Showing papers in "Earth Moon and Planets in 2001"
TL;DR: Examples are given of rhythmic patterns of locomotor, reproductive and moulting behaviour which are of lunar and semilunar periodicities, indicative of internal biological clock control induced by intense adaptive selection pressure for marine invertebrate animals.
Abstract: For marine invertebrate animals, in particular, examples are given of rhythmic patterns of locomotor, reproductive and moulting behaviour which are of lunar and semilunar periodicities Some of these 295 and 148 day rhythms are shown to persist in constant conditions in the laboratory, indicative of internal biological clock control induced by intense adaptive selection pressure In some cases phasing of the rhythms is directly by moonlight but, in other cases phasing is indirect, associated with lunar monthly variations in the amplitude of ocean tides, that is the neap/spring cycle
81 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that an interaction between solar and lunar signals is widespread in the timing of reproduction in marine animals and evolution of biological rhythmicity that can be entrained to either lunar or solar systems arose in the marine domain.
Abstract: The evidence that the moon has a profound effect on the timing of reproductive activities of marine animals is compelling. Some moon phase related spawning events are revealed by the constant phase relationship between the timing of “once per year” spawning events and the lunar phase as in the highly synchronised breeding of the palolo worm Palola viridis, and the Japanese crinoid Comanthus japonicus. In other cases there is a repeated lunar cycle of reproductive activity and again the marine worms provide many good examples. The breeding of the palolo worm involves the highly synchronised release of what are in effect detached sexual satellites and the timing of this has annual (solar year), lunar, daily and tidal rhythm components. In a similar way, the onset of sexual maturation and participation in the nuptial dance of Platynereis dumerilli has strong lunar components. Sexual reproduction is the culmination of a process of sexual maturation that takes many months for completion and the mechanisms by which moon phase relationships are imposed on this process must have been selected for by mechanisms relating to reproductive success. The polychaetes provide excellent models for investigation of both the selective advantage and the physiological processes involved in reproductive synchrony. We have recently shown that the spawning of the lugworm Arenicola marina has lunar components and we conclude that an interaction between solar and lunar signals is widespread in the timing of reproduction in marine animals. Carl Hauenschild was the first to demonstrate the existence of a free-running circa-lunar rhythm in marine animals using captive populations of Platynereis dumerilli. His experiments also provided clear evidence for the influence of moonlight (light at night) as the zeitgeber for this rhythm. This implies a high level of sensitivity to light, and the operation of appropriate endogenous biological rhythms. Using Nereis virens we have demonstrated a high level of sensitivity to low intensity solar light signals in relation to rhythmic processes with the properties similar to the circadian and photoperiodic mechanisms of terrestrial organisms. The spawning of N. virens is also believed to have lunar components reflecting the complex influences of the sun and the moon in the marine domain, where influences of the moon and sun are more equal. We suggest that evolution of biological rhythmicity that can be entrained to either lunar or solar systems arose in the marine domain. Recent advances in understanding the molecular components of the circadian clock system suggest that a search for a common molecular mechanism for both lunar and solar related biological rhythms in marine organisms might be very fruitful.
47 citations
TL;DR: Munro Fox's "Selene or Sex and the Moon" as mentioned in this paper was published in the early 1920s to the chagrin of the voyeur and the irritation of biologists deprived of a most readable account of the life cycles of shellfish.
Abstract: In 1928, Hector Munro Fox, then professor of Zoology at the University of Birmingham, UK, published a small volume entitled “Selene or Sex and the Moon” The title ensured the book a place on the bookshelves of the “obscene books” sections in the libraries of Post-Victorian England, to the chagrin of the voyeur and the irritation of biologists deprived of a most readable account of the life cycles of shellfish. The book is also concerned with how the application of science to fable and folklore has increased our understanding of the Moon’s influence on life on Earth, and has been the starting point for much of what follows. Deified by the ancients, belief in lunar supernatural powers pre-dates History, and the origins of these beliefs must therefore be speculative. A case can undoubtedly be made for the spiritual inspiration of the Moon (Huxley, 1950), but the phase transitions of the monthly cycle also invite association with earthly changes in the sentient mind. The early Greeks and Romans for example considered sheep’s wool and human hair to grow more rapidly when the Moon was in the ascendant. The belief that the early growth rate of children and cattle was determined by the state of the Moon at birth seems to have been wide-spread (Munro Fox, 1928).
