The Naked Galaxy

NYT : Dark, Perhaps Forever

2008-06-25T21:38:00.003-04:00

I have been meaning to post this a few weeks but I didn't get a chance to do that until now.

The article has outlined some ideas about the expansion of our universe and how it has grappled with the gravitational force. The universe may have expanded rapidly after the big bang then slowed down due to dark matter and atoms filled up part of the universe. A period later, the dark energy could have influenced the universe's new rapid expansion. The article is worth reading. below, you will find the link that could get you fascinated!

Dark, Perhaps Forever

Yahoo : Fossil of most primitive 4-legged creature found

2008-06-25T21:23:00.004-04:00

Here's triumph news. A skull of most primitive four-legged creature was unearthed. This fossil is about 365-million-year-old and this appears to be related to tetrapod family. It's known as Ventastega. This species may have vanished while other tetrapods went to take over the land. With this discovery, it pushes evolutionary biologists closer to understand how fish evolved to tetrapods. For further reading, click on the link below.

Fossil of most primitive 4-legged creature found

NYT : NASA Spacecraft Appears to Have Landed on Mars

2008-05-25T20:32:00.000-04:00

I was delighted to learn that the NASA spacecraft may have landed on Mars safely. We will find out later to see if the probe is in good shape and it may take some time to unfold things before the robotic arm starts to drill in the ice surface and collect some data.

It could help to shed some light about life and the red planet itself. I look forward to receiving some news on some analysis.

For further reading, click on the link below.

NASA Spacecraft Appears to Have Landed on Mars

NYT : Older Brain Really May Be a Wiser Brain

2008-05-20T05:34:00.002-04:00

Even though older adults could no longer remember names and telephone numbers, it doesn't necessarily mean that their brainpower is declining. According to findings, the brain takes time to store the data and search for the information. As matter of fact, the aging brain is more wiser. Sure, young people can readily access the information from brain relatively quickly but they are still in the learning process.

You can read an interesting article. Just click on the link below.

Older Brain Really May Be a Wiser Brain

NYT : Supernova Remnant Is Young and Quick

2008-05-16T05:29:00.003-04:00

The explosion of star occurred about 26,000 years ago and the light traveled to here about 150 years ago. The star resides about 26,000 light-year away from here in our own Milky Way galaxy. The supernova is so young and crispy as it's continuing the formation. The 3-D image above is spectacular!

If you wish to read the New York Times article, just click on the link below.

Supernova Remnant Is Young and Quick

NYT : Polar Bear Is Made a Protected Species

2008-05-14T19:19:00.003-04:00

I'm pleased to learn that the polar bear will be placed under the protection of the Endangered Species Act. The blame goes to global warming and heavy hunting.

I wonder why it took them a long time to put the polar bear in this category? It's important for the world try to preserve endangered species and increase the regulation on hunting.

Even though this is a small step, the world need to act more to slow down the rise of global warming.

For more information, click on the link below.

Polar Bear Is Made a Protected Species

Yahoo : Earth Extinctions Blamed on Cosmic Speed Bump

2008-05-14T05:32:00.002-04:00

Have you ever figured out what has caused the mass extinction that wiped out species like dinosaurs? A research suggested that cosmic impacts may be one of handful reasons.

As our galaxy passed through the galactic zone every 35 million to 40 million yeras, increasing the chances of comets showering at planets.

It's an interesting hypothesis. There is a reason for me to be skeptical. There has been no mass extinction for 65 million years and I want to see some more findings. I like some other theories.

For further reading, click on the link.

Earth Extinctions Blamed on Cosmic Speed Bump

Nikola Tesla

2008-05-11T21:50:00.002-04:00

A couple days, I finished reading a fascinating biography of Nikola Tesla by Margaret Cheney. The title is Tesla: Man Out of Time. Prior to reading this book, I had no idea that I would be reading a biography of someone who was a real genius. I was astonished to learn more about Tesla's most important inventions such as radio, X-ray, fluorescent light, etc. Actually, he was a pioneer of fluorescent light and it didn't become standard until a few decades later. Other inventors have claimed that they, not Tesla, invented radio and X-ray. A couple years after Tesla's death, the Supreme Court ruled that radio was invented by Tesla. Too bad, Tesla was so indifferent on patenting some of his inventions. I believe that some of Edison's patented inventions don't belong to him.

I would highly recommend you to read this book if you are interested in learning about Tesla, his inventions, and his life. The book may be a little technical but it's very enjoyable.

NYT: H.P. Reports Big Advance in Memory Chip Design

2008-05-05T05:25:00.002-04:00

Hewlett-Packard scientists have successfully created a simple circuit element that can build tiny powerful computers to do performs taks such as biological functions. Today, they could create the circuit based on memristors are that small as as 15 nanometers. The smallest compound in today's semiconductors are 45 nanometers.

Very impressive! For further reading, click on the link below.

H.P. Reports Big Advance in Memory Chip Design

NYT : Memory Training Shown to Turn Up Brainpower

2008-04-29T21:52:00.002-04:00

If it's true, memory training helps to improve people's intelligence. More researches will be needed before we know the answers. For further reading, click on the link below.

Memory Training Shown to Turn Up Brainpower

SciAm.com : The Color of Plants on Other Worlds

2008-04-27T14:00:00.002-04:00

Scientific American has an excellent article about the color of plants in other worlds orbiting stars light years away from our solar system.

Have you ever imagined that the color of plants to be blue, red, orange, purple, black, and so on? I think that it's possible. It depends on the algae and the formation of plants under the ocean and what type of photons they need to absorb in order to spread.

The article is very long but worth reading. For further reading, click on the link below.

The Color of Plants on Other Worlds

NYT : Physicists Renew Claim, in New Experiment, of Detecting Dark Matter Particles

2008-04-17T05:14:00.002-04:00

Do you support the claims by a team of Italian and Chinese physicists that they have detected the mysterious dark matter particles?

I am not so sure. It requires credibility and I want to see them come up with a sold report outlining their discovery.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Physicists Renew Claim, in New Experiment, of Detecting Dark Matter Particles

NYT : Gauging a Collider’s Odds of Creating a Black Hole

2008-04-14T21:53:00.002-04:00

Dennis Overbye posted a nice essay about a collider's odds of creating a Black Hole. I think that it's an interesting essay. I have to agree that it's extremely unlikely to create the Black Hole out of a collider. I am not going to lose any sleep over this. For further reading, click on the link below.

Gauging a Collider’s Odds of Creating a Black Hole

NYT : Tunnel Milestone, and More to Come

2008-04-08T21:28:00.000-04:00

This is more of engineering stuff but I still wanted to share with you. This article provide details on how to build tunnels using today's technology, especially with the aid of satellite. Take a look at the multimedia section. I think that the article is incredible.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Tunnel Milestone, and More to Come

NYT: The Ancient Mechanics and How They Thought

2008-04-08T05:37:00.000-04:00

Can you imagine how ancient Greek think about mechanics? "Mechanical Problems" did exist as far as third century B.C. As you know, simple mechanics such as the wheel, the lever, and axle, the balance, the pulley, the wedge and the screw. Don't be surprised that old textures were found containing the notes of theories and principles of mechanics even though they were not so sophisticated as ours. It's terrific to learn how they actually visualized and how they have attempted to come up with ideas. They have developed algebra and geometry over different periods of time.

For further reading, click on the link below.

The Ancient Mechanics and How They Thought

NYT: Science in Pictures, April 4

2008-04-07T21:45:00.000-04:00

Check out the New York Times' slideshow. It contains six spectacular pictures. I personally like number 2, 3, and 6. Take your pick!

Science in Pictures, April 4

NYT : Edison ...Wasn’t He the Guy Who Invented Everything?

2008-03-31T07:55:00.002-04:00

An article from the New York Times revealed the truth about innovators and patents. For instance, the human recording voice was actually invented two decades before Thomas Edison's famous invention, phonograph. It was invented by the Frenchman in who ran out of money for patent. This has occured numerous of time.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Edison ...Wasn’t He the Guy Who Invented Everything?

NYT : Asking a Judge to Save the World, and Maybe a Whole Lot More

2008-03-30T15:08:00.004-04:00

I found a story interesting. The is a laboratory that builds the Large Hardon Collider, in which the colliding protons will recreate energies and conditions last seen a trillionth of a second after the Big Dang.

Two guys are suiting because they claimed that it can create the black hole that can swallow the Earth.

That's ludicrous! I don't think that this type of collider is capable of doing something to create something that could become the black hole.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Asking a Judge to Save the World, and Maybe a Whole Lot More

NYT : On Saturn Moon, Life’s Basics

2008-03-29T08:14:00.000-04:00

Scientists have been speculating about the life on Saturn's small moon Enceladus. The reason that the speculation of life is due to geysers at the south pole some 500 miles off the icy surface into space.

Since this moon does have some water, it is capable of supporting life. I would assume that relatively simple life can be formed, especially with microbes. I think that this moon is unlikely to form a complex organics.

Let's send a robot to that moon and have it search for something and relay back the information to us. It could happen in 20 years from now.

For further reading, click on the link below.

On Saturn Moon, Life’s Basics

Yahoo : Gas-belching volcanoes may have killed dinosaurs

2008-03-25T21:56:00.002-04:00

Even though the article was published late last week, I want to comment on this. There are several different theories about how dinosaurs went extinct. Gas-belching volcanos may have wiped out dinosaurs. The volcanos would have released a vast amount of sulfur and chlorine, releasing too much toxic.

Both dinosaurs and sea reptiles vanished But, why didn't other reptiles such as snakes, lizards, alligators, etc., go extinct too? The size of dinosaurs may be the factor. Mammals, birds, and other animals were small when king lizards were wiped out 65 million years ago.

I like the asteroid impacts theory more but I shall not close the door on the gas-belching volcanos theory. I think that it's important to look at all different theories. For further reading, click on the link below.

Gas-belching volcanoes may have killed dinosaurs

NYT : A Boy’s Life, Guided by the Voice of Cosmic Wonder

2008-03-25T21:50:00.002-04:00

I just read a lovely essay about Arthure C. Clarke. Dennis Overbye was describing his own passion in reading books by Arthur while growing up. Read on.

A Boy’s Life, Guided by the Voice of Cosmic Wonder

DISCOVER : Did Life Evolve in Ice?

2008-03-22T07:57:00.000-04:00

There is a fascinating article about life evolving in ice. Did it really occur that gave the rise to life today? Stanley Miller had filled the vial in 1972 with a mixture of ammonia and cyanide, the chemicals that may be the key ingredient that originated the life. He had kept them at -108 –108 degrees Fahrenheit for a quarter of century. The ice was very dry. After he and his former student brushed off the frost from the vial, they have discovered that the mixture of ammonia and cyanide went from colorless to color.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Did Life Evolve in Ice?

NYT : Stuff of Life (but Not Life Itself) Is Detected on a Distant Planet

2008-03-20T22:22:00.002-04:00

This is the beginning! The Hubble Space Telescope has finally detected an exoplanet with relatively simple life -- molecules. I agree that the planet requires to have water and some sort of gases in order to originate life. The exoplanet itself is too hot. The temperature goes as high as 1,700 Fahrenheit. It orbits around the sun that is smaller than our own sun. The distance between that exoplanet and small sun is about 3 million miles apart and the exoplanet mass is similar to Jupiter.

I am still skeptical on other planets supporting intellectual life like ours. But, I am more optimistic on finding out about simple life on other planet. If the simple life could evolve into more complex living things, I would be totally impressed.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Stuff of Life (but Not Life Itself) Is Detected on a Distant Planet

NYT : Arthur C. Clarke, Premier Science Fiction Writer, Dies at 90

2008-03-18T22:19:00.001-04:00

Arthur Clarke's death has gotten my attention. I have read two books written by him. Even though I preferred Isaac Asimov books, I have been impressed with Arthur Clarke's accomplishments. The New York Times published an interesting obituary about this author. Below, you will find the link to this article.

