Abstract This six page paper looks closely at the ancient and historical figure of Eratosthenes, who died around 195 BC. He made many significant contributions to the fields of science, mathematics, astronomy, geography, and many others. His discovery of the diameter of the earth has been proven to be highly accurate today. As thus, his work is of lasting importance.
From the Paper "Eratosthenes, a Greek scholar from about 276-195 B.C, is remembered chiefly for his scientific measurements of the earth's circumference. His work, albeit somewhat unacknowledged by his contemporaries, resulted in fantastic scientific experiments which are comparably accurate even today. By looking briefly at his biography, and then the results of his experiments, Eratosthenes will be shown to be both a highly important as well as a highly innovative thinker of his age, regardless of how he was considered at the time of his life work. Born in North Africa, Cyrene, Eratosthenes spent much of his educational time in Athens. In Athens he received the education..."
Abstract This research presents the case for establishing a colony on Mars. This paper defines a colony as a human habitation that is self-contained and self sustaining for six month periods of time; i.e. a city with an economy, public services, and a social infrastructure that mirrors the functional structure of terrestrial cities. The paper provides assumptions and considerations as the foundation for the planning of the overall project which has been incorporated as the Mars Colony Corporation (MaCC).
Abstract This paper discusses interstellar gas and dust, listing the reasons why it is interesting. According to the paper, these reasons are simply that interstellar clouds can simply be enormous and appear at least as mystical and beautiful as the stars themselves., and more practically, the interstellar medium is capable of telling us very significant things about the nature of our universe, how it was formed, and what properties dominate it. Like most branches of astronomy, perhaps the most exciting application of studies conducted upon cosmic dust is to cosmology.
Abstract The paper discusses how Pluto recently came under fire regarding the legitimacy of its status as a planet of the solar system. The paper examines the controversy that began when the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1999, was implicated with the decision of reconsidering Pluto's planetary status. The paper concludes that the issue was finally set to rest when the IAU duly rejected the status change as a rumour or misinformation and Pluto's status remained safe.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Pluto Statistics
Pluto Planet or comet (A Discussion)
Pluto (A Misfit?)
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "First and foremost comes the fact of size. As mentioned earlier, Pluto is the smallest planet and in terms of its size is even smaller than seven of the moons of other planets including earth's moon. Comparatively, mercury the next smallest planet is more than twice the size of Pluto. However, most astronomers brush aside this argument stating that Pluto is too big to be classified as a minor planet. For example, Ceres the largest minor planet that exists in the asteroid belt between Jupiter and mars is only 580 miles."
Abstract This paper provides a review of the relevant and scholarly literature to determine the feasibility of such a Moon colony. It uses realistic budget figures and self-sustaining technologies, followed by a summary of the research and salient findings in the conclusion.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Potential Resources on the Moon
Specific Lunar Colony Requirements
Tables
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "One approach for a permanent lunar colony advocates such settlements as being early stages in human colonization of the solar system as well as much of interstellar space; indeed, a permanent colony on the Moon has long featured in science fiction but it is now seriously considered by proponents in the United States, Japan and Russia, who foresee a permanent presence of people there within the next decade or two (Lindberg, 2004)."
Abstract This paper examines recent discoveries in the search for extrasolar planets. The author also discusses how this has become a viable area of research in astronomy. This study is divided into six sections. They include: definition of planets, how planets form, methods of detection, properties of extrasolar planets, and future implications of detection. The paper concludes acknowledging how extrasolar planetary research has opened up avenues of thought and possibilities that were seen as impossible just a few decades ago.
Outline:
Introduction and History
Definition of Planets and Extrasolar Planets
How Extrasolar Planets Form
Methods of Detection
Properties of Extrasolar Planets
Future Implications of Detection
Conclusion
From the Paper "The search for extrasolar planets has a long history. The notion that there might be other worlds existing in the heavens can be demonstrated as far back as ancient Greece. In more modern times, a Catholic monk was condemned for heresy in 1584 for suggesting that the sky was populated by countless suns and countless other Earths ("From Intuition" par. 1). The purpose of this essay is to describe and analyze the current search for extrasolar planets that has produced significant results within the last decade. What was once a fanciful possibility in astronomy has become a viable avenue of research, with new extrasolar planets being discovered every year. The remainder of this study will be divided into six sections. They include: definition of planets, how planets form, methods of detection, properties of extrasolar planets, future implications of detection, and conclusions."
Abstract This paper examines how a star is a huge, shining ball in space that produces a tremendous amount of light and other forms of energy. It looks at their physical makeup, the different types, and the recycling effect of star evolution on the rest of the universe.
