NEOShield: What is Earth's Best Defence Against Asteroids?

 

NASA/JPL/JHUAPL/Public Domain

Protecting the Earth

As I've said many times in the past: Even if the risk of Earth being hit by a big asteroid (known in the business as a Near Earth Object, or NEO) in the near future is relatively small, such an impact could be so devastating that it's worth doing our best to make sure it doesn't happen. There's no point in protecting our planet's environment if at some point most life gets wiped out by a potentially preventable global catastrophic risk. NASA has already been tracking most NEOs with its wide angle Wise telescope and found about 19,500 of them in the 100-1,000m size range. But tracking them is not enough; we must also known exactly what to do if we detect a potential collision trajectory. When there are potentially millions or billions of lives on the line, deciding on the best course of action must be done very deliberately and with the best science available.

NASA/Public Domain

NEOShield

The NEOShield project is an international effort led from the German space agency's (DLR) Institute of Planetary Research in Berlin, with help from scientists across Europe, Russia and the US. The 3 methods that are currently believed to be best for dealing with NEOs are:

Kinetic impactor: This mission might look like Nasa's Deep Impact mission of 2005, or the Don Quijote mission that Europe designed but never launched. It involves perhaps a shepherding spacecraft releasing an impactor to strike the big rock or comet. This gentle nudge, depending when and how it's done, could change the velocity of the rock ever so slightly to make it arrive "at the crossroads" sufficiently early or late to miss Earth.
"The amount of debris, or ejecta, produced in the impact would affect the momentum of the NEO," says Prof Harris.
"Of course, that will depend on what sort of asteroid it is - its physical characteristics. What's its surface like; how porous or dense it is? This is really something you would want to test with a demonstration mission."
"Gravity tractor": This involves positioning a spacecraft close to a target object and using long-lived ion thrusters to maintain the separation between the two. Because of gravitational attraction between the spacecraft and the NEO, it is possible to pull the asteroid or comet off its trajectory. "It's like using gravity as a tow-rope," says Prof Harris. "It's not straightforward of course. Can you be sure those thrusters will keep working for the time they're needed - a decade or more? Do you have confidence that the spacecraft can look after itself autonomously all that time? These are the sorts of technical problems we will look at."
In both scenarios, the effects are small, but if initiated years - even decades - in advance should prove effective enough.
What we've learnt about asteroids, however, is that they are not all the same. Different rocks are likely to need different approaches.
One method often discussed but about which there is great uncertainty is "blast deflection" - the idea that you would detonate a nuclear device close to, or on the surface of (even buried under the surface), an incoming rock. (source)

Different methods might work best with different types of asteroids, so determining what needs to be known about the target will be crucial.
If you are interested in learning more about global catastrophic risks, there's an excellent book that covers a wide number of them in great details. You can get it here: http://www.global-catastrophic-risks.com/ (or straight from Amazon).
Via NEOShield, BBC
See also: Near Earth Objects and Asteroids: Are We Whistling in the Dark?

Tags: Nasa | Natural Disasters

NASA Releases Image of Earth in Stunning HD

NASA Goddard Photo and Video/CC BY 2.0





While the general shape and layout of Earth has been known for centuries, images of our planetary home still hold the power to mesmerize even today -- but chances are, you've never seen it quite like this. Recently, NASA's newly-launched satellite, Suomi NPP, beamed back what may be the most amazingly detailed photograph of Earth ever captured, offering a stunning reminder of our world's extraordinary beauty in high-definition.

Set in orbit some 500 miles overhead, Suomi NPP was commissioned as an environmental observation satellite outfitted with a powerful imaging device called the Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIISR), capable of producing HD images with a resolution of roughly 1 mile per pixel. After a series of passes over our planet earlier this month, the satellite returned photos that were later compiled into the crystal-clear shot seen above, NASA calls 'Blue Marble 2012.
The satellite responsible for the photo, originally known as the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP), was recently renamed in honor of the late Verner E. Suomi, a scientist NASA calls "the father of satellite meteorology."

NASA Goddard Photo and Video/CC BY 2.0 

In 1972, NASA's iconic 'Blue Marble' photograph helped spur the environmental movement when it was released, serving as a humbling reminder of Earth's fragility -- and in turn the fragility of existence for everything that inhabits it. Likewise, as technological advances allow for a clearer look back on our planet, that realization only becomes clearer as well.

Biggest Solar Storm in Eight Years Now Pummeling Earth

 

National Geographic News

Published January 24, 2012

Earth is currently weathering the largest solar storm recorded in more than eight years, thanks to a giant wave of charged particles from the sun that slammed into the planet's magnetic field Tuesday morning.

The above solar flare erupted from the sun Monday, triggering the biggest solar storm since 2003.

In the early hours on Monday, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory caught an extreme ultraviolet flash from a solar flare, which was followed by a giant coronal mass ejection, or CME—a cloud of superheated gas and charged particles hurled off the sun.
The cloud headed toward Earth at a speed of about three million miles (4.8 million kilometers) an hour, reaching the planet a mere 35 hours after it had been unleashed.
When CMEs strike Earth, the charged particles pummel our planet's protective magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms that can trigger brilliant auroras. Sky-watchers in Scandanavia, Alaska, and Canada are already reporting a surge in the northern lights, with the strongest activity expected tonight.
(Related pictures: "Multicolored Auroras Sparked by Double Sun Blast" [August 2011].)
But intense solar storms can also cause electrical disruptions to power grids, damage orbiting satellites, and interfere with GPS signals, radio communications, and even airline flights.
"Because the initial solar flare was measured to be quite strong, it produced a substantial wave of solar radiation, the likes of which has not seen since October 2003," said Bill Murtagh, senior forecaster for NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado.
"The solar radiation is currently at strong levels, and [such storms] typically persist for at least for a day or two until the entire storm passes Earth," he added.
"At this point, we have reports of sporadic radio-communication blackouts in high-latitude regions, which has led to the rerouting of some polar airline flights."
(Also see "Solar Megastorm Could Cripple Satellites for a Decade.")
Why Solar Storms Impact Polar Flights
Airlines conducting flights across the polar regions are particularly concerned about solar storms, because particles from CMEs get funnelled by Earth's magnetic field so that they become concentrated around the poles.
"Because long-distance flights across the polar regions cannot always use satellite-based communication, they rely on traditional radio communication," Murtagh said.
"However, during a solar-radiation storm, there are frequently extended periods of radio blackout. Adhering to federal aviation regulations then becomes a problem, because flights are required to remain in communication at all times."
(Related: "What If the Biggest Solar Storm on Record Happened Today?")
Despite the airlines' precautions, this solar storm is actually considered to be moderate and isn't expected to cause major disturbances to ground- or space-based assets, said Antti Pulkkinen, a space weather scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.
However, the storm could have been much worse, he said.
"The CME was big, with well over a billion tons of mass behind it barrelling through interplanetary space ... so it probably had the capability of causing some damage," he said.
"We pretty much dodged a bullet, because the CME did not directly hit Earth's magnetic field, so we got lucky in that we only got a glancing blow from the storm and did not feel its full effect."
In March 1989, for example, a severe geomagnetic storm caused a massive power blackout the Canadian province of Quebec, plunging millions into darkness for nine hours.
(Also see "As Sun Storms Ramp Up, Electric Grid Braces for Impact.")
More Sun Storms to Come
Thanks to improved computer modeling and a flotilla of sun-monitoring satellites, space weather researchers have been able to refine their forecasts to the point where they know down to mere hours when a solar storm might arrive.
"We are very pleased with how precise our predictions were for when [today's] CME would hit," Pulkkinen said. "Our models were off by a mere 13 minutes from the actual arrival time, which is quite remarkable."
(Related: "Solar Storms Are 'Sandblasting' the Moon, NASA Study Hints.")
The sun is currently heading toward solar maximum in 2013, when it will reach peak activity in its natural 11-year cycle. Space weather forecasters are therefore expecting a definite uptick in the power and frequency of solar storms, making such monitoring and prediction efforts all the more critical.


"As we approach 2013, we expect to see more intense solar blasts on the sun, and some of them will no doubt be directed toward Earth," Pulkkinen said.
"So we are definitely in for more of these kind of events in the near future."

source link : http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/01/120124-solar-storm-geomagnetic-auroras-flights-sun-earth-space-science/?source=link_fb20120124news-biggestsolarstormii

Gong Xi Fa cai

Gong Xi Fa Cai  !

May this year of Dragon bring you lots of  fortune, wisdom, abundance of health, love and your wishes and hopes come true in this year.

Carnet - Family Adventure to explore the World

Bonjour  !!

Monsieur Pierre and his family continues his adventure to explore Malaysia: yesterday he was at Westport to collect his beautiful Land Rover……

Carnet

He travels with Carnet document.

 Carnet allows goods to enter and leave overseas countries without special paperwork or the payment of customs duties so treat it with respect.

Pierre Elie, Roger Rene



Malaysia recognizes CARNET !!!! and you can transit via Port Klang to various destinations such as Indonesia , Australia , Dubai, Africa , Europe and ects.

Find us in Facebook  : Carnet, Port Klang. Malaysia

Mullberry - Reduces sugar and cholesterol levels in your blood

Botanical Name(s): Morus Alba                                                                  

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Urticales

Family: Moraceae

Tribe: Moreae

Genus: Morus L.

Species: Morus Alba L.

Popular Name(s): White Mulverry,

White Mulberry, Silk Worm Mulberry and Sang Zhi

Parts Used: Bark, leaves and roots

Habitat: Native to warm temperate and  subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and North America, with the majority of the species native to Asia.

   


These fruits, right, are very rich in iron, vital for maintaining a healthy count of red blood cells and preventing anaemia – a rare feature among berries.

They are also a good source of Vitamin C and have high levels of resveratrol, an antioxidant also found in red wine that is thought to ‘clean up’ pollutants in the body. Studies on rats found that resveratrol was effective against tumours of the skin, breast, lung and prostate.

 Most of us have never heard of mulberry which is sad,because the health benefit of consuming the fruit are numerous. Even I wasn't aware of this until I moved to my new house near Southern park Klang. One fine day i was walking with pet dog behind my house on a vacant land and I saw 2 mullberry  trees full of fruits dangling. In fact, many trees were found around Southern Park, Palm Grove and Taman Chi Liung.
When you are healthy,eating mulberry can prevent liver cancer , cure hypertension, relieve constipation, treat abdominal distention and strengthen your liver and kidney. Just eating a small amount of mulberries every single day will improve your appetite and make it easier to digest food.

Reverse the Effects of Alcohol

You will be extremely happy to have a bottle of mullbery juice stashed in your refrigerator when you have consumed too much  alcohol.After drinking mulberry juice you won't be toxicated as long and your hangover won't be nearly as severe.

 

 

 

Health benefits of mulberries



eating mulberries include improving circulation, cardiovascular health and renal health



• Delicious, fleshy, succulent mulberries are low in calories (just 43 cal per 100 g); but are rich source of many health promoting plant derived compounds, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.



* Mulberries have significantly high amounts of phenolic flavonoid phytochemicals called anthocyanins.   Scientific studies have shown that consumption of berries have potential health effects against cancer, aging and neurological diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and bacterial infections

• The berries contain resveratrol, another polyphenol flavonoid antioxidant. Resveratrol has been found to be protective against stroke risk by alteration of molecular mechanisms in blood vessels, reducing susceptibility to vascular damage through decreased activity of angiotensin (a systemic hormone causing blood vessel constriction that would elevate blood pressure) and increased production of the vasodilator hormone, nitric oxide.

• In addition, these berries are an excellent source of vitamin-C (36.4 mcg per 100, about 61% of RDI), which is also a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation and scavenge harmful free radicals.

Potential health effects against cancer

• They also contain good amount vitamin A, vitamin E and in addition to the above mentioned antioxidants also contain many other health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, ß-carotene and α-carotene in small but notably significant amounts. These compounds help act as protect from harmful effects of oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease process.

• Zeaxanthin, an important dietary carotenoid selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea where it is thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions in the retina of eyes.

• Mulberries are excellent source of iron, which is a rare feature among berries, contains 1.85 mg/100 g of fruits (about 23% of RDI). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. 



• They also good source of minerals like potassium, manganese, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

• They are rich in B-complex group of vitamins and vitamin K. Contain very good amounts of vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin and folic acid. These vitamins are function as co-factors and help body in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Here are some serving tips:

• Fresh mulberry are generally eaten as they are without any additions.
• They mix well with other berry salads.
• They can be a great snack between meals.
• Mulberries are favored in jams, jellies, tart syrups etc.
• Dried mulberries can be used in pie fillings, mulberry muffins, cookies, cakes etc.
• They are used in ice-creams, smoothies and yogurt.

Mulberry Juice Recipe:

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cup mulberry fruits, rinsed
•  sugar according to your taste

Preparation:

1.   Use a blender to blend the mulberries for the juice. Strain  to  get the juice. Discard the skins and seeds.
2.   Place the tendered mulberries in a sieve, strain and press   with a fork to extract the juice. Filter the juice to remove   seeds and skins.
3.   Add the sugar and stir until dissolves. Add some ice cubes to chill if you wish. 

CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

* In Chinese traditional medicine, mulberries are seen as an important blood tonic as they are able to  cleanse the blood and at the same time, promote the production of red blood cells.
 

Rich in vitamin A, the fruit is used by the Chinese to strengthen the eyes and enhance the vision. Vitamin A is also capable of boosting your immune system as well as maintaining strong teeth and bones.

AYURDEDIC MEDICINE


Mulberry juice helps in relieving constipation in elderly people.

Mulberry Fruit Side Effects

There is very little research conducted to determine the side effects of mulberries.

 KNOWN FACTS
The white mulberry tree is native to China and was instrumental in the silk-producing industry because mulberry leaves were the sole food source for silk worms.