CAITLYN JOHNSTON

PHYS 1040
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS JOURNAL ENTRIES

Week 1 - 8/22/14
Jupiter, Venus and Moon Form Cosmic Triangle before Dawn on Saturday
On Saturday morning, just shortly before sunrise the three brightest objects of the sky will set a
sightseeing triangle in the night sky. The three objects producing this attraction are Jupiter, Venus, and
the moon. On Saturday, Venus, Jupiter, and the moon will become Earths nearest neighbor as a trio
resembling an isosceles triangle. This organization is also just all a matter of perspective. Venus will be in
all its bright glory as it will be ending its morning appearance.
I find this quite interesting how just because of time certain arrangements of the planets
happen. It gives us quite sightseeing experiences and it is something everyone will be interested in. I will
most certainly be making an effort to see this fascinating triangle.
http://www.space.com/26913-jupiter-venus-moon-cosmic-triangle-saturday.html

Week 2 - 8/28/14
NASA's New Mega-Rocket for Deep Space Will Be Launch Ready by 2018

NASAs new mega rocket will be ready for its test launch very soon. It is confirmed that it will
launch no later than November of 2018. NASAs Space launch system will be the most powerful rocket
ever built for deep space missions. This new and advanced heavy lift launch vehicle will create a whole
new experience for science and human exploration around Earths orbit. This creation is designed to
send humans deeper into space than ever before. This rocket will stand at 400 feet tall after it is
complete. This launcher could eventually lead to a space trip to mars.
This is very exciting news to learn that more depth is going to be going into space travel. There
will be so much to learn with this new technology. I think it is fascinating that it may lead to a trip to
mars in the future. This mega rocket is something that will change history.

CAITLYN JOHNSTON
PHYS 1040
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS JOURNAL ENTRIES

Week 3 9/4/2014
Space Robot Arm Tech Could Help Surgeons Operate on Kids
The arms powered by technology in Space could eventually be used to perform minor surgeries
for children on Earth. The person who founded the space arm called Canadarm is now investing in a
project called KidsArm. The goal of this is to sustain a mini arm to operate some tasks during pediatric
surgery. Tests indicate the operation of tiny structures such as blood vessels being successful without
damage. A vision based system that works like robotic eyes is included In KidsArm. This allows a small
surgical arm to be guided to the right spot with complete accuracy. Much testing is being done right now
to confirm this possible advance in medical technology.
I find this very fascinating. I think that it is a bit scary but very exciting at the same time. I am
amazed at how far technology has come. One day, I feel we may all be replaced by machines. The only
reasons humans will be needed to work is to fix the machines stealing all of our jobs.
http://www.space.com/27006-space-robot-arm-tech-child-surgery.html

Week 4 9/12/14
Aurora Watch Friday 12 September, 2014
An aurora watch has been issued for Friday September 12, 2014. This aurora, if it occurs, may be visible in
Tasmania, New Zealand, and Southern Australia. There could also be a possibility that it could end up further north if it turns
out circumstances are correct. Minor and major storm periods are predicted to occur in the early morning and late nights.
These storms could be a wide variety of things but will most likely be spectacular. Another interesting fact is that the moon
will be waning during this occurrence; therefore, the skies will be fairly dark until about 10 p.m. Dark skies are the best place
for viewing experiences like these so it couldnt have worked out better.
This is very intriguing that we could witness a space storm. Here in the U.S.A it will not be visible, but for other
people around the world it will quite the site to see. I think it is amazing we have the ability to view a show in our sky for free.
Its like free entertainment. Some may pay a lot of money to witness things like this if they needed to. Our universe is
amazing.