From the Paper "Stars have many variants such as age, size, mass, and luminosity, but one thing they have in common is that "about 75 percent of all stars are members of a binary system, a pair of closely spaced stars that orbit each other" (Green, 2005, p. 1). Stars are also grouped together in galaxies such as the Milky Way which hosts more than 100 billion stars. "Three-dimensional computer models of star formation predict that the spinning clouds of dust may break up into two or three blobs; if true, this would explain why the majority of the stars in the Milky Way are paired or in groups of multiple stars" (science@nasa, p.1). Clearly, the structure and formation of individual stars mimics the structure of other important elements of the universe."
Abstract The paper explains that stars are set up to have planets circling around them and it is on those planets that scientists search to locate other life forms that may exist. The paper reveals that a growing body of scientists believe that there is/was life on Mars. The paper discusses how, with the advances in technology, it may not be long until we find a planet with living beings.
Outline:
Introduction
Stars
The Search For Life
Conclusion
From the Paper "Man has been working on science since the beginning of time. As the human race continues to evolve, technology become more advanced and the ability to answer questions accurately grows stronger. One of the questions that has continued to stump mankind since the beginning of time is whether or not there is life out there. Songs are written about it, movies depicting aliens abound and books convey the belief that there is life on other planets and in other solar systems, however, to date no scientific evidence has been found that can support that belief. The technological advances that have occurred in recent history have allowed man to provide a more structured research setting to answer the questions about life bearing planets and alien life."
Abstract This paper takes a look at Uranus, the third largest planet in the solar system. According to the paper, Uranus is approximately 15 times as massive as the Earth. The paper reports that it is believed that Uranus was discovered in 1781 by William Herschel, but actually, John Flamsteed first recorded it in 1690. Flamsteed called the planet 34 Tauri.
From the Paper "There are 11 known rings, all very faint; the brightest is known as the Epsilon ring." (Arnett, 2004). By far the largest ring is 1986U2R, which is 2,500 kilometers wide, and approximately 38,000 kilometers from Uranus' center. Ring 6 is 1-3 kilometers wide and approximately 41,840 kilometers from the center of Uranus. Ring 5 is 2-3 kilometers wide and is approximately 42,230 kilometers from the center. Ring 4 is also 2-3 kilometers wide, and is located just past ring 5. Alpha is 7-12 kilometers wide and is 44,720 kilometers from the center. Beta is 7-12 kilometers wide and is 45,670 kilometers from the center. Eta is 0-2 kilometers wide and is 47,190 kilometers from the center. Gamma is 1-4 kilometers wide and is 47,630 kilometers from the center. Delta is 1-4 kilometers wide and is located 48,290 kilometers from the center. 1986U1R is 1-2 kilometers wide and is located 48,290 kilometers from the center. Epsilon, the most visible of the rings from the surface of the Earth, is 20-100 kilometers wide and is located approximately 51,140 kilometers from the center of Uranus. Epsilon is the probably the most visible because it is the outer ring and is much larger than most of the other rings."
Abstract This paper explains that significant advances in scientific knowledge has refuted many misconceptions about the solar system but these mistaken beliefs persist especially among students between the ages of 11 and 14. The author stresses the importance of correcting their misconceptions as they advance through school so that they can be prepared for the more advanced high school and college science and astronomy courses. The paper indicates that using lab studies, experiments and continued learning outside of the classroom are all measures that can prove useful in replacing misconceptions about the solar system with fact.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Some of the Misconceptions
Literature Review
Conclusion
From the Paper "Concepts related to the force of gravity were demonstrated with hands-on activities utilizing a rubber sheet to represent the "fabric" of space and spherical objects to represent various celestial bodies. Demonstrations of planetary motions, both revolutions and rotations, involved the hands-on use of Styrofoam planets and moons, as well as a stationary light bulb to represent the sun. The students went through a five day class to refute the misconceptions and then the same questions were asked to determine if they held onto the misconceptions or replaced the knowledge in their minds with scientific facts."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the influence of the moon on the earth and how it has fascinated mankind throughout history. According to the paper, prior to the present scientific age the moon was considered to have strange and occult powers that could influence human behavior and events in a multitude of different ways.
From the Paper "The question therefore arises as to why certain behaviors have been ascribed to the phases and changes of the moon. The answer to this question in fact reveals the falsity of many lunar myths. One answer is that these myths have their origins in ancient folklore and legends that have been continued in various forms to the present time. For example, the myth about the way that the moon can influence human birth rates can be traced back to the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian beliefs which state that, "A woman is fertile according to the moon." (Carroll R. T. 2005) These views are therefore based on unsubstantiated and pre-scientific opinions of the world and nature and can therefore be seen in the same context as the belief that the world was flat and not round. "
Tags: sea, women, behavior, lunar, full, cycle, patterns, research
Abstract This paper explains the phenomenon of black holes and how the theory of the black hole evolved. It begins by defining black holes and providing a detailed history of them. The paper then discusses whether black holes are just a theory or not and it discusses the evidence that black holes exist even though they cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
What Are Black Holes?
