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So you're into sci fi? But what about sci fact? Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction... Each month our very own Voyager Science Queen* will bring you interesting, quirky and downright bizarre tid bits from the world of science. And its all completely, totally, 100% true! August Sci-Facts |
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Mars, named for the God of War, is Mankind’s nest big goalpost for space exploration. Even if it isn’t colonised, there will manned visits. I often dream about being part of such a mission, but I’m too old to train as an astronaut now (SIGH). So, let’s explore Mars vicariously... |
| The New ‘Beagle’ |
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The United Kingdom has joined in the scientific exploration of Mars, by sending ‘The Beagle 2’, a probe, with the ESA Mars Express spacecraft. The actual probe has no propulsion system of its own, and so the payload will be ejected from the Mars Express into an atmospheric entry trajectory, and then its entry, descent & landing are controlled by internal systems. |
| Project Prometheus |
| Project Prometheus is a new US project, scientific research into nuclear power & propulsion technologies. NASA has a budget of $3 billion, to spend over five years from 2004, to develop the first nuclear reactor on a civilian spacecraft. This power source is designed to assist with propulsion, and with the power generation for science instruments. NASA plans to launch an unmanned mission to orbit the Moons of Jupiter, to prove the technology. The Jupiter Icy Moons Tour will target the exploration of Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede. |
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Exploring Martian Geology |
| Does Mars share geological similarities with Earth? There is evidence supporting the occurence of plate tectonics on Mars. The internal forces that create lava and volcanoes heat a planet, and also encourage the formation of an atmosphere. An atmosphere is necessary for the existence of free-flowing liquids. These liquids, in turn, create erosion patterns like those of the ‘canals’. We’ve all heard the mythology of the ‘Canals’ of Mars. Well, these ‘canals’ are proof that flowing liquids, maybe water, have sculpted the Martian landscape sometime in the past. Many forces have created our own familiar terrain, including volcanic activity and earthquakes. These forces are caused by tectonic activity in our crust, and have formed our magnetosphere. Mars has weak magnetic fields, as discovered by the Mars Global Surveyor in 1997. These support the theory of Martian tectonic activity, even if the activity occurred in ancient times, and are no longer taking place at present. |
This Science Page is dedicated to all my fellow students from EnVision. |
| *The Voyager Science Queen is also known as Lynne Green So, who is this woman who attempts to entertain us with Science? Well, I really am a scientist. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Queensland, in Zoology. And, at the moment, I am working in a Pathology laboratory. I have always been intensely curious about every aspect of our universe, from the teeny tiny workings of the gene right up to the mind-bending forces that are twisting and knotting inside a blackhole. So, now I am sharing a brain stuffed full of trivia…and hopefully entertaining people at the same time. As well, I write Fantasy stories and novels. One day, I hope to have a book published, but don't hold your breath. Reading is my other major love, and my favourite authors are Terry Pratchett and Isaac Asimov, though I could list hundreds of others. If I had one wish, I ask for more time to write! Read previous Sci-Facts: Minerals Looking for more scientific oddities? Have you checked out Dr Steven Juan's website? He is, quite literally, the wizard of odds! |
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