NYT : Arthur C. Clarke, Premier Science Fiction Writer, Dies at 90

NYT : Stop the Mutants!

2008-03-13T05:44:00.002-04:00

Just read Olivia Judson's essay about evolutionary biology in the New York Times. I thought that it's a very good essay. I have included the link in this post. Enjoy!

Stop the Mutants!

NYT : Kissing the Earth Goodbye in About 7.59 Billion Years

2008-03-13T05:37:00.003-04:00

What do you think will happen to the Earth in a couple billion years from now? As our sun's core starts to burn out, the size of sun will get larger and larger and it will become the red giant like all other dying stars.

What exactly will happen to the Earth? Will it be swallowed into sun? Will it go into a violent tug war with their own star? Will it break up into pieces? Will it escape sun's mighty gravitational force?

Will it actually occur in about 7.59 billion years from now? The calculation may be accurate.

Below is a link to an interesting New York Times article.

Kissing the Earth Goodbye in About 7.59 Billion Years

NYT : Gauging Age of Universe Becomes More Precise

2008-03-09T08:06:00.002-04:00

We are getting closer to reality. Before that, we got some different figures on age of universe. It was 10-20 billion years old. Now, the figure is 13.73 billion years old with 120 million years old more or less. Will future instruments be able to give us the exact age? It will probably become reality during our lifetime.

The new data suggested that the earliest stars switched on 400 million years after the Big Bang. Also, it took half a billion years to break apart all of the atoms.

Separately, In the past, I have pondered about the Big Bang theory and how this was created. What has happened before the Bang Big? Did the time start prior to the Big Bang or it actually started when the Big Bang occurred? WE will probably never know.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Gauging Age of Universe Becomes More Precise

NYT : Sociable, and Smart

2008-03-08T07:49:00.000-05:00

In fact, the enormous size of the human brain is mysterious. The article has suggested that the social networking could be the factor. They had to study other animals rather than primates in order to help to shed the light. The researchers have discovered that the primates with a big frontal cortex tend to live in large groups. The predators and other factors could have helped primates to move ahead. I think that hypothesis is interesting.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Sociable, and Smart

NYT : Scientists Would Turn Greenhouse Gas Into Gasoline

2008-02-20T05:43:00.002-05:00

What do you think of this idea? Handful of scientists are claiming that they can convert greenhouse gas into gasoline. It seems possible but they have yet built the factory that allows this to occur. The debate could go on but they will need to build the costly factory and prove that this project can be successful. I would love to see this project to get a green light as soon as possible and we could see if it does actually work. However, I think that it would be difficult. At one point, it can't hurt to try.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Scientists Would Turn Greenhouse Gas Into Gasoline

NYT : Paleontologists Reconstruct a Monster Frog

2008-02-19T22:02:00.002-05:00

It has never cross my mind that a giant frog, let's say, a devil frog making a giant leap. It is possible that they ate some baby dinosaurs out of eggs. Does it sound terrifying?

I have been pondering. It makes sense. The evolutionary process does allow species to grow large at one point for a very good reason. Insects and lizards have done that. Why not frogs?

I am quite excited with the new discovery.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Paleontologists Reconstruct a Monster Frog

NYT: Smaller Version of the Solar System Is Discovered

2008-02-18T22:03:00.002-05:00

At last, they have found a miniature solar system that looks similar to our system. The giant planet has about 2/3 mass of Jupiter. That miniature solar system is 5,000 light-year away from our system. The scientists and astronomers are confident that they will discover more planetary systems that resemble our system. This discovery is a huge leap. However, it doesn't necessarily mean that there is any life form. There is no way we can find out right now. For further reading, click on the link below.

Smaller Version of the Solar System Is Discovered

Yahoo : Tooth scan reveals Neanderthal mobility

2008-02-11T12:37:00.000-05:00

Paleontologists have suggested that Neanderthals are more mobile than previously thought. Analysis of a 40,000-year-old tooth found in southern Greece has supported the hypothesis.

I am inclined to support this idea. Neanderthals could have traveled farther than 12.5 miles. It sounds very logical. However, there is no way to prove because they have gone extinct more than 20,000 years ago.

My question is did Neanderthals ever travel to Asia? Or, they just remained in Europe, Middle East, and part of Asia?

Time will tell after we make more discoveries later on.

Tooth scan reveals Neanderthal mobility

NYT : Satellite Spotters Glimpse Secrets, and Tell Them

2008-02-06T05:32:00.000-05:00

I was impressed when I read the New York Times article about the handful hobbyists spend hours detecting satellites and they re able to identify many satellites. They even calculate the speed of each satellite orbiting around Earth.

The article mentioned that 328 satellites have come down in the past five years. I wonder if the figure is accurate because that's awful a lot of satellites orbiting around Earth.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Satellite Spotters Glimpse Secrets, and Tell Them

NYT : Lasers Make Other Metals Look Like Gold

2008-02-02T07:15:00.000-05:00

This must be good news for jewelers. The laser could make other metals look like gold. It could be aluminum, tuungsten, or other metals. Dr. Guo and another researcher has been experimenting with ultrashort laser bursts on some metals. How does the metal absorbs and reflects the light? The answer to be determined. The aluminum does a terrific job by changing to gold and you may not be able to tell if whether it's real or not. For further reading, click on the link below.

Lasers Make Other Metals Look Like Gold

Yahoo : Asteroid will swing by, but won't stop

2008-01-27T10:50:00.000-05:00

The asteroid will drift by Earth this Tuesday, not too close to hit here. It will fly by about 334,000 miles away from here. The asteroid is at least 500-feet long.

The next asteroid visit will be in 2027 and it is not expected to land here either.

If they take a good picture of asteroid this Tuesday, I'll love to check it out!

For further reading, click on the link below.

Asteroid will swing by, but won't stop

NYT : Entrepreneur Unveils New Tourist Spacecraft

2008-01-23T21:54:00.000-05:00

How about going into space as a tourist? Virgin Galactic has been working diligently to develop the space ship that can travel into space for a short time then return to Earth. The ship would contain the aerodynamic drag that allows the craft for a glider landing back on Earth. They have been experimenting with X-1 through X-15 for decades and they have improved that there is an alternate way to travel into space and return to Earth. The craft will become public in 2009 or 2010. For further reading, click on the link below.

