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Space Exploration

NASA Unveils Plans for the Next Two Decades with the Drafting of the 2015 Technology Roadmaps

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Artist’s concept of NASA’s new Space Launch System (SLS), which is set to be central to fulfilling some of the objectives laid out in the 2015 Technology Roadmaps.

Space exploration is one of the main forces behind many of our technological advancements. Going farther and faster into the most hostile place imaginable, building huge, yet extremely sensitive things in that environment – all of these require a great degree of innovation. Not only is this awesome in and of itself, but some of these breakthroughs often materialize into great technologies and gadgets here on Earth – NASA’s Spinoff program is great example of this. So when NASA announces its plans for the next two decades, it is at least worth a closer look.

Back in 2010, the agency developed a series of 14 Technology Roadmaps as a guide to the development of space technologies. Now NASA is unveiling a draft of the 2015 Technology Roadmaps, which build upon the original 2012 documents and provide not only an outline of the agency’s plans and objectives for the foreseeable future, but also describe them in extensive detail.

There are now 15 Technology Area (TA) roadmaps, ranging from launch propulsion systems, to robotics and autonomous systems, to nanotechnology, to aeronautics. A lot of it is, of course, related to improving current technologies, and not necessarily the development of new, sci-fi capabilities. The lack of plans to develop a warp drive (no matter what you might have heard on the news) was particularly disappointing. But in addition to exciting ideas like improvements in nanomaterials, quantum cryptography, nuclear fission, and even fusion, NASA also intends to work on exotic new propulsion means, like antimatter-based systems. Admittedly, antimatter propulsion is such a long way away, it’s surprising NASA even mentioned it, as there’s currently no means of harvesting the stuff and no real idea of how such a system would operate, but this does signal something important: we’re in for some really long trips through space in the next couple of decades.

A full list of NASA’s 2015 Technology Roadmaps, outlining the agency’s plans for the foreseeable future in all areas related to space science, exploration, and travel.

A full list of NASA’s 2015 Technology Roadmaps, outlining the agency’s plans for the foreseeable future in all areas related to space science, exploration, and travel. Image: NASA

Probably the most important thing to take away from this is the fact that NASA wants to return to the Moon, but is also planning manned missions to asteroids and even Mars! It’s going to be a great couple of decades for science and space exploration, with NASA, as usual, at the forefront.

Who doesn’t enjoy listening to a good story. Personally I love reading about the people who inspire me and what it took for them to achieve their success. As I am a bit of a self confessed tech geek I think there is no better way to discover these stories than by reading every day some articles or the newspaper . My bookcases are filled with good tech biographies, they remind me that anyone can be a success. So even if you come from an underprivileged part of society or you aren’t the smartest person in the room we all have a chance to reach the top. The same message shines in my beliefs. All it takes to succeed is a good idea, a little risk and a lot of hard work and any geek can become a success. VENI VIDI VICI .

Astronomy

The initial observation of the magnetic fields surrounding the supermassive black hole within our galaxy is quite remarkable

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The team responsible for capturing the initial photograph of a black hole has now unveiled a fresh image of Sagittarius A*, the colossal black hole located at the core of the Milky Way. This new image is observed using polarized light, marking the first instance of such a visual representation. The recorded image depicts the magnetic field patterns encircling the black hole, resembling those observed in the vicinity of M87*. This observation implies the potential presence of robust, twisted, and well-structured magnetic fields within black holes.

In order to create a single array of dimensions equal to Earth’s, radio telescopes located all over the world are utilized by the Event Horizon Telescope, an international collaboration that makes it possible to image a black hole. Should you have that kind of resolution in your vision, you could see a doughnut on the moon. The initial visual representation of Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) and the significantly larger and more potent black hole located at the core of the enormous elliptical galaxy Messier 87 has been provided. In 2021, it successfully detected the magnetic fields of M87*, marking the first instance of a black hole being detected using polarized light.

The team has successfully utilized the polarization of light to visualize the magnetic fields of Sgr A*, marking the first instance of such an application. Light is generated through the oscillation of electromagnetic waves, and when these waves oscillate in a specific direction, they are referred to as polarized. 3D glasses function by utilizing two lenses with distinct polarization, allowing just a portion of the light to enter. This enables our brains to generate a three-dimensional image within our mind. Polarized light reduces glare from strong light sources, allowing the researchers to see the black hole’s edge more clearly and precisely delineate the magnetic field lines inside of it.

“We have acquired polarimetric images of the black hole located at the center of our galaxy, Sgr A*, at the event horizon scale for the first time,” stated Professor Mariafelicia De Laurentis, Deputy Project Scientist at the EHT and professor at the University of Naples Federico II, in an interview .

