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| Book Review: Dying Planet |
| Aug 25, 2005 - Scientists always function on the cutting edge of their field. New discoveries, new processes, and new events highlight a challenging and sometimes rewarding career. However, scientists share this edge with others. For example, authors of science fiction novels regularly create new worlds, new physics and new societies that allow us to contemplate our own existence and guide our scientific studies. Robert Markley in his book Dying Planet captures nuances of both these fields in reviewing how research and literature about the planet Mars have been busily advancing our wonder, questioning and knowledge. (Full Story) |
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| Alcove, channel, and debris apron of recent gullies on Mars. Image credit: NASA Click to enlarge |
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| NASA Says Liquid Water Made Martian Gullies |
| Aug 25, 2005 - NASA scientists think they've developed a strong case that liquid water created the strange gullies discovered on Mars a few years ago. These gullies might indicate underground sites of water, and could be a good place to search for life. Although Mars' environment is too cold, dry and low pressure to support liquid water, it could last a little while as it escaped from an underground reservoir. The lack of debris fields at the ends of these gullies suggests the water froze or evaporated before it reached the bottom. (Full Story) |
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| Earth's Climate During the Permian Extinction |
| Aug 25, 2005 - Around 251 million years ago, something happened to the Earth's climate that wiped out 90-95% of marine life and 70% of terrestrial life. Scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) have developed a computer model that demonstrates that rapid increases in carbon dioxide belched out of volcanoes did the trick. Temperatures were 10 to 30 degrees Celsius (18 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than they are today, which broke a cycle that pulled carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. (Full Story) |
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