The Mars Underground

Posted on May 8, 2013 by JacquelineQ

Mars is fascinating. Not only our next door neighbor in the solar system, but also the most Earth-like planet within reach. It has a 24-hour day, all of the chemical building blocks needed to sustain life and easily our best bet when it come to building human colonies outside of out tiny planet. Plans to get humans to mars have waxed and waned in popularity since the Apollo era and have had a recent resurgence with the success of Curiosity. This documentary records the history of United States’ different rhetoric and plans throughout the last few decades to try and finally get humans to the red planet. Dr. Robert Zubrin is at the center of this documentary as he describes his Mars Direct plan; a plan that could conceivably get humans to Mars with existing technology (actually, with technology already existing in the early 1990’s) and without breaking the US economy.

I’m a big fan of this documentary. Granted, any mention of pushing human exploration beyond our tiny moon can make me nerd out pretty hard. All the same, this documentary will be of great interest to those currently less excited about such ideas. In addition to interviewing both proponents and opponents for sending humans to Mars, many of the arguments given by people who are skeptical that we could or should continue this endeavor are answered by Dr. Zubrin in a passionate and eloquent way. I really appreciate that rather than simply stating what some counter arguments are, this film actively addresses such issues. Throughout this documentary, Dr. Zubrin makes the case for Mars enthusiasts and for future generations who will be left impoverished for the chances and explorations we do not take today.

Image Credit: NASA/Pat Rawlings, SAIC

Life in the Universe by Jeffrey Bennet

Posted on May 3, 2013 by JacquelineQ

This textbook presents the emerging science of astrobiology in an interesting and mathematically non-stressful manner. Geared towards the non-science major, this book is very accessible to readers of all academic backgrounds. The first chapters cover the basics necessary for understanding the physics, geology and biology necessary for future chapters. After going through the struggles of trying to define life, the later chapters explain current sites of interest in the search for life in our own solar system and eventually, in other star systems.

I have a real fascination with astrobiology and have read quite a bit on the subject in popular science books. Despite having a science background I thought this basic textbook would be a good way of bridging into some more serious reading. This is why I found myself skipping a couple of the first chapters, particularly the ones that sought to explain the biological principles that play a part in this interdisciplinary science. While I’m familiar with the basics of some of the physics and geology involved, I did find the basic chapters for these very helpful for review as I’m not nearly as well versed in these subjects. So, despite my neglect, I do imagine the chapters I skipped to be as well written as the chapters covering other topics.

The later chapters extend the discussion to which areas in our solar system and beyond are the most likely to harbor life; why these are the most likely, and the research that came to this conclusion, are all explained in light of the completely Earth-like science we had learned previously. Attention is also given to the physics behind various spacecraft, what physical realities we would need to confront to leave our star system, and some basic ideas of how we might go about engineering such crafts.

I honestly enjoyed reading this, and that is not something I can say about many textbooks. The subject is fascinating, the writing is great and the lack of math leaves it an easy read, with mathematical asides of key equations for those interested in taking their understanding to another level. If you’re looking for an intro text on astrobiology, this is it!

5 Essential YouTube Channels for Space Nerds

Posted on May 1, 2013 by JacquelineQ

1. Spacevidcast – This is a live-recorded news/discussion show run by hosts who work in the private space industry (specifically, SpaceX). Filmed a few times a month, viewers can tune in and participate in discussions via the chat room as the show is being recorded. Shows typically revolve around the latest in space news, with recent launch videos shown at the beginning of every episode. The hosts are well-informed, likeable, and always have well-thought-out responses to the interesting subject manner. Even if you can’t tune-in live, many of their videos deal with “Big Picture” questions and can be interesting even long after they have been filmed.

2. VideoFromSpace – This channel is a one-stop shop for videos released by several different space agencies (government run and private). These include demonstrations and interviews from astronauts at the ISS (including the gem below that went viral) and videos of astronomical phenomenon. This channel has a diverse and interesting collection that saves our attention spans from having to visits multiple sites. Plus, it’s the best place to go to see astronauts doing weird things in space. What’s not to like?

3. ScienceatNasa – ScienceatNasa is the YouTube channel of The Science Mission Directorate which “engages the Nations science community, sponsors scientific research, and develops and deploys satellites and probes in collaboration with NASAs partners around the world to answer fundamental questions requiring the view from and into space.” Their SpaceCast videos are typically short (under five minutes) insights into research currently being done by various spacecrafts and probes. The treat is the slightly lesson-like format of each video which allows viewers previously unfamiliar with many topics to jump right in and enjoy their playlists.

4. Spacerip – I simply love Spacerip. Seriously. Tons of videos with amazing visuals from a variety of sources. On this channel you can learn the history of different space missions, learn what was found on our different voyages and how significant these finding are to our understanding of the universe. You can watch stars explode, explore nebulae, and get a close up to the many worlds and moons in our solar system.

5. Deep Astronomy – The videos here range from live skype discussions that you can tune-in to (such as Hubble Hangout and Space Fan Hangout), to shorter explanatory clips of astronomical topics. It seems to honestly have a little bit of everything; in-depth discussion by people in the field as well as the visually arresting educational videos that help popularize the subject. So, whether you want to simply dip your toes into the huge ocean of information on space or dive right in with some active participation, you’ll be welcome here.

The Chemistry of Almost Everything

Posted on April 29, 2013 by JacquelineQ

This collection of videos really surprised me. Honestly, I expected it to a bit dull and only picked it because I wanted to give a video I had passed over several times a fair viewing, but it ended up as a bit of a treat. Produced by the Open University and narrated by Professor Steven Ley of Cambridge University, this playlist includes videos on an array of chemistry related topics, interspersed with short asides on specific periodic table elements of note and short lists of different chemicals that are significant in some way. I get the feeling that this whole thing was created by a large number of Carl Sagan fans with more than a bit of an appreciation for Monty Python. All in all, it’s an educational good time.

The topics covered include the chemical secrets behind one of India’s most popular medicinal plants, the history and chemistry of the pigments in paints, as well as some rather poignant discussions on the core similarities between art and science; two things so often insisted to be opposite to the extreme. I think the latter were my some of my favorite moments in the series, they really have some impressive scientific figures making an eloquent case for the creativity of science. Numerous reputed scientists are interviewed, their work investigated and explained for the viewer in an a way that allows well displays the things that make chemistry such a fascinating topic to so many people. The big questions are all addressed and with a refreshingly clear and objective point of view and Professor Ley’s narration and humor simply put this series over the top.

Just keep in mind that the videos are numbered backwards; the first video is labeled as the last, but is the correct starting point.

The Death of the Oceans?

Posted on April 6, 2013 by JacquelineQ

I’m curious about the decision to add a question mark to the end of this film’s title. After watching this documentary you will see what I mean: the death of the oceans is underway and the choices we make now will dictate whether or not this comes to fruition. Humans hold this outcome in their hands. If what we are risking, and currently encouraging, is nothing less than the death of the largest ecosystem on our planet, with all of the devastating consequences thereof, making this issue a question seems rather foolish.

The disappearance of so many species within the ocean has an added tragic note to this issue, especially when you consider how little of the ocean we can definitively say we know well, at least from a scientific and biological perspective. Species are disappearing before we can even discover them. Luckily, scientists from around the world are racing to try and understand our oceans, and thus, begin to save them. The Census of Marine Life is a leading project in these efforts, with teams around the world trying, for the first time, to create an accurate idea of what, where, and how much life currently exists in the oceans. Despite the ambitious efforts of similar projects in ecosystems such as the rainforests of the world, much of our oceans remain a mystery. It is only with an accurate census of marine life that we can begin to accurately measure change and thus our own impact.

This documentary is hardly just forty-five minutes of making you feel like a monster for owning a microwave, which is probably what I like best about it. While discussing the current threats to ocean life, the changes we are already able to observe, and a prognosis of where we’re headed, the discussions with scientists on the front lines of this fight leave the viewer with the hope that humanity hasn’t completely spoiled this resource just yet. This film provides compelling evidence on multiple fronts and displays the best efforts of scientists to understand and save the originating ecosystem of life on this planet.

