Bethany Ramsey

12-4-14
Science in the News Journal
PHYSICS-1040
Professor Barnes

1. August 22, 2014Space Does Weird Things to Astronaut Immune Systems

Not only does space stretch your spine and turn your muscles to jelly, but it alters
your immune systems as well. Astronauts on a six month mission in space
experienced this while aboard the Space Station. This means that astronauts could
be more susceptible to illnesses on longer rides. Things like radiation, microbes,
stress, micro-gravity, altered sleep cycles, and stress could all have an effect on crew
member immune systems, said Brian Crucian who was quoted in the article.

I hope they can find a way to get around this because being sick in space would be
an awful experiencewithout any medicine or doctors they could potentially die
from something that would be easy to fix on earth. I think its really interesting that
space can do that to the human body though, especially turning your muscles into
jelly and stretching your spine. I kind of want to try it!

http://www.space.com/26903-astronaut-immune-systems-in-space.html

2. August 25, 2014The Moon SmellsApollo Astronauts Describe Lunar

Aroma

Apparently the moon smells like gun powder and the ash in a fireplace. Astronauts
who went to the moon all agreed that it had a very distinct smell but they couldnt
quite compare it to anything else since moon dusk doesnt exist on earth and its
hard to describe a smell. They thought it might burst into flames when they landed
because of its lack of contact with oxygen.

This is very surprising to me! I guess I never thought that the moon would have a
smell. I figured it would just smell like air if anything. It makes me very curious since
all of the astronauts agreed it had a very distinct smell but none could quite say
what it was. I wonder if the other planets have a smell? Probably, since they are all
made of different materials and gases. Its just a weird thought I guess.

http://www.space.com/26932-moon-smell-apollo-lunar-aroma.html

3. September 2, 2014Electric Moon Sparks May Break Down Lunar Dirt

Electric sparks have been discovered on the moon. Astronomers think that these
sparks may have aided in the breaking down of lunar dirt. This makes them think
that the moon might be more active than they used to think. Because of these lunar
sparks, astronomers wonder if these same sparks may take place in other planets in

our solar system. They talk about how the craters on the moon are evidence of
cosmic impacts in the past.

I think its cool that they can take something they know and apply it to other planets.
If they can study the moon and learn about the planets in our solar system, maybe
eventually they will be able to study the planets in our solar system and learn about
other galaxies. If the moon is still active I wonder if anything drastic could happen
that would greatly affect it?

http://www.space.com/27009-electric-moon-sparks-lunar-dirt.html

4. September 9, 2014New Mega-Telescope Will Soon Rise in Chiles Andes

Mountains

They are building a new gigantic telescope in the Andes mountains in Chile. It will be
called the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) and should begin construction by the
end of 2014. Their goal is to finish by 2021. They said it will help them solve some
of the universes deepest mysteries.

I love that technology is becoming advanced enough that we can build stuff like this.
Space is so interesting because not much is known about it. The more we learn
about the universe the better, because Im sure there is so much out there that we

dont even know exists. I think learning about the universe can help us learn about
ourselves.

http://www.space.com/27074-giant-magellan-telescope-construction-2014.html

5. September 15, 2014Life Hunting Mars Mission Idea Makes Progress, But
Needs Cash

Astronomers are looking to fire missiles at Mars to search for life below the surface.
The missiles would be able to go about a meter deep, which they think is deep
enough for microbial life to survive. They have a lot more work to do and need more
funding, but hope to be able to complete the mission in the future.

I dont know how I feel about this. Yes, it would be cool to discover life on mars but
if it is just microbial what is that going to do for us? I think they should put their
money into other missions since its going to be so expensive. What will this new
information bring to the table? I think there are more interesting mission options.

http://www.space.com/27073-exolance-mars-life-search-idea.html

6. September 22, 2014Is Pluto a Planet? Popular (But Unofficial) Vote Says
Yes

Pluto was deemed a dwarf planet in 2006 when the qualifications of planets were
refined. It has to orbit the sun, be round (because of its gravity), and clear its
neightborhood of most other orbiting planets. Pluto didnt fit the last qualification.
This decision is very controversial, and a recent vote proved that people still want it
to be a planet. The vote wont change anything, however.

I think this is kind of silly. I dont understand why people care so much if its called a
planet or not. Its like Shakespeare saidThat which we call a rose by any other
name would smell just as sweet. It doesnt matter what its called, it is what it is. If
someone wants to call it a planet Im not going to care.

http://www.space.com/27233-pluto-planet-debate-popular-vote.html

7. September 29, 2014How Viewing Earth as an Exoplanet Can Help Search

For Alien Life

If life on other planets was looking for life on ours, they would be able to see light
pollution if they were close enough. Astronomers are trying to look at Earth and see
if there would be any signs of life from far away. This will help them look for life on
other planets that are far away, since we know that looking at Earth from a distance
it would only appear to be a speck of light. Telescopes are becoming more powerful
so its possible we could find life.

I think this is very smart of astronomers. Its a great way of thinking to change their
perspective to see what we look like to other planets. If we could find life on other
planets that would obviously be life changing. I think its out there, to think that we
are the only living things in the universe is pretty crazy.

http://www.space.com/27288-alien-life-hunt-earth-as-exoplanet.html

8. October 8, 2014Water On the Moon Came From Solar Wind

Water has been discovered on the moon but astronomers are unsure where it came
from. It could either be from impacts from meteorites or comets that have a lot of
water. They also think water could have formed on the moon after exposure to solar
wind. Hydrogen in the wind can react with oxygen to form water. They think this
water could one day sustains colonies or missions to the moon.

