Abstract
The writer relates that when he conducted an experiment based upon applying the scientific method to observe and study the phenomenon of the moon's apparent change in colour, it became evident from the results that atmospheric effects seemed to be making the moon appear to be a different colour when it was just above the earth's horizon than when it was high in the sky later in the evening. After observing this phenomenon, the writer conducted research and learned that air molecules in the earth's atmosphere are the physical mechanism responsible for the apparent orange hue of the moon when it first rises above the horizon, for they scatter the light, making some colours of the spectrum more visible and other colours less visible.

From the Paper
"When I conducted an experiment based upon applying the scientific method to observe and study the phenomenon of the moon's apparent change in colour, it became evident from the results that atmospheric effects seemed to be making the moon appear to be a different colour when it was just above the earth's horizon than when it was high in the sky later in the evening. After observing this phenomenon, I conducted research and learned..."

Tags:moon, changing, color

Abstract
This paper examines why Earth is the only planet in our solar system capable of sustaining life and how it is the only planet that has plentiful liquid water and an atmosphere that can protect the planet from the harmful ultra-violet rays of the Sun. The paper attempts to determine what makes Earth so special by using comparative planetology to understand what makes Earth a habitat for life and what makes it so different from the other planets in our solar system.

Outline:
Terrestrial Planets
Jovian Planets
Conclusion

From the Paper
"If we were to look at Earth as a starting point to compare the other eight planets in our solar system, the first thing we notice from space is the magnificent blue color and swirls of clouds. This is an inviting sight and is the first hint at why life is found on our planet. Earth has many features that the other planets do not have. Earth has many features that make it unique. Earth is made of rock and metal. It is one of the four terrestrial planets and has the largest Moon in the solar system. Earth has abundant volcanic activity because of its size in comparison to the other terrestrial planets. With the abundance of water and oxygen, Earth's atmosphere stays in balance and is able to continue supporting life. The liquid oceans help to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the presence of a stratosphere helps protect the surface from the deadly ultra-violet rays of the Sun. Another unique feature of Earth is plate tectonics. Plate tectonics acts as giant conveyor belt that moves the mantle of Earth around, which constantly changes the look of our planet. Although Earth's interior needs much more exploration, scientists can tell about the composition of the deepest regions of Earth by using seismic waves following an earthquake. By reading this seismic data carefully, scientists get a better understanding of interior Earth."

Tags:jupiter, sun, moon, jovian

Abstract
This paper describes Eratosthenes' calculation of the Earth's diameter, based on one assumption and two measurements, that the Earth was a sphere and that the two measurements made are the degree of the Earth's shadow at noon at two points and the distance between those points. It outlines how this experiment can be repeated by measuring the degree of the shadows cast at two locations either directly north or south of each other at noon on the same day and details the equipment required, the measurements to be taken and the mathematical equations involved.

From the Paper
"Eratosthanes used the city of Syene in Egypt as the first point. This point was selected because it was known that on noon on the first day of summer the sun was directly overhead. This was known because people observed that at this time, the buildings cast no shadows (York University). Therefore, the degree of the shadow at Syene was 0o.
Eratosthanes then needed to know the degree of the shadow at another point either directly north or directly south, at the same time of day. Eratosthanes selected Alexandria as the second city. The degree of the sun's shadow was measured and found to be 7.2o (HEASARC)."

Tags:eratosthanes, sun, moon, shadows

Abstract
This paper briefly describes the functions of the moon. It looks at the magnetic forces and fields and how these impact the solar system. It also discusses the history of the development of knowledge that scientists have about the moon.

From the Paper
"The lunar crust is composed of a variety of primary elements, including uranium, thorium, potassium, oxygen, silicon, magnesium, iron, titanium, calcium, aluminum and hydrogen (Korotev, 2004). When bombarded by cosmic rays, each element bounces back into space its own radiation, in the form of gamma rays. Some elements, such as uranium, thorium and potassium, are radioactive and emit gamma rays on their own. However, regardless of what causes them, gamma rays for each element are all different from one another - each produces a unique spectral "signature", detectable by a spectrometer."

Tags:lunar, magnetic

Abstract
This paper discusses how the Earth compared to the sun, its moon, and the nine planets in its solar system is extremely unique. Not only does it have unique surface features, but its weather, atmosphere, and size is original when compared to other bodies in space. Then, through an examination of the different properties of the other celestial bodies, the paper also attempts to show how the Earth has similarities to the nine planets when describing how the planets and their atmospheres were formed.

From the Paper
"The Earth is the third planet from the Sun being about 93 million miles from the Sun and in one planetary year circles the Sun 365 days of 24 hours each. Its diameter is 7,926 miles and has one moon. Earth is the densest planet in our solar system. It has an iron core, a mantle, and crust with an atmosphere made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases. The temperature of Earth ranges from -127 degrees Fahrenheit, recorded in Antarctica, to 136 degrees Fahrenheit, recorded in Africa. The surface features of Earth consist of mountains, faults, volcanoes, cliffs, oceans, rivers, and ice caps. The hydrosphere is the water on or near the Earth's surface. The Earth is unique among the planets because 70% of its surface is covered by oceans. The main difference between Earth and other planets is its ability to support life. Vegetation and organisms are prominent all over the globe. This is possible because of the climate, atmosphere, and general living conditions. "

Tags:mercury, venus, pluto, jupiter

Abstract
The paper relates that the Saturnian moon of Titan is interesting, in that while it is a moon, it has many characteristics of a planet, and in a sense, is similar to earth. The paper describes the composition and atmosphere of Titan, its surface and the information about the moon that has been gained via the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft.