CAITLYN JOHNSTON
PHYS 1040
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS JOURNAL ENTRIES

Week 5 - 9/19/2014
The Lure of Mars: Why We Keep Going Back
Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Probe will be arriving on Mars next week. Those two are scheduled to
arrive on Saturday night. In accordance to that, Indias mars orbiter mission should follow on Wednesday. Mars already holds
two active rovers. These include, opportunity, which is the size of a golf cart, and Curiosity is its 1 ton cousin. There are more
mars missions to come as well. A lander called Insight is planning to be launched by NASA in 2016. Also another rover will be
launched in 2020. Mars causes a great fascination and it goes back at least a century. There is many interesting theories of
there being life on Mars following the evidence of water on the planet. This theory is what is mainly claiming our attention to
be more towards Mars and less on the other planets.
I find mars a very fascinating planet. I believe that there is some sort of life on mars. Obviously there has been
evidence of water so that just opens up my curiosity quite a bit more. The fact that we keep sending new ways to monitor
this planet is pretty intriguing because I feel as if we are that much closer to finding out what really is going on the Red Planet.

Week 6 9/25/2014
Earths water is older than the Sun
New studies show evidence that quite a bit of our solar systems water has originated from ices that were formed in
interstellar space. Water is not only found on earth, it is found throughout the entire solar system. It is found on icy comets,
moons, and in the shadow basins of Mercury. Water has been found in many mineral samples from Mars, the moon and
meteorites as well. Ice from comets and asteroids can tell scientists about the ice that circled the sun after its birth. They are
considered a natural time capsule. In its youth, the Sun was surrounded by a protoplanetary disk, the so-called solar nebula,
from which the planets were born. But it was unclear to researchers whether the ice in this disk originated from the Suns
own parental interstellar molecular cloud, from which it was created, or whether this interstellar water had been destroyed
and was re-formed by the chemical reactions taking place in the solar nebula. This particular paragraph really stood out to
me in this article. This information is important because if it comes to be that the solar systems water comes from chemical
processing through the suns birth, it could mean that there is potential for life elsewhere as it gives a reason to believe that
the abundance of water varies considerably in forming planetary systems.

CAITLYN JOHNSTON
PHYS 1040
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS JOURNAL ENTRIES

These particular findings show that part of our solar systems water is older than the sun; therefore, interstellar ices
will likely to be found on all younger planetary systems. This article intrigues me because it causes more suspicion of life
elsewhere. With tests being done, it is discovered that at least some of the water is strictly from chemical processing through
the suns birth.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2014/09/earths-water-is-older-than-the-sun

Week 7 10/3/2014
Swirling cloud at Titans pole is cold and toxic
There is a giant toxic cloud hovering over the south pole of Saturns largest moon, according to scientists. This was
discovered after the atmosphere there cooled dramatically. It is surprising, because, the cloud was found at a very high
altitude above titan. It has been found about 200 miles above titans surface. This altitude took scientists by surprise because
it was unknown that clouds could form at this altitude. A spectrum of sunlight gives a great clue as to why this cloud is located
to high above the atmosphere. "The light coming from the polar vortex showed a remarkable difference with respect to
other portions of Titan's atmosphere," With that being said, it is clear that that a signature of frozen HCN molecules are seen.
The southern hemisphere of titan has been cooling rapidly, and this makes it possible to reach the cool temperature that is
needed to form this giant toxic cloud.
This article is interesting because the fact that titan is cooling so rapidly causes some concern. Since there is a toxic
cloud it causes some excitement as well to see what other things will be formed in the future once more cooling and what
not happens.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2014/10/swirling-cloud-at-titans-pole-is-cold-and-toxic

CAITLYN JOHNSTON
PHYS 1040
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS JOURNAL ENTRIES

Week 8 - 10/10/2014
First Photos of Water Ice on Mercury Captured by NASA Spacecraft
Photos of water ice on mercury have just surfaced. The photos were taken by NASA messenger space craft and they give
reason to believe that the ice that was found in Mercurys Polar craters was delivered recently. They may even be topped up
by processes that continue today. 20 years ago there were first spotted signs of possible ice on Mercury. This is surprising
because mercury can top around 800 degrees Fahrenheit. With the confirmation that there actually was ice on Mercury in
2012 these photos are very exciting to finally receive an actual view of the ice. By taking advantage of small amounts of
sunlight scattered of the craters walls, the messenger team was able to capture optical light images of ice for the first time.
When actually being able to see something such as this it makes a lot of discoveries so much more real. As it was mentioned
before, there has been confirmation of ice for two years without any visual representation of it so with these new photos it is
very exciting to finally be able to see it with our own eyes.

