Abstract This is a paper that summarizes the observations of journalist, Glenn Zorpette, who accompanied engineering majors from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) who studied heat convection in artificial gravity by building a spinning assembly that produces centrifugal force in a test cell.
From the Paper "The scientific research was conducted in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's world-renowned Vomit Comet, a KC-135A aircraft that is flown so as to provide weightlessness in 25-second snippets. The plane is usually used for research conducted on a professional basis but undergraduate students are allowed to make use of the plane and conduct studies related to weightlessness. "
Abstract A paper which considers how the work of Kepler, Newton, Copernicus, Brahe, Ptolemy and Galileo overlapped, how one discovery influenced another and how the work of these scientists helped form the foundation of modern scientific knowledge of the physical sciences. The paper studies the life histories of each of these scientists.
From the Paper "Galileo was appointed professor of mathematics at Padua, his duties included to teach the geometry of Elucid, and geocentric, astronomy to the medical students. However it is noted that he discussed more natural philosophy and forms of non standard astronomy, this was also carried out in a public lecture in reference to a New Star that had appeared, now known as Kepler's supernova. Galileo also wrote personally to Kepler stating that he was a follower of the Copernican theory, however there was no outward evidence of this until many years later (Field, 1995)."
Abstract This paper explores methods used by astronomers to measure the universe, the dual nature of light, origins of the universe and the solar system and types of stars. It also discusses planets and other celestial bodies.
From the Paper "Another way to measure the universe is using shadows. Some astronomers observe ?dark silhouettes cast by distant clusters of galaxies (Glanz,1999)? against the ?cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) (Glanz, 1999)? The glow from this radiation provides a back light that helps measure the size of the shadows. The CMBR was formed back when the cosmos were only 100,000 to 300,000 years old. Because of the CMBRs? age, ?everything in the visible universe lies in front (Glanz, 1999)? of it. When the radiation started out, it had hot temperatures due to the universe just being formed. However, as the universe expanded, the temperatures cooled. This gives astronomers additional information to aid them in their measurements."
From the Paper "In order for the stakeholders in the shuttle program are to be satisfied that a disaster of the Challenger type will never occur again the decision making process that allowed the disaster must be explored. It is fair to state that certain kinds of decisions that stood on their own merit should no longer have credence.
In the broadest possible sense, despite the tremendous accomplishments of the engineers, scientists, and management involved in the shuttle program, the greatest mistake in respect to Challenger was enthusiasm. The groundwork for any project from ditch-digging to landing a rocket on the moon, must be laid with careful, methodical work that allows for no shortcutting..."
Discusses the underlying questions surrounding a manned mission to Mars. Examines whether there is sufficient technology in existence, what kinds of data can be expected, what sorts of problems can be anticipated and whether it is important.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 5 sources, 1997, $ 31.95
Ever since the Sojourner began sending back video images from Mars, a renewed interest in the possibility of a manned mission to Mars has occurred. Such a plan as a mission to Mars raises all sorts of scientific, technical, and philosophical questions that this analysis will attempt to deal with. The main questions covered will be: 1) is there sufficient technology right now to handle such a mission? 2) is it important? 3) what kinds of data can it be expected will be returned? and 4) what are the problems of such a mission?
Is Technology Available
According the best data available, a manned mission to Mars is conceivable using the current technology resources available."
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the phenomenon of supernovae. The plan of the research will be to set forth the context in which supernova observation and study have emerged in recent years, and then to discuss difficulties associated with supernova definition, study, and understanding, with reference to studies that have been undertaken regarding supernovas in general and the supernova known as SNV 1987A in particular.
On February 23, 1987, a truly cosmic event occurred--or more exactly was found to have occurred. Telescopes in New Zealand and Chile observed what was called the "brightest and closest" supernova to earth since "Kepler's supernova" in 1604 (Rensberger A7; Cowen 120). This was front-page news because telescopes had witnessed the event (marked by uncommon brightness), the historic proximity of the event to earth, and the fact that the initial ..."
Abstract This paper focuses on the history and the discovery of the nineth planet in the Solar System, Pluto, and its lone moon, Charon. The paper discusses various theories about what originally propelled astronomers to search for this mysterious planet, known as Planet X, and how its name Pluto finally came about after its discovery.
