NEW TYPE OF METEORITE FROM MARS
A 320g black rock found in a Moroccan desert in 2011 has been shown by scientists at the University of New Mexico to be a new type of meteorite from Mars.
http://bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20900843
The meteorite was probably blasted off Mars about 2 billion years ago, after an asteroid or comet impact on Mars.
It's unlike any of the other Mars meteorites discovered on Earth.
It has a basaltic breccia formation, the scientists report, containing alkali elements like potassium and sodium, and has more water molecules than found in other Mars meteorites.
Interestingly, it's just the sort of rock that is now being researched on the surface of Mars by the Curiosity rover. - but appears to date from an era long ago when surface conditions on Mars were much warmer and wetter.
Friday, 4 January 2013
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
TEPCO SUED BY US SAILORS OVER RADIATION EXPOSURE
The Japanese nuclear power company TEPCO, which operated the Fukushima nuclear reactors, has been sued by eight US sailors who allege they were exposed to higher radiation levels at the stricken site than admitted by TEPCO.
http://bbc.co.uk/news/business-20856051
If this allegation is eventually tested in the courts, evidence may emerge about the measured radiation levels at the Fukushima site during the March 2011 nuclear disaster, and the actions of TEPCO at that time.
The Japanese nuclear power company TEPCO, which operated the Fukushima nuclear reactors, has been sued by eight US sailors who allege they were exposed to higher radiation levels at the stricken site than admitted by TEPCO.
http://bbc.co.uk/news/business-20856051
If this allegation is eventually tested in the courts, evidence may emerge about the measured radiation levels at the Fukushima site during the March 2011 nuclear disaster, and the actions of TEPCO at that time.
Monday, 31 December 2012
SEARCH FOR LIFE ON EARTH ABANDONED
Ironically, while the Mars Curiosity rover continues its daily search for evidence of past life-hospitable environments on the surface of Mars, a project seeking evidence of simple lifeforms in an ancient lake deep below the Antarctic ice has been abandoned due to technical problems drilling the boreholes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20850360
The British Antarctic Survey project aimed to drill 1.8 miles down into the ice to reach a lake and search for traces of simple life forms from up to 0.5 million years ago, as well as gather climate record data. Hopefully the project can be resumed in due course.
Two ambitious and potentially highly significant scientific quests.
Ironically, while the Mars Curiosity rover continues its daily search for evidence of past life-hospitable environments on the surface of Mars, a project seeking evidence of simple lifeforms in an ancient lake deep below the Antarctic ice has been abandoned due to technical problems drilling the boreholes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20850360
The British Antarctic Survey project aimed to drill 1.8 miles down into the ice to reach a lake and search for traces of simple life forms from up to 0.5 million years ago, as well as gather climate record data. Hopefully the project can be resumed in due course.
Two ambitious and potentially highly significant scientific quests.
Sunday, 23 December 2012
ANOTHER EXO-PLANET IN 'GOLDILOCKS' ZONE
A planet has been discovered only 12 light years away from Earth, in the 'inhabitable' or 'Goldilocks' zone, where liquid water is possible, circling a single sun-like star named Tau Ceti.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20770103
The total number of exo-planets discovered is now 854. It looks ever more likely that earth-like planets abound in our galaxy.
A planet has been discovered only 12 light years away from Earth, in the 'inhabitable' or 'Goldilocks' zone, where liquid water is possible, circling a single sun-like star named Tau Ceti.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20770103
The total number of exo-planets discovered is now 854. It looks ever more likely that earth-like planets abound in our galaxy.
Friday, 16 November 2012
THE WEATHER ON MARS
The Curiosity rover on Mars continues to return fascinating new discoveries. Recent data on the Martian atmospheric pressure and wind measurements have been sufficiently sensitive to reveal daily variations in radiation levels linked to changes in air pressure.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20345011
There has been some damage to one of the wind sensors, probably occurring at the landing on the surface of Mars, but it has been possible to work round this problem.
This mobile science laboratory on Mars is an amazing tool, under such sensitive flexible control from Earth.
The Curiosity rover on Mars continues to return fascinating new discoveries. Recent data on the Martian atmospheric pressure and wind measurements have been sufficiently sensitive to reveal daily variations in radiation levels linked to changes in air pressure.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20345011
There has been some damage to one of the wind sensors, probably occurring at the landing on the surface of Mars, but it has been possible to work round this problem.
This mobile science laboratory on Mars is an amazing tool, under such sensitive flexible control from Earth.
Friday, 28 September 2012
CURIOSITY FINDS IMPORTANT EVIDENCE ON MARS
Pictures have been sent back from the Mars rover 'Curiosity' with remarkable images of conglomerate strata and rounded pebbles which appear to be strong evidence of fast flowing water in the past.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19744131
Curiosity is rapidly proving to be a truly remarkable machine. The lastest pebble images confirm something that was suspected from earlier satellite data, but in a graphic way. It seems very likely that more dramatic discoveries lie ahead.
The media are underwhelmed by what is happening on the surface of Mars. This is brilliant science, you might imagine it would be headline news for days. There seems to be a disappointing and rather sad lack of genuine interest in the Martian adventures in science, compared to the endless stream of trivia and nonsense that gets full attention.
Pictures have been sent back from the Mars rover 'Curiosity' with remarkable images of conglomerate strata and rounded pebbles which appear to be strong evidence of fast flowing water in the past.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19744131
Curiosity is rapidly proving to be a truly remarkable machine. The lastest pebble images confirm something that was suspected from earlier satellite data, but in a graphic way. It seems very likely that more dramatic discoveries lie ahead.
The media are underwhelmed by what is happening on the surface of Mars. This is brilliant science, you might imagine it would be headline news for days. There seems to be a disappointing and rather sad lack of genuine interest in the Martian adventures in science, compared to the endless stream of trivia and nonsense that gets full attention.
Thursday, 20 September 2012
NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE PLANT REJECTED
Shepway councillors have voted against 'formally expressing interest' in the government plan for a nuclear waste plant at Romney Marsh in Kent, near Dungeness nuclear power station.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-19656382
63% of local residents opposed the plan.
Both Kent County Council and East Sussex County Council also oppose this nuclear dump.
However, the Conservative council leader Robert Bliss will make a final decision later.
Shepway councillors have voted against 'formally expressing interest' in the government plan for a nuclear waste plant at Romney Marsh in Kent, near Dungeness nuclear power station.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-19656382
63% of local residents opposed the plan.
Both Kent County Council and East Sussex County Council also oppose this nuclear dump.
However, the Conservative council leader Robert Bliss will make a final decision later.
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