Week 9 10/17/14
Study claims Milky Way dark matter half what scientists thought
By studying the speed of stars, astronomers made the measurement of dark matter in the Milky Way Galaxy. With this new
measurement it has been discovered that there is half as much of the mysterious substance than originally thought. "Stars,
dust, you and me, all the things that we see, only make up about 4 percent of the entire universe. About 25 percent is dark
matter, and the rest is dark energy." We have been able to measure the mass of the dark matter in the Milky Way by
studying the speed of stars throughout the galaxy, including the edges, which had never been studied to this detail before.
The study also presented a holistic model of the Milky Way, which allowed the scientists to measure several interesting things
such as the speed required to leave the galaxy.
Reading this article makes me think quite a lot about how much we really dont know about our universe. New theories and
discoveries are always coming about and I dont think we know really anything about what is going on in space. This article
just by itself showed that what we once thought was not true. Scientists and astronomers will always be learning new things.

CAITLYN JOHNSTON
PHYS 1040
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS JOURNAL ENTRIES

Week 10 10/24/14
Planet-forming lifeline discovered in a binary star system
Using ALMA, researchers have detected a streamer of gas from a massive outer disk toward the inner reaches of a binary star
system. This detection may be responsible for sustaining a second, smaller disk of planet forming material that would have
otherwise disappeared a long time ago. A discovery of gas clumps has also been made in the region between the two disks.
This suggests that new material is being transferred from the outer to the inner disk. This creates a sustaining lifeline between
the two. These observations demonstrate that material from the outer disk can sustain the inner disk for a long time. This
has major consequences for potential planet formation. New discoveries like this suggest, possibilities of other planets which
is exciting for scientists.
This is quite an interesting topic. Reading articles about new discoveries of things probably being detected creates quite a bit
of stir in the brain. I always like to keep up to date with topics like this to see if any other discoveries have been made.

Week 11 10/31/14
Hubble sees ghost light from dead galaxies
A faint ghostly glow of stars were picked up by the Hubble Space Telescope. These stars were ejected from ancient galaxies
that were gravitationally ripped apart several billion years ago. This happened about 4 billion light years away inside an
immense collection of nearly 500 galaxies known as Pandoras Cluster. Hubble astronomers have obtained forensic evidence
that suggests as many as six galaxies were torn to pieces inside of the cluster. The doomed galaxies would have been torn
apart if they plunged through the center of the galaxy cluster where gravitational tidal forces are strongest. The predicted
glow of the stars is very faint and was therefore a challenge to identify.
This article portrayed a very interesting read. Astronomy continues to fascinate me with all of the new discoveries that occur
constantly.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2014/10/hubble-sees-ghost-light-from-dead-galaxies

CAITLYN JOHNSTON
PHYS 1040
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS JOURNAL ENTRIES

