Science and Space News Bits

‘Trash Can’ Nuclear Reactors Could Power Human Outpost On Moon Or Mars

New Aluminum-water Rocket Propellant Promising For Future Space Missions

Researchers are developing a new type of rocket propellant made of a frozen mixture of water and “nanoscale aluminum” powder that is more environmentally friendly than conventional propellants and could be manufactured on the moon, Mars and other water-bearing bodies.

.:: Boeing Sends Layoff Notices To 130 Employees ::.

Asteroid Is Actually A Protoplanet, Study Of First High-resolution Images Of Pallas Confirms

Daily Space: Jupiter Impact

Jupiter Impact (image via NASA)

Astronomers study Jupiter Impact

Quite fascinating really, for those of us with an interest in space. Congratulations to amatuer astronomer Anthony Wesley for catching this. Further information of his observations, equipment and images can be found at http://jupiter.samba.org/jupiter-impact.html.

40th Anniversary of Apollo 11

As many are aware today is the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.

Apollo 11 Launch (Image courtesy of NASA)

Carbongate

CARBONGATE – Global Warming Study Censored by EPA « Watts Up With That? (via Watts Up With That?) If this is true, and it appears that it is, then this is what’s wrong with the debate over the environment in this country and through out the world. Scientific reports suppressed by government agencies to push political agendas of the administrations.

Censored report can be read here.

Waxman-Markey Bill

As many know the House of Representatives started voting on the Waxman-Markey Bill. Somethings people likely don’t know since it hasn’t been widely reported:

There’s Still a Long Road Ahead for U.S. Climate Legislation No Matter What Happens to the Waxman-Markey Cap-and-Trade Bill – Environmental Capital – WSJ In other words, the Senate is not going to touch the issue with a ten foot pole this session. If ever. In effect it’s dead.

Greenpeace Opposes Waxman-Markey | CommonDreams.org
You know your bill is in trouble when even one of the world’s best known environmental group is against it. And wanting it to be scientifically based at that! Bet that crushes the cookies of some of the more extremist environmentalists who think dogma is more important than scientific evidence.

Science News

Articles that caught my attention:

Martian Lightning / Science News

LRO Achieves Lunar Orbit:: Aero-News Network::. (more info: http://www.nasa.gov/lro)

.:: Staying In Space Harder Than It Sounds : Aero-News Network::.

Tech Reading: Spacecraft Structures

From Welcome to Space Structures Laboratory I’ve been browsing through their research thesis particularly those involving design, health monitoring, and deformation of spacecraft structures. (See Introduction)

Cool Science: Noctilucent Clouds

Who say’s science can’t be cool? Noctilucent or “night shining” clouds clouds fit into my category as cool.

For more information and images: Strange Clouds

Too bad I can’t see any from where I live. Some of them are quite spectacular in appearance.

Betelgeuse Shrinking

Orion- Image via NASA

06.09.2009 – Red giant star Betelgeuse mysteriously shrinking

Quite interesting though it’ll likely be years before scientists know wether this is simply another of the star’s cycles or if it’s approaching a supernova. If this ends up being Betelgeuse going supernova it’ll certainly be a scientific boon as far as getting a better understanding and confirmation on star life cycles.

Perhaps more interesting, at least to the public, is such a supernova will likely be bright enough to be seen during  daylight hours on Earth. Certainly whenever this happens the night sky will be much different looking.

Some thoughts on Vatican, cap-and-trade

Vatican condemns embryo stem cell research, cloning | Science | Reuters

I find it odd that the Vatican condemns artificial fertilization when the RCC itself in essence demands its membership to have children. No big surprise on their opposition to birth control, stem cell research, and cloning.

Obama to announce environment, energy team | Politics | Reuters

So apparently Obama has picked his Energy and Environment teams. Hopefully Chu wont let Obama and his extremist environmentalist supporters kill important nuclear facilities like Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. Obama in the past has been critical of Yucca Mountain, which to me leads to question of Obama’s support for nuclear power stations. Unfortunately, Obama’s pick of Browner, a Gore follower, seems to indicate an strong anti-nuclear agenda for the incoming Obama administration.

The Failures and Dangers of Cap and Trade

But then again I’m not really surprised since Obama supports the inane and dangerous idea of emissions trading (aka cap-and-trade) or the equally dubious cap-and share notion of greenhouse gases instead of demanding genuine changes to cleaner production. All cap-and-trade does is allow the wealthy polluters to buy the ability to pollute as much as they desire by simply buying the right to pollute. It does nothing to eliminate pollution emissions. Local populations and environments get to suffer or be destroyed by pollution through these “trades” and the emphasis on imposing restrictions on the individuals lifestyles first rather than the larger corporations responsible for the majority of the pollution emissions.

In effect, cap-and-trade makes polluting no longer a stigma, just another business deal. There is no self-conscious effort to do environmentally safer business because of this, but instead purchasing the right pollute as much as they desire. As the caps are restricted, the costs will be put not on the business as cap-and-traders claim but on the individuals held hostage by these companies caught up in the whole scheme. There is even some evidence that cap-and-trade is being used as an excuse to destroy old growth forests in favor of so called tree plantations full of new growth trees. How is that environmentally friendly?

The system needs to be changed not traded! Don’t fall for the carbon neutral myth put forth by pseudo-scientists, like the hypocrite Al Gore, that fuels destructive cap-and-trade policies. Genuine emissions reduction should be encouraged not these insane ideas that allow people to buy their way out of being responsible for their actions and let everyone else suffer the consequences. For example, the EU cap-and-trade scheme has shown an increase in emissions. More interesting analysis of the failing Eu cap-and-trade: Pew Center Greenwashes EU Cap and Trade | cooler heads and the original document dissected in the article.

It is my sincere hope the United States doesn’t fall into the same trap as the European countries that lead the nation’s businesses and environment to genuine ruin. We should instead be making better and wiser use of our resources, technology, and innovation.