28 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that time-factored notations played an important role in the archaic cultures of Palaeolithic epochs (from 33,000 to 10,000 BP).
Abstract: Decades of research work done by several scientists all over the world since the beginning of the 20th century confirmed the idea, that Palaeolithic man looked up to the starry sky and recognized prominent patterns of stars as well as the course of the celestial bodies Though sometimes highly speculative, the investigations made clear, that time-factored notations played an important role in the archaic cultures of Palaeolithic epochs (from 33,000 to 10,000 BP)*
19 citations
TL;DR: The origin of the Moon craters has been discussed for centuries, since they were discovered by Galilei in 1609 as discussed by the authors and the majority of researchers were of the opinion that they are volcanic structures, but a variety of exotic explanations that included tidal forces, circular glaciers, and coral atolls was also considered.
Abstract: The origin of lunar craters has been discussed for centuries, since they were discovered by Galilei in 1609. The majority of researchers were of the opinion that they are volcanic structures, but a variety of “exotic” explanations that included tidal forces, circular glaciers, and coral atolls was also considered. The meteorite impact hypothesis had been discussed a few times, starting with Hooke in 1665, and formulated in more detail by Proctor in 1873 and Gilbert in 1893. However, this theory only gained momentum early in the 20th century, after the identification of Meteor Crater in Arizona as an impact structure, and after specific and plausible physical models for impact craters formation were devised by Opik in 1916, Ives in 1919, and Gifford in 1924. Nevertheless, despite growing evidence for the interpretation that most craters formed by impact, proponents of the volcanic theory impact were still vociferous as late as 1965, just four years before the first samples were brought back from the moon. Important lessons could have been learned for the study of impact craters on the Earth, especially in view of evidence that large impact events had some influence on the geologic and biologic evolution of the Earth.
18 citations
TL;DR: SMART-1 will be Europe's first lunar mission and represents an important step forwards in developing an international program of lunar exploration as discussed by the authors, which will be ready for launch in late 2002 and is designed to test new technologies for use on future ESA cornerstone missions.
Abstract: SMART-1 will be Europe’s first lunar mission and represents an important step forwards in developing an international program of lunar exploration The spacecraft will be ready for launch in late 2002 and is designed to test new technologies for use on future ESA cornerstone missions In this respect, SMART-1 will also play a vital role in developing cutting edge technologies that could be a major part of the future of lunar and planetary science SMART-1 will carry three remote sensing instruments that will be used during the mission’s nominal six months in lunar orbit These instruments will return data that will be relevant to a broad range of lunar studies, from bulk crustal composition and theories of lunar origin/evolution to the search for cold traps at the lunar poles and the mapping of potential lunar resources With a perilune near the lunar south pole, the South Pole-Aitken Basin (SPA) is a prime target for studies using the SMART-1 suite of instruments
18 citations
TL;DR: A number of authors have suggested a possible connection between the two, e.g., through lunar stabilisation of the Earth's obliquity, or through the effects of the oceanic tides as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Earth is unusual in bearing life, and in having a large Moon. A number of authors have suggested a possible connection between the two, e.g., through lunar stabilisation of the Earth’s obliquity, or through the effects of the oceanic tides. The various suggestions are reviewed.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that the anomalistic period of the Moon (i.e., 27.5 days) coincides substantially with that of the sunspots found on the 17-18th parallel of the heliocentric latitude.
