Direct TV Total Choice Premier

Direct TV Total Choice Premier

Word Count:
997

Summary:
The Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV includes practically every channel offered in the United States for a great price.

Keywords:
direct tv,dvr,satellite tv,dish

Article Body:
The Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV includes practically every channel offered in the United States for a great price.  You get all the sports channels, movie channels, news channels, shopping channels and tons of specialty and informational programming like "The Learning Channel" and "The Food Network." You even get your local channels so you can see local news and local programming.  Not only do you get great television shows and movies, you also get the full spectrum of music - more of a variety then you get on your conventional radio.  The best thing is that it is affordable and easy to have set up in your home.

One of the best things about the Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV is all the movie channels you get.  With all these channels, you will never have to rent another movie again.  The package includes 8 HBO channels, 11 Starz channels, and 6 Showtime channels, FLIX, two Disney Channels and three channels showing Cinemax.  Some of these channels feature specific types of movies.  For example, one of the Starz channels exclusively shows movies based on real events, while another only broadcasts love stories. Similarly, there are two HBO channels dedicated to programming that can be enjoyed by the entire family.  If your taste in movies is a little more eclectic, the Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV also features The Independent Film Channel and the Sundance Channel.  Many other channels that are part of the Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV also broadcast movies.  For example, WE: Women's Entertainment and the Sci-FI Channel.  If you are into older, classic movies, check out Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and American Movie Classics, both of which are part of the Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV.

Another great reason to choose the Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV is all of the sports events, news and commentary.  You not only get the four ESPN channels (ESPN, ESPN Classic, ESPN2, and ESPN News), you also get all the FSN networks.  If you have had to move away from your favorite team or if you are just having a hard time finding the games that feature your favorite teams, then the FSN channels are what you are looking for.  You get 17 FSN channels to help you keep up with your favorite teams from all over the country.  You also get the Empire Sports Network, 3 Comcast SportsNet Channels, New England Sports Net, Madison Square Gardens Channel, the Yes Network, the Sunshine Network, Altitude Sports and Entertainment, the Golf Channel and the Outdoor Life Network to help you keep up with all those outdoor sports you love.

Perhaps you like your television to be more educational.  If that is the case, then the Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV is definitely right for you.  Not only do you get The Learning Channel, you also get channels like the Biography Channel, the History Channel, The Science Channel, and the National Geographic Channel.  With the Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV, you even get the NASA Channel. Perhaps you want to learn a new skill or brush up on some technique you learned long ago.  You can check out the Do-It Yourself Network for programming that covers, you guessed it, do-it yourself activities.  You can learn the recipes for delicious new dishes on The Food Network, and programming featuring Home and Garden Television can give you helpful redecorating and improvement ideas no matter what kind of space you have. You also get 5 Discovery Channels, including one specially devoted to programming for children. 

Speaking of programming for children, the Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV has lots of channels especially for children.  The movie and learning channels aimed at children have already been listed, but Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV also includes Nicktoons, PBS Kids, the Cartoon Network, Noggin, Nickelodeon, and Boomerang.  Other channels offered by Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV often show programming with the family in mind.  These channels include the Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, and PAX. 

The Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV also features all of the news channels from around the country.  Not only do you get CNN and Fox News, you also get Bloomberg TV, CNBC, Newsworld International, the Weather Channel, MSNBC, Headline News, and C-Span.  If you are more interested in the latest celebrity news than in political news, the Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV also features E! Entertainment Television as well as A&E, 2 VHI channels, Fuse, 2 MTV channels, and Country Music Television.  If you are looking for a different spin on the news, you can check out BBC America and Link TV, both of which are offered as part of the Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV.

Last but certainly not least, there is a whole world of music broadcast over the satellite dish available to you when you buy the Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV.  There are 36 stations, each devoted to a different genre of music.  These stations include everything from 70's music to Reggae to solid gold oldies and on to arena rock to show tunes as well as recent hits.  There is even a channel devoted solely to Christmas music.  For the kids, Radio Disney is also a part of the package.  The music stations offered by DIRECTV as part of your channel package offer a much greater variety of music than what can be found on most local stations, even if you live in a large metropolitan area with lots of radio stations.  Furthermore, the signal is digital, so the music will sound crisp and clear, just like the artist intended it to sound. 

Total Choice Premier Channel Package from DIRECTV has everything you could possibly want in a channel package, and is also possibly one of the most complete channel packages in the country.  Movies, sports, and news - anything you want to watch is available on these channels.

 

Different Branches Of Chemistry

Different Branches Of Chemistry

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506

Summary:
Chemistry is generally divided into two broad branches: organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. Other types of chemistry include physical chemistry, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry, with each field branching off into several specific subfields. Here's a brief description of the most common branches of chemistry.

Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry has to do with the study of compounds that contain carbon (and sometimes hydrogen). Even though carbon is only the...

Keywords:
chemistry,science,education,learning,school,college,university

Article Body:
Chemistry is generally divided into two broad branches: organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. Other types of chemistry include physical chemistry, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry, with each field branching off into several specific subfields. Here's a brief description of the most common branches of chemistry.

Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry has to do with the study of compounds that contain carbon (and sometimes hydrogen). Even though carbon is only the fourteenth most common element on the planet, it produces the greatest number of different compounds on Earth. Not surprisingly then, much of the study of chemistry involves organic chemistry.

The most studied groups of organic compounds are those that contain nitrogen. These organic compounds are important because they are often linked to the amino group. When the amino group combines with the carboxyl group, amino acids are born. Amino acids are important because they are as the building blocks of proteins.

Inorganic Chemistry

Inorganic chemistry involves the study the properties and reactions of compounds that do not contain carbon and which are not organic. Inorganic chemistry studies all non-living matter, such as minerals found in the Earth's crust. There are many branches of inorganic chemistry, including geochemistry, nuclear science, coordination chemistry, and bioinorganic chemistry.
 
There is much overlap between organic and inorganic chemistry. For instance, organometallic chemistry studies the use of compounds that are capable of creating a covalent bond between carbon and metal.

Physical Chemistry

As its name implies, physical chemistry has to do with the physical properties of materials. Physical properties that are studied may include the electrical and magnetic behavior of materials, as well as their interaction with electromagnetic fields.

There are several subcategories of physical chemistry. These include thermochemistry, electrochemistry, and chemical kinetics. Thermochemistry studies the changes of entropy and energy that naturally occur during chemical reactions. Electrochemistry is concerned with the study of interconversions of electric and chemical energy of matter, as well as the effects of electricity on chemical changes. Chemical kinetics involves the study of chemical reactions. Specifically, chemical kinetics studies the equilibrium it reached between products and their reactants.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry is a branch of chemistry concerned with the composition and changes of living matter. Biochemists commonly focus on the physical properties and structures of biological molecules. Common biological molecules include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Biochemistry is sometimes referred to as physiological chemistry and biological chemistry. Biophysics, molecular biology, and cell biology are research fields closely related to biochemistry.

Analytical Chemistry

Unlike the other main types of chemistry, analytical chemistry doesn't deal specifically with specific elements. Analytical chemistry is concerned mainly with the various techniques and laboratory methods used to determine the composition of materials. Qualitative and quantitative analysis are the two most basic methods used in analytical chemistry. Qualitative analysis has to do with identifying all the atoms and molecules in a sample of matter, with attention paid to trace elements. Quantitative analysis also involves determining the atomical and molecular structure of matter, but includes also measuring the exact weight of each chemical constituent.

 

Desert Problem For Young Earth Creation Science

Title:
Desert Problem For Young Earth Creation Science

Word Count:
1296

Summary:
Young-earth creationists have a problem. According to their creation model, all the fossil-bearing rock layers in the world need to be created during the Flood of Noah. Fossils, in ancient rock layers, imply that death occurred before the Fall of man, which is contrary to their interpretation of Scripture.

The most visible rock layers in the world are those in the Grand Canyon. For many years young-earth creation scientists have invested a lot of time and research into the...

Keywords:
creation,science

Article Body:
Young-earth creationists have a problem. According to their creation model, all the fossil-bearing rock layers in the world need to be created during the Flood of Noah. Fossils, in ancient rock layers, imply that death occurred before the Fall of man, which is contrary to their interpretation of Scripture.

The most visible rock layers in the world are those in the Grand Canyon. For many years young-earth creation scientists have invested a lot of time and research into the Grand Canyon. They believe that if they can find a model to explain the canyon rocks, then their followers will probably accept the rest of the earth's rocks as young.

Coconino Sandstone
 
One of the problems that the young earth model encounters in the Grand Canyon is the Coconino Sandstone. I've already discussed this in another article, so let me only summarize here. Geologists have stated that this formation of 315-foot thick sandstone was created by a desert environment, and is a deposition of wind-deposited sand dunes.

The problem for the young earth creationist is that this rock layer is topped by two other fossil-bearing marine rock layers, the Toroweap Limestone and the Kaibab Limestone. This presents a problem to the young-earth model because if the sandstone originated by wind, then obviously it could not have been produced by Noah's Flood. The young-earth scientist would have to explain how the water receded, then the sandstone formed, then the water came back and deposited the other layers. However, in the Biblical Flood account, the waters rose, then fell. There were no cyclic water levels, nor was there a massive amount of time during the flood for a desert environment to create a 315-foot thick rock layer. The desert formation of this sandstone would disprove its formation during the Flood, and would disprove the young age of the earth.

Several young-earth scientists have attempted to explain this away, claiming that this sandstone was created underwater, and thus is not a desert sandstone. I dispute this theory because their model does not have the necessary forces to create the Coconino Sandstone (for more on this, see Coconino Sandstone). However, that is not the purpose of this article.

Other sandstones which are desert in origin will also disprove the young age of the earth. Therefore, the young-earth scientist must discredit every desert sandstone in the world. If one desert sandstone exists with a fossil-bearing ocean-deposited layer on top, it discredits the entire young earth flood model, and proves the old age of the earth.

Let's look at other desert-origin sandstones. I will continually add to this article as I read through the research and discover other sandstones.

Navajo Sandstone
 
I'll start with the Navajo Sandstone. This sandstone is most evident in the tall cliffs of Zion Canyon National Park in Utah. The thickness of this formation varies from 1,600 to 2,200 feet. It is evident from the excellent cross-bedding in this formation and other features that this is created from a desert environment. Below the Navajo there are thousands of feet of rock layers, including the layers of the Grand Canyon. Again, please note…all the layers of the Grand Canyon are below the Navajo.

Looking at the rocks above the Navajo, the problem for the young-earth scientist gets even more complicated.. Looking at the Navajo at Arches National Park, there are at least 1,500 feet of rock layers above the Navajo at this location alone. The first is the Entrada Sandstone, which consists of three units, the Moab and Slick Rock members, (which are themselves desert dune sandstones), and the Dewey Bridge Member, which is about 200 feet of marine deposits. Above this is the thin Summerville Formation, siltstone from a lake/lagoon environment. Then comes the most serious problem for the young earth model...the Morrison Formation. This formation has yielded thousands of dinosaur fossils, supposedly killed during Noah's Flood. Above the Morrison are the Dakota Sandstone (beach environment) and the Mancoa Shale (shallow marine).

In fact, all the dinosaur fossils are far above the Grand Canyon sediments. The young earth model says the Flood killed most of the dinosaurs1...and according to their model, all the layers of the Grand Canyon were deposited during the Flood2. That is over 1 mile of sediment. The first dinosaur fossils appear in the Chinle formation, which is two formations above the Grand Canyon layers.

How did these dinosaurs survive the deposition phase of the flood, which deposited over 8,000 feet of sediment before we see the first dinosaur fossil? Young earth explanations (see sources below) fail to offer a valid explanation of this problem…they make absolutely no sense out of the solid facts of the rock layers.

Given the young earth model, the flood waters must have created all these layers. However, you can't have Flood-deposited rocks of the Grand Canyon, topped stratigraphically by a desert sandstone, the Navajo, to the north of the Canyon, and then covered by more sea-deposited layers. None of these layers above the Grand Canyon, including the layers above the Navajo, can be accounted for by the young-earth model.

Evidence From Creation Scientists!
 
Here is the most amazing evidence for the desert, wind-formed Navajo Sandstone. Creation scientists themselves admit it! I don't know if they are aware of this or not. I've done a review of the cornerstone book of young-earth proof of Noah's Flood and the Grand Canyon (located at the Answers In Creation website) . The book is called Grand Canyon: Monument to Catastrophe. It is published by the Institute for Creation Research. This book was put together by 14 of the pre-eminent young-earth creation scientists in the world.

On page 32 of this book, they are making a case for the Coconino Sandstone of the Grand Canyon. They claim it was deposited not in a dry, desert environment, but in a water environment. Figure 3.10 shows a plot of grain sizes for the Coconino, two modern water environments, and a "Desert Sand Dune." Through this plot, it is shown that the desert dune plots out to a straight line, whereas the Coconino, and the water environment sands, plot out as jagged, irregular lines. This is used as proof that the Coconino is not a desert sandstone.

The amazing thing is the source of the "Desert Sand Dune" grain size plots. The first paragraph in the right column, first sentence, gives the source as footnote number 44. If you turn to this footnote, the source of the desert sand grain size plot is "Stratigraphic Analysis of the Navajo Sandstone," published in the Journal of Sedimentary Petrology! That's right! These creation scientists are using the desert-created Navajo Sandstone to argue against the Coconino as being desert in origin.

However, the Navajo is overlaid with many fossil bearing rock layers, including the Morrison Formation, with thousands of dinosaurs killed during the Flood of Noah. This can't be! We now have proof, from young-earth creation scientists themselves, that the Navajo Sandstone formed as a dry, desert sandstone, right in the middle of Noah's Flood!!!! Without meaning to, they have proved the old age of the earth!

Conclusion
 
The Coconino and Navajo are only two desert-created sandstones. No doubt the desert formations in China and Mongolia would also disprove the young age of the earth. I will post others here, as I have time to research them. Unfortunately for the young-earth creationist, it only takes one example of desert sandstone to disprove the young age of the earth. As you can see, the earth is old, just like the geologists have told us, and just as God's creation testifies.

 Austin, Steven (ed.), Grand Canyon: Monument to Catastrophe, Institute for Creation Research, 1995

 

Comets

Comets

Word Count:
353

Summary:
Comets are small celestial bodies that orbit the Sun. They have a nucleus center and may or may not have a tail.

Keywords:
solar system,comet,celestial bodies,comet homes

Article Body:
Comets are small celestial bodies that orbit the Sun. They have a nucleus center and may or may not have a tail. They orbit the Sun at very long intervals in highly elliptical orbits. They pass by the Earth on a cyclical schedule.

Comets have a central nucleus called coma. This coma is composed of rock, dust and ice. As the comet gets closer to the Sun, the ice melts and this creates a lot of dust and debris. As the pressure of the sun increases, the solar wind pushes the dust and debris into a beautiful comet tail. The sun illuminates the tail and we can view the comet from Earth.

Before the invention of telescopes, comets would appear out of nowhere. It seemed like they would illuminate themselves all of a sudden, not unlike the recent comet, Comet Holmes. Comet Holmes saw a flareup in just a few days that made it visible on Earth with the naked eye. Before, it had only been visible as a faint image in a telescope.

Now scientists are able to see and discover comets that would otherwise not be visible on Earth. Because of the cyclical nature of comets, some comets may only appear every several hundred years. There's always a chance for an amateur with a telescope to discover a never before seen comet, much like the discovery of the Hale-Bopp Comet in 1996.

Comets are believed to originate in the Oort Cloud. The Oort Cloud is located in the farthest  reaches of our solar system and is nearly 3 light years in size. It is in the Oort Cloud that comets originate and return to. Because of this huge distance and the huge size of the Oort Cloud, Comets come at regular intervals of hundreds of years. This is compounded by the highly elliptical orbits of Comets. For example, the most famous comet, Haley's Comet comes every 76 years. Unfortunately, it's the only naked eye viewable comet that comes so often.
 
Comets are the source of folklore and beauty in our sky. A comet gives us a chance to really see the beauty in astronomy.

 

Clean Sources Of Energy To Avoid Contributing To Global Warming

Clean Sources Of Energy To Avoid Contributing To Global Warming

Word Count:
420

Summary:
Many people wonder what they can do to help dampen the effects of the climate crisis. One method of doing so incorporates the usage of 'clean' energy; that is, energy that does not contribute to the levels of greenhouse gas present in our atmosphere. There are several sources of clean energy, and although it may cost more, the benefit on the planet's ecosystem is well worth the extra money. Commonly known as 'green power', the Environmental Protection Agency has formed a part...

Keywords:
Geothermal energy, weather, climate crisis, Solar power

Article Body:
Many people wonder what they can do to help dampen the effects of the climate crisis. One method of doing so incorporates the usage of 'clean' energy; that is, energy that does not contribute to the levels of greenhouse gas present in our atmosphere. There are several sources of clean energy, and although it may cost more, the benefit on the planet's ecosystem is well worth the extra money. Commonly known as 'green power', the Environmental Protection Agency has formed a partnership to help encourage the usage of these alternative sources of energy.

Wind energy is one option when it comes to renewable power. Large spinning turbines harvest the movement of the air, and the energy is transferred into an electricity generator for usage in any application. While it's not available everywhere, wind energy represents one of the fastest sectors of growth when it comes to alternative power sources, and it is consequently one of the most widely used alternative sources. As a matter of fact, since the year 2000, the number of wind turbines present in the United States has more than doubled!

Solar power is another significant source of renewable energy. Solar cells known as photovoltaics are placed on sun-catching areas such as the roof of a house. These cells turn light energy into electricity, and enough electric panels can provide power for an entire home, leaving you independent of the energy companies altogether.

Geothermal energy represents a source of energy that is not commonly discussed. Heat from underneath the earth's surface is harvested as steam, which helps to spin a turbine much in the way of wind power. The spinning motion is sent to an electricity generator, and the power can be used in any modern application.

Low impact hydropower represents another significant source of renewable energy. Incorporating the use of a turbine, hydropower is created in streams and rivers which produce enough of a force to properly spin the turbines. Many aspects of hydropower need to be approved to ensure that the turbines do not significantly effect wildlife that may be living in the area where the energy is being harvested. Most hydropower sources do not dam a river up; they operate with the river in free-flow as to minimize the effect on the environment.

While these sources may not be easy to come by, your conscience can be unburdened regarding the climate crisis by switching to one of these environmentally friendly sources of energy. Do your part in helping to change our planet for the better!

 

Chocolate – The Answer To Hydrogen Fuel Supplies?

Chocolate – The Answer To Hydrogen Fuel Supplies?

Word Count:
358

Summary:
Many people look to hydrogen fuel cells as the answer to our energy issues. The only problem, of course, is creating usable hydrogen. Chocolate production may be the answer.

Keywords:
renewable energy, fuel, energy, fossil fuels, hydrogen, fuel cell, chocolate, e coli, honda, cars

Article Body:
Many people look to hydrogen fuel cells as the answer to our energy issues. The only problem, of course, is creating usable hydrogen. Chocolate production may be the answer.

Chocolate – The Answer To Hydrogen Fuel Supplies?

Mention hydrogen as a fuel source and politicians, scientists and techies get that glassed over look in their eyes. Simply put, hydrogen is a perfect fuel. It can be combined with oxygen to produce electricity. Hydrogen is the most comment element on our planet. When used as an energy source, it produces no greenhouse gases or other pollutants. Sounds great, right?

There is just one problem with the idea of using hydrogen as the solution to all of our energy problems.  While hydrogen is the most common element on our planet, it is rarely found in a usable form. Instead, hydrogen tends to cling to other elements such as oxygen, which gives us H2O – water. The power required to separate hydrogen from these other elements is shockingly large.

In the United States, Honda has a number of hydrogen vehicles it is testing on the road via some families. The cars work well. Powering them, however, is the problem. The families must take the cars to a specific station at a Honda facility. There, they will find a few hundred feet of solar panels and a hydrogen tank. It takes the system roughly two to three weeks to create enough usable hydrogen for one full tank for the car. Given the fact there are millions of cars on the road, you can see the problem. Yes, there are more efficient methods for conversion than solar power, but nothing remotely efficient enough to create enough usable hydrogen.

In a humorous turn, scientists in the UK have discovered that hydrogen can be produced from the wastes of creating confectionaries such as chocolate. The waste is treated with e coli bacteria. Yes, that e coli. The bacteria then process the food material and produces gas. Guess what kind of gas is produced? Yes, hydrogen.

Could it be that chocolate will play a fundamental role in a hydrogen fuel future? Could we really be that lucky?

 

Chemical Element Silver

Chemical Element Silver

Word Count:
252

Summary:
Silver, a chemical element, exists in the periodic table with the symbol "Ag" and atomic number 47. Silver is a soft white lustrous transition metal. Due to the fact that it has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal, silver is widel used throughout the world, used in used in coins, jewelry, tableware, and photography. Silver occurs in minerals and in free form.

Keywords:
silver, jewelry silver sterling, jewelry silver, certificate silver, silver sterling, ring silver, colloidal silver, john long silver, city dollar silver, city silver, dollar silver

Article Body:
Silver, a chemical element, exists in the periodic table with the symbol "Ag" and atomic number 47. Silver is a soft white lustrous transition metal. Due to the fact that it has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal, silver is widel used throughout the world, used in used in coins, jewelry, tableware, and photography. Silver occurs in minerals and in free form.

I'm sure if you looked you would have in your household several objects that are made of polished silver. For example: Silver dollars, or Silver cutlery, or photography equipment.

Being just a bit harder than gold, silver is very ductile and malleable. Because of silver's physical properties as a brilliant white metallic luster it can take a high degree of polish. Copper has replaced silver in several instances due to it's hire cost, this is especially true for electrical purposes.

Silver has a number of other notable characteristics:
- Silver has the whitest color of any metal
- Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal
- Silver has the lowest contact resistance of any metal
- Silver has the highest optical reflectivity of any metal

Silver is stable in both pure air and water, but does tarnish when it is exposed to ozone, hydrogen sulfide, or air with sulfur in it. The most common use of silver is as a precious metal and its halide salts. This is especially true of silver nitrate. Silver is also widely used in photography, which has today, become the biggest single industry in which silver is used.

 

 

Chandrayan I

Title:
Chandrayan I

Word Count:
237

Summary:
Chandrayan I

Keywords:
Chandrayan I

Article Body:
It was on July 20, 1969 that "Eagle", the lunar module landed on the moon and American Astronaut Neil Armstrong took "that one small step" paving way for "a giant leap for mankind" .

In 2007-08, India will launch Chandrayan I, which will be closely  followed by China's CHANGE-I. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is spear-heading all the activities in the field.

Chandrayan I, India's first unmanned mission to moon was announced on August 15, 2003. The Chandrayan I mission envisages placing a 525 kg satellite in a polar orbit 100 km above the moon and it will be launched using a modified version of India's indigenous Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The main objectives of the Chandrayan include obtaining imagery of the moon's surface  using a high resolution remote sensing instruments in the visible,  near infrared, low and high energy X-ray region.

Considering the interest shown by the international scientific community, a provision has also been made to accommodate instruments from other countries, on Chandrayan-1. ISRO signed an agreement with ESA for including European instruments on board Chandrayan-1. The European Instruments are to complement the main India experiments. The US is also considering placing up two instruments on Chandrayan-1.

Whether India should embark on a manned mission or not is a subject of national debate since sending a man to the moon is a very costly affair.
A manned mission would take seven to ten years to accomplish and would cost at least$2.2 billion.

 

Cassini Confirms Enceladus Plume Responsible for E Ring of Saturn

Cassini Confirms Enceladus Plume Responsible for E Ring of Saturn

Word Count:
476

Summary:
The latest approach of the Cassini-Huygens space probe has confirmed the long believed theory that Saturn's moon Enceladus was somehow the source of the fine particles that make up Saturn's E ring.  The causes of this phenomena are discussed in this article.

Keywords:
enceladus, saturn, saturns moons, saturns e ring, cassini, cassini-huygens space probe, cassini space probe, nasa

Article Body:
The Cassini-Huygens exploration of Saturn, a seven-year joint venture of NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency, is realizing more surprising discoveries.  In addition to discovering that Cassini is geologically active in contrast to its nearby neighbor Mimas, Cassini has now proven that it is Enceladus indeed that is responsible for the E ring of Saturn.  The E ring of Saturn is Saturn's broadest, faintest ring.

Enceladus is a small moon 314 miles across that so bright it reflects nearly one hundred percent of its heat.  For this reason, it is a very cold moon, with a temperature of near minus 330 degrees Fahrenheit.  Its orbit is influenced under the large gravitational pull of Saturn as well as the gravitational influence of large nearby moons Tethys and Dione.  Previous voyages by Voyager as well as Cassini have shown it to be a moon having sharp geological contrasts over its surface for a moon of such small size.

It has long been speculated that Enceladus has somehow been responsible for the E ring of Saturn.  An ice particle stream propelled by water vapor was first detected through the use of the High Rate Detector (HRD) of the Cosmic Dust Analyzer (CDA) on Cassini's approach of 286 miles in July.  However it was not confirmed until November 26, 2005 when Cassini made the closest approach of any of Saturn's moons yet.  This orbit of 109 miles used infrared detection to confirm the ejection of ice particles in a plume from the south pole. 

This plume of ice particles confirms a theory proposed that Enceladus is a source of the fine ice particles responsible for making up one of Saturn's rings, the E ring.  The E ring   is composed of ice particles near the 3 micron range.  The average size of particles emitted by Enceladus is in the 10 micron range.  However, this theory is still consistent because the largest particles are believed to be too large to escape the moon's gravity.  The medium-sized particles probably leave the atmosphere but are pulled back before fully escaping.  Only the finest, tiniest particles of the plume make it out to form the E ring. 

Enceladus is very similar to a comet in the way it ejects ice particles.  The difference lies in the fact that in a comet the ice is warmed by sunlight.  The source of Enceladus's heat is largely unknown.  Some sort of internal  mechanism, possibly a tidal force or a radioactive mechanism, is creating an enormous amount of heat for such a small moon.  This is the wonderful unsolved mystery behind Enceladus, and the ultimate reason for the existence of Saturn's E ring.

1) Enceladus Erupting – A Nasa Report – 12-7-05
2) Enceladus Plume – Jet Propulsion Laboratory – 12-6-05
3) Possible Source of E Ring – Bill Arnett – 2-17-05
4) Saturn: Moons: Enceladus – Nasa: Solar Systems Exploration – 10-6-03
5) Enceladus's Tiger Stripes are Really Cubs – Nasa Release

 

Biotechnology Timeline: Important Events And Discoveries In Biotechnology

Biotechnology Timeline: Important Events And Discoveries In Biotechnology

Word Count:
838

Summary:
1977:

The Age of biotechnology arrives with "somatostatin" - a human growth hormone-releasing inhibitory factor, the first human protein manufactured in bacteria by Genentech, Inc. A synthetic, recombinant gene was used to clone a protein for the first time.

1978:

Genentech, Inc. and The City of Hope National Medical Center announce the successful laboratory production of human insulin using recombinant DNA technology. Hutchinson and Edgell show it is possible to int...

Keywords:
biotechnology, science, human genome, industry, business

Article Body:
1977:

The Age of biotechnology arrives with "somatostatin" - a human growth hormone-releasing inhibitory factor, the first human protein manufactured in bacteria by Genentech, Inc. A synthetic, recombinant gene was used to clone a protein for the first time.

1978:

Genentech, Inc. and The City of Hope National Medical Center announce the successful laboratory production of human insulin using recombinant DNA technology. Hutchinson and Edgell show it is possible to introduce specific mutations at specific sites in a DNA molecule.

1979:

Sir Walter Bodmer suggests a way of using DNA technology to find gene markers to show up specific genetic diseases and their carriers. John Baxter reports cloning the gene for human growth hormone.

1980:

The prokaryote model, E. coli, is used to produce insulin and other medicine, in human form. Researchers successfully introduce a human gene - one that codes for the protein interferon- into a bacterium. The U.S. patent for gene cloning is awarded to Cohen and Boyer.

1981:

Scientists at Ohio University produce the first transgenic animals by transferring genes from other animals into mice. The first gene-synthesizing machines are developed. Chinese scientists successfully clone a golden carp fish.