The polarization of light allows for the observation of a highly intricate and well-organized magnetic structure surrounding the black hole, as depicted in these photos. The inclusion of polarized light in these photographs is critical, as it enables us to visually perceive and comprehend the intricate structure of the magnetic field around the black hole, a vital element that cannot be adequately represented by non-polarized light alone.

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Plasma, composed of charged particles, exhibits motion along the magnetic field lines surrounding a supermassive black hole. When these particles rotate, they generate a polarization pattern on the light that is oriented at a right angle to the magnetic field. The measurement of polarization provides precise information regarding the manner in which the magnetic field is around the supermassive black hole.

According to Professor De Laurentis, the significance of polarization in the examination of black holes lies in its ability to furnish valuable insights on the geometry and dynamics of the magnetic fields encompassing the black hole. These fields are of significant importance in the processes of accretion and jet emissions since they have a direct impact on the observation of black holes and our comprehension of the underlying physics that control these extraordinary entities.

The processes of accretion and jet emissions are not commonly observed in our neighboring supermassive black hole. Sagittarius A* is rather tranquil and serene compared to other black holes, which is advantageous because even at a distance of 26,000 light-years, an active supermassive black hole may still exert a significant influence. These objects have the ability to influence the fate of a whole galaxy.

However, the magnetic fields play a crucial role in the emission of high-energy jets for M87*. The phenomenon of the supermassive black hole emitting jets of particles with velocities approaching the speed of light, spanning around 5,000 light-years from M87*, has been documented. The observation of identical magnetic structures that drive extensive phenomena in M87 within our own supermassive black hole implies the existence of fundamental mechanisms that are common to all black holes.

According to Professor De Laurentis, the magnetic fields play a crucial role in regulating the accumulation of mass within black holes and the expulsion of very intense jets, which are considered to be some of the most remarkable occurrences in the cosmos. Understanding these areas lets us look into the strange things that happen close to black holes, which means testing theories of gravity and magnetohydrodynamics in situations where Einstein’s general relativity is very important.

This image of Sagittarius A* represents a significant advancement in comprehending the behavior of black holes and their impact on the galaxies they inhabit. Additionally, it serves as an excellent platform for testing theoretical models that describe the actions of black holes.

The aforementioned observations signify a significant technical achievement, demonstrating the capability of contemporary astronomy instruments and protocols. According to Professor De Laurentis, their work established a precedent for subsequent observational efforts and theoretical investigations, thereby expanding the frontiers of our comprehension of the cosmos.

The upcoming iteration of the Event Horizon Telescope will exhibit enhanced performance.

The research findings are documented in two scholarly articles published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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Astronomy

The alteration of Earth’s shape could potentially lead to a worldwide timekeeping crisis

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If no action is taken, global timekeeping may be on the verge of a significant issue that may disrupt various aspects, including computer networks and financial markets. The responsible factor, intriguingly, is the melting of polar ice resulting from climate change.

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is employed globally to establish a uniform and standardized temporal standard, hence facilitating many activities such as communication, navigation, scientific inquiry, and trade.

The calculation of this time measurement is derived from data obtained from approximately 450 atomic clocks, which are highly precise timekeeping systems that utilize the extremely stable “vibrations” of atoms to measure time. Unfortunately, it does not precisely match astronomical time, which is based on the Earth’s rotation.

The Earth’s rotation exceeds the duration of a day as specified by atomic clocks by a few milliseconds, and the speed of the Earth’s spin can fluctuate due to numerous variables. In order to accommodate this, leap seconds are incorporated into the Universal Time Coordinate (UTC) at regular intervals to ensure its synchronization with astronomical time.

Strange and somewhat unfamiliar changes that have been occurring in Earth’s primarily liquid core and solid mantle in recent decades have accelerated its rotation. However, this phenomenon has been attributed to the inclusion of leap seconds.

Currently, novel forces are beginning to arise that have the potential to further disrupt Earth’s rotating velocity and disrupt global timekeeping.

The investigation of Earth’s rotation and its correlation with the melting of polar ice has lately garnered attention from Duncan Carr Agnew, a geophysicist affiliated with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.

The phenomenon of climate change has resulted in the rapid melting of ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica, leading to significant alterations in the Earth’s form and a more pronounced reduction in its angular velocity compared to previous periods.

Agnew contends that due to the deceleration of Earth’s rotation, the Universal Time Coordinate (UTC) will require a negative leap second, namely a minute with only 59 seconds, around approximately 2029.

“In the past, it was anticipated that leap seconds would consistently yield positive results and occur with increasing frequency.” According to Agnew’s remark, when examining alterations in the Earth’s rotation, which are responsible for leap seconds, and analyzing the underlying factors contributing to these changes, it is highly probable that a negative outcome is probable.

“A single second may not seem significant, but in a modern interconnected society, making a mistake about time could result in significant complications,” he stated.

