Gamma Ray Galaxies

Gamma Ray Galaxies


Issue: Galactic


Summary: Active galaxies are those with unusually bright centers that show evidence of particle acceleration to speeds approaching that of light itself. At the center of each active galaxy sits a feeding black hole weighing upwards of a million times the sun's mass. Through processes not yet understood, some of the matter headed for the black hole blasts outward in fast, oppositely directed particle jets. The researchers want to continue to monitor galaxies to examine any potential threats.


Opinion: From what I've learned in Earth Science, I know that any threats to Earth usually aren't coming for a long, long time. However, monitoring these dangerous light and gamma rays is crucial to potentially our planet's survival.

Issue: Galactic


Summary: "Now, astronomers using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope find themselves in the same situation as cartographers of old. A new study of the ever-present fog of gamma rays from sources outside our galaxy shows that less than a third of the emission arises from what astronomers once considered the most likely suspects -- black-hole-powered jets from active galaxies." But if active galaxies aren't emitting this gamma radiation what is? Stars that have the properties that enable them to do "Particle acceleration" may be responsible for so much gamma radiation, but scientists are still searching.


Opinion: With all these gamma rays, what will the impact be on Earth? And if the stars are emitting the radiation, could the sun potentially overthrow our magnetic field which guards us from these rays. Further research should be conducted to find out how this is impacting us and our understanding of the galaxy.

Gamma Rays coming from the Milky Way lead clues on Dark Matter

Issue: Galactic

Summary: A new study of gamma-ray light from the center of our galaxy makes the strongest case to date that dark matter may be responsible for the creation of these emissions. Dark matter is known to make up most of the material universe. "Using publicly available data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, independent scientists at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Chicago have developed new maps showing that the galactic center produces more high-energy gamma rays than can be explained by known sources and that this excess emission is consistent with some forms of dark matter." By analyzing multiple galaxies, they can see if this "Dark Matter" is emitting gamma rays from not just normal galaxies but dwarf galaxies as well. If this dark matter is emitted from the centers of galaxies, it would mean that they are correlated/related to black holes.

Opinion: Cool stuff. The scientists should see if we can get some dark matter closer to home, considering it makes up so much of known space. Is it a tangible thing? These questions should be answered as soon as possible.

Japanese Town: Half the survivors of mega-earthquake, tsunami, have PTSD symptoms

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140306095526.htm


Issue: National


Summary: "A new study shows that more than half the survivors in one Japanese town exhibited 'clinically concerning' symptoms of PTSD following the country's mega-earthquake and tsunami. Two-thirds of survivors also reported symptoms of depression. Having work to do has proven important in increasing resilience." Because this earthquake was one of the worst of all time, (#4) it caused an unbelievable mess. From the natural disaster itself to the nuclear reactor, the people who endured this predicament underwent utter hell in a short amount of time. The trauma from this wreaked havoc on the town with an average age of 58; the elderly, rather than the young, returned to their ravaged land because it was what they were used to. Returning to such hardship is speculated to have caused the psychological conditions to become so widespread.


Opinion: Natural Disaster relief is a complicated process. Being a victim of natural disasters myself, I understand the horrifying impact they can have on families and on individuals. Hurricane Sandy almost tore my own family apart. It should be a #1 priority to psychologically assist these victims; they need even more help than they'll show.

US Earthquake

US Earthquake

Issue: National

Summary: A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the National Capital Area on Tuesday, August 23, at 1:51p.m. (EDT), causing moderate shaking and potentially significant damage, and was felt throughout Northern Virginia and neighboring areas. No casualties were reported or expected. The earthquake occurred near Louisa and Mineral, Va., approximately 100 miles southwest of Washington, DC. It was a shallow earthquake, and shaking was recorded all along the Appalachians, from Georgia to New England.

Opinion: The fact that phenomenon such as earthquakes are occurring in the US is frightening. Surveying and research should be conducted to address risks to people, especially if potential damage to structures are possible like in this quake.

More Chile Earthquakes


Issue: National


Summary: Although the main earthquake with a magnitude of 8.1 broke the central section of the seismic gap at a length of 100 kilometers, two large segments further north and south remain intact, and these segments are able to cause strong earthquakes with a high risk of ground shaking and tsunamis. With aftershocks measuring up to a magnitude 7.2 on April 2nd, this earthquake was a serious deal. The HART task force was deployed to survey the quake locations in order to do more research on the rupture process of the earthquakes. 25 seismometers were also deployed to evaluate further data.


Opinion: Gathering earthquake data is crucial to understanding what's going on. Continuous surveying of continental plates is extremely necessary to make sure that major land masses are not planning on having mass movement... The results would be disastrous.

Will the Roe Deer Persist?

Will the Roe Deer Persist?


Issue: Regional


Summary: Climate change is presenting a serious problem for the Roe Deer. For its survival to continue, the spring vegetation must coincide with when the females are preparing to give birth. Due to the global warming, however, these vegetation blooms are coming earlier and earlier. A serious detriment to the ecosystem and biodiversity could be the result if this trend continues or if the deer cannot adapt. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that the animals are going to be able to adapt quickly enough to survive.


Opinion: It's always sad when a species becomes extinct, but it is a part of life. I seriously hope that these deer can adapt in time to save themselves, but whether they do or not, we humans need to target the source of the problem. If we can find a way to stop global warming we can save this species and thousands of others, as well as stabilize the world in the process.

Gravity Measurements Confirm Subsurface Ocean on Enceladus

Gravity Measurements Confirm Subsurface Ocean

Issue: Beyond Global :)

Summary: In 2005, NASA's Cassini spacecraft sent pictures back to Earth depicting an icy Saturnian moon spewing water vapor and ice from fractures, known as "tiger stripes," in its frozen surface. It was big news that tiny Enceladus -- a mere 500 kilometers in diameter -- was such an active place. Since then, scientists have hypothesized that a large reservoir of water lies beneath that icy surface, possibly fueling the plumes. Now, using gravity measurements collected by Cassini, scientists have confirmed that Enceladus does in fact harbor a large subsurface ocean near its south pole, beneath those tiger stripes. The icy shell of the surface was known to possess a denser substance on the inside. Now that we know it is water, scientists are eager to learn what else exists on this moon.

Opinion: This is really cool. I think that something this bizarre definitely deserves the funding for further research. Who knows, there could be life in the water upon Enceladus like extremophiles and other bacterium.