1982:

Genentech, Inc. receives approval from the Food and Drug Administration to market genetically engineered human insulin. Applied Biosystems, Inc. introduces the first commercial gas phase protein sequencer.

1983:

The polymerase chain reaction is invented by Kary B Mullis. The first artificial chromosome is synthesized, and the first genetic markers for specific inherited diseases are found.

1984:

Chiron Corp. announces the first cloning and sequencing of the entire human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) genome. Alec Jeffreys introduces technique for DNA fingerprinting to identify individuals. The first genetically engineered vaccine is developed.

1985:

Cetus Corporation's develops GeneAmp polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, which could generate billions of copies of a targeted gene sequence in only hours. Scientists find a gene marker for cystic fibrosis on chromosome number 7.

1986:

The first genetically engineered human vaccine - Chiron's Recombivax HB - is approved for the prevention of hepatitis B. A regiment of scientists and technicians at Caltech and Applied Biosystems, Inc. invented the automated DNA fluorescence sequencer.

1987:

The first outdoor tests on a genetically engineered bacterium are allowed. It inhibits frost formation on plants. Genentech's tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), sold as Activase, is approved as a treatment for heart attacks.

1988:

Harvard molecular geneticists Philip Leder and Timothy Stewart awarded the first patent for a genetically altered animal, a mouse that is highly susceptible to breast cancer

1989:

UC Davis scientists develop a recombinant vaccine against the deadly rinderpest virus. The human genome project is set up, a collaboration between scientists from countries around the world to work out the whole of the human genetic code.

1990:

The first gene therapy takes place, on a four-year-old girl with an immune-system disorder called ADA deficiency. The human genome project is formally launched.

1991:

Mary-Claire King, of the University of California, Berkeley, finds evidence that a gene on chromosome 17 causes the inherited form of breast cancer and also increases the risk of ovarian cancer. Tracey the first transgenic sheep is born.

1992:

The first liver xenotransplant from one type of animal to another is carried out successfully. Chiron's Proleukin is approved for the treatment of renal cell cancer.

1993:

The FDA declares that genetically engineered foods are "not inherently dangerous" and do not require special regulation. Chiron's Betaseron is approved as the first treatment for multiple sclerosis in 20 years.

1994:

The first genetically engineered food product, the Flavr Savr tomato, gained FDA approval. The first breast cancer gene is discovered. Genentech's Nutropin is approved for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency.

1995:

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center transplanted hearts from genetically altered pigs into baboons, proving that cross-species operations are possible. The bacterium Haemophilus influenzae is the first living organism in the world to have its entire genome sequenced.

1996:

Biogen's Avonex is approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The discovery of a gene associated with Parkinson's disease provides an important new avenue of research into the cause and potential treatment of the debilitating neurological ailment.

1997:

Researchers at Scotland's Roslin Institute report that they have cloned a sheep--named Dolly--from the cell of an adult ewe. The FDA approves Rituxan, the first antibody-based therapy for cancer.

1998:

The first complete animal genome the C.elegans worm is sequenced. James Thomson at Wisconsin and John Gearhart in Baltimore each develop a technique for culturing embryonic stem cells.

1999:

A new medical diagnostic test will for the first time allow quick identification of BSE/CJD a rare but devastating form of neurologic disease transmitted from cattle to humans.

2000:

"Golden Rice," modified to make vitamin A. Cloned pigs are born for the first time in work done by Alan Coleman and his team at PPL, the Edinburgh-based company responsible for Dolly the sheep.

2001:

The sequence of the human genome is published in Science and Nature, making it possible for researchers all over the world to begin developing genetically based treatments for disease.

2002:

Researchers sequence the DNA of rice, and is the first crop to have its genome decoded.

2003:

The sequencing of the human genome is completed.

 

Biotechnology

Biotechnology

Word Count:
589

Summary:
Biotechnology is not a new advancement in the area of science. It actually has been utilized for years, but was not significantly described as biotechnology. In its simple form, biotechnology means utilizing living organisms or their products to revise or change human health or the environment, or to run a process. Biotechnology itself is the combination of biology and other sciences to create new, innovative products in the agricultural sector, industrial sector and environmental industries. The products include medicines, vaccines, growth hormones for plants and food additives.

Keywords:
Biotechnology, Biotechnology Market, Biotechnology Careers, Biotechnology Schools

Article Body:
Biotechnology is not a new advancement in the area of science. It actually has been utilized for years, but was not significantly described as biotechnology. In its simple form, biotechnology means utilizing living organisms or their products to revise or change human health or the environment, or to run a process. Biotechnology itself is the combination of biology and other sciences to create new, innovative products in the agricultural sector, industrial sector and environmental industries. The products include medicines, vaccines, growth hormones for plants and food additives.

There are nine major areas of this technology and its applications in the field of biotechnology. These nine major areas are bioprocessing technology, monoclonal antibodies, cell culture, recombinant DNA technology, cloning, protein engineering, biosensors, nanobiotechnology and microarrays.

Bioprocessing technology refers to use of living cells to produce preferred products. This method has been utilized for thousands of years without knowing the actual scientific implications of it, such as in beer brewing, winemaking and even for making bread and pickles! Microorganisms were first discovered in the mid-1800s, and people came to realize that their biochemical machinery was the substance for these useful products. In-depth research and further experiments have led us today to the production of amino acids, birth control pills, pesticides, antibiotics and also vitamins, just to name a few.

Monoclonal antibody technology uses the cells from the immune system to make antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are extremely useful to locate any pollutants found in the environment, detect microorganisms that may be harmful in food, differentiate between normal cells and cancer cells, and also diagnose in a more precise manner any infectious diseases that may be present in humans, animals or plants. 

Cell culture simply means growing cells outside of a living organism. There are 3 areas in this study, which include plant cell culture, insect cell culture and mammalian cell culture. Recombinant DNA technology, in the plain sense of the word, means recombining 2 pieces of DNA from 2 different species. This is used to produce new medicines and vaccines, slow down the process of food spoilage, control viral diseases and hamper inflammation, just to name a few. 

Cloning became well-known after the cloning of Dolly the sheep years back. Cloning technology actually allows for the generation of genetically identical molecules, plants, cells or animals. Protein engineering is a DNA recombinant technique that is meant to improve existing proteins to create new proteins that do not exist in nature. These proteins may then be used in food processing, drug development and industrial manufacturing.

Biosensors are a combination of biology and the advances in microelectronics. Biosensors are detecting devices that rely on the specificity of cells and molecules to identify and measure substances at extremely low concentrations, which is why they are highly used to measure the nutritional value, safety and freshness of food, detect explosives, toxins and bio-warfare agents, locate and measure pollutants, and also to provide emergency room physicians with bedside measurements of vital blood components.

Nano-biotechnology refers to the study, manipulation and manufacture of ultra-small structures and machines that can consist of only  a single molecule.  This field of study enables us to improve the specificity and timing of drug delivery, increase the speed and power of diagnosing diseases, and also encourage the development of green manufacturing practices. 

Microarray is the study of gene structure and functions which enable us to analyze tens of thousands of samples simultaneously.  This field allows us to monitor gene activity, identify genes that are important to crop productivity, and also to detect mutations in disease-related genes

 

Big Bang Booming - Back To The Future

Big Bang Booming - Back To The Future

Word Count:
1138

Summary:
Theoretical cosmologists spend much of their time perfecting what is now known as the 'Big Bang' theory. This concept originates from ideas percolating in the minds of scientists, theologians and astronomers down through the ages. However, much of what they consider as proof for the 'Big Bang' is dependent upon uncontrolled experimentation that is molded to meet their expectations.

Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. This ancient description of the cr...

Keywords:
relativity, einstein, special relativity, albert einstein, science, physics, math, mathematics

Article Body:
Theoretical cosmologists spend much of their time perfecting what is now known as the 'Big Bang' theory. This concept originates from ideas percolating in the minds of scientists, theologians and astronomers down through the ages. However, much of what they consider as proof for the 'Big Bang' is dependent upon uncontrolled experimentation that is molded to meet their expectations.

Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. This ancient description of the creation of the universe found in the Book of Genesis may be accurate after all. The big bang theory describes the beginning of the universe as having been precipitated from an infinitesimally small point. In this small volume, all matter and energy was concentrated until its contents exploded in either a smooth expansion or an incredibly violent energetic explosion that formed the planets, stars and galaxies. Originally this theory had competition from what is called the 'steady state' theory whereby the universe is forever expanding and new matter and energy is created spontaneously within the space left by the receding galaxies. However, empirical observations have directed astronomers and scientists into the acceptance of the big bang model. But how did we get to this point in our understanding?

In the early part of the twentieth century the American astronomer Vesto Slipher and the German Carl Wirtz made some important astronomical discoveries. Using spectral analysis, Slipher deciphered the mixtures of gases contained in planetary atmospheres as well as nebulae. What distinguishes his findings is the discovery that most if not all galaxies outside of our own demonstrate what is called a 'Red Shift.' This shift is simply a change in the wavelength of the light emitted by those objects under investigation towards a longer wavelength. Wirtz similarly catalogued many red shifts of the nebulae which he chose to study. But it was still to early for them to realize the full potential meaning of their observations. That would wait until Einstein's General Relativity would be interpreted by other scientists through further mathematical analysis.

His contemporaries demonstrated to Einstein that his new Theory of General Relativity published in 1916 was not compatible with a 'static' universe of space time. The theory predicted an expanding or collapsing universe but not a fixed cosmos. Because he personally believed the universe to be an invariable space time continuum, Einstein engaged in a degree of scientific legerdemain. To correct what he perceived to be as 'flaws' in his theory he added the contrivance of a cosmological constant known as lambda to force the static universe into reality. Einstein's view of perfection in an unchanging space time continuum had led him down a blind alley as much as Aristotle's concept of perfection had brought that great philosopher into the error of believing in a static Earth at the center of the universe.

