Life in Our Solar System

By James Ford

Man has often wondered if life exists on other planets in our solar system, and if so what kind of life? Up until the 20th century it was thought every planet could harbour life, even more advanced than ourselves. You just have to point to the Orson Wells radio broadcast in the 1930's where widespread panic was caused by a theatre production of "War of the Worlds", which listeners mistakenly thought was real. This was an indication of how much this belief was held in the common psyche.

Nowadays we know this is just fantasy and that we're not under imminent attack from little green men from Mars. So is there life anywhere in the solar system apart from Earth and who are the suspects? Well you may be surprised to learn that there are several candidates in our varied solar system.

Let's start with Mars, the planet that captures our imagination the most. Even though we knew there were no canals on Mars or advanced civilisations scientists involved in the Viking lunar landings in the 1970's still expected to find something. Viking 1 landed on the Martian surface in June 1976 but unfortunately found nothing. Subsequent missions have also found no sign of life but there's still hope and it lies underground. The reason for this theory is that methane is present in the Martian atmosphere and one way methane can be produced is biologically. In the warmer summer months on Mars the presence of methane increases dramatically giving more credence to the idea that there are organisms living under the surface.

There are two intriguing moons around Saturn which could maybe support life. Both are very different from one another, they are called Enceladus and Titan. Enceladus is a very small icy world with an area only slightly larger than Texas. Under its surface though there is believed to be a salt water ocean. How can there be an ocean on such an icy world you may ask? Well the tremendous gravitational force of Saturn pushes and pulls the small moon heating up its interior and melting the ice underneath its surface. If so this could provide an environment for micro-organisms or some other forms of life to exist.

Enceladus's near neighbour, well 600,000 miles away, is another of Saturn's moons, Titan. This moon is exceptional in the solar system as it is the only one with a significant atmosphere. What's even more surprising is that its atmosphere is comprised mainly of nitrogen, just like our own. Even more amazing is that it is the only object in our solar system apart from Earth to have large areas of liquid on its surface, not of water but liquid methane. Methane on Titan acts like water on Earth, