Some thoughts on Enceladus, from Carolyn Porco.
Category Archives: General Science
Anti-Matter
Unlocking its secrets with lasers. Sure would be nice if we could figure out how to a) manufacture in quantity and b) use it for propulsion.
The Great Lakes
As someone who grew up an hour away from one, I’m aware of the power of the waves in late fall and winter (the Edmund Fitzgerald went down in November), but these are pretty spectacular images of Lake Erie.
“Space Exploration”
A list of reasons we do it that have nothing to do with, you know, space. It gets back to my theme that “exploration” is not an end in itself; it’s a means. But we have to decide what we’re trying to accomplish, and kumbaya isn’t sufficient.
The First Americans
How did they get here? Apparently not across the Bering land bridge.
It’s interesting to see how much “science” has been overturned since I was kid, about things like dinosaurs, space and human migration. I suspect that the same will occur in nutrition and climate.
Cats
Humans’ strange love affair with them.
Our current cat is the weirdest one we’ve ever had. She’s very social, and has never attacked us, other than nipping at my calves occasionally when she wants to be fed. In fact, that’s the only way she communicates orally; she never talks. I know her vocal cords work, because she will have discussion with other cats, but with us she’s silent, unless you squeeze her. It’s a problem in fact, because if she gets stuck in a closet, we’d never know, unless she bangs on the door. She also has a genetic defect that created a kink in her tail, making her look like a squirrel, so this may be another one.
Freeman Dyson
A fascinating interview. I agree with him that the PhD system needs an overhaul. Seeking one has ruined many lives.
Extraterrestrial Life
I’m at a workshop on how to look for it at UC Irvine, so posting will be light today.
Tardigrades
They’ve figured out how they avoid radiation damage, and humans may be able to do it, too.
Life In The Solar System
The top eight places to look for it. Not including earth, of course.
I think that Carolyn Porco thinks that Enceladus is a better candidate than Europa, but it’s a lot harder to get to.