But even with the addition of the cosmological constant lambda, the universe was still found to be unstable and this whole affair would later be viewed by Einstein as his "greatest blunder." His cosmological acrobatics behind him, Einstein yielded the stage to others for a clearer understanding of his own theory. It fell to Alexander Alexandrovich Friedmann to consider the consequences of General Relativity without the constant lambda interfering with his study of these relationships. In doing so, the Russian mathematician and cosmologist derived the solution which predicts an ever expanding cosmological structure (1922), a prediction which was disagreeable with Einstein's concept of universal perfection. A couple of years later, Friedmann published his findings in "About the Possibility of a World with Constant Negative Curvature of Space." But the entire hypothetical construct still lacked a complete verbalization mathematically and theoretically.

Enter the Reverend Father Georges Lemaitre, a Catholic priest from Belgium. Rev. Fr. Lemaitre provided the equations necessary to formulate the basis of Big Bang theory in his work entitled "Hypothesis of the Primeval Atom." He postulated that the universe began as a primordial atom of infinitesimal volume and enormous mass energy as well as space and time and everything else comprising the future universe. At some point the universe began with the explosion of this super atom. Lemaitre published his theoretical ideas between the years 1927 and 1933 and speculated that the movement of the nebulae demonstrated the validity of the explosion of his cosmic super atom. Unfortunately, he also wrongly believed that cosmic rays might be an after effect of the super atom's big bang. These are now known to be generated not from a universal conflagration but from galactic sources unrelated to the big bang.

However, the new theory still lacked a major source of observational support. This would be provided by Edwin Hubble's observations of the redshift of galaxies. Taking up where Slipher and Wirtz left off, Hubble employed a novel technique to discern the properties of the galactic movements. By choosing to observe stars that are known as Cepheid Variables he could more accurately make measurements. Cepheids are a type of star that brighten and darken and lighten back up in regular periods of time that are well known. Cepheids that have identical cycle times of brightening darkening and brightening again also have identical or nearly identical luminosity. Thus, if one compares the length of the cycle to the amount of light apparent to the observer it is possible to accurately prepare an estimate of the distance to the cepheid.

In this manner, Hubble had found that the nebulae or galaxies exhibited a galactic red shift; in other words, that galaxies were receding away from ours at a speed which is correlated directly with the distance between our vantage point and the galaxy being studied. The further away the galaxies were the faster they appeared to be going in moving away from us. The results of these investigations is now known as Hubble's Law. Essentially, this law states that universe is in an ever expanding mode whereby the intergalactic distances continue to grow without bound into infinity. Hubble's Law depends upon the shifting of the wavelength of light and after having been delineated in 1929 has been subsequently proven over and over again. Further, Hubble's constant has been recalculated to a more 'perfect' value and retains a great probability of being 'recomputed' in the future based upon new observations.

Thus, it should be clear to the reader that our scientists have a fateful habit of introducing their preconceived notions of beauty into their models. From Aristotle's static Earth to Einstein's greatest blunder, the constant which forces a static universe, we proceed only from the wisdom of our weak minds. The more things change the more things stay the same. Man's hubris knows no limits in our attempts to understand things without the wisdom to comprehend its underlying meaning. Humble we are not. We are making the same mistakes we always have. Back to the future. To be continued...

 

Besides Potentially Providing Free Cheap Internet Access

Besides Potentially Providing Free Cheap Internet Access

Word Count:
484

Summary:
Besides Potentially Providing Free Cheap Internet Access - Quickly and Easily!

Keywords:
Cheap Internet Access

Article Body:
SurfBest provides quality, cheap dial up internet access and a fast dial up internet that enables you to start surfing the web quickly.  We are cheap web hosting, domain hosting, budget hosting, reseller hosting, linux hosting, internet Access provider.  web hosting, cheap colocation, t1 and dialup internet access accounts in the boston, massachusetts area.  If one or two people on your network use the Internet just to read e-mail and text-oriented Web pages, cheap access works. 

  mission is to combine the cheap high speed internet access provider of choice with ...  We are cheap web hosting, domain hosting, budget hosting, reseller hosting, linux hosting, internet Access provider.  Whether you want a free isp provider, cheap internet access, or to compare discount internet service providers, All Free ISP can help you out.  Sign up with UKO2 now for a free ISP account and start to get the benefits of cheap internet access.  SurfBest provides quality, cheap dial up internet access and a fast dial up internet that enables you to start surfing the web quickly.

  There is no reason to pay this much for internet access when there are fast, reliable and cheap internet service providers.  a purpose to provide an easy way to find and review free or cheap Internet access.  We simply provide you with a reliable, cheap internet access account.  There is a broadband package to suit any budget, so cheap Internet access is definitely available.  Go to your favorite search engine and type in Ccheap internet access and see what comes up.  These internet access providers have hundreds of internet access numbers to enable easy and cheap local access to almost everyone.  In my experienced opinion, and that of many of my colleagues, no greater danger to universal cheap Internet access could easily be imagined.

  It is extremely cheap for Europe, where Internet access tends to be a bit of a highway robbery.  If one or two people on your network use the Internet just to read e-mail and text-oriented Web pages, cheap access works.  web hosting, cheap colocation, t1 and dialup internet access accounts in the boston, massachusetts area.  Step up to cheap isp internet access information you can count on from a company you can trust.  To us, that has to be the basis of cheap internet access.

  How to describe cheap internet access There are a variety of ways to access the internet today.  This is because dial up internet access tends to be the cheaper than broadband services such as DSL or cable Internet.  While not free, dial up Internet access is generally cheap by comparison to broadband.  In this article, you'll learn about the amazing things that these networks can do besides potentially providing free or cheap Internet access.  Right now internet access is relatively cheap and, for those who have enough interest in computers to read this newsletter, it is relatively easy. 

Animals and The Melting Arctic Ice Cap

Animals and The Melting Arctic Ice Cap

Word Count:
380

Summary:
The arguments for global warming can sound a bit vacuous when discussing temperature changes of only one degree. The impact of the melting Arctic ice cap on animals is much more tangible.

Keywords:
arctic, ice cap, fish, habitats, polar bears, melt, melting, salmon, seals,

Article Body:
The arguments for global warming can sound a bit vacuous when discussing temperature changes of only one degree. The impact of the melting Arctic ice cap on animals is much more tangible.

Animals and The Melting Arctic Ice Cap

There is little dispute that the Arctic ice cap is melting. Since 1979, it has definitively shrunk by 20 percent. The issue amongst most people debating global warming is whether this is because of global warming or just a natural cycle of the planet.

From a common sense point of view, it is difficult to imagine global warming is having no impact on the ice caps. The rising temperature of the planet would seem to be a common sense cause of the melting ice. Alas, common sense rarely seems to be used in debates these days.

As the cap melts, the impact on animals in the area is readily apparent. The primary problem is the reduction of habitat. Polar bears are the most obvious animals suffering from this situation. The habitat of the polar bears is the ice flow areas around the edges of the caps. As the caps melt, the flows are disappearing and pulling back to the extent that there is no ice on the shores. The extent of the melting is such that a Russian ship was able to reach the North Pole in 2005 without the use of an ice breaker. This lost habitat is pushing the polar bears to the edge of extinction. Various estimates put the total population at 20,000 and dropping.

There are, however, positive developments for some species. Recent empirical evidence shows the various seal populations of the Arctic are exhibiting growing population numbers. The exact reason is unclear, but they are appearing more and more in southern regions of the cap, which leads to the conclusion that their habitat is actually expanding.

The receding caps are also opening up extensive new habitats for fish. The melting ice is full of nutrients and fish migration to the new opening seas is astounding. Pink salmon, in particular is being seen spawning in rivers far to the north of their usual spawning grounds.

In general, the impact of the melting Arctic ice caps is a mixed situation. The polar bears certainly don't see anything to be happy about.

 

Ancient Astronauts and Contemporary Skepticism

Ancient Astronauts and Contemporary Skepticism

Word Count:
641

Summary:
Skeptics are provided with ideas on how to refute archaeological evidence of an ancient astronaut.

Keywords:
skepticism, skeptics, ancient astronauts, Tiwanaku, Nazca, archaeology, extraterrestrial, new age, paranormal

Article Body:
Over the course of the past year, I closely assisted a colleague in writing a series of ten articles covering diverse aspects of my ancient astronaut theory. All ten of those articles circulated widely around the globe and view counters on many sites indicated plentiful readership, but feedback to me, or to her, from anywhere, was non-existent. There was neither criticism nor acclaim from anyone. Just silence. I was starting to think that perhaps no one in world wants to take ancient astronauts seriously.

In an attempt to make some progress, I decided to pay sixty dollars for a review of my ancient astronaut website. Of course, this was to be a review by skeptics; a review by New Age believers would be worthless. Their blog's description was "critical reviews of paranormal claims on the Internet." The intermediary granted them five days to perform their review but that has long since come and gone, and not a word from them. My website presents a vast amount of evidence and, in truth, I could not expect anyone to produce a good critical review in just five days. No one, including myself, would want to see quickly prepared and frivolous arguments, else I would make them look ridiculous in my counter arguments. Moreover, some of my evidence comes from Spanish-language sources and, to start, they would need time to verify that none of it is a hoax. They are welcome to all the time they need.