From the Paper "John Murray, an astronomer from Open University in the U.K. proposes a theory in which two large objects may gravitationally affect the orbits of long period comets. These two objects would have to be about 32,000 AU from the Sun and extremely massive, about the size of Jupiter. John J. Matese of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette proposes a similar theory. His involves two to three Jupiter sized objects orbiting at about 2.3 trillion miles from the Sun. He says that their gravity is responsible for the deflection of roughly 25% of the known 82 Oort Cloud comets into the inner solar system. Matese says that these massive objects do not necessarily have to be planets; they may be undetected brown dwarfs ? undetected because the IRAS (Infrared Astronomical Satellite) of the 1980s was not sensitive enough to distinguish an individual brown dwarf against the galactic plane."
Abstract This paper analyzes the history of illusions and the effect they have had on the intellectual development of the western world. The paper discusses the roots of the problem of the moon allusion in philosophy and the crossover into psychology. An outline is presented of what the moon illusion is, illustrating the issues of size and distance of the moon. The paper provides some of the common responses to the moon allusion by people like Baird and Wagner, Kaufman and Rock, Parks, and Reed. The implications for both science and philosophy for the various outcomes achieved by the researchers are examined.
From the Paper "Open up any philosophical text, from the elementary textbook, Does the Center Hold? by Donald Palmer to the Oxford History of Western Philosophy. The first entry in the book will be Socrates. Even as far back as that, and probably further back than that, people have been concerned with the problems of perception. Idealism, realism, skepticism. How do we know what we know when the world can change so frequently, so fast. If our senses sometimes deceive us, and they tend to deceive us often, how can we rely upon them to tell us about the outside world. Perhaps it was when these questions were first posed that the science of psychology was first born."
From the Paper "Except for the Earth itself, the Sun is the one body in the Universe in whose fate human beings are most immediately concerned. Its light and heat make life on Earth possible, and the steadiness of that light and heat over four billion years of Earth's history made it possible for that life to evolve and survive. This paper will be devoted to a brief examination of the Sun's nature, origin, major characteristics, and probable fate.
The sun is a star. It is often called an "average" star, though stars vary so much in size, energy output, and other characteristics that to call any star average is in a sense misleading. But the Sun is indeed roughly intermediate among the various classes of stars. The most luminous known stars are roughly a million times brighter than the Sun, while the least.."
From the Paper "Space by James Michener deals with the United States' space program, from its earliest explorations with rockets after World War II to the Viking probes of the other planets in our solar system. As with all of Michener's books, Space is well-researched, and the reader can be educated about the many facts of astronauts and space shuttles while being entertained by the fictional characters that the author has created.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has its birth as the second World War is concluding: Michener traces the steps of German scientist Wernher Von Braun (one of the "real" people in this book) and young rocket maker Dieter Kolff as they flee from Hitler's Nazi regime. Hitler had hoped that experts like Von Braun would provide instruments to help him win the war, but there was a defection, and Stanley Mott, an American..."
From the Paper "This study will discuss the evidence that there is volcanic activity on the planet Venus.
In fact, there is evidence both that there has been in the past considerable volcanic activity, and that there continues to be such activity. Pioneer Venus, the spacecraft which has been orbiting that planet since 1978, has been able to create a map of the geologic features of Venus with the use of radio waves and microwaves , and that map has clearly revealed "volcano-like structures" (Prinn, 1985, p. 46).
In addition, there is evidence that not only has there been volcanic action in the past, but that there is ongoing volcanic activity on the planet. That evidence comes in the form of a "thick, permanent layer of clouds" hanging over the planet, a cloud layer which prevented the direct camera sighting of the ..."
Abstract This paper examines the military technology, the global positioning system, which is a navigational system that comprises of a complex arrangement of satellites that orbit around the earth. It describes the technology, its evolution throughout the twentieth century, and its immense military application. The paper then illustrates the wider commercial use of the global positioning system in the latter part of the century.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Historical Events in the Global Positioning System Technology
The Origin
The World War II Era
Soviet Union's Sputnik-I
The Decade Before Developmental History (1964-1974)
Achievements of the Advancements
The Developmental History of the Global Positioning Satellites System
Pathway to the GPS Technology
The First GPS Satellite
Subsequent Developments in the Global Positioning System
Technological Account of the Global Positioning System
Operational Details of GPS
Record Information in GPS Satellite Signals
Reception of Information from Global Positioning Satellites
Communication Frequencies
Technological Advantages of the Global Positioning Satellites System
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "The technology behind the global positioning satellites system takes its origin from Marconi's comprehension of the radio waves and their utilization for transmission purposes. This radio wave technology was employed for social advantage in the course of 1920s. In these years, radio stations were established, which minimally required a receiver to commence operation. A complex model of the same simple technology applies to the functioning of the global positioning satellites system."