Titan: A Place Like Home?

Posted on March 28, 2013 by JacquelineQ

Titan is a fascinating subject for those who are interested in studying outer space. Not only is it the largest of Saturn’s sixty-two known moons, but it shares quite a few similarities with our notably smaller blue home-world. With a thick atmosphere that resembles that of the early Earth’s, this satellite of the solar system’s second largest planet holds a wealth of secrets that could prove invaluable to our understanding of Earth and the origins of life in the universe. First seen from a blurry photograph taken by the Voyager I spacecraft, it was years later that scientists finally got a chance to look beneath the hazy orange atmosphere that surrounds Titan, to see the surface of the moon hidden underneath.
This BBC documentary interviews scientists and engineers from various universities, the ESA, and NASA, about their work developing the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft, which had the potential to give us our first real look at Titan. I think one of my favorite things about the documentaries produced by BBC is that they give you a really good look into the work done by real scientists; this documentary could have used a bunch of computer graphics to just fill in the gaps of our knowledge about Titan with pretty pictures and speculations, but instead we are granted a view into the years of work put in by countless people who tried to make seeing Titan a reality. Unless you follow science news closely, most people will be lucky to know of the recent success or failure of a multi-billion dollar piece of equipment at the end of its journey. Documentaries like this one, however, recall the various problems and pitfalls encountered by the teams who worked with the spacecraft and does an excellent job of conveying how awe-inspiring such successes as the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft really are

Titan is revealed to be a fascinating subject, more than worth the several-years journey deep into our solar system. Shocking mixes of similarities to Earth, juxtaposed against alien-like differences are discovered; from Earth-like river beds to cold volcanoes that spew water and ammonia. This is merely our first glance at this far-away giant and as we continue our voyaging from our little planet, hopefully more and more of its secrets will be revealed with future visits.

Credit: ESA. Image by C.Carreau

Medieval Philosophy: A New History of Western Philosophy Volume 2

Posted on March 26, 2013 by JacquelineQ

This book is the second in a four part series on the history of western philosophy. Following from the first volume on the progression of ancient philosophy, this addition to the series spans the progression of western philosophical thought from the conversion of Augustine to the beginnings of the Renaissance. Like its predecessor, the first two chapters of this book cover a general summary of the major philosophers of the time, with the final seven chapters analyzing the development of philosophical thought in regards to specific issues such as god, ethics, and logic.

My major complaint with this volume is the same one I discussed in my review on the first book of the series; I found the organization sometimes difficult as, opposed to discussing a philosopher’s views as a whole, their views were individually discussed by topic through each of the last seven chapters. This organization has its upsides, I’m sure, but I couldn’t help but find it difficult to organize the wealth of separately discussed views under any single philosopher, leaving me with only a few facts about each philosopher that I can accurately remember. So, while I feel like I walked away from this book with a good understanding of the major philosophical questions of this era, I can’t say I recall very much about any one specific philosopher.

Despite this, I did learn quite a good deal from this book. If nothing else I feel as if I now understand much more clearly the academic and religious atmosphere of the time much better. While I have not studied philosophy in any depth before, I have done a fair share of reading on history and prior to reading this I sometimes found it difficult to understand the general climate of the times in comparison with my own modern day life. Exactly how the church managed to sway such influence throughout history seems much clearer to me now that I’ve read through the types of philosophical dilemmas that absorbed the great minds of the time, and learned of the sometimes vitriolic backlash that occurred to even the silliest seeming bits of heresy.

So, definitely continue this series if you have begun it; there is a wealth of information to be had. For those looking to get more out of it than I myself did, I recommend utilizing Wikipedia and google to recap about specific philosophers as you read through it. I also wish I had read a little more on formal logic before beginning this tome as it would have made numerous sections much more clear to me.

All and all, this series is shaping up to be a rather solid introduction to western philosophical thought, although it is definitely worth it to through in a little extra effort to get the most out of it.

Alien Insect: Praying Mantis

Posted on March 23, 2013 by JacquelineQ

If, like me, you permanently have the spirit of a six year old boy who is eager to gape and poke at interesting bugs, you’ll love this documentary. You’ll probably like it even if you have a slightly more normal disposition. Praying mantises are fascinating on a number of levels. The sheer biological diversity that has evolved amongst different species in the form of amazing camouflage and deadly weapons makes this an extremely interesting film. With scenes of cannibalistic mating and successful predation on reptiles and small mammals by these deadly insects, this is really the insect version of a show you might see presented during Shark Week.

Because of the sometimes macabre habits of these creatures, they have acquired a number of false myths and unflattering superstitions and this documentary seeks to dispel those where appropriate; tearing away the negative associations while letting the truly interesting, if sometimes strange, facets of these skilled predators intact. You’ll learn about their place in the biological world and the way they’ve been viewed throughout human history. While this documentary does little to place the praying mantis in a larger ecological picture, it does present the large number of species in an interesting and comprehensive manner.

Credit: Image taken by Steve Wall

Metamorphosis: Tale of a Wetland

Posted on March 20, 2013 by JacquelineQ

I really can’t say enough good things about this film. Metamorphosis: Tale of a Wetland is an independent documentary by Bryan Maltais. Living on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, Bryan took an interest in a nearby wetland, previously turned into a quarry, now swiftly being taken back over by nature after being abandoned by the humans who utilized it. This documentary covers the progression of life in this small ecosystem over the course of a year; the struggles to survive, adapt, breed, and locate adequate amounts of food are all captured against the backdrop of the changing weather.

Bryan Maltais introduces viewers to the myriad of species that inhabit the wetland and follows their struggles while offering wonderful biological explanations of the animals and their attempts at adaptation. By the end of the film you not only feel a sense of connection to the species you have been granted insight too, but a greater understanding of a variety of ecological principles. There are fascinating insights into the sometimes fickle system of amphibian metamorphosis, the adaptive skills of creatures that can take advantage of human interferences, as well as the general difficulties facing species trying to thrive within the wetlands.

This documentary educates while re-instilling all of those childhood desires to head to the local pond with a net and jar, eager to find some variety of slimy creatures; it wonderfully conveys the wonderful nature and wildlife that many of us forget remain so near our human settlements. So watch, enjoy, and remember to hold onto that desire to explore the nature around you while learning something new.

Credit: Image by Paulo Brandão

Asteroids: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Posted on March 19, 2013 by JacquelineQ

There has been a whole lot of talk about asteroids as of late. With the Chelyabinsk asteroid flashing across skies just in time for a known asteroid to make a fly-by near Earth, it isn’t hard to guess why. So I figured it more than appropriate to try and give my readers a little extra info regarding these occasionally surprising objects. This documentary is a BBC Horizon production that demonstrates their typical skill in conveying information that is easy to understand and doing so in an interesting way. Topics covered include the difficulties involved in studying and monitoring asteroids, and why we simply can’t always see them coming. Also, you get to meet a few major players in the field of trying to predict such incidents who, I can imagine, were very busy fielding questions after the unexpected asteroid appearance in Russia.

As the title implies, this documentary tries to go further in its examination by showing us more about asteroids than simply their ever possible impact with our fragile planet. Scientists explain what asteroids are, how they formed, where they’re found, and why they sometimes come so close to Earth. In addition, we get to hear about groundbreaking research done on these celestial entities by the scientists involved in the research, and why these discoveries are re-shaping theories on the origins of life on Earth. Of course, any documentary on this topic wouldn’t be complete without a sense of what we face if an asteroid really were to strike Earth. Viewers are shown studies done by NASA to try and predict the possible damage we could expect from such a catastrophe. Scientists also recall the gripping tale of discovering an Earthbound asteroid mere hours before it was scheduled to strike.

So, enjoy, donate to space programs if you can (it may save our species after all!) and try to go to bed without too many nightmares about flaming rocks falling from the sky.

The Academic Jawa

Because everyone should be able to learn, even when stuck on the barren deserts of Tatooine.