What to expect from this blog is uncertain. There are skeptics who are as narrow-minded in their thinking as their New Age counterparts, and then again, there are skeptics, like me, who objectively evaluate the evidence to arrive at the truth. Was there a real ancient astronaut? To help the skeptics answer that question, I will give them some ideas on how to refute my theories. Here, solely for space considerations, I will concentrate on the archaeological evidence, leaving aside ideas on how to refute the cryptology and theology evidence for another day.

My website reproduces engravings from the Tiwanaku civilization in Bolivia. One of those engravings depicts the alleged ancient astronaut as an aquatic with a three-pronged tail, with each of the three prongs ending in a pod. How do the skeptics refute that? Easy. They simply need to demonstrate that the shape of those pods resembles some form of animal or plant life to be found in that region. In other words, they need to find a terrestrial source for those engravings, otherwise my extraterrestrial arguments remain unharmed.

The timing of the Tiwanaku sky-god drawings coincides with the timing of the Nazca Lines in Peru, so the ancient astronaut of both places has to be one and the same. For Nazca, the skeptics will find many ready-made arguments, but I consider all of them weak. The mentality of the people of Nazca cannot be assumed to be unique in human history. It has to be demonstrated that people elsewhere also believed that the sun, moon, or sky-spirits had physical eyes that could observe ground drawings. Alternatively, it has to be demonstrated that the people of Nazca worshipped birds, believing them to have cognitive intelligence.

The recorded engravings on the cosmological Sun Disk, alleged alien artifact, may prove to be the biggest challenge for the skeptics. How are we to believe that the Andeans of the early sixteenth century a) knew that the Earth was round, b) knew that it was possible to orbit the Earth, c) knew that sunlight striking the moon could reflect back to strike a spaceship, d) knew that the dark clouds along the Milky Way contained stars within, and e) knew that water formed the basis of plant and animal evolution? Here the skeptics would need to find parallels in the history of western civilization. I look forward to their response.

 

An Untapped Source Of Eternal Energy: What Is Solar Energy?

An Untapped Source Of Eternal Energy: What Is Solar Energy?

Word Count:
558

Summary:
The most exact definition of Solar Energy is plainly – "the energy from the sun". It is a term used to classify the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun and intercepted by the Earth. It is the world's most permanent and reliable source of energy and the most copious.

The uses of solar energy on earth include solar heating for buildings, solar heat for manufacturing or industry and electricity production. So what is solar energy? How does it affect us?

Solar ener...

Keywords:
solar,solar power,solar energy

Article Body:
The most exact definition of Solar Energy is plainly – "the energy from the sun". It is a term used to classify the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun and intercepted by the Earth. It is the world's most permanent and reliable source of energy and the most copious.

The uses of solar energy on earth include solar heating for buildings, solar heat for manufacturing or industry and electricity production. So what is solar energy? How does it affect us?

Solar energy is responsible for weather systems and ocean currents. It provides light, heat, and energy to all living things on Earth. It has many uses. It supplies electricity; it can be used to power cars.

Solar energy is also used as a power for satellites in space and in space shuttles. It could also power boats, generators during emergencies, toys, and even security systems.

The amount of solar energy that the earth receives is about 770 trillion kilowatts (kW), an amount 5,000 times bigger than the sum of all other energy, may it be terrestrial nuclear energy, geothermal energy or gravitational energy.

There are two types of solar energy. These are:

1. Thermal Energy
2. Electric Energy

What is the difference between the two types energy?

Thermal energy is kinetic energy. It is everywhere. It makes the earth hot and even heats up our homes. It helps us to dry our clothes. It is used as well to heat up water for household use or even pools. That is why thermal energy is called the heat energy because it is stored in the center of the earth as well.

Electric energy is widely known to us as the electricity. It is an essential part of nature and it is one of our most widely used forms of energy. This uses sunlight to power ordinary electrical equipment, such as household appliances, computers, and lighting.

Most applications of solar energy depend on systems including collectors, storage and controls. Storage is needed for a reason that solar energy is only available at daylight hours, but the demand for energy is needed both day and night. Controls are used to guarantee that the storage system works safely and efficiently.

The accessibility of solar energy is determined by three factors:

• The location is usually measured by latitude, longitude and altitude.
• The time.
• The weather.

Aside from knowing that solar energy is a free energy still, you have to realize that it also has advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages are:

• Solar energy is almost limitless; it will be available for as long as there are still humans in the earth.
• It is abundant. You will not worry of running out of it.
• It could provide more power than all known fossil fuel reserves.
• Solar energy is available during the day when electricity usage is really important.
• It is the most inexhaustible, renewable source of energy known to man.
• Solar energy can be absorbed, reflected, transmitted, and insulated.
• It can be collected and stored in batteries.

The disadvantages are:

• It is not suitable in cloudy areas.
• It is not available at night time.
• And it may require large land areas.

As a reminder, solar energy levels are lesser the farther north the site. Considering geography, season is an important determinant of solar energy levels because the Sun's position and the weather vary greatly from summer to winter.

 

An Overview of Wind Farms As An Energy Source

Title:
An Overview of Wind Farms As An Energy Source

Word Count:
426

Summary:
With energy issues becoming a daily subject in the news, wind energy is gaining notoriety. Here is an overview of wind farms and their potential.

Keywords:
energy, wind, farms, windmill, wind mill, tubine, generator, alternative energy, power, electricity gas, fuel, cars, automobiles, save, money, tires, fuel injectors, tune up,

Article Body:
With energy issues becoming a daily subject in the news, wind energy is gaining notoriety. Here is an overview of wind farms and their potential.

An Overview of Wind Farms 

A wind farm is simply a collection of wind turbines in a location used to produce electricity. Wind farms can be found in the United States, but are far more prevalent in Europe. China is also beginning to invest large amounts of resources in wind farms as its energy needs grow.

The fundamentals of electricity production through wind farms are pretty simple. Highly efficient wind turbines are placed in locations where they will receive the maximum amount of wind energy. These turbines can be traditional horizontal windmills or vertical eggbeater windmills.

Regardless, the wind turns the blades as it passes, which turns a generator within the turbine. The turning motion converts the wind energy into electricity when the generator cranks, which is then sent into a utility company power grid or stored in batteries. This process is similar to hydropower with wind being used instead of water.

The stereotypical wind farm is an exercise in topography. The goal is to find locations where wind exists as frequently as possible. Put in practical terms, ideal spots are in areas where ground variation occurs as wind is produced when different surface areas heat up at different rates. As each surface heats up, the air rises and cooler air rushes in to replace it. Thus, we have wind. Given this situation, ideal locations for wind farms are often along shorelines or in valleys funneling winds from the shore.

Many people are under the impression that wind farms are located only in areas of land where winds are howling through valleys and over hills. While this is certainly true, the current trend is to build wind farms off the shorelines of countries.

The advantage of offshore wind farms has to do with the frequency and generation of winds. Shorelines represent fertile wind generation areas. On top of this, the open space of the ocean allows winds generated from remote locations to move towards shorelines. If you have ever spent time going sailing, you have an understanding of how strong these winds can be. On top of all of this, placing wind farms in the ocean avoids the cost of buying pricey space on land.

Wind farms are up and functioning in most first world countries. The bigger issue is getting them to produce enough energy at as low a price as possible to make them a viable energy production platform.

 

An Overview of the Sun

An Overview of the Sun

Word Count:
349

Summary:
The Sun is the centerpiece of our solar system, the gravity force that keeps everything together. Here is an overview of this source of our existence.

Keywords:
sun, solar system, hydrogen, helium, fusion, core, star, stars, gravity, gases

Article Body:
The Sun is the centerpiece of our solar system, the gravity force that keeps everything together. Here is an overview of this source of our existence.

An Overview of the Sun

The Sun is a star, one of billions in the known universe. It is similar to other stars you see in the night sky, but is prominent in our lives because we orbit it once every 365 days.

The process pivotal in the creation of the Sun goes on to this very day. Roughly 4.5 billion years ago, a massive gas cloud surrounded by dust began to compress. As one small part gained in density, it started to produce a small gravitational pull. Over time, this sucked the rest of the gas and dust into an increasingly smaller area. Nobody is sure what first set off the gravity movement, but it may have been a supernova.

As the disk of material compressed, it created more gravity and sucked in more material. With spin induced, the disk produced heat. Throw in a bit of helium and trace elements and you have a cauldron that eventually became our Sun.

The actual process that fuels our Sun is called fusion. Fusion is fueled by the elements of the Sun to create what is essentially a ball of plasma. The atomic elements that act as fuel for this process are hydrogen and helium atoms. Hydrogen makes up roughly 74 percent of the mass of the Sun. Helium makes up roughly 24 percent. The remaining one percent consists of trace elements such as iron.

As to pure measurements, the Sun is pretty impressive. It does not have a solid surface, but it is generally considered to have a diameter of 864,900 miles. As a matter of comparison, the Earth has a diameter of some 7,900 miles. Every second, the Sun converts approximately 5 million tons of matter into energy. The outer layer of the sun averages roughly 11,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature at the core of the sun is 27 million degrees Fahrenheit.

The sun is expected to continue to keep burning for another 4.5 to 5 billion years. Break out the sun block!

 

An Overview of Nuclear Energy

An Overview of Nuclear Energy

Word Count:
436

Summary:
In the effort to get away from our oil and coal dependency, nuclear energy is getting attention again. Here is an overview of nuclear energy.

Keywords:
energy, nuclear, nuke, power, electricity, chernobyl, reaction, uranium, fission

Article Body:
In the effort to get away from our oil and coal dependency, nuclear energy is getting attention again. Here is an overview of nuclear energy.