Abstract: Popular beliefs on the effects of the Moon on the weather probably go back to when ancient civilisations followed a lunar calendar, and the Moon went from being a purely temporal reference to becoming a causal reference. The incoming heat flow on the Earth may vary slightly after solar activity. to and generate considerable effects. The light reflected from the Moon has also been hypothesised as a cause, but the associated energy is too small. The anomalistic period of the Moon (i.e., 27.5 days) coincides substantially with that of the sunspots found on the 17–18th parallel of the heliocentric latitude. Climatic modulation which lasts for around 27.5 days should be related to solar activity, which supplies energy with an amount of two orders of magnitude greater than the lunar-reflected energy. Another mechanism responsible for climatic variations is the redistribution of heat on the Earth. The Moon with the tides induces movement of the water masses of the oceans and with this there is a transport of heat. Semi diurnal lunar tides have been identified, although with modest impact, in the atmospheric pressure, the wind field and the precipitation. On a monthly time scale, variation of daily precipitation data shows that gravitational tides do indeed affect heavy rainfalls more than mean precipitation values. On the longer time scale, several authors have identified the 18.6-yr nutation cycle, which is clearly visible in several data analyses, but often it cannot be easily distinguished from the 19.9 Saturn-Jupiter cycle and the quasi-regular 22-yr double sunspot cycle which at times may be dominant. In the time scale of centuries, covering a number of periods with minimum solar activity, an analysis of meteorological data has demonstrated that only the Sporer Minimum (A.D. 1416–1534) was characterised by climatic anomalies., whereas the other periods had no singularities, or else the weak climate forcing was covered or masked by other factors, leaving the question still open. In practice, lunar and solar influences can be found and have been demonstrated with more or less the same level of confidence. Both have the same order of magnitude, and are generally weak, interacting, and being often masked by local effects.
14 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a map showing artificial moonlight levels in North America and some statistical results are presented. But the map is limited to the United States and does not cover all of North America.
Abstract: Light pollution, the alteration of the natural light levels in the night environment produced by man-made light, is one of the most rapidly increasing threats to the natural environment. The fast growth of the night sky brightness due to light pollution not only is damaging the perception of the starry sky but it is silently altering even the perception of the moonlight nights by mankind. The cyclic alternation between the new Moon's dark sky with thousand of stars and the moonlight sky, less dark but always full of stars among which our satellite moves, is rapidly changing toward a perennial artificial moonlight due to the man-made light wasted in the atmosphere. The Moon periodically will appear inside the same perennially luminous sky from which stars will have almost disappeared. Here we present a map showing “artificial moonlight” levels in North America and some statistical results.
13 citations
TL;DR: For more than 2000 years, certain forestry practices and rules regarding tree felling have been carried out in observance to Moon cycles as mentioned in this paper, and a general review of the different types of rules followed (known in Europe and on other continents and stemming from both written sources and current practitioners) shows that special timber uses are mentioned in relation to a specific felling date which supposedly ensures advantageous wood properties.
Abstract: For more than 2000 years, certain forestry practices and rules regarding tree felling have been carried out in observance to Moon cycles. A general review of the different types of rules followed (known in Europe and on other continents and stemming from both written sources and current practitioners) shows that special timber uses are mentioned in relation to a specific felling date which supposedly ensures advantageous wood properties.
12 citations
TL;DR: The possible existence of a lunar atmosphere has both fascinated and challenged astronomers for hundreds of years as mentioned in this paper, and Kepler imagined an Earth-like climate, while the Moon's gaseous environment appeared as comet-like.
Abstract: The possible existence of a lunar atmosphere has both fascinated and challenged astronomers for hundreds of years. Galileo searched for evidence of clouds, and Kepler imagined an Earth-like climate. Landings during the Apollo era brought instruments that measured a weak atmospheric pressure. Decades later, new spectrographic and imaging instruments detected sodium and potassium gas that extended to surprisingly large distances, making the Moon’s gaseous environment appear as comet-like. The sources of the lunar atmosphere involve the impact of sunlight, solar wind plasma and meteors upon the surface to release atoms and perhaps molecules. Solar radiation and the gravitational influence of the Earth play dramatic roles in the subsequent evolution of the lunar atmosphere.
