Abstract
This paper focuses on Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, explaining that it is more like Earth than any other body in our solar system. The paper notes that Mars has mountains and valleys, polar ice caps, and dry riverbeds; it has seasons, an atmosphere with clouds, winds and dust storms, and a solid rocky surface. Mars has a moderate climate with summertime temperatures at the Martian equator during the daytime are comparable to those of winter in Antarctica. Conversely,the paper asserts, Mars is about half as large earth, and it receives about half as much sunlight in intensity. Its thin atmosphere is comprised of about 95 percent carbon dioxide, and its two moons, Phobos and Deimos, and its many volcanoes seem extinct, and its riverbeds dry.

From the Paper
"Mars , the fourth planet from the Sun, is more like Earth than any other body in our solar system, according to the Planetary Society's website. . It has mountains and valleys, polar ice caps, and dry riverbeds. It has seasons, an atmosphere with clouds, winds and dust storms, and a solid rocky surface. Mars has a moderate climate with summertime temperatures at the Martian equator during the daytime are comparable to those of winter in Antarctica. Conversely, Mars is about half as large earth, and it receives about half ..."

Tags:space, asteroid, impact, solar, system

Abstract
This paper explains that Crater Lake, Oregon, which is the deepest lake in the United States, was formed, some 7,000 years ago, as the cavity from the collapse of a volcano filled with water. The author points out that the lake is renewed from rain and snow runoff each year. The paper notes the different organisms living in the lake and the depths at which they are found.

From the Paper
"Crater Lake, Oregon offers a number of interesting geological and biological features that exist because of the way the region was formed and the history since. Much of the biology of the region remains uncertain, for studies have only been undertaken in depth in the last 20 years. This fact makes the region especially interesting as new knowledge is gleaned about such lake systems and their interaction with the surrounding area. Crater Lake was formed from the eruption of Mount Mazama, leaving the crater that would fill with water and become Crater Lake. Once the volcano had erupted, it left a 4,000 foot deep caldera and a myriad of other geologic formations ("Crater Lake: History" para. 6). A U.S. Geological Survey party examined the area in 1959 and made sonar readings establishing the depth of the lake at its deepest point as 1,932 feet."

Tags:crater, lake, biotics

Abstract
This paper explains how there is proof that earth has been bombarded by meteors in the past. These meteors have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, provided iron to jump-started the Iron Age, and caused a crater in Arizona. The possibility of a 1 km-sized meteor striking Earth, or even Duluth for that matter, is slim. This paper discusses the possible ramifications of such an event in the future.

From the Paper
"Earth is a target for destruction, but it's not aliens or terrorists who are planning its ruin. Meteors have assaulted the Earth ever since our home planet came into existence, and they continue to bombard the Earth with broken pieces from asteroids and comets. Some of these results have been disastrous, and some have furthered along human development. In my essay, I hope to show that these meteors have crash-landed on Earth in the past, that meteors do pose a threat to Earth, and evidence for the need for protection against them."

Tags:canada, chicxulub, crater, destruction, dinosaurs, impact, iron, meteorite, nickel, ocean, peninsula, shock, wave, yucatan

Abstract
This paper presents a review of two short stories, both written about life in the South. The first, ?The Life You Save May Be Your Own" by Flannery O?Connor, illustrates the gullible in Mrs. Crater, and the second ?Barn Burning" by William Faulkner, gives us insight into the lives of those who lived under slavery with Abner?s family. The writer points out that, even though both stories are set in the same area, the focus of each is different.

From the Paper
"Southerners are depicted as very trusting in this story. For instance, even after Mr. Shiftlet goes into his speech about how "nowadays people'll do anything" (264), and then tells her that he could not be who he says he is, Mrs. Crater still believes his name is Tom Shiftlet. Mr. Shiftlet uses his time with Mrs. Crater to build her trust. For example, he "patched the front and back steps, built a new hog pen, restored a fence, and taught Lucynell, who was completely deaf and had never said a word in her life to say the word "bird"" (267). O'Connor also depicts Southerners as simple people. For instance, Mrs. Crater agrees when Mr. Shiftlet says that if cars were built by just one man, "You could get a cheaper car . . . and it would be a better car" (267). These scenes provide Mr. Shiftlet with the information needs to know."