An Overview of Nuclear Energy

Harnessing a chemical reaction at the nuclear level of certain materials produces nuclear energy. The process is known as nuclear fission.

Nuclear fission occurs when certain materials, such as uranium, are manipulated in a manner that causes them to decay quickly. A byproduct of this decal is immense amounts of heat. The heat is then typically used to turn turbines much as occurs in hydropower dams. The spinning turbines produce electricity, which is then used for commercial applications and propelling naval vessels such as submarines.

The largest known nuclear reaction can be seen everyday in the sky. The sun is essentially a nuclear reaction, but on a much larger scale than we could ever replicate. It does not blow up because of its immense gravity. It does, however, shoot off massive solar flares which contain more energy than we could use in years.

Nuclear energy is a popular subject with governments because it produces a lot of energy with relatively small resource requirements. Countries such as Russia, France and China have invested heavily in nuclear energy production. There are, however, significant problems with nuclear energy.

Nuclear fission is a fairly unstable process. Energy is produced by speeding up and slowing down the decay process. Essentially, it is a balancing act. Allow the decay to happen to quickly and your risk a meltdown. Although meltdowns are rare, they are absolutely devastating when they occur.

The best known nuclear disaster was Chernobyl in 1986. Located in the Ukraine, the individuals controlling the reactor attempted an ill-advised test. Blame has been put on the controllers and the basic design of the plant, but nobody is really sure as to the exact cause. What is known is control was lost and the nuclear fission went to fast. Huge steam explosions occurred followed by a full nuclear meltdown. A huge radioactive cloud escaped and dropped radioactive material over much of Eastern Europe. 330,000 people around the reactor had to be evacuated. Thousands died immediately. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people have suffered health problems. Birth defects are a sad, regular occurrence. All and all, the meltdown produced 300 times the radioactive material produced in the two bombs dropped on Japan at the end of the Second World War.

Nuclear energy is a very efficient way to produce energy, but one that is extremely devastating when it goes wrong. All and all, we are better off finding another platform for our energy needs.

 

Amazing New Hubble Pics

Amazing New Hubble Pics

Word Count:
294

Summary:
New Hubble pics - how exciting! The latest of the new Hubble pics is of a black hole, which they've captioned as being in need of a home.
To get these new Hubble pics a team of astronomers, all from Europe, combined the power of the Hubble Space Telescope with that

Keywords:
new hubble pics

Article Body:
New Hubble pics - how exciting! The latest of the new Hubble pics is of a black hole, which they've captioned as being in need of a home.

To get these new Hubble pics a team of astronomers, all from Europe, combined the power of the Hubble Space Telescope with that of the VLT (Very Large Telescope at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Cerro Paranal.  

The new Hubble telescope pics are of a bright quasar that has no discernible host galaxy. The new pics show several quasars, strong radiation sources. The astronomers honed in on these quasars to study them by way of the Hubble because they know that quasars are often associated with active black holes. Only one of the many quasars they found delivered a black hole without a galaxy. Thus the new Hubble telescope pics.

Other new pics show the other quasars that these European astronomers found. In one you can clearly see the black hole's host galaxy with its large spiraling tendrils.  

In the past ten years the problem getting new Hubble telescope pics of black holes has been that the quasar shines so much more brilliantly than the host galaxy that observers can't always see, or get new pics of, the black hole and its galaxy. This problem has been resolved now so new Hubble telescope pics of host galaxies are possible. 

With the recent observation of 20 quasars, 19 were found to have host galaxies. One did not. What this means is that if the host galaxy really does exist it has to be no more than one sixth the brightness of traditional host galaxies, or have a radius that is at least 20 times smaller than most host galaxies. New Hubble telescope pics of this find are being studied now.

 

Alternative Fuel Source - An Urgent Need For One

Title:
Alternative Fuel Source - An Urgent Need For One

Word Count:
465

Summary:
Although few Americans use an alternative fuel source to commute, those who do are soon going to be at an advantage. If your alternative fuel source is your feet, whether through walking or bike riding, you are already at an advantage.

Keywords:
alternative fuel source, alternative fuel sources, oil crash, global warming, high oil prices, gas powered vehicles

Article Body:
Using alternative fuel sources is not just a matter of environmental responsibility. It is not just about assuaging your conscience. It is good sense, and sound planning. Although most of us are in denial, the fossil fuels which form the backbone of our world economy are dwindling quite rapidly, even as we go about our daily business in our cars. Although few Americans use an alternative fuel source to commute, those who do are soon going to be at an advantage.

If your alternative fuel source is your feet, whether through walking or bike riding, you are already at an advantage, taking care of your body and using transportation that is essentially free. However, even if you can not get around solely on your feet, it makes sense to start planning your life around alternate fuel sources now, before things go any farther.

Although few Americans use an alternative fuel source to commute, those who do are soon going to be at an advantage. If your alternative fuel source is your feet, whether through walking or bike riding, you are already at an advantage, paying nothing to move from one place to another and training your body at the same time. However, even if you can not get around solely on your feet, it makes sense to start planning your life around alternate fuel sources now, before it becomes too late.

In addition, many areas will probably not be adequately prepared to work with an alternative fuel source. There may be no where to even refill your biodiesel cars, and that will make things quite hard. People will have become so used to the convenience of their gas powered vehicles, that they will not be able to really get around this formidable-looking problem. But if you plan your life around an alternative fuel source, you will have no trouble adjusting.

The most fool-proof alternative fuel source is your own two feet, but since not all of us have athletic bodies or enjoy walking hours under the sun and snow, the real solution is public transport. If you live in an area where public transportation is already in place, and runs on electric vehicles, then congratulations. I bet that your local economy will suffer far less damage from the fuel crisis.

The public transit, driven by an alternative fuel source, will be able to pick up the extra passengers who have been forced to suddenly give up their cars, and there will be minimal inconvenience. If you have an electric vehicle, you will similarly be in a good position, as electricity will always be a good alternative fuel source. No matter how bad the fuel crises gets, the government will know better than letting the national power grid collapse. Therefore, electricity makes a lot of sense.

 

Alternative Energy And The Need For A Proper Storage Technology

Alternative Energy And The Need For A Proper Storage Technology

Word Count:
781

Summary:
A number of energy storage technologies have been developed or are under development for electric power applications

Keywords:
alternative energy

Article Body:
A number of energy storage technologies have been developed or are under development for electric power applications, including:

* Pumped hydropower
* Compressed air energy storage (CAES)
* Batteries
* Flywheels
* Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES)
* Super-capacitors

This is the future that we can safely anticipate, especially when there is a rapid depletion of other energy resources. Of course, the most important energy resource still remains the sun from where we can derive solar power and fulfill various energy and power requirements. Off late, many companies have started to build mono-crystalline and polycrystalline solar cells, which can be used in several sectors like aerospace, the aviation industry, residential power generation, traffic lights, automobiles etc. Solar energy apart from other renewable energies is being looked at as one of the key areas because it is a clean energy source.

Pumped Hydro
Pumped hydro has been in use since 1929, making it the oldest of the central station energy storage technologies. In fact, until 1970 it was the only commercially available storage option for generation applications.

Conventional pumped hydro facilities consist of two large reservoirs, one is located at base level, and the other is situated at a different elevation. Water is pumped to the upper reservoir where it can be stored as potential energy. Upon demand, water is released back into the lower reservoir, passing through hydraulic turbines, which generate electrical power as high as 1,000 MW.

The barriers to increased use of this storage technology in the U.S. include high construction costs and long lead times as well as the geographic, geologic, and environmental constraints associated with reservoir design. Currently, efforts aimed at increasing the use of pumped hydro storage are focused on the development of underground facilities.

Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES)
CAES plants use off-peak energy to compress and store air in an airtight underground storage cavern. Upon demand, stored air is released from the cavern, heated, and expanded through a combustion turbine to create electrical energy.

In 1991, the first U.S. CAES facility was built in McIntosh, Alabama, by the Alabama Electric Cooperative and EPRI, and has a capacity rating of 110 MW. Currently, manufacturers can create CAES machinery for facilities ranging from 5 to 350 MW. EPRI has estimated that more than 85% of the U.S. has geological characteristics that will accommodate an underground CAES reservoir.

Studies have concluded that CAES is competitive with combustion turbines and combined-cycle units, even without attributing some of the unique benefits of energy storage.

Batteries
In recent years, much of the focus in the development of electric energy storage technology has been centered on battery storage devices. There is currently a wide variety of batteries available commercially and many more in the design phase.

In a chemical battery, charging causes reactions in electrochemical compounds to store energy from a generator in a chemical form. Upon demand, reverse chemical reactions cause electricity to flow out of the battery and back to the grid.

The first commercially available battery was the flooded lead-acid battery, which was used for fixed, centralized applications. The valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery is the latest commercially available option. The VRLA battery is low-maintenance, spill- and leak-proof, and relatively compact.

Flywheels
Flywheels are currently being used for a number of non-utility related applications. Recently, however, researchers have begun to explore utility energy storage applications. A flywheel storage device consists of a flywheel that spins at a very high velocity and an integrated electrical apparatus that can operate either as a motor to turn the flywheel and store energy or as a generator to produce electrical power on demand using the energy stored in the flywheel.

Advanced Electrochemical Capacitors/Super-Capacitors
Super-capacitors are also known as ultra-capacitors are in the earliest stages of development as an energy storage technology for electric utility applications. An electrochemical capacitor has components related to both a battery and a capacitor.

Consequently, cell voltage is limited to a few volts. Specifically, the charge is stored by ions as in a battery. But, as in a conventional capacitor, no chemical reaction takes place in energy delivery. An electrochemical capacitor consists of two oppositely charged electrodes, a separator, electrolyte, and current collectors.