TL;DR: In the latter part of the last century, a profound change took place in our perception of the Earth as mentioned in this paper, and this change was holistic: plate tectonic theory provided a unifying theme that seems to explain disparate observations about the Earth and how it works, and lets us see the Earth as a planet.
Abstract: During the latter part of the last century, a profound change took place in our perception of the Earth. First, this change was holistic: Plate tectonic theory provided a unifying theme that seems to explain disparate observations about the Earth and how it works, and lets us see the Earth as a planet. Secondly, actually seeing the Earth from the Moon, and exploring the other planets provided additional perspectives on our own home planet and hastened the decline of scientific terracentrism. Thirdly, learning that the uniqueness of the Moon in terms of size and aspects of its chemistry may be due to its derivation from the Earth as the result of a giant impact, provided a concrete filial link. Finally, the geological record revealed by exploration of the Moon and planets has provided us with the missing chapters in the dynamic history of the Earth. We now know that gargantuan impact basins formed in Earth’s formative years and that impact events are likely to be the cause of many punctuations in Earth’s biological evolution. Perspectives on ancient tectonic activity are provided by Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the Moon, and show that the Earth has changed considerably since its youth. Widely varying volcanic eruption styles are seen on the planets, providing insight into how puzzling rocks from early Earth history formed. The composition of planetary atmospheres has revealed the unusual nature of Earth’s, and its link to the evolution of life. The atmospheres of the planets have undergone radical changes with time, providing clues to Earth’s history and destiny. Fundamentally different hydrological cycles on Earth, Venus, Europa and Mars, and evidence for significant changes with time, have provided insight into Earth’s history. The probable presence of oceans on Europa and Mars has changed our thinking about the origin and evolution of life on Earth. We no longer think of the Earth in isolation. Instead, Earth is now perceived of as a member of a family of planets, each of which provides important missing information and perspective on the other, and together reveal the fabric of the history of the Solar System. Future exploration and perspectives will place our Solar System in the context of all of the others.
TL;DR: As in all Eukaryonts the occurrence of the cell nucleus constitutes specifically endogenous rhythms in plants as well as in the animal kingdom.
Abstract: Concerning lunar periodicity in biology, we summarized all what has been observationally and experimentally found and published in scientific literature till 1996 We summoned up as many as about 600 living species (mostly animals) with identified lunar periodicities, functioning in a more or less endogenous manner Here we give a short review about the occurrence in the plant kingdom In Thallophytes 45 species have been described as well as 40 species of Angiosperms In Prokaryonts no lunar rhythms could be found Their individual life cycles do not reach the time span of at least comparable parts of a lunar day Thus as in all Eukaryonts the occurrence of the cell nucleus constitutes specifically endogenous rhythms in plants as well as in the animal kingdom
TL;DR: The last total solar eclipse on August 11, 1999, was observed on an area covered by many geomagnetic observatories and this point offers a unique opportunity to look for respective responses in the geOMagnetic field.
Abstract: The last total solar eclipse on August 11, 1999, was observed on an area covered by many geomagnetic observatories and this point offers a unique opportunity to look for respective responses in the geomagnetic field. Minute values of all three field component (X, Y, Z) have been taken from four observatories in the total eclipse strip, seven observatories situated to the north from this strip and two situated to the south. Additional data from three observatories situated far from the eclipse zone were used for comparison. The overall geomagnetic activity was low during 10–12 August. Regular daily variation was clear in these days, but during the eclipse a small deviation was observed. The time position of this deviation depends on the time of the eclipse. The clearest effect appeared in the Y component. The field intensity increased by about 10 nT, this increase started one hour before the middle of the eclipse and lasted one hour or a little more. The same deviation as in the totality strip appeared also on stations where only partial solar eclipse was observed with not less than 80% coverage but not on stations situated to the south. No such deviation was observed on stations situated far from the total eclipse zone. The pulsation activity was measured on four stations inside or near the total eclipse strip and on one station near the conjugate point. The pulsation amplitudes exhibit a slight minimum during the time of the eclipse. No similar minimum was observed in other times or on other days. In the original records is this minimum very weak. More clear decrease appears when a filter procedure has been applied on the record. The strongest decrease falls into the band of 15–20 s, a little less into the 20–25 s band. Similar decrease is observed also in the 8–10 s band (perhaps higher harmonics). This decrease of amplitudes was found also on records from the station located near the conjugate point where no eclipse occurred.