Entrepreneur Unveils New Tourist Spacecraft

NYT : Diabetes Study Favors Surgery to Treat Obese

2008-01-23T05:44:00.000-05:00

Even though the surgery is not new, the study has suggested that surgery is the best option to help the obese patients with Type-2 diabetes. The surgery costs between $17,000 & $25,000. This is extravagant! For further reading, click on the link below.

Diabetes Study Favors Surgery to Treat Obese

NYT : The Claim: Too Much Cola Can Cause Kidney Problems

2008-01-22T05:35:00.000-05:00

The researchers have been coming up with some evidence that too much cola can cause cause some problems other than obesity and diabetes. It can cause the kidney problems. It's actually better to drink noncola or even just water and natural preserved juice. For further reading, click on the link below.

The Claim: Too Much Cola Can Cause Kidney Problems

NYT : New Zealand Builds a Nest Big Enough to Save Kiwis

2008-01-21T17:28:00.001-05:00

i just read an article from The New York Times about New Zealand trying to save kiwis that are in danger of becoming extinct. Kiwi is a small flightless bird that is considered as the national bird. Kiwi's population in about 1820s was as many as five million. Today's population is about 75,000. The Europeans have introduced predators such as ferrets, weasels, stoats, dogs, and cats.

I am praising the program's effort to save kiwis and other endangered animals from becoming extinct.

For further reading, click on the link below.

New Zealand Builds a Nest Big Enough to Save Kiwis

I'm back!!

2008-01-20T12:39:00.000-05:00

I have been neglecting my blogger for weeks due to my two-week vacation in Buenos Aires & Chile, holidays, and other stuff. I have been toying with my new Mac and surfing net.

I hope to start posting science news again soon. At one point, I'd like to be more creative with my posts.

I just finished reading Nemesis by Asimov. I know that it's just a science fiction. Do you think that it's possible to travel at high speed in space? Will there be any device that allows the vessel travel as fast as light speed? In my own opinion, I don't think that it is possible even though the device is built with the vaccuum technology. No one would be able to invent this kind of device. I am almost certain that it's impossible to build the vessel to travel at high speed. If this device exists at other worlds where the aliens are more advanced, why haven't they come to visit here? To me, this is a science fiction!

NYT : Oldest Known Insect Identified From 400-Million-Year-Old Jaws

2007-11-24T07:11:00.000-05:00

How would you like to wander with an eight foot long insect?

Scientists have discovered the world's oldest known insect fossil that roamed about 400 million years ago. They actually discovered a set of minuscule jaws. It's almost certain that insects were the first to come to the land and ruled for several million years.

It seems obvious that the insects were flightless at first.

I must say that this discovery is one of the most exciting news!

For further reading, click on the link below.

Oldest Known Insect Identified From 400-Million-Year-Old Jaws

Yahoo News : Earth's Moon is Rare Oddball

2007-11-24T06:52:00.000-05:00

There is an article that I really like - Earth's Moon is Rare OddBall. Our moon was formed right after a huge planetary collsion with young Earth about 4 billion years ago. Guess what? Only about one in year 10 to 20 solar systems may have a similiar moon. Does that mean that there are about 5 to 10 percent of planetary systems that have that kind of moon? You do the math.

Here's the quote that I copied from the article :

"When a moon forms from a violent collision, dust should be blasted everywhere," said Nadya Gorlova, an astronomer at the University of Florida in Gainesville who analyzed the telescope data in a new study. "If there were lots of moons forming, we would have seen dust around lots of stars. But we didn't."

What do you think???

For further reading, click on the link below.

Earth's Moon is Rare Oddball

Yahoo : What Space Telescopes of Tomorrow Will See

2007-11-24T06:51:00.001-05:00

Even though the telescopes may not be able to take a close look at planets and stars that are light years away, the new device will be an useful instrument to understand galaxy formation and mysterious quasars. It would be great if we can learn more about the history of our own vast, indefinite universe. I shall find out in 10 years from now and I look forward to some exciting discoveries! For further reading, click on the link below.

What Space Telescopes of Tomorrow Will See

NYT : Scientists Bypass Need for Embryo to Get Stem Cells

2007-11-24T06:38:00.000-05:00

Recently, two teams of scientists reported that they have figured out how to turn skin cells into embryonic stem cells without having to make or destroy an embryo. This could be good news because this could ease down the ethical debate, especially with these groups who are against creating or destroying embryos. Bush seems to take the news very well. However, I think that this has detoured the scientific advancement for some years but I am pleased that the scientists have finally made the progress. For further reading, click on the link below.

Scientists Bypass Need for Embryo to Get Stem Cells

China's Lunar Probe Is Visiting the Moon

2007-11-05T07:36:00.000-05:00

It's about time. China's lunar probe entered moon's orbit. In 2003, they became the third country to send the rocket into space. If everything goes as planned, they would send men to the moon within 15 years and possibly to Mars. It would be a great accomplishment for them. Will this start another space race? We will see! I don't think that it's that important for the United States to return to the moon until they have meet many other goals. For further reading, click on the link below :

China's lunar probe enters moon's orbit

Watch out! Robots will drive better than us!

2007-11-05T05:42:00.001-05:00

Even though rebotic vehicles are under testing today, they are yet ready to be used in the public today. We could see robotic vehicles becoming available in about 10 years from now. The robots are still too human but will be much better drivers than us in several years from now. We are getting closer to this point. For further reading, click on the link below.

Crashes and Traffic Jams in Military Test of Robotic Vehicles

Is dark matter purely science fiction? You tell me!

2007-10-29T12:17:00.000-04:00

Now, two Canadian scientists think there is a good reason dark matter doesn't exist at all. No one has come up with a strong evidence that it exists.

Since I have yet seen one, I have no knowledge whether it exists. The universe has a lot of strange things. Scientists have yet understood many factors, especially with the Big Bang theory and how long the universe will continue to expand, possibly eternity.

