Blog Post #11: Favorite Projects (take 4)

Out of all the final projects for this year, one presentation I enjoyed was the one on parallel universes. The topic itself is interesting and the images the presenter used were awesome! Starting off with an image depicting the idea of a parallel universe in which onions cry when they cut humans was a great attention grabber. Automatically I was interested and curious about the idea of alternate universes existing in which rules and systems are backwards from others. It is depressing to think that parallel universes are merely hypothetical realities and if they existed, we would not be able to see them due to our limited cosmic vision. However, the project was still fascinating and the illustrated parallel universes incredible. 

Another project I enjoyed this nine weeks was the one on exoplanets. I mostly enjoyed this project because I was already interested in the topic, and had originally wanted to use it for my presentation, but Cisco did a good job, too. Our universe is one of many and space seems endless. We have not discovered anything compared to what lies out there and exoplanets are one of the many fascinations. The idea that there could be other planets outside our universe that are life-sustaining and similar to Earth is not only believable, but incredible! This means people like us could exist in other universes. as well as, aliens and creatures unlike us. It is going to take us quite awhile to investigate questions like these further because we do not yet have the technology that will allow venture that far into space. But I believe one day we will have answers and more. I only wish I could be there to witness it!

Finally, the third project I enjoyed of our final projects for the school year discussed the multiverse theory. This theory states that there are infinite/finite possible universes in relation to our own in space, and there are several theorized structures for their existence. One structure is similar to the family tree, which shows the multiple possibilities of existing universes based on different choices. Another represents the variety of possible universes using bubbles, in the bubble universe theory. Stephen Hawking was one of the many scientists who supported this theory, and similar to life, the existence of universes, according to this theory, is all based on choices with differing outcomes. That, I find fascinating.     

Blog Post #10: Earth Day

Earth Day is a day celebrated in the United States, as well as, 192 other countries around the world in order to raise awareness for environmental concerns. Earth Day serves to inform the public of the impact humans have on the environment and what they can do to amend the damage they cause. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, and was internationally recognized as Earth Day in 1990. It was created to gain support for environmental issues occurring in our world, and inform people of their importance. On Earth Day, people all around the world participate in a variety of activities to give back to the Earth and "Go Green!" However, Earth Day should serve as a reminder for people to be "Eco-friendly" in their daily lives, not become a green-going activity gathering that individuals partake in just for that one day. Earth Day is everyday!

Earth is our home and it is important to take care of it and treat it properly if we want to continue living on this beautiful planet. Everyday humans throw out recyclable items, use excessive amounts of water, and contaminate oceans with garbage. All of these actions add to pollution and harm living organisms, including our Earth, around them. However, it is never too late to act!

One activity people can partake in to conserve the Earth is recycling. It is a simple task. Instead of throwing out a bottle, can, or paper, simply recycle it into a bin so it may be collected and reused again. We use over 80,000,000,000 aluminum soda cans every year, and most people throw them away even though there is no limit on the number of times aluminum can be recycled!

Another activity individuals can partake in is conserving water. There are so many people in this world who struggle to receive small amounts of water daily, while others are using excess amounts. We do not have an endless supply of H2O and need to use water as cautiously and carefully as we can, keeping in mind the fact that all living things need it to survive.

Finally, a popular activity many conduct for environmental protection, especially on Earth Day, is planting trees. To produce each week's Sunday newspapers, 500,000 trees must be cut down. We can give back and replant those trees to restore habits for animals, resources for humans, and greenery for Earth.

The Earth does so much for us, and each one of theses activities is simple, only requiring a few minutes of our day. It is time for us to give back to our motherland and celebrate Earth Day everyday!

 

Blog Post #9: White Holes

For our final project of the year on the topic of space I shall be discussing white holes. Although not my first choice, due to the wide and fascinating variety of subjects involving space, white holes are more interesting than many people feel because they are often overlooked and disregarded to black holes. Almost everyone has heard of a black hole, and understands the basic idea of what they encompass: black holes suck matter in and are so dense that nothing, not even light, can escape the powerful grip of their gravitational force. White holes, on the other hand, are the exact opposite. Instead of sucking matter up, white holes spit matter out (light can escape). Nothing can enter a white hole from the outside; once matter has exited, it can not return. However, white holes, unlike black holes, have not been proven real, and many speculate their existence. 

Some physicists claim that white holes defy the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the state of entropy (or uncertainty) in the universe will increase over time and systems will only become more disordered as time increases, because scientists like Stephen Hawking theorize that white holes will eventually stabilize with their opposites, black holes, and the two will emit the same amount of energy in equilibrium. Other scientists propose that the existence of white holes can be supported by the loop quantum gravity theory, which states that space-time is made up of building block s shaped like loops, and the finite size of theses loops prevents a dying star from collapsing completely into a point of infinite density (black hole), but rather rebounding into a white hole instead. 

Despite the theory, white holes are an interesting mystery of our vast universe, and deserve recognition.  