TL;DR: In the last 25 years thousands of new meteorites were recovered in the “cold deserts” of Antarctica and in the hot deserts of Australia, New Mexico, North Africa, and Oman as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In the last 25 years thousands of new meteorites were recovered in the “cold deserts” of Antarctica and in the hot deserts of Australia, New Mexico, North Africa, and Oman. Based on the findings of many spectacular samples new meteorite classes could be defined. Considering the undifferentiated chondrites, the new class of the Rumuruti (R-) chondrites was established and the carbonaceous chondrites gained three more subgroups (CR-, CH-, and CK-chondrites). Also, among the achondrites new meteorite classes were defined in recent years (angrites, brachinites, and the primitive achondrite classes of acapulcoites, winonaites, and lodranites). Certainly, the most spectacular discovery among the cold and hot desert meteorites was the recognition of the Lunar meteorites. In addition, the number of Martian meteorites has been significantly increased based on successful meteorite search.
TL;DR: The results from the 1994 Clementine and 1998-99 Lunar Prospector orbital missions are forcing a reevaluation of existing models of the origin and evolution of the Moon and validate earlier models of lunar hemispherical asymmetry as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Results from the 1994 Clementine and 1998–99 Lunar Prospector orbital missions are forcing a reevaluation of existing models of the origin and evolution of the Moon. Data on global topography and gravity from Clementine gravity and LIDAR experiments indicate a 16 km elevation range on the farside of the Moon and a wide range in computed crustal thickness. The data confirm the presence of mascons under mare-filled basins and validate earlier models of lunar hemispherical asymmetry. High resolution global maps of FeO and TiO2 derived from the Clementine UV-VIS data and Th maps from the Prospector gamma-ray data indicate that the lunar crust and the uppermost lunar mantle are laterally and vertically inhomogeneous on a global scale. An area of enhanced Th (and other incompatible element) abundances, known as the Procellarum KREEP Terrane (PKT), makes up approximately 16% of the nearside lunar surface. Although the highest Th abundances appear to be in upper crustal impact deposits, the close association of mare basalts with the PKT indicates that anomalously high Th, U, and K concentrations extend to mantle depths. Anorthosites are very rare within the PKT and the pre-mare crust in this region is composed of breccias and pristine rocks of the magnesian-suite and alkali-suite. The upper crust outside the PKT is anorthositic (∼4% FeO and <1 ppm Th) and appears to be only slightly modified from the crust produced in the early magmasphere differentiation. A glimpse into the lower crust is provided in the South Pole-Aitken (SP-A) basin where the upper crust has been removed by a giant impact. The lower crust in SP-A is noritic in composition (FeO from 8–12%, Th from 2–4 ppm) and this material may represent impact-melted crustal cumulates that originally crystallized from the magma ocean. It is suggested that the enrichment in Th, and all other incompatible elements, occurred early in lunar history as a consequence of the migration of late-stage residual melts along a pressure gradient induced by impact removal or thinning of the anorthositic crust.
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of impacts as a source of gas in the Moon's atmosphere was investigated using a series of observations of the lunar limb made during interaction with the Leonids (1995 and 1997), Quadrantids (1998), and Geminids (1999).