I didnt know there was water on the moon. I think it would be awesome if they
could somehow use it for missions! I dont think its a very good idea to form
colonies on the moon though, I dont know why anyone would want to live there. I
think Earth is pretty great.

http://www.space.com/27377-moon-water-origin-solar-wind.html

9. October 14, 2014Milky Way Has Half As Much Dark Matter As Previously
Thought

Scientists dont know much about dark matter in the universe. The article says its
the invisible stuff believed to make up a sizable chunk of the universe. But now
they are thinking there is only half of what they previously thought. They calculated
the speeds of stars and studied the Milky Way to find that the amount of dark matter
is 80 billion times the mass of the sun.

I dont really understand dark matter. I thought that space was empty, but
apparently its something? I dont get how you can measure nothing. How do they
know its there if it is invisible? And how does calculating the speed of stars help
them know how much dark matter there is?

http://www.space.com/27425-milky-way-dark-matter-mass.html

10. October 24, 2014Einsteins Gravity Waves Could Be Found With New
Method

Gravitational waves are invisible ripples in the fabric of space and time. Einstein
discovered these with his theory of relativity. The size of the waves depends on the
mass of the object that creates them. Scientists said they might be detected by
looking at the brightening of stars.

This is very interesting to me. I never thought of gravity as a wave, and space and
time seem to be two very different things to me. Im not really sure what this article
means. Apparently dark matter is more than just empty space and it affects other
things.

http://www.space.com/27510-gravitational-wave-detection-method.html

11. October 27, 2014Giant Sunspot Keeps Firing Off Huge Solar Flares

The largest sunspot on the sun has been shooting of huge solar flares and also has
very strong storms. The flare from this morning caused a radio blackout on earth.
Its the fourth flare in four days.

Its kind of crazy that something like this can affect the earth. If the radio waves
went out, I hope that a larger flare doesnt come along and cause some actual
damage. It looked pretty cool from the video though. I think my cousin saw the flare
early in the morning, cause he said he saw a bright flash in the sky.
http://www.space.com/27552-giant-sunspot-huge-solar-flares.html

12. November 5, 2014To Europa! Mission to Jupiters Moon Gains Support

in Congress

Some congressmen are all for the idea of sending a mission to EuropaJupiters
moon. It has an ocean on it and scientists think that this is the best place to look for
life inside our solar system.

I think this is awesome! It would be really cool to find life in our own solar system. I
think its likely since there is water on Europa. Its great that the congressmen are
for the idea as well, since it could do a lot for the scientific community to find more
life in our solar system. I hope it happens.

http://www.space.com/27660-jupiter-moon-europa-exploration-congress.html

13. November 10, 2014Black Hole Turbulence May Stifle Star Birth

Scientists have been wondering for a long time why far off galaxies have such a low
birth rate for stars. Now they think that cosmic turbulence from black holes could
be the reason. They make it hard for new stars to form. It heats the gas from the
turbulence so the stars cant be made.

It seems like black holes cause a lot of weird things. I didnt know much about
themI used to think that you could travel through them. Now I know they do serve
a purpose though. I wonder what else they do to the universe that scientists havent
discovered yet? I think its cool that such a curious thing has so many roles.

http://www.space.com/27721-black-hole-turbulence-star-birth.html

14. November 17, 2014Color of Jupiters Great Red Spot Come From Epic
Sunburn

The Great Red spot is probably gray or white, scientists say. The reason it appears
red is the gases in the upper atmosphere turn a reddish color when they are hit by
sunlight. The spot is bigger than you might thinkits larger than the width of two
earths. The winds are up to 435 mph. It is at least centuries olds.

This is kind of sad to me. It seems that a lot of things are not what they appear to be.
Its kind of cool though that it is an illusion. I cant believe how big the storm isI
knew Jupiter itself was big but when a spot on it is as big as two earthsthat is
mind blowing! It must be a crazy storm!

http://www.space.com/27766-jupiter-great-red-spot-color-sunburn.html

15. November 26, 2014Spaceflight Surprise! DNA Survives Short Trip on

Outside of Rocket

Scientists were surprised to discover that DNA can withstand the circumstances of a
ride on the outside of a rocket. They placed some DNA on the outside of a rocket

going on a 13 minute trip to space and the DNA was in tact and functional when it
returned. They are worried about contaminating the surfaces they land on with
earth DNA.

I cant believe that DNA was able to withstand all of that pressure! I would have
thought it would at least fly off the rocket. Or die in the atmosphere. Does that mean
that DNA from other planets (if found) could survive the trip back to earth? It would
be quite the discovery if we were able to bring back DNA on rockets, cause that
might tell more about the composition of the DNA if it can withstand all that
pressure.
http://www.space.com/27876-dna-survives-space-flight.html

16. December 3, 2014Volcanic Eruptions on Mars Could Have Caused Water

to Flow
Scientists have always been puzzled because of the erosion done by water on Mars
since its too cold there for liquid water to exist. Recent studies have concluded its
possible that volcanic activity warmed the surface enough to melt the ice and allow
the water to flow.

This seems like a very likely answer to me. It answers the question scientists have
had for a long time and seems to be the only explanation. I wonder if there was life
at this time since there was water? I bet its possible that there was some type of

living organism either in the water or in the soil that the water nourished. Ill be
interested to know if they find out more about this.

http://www.universetoday.com/10137/mars-volcanoes-were-active-recently/