Tags:flannery, o'connor, william, faulkner, black, slavery

Abstract
The paper shows how the film, "Transformers" contains many elaborations of small truths of science that are interjected with complete falsehoods or impossibilities in order to create a dramatic effect. The paper focuses on four examples that redefine known circumstances of physics and completely rewrite the manner in which objects effect and can be affected by science.

From the Paper
"The development of conceptual science frequently peppers science fiction, and especially that which can be found within the movie genre. Frequently looking back to older films one comes across concepts of science that have been obtained in some form in real technology, yet in more modern films the mind is stretched to its limits with regard to the way that science interjects and offers explanations. In many modern films, that depict scientific developments the science is a series of partial truths interjected with complete falsehoods, for the sake of the dramatic effect. The truths are simply injected for the sake of hooking the audience. One fantastic example of cinematic extremes is the 2007 film, Transformers. Within the film there are many elaborations of small truths of science coupled with marked falsehoods, or impossibilities. (Bryce & Bay, 2007)"

Tags:physics, glass, map, robot, atmosphere, craters, self-motivation

Abstract
This paper explains that asteroids are the most significant threat to the human race, not population growth, because asteroids are powerful enough to devastate, if not destroy, all advanced life on the planet in a single blow, and our knowledge and ability to detect these space bullets are limited both in ability and in funding. The author points out that the risk of a catastrophic event occurring because of an outer space object is much higher than many of us would like to believe; asteroids pose a greater probability of occurring on a smaller scale than many other natural disasters like volcano eruptions or hurricanes. The paper stresses the claim that population growth will destroy the human race is mostly unwarranted because of the many internal checks against this growth, such as the decreasing birth rates in many industrialized nations, AIDS, and advancing science and political ideas.

From the Paper
"Approximately 65 million years ago, an asteroid 10 kilometers across caused an impact releasing more energy than a million H-bombs. This impact resulted in the Chicxulub Crater in Mexico and was supposed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. It wouldn't take anything larger to cause similar extinction of the human race. Asteroids could potentially produce more destruction to our planet than any amount of nuclear devices we could detonate. Even asteroids that are too small to make it through our atmosphere could cause major damage in populated areas. The Tunguska meteorite exploded and vaporized in the upper atmosphere over Siberia, but the speed of the meteorite caused the explosion to devastate thousands of square kilometers of forest. If that meteorite were aimed at Beijing or New York there could have been millions killed without effective evacuation measures."

Tags:detection, disasters, extinction, crater, population

Abstract
This paper discusses various literary works by Flannery O'Connor, claiming that her work is successful because it illustrates the frailty of the human condition in a unique, memorable way. The paper explores how O'Connor uses the grotesque to emphasize man's worst characteristics. Exaggerated characters in humorous situations help O'Connor comment on the hypocrisy, ignorance, bigotry, and evil she finds in society. The paper examines how she incorporates elements from her experiences in living in the South and her Catholic upbringing into these stories to emphasize her points.

From the Paper
"Flannery O'Connor is considered to be one of most successful writers of her time because her stories emphasize many of basic human struggles through grotesque, often exaggerated characters. Her unique style stresses the fact that hypocrisy, ignorance, and bigotry come in all shapes and sizes. Set in the American South, layered with irony and comedy, and flavored with religious tones, O'Connor's stories force us to examine sensitive and difficult issues. From the religiously dead Misfit and Mr. Shiflet to the spiritually blind Mrs. Turpin, O'Connor's characters show us how grace and redemption can be painful aspects of life. Arrogance and ignorance show their true colors with Mrs. Crater and Hulga. All of these characters are grotesque but represent humanity in some of its weakest states. With them, O'Connor successfully illustrates that people are seldom what they seem."

Tags:crater, hulga, shiflet, turpin