Abstract: To investigate the role of impacts as a source of gas in the Moon’s atmosphere, we review a series of observations of the lunar limb made during interaction with the Leonids (1995 and 1997), Quadrantids (1999) and Geminids (1999). Using Chamberlain’s model for the exosphere, with an appropriately adjusted partition function, we calculated the scale height (and thus the kinematic temperature) and the emission of the Na atmosphere, and compared the results with observations published in the literature. We found evidence of small enhancements of temperature and emission of Na during the 1995 and 1997 Leonids, while no enhancements were detected during the 1999 Quadrantids and Geminids. Possible explanations of the different behaviour are presented.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The International Space Station (ISS) will serve as a permanently manned dedicated life and physical sciences platform for the further investigation of these phenomena as discussed by the authors, and the European Space Agency's Columbus module will hold the bulk of the ISS life science capability and, in combination with NASA's Human Research Facility (HRF) will accommodate the rack mounted experimental apparatus.
Abstract: The impact of the space environment upon living organisms is profound. Its effects range from alterations in sub-cellular processes to changes in the structure and function of whole organ systems. As the number of astronaut and cosmonaut crews flown in space has grown, so to has our understanding of the effects of the space environment upon biological systems. There are many parallels between the physiology of space flight and terrestrial disease processes, and the response of astronaut crews themselves to long-duration space deployment is therefore of central interest.In the next 15 years the International Space Station (ISS) will serve as a permanently manned dedicated life and physical sciences platform for the further investigation of these phenomena. The European Space Agency's Columbus module will hold the bulk of the ISS life science capability and, in combination with NASA's Human Research Facility (HRF) will accommodate the rack mounted experimental apparatus. The programme of experimentation will include efforts in fundamental biology, human physiology, behavioural science and space biomedical research.In the four decades since Yuri Gagarin first orbited the Earth, space life science has emerged as a field of study in its own right. The ISS takes us into the next era of human space exploration, and it is hoped that its programme of research will yield new insights, novel therapeutic interventions, and improved biotechnology for terrestrial application.
TL;DR: In this paper, rare early depictions of the Moon by artists who actually observed Earth's nearest neighbor rather than relying on stylized formulas are discussed, revealing that revolutionary advances in both pre-telescopic astronomy and naturalistic painting could go hand-in-hand.
Abstract: We discuss rare early depictions of the Moon by artists who actually observed Earth’s nearest neighbor rather than relying on stylized formulas. The earliest, from the 14th and 15th centuries, reveal that revolutionary advances in both pre-telescopic astronomy and naturalistic painting could go hand-in-hand. This link suggests that when painters observed the world, their definition of world could also include the heavens and the Moon. Many of the artists we discuss — e.g., Pietro Lorenzetti, Giotto, and Jan Van Eyck — actually studied the Moon, incorporating their studies into several works. We also consider the star map on the dome over the altar in the Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo, Florence (c. 1442), whose likely advisor was Toscanelli. In addition, we examine representations by artists who painted for Popes Julius II and Leo X — Raphael and Sebastiano del Piombo, both of whom were influenced by individuals at the papal court, such as the astronomer, painter, and cartographer Johann (Giovanni) Ruysch and Leonardo da Vinci. We also discuss Leonardo’s pretelescopic notes and lunar drawings as they impacted on art and science in Florence, where Galileo would study perspective and chiaroscuro. Galileo’s representations of the Moon (engraved in his Sidereus Nuncius, 1610) are noted, together with those by Harriot and Galileo’s friend, the painter Cigoli. During the 17th century, the Moon’s features were telescopically mapped by astronomers with repercussions in art, e.g., paintings by Donati Creti and Raimondo Manzini as well as Adam Elsheimer. Ending with a consideration of the 19th-century artists/astronomers John Russell and John Brett and early lunar photography, we demonstrate that artistic and scientific visual acuity belonged to the burgeoning empiricism of the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries that eventually yielded modern observational astronomy.
TL;DR: Samples from Earth and Moon plot exactly on the same oxygen isotope fractionation line as mentioned in this paper and the abundance of the now extinct manganese-53 was identical for Earth and moon but varied for other objects with the distance from the Sun.