History of Black Holes
Are Black Holes Just A Theory?
Conclusion
From the Paper "The authors further explain that at the Schwarzschild radius, the coefficient of the time interval in the Schwarzschild metric is zero (Hawley and Holcomb 1998). As a result, the time interval itself becomes infinite (Hawley and Holcomb 1998). Likewise, radial intervals decrease to zero, which is the definitive length contraction. These effects occur as a result of the choice of coordinates, and these coordinates are not ever absolute even as it relates to Newtonian physics. Nonetheless, the length contraction, time dilation, and other relativistic effects that are dependent upon the metric coefficients, are actual physical occurrences and can be calculated with the right type of instruments (Hawley and Holcomb 1998). In addition the gravitational field in the vicinity of the black hole is more significant at small radius than it is when it is at some distance away, and as a result light moving from near the object endures a gravitational redshift (Hawley and Holcomb 1998)."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses President John F. Kennedy's support for the Apollo space program. According to the paper, his interest was not so much focused on space exploration itself, but rather on the political ends to be gained from the success of such a publicly popular endeavor.
Outline:
Political Motivations
After the Decision: Financial and Scheduling Issues
Project Mercury
Project Gemini
Speculation: What if Kennedy had lived?
From the Paper "On this issue, Kennedy and Webb experienced a serious disagreement during the meeting. Webb, as mentioned above, was concerned about the technical and scientific necessity of key programs at NASA for the success of the Apollo mission. Programs such as the Centaur upper stage and the Surveyor would for example be neglected if Apollo received priority attention above all else. Webb's second concern was his own negotiating position in the face of a clear statement from the president regarding the priority of Apollo. If the president were to clearly state the priority of Apollo above other programs, Webb feared that this might be to the detriment of his position (Garber, 2002)."
"Specifically, the key programs mentioned above were not formally part of the Apollo program. Webb nonetheless believed that their timely completion was crucial to the success of Apollo. Centaur for example was created with the purpose of robotic probes into space, its relevance to the Apollo program lay in its use of liquid hydrogen for a propulsion fuel. Webb felt that the knowledge gained from the use of this fuel was vital to the Apollo program. According to Garber (2002), this was an accurate assessment, as benefits were indeed gained from observing Centaur's use of these fuels."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of the Milky Way galaxy, named for the hazy band of light that stretches across the dark skies of the night. It looks at how, although this system (usually referred to as a spiral galaxy, much like the Andromeda galaxy) has created much wonder and awe since the beginning of human civilization, it was not until 1610 that its true nature was discovered by Galileo when he turned his small refracting telescope toward the night sky to reveal that the Milky Way was composed of countless individual stars, nebula and other astronomical bodies, many of which remained mysterious and unknown well into the 20th century.
From the Paper "Looking from the Earth at the Milky Way, one obtains two distinct views--first, in the direction of the poles, the density of the stars decreases dramatically, meaning that at the poles, the stars are far apart and are set against a very dark background. Second, looking along the equatorial plane, the closest stars are situated against a faint but luminous band, being "the blended light of billions of stars in the galaxy's disc. In 1785, astronomer William Herschel, by using a 48-inch reflector telescope of his own construction, counted the stars in more than 600 regions of the sky and concluded that "the majority are concentrated along a plane and that the galaxy is disc-shaped with the Sun at its center" (Parker, 1988, 156). "
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that in the not so distant past, schoolchildren all over the world learned that the planet farthest away from the sun in our solar system was Pluto. The writer relates that they learned mnemonic devices to remember the names of all nine planets, made models and mobiles, all with Pluto orbiting at the very end of their dioramas. The writer then describes that in August 2006, after many years of intense debate, astronomers declared that Pluto was officially not a planet. The writer maintains that perhaps the real question about the usefulness of the new definition of planet will not revolve around Pluto, however dearly the old model may still be cherished in our culture, but how the definition is useful in classifying new solar systems. The writer also points out that the question of roundness and what is meant by clearing one's orbit and other points of contention will continue to generate lively debate within the scientific community and in schools, whatever Pluto's official status.
From the Paper "To say that Pluto is suddenly not a planet though, of course, is somewhat incorrect, as Pluto has remained unchanged, rather it is the scientific definition and astronomer's perceptions (and voting patterns within the organization) that have shifted."
"Surprisingly, until 2006, astronomy textbooks never had a single, universally agreed-upon definition for the word planet, as the IAU had never established exactly what constitutes a planet, and set specific scientific standards. However, defining a planet, or any astronomical body is always extremely difficult, as the definition must be universally applicable, to all solar systems, not just our own."