    

Blog Post #8: Favorite Projects (take 3)

I enjoyed the presentations this quarter due to the interesting topic of space. Everyone had a different project, but they all tied back to the main theme. One of my favorite projects was the one about Uranus...I mean come on, how can you not like that project! The way they handled the name at the beginning by dedicating a slide for the audience to get out all their laughter was perfect! The jokes were funny, and you were able to address the humor of the name, while also learning about the unique planet. Uranus is so cool...*stifles laughter* because it is the only planet tilted completely on its side, and most people do not even realize that it has rings. I also think it is interesting that sounds can be heard from vibrations within the rings.

Another project I enjoyed was the presentation on the asteroid belt. We had briefly gone over where the belt is located in class, but we did not go into too much detail about it. So it was cool to learn how it formed, what it encompassed, and a interesting theory involving its existence. The belt lies between the planets Mars and Jupiter, which keep the asteroid belt the way it is with their gravitational pulls. The asteroid belt includes asteroids, dwarf planets, and many irregularly shaped bodies. An interesting theory about the formation of the asteroid belt states that if it were not for the gravitational pulls of the two planets, especially Jupiter, a tenth planet may have formed in between Mars and Jupiter. Now, some of the asteroids are said to have evidence of water and ice, so if another planet had formed, I wonder if it would have been available for life...

Finally, another project I enjoyed was the one on rovers. Wall-E is a rover!!! So rovers are awesome already, and it was fun to learn about what they looked like and why, as well as, the different ones that existed with their stories. They are so cute and tiny, yet collect such significant data that we rely on for further developments in space. Currently there are two on Mars, one which has been there for more than eleven years! Rovers are legit.  

Blog Post #7: NASA Space Exploration "When We Left Earth"

Space exploration dates back to the mighty space race between the United States and Russia. "When We Left Earth" is a miniseries that documents the achievements of American spaceflight from the very beginning with the first Mercury flights, through the Gemini program, and finally to the Apollo moon landings and construction of the International Space Station (ISS). Traveling to space took a variety of trials before success was reached. Different missions accomplished different goals, and through ever mistake and mishap NASA learned new information that would only help them grow.

Exploring the unknown is a process. Humans were not even the first living organisms to visit space. The  Russians launched dogs, while the United States used chimpanzees. With success from these trials, humans were able to discover more knowledge about what would happen to a living body in space. Now the question was: who to send? Stuntmen were originally considered, but NASA wanted the best of the best to be sent to space, which required potential astronauts to undergo a series of difficult tests. 

Once selection was complete, more trials and dry runs were necessary in order to efficiently test equipment, practice skills, and apply what the astronauts knew to a real-er situation in order to be better prepared for space. These tests and first-goes were not always successful, which helped add to NASA's knowledge for space exploration and amend their faults. The Mercury flights introduced the nation to astronauts and their journey into space as part of America's first human space flight program. The Gemini flights were necessary to adjust astronauts to long duration flights, learn effective methods for docking and maneuvering in space, perfect the process of landing spacecraft at pre-selected points, and gain more information on the effects weightlessness has on the body, especially for long periods of time. And finally, the Apollo flights were designed with the main goal of landing a human being on the moon, and bringing them safely back to Earth. 

Through all the trials and tribulations astronauts were subject to, each mission can be seen as a progressive step for new information about space exploration. Although not all trials and runs were successful, each was important for NASA's development and learning of life in the void. Each series of missions was designed to complete a different task that would add to the knowledge of space travel, and allow humans to continue their pursuit into the unknown.     

"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

  

Blog Post #6: Got Space?

Our projects this quarter center around the topic of space. This is the first quarterly project I am completing by myself, and I have to say I am quite excited! Space has always been an interesting subject to me, and recently, over the summer, I read a book by Mary Roach called Packing For Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Roach discussed astronauts in all their glory throughout their achievements into space. She explained procedures candidates had to undergo in order to become astronauts, and gained inside knowledge on what space is really like through interviews and simulations with the astronauts who succeeded. The hardship astronauts must endure not only in space, but in training as well, sounds unimaginable. Experiencing what the astronauts felt and what was running through their minds as they journeyed into the mysteries beyond Earth was fascinating! I learned so much from the book (like cross astronaut off my list of future employment...), and was inspired enough to produce a project based off of Mary Roach's piece. 

The purpose of my project is to bring the honor associated with astronauts back to society. During the great space race with the Russians, Americans admired and appreciated the work of astronauts, and all of their courage traveling to the unknown. However, after the defeat of the Russians, space was still fascinating and pursued, but astronauts lost the veneration, fame, and respect they once received. These heroes still undergo unbelievable challenges and endure pains just so the world can learn. I plan to discuss these challenges faced, as well as, all of the preparations and procedures astronauts follow before space, in space, and after space. 

Not just anyone can become an astronaut. There are numerous tests that candidates must endure before they are even considered or selected into the top group for space travel. Even then, most astronauts do not leave the simulation rooms. Only the best of the best are allowed to journey into space. One must not only be physically fit and able to handle various simulations, but also mentally prepared for the challenge of being trapped in a small capsule for long periods of time with the same people. Personality is key because if someone is not level headed or able to "keep their cool" under frustrating situations, the mission will not be completed and problems could occur.   

Astronauts are the best of the best. They endure immense physical and emotion pressure on their minds and bodies, and travel into unknown realms that should scare the waste out of anyone! They have courage, bravery, and are fearless as they journey into space and bring back information about our planet and the universe around us. They are heroes.