Abstract: Samples from Earth and Moon plot exactly on the same oxygen isotope fractionation line. The abundance of the now extinct manganese-53 was identical for Earth and Moon but varied for other objects with the distance from the Sun. The composition of the Earth’s mantle is the result of the complex accretion history of the Earth. Very special features of the Earth’s mantle are the depletion of V, Cr, and Mn and the high abundances of Ni and Co. Similarly V and Cr and Mn are low on the Moon and Ni and Co are high. The depletion of the moderately siderophile element W in the silicate phase of the Moon requires equilibration with metallic iron in an amount exceeding what is permissible for the Moon.
TL;DR: The fourth International Conference on the Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon (ICEUM4) at ESTEC in July 2000 was organised by the International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG) and ESA as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The Fourth International Conference on the Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon (ICEUM4) at ESTEC in July 2000 was organised by the International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG) and ESA. The conference had a broad content including future missions such as ESA’s SMART-1 mission and the Japanese Lunar-A and SELENE projects, technology support for these missions, the recent advances in science of the Moon, human development of the Moon, and public outreach. The proceedings of the conference have been published as ESA Publication ESA SP-462 and an official declaration from the conference has been constructed from recommendations made by task groups set up at the conference. The declaration will be used as a focus for the efforts of the Lunar Explorers Society (LUNEX), which was founded during the meeting. Progress will be reported at ICEUM5, to be held as part of the World Space Congress in Houston in October 2002.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss whether human exploration needs a place in a realistic, useful and inspirational space program, given the fact that hundreds of Mars missions could be flown for the still-escalating cost of the International Space Station, the unsuitability of human bodies for deep space exploration, and the advances in 3-D and virtual reality techniques.
Abstract: Human space flight represents a heady mix of bravery and drama which can be inspirational to nations and to humankind but at huge economic cost. Due to the current high launch costs only a handful of people have ventured beyond low Earth orbit and walked on the Moon, propelled by aspirations related more to the Cold War than to science. Problems with reusable launch vehicle development mean that severe launch cost limitations will exist for some time. Meanwhile, cheaper robotic probes have visited all the planets except Pluto, flown by comets, landed on Mars, Venus and an asteroid, have probed Jupiter's atmosphere and studied the Universe beyond our own solar system with telescopes. Using these data we are determining mankind's place in the Universe. Public interest in the historic Eros landing eclipsed a simultaneous space walk at the fledgling International Space Station and the Mars Pathfinder landing generated hundreds of millions of website hits in a few days. Given the fact that hundreds of Mars missions could be flown for the still-escalating cost of the International Space Station, the unsuitability of human bodies for deep space exploration, and the advances in 3-d and virtual reality techniques, we discuss whether human exploration needs a place in a realistic, useful and inspirational space programme.
TL;DR: The infrared spectrometer, SIR, is a compact and low mass (2 kg)instrument designed to measure reflectance spectra of the lunar surface on theESA SMART-1 spacecraft in line scanning mode.
Abstract: The infrared spectrometer, SIR, is a compact and low mass (2 kg)instrument designed to measure reflectance spectra of the lunar surface on theESA SMART-1 spacecraft in line scanning mode. SIR offers the possibility toidentify the mineralogical composition of the lunar surface to a new level ofaccuracy and resolution based on its superior sensitivity in the wavelength range between 900 and 2400 nm. This capability is of particular importance for the study of features like maria, craters, and fracture ridges that will provide deeper insights in crust and mantel material and therefore in the development of the Moon and the Earth–Moon system. Reflectance spectra, obtained over a large range of viewing geometries, will be useful to study their phase angle dependence and effects of space weathering.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compare the processes of production, transport, deposition, lithification, and preservation of sediments of the Moon and Earth and find that the differences arise primarily from the dissimilarity in the origins and sizes of the moon and Earth.
