New Planets

Photos of planets outside the solar system have finally been introduced. With astronomers using the most advanced techniques, NASA was able to take pictures of planets far outside from the solar system. Unfortunately, humans could not manage to live there. A group of astronomers using highly advanced telescopes analysed the four newly discovered planets. Researchers believe that the star Fomalhaut that was examined is about 1.5 times the sun and 130 light years in distance from the earth. The group of planets were approximately seven to 10 times the weight of Jupiter. Scientists say that the star is too far to be seen by the naked eye but could be located with the assistance of a pair of binoculars or telescopes. NASAs recently discovered planet Fomalhaut b is around 3 times the mass of Jupiter and 10.7 billion miles away from its host star. To tell the the difference from whether it was a planet or star, the scientists working on the planets compared the photos to research created in the past years. The pictures revealed that the planets were orbiting to prove that they were not stars. So far, 322 planets have been discovered out of our solar system and this recent discovery has added to 326. NASAs studies has proven that it can only benefit our goal in attempting to find a planet just like ours.



http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/11/13/new.planets/index.html

Nano Coating

Scientists have created a new high tech coating to upgrade the efficiency of solar panels. The researchers developed the coating with nanotechnology. A regular silicon solar cell absorbs two thirds of solar energy but the advanced coating boosts it to 96 percent of the energy being captured. Consisting of seven small layers and 50 to 100 nanometers in height it is created by silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide nanorods. The FCC team found that layering if the coatings one on top of another improved the anti-reflective properties of each layer. Having a series of layers also helps to "bend" the flow of sunlight which helps in absorbing light that would otherwise it would be reflected off the panel. Lin ,a professional, is now working on partnership and licensing arrangements and says the coating will be in the market in about 2 to 3 years. The drawbacks to this technology is the nonarods may be delicate. However, they will research more on protecting it. A scientist is attempting to nano engineer surfaces for solar cells by copying the top of moth eyes which contains good anti reflective surfaces. Researchers think that future is very strong in the solar industry.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/11/12/solar.coating/index.html

Supersonic Car

British engineers are working on a rocket-powered vehicle able to reach more than 1,000 mph, faster than a bullet.The vehicle will have the first fused power plant of a rocket motor and a jet engine. It is said that it will be ready in 2011.The vehicle will be more advanced than most spacecraft now, it's constructors say. The car has the ability to accelerate from 0 - 1,050 mph in an instant 40 seconds.NPL spent the previous year examining every part of the wheel design. Its materials suggests researched the choice of metals and composites that could be inputted in the design, providing news on titanium and aluminum alloys, and metal composites.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/oct/23/motoring-land-speed-record

Water Cycle

In class we studied and demonstrated the water cycle and how it effects us. The water cycle is a sequence of evaporation and condensation. We effect the water cycle and all the water reservoirs in many ways. We pollute the ocean and aquifers and we destroy the balance of water in the reservoirs. To show how we did that we were given jobs like being a cloud and receive water from a spoon and transfer water to other reservoirs. Then we added industries and showed how we overflowed water for our needs. I learned a lot from this lesson and now clearly understand how we manipulate the water of our planet.

Omega Flies Kites

During class we were assigned to design and create a kite of our own made of construction paper. My kite's name was Thunder Nightmare it and was blue and black. Also we had to write a brief explanation on why kites fly. The next class we had experimented to fly our kites outside. My kite was a failure because there was no wind at all to lift the kite off the ground. If our experiment had been at a local beach it would have turned out successful because wind is formed at the beach. To increase the chance of my kite flying I could have gave it more support and creating and better shape for the kite so it could glide better in the air.

Endeavour Space Shuttle

NASA's space shuttle Endeavour is getting prepared to blast off for space early Tuesday with seven astronauts on board. Led by commander Dominic Gorie, Endeavour's crew will install the first piece of Japan's three-part Kibo laboratory, assemble a monstrous, two-armed Canadian robot and deliver a suite of on-orbit experiments during their mission. The shuttle is counting down based on a plan to launch 2:28 a.m. on Tuesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Gorie plans to spend 16 days staying on board their mission, which is the longest space station-bound flight NASA has ever launched. Not only that, the astronauts consider their mission as one of the most intense and complex, too. Endeavour has a 90 percent possibility of positive weather conditions at launch time, with the capability for thick clouds causing the only main threat. Hopefully, this shuttle will result as a success and make great history for NASA

http://www.2news.tv/news/national/16488871.html

Meat Cloning

The Food and Drug Administration is sure to rule soon that milk from cloned animals and meat from their babies are safe to eat, increasing the question of whether Americans are ready to get comfortable to one of modern biology's most controversial issue to the dinner table. Hundreds of cloned pigs, cows and other animals are already living on farms around the country. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to rule soon that milk from cloned animals and meat from their offspring are safe to eat, increasing http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/postphotos/orb/asection/2005-10-06/2.htmthe question of whether Americans are ready to get comfortable for one of modern biology's most controversial achievements to the dinner table.Hundreds of cloned pigs, cows and other animals are already living on farms around the country, as companies and livestock scientists experiment and wait for a decision from the FDA. Many in agriculture think such genetic clones are the next logical step in improving the nation's livestock. Consumer groups come to think that many Americans are likely be against by the idea of serving clone milk to their kids or throwing meat from clones onto the grill. This "yuck factor," as it's often called, has come to show repeatedly in public opinion surveys. Overall, meat cloning is a positive accoplishment that is proven to be benefical.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/05/AR2005100502074.html