Irrespective of the phenomenon of climate change, it is probable that alterations in Earth’s liquid core alone may have compelled a negative leap second by the year 2026. Nevertheless, Agnew’s calculations indicate that alterations in the quantity of polar ice have postponed this inevitability by a further three years, reaching 2029. Climate change is currently exerting an impact on the worldwide timekeeping system.

Failure to incorporate the negative leap second may result in global timekeeping becoming unevenly synced, leading to significant disruptions in computer systems and telecommunications networks.

The research’s press release implies that the condition may give rise to a predicament similar to the Y2K bug panic. However, it is worth considering whether this is a genuine issue.

During the late 1990s, there existed a prevailing sense of apprehension regarding the potential failure of computer systems worldwide in the new millennium. This apprehension stemmed from the lack of preparedness of computers to effectively format and store calendar data in and after the year 2000. Individuals came up with the idea of a computer-induced apocalypse in which aircraft would descended from the atmosphere, financial accounts would be reset to their initial balances, and nuclear weapons would deploy automatically. Undoubtedly, the fears were greatly exaggerated, and only a small number of inaccuracies were actually documented.

Considering the unsatisfactory outcomes of the Y2K panic, it would be imprudent to make speculative conjectures regarding the potential trajectory of this novel issue. However, this is a topic that numerous scientists are beginning to contemplate.

“The addition or testing of a negative leap second has not been done before, thus the potential problems it could cause are unprecedented.” In a commentary article about the study, Dr. Patrizia Tavella, Director of the Time Department at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, states that metrologists worldwide are closely monitoring the ongoing conversation in order to prevent any avoidable hazards.

According to Dr. Tavella, the challenge of implementing the negative leap second and organizing the global effort would be extremely difficult.

The recent research has been published in the esteemed magazine Nature.

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Space Exploration

Can the Sun Exhibit Consciousness? Exploring the Unconventional Realm of Panpsychism

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The inquiry into the essence of consciousness, its origins, and its interconnectedness with the physical realm has been a prominent subject of philosophical and scientific contention throughout the course of human intellectual inquiry. Is there a separation between the mind and body? While there are differing opinions, a third faction posits an intermediate and even more revolutionary notion: all entities in the cosmos possess consciousness, including the Sun.

The term used to describe this perspective on the universe is panpsychism. The concept that consciousness originates from the physical realm is referred to as physicalism; however, our understanding of the factors that give animals consciousness remains ambiguous. The dualist perspective encompasses the notion of thought and matter as distinct entities. Panpsychism serves as a means of connecting the two. Consciousness emerges inside us, as it is inherent in all entities.

Similar concepts have been observed throughout history in various religious and philosophical systems. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in the concept of analytical philosophy. One notable paper, written by biologist Rupert Sheldrake, explores the possibility of the Sun having consciousness. Sheldrake is renowned for his research on morphic resonance, which suggests that similar organisms may have telepathic connections and collective memories.

In a scholarly article published in the Journal of awareness Studies in 2021, Sheldrake presents a compelling argument advocating for the existence of awareness in the Sun and other celestial bodies. The biologist posits that self-organizing systems can exhibit consciousness, awareness, or experience at various levels of complexity. According to Sheldrake, this perspective shifts our focus away from the physical origins of consciousness in a basic system and instead extends awareness to encompass celestial bodies such as stars, solar systems, galaxies, and the entirety of the universe.

According to Sheldrake’s statement to Popular Mechanics, consciousness is not limited to the confines of the brain. Rhythmic electromagnetic fields, which are present in the human brain naturally, appear to mediate the connection between cognitive processes and physiological systems. These entities are also found within and in the vicinity of the sun, potentially serving as the interface connecting the solar mind and the solar body.

There are many philosophical and scientific reasons against panpsychism, but for this paper, we were most interested in what would happen if the Sun and the 100 billion other stars in the Milky Way were all conscious. One possible outcome is that the stars can move by sending out guided jets that take them where they need to go.

According to Sheldrake’s research, some people think that stars don’t move because of dark matter’s gravity but instead move themselves into the right place. Claims that are out of the ordinary always need proof that they are out of the ordinary. Strong stellar jets are found in many things, but stars never use them to move.

Also, the Gaia observatory of the European Space Agency has made a beautiful picture of the Milky Way. It not only shows where almost two billion stars are but also how they are moving. We can turn back time in the Milky Way and see how the stars have moved over billions of years with this information.

Scientists would be very excited about stellar motions that were not subject to gravity because dark matter ought to exist in the universe. Dark matter was first thought of because of the way stars move, as if there were a lot more matter than we could see.

Many of the points made in the study are based on the sun’s complex magnetic field. But if we want to think about something even more complicated, we should check out Uranus’s magnetic field. Uranus’ magnetic field is not centered like the sun’s generator or Earth’s magnetosphere. It may open and close every day, moving around. The question “Is Uranus Conscious?” might not have the same ring to it as “Is the Sun Conscious?”

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