Abstract: Processes of production, transport, deposition, lithification, and preservation of sediments of the Moon and Earth are extremely different. The differences arise primarily from the dissimilarity in the origins and sizes of the Moon and Earth. The consequence is that the Moon does not have an atmosphere, a hydrosphere (the Moon is totally dry), a biosphere (the Moon is totally life-less), a magnetosphere, and any tectonic force. Pristine rocks on the exposed surface of the Moon are principally anorthositic and basaltic, but those on the Earth are granitic (discounting suboceanic rocks). Sediments on these two bodies probably represent two end-members on rocky planetary bodies. Sediments on other rocky planetary bodies (atmosphere-free Mercury and asteroids, Venus with a thick atmosphere but possibly no water on its surface, and Mars with a currently dry surface sculptured by running water in the past) are intermediate in character. New evidence suggests that characteristics of Martian sediments may be in-between those of the Moon and Earth. For example, impacts generate most Martian sediments as on the Moon, and, Martian sediments are wind-blown to form dunes as on Earth. A comparative understanding of sediments of the Moon and Earth helps us anticipate and interpret the sedimentary record of other planetary bodies.
TL;DR: The belief in the action of the macrocosmus on the microcosmus, i.e., on man, goes back to the dawn of human thinking as mentioned in this paper and has been considered to act on behaviour and on physiological functions.
Abstract: Belief in the action of the macrocosmus, ie, celestial bodies, on the microcosmus, ie, on man, goes back to the dawn of human thinking More specifically, lunar phases have been considered to act on behaviour and on physiological functions
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TL;DR: The European Space Agency, ESA, is currently studying 3 high-energy astronomy missions that use the International Space Station (ISS). These are Lobster-ISS, an all-sky imaging X-ray monitor, the Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO) which will study the highest energy cosmic rays by using the Earth's atmosphere as a giant detector and XEUS.
Abstract: The European Space Agency, ESA, is currently studying 3 high-energy astronomy missions that use the International Space Station (ISS). These are Lobster-ISS, an all-sky imaging X-ray monitor, the Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO) which will study the highest energy cosmic rays by using the Earth's atmosphere as a giant detector and XEUS — the X-ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy Mission, a potential successor to ESA's XMM-Newton X-ray observatory. These first 2 missions will he attached to the external platforms on the Columbus module, while XEUS will visit the ISS to attach additional X-ray mirrors to enlarge the original 4.5 m diameter mirrors to the 10 m diameter required to observed redshifted iron lines from massive black holes in the early Universe.
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TL;DR: In this article, a teacher and a classroom are used to teach astronomy, and dealing with both these actors generally can present several problems, such as the teacher and the classroom this article.
Abstract: Teaching Astronomy requires two “actors”: The teacher and a classroom. Dealing with both these actors generally can present several problems.
TL;DR: The authors discuss the grade of realism with which the lunar surface has been depicted in a number of movies, beginning with George Melies' 1902 classic Le Voyage dans la lune and ending, just before the first manned landing on the moon, with Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Abstract: Classical science fiction films have been depicting space voyages, aliens, trips to the moon, the sun, Mars, and other planets, known and unknown. While it is difficult to critique the depiction of fantastic places, or planets about which little was known at the time, the situation is different for the moon, about which a lot of facts were known from astronomical observations even at the turn of the century. Here we discuss the grade of realism with which the lunar surface has been depicted in a number of movies, beginning with George Melies' 1902 classic Le Voyage dans la lune and ending, just before the first manned landing on the moon, with Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Many of the movies present thoughtful details regarding the actual space travel (rockets), but none of the movies discussed here is entirely realistic in its portrayal of the lunar surface. The blunders range from obvious mistakes, such as the presence of a breathable atmosphere, or spiders and other lunar creatures, to the persistent vertical exaggeration of the height and roughness of lunar mountains. This is surprising, as the lunar topography was already well understood even early in the 20th century.
TL;DR: A list of the methods used to solve, using the Moon, two kinds of problems, the quest of the longitude and the long-term studies of the Earth's rotation is given in this article.
Abstract: Since at least four Millennia the conspicuous and predictable Moon movements offered means in reckoning a number of parameters for Timing, Positioning, Cartography, Navigation, Earth rotation, etc, The aim of this paper is to present a list of the methods used to solve, using the Moon, two kinds of problems, the quest of the longitude and the long-term studies of the Earth’s rotation