Abstract This paper begins by providing a brief biographical overview of Isaac Newton, from his birth in England in 1642 to his groundbreaking scientific theories and discoveries. The paper covers Newton's scientific achievements, starting with the fact that he established a unified theory of approach to modern science. It discusses his discoveries relating to the white light, the telescope and to the field of optics in general. The paper also covers Newton's mathematical achievements in the form of calculus and his most famous discovery of all - gravity.
From the Paper "Newton's discoveries in optics were offset by his even more groundbreaking discoveries in pure mathematics and the science of mechanics. One of the most important modern mathematical tools "The Integral Calculus" was the brainchild of Newton. It need not be mentioned that without this mathematical tool the progress that the scientific community achieved in many disciplines would have been significantly delayed. However Newton's discoveries in the field of mechanics outweigh all his other accomplishments. Though Galileo had already discovered the first law of motion his theory was based on the movement of objects without any external influence or attraction between them. Newton's three laws of motion explained the hitherto inexplicable behavior of all physical bodies in motion. Still more astounding was Newton's discovery of gravity. All these four laws put together explained the mechanical motion of all earthly and heavenly bodies. Newton not only proposed these laws but also ratified them by using the integral calculus."
Abstract This paper is an examination of Mayan architecture which emerged from the rainforests of Guatemala and Yucatan. The writer maintains that the detailed architecture was a fitting monument to the highly sophisticated civilization that existed in the region before the Spanish arrived. This look at the style of Mayan architecture includes a diagram highlighting the areas of construction in Copan. The paper argues that Mayan culture was more than a collection of buildings in that every aspect of architecture was linked to the sacred world around. In conclusion the writer explains that the temple pyramid which symbolizes Mayan architectural skill is also a statement of their cosmographic ideas. Everything has a beginning and end. Everything is the beginning and the end.
From the Paper "Deep in the tangled rainforests of Guatemala and the Yucatan, the Maya made some of the greatest contributions to world architecture. Their stone cities complete with temples, palaces, tombs, and ball courts are fitting monuments to the complex, and highly sophisticated civilization that existed in these regions many centuries before the arrival of the Spanish. Mayan priest-astronomers made elaborate calculations to catalog the passage of time. Great warrior kings immortalized themselves and their deeds on stelae, recording for future generations the contributions they had made toward maintaining the cosmic order. The Maya were the only Pre-Columbian people to ever have invented a complete system of writing".
Tags: emerged, rainforests, detailed, civilization, monument, diagram, sacred, buildings, construction
Abstract This research paper explores the widely disputed concept of which forms of evolution, if any, should be taught in public schools. Did God create the universe, or did it stem from the Big Bang. What educators and school boards think. Current schools? policies are examined, and many experts? opinions are analyzed.
From the Paper "Since Charles Darwin published his Origin of Species, a constant battle between creation and evolution has arisen. Darwin offered a new explanation of where man came from. He believed that humans, and all other living things for that matter, evolved from less complex forms of life, allowing only the fittest species to survive and adapt. Furthermore, evolutionists, the supporters of Darwin's theory, believe the universe was created in a massive explosion billions of years ago called the big bang. Creationists, on the other hand, believe that some higher power, usually God, created the universe as described in the Genesis chapter of the Bible. The debate over how the universe was created eventually spilled over into America's public education system, leading to a major controversy. Because of laws mandating a separation of religious beliefs and public institutions, like public schools, a decision on which theory of the universe's creation should be taught could not be reached. This poses a new question. To what degree, if any, should creationism and evolution be taught in the public schools? Based on current scientific evidence, waning public opinion, and the violation of the separation of church and state, it is negligent for creationism to have a place in America's classrooms."
Tags: bang, big, creationism, darwin, education, evolution, god