Will we ever be around to determine whether the dark matter theory is valid or not? I doubt it but we will see! For further reading, click on the link below.

Scientists Say Dark Matter Doesn't Exist

Bush : "Global Warming what?"

2007-10-26T12:53:00.000-04:00

Why does the White House want to edit the climate change testimony? Do they know that they are keeping us out of sight? Don't they want us to know the truth about global warming? Has Bush been doing this because he's skeptical about science?

For further reading, click on the link below:

Climate Change Testimony Was Edited by White House

Please note that the image was from The New York Times web site.

Invention of the Light Bulb

2007-10-24T05:44:00.000-04:00

I'm currently reading The Wizard of Menlo Park, a biography of Thomas Alva Edison. I was astonished to see different type of filaments that were used during the experiments. The carbon filament included "cotton and linen thread, wood splints, papes. Edison's team later discovered a carbonized bamboo filament that could last over 1200 hours.

The inscandescent light bulb was invented in 1840 by British scientist Warren de la Rue. That time, electric light bulb was not invented. Edison was not born until February 11, 1947 and didn't start to experiment with the electric light bulb until around 1879. The successful experiment was on October 22, 1879.

The electric light bulb didn't become common for homes until 1920's.

I'm enjoying the book tremendously.

My view about life from other planets

2007-10-20T12:51:00.000-04:00

I'm responding to Jacob Haqq-Milsra's question.

Jacob Haqq-Misra said...
I'm curious as to why you think the evolution of what we call intelligence is uncommon (if in fact this is what you mean)?

Of course, we cannot say anything for certain at this point, but I am inclined to think given the vast number of galaxies in the universe (100 billion) this type of complex life (however we define it) is probably present in some other galaxy--if not our own.

---
I do agree with you that there is a vast number of galaxies in the universe. I'm not ruling out any life on other planets.

I have read a few books about history of evolution. As you know, our planet started with very simple life about 2 billion years ago. The life didn't start to become complex until more than 550 million years. I'm inclined to support the Cambrian explosion theory. Before us, there were many millions of species and they didn't have intelligence that is similiar to ours.

When the apes started to evolve in Africa, they didn't have to compete that much. Africa was just an island. They had an advantage for some time. We can say that isolation has helped them. I am pretty sure that there are other species roaming in Africa during that time.

If there are species living on other worlds that have successfully become complex, they are likely to compete for food. It doesn't require any intelligence to do that. What's the odd of species becoming isolated from deadly predators? In my own opinion, it's pretty slim. Can species become lucky by developing hands that are more sophisticated? Can their brains get bigger and complex enough to bring them to the same level as ours, or even better?

The way I see, the process of evolution has to do with climate, sexual selection, geography, competition, and luck. Yes, I have to say that we are lucky that we are here today. It's like winning a lottery.

If we have to start all over again by going back to 2 billion years ago, will the apes ever emerge? I'm doubtful but I could be wrong. I will never know for sure.

One last thing, I wouldn't rule out any life out there that has intelligence like ours. If we ever find out by establishing communication with them or even meet them, I would be surprised and jubilant.

I'm open for any debate.m>

What did early humans like to do?

2007-10-18T05:42:00.000-04:00

Something grabbed my attention during my busy period. The scientists have found some evidence that early humans were a bit sophisticated than previously thought. During the glacial period from 125,000 to 195,000 years, the early humans have cooked mussels and other shellfish, especially with mussels. They also used red pigment, probably as body paint. The evidence was discovered in a cave in South Africa. For one thing, I'm pretty certain that they loved to try different things when they discovered something extraordinary. So, they had to put the paint on their skin. We have to keep in our mind that they had more freedom to do things. On other hand, did they have language? We may not know for sure. For further reading click on the link below.

For early humans, a beach party and clam bake

NYT : Stretching the Search for Signs of Life

2007-10-13T10:41:00.000-04:00

I have to write a brief summary about the article that I read from The New York Times. They are trying to build some sites that can increase the capacity of searching for signs of life. The new Allen Telescope Array will allow them to search over a million stars within 2 decades.

Let me tell you my opinion. Is there any advanced civilizations on other planets in this galaxy and other galaxies? I don't personally think so. I think that there is a good chance that there are numerous of planets with living things that can swim or crawl. It's difficult for the living species to become complex through evolutionary process. I think that we are only one kind.

But, it cannot hurt to search for the sign of life. If there are advanced civilizations out there then they may have been observing us. I think that is extremely unlikely.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Stretching the Search for Signs of Life

Congratulations to Al Gore & the UN Climate Panel!!

2007-10-13T09:59:00.000-04:00

In fact, I was very pleased that Al Gore and the United Nation climate panel won the Noble Peace Prize for Climate Chinage Work. I have tremendous respect for them. Even though Al Gore appears uninterested in running for 2008, I think that his presence is vital even though the global warming is inevitable. Not many people actually understand what the global warming is.

Three Nobel Prize Winners

2007-10-09T21:38:00.001-04:00

Today, my father sent me an e-mail to my Blackberry. He urged me to read an article about three scients who won the 2007 Noble Prize in medicine yesterday. I finally fired up my computer and went to The New York Times and found this article.

The winners are Mario R. Capecchi, 70, Oliver Smithies, 82, and Sir Martin J. Evans, 66, of Cardiff University in Wales.

They have developed the knockout technique that allowed researchers to use tool to find out what gene does, especially with the mice. They can observe what can happen to the mice.

The article also covered a brief biography of each scientist. Congratulations to them!!

NYT : Hillary on Science

2007-10-06T21:55:00.000-04:00

Mrs. Clinton has said that she would sheild science from politics. As matter of fact, I am quite pleased with her speech. She supports evolution. That's one of the most important thing. She feels that it's more important to focus on gloabl warming than sending humans to the Moon and to Mars. Frankly, I agree with her. The funds need to be used to help the world. We already sent men to the Moon. If Russia or China wants to go to Mars first, let them do that. Finally, she wants to ensure that there are funds available for stem cell research.

I want to see what other candidates have to address on science.