Outline:
Titan
Composition and Atmosphere
Cassini Huygens Spacecraft
The Surface
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Titan is the largest moon of Saturn, the name of which find its origins in Greek mythology, in the legend of the Titans, which include Cronus, Saturn in Roman mythology and thereby more relevant. Titan is the only moon in the solar system known to have clouds and a dense atmosphere. It was discovered through the use of a telescope in 1655 by the Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens during an exploration of the endless wonders of the night sky. His discover of Titan was the first planetary satellite to be found following the four Galilean moons of Jupiter, and in and of itself was quite substantial. (EB 1) Should one look to the moon from an earth-based telescope, the moon possesses a brownish color with a light red tint and looks primarily flat and featureless, due to the clouds of the atmosphere mentioned above."

Tags:planet, atmosphere, methane, surface, Cassini-Huygens, spacecraft

Abstract
This paper discusses that some of the devices and instruments featured in many popular science fiction novels and films are, in essence, conceived through bad engineering, meaning that these devices and instruments are neither practical nor possible according to present scientific knowledge. The author points out that Verne's "rocket to the moon" stands as the ultimate example of bad engineering, even when one takes into consideration that Verne was using his imagination as a means of conveying his ideas to the reading public, who, at the time of the novel's publication, were obviously quite ignorant of science. The paper relates that Capek's plot in "R.U.R" is the seminal robot motif that has influenced every science fiction film, but the vision of creating a race of robots that take over the roles usually assigned to human beings in the context of work and labor was far-fetched for its time and is still so even in the 21st century.

From the Paper
"Michel Ardan then suggests that the spaceship launching will be powered by a formidable quantity of guncotton, and that the occupants of this spaceship will be protected from the shock of the launch by a layer of water filling the space between the vehicle's double walls. There will also be thick glass portholes for observation, sealed during the liftoff and then opened by screws controlled from the inside of the vehicle. The air supply will be renewed by oxygen obtained by heating potassium chlorate, a powerful oxidizing agent. The flight, of course, will be monitored from the ground by a powerful Rocky Mountain telescope operated by the Cambridge observatory."

Tags:practical, possible, knowledge, rocket, robat

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
The paper presents the thesis that there is nothing man is incapable of doing, not even exploring far beyond the Earth's boundaries, as long as he puts his mind, heart and body into it. The paper overviews the period of time in American history preceding the launch of Apollo 11, describes the design of the Apollo 11 lunar module and the Apollo mission itself and discusses the discoveries made. The paper concludes with the firm belief that this mission proved that humanity is destined for things far beyond their realms.

Outline:
Humanity and the Moon
The Era of Turmoil
The Apollo 11 Space Mission
The Discoveries from the Apollo 11 Space Mission
The Contribution of the Apollo 11 Space Mission to Mankind

From the Paper
"It has been nearly 40 years since man placed his footprints on the Moon. For millions of years, people had looked up into the vastness of space, wondering what lay beyond the earth's atmosphere. Space exploration was simply a fragment of one's imagination - a creation of science fiction. On Earth grounds, many a human being had looked up at the Moon, observing its detail and absorbing its essence: how the light played on its surface, its craters, and shadows. How man imagined being on it, exploring if there were signs of life, and sought to discover if the Moon was a picture of the earth's future. Man had wondered: is it ever possible to uncover the vastness of the universe by first visiting the closest neighbour Earth has?"

Tags:Armstrong, astronauts, NASA, lunar, module, launch

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that at the end of World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States were locked into a bitter battle of military positioning and propaganda known as the Cold War. Stemming from this, as technology advancements showed the world the military capabilities of space exploration, the two nations began a fierce competition to rule space. The writer notes that while the competition was closely aligned with the arms race between the two countries during the Cold War, space technology also became an important part of the technological, cultural, ideological, and military rivalry between the two countries. The writer points out that while the space race developed from a vicious Cold War, the race ended in cooperation between two powerful nations. The writer then concludes that while the space race certainly advanced technology far beyond what would have occurred without such competition, the race also fostered and developed the technological, cultural, ideological, and military mindsets of both countries forever.

Outline:
Abstract
References

From the Paper
"Space exploration clearly offered numerous solutions to these issues for both superpowers. Space exploration and satellites could, scientists and military annalists believed, be used to spy on other countries, gathering photographic and location specific information regarding any technologies, military movements, or weapon storage. Additionally, the leaders of these countries believed that to beat the other to space would promote a concept of superiority, prowess, and military superiority. As the development of rocket technology increased, and as that technology advanced, space exploration became a feasible goal.
In 1947, the citizens of the United States had one of their first experiences with space, further fueling the flames for the Space Race. In July of that year, farmers in Roswell, NM discovered a crash site nearly three-fourths of a mile in width, consisting of metal, and other unfamiliar debris. A local sheriff called the military, who declared a few days later that a "flying disk" had crashed. Shortly thereafter, the statement was retracted, and replaced with stories of a downed weather balloon."

Tags:satellites, moon, rivalry, exploration, rocket