerns of work, school and family and making the last minute entries on our holiday gift list and debating whether or not we are going to get Uncle Bob another Paisley Tie again this Christmas.



So we ask you dear readers to sit back and watch this documentary with a pinch of salt and solely for its entertainments value and rent the 2009 blockbuster motion picture "2012" with John Cusack and sleep easy tonight with the knowledge that its just plain old make-believe.

The Human Zoo Science's Dirty Secret

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present a somewhat shocking and disturbing documentary concerning the early history of the science of Anthropology. The Human Zoo: Science's Dirty Secret, explores the disturbing phenomena of early 20th century human zoos.


Only one hundred years ago, many of the world's leading scientists agreed with A. C. Haddon, when he wrote in his 1898 book Study of Man, that, "on the whole, the white race has progressed beyond the black race."

Mars Rising - The Human Factor

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present another exciting episode of the acclaimed documentary series “Mars Rising” – “The Human Factor”. William Shatner narrates this exciting series.

Powering the Future - Leading the Charge

Today on Discovery Enterprise we explore the future of Alternative Energy with the fourth and final episode of the four part documentary series “Powering the Future” hosted by M. Sanjayan.

In this final instalment of the series, “Leading the Charge” we meet an unlikely cast of characters and companies that are leading the charge in an energy sea change.

Around The World in 90 minutes

Today on Discovery Enterprise we will be taking an exciting ride aboard the International space station as it orbits our beautiful home planet.

Take an exhilarating ride aboard the International space station as it orbits the weird and wonderful planet that we call home. The program starts at zero degrees Greenwich in London, then moves around the globe looking at geology, weather, human activity and nature. This real-time snapshot of the wonder of existence will inspire, shock and surprise in 90 unforgettable minutes.

Has Evidence of extraterrestrial life been discovered?

Have fossils of  extraterrestrial origins been discovered in meteorites? Dr. Richard B. Hoover, an astrobiologist with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center thinks so:

Though it may be hard to swallow, Hoover is convinced that his findings reveal fossil evidence of bacterial life within such meteorites, the remains of living organisms from their parent bodies -- comets, moons and other astral bodies. By extension, the findings suggest we are not alone in the universe, he said.

“I interpret it as indicating that life is more broadly distributed than restricted strictly to the planet earth,” Hoover told FoxNews.com. “This field of study has just barely been touched -- because quite frankly, a great many scientist would say that this is impossible.”

In what he calls “a very simple process,” Dr. Hoover fractured the meteorite stones under a sterile environment before examining the freshly broken surface with the standard tools of the scientist: a scanning-electron microscope and a field emission electron-scanning microscope, which allowed him to search the stone’s surface for evidence of fossilized remains.

He found the fossilized remains of micro-organisms not so different from ordinary ones found underfoot -- here on earth, that is.

“The exciting thing is that they are in many cases recognizable and can be associated very closely with the generic species here on earth,” Hoover told FoxNews.com. But not all of them. “There are some that are just very strange and don’t look like anything that I’ve been able to identify, and I’ve shown them to many other experts that have also come up stumped.”

Now I remember all the noise over the Mars meteorite so I take all such reports with some skepticism, but the peer reviewed paper is here.

UPDATE: John Gribbon assures us its all bunkum. but keep cracking those meteorites I say ,you never know what you can find.

When We Left Earth - Ordinary Supermen

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present the first episode of the highly acclaimed documentary series “When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions” – “Ordinary Supermen”.

This is an extraordinary series that chronicles the inside story of NASA’s most epic endeavours. Commemorating the space agency’s 50th anniversary, follow John Glenn’s Mercury mission to orbit the earth, Neil Armstrong’s first historic steps on the moon, unprecedented spacewalks to repair the Hubble stories, and more.

The Art of Exoplanets

Today on Discovery Enterprise we will embark on an artistic odyssey to the recently discovered brave new worlds orbiting distant suns.

2210: The Collapse?

Today on Discovery Enterprise we are going to travel 200 years into the future to see what the world would look like after civilization as we know it collapsed. Guided by author Jared Diamond, we'll piece together the remarkable story of what on earth triggered our decline.


How could a civilization that mastered the planet suddenly Collapse? The following documentary is based on Jared Diamond's bestselling book "Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed".


Imagine if hundreds of years from now, scientists excavated the abandoned ruins of some of our largest cities, what conclusions would future archaeologists come to regarding the collapse of our civilization?