Week 12 11/7/14
Rosetta: the dark side of the comet
A first glance at the side of a comet that has been trapped in darkness of polar night for the last months has been spotted
from light scattered from dust particles. Rosettas scientific imaging system has caught a glimpse of the southern side of
comet 67P/ Churyumov- Gerasimenko. This side has continuously faced away from the sun for the past few months. Only
the light scattered from dust particles in the comets coma very slightly illuminated the once unlit side. The comets dark side
promises to hold the key to a better understanding to the comets activity. The polar night should end in May of 2015 and we
will finally be able to take a good look at it.
When new things are unveiled in space it is quite exciting. After this comet being hidden for quite some time it is an excellent
thing to see and study once it is fully visual it will be a grand experience.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2014/11/rosetta-the-dark-side-of-the-comet
Week 13 11/14/14
ALMA finds best evidence yet for galactic merger in distant protocluster
Evidence of the fact that large galaxies grow from the merger of smaller ones has possible just been discovered. An energetic
Starburst galaxy, which is known as AzTEC-3, together with its long gang of calmer galaxies may represent this indication. A
cosmic powerhouse is nestled among a triplet of young galaxies more than 12.5 billion light years away. This with its gang of
calmer galaxies may represent the best evidence yet that large galaxies from the merger of smaller ones in the universe.
ALMA data reveals that this is a very compact galaxy that is bursting with new stars at close to its theoretically predicted
maximum limit and is surrounded by a population of more normal, but also actively star forming galaxies.
I was very intrigued by this article. Starburst galaxies to this nature are very interesting when they show specific evidence like
this. I hope to read more about this particular article in the future.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2014/11/alma-finds-best-evidence-yet-for-galactic-merger-in-distant-protocluster

CAITLYN JOHNSTON
PHYS 1040
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS JOURNAL ENTRIES

Week 14 11/21/14
Gravity may have saved the universe after the Big Bang
In a new study it is described how gravity provided the stability needed for the universe to survive expansion during this
period. It has been suggested the production of Higgs particles during the accelerating expansion of the early universe, or
inflation, should have led to instability and collapse. A team of physicists could explain why the universe did not collapse
immediately after the Big Bang. It is being described how the space time curvature, in effect, gravity provided stability needed
for the universe to survive expansion in that early period. They show that even a small interaction would have been enough
stabilize the universe against decay.
This research is very informational. I enjoy articles like this that prove interesting to read and the fact that new information is
being discovered is very fantastic.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2014/11/gravity-may-have-saved-the-universe-after-the-big-bang
Week 15 12/28/14
Eye of Sauron provides new way of measuring distances to galaxies
There is a new technique that is similar to that used by land surveyors on earth to measures size of a distant object. Both
physical angular, and apparent size of a distant object to calculate its distance from earth. A new technique has been
developed that allows them to measure precise distances to galaxies tens of millions light years away. This new technique is
similar to that used by land surveyors on Earth. The researches measure the time of delay between the emissions of light
from close to the black hole and the more distant infrared emission. The distance from the center to the hot dust is simply
this delay divided by the speed of light.
This method is said to give the most precise distances for remote galaxies. I find that very intriguing. I think this is a great article
that describes a lot and answers many questions.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2014/11/eye-of-sauron-provides-new-way-of-measuring-distances-to-galaxies

CAITLYN JOHNSTON
PHYS 1040
SCIENCE IN THE NEWS JOURNAL ENTRIES

Week 16 12/2/14
Orion poised for first trip to space
On December 4th a flight will test many of the riskiest events Orion will see when it sends astronauts to an asteroid and
onward toward Mars in the future. This is the first mission since Apollo to carry a spacecraft built for humans to deep space.
The flight test is also a marker for NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida as it transforms into a multi user spaceport. The
transformation kicked off in 2010 and has made steady progress. This flight represents the centers ability to produce a
spacecraft and launch configuration that worked well using aspects of the new model for processing and launch. "The team
is enthused; it's good to go flying," said Bob Cabana from Kennedy. "It's not just Orion and SLS; you have to tie it all together.
It's Orion, it's SLS, and it's commercial crew. It's all of that." This quote in particular stood out to me because of the fact that it
has so much put into it.
I am very excited to hear more about this flight and what is learned and experienced through it. I will be definitely keeping an
eye out for news about it. Since this is a very big deal for its potential flight it shall be very momentous.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2014/12/orion-poised-for-first-trip-to-space