While scientists and researchers work hard to bring us closer to a better understanding of the universe and our place within it, we are still in the dark when it comes to knowing more about the different planets, moons, and objects that orbit around our star. The further we explore, the more we realize how little we know and how much there is to learn.
Mars is the most recent addition to our planetary neighbors, and studying its atmosphere and potential to support life is a continuing effort. In addition to holding the record for the longest day on record, Martian time, the planet boasts a red atmosphere and surface that changes color as the seasons progress. It is also home to several active volcanoes, some of which are still capable of emitting gases that can harm or even kill those unfortunate enough to be nearby when they erupt. It is a dangerous world that we are only beginning to uncover.
For centuries, the only way to explore the far reaches of our solar system was through books, pictures, and stories. Telescopes and space probes have now given us the opportunity to see our celestial neighbors as never before, and though this is a great achievement, it comes with its share of mysteries.
Many of our solar system’s wonders can be found on the giant gaseous planet Jupiter. We have known for some time that this planet is home to many active volcanoes. However, it was only in the last few years that we have been able to learn much about the volcanoes themselves and how active they really are. It is likely that most of the mountain ranges on the planet were created by immense volcanic activity over the course of many millions of years.
Since its discovery in 1810, Saturn has intrigued us with its diverse mix of rings and surprising amount of moons. The planet’s second largest moon, Titan, possesses a thick atmosphere that makes it the most Earth-like world in the solar system. It is also suspected that there are underwater cities on the moon due to the presence of seas and rivers. It is a place of mystery and wonder, and one that continues to inspire scientists and engineers the world over.
Venus, the planet of love, is often considered the most beautiful world in the solar system due to its cloud cover and atmospheric pressure. The planet’s appearance is strongly affected by the tilt of its rotation axis, which causes it to behave more like a night-mover than a day-lighter. This results in days lasting longer than the ones on Earth and an ever-changing appearance. We have only begun to scratch the surface of this planet’s fascinating history and its vast potential for life.
In recent years, humans have ventured beyond our solar system and continue to explore the universe. It is a continuing effort to discover new things about our place in the grand scheme of things, and though there are still many mysteries, there is no question that we will continue to learn more about our world and the universe around us.
Atomic Northern Lights And Viagra
While our solar system is full of mysteries, it is also home to some truly magnificent sights. One of the most breathtaking is the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights or the aurora.
This is caused by charged particles from the Sun being swept into the Earth’s magnetic field and colliding with molecules in the air. As a result, light is emitted that gives off a visual display of stunning color and variety. The aurora can be seen from coast to coast as far as the eye can see, making it one of the truly remarkable natural phenomena of our solar system.
This is a sight that takes your breath away, and to see it is something that almost everyone in the world can enjoy. Unfortunately, due to climate change and the increase in UV radiation that comes with it, the intensity and frequency of the northern lights are on the increase. Some people have even gone so far as to suggest that we might see the end of the aurora as we know it.
Thankfully, there is also good news. While climate change and UV radiation have resulted in more frequent and intense aurora, they have also resulted in the creation of new light sources. In recent years, scientists have discovered that the aurora can be caused by a phenomenon known as a substorm. A substorm occurs when an object passes through the magnetosphere, which is the region of space where Earth’s magnetic field interacts with that of the Sun.
Substorms are common occurrences around the polar regions of Earth and are responsible for the aurora borealis. During a substorm, the particles inside the magnetosphere are accelerated and aligned along the magnetic field lines, resulting in a cascade of particles that collide with atoms in the air and emit light.
It is this light that we see as the aurora, and though these are still relatively rare events, we might see more and more of them as time goes on. This is good news for those that love the aurora and for those that want to see it more often. It means that we can protect it from harm and ensure that it continues to evolve and survive as nature intended it to.
Though they are both phenomena caused by particles from space colliding with molecules in the air, aurora and viagra have very different purposes. The northern lights are there to mesmerize and awe us, while Viagra is a medication used to treat sexual dysfunction.
Odds are that you are already familiar with aurora and its spectacular displays of light and color, and if you are not, you should be. They are among the most fascinating natural phenomena and have been a source of amazement and confusion for centuries. Knowing more about what causes the lights and how common they are should not be a source of worry though, as this is a natural event and something that we can all enjoy as long as we do not interfere with it in any way.
The Double Helix
The above paragraphs should put into context the extraordinary history that is DNA. Though it was first identified as the carrier of genetic information in the early 20th century, it was not until the 1960s that we began to unravel its mysteries. The Double Helix was the first book to ever chart the story of DNA, and it remains one of the most important and influential scientific breakthroughs of all time. Though it originally focused on the structure of DNA and its role in protein synthesis, the book is still considered a classic today for its exploration of genetics and its many fascinating tidbits along the way.
In today’s world, we take DNA for granted. It is present in every cell of our bodies, and though we do not think much about it, it continues to inspire people to this very day. The Double Helix is a great example of the depth of scientific inquiry and wonder that can be unleashed when curiosity and intellectual rigor combine with technological advancement.
The Story Of Life
In a similar manner, we can tell the story of life itself. As organic matter, we can consider life to be a process of evolution, a series of events that have resulted in present-day biologic diversity. In the words of Ernst Haeckel, the German biologist who coined the term ‘evolution’, life is “the unifying concept that brings together all living things.” It is a grand perspective that considers all living things to be connected and part of the same process.
The story of life is also the story of DNA. In its modern form, DNA is a double-stranded helix made up of two strands of polymers, known as polynucleotides. These are composed of adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine, the four nucleic acids or bases that carry genetic information in chromosomes and other biological molecules.
The nucleic acids in DNA interact through a process known as hybridization, which results in two strands spontaneously organizing themselves into a double helix, much like a zipper. Though this is a useful analogy, the structure of DNA is more accurately described as a twisted ladder. The fact that DNA is a chimaera of art and science is something that Richard Feynman, the renowned American physicist and Nobel Prize winner, pointed out in his 1986 book, Adventures in Pseudo-Science:
“That is one of the beauties of science: it gives you new ideas about the familiar. When you learn about the double helix, you will realize that this is how all living things are put together, how they are constructed, even down to the smallest details. And it will change your idea of how molecules can organize themselves into a structure that can perform certain functions.”
So, as you can see, there are many amazing things that we can learn from these celestial bodies. It is a shame that we do not get to enjoy them nearly enough. The next time that you are looking up at the night’s sky, think of all that there is to learn from our neighbors in outer space.