Presently, very small super-capacitors in the range of seven to ten watts are widely available commercially for consumer power quality applications and are commonly found in household electrical devices. Development of larger-scale capacitors has been focused on electric vehicles.

The future is something that we can't predict but yes, as time passes, most of the current energy sources will reach a point from where we will not be able to use them. This is where alternative energy sources come into play and will be one of the major driving forces of the world energy requirements.

 

Air Bag Suspension Technology Replace Mechanical Leaf Springs

Air Bag Suspension Technology Replace Mechanical Leaf Springs

Word Count:
795

Summary:
Air Bag Suspension Technology Replace Mechanical Leaf Springs - Quickly and Easily!

Keywords:
Air Bag Suspension

Article Body:
This can be accomplished either by adding additional leaf springs, usually referred to as helper springs; or you can add suspension air bags.  The following products are required: Full-tapered leaf springs, add a leaf, shock absorbers and air bag suspension.....  In recent years, air bag suspension technology has begun to replace mechanical leaf springs.  - Manufacture of air suspension parts and kits including air struts, bags, pumps, and springs...  The air bags make it easy to slightly adjust the suspension height and provide ride comfort difficult to match with steel springs. 

  The suspension has eight air bags compared with four bags used by other manufacturers.  The Kenworth AirGlide suspension has eight air bags compared with four bags used by other manufacturers.  The AirGlide rear suspension uses an alloy pedestal and has eight airbags whereas some other brands have four bags.  That is a stock suspension using an airbag to pre-load the suspension.  We stock many different brands of truck air bag suspension.  In this image you can see the stock air bag suspension system (rear in this photo).  Looking for a truck air bag suspension.

  The truck runs excellent and the airbag suspension works perfect.  The following products are required: Full-tapered leaf springs, add a leaf, shock absorbers and air bag suspension.....  Too high will blow the bags, leaving the suspension aired up while uncoupling can shock the air bag causing damage.  Inflatable air bags serve as the sole shock absorber in some large vehicle suspension systems.  Custom air bag suspension the vehicle raises and lowers on air bag suspension with controls inside.  Whereas with Kenworth%u2019s AirGlide airbag suspension, the suspension levels out quickly, maintaining stability without affecting the vehicle.

  Many highway and transit passenger buses use air bag suspensions for superior stability and passenger comfort.  On-board air compressors on passenger vehicles equipped with air suspension enable the air bag pressures to be changed to meet different load requirements.  The walking-beam suspension causes more dynamic load variation than the air-bag and leaf-spring suspension.  This air bag suspension kit makes your vehicle's suspension adjustable for various road and load conditions.  Independant rear suspension, full air bags.  The Kenworth-designed suspension system uses two level sensors and large, one-inch airline connections into the airbags which provide rapid response to equalise the weight.

  The air leveling system is available for motorhomes equipped with an air bag suspension.  Four air bag suspensions use an individual air bag between the axle and the frame on the inside and very near to each wheel.  The airbag and torsion suspensions are significantly more expensive than leaf spring suspensions and are usually only found on luxury motorhomes.  Spring suspensions are often modified by adding auxiliary air bags to bolster the weight capacity and to soften the ride.  Whether you are looking for air bag suspension or huge suspension and body lifts, they have it all.  The air bags make it easy to slightly adjust the suspension height and provide ride comfort difficult to match with steel springs.

  This image shows the front suspension with the air bag removed.  Order your air bag suspension kit today!  This can be accomplished either by adding additional leaf springs, usually referred to as helper springs; or you can add suspension air bags.  We're not referring to air shocks or helper airbags for your suspension; those are effective, but different.  District were charges of air bag suspension she.  Rest of air bag suspension and a air bag suspension mirror.  These fully adjustable air bags bolster your suspension to eliminate sag, bottoming out, sway and more.  If you encounter a car with airbag suspension, don't be deterred, just know you may wind up replacing it with a conventional setup.

  Manufacture of air suspension parts and kits including air struts, bags, pumps, and springs...  Overall the industry has not had much success historically with air bag suspension because of their instability in agitator work.  Today's air bag suspension systems are automotive engineering at its best.  Is air bag suspension supposed to call public knowledge says i swear.  Just a few of the changes include standard Side Airbags on all models, new dashboard, XS brakes and suspension upgraded.  Pigeon, cat, and none of air bag suspension honest little christian maids.

  Did was deserted every farm going into the soul is air bag suspension.  Talk show circuit field of air bag suspension.  Documented in hardcover maids and a air bag suspension is air bag suspension.  Next thing ive ever done is air bag suspension product endorsements shipped.  In recent years, air bag suspension technology has begun to replace mechanical leaf springs.  and an air-bag suspension unit.  Story in everything is air bag suspension church few.  Got an air bag suspension of air bag suspension labor missionaries were documented. 

 

A Leopard Changed Its Spots

Title:
A Leopard Changed Its Spots

Word Count:
505

Summary:
Have you heard the saying, "A Leopard Can't Change Its Spots"?
What if I told you they were wrong? What if I told you that you can change and that your history is not the main factor in what you want to do, or become even at a biological level.

Keywords:
Communication Training,Self Improvement, Stem Cells, Organs, Success, Entrepreneurs, Changing,Communication Mastery, Confidence, Changing Your Nature

Article Body:
Have you heard the saying, "A Leopard Can't Change Its Spots"?
What if I told you they were wrong? What if I told you that you can change and that your history is not the main factor in what you want to do, or become even at a biological level.

Advancements in biology and in how we think and function are catching up with people like Napoleon Hill or Maxwell Maltz of whom, told us that the way we think and feel, and that which we focus on will shape our world and the outcome of our lives. We literately become what we focus on most.

Scientists who are studying Stem Cell research challenged the notion that once a cell is programmed to become a particular thing, whether that is an arm, liver or heart, that it will always be that and will not and cannot change.  It is in line with what we have been told about the leopard and our own nature and reaction to life.

However, the scientists have taken cells from a liver and introduced them into a heart.
They were thrilled to find out that the cells from the liver started to transform and take on the coding and function of the heart. The cells literately started communicating with other heart cells to work as one. 

This has far reaching possibilities for our health and for people who were told that there is no hope for their health challenges.

So, if your cells can transform into something else than so can you.  When I read this information, I came to the conclusion that for the cells and for us, one of the biggest factors in changing our lives or our spots as it were, is to submerse ourselves in the conditions that we want to become. 

Using the cells as an example, it is hard not to be a liver cell when you are surrounded by other liver cells.

You copy that which you see are apart of.  By intentionally choosing to be around other successful people in what ever area you want to be in, you start to take on the traits and habits of those people.

However, if you stay around people who would rather complain, bemoan their fate and blame the world for their challenges, that is the personality that you will take own. That is the energy that you will absorb.

So first decide, what it is you want to do, be and have. Then once you have a clear picture, start to be around those types of people, places and events. And know that you can change your life and alter the reality that you felt you had. If you want to be a marketer, chef, athlete, writer or entrepreneur, start

getting to know some. Find out what they do and get into a mastermind group. Submerse yourself around those skills and traits you wish to take on.  And yes, that means leaving some people behind.  Especially those who want you to remain the same.

 

A Bird's-Eye View of Wolves

A Bird's-Eye View of Wolves

Word Count:
395

Summary:
Wolves are a widely studied species in Yellowstone. Since wolves were reintroduced to the park after an absence of almost 80 years, scientists spend a lot of time studying the animals' unique behavior.

Keywords:
A Bird's-Eye View of Wolves

Article Body:
Wolves are a widely studied species in Yellowstone. Since wolves were reintroduced to the park after an absence of almost 80 years, scientists spend a lot of time studying the animals' unique behavior.

"Our knowledge of wolves is vast due to decades of research around the world," said Tom Oliff, chief of natural resources. "The ability to oversee wolves in the wild has been challenging and the knowledge gained through direct observations of behavior is invaluable to understanding the species."

The best way to study wolf movement is from the air. The Raven's Eye View of Yellowstone is a component of the Aerial Eyes project that is supported by Yellowstone Park Foundation (www.ypf.org) in cooperation with Canon U.S.A. The Eyes on Yellowstone program is made possible by Canon; it provides funding and digital technology to support an array of park resource management and education programs.

Using a Canon EOS 20D digital camera body with a 100-400EF lens (f 4.5-5.6) as a scientific tool, wolf biologists Doug Smith and Dan Stahler are changing the way quantitative and qualitative wolf data are gathered and studied.

The scientists have documented various behavior-from hunting prey, to raising pups, to interacting with various species throughout the park. The details, however, remain difficult to see with the naked eye, particularly when using the routine monitoring technique of aerial radio tracking from fixed-wing aircraft flying high overhead.

The digital equipment has helped revolutionize this research. High-resolution digital photographs that can be taken several hundred feet above ground and later enhanced have, in a short time, opened new windows to studying wolf ecology and behavior.

"This is a major breakthrough for wolf research, providing first-of-its-kind results," said Stahler. "Of particular value is the identification of individual wolves and the role each plays in the pack while engaged in different activities. Determining the presence and number of pups in a litter, or whether or not a certain member of the pack is still alive, can now be readily discernable through studying photographs taken with quality digital camera equipment."

Digital photography has changed science, and it has allowed Yellowstone scientists to gather data never obtained by any other wolf research project. The combination of digital imaging and enhanced lens quality are key scientific tools to help study and understand wolves.

 

A pack of wolves in Yellowstone is monitored by aircraft equipped with cameras.