If you wish to keep reading the New York Times article, click on the link below.

Clinton Says She Would Shield Science From Politics

NYT : Texas Man Linked to Past and Future of Space Exploration by Sputnik and Soyuz

2007-10-04T07:38:00.000-04:00

I have found another interesting article about Richard Garriott, a key figure in the video game industry. I'm not going to discuss about the video game here -- my passion in video games has faded away years ago. Something has caught my attention. He is a collector of space memorabilia. He has an authentic version of Spuntik in which he paid for less than $15,000. He even has a Lunakhod 2 rover and a Russian space suit. After looking at the slideshow, I was awed with his collections. You can view the multimedia by visitinghere.

If you wish to read the New York Times article, click on the link below. Enjoy!

Texas Man Linked to Past and Future of Space Exploration by Sputnik and Soyuz

NYT : Proving That Seeing Shouldn’t Always Be Believing

2007-10-03T05:34:00.000-04:00

I'm posting the second entry today. There is an interesting in the New York Times about fake photographs. The number of fake photographs have grown significantly, thanks to digital camera, PC< and Photoshop. Hany Farid is an expert in identify fake photographs by using computer and mathematical techniques. There are some tricks such as lighting and size. The article covers an interview with Mr. Farid. It's worth reading. It tells me that I have to be careful on what I believe!

For further reading, click on the link below.

Proving That Seeing Shouldn’t Always Be Believing

NYT : Arctic Melt Unnerves the Experts

2007-10-03T05:26:00.000-04:00

Last Tuesday, the New York Times published an article about Arctic Melt. The evidence is growing rapidly that the ice is melting. They are sending ships to explore Artic. You can guess why; oil and fishiing.

You should also view the interactive graphic where you can see the ice polar retreating for past 5 years. Interactive Graphic: Sea Ice in Retreat.

Scientists push back origins of Earth's oxygen (Reuters)

2007-09-30T11:50:00.000-04:00

I just read an article about scientists pushing back origins of Earth's oxygen.

Did the oxygen actually begin to rise about 2.5 billion years ago? The scientists are finding some evidence from some rocks that the activity occured 50 to 100 million years before the Oxygen Catastrophe (known as the Great Oxidation Event).

For about the first half of the planet's existence, the environment had nearly no oxygen. I am curious to know how the planet acquire the oxygen after the atmosphere started to become thicker. Did part of oxygen get trapped inside the planet during its birth?

Like living things, oxygen and other gases have evolved for billions of years.

2007-09-30T06:43:00.000-04:00

I'm currently reading a book called Lucy : The Beginnings of Humankind. I visited The Leakey Foundation's web site and saw this book in the bookstore. I am always interested in human evolution and I have to admit that australopithecus afro is one of my favorite species. Even though the book was published more than 20 years, I am ambitious in reading this book. When I started to read the book, I can tell that some information are outdated. But, I still feel that ti's worth reading. I am intrigued by the discovery of Lucy and I wanted to learn more about the history of Lucy. It seems that the author did a tremendous job by describing the difference of each species, from apes to humans and how to identify each skull.

The New York Times published an incredible article last year about new hints unveiled by studying Lucy's bones. I'm going to post the link below. This article was printed on September 21, 2006.

Little Girl, 3 Million Years Old, Offers New Hints on Evolution

NYT : At Climate Meeting, Bush Does Not Specify Goals

2007-09-29T09:09:00.000-04:00

As you may know, global warming is not on Bush's top agenda. Recently, he has address the issue of global warming and how real it has become. I am theorizing that he is doing to give a boost to his party. However, he has failed to elaborate his party's goal to combat against global warming. He is more concerned about our country's economy rather than our planet's needs. This is a huge obstacle. Regardless of what party he is, I feel that he should act more on global warming and other issues that should not be neglected.

The New York Times has an article about Bush failing to specify goals. If you wish to read the article, click on the link below.

At Climate Meeting, Bush Does Not Specify Goals

2007-09-29T08:24:00.000-04:00

Xinhuanet.com just posted an article about mammoth hair yielding DNA. We will probably find out what has caused mammoth's extinction. It's matter of time until the researchers find more clues. For years, scientists have tried to obtain DNA from the frozen remains but have been unsuccessful. Mammoth's hair may be the answer but it may take years until we actually know whether the mission has been accomplished.

At one point, the hard covering of hair could protect the DNA. If you wish to keep reading, click on the link below.

Mammoth hair yields DNA, may solve extinction mystery

The image above is from the Rocks and Minerals website.

October 4, 1957

2007-09-26T12:57:00.001-04:00

Almost 50 years ago, something has changed the world dramatically. The launching of Sputnik has stunned many people, especially the Americans who have witnessed or listened to the event. It did make the difference.

Homer H. Hickam, author of "Rocket Boys", has become more famous after the movie "October Sky" was played in theaters. He was awed when he witnessed the orbit of Sputnik floating around Earth.

The space race has started instantly. Even though Russians were first in many things, the United States managed to be the first to send men to the Moon.

What has been done was a great achievement. Hickman and other people have played significant roles in helping our country to become involved with the space program.

I am attaching the link to the New York Times article. Keep reading...

The terrifying velociratpor with feathers...

2007-09-22T09:34:00.000-04:00

Here's the story. I saw a post in Yahoo News. The scientists are saying that velociraptor had feathers. That didn't surprise me because an idea was mentioned in other articles. The acceptance of the idea has been gaining the ground but we still have a long way to go.

Having features don't necessarily mean that all dinosaurs evolved to birds. However, I do believe that a tiny fraction group of dinosaurs has successfully evolved to birds and have escaped the massive extinction 65 million years ago.

Why did they need feathers? We can say that they need feathers to guard nests, for temperature control, or to help it maneuver while running.

The velociratpor was about three feet tall and weighed about 30 pounds. According to the researchers, it would not have been able to fly, even though it had feathers.

I have always thought that it's really difficult to evolve from one species to another species.

NYT : Lost in a Million-Year Gap, Solid Clues to Human Origins

2007-09-18T22:48:00.000-04:00

Today, I was exuberant when the New York Times printed an article about human origins. The human evolution tree is still far from perfect. However, there are several good theories. Unfortunately, there are not enough fossils discovered and some may be waiting to be discovered.

When I read the publication last month about the new idea of Homo erectus and Homo habilis living together even though they became isolated from each other for many thousand years. I am really curious whether Homo erectus actually left Africa or stayed at another part of Africa before meeting their distant cousins.

Did Homo splitted off from australopithecus? In my own opinion, I would say yes. But, I can't be one hundred percent sure. Recently, I acquired a copy of book called Lucy. I plan on reading this to learn more about australopithecus.

As scientists and paleoanthropologists try to revamp the human evolution map, I can still ponder about some theories they have on the table. This is one of the most exciting fields.

An amazing parrot is at peace

2007-09-11T12:06:00.000-04:00

Alex, a 31-year old Africian gray brainy parrot, passed away last week at age 31. I was intrigued when I read an article in the New York Times about brain parrot's achievements that went beyond my expectation. Alex knew more than 100 words and could count and recognize colors and shapes. One last thing that amazed me was that he said to Dr Pepperberg on his final night before his death, "You'll be in tomorrow."

For further reading, click on the link below.

Brainy Parrot Dies, Emotive to the End

NYT : Warming Is Seen as Wiping Out Most Polar Bears

2007-09-08T08:25:00.000-04:00

There is an article in the New York Times about global warming is seen as wiping out most Polar Bears. This is very unfortunate. The esimate of current population is 22,000. I have read an article a couple months ago about Polar Bear as the most prized animals for hunters and they are not about to slow down.

At one point, the Polar Bears will have to adapt the new change and try to survive by looking for different kinds of food and atmosphere. I think that they are in gravely dangerous of becoming extinct someday if not much is done to protect them. Global warming is unstoppable but will the Polar Bears adapt to the new lifestyle?

For further reading, click on the link below.

Warming Is Seen as Wiping Out Most Polar Bears

NYT : When the Moon Was a Matter of Pride

2007-09-08T07:39:00.000-04:00

The New York Times' Science Section has an article about the documentary film called "In the Shadow of the Moon." In that film, you will find the history of the journey to the Moon. Unfortunately, Neil Armstrong wasn't included in the film. It's due to the fact that he is a very private man.

The amazing thing is that Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, & Mike Collins made an excursion that no human being has done. Even though Mike stayed in the orbit, this was a special event. They were not just representing the United Sates, they were representing the world. Of course, there were several other manned flights to the Moon after Apollo 11's achievement.

I have read the book called First Man, an authorized biography of Neil Armstrong and I enjoyed the book. I would probably enjoy the documentary film despite to Neil Armstrong's absence.

Distant space collision meant doom for dinosaurs

2007-09-05T21:43:00.000-04:00

I just read an article about the distant space collision meant doom for dinosaurs. I sat back and thought about it for a moment. I seem to like this notion that this kind of collision played the role. I'm keeping my mind open on other hypotheses and theories. It's worth reading.

On other note, I do believe that the asteroid has caused the catastrophe about 65 million years ago. The crash was powerful enough to put Earth in dark for a period of time. My biggest question is how did mammals survive? Did a fraction of plants survive without the sunlight ray? I have thought about the continuous activities of volcanoes that may have allowed the small group of plants at unaffected area to survive.

Zero-G Stresses Immune Organs

2007-09-04T12:17:00.000-04:00

I just read an article posted in Yahoo News. The researchers have discovered that Zero-G can stress immune organs. If true, it can be a significant concern, especially when sending humans to Mars. This research could be vital to the decsion making and this research should continue further. There are so many things that we don't fully understand about the space and we are aware of various risks.

Book : The World Without Us

2007-09-02T08:01:00.000-04:00

I just bumped into an article in The New York Times. There is a Book Review about a book called 'The World Without Us'. I find this review very interesting. I have thought about it numerous of time. The author's explanation seems very logical. I know that some of you would disagree with me on many areas but I'm going to post my own opinion as I see something plausible.

Life would eventually change after the mankind is nearly or completely wiped out. The destruction of civilization will certainly happen but nobody knows when and how it will happen.

What would happen to Manhattan after the catastrophe? For sure, it would look wholly different. Two days after the incident, the subway tunnels become flooded with water because nobody would be able to regulate the pump system. The skyscrapers would collapse because nobody would do any repair work. The river would occupy Manhattan.

This is not a pleasant thought. However, this book can be a valuable tool for us so that we can try to deal with issues such as the sudden global warming, nuclear crisis, and other areas.

If the mass extinction does happen, everything will start all over again. Our planet would recover with some things left behind by us. The species would become wild again. The carbon dioxide level would become normal again 100,000 years later. If a fraction of Homo sapiens survive, it would be challenging for them to rebuild the civilization but they would struggle for a long time. As the article said, life will go on with or without us. The species will keep evolving gradually based on survival, weather, and competition.

Protect my beloved Lucy!

2007-08-29T12:15:00.000-04:00

Lucy is set to be on the public display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Ethiopia has agreed to lend Lucy to the United States for 6 years so that Lucy can go on an 11-city tour.

Lucy is an australopithecus that lived 3.2 million years ago. She had longer arms than us. That species has become extinct after Homo species emerged.

I agree with some scientists that Lucy's remains are too fragile to go on a tour. It's so rare to have fossils like australopithecus and other early hominids that are closely related to us, chimpanzees, and other apes. They should be preserved at one location so that they can be analyzed by researchers coming from different backgrounds such as paleoanthropologist, evolutionary biologists, etc.

Lucy is one of my favorite species.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Texas museum to show Lucy fossil amid criticism

What are ancient bacteria capable of?

2007-08-28T05:29:00.000-04:00

I just read an article about ancient bacteria surviving nearly a million years in harsh, frozen conditions. The arguments have suggested that Mars could have some sort of life. Unlike us, they can stay alive in a very long run. If it can survive for a long time on our planet, there is a probability that it could survive on Mars. The bacteria survived by eating nutrients like nitrogen and phosphate that are found in the permafrost. Do the bacteria enjoy living in the environment that is much colder with more stable temperatures like Mars? For further reading, click on the link below.

Ancient bacteria could point to life on Mars: study

Salute to Ray Bradbury

2007-08-25T22:20:00.000-04:00

I have read one book written by Ray Bradbury many years ago. Also, I probably read a few short stories as well. I just read a fascinating article in The New York Times about Ray Bradbury's current lifestyle. As you may know, he was one of the most respected science fiction writer during his early time. I think I will add Fahrenheit 451 to my reading list. I am amazed that a stroke in 1999 didn't stop him from writing. Of course, he got a generous daughter who helped him to complete his projects. For further reading, click on the link below.

Vintage Bradbury, Packaged Anew

A marvelous photo of a fossil fish

2007-08-25T22:12:00.000-04:00

Above is an image of Priscacara, a fossil fish. It was well preserved. I really love this image so I decided to include it in my post. I got it from a website.

Life on Mars? I'm Doubtful for now.

2007-08-24T05:45:00.001-04:00

I doubt that there is any life on Mars, even microbes. Mars has a very thin atmosphere. I don't think that this can support life at any form. NASA's Phoenix lander will arrive Mars this coming May. If the robotic digger doesn't malfunction and lands safely then it will be able to do many fascinating things. It could analyze the soil and the bacteria. If it discovers any microbial life then it would become a huge headline. It will eventually change my opinion at one point. However, I know that it has failed to advance beyond its own level.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Claim of Martian Life Called 'Bogus'

Obituary : Ralph Alpher, 86, Expert in Work on the Big Bang, Dies

2007-08-21T05:47:00.000-04:00

Last night, I read an obituary article in the New York Times about a physicist who supported the Bang Bang theory for the origin of the universe. Ralph Alpher passed away last Sunday in Austin, Texas. He was 86. His early calculations and theoretical predictions were largely ignored until two radio astronomers accidentally detected the hiss of background radiation in 1964. Unfortunately, Mr. Alpher was never awarded a Nobel Prize for his work. For further reading, click on the link below.

Ralph Alpher, 86, Expert in Work on the Big Bang, Dies

Chasing Kangaroos

2007-08-19T08:28:00.000-04:00

Last night, I read the New York Times article about a zoologist studying kangaroos. All so sudden, I become fascinated. As you know, kangaroos can be found in Australia. It's one of the most extraordinary species. Some 70 species make up the kangaroo family, which includes wallabies and rat kangaroos. The way kangaroo family evolved from another species is mysterious. I assume that one species migrated to Australia before the continental broke off from another. After the species became isolated, it evolved to kangaroos based on the climate, geography, and survival.

No need to fear, rat kangaroos and giant kangaroos have become extinct a long time ago. I'd love to see some kangaroos one day.

I'll add this book to my future reading list.

For further reading, click on the link below.

A Zoologist With a Pouch of Stories

A comet-like giant red star

2007-08-17T07:55:00.000-04:00

I just read the New York Times article in the Science Section about a giant red star, Mira, zooming through the Milky Way galaxy 300 times faster than a speed bullet.

It's possible that hot gas in the core was heating gas blowing off the star, causing it to fluoresce with ultraviolet light. This could have caused the glowing material swirling around behind the star.

When our sun turns into the giant red star in about 4 to 5 billion years from now, what will it be like? Nobody knows and nobody will be able to forecast our sun's future. We wll be long gone by then.

Soon, I'll post an essay on a different topic. Stay tuned.

Hot Gas in Space Mimics Life

2007-08-15T07:09:00.000-04:00

I just read an article about the new computer simulations shwoing the dancing dust particles "alive". In general, they are yet considered as life. The life is defined as the ability to metabolize and reproduce. This definition may make sense to you.

I have copied a paragraph so you can read a summary about plasma.

'Plasma is the fourth state of matter along with solids, liquids and gases. While unfamiliar to most people, plasma is the most common phase of matter in the universe. It's everywhere: Stars are luminous balls of plasma, and diffuse plasma pervades the space between stars. Plasma forms when gas becomes so hot that electrons are stripped from atomic nuclei, leaving behind a soup of charged particles.'

We should be see some future articles published about plasma in the future. The scientists will eventually understand this field better and reshape some theories.

For further reading, click on the link below.

Hot Gas in Space Mimics Life

My biography

2007-08-13T21:51:00.000-04:00

Before I go any further, I'd like to tell you a bit about myself. My name is Andrew Kopec. I was born with Usher Syndrome. I was educated in New York School for the Deaf. I graduated from Gallaudet University in 1996. My interest in science has flourished in last few years. Sure, I have been interested in science for years. Lately, I have become very inquisitive in this subject.

Evolutionary biology is my favorite topic. I do believe in evolution. I understood a little about this field for a long time until I started to pick up books written by various authors. My knowledge has expanded like the expanding universe but I am not an expert yet. I'm literally delighted that I am picking up many interesting ideas that I have been missing.

There are other subjects that I enjoy such as astronomy, geology, history, politics, baseball, and traveling.

I will start to post various topic of sciene that I am interested. On some posts, I'll include my ideas and my essays. I will definitely write what I actually understand.

Why did I name my blog, "The Naked Galaxy"? I got the idea from one of my favorite science fiction book called "The Naked Sun" by Isaac Asimov.

Stay tuned!

Fossils challenge old evoluton theory

2007-08-10T05:46:00.000-04:00

A couple days ago, I read an article about a research team challenging old evolution theory. According to them, Homo habilis and Homo erectus lived at the time, side by side, in Kenya. They may not have mated each other. Homo habilis was likely more vegeterian while Homo erectus, ate some meat. If that's true, the family tree will be revamped.

I am fully aware that the human evolution map is still not accurate. We still have more fossils to study and some more fossils will eventually be discovered in the future.

Meanwhile, the theory will continue to flourish and become more accurate. Time will tell.

For further reading, click on the links below.

New York Times : Fossils in Kenya Challenge Linear Evolution

Yahoo News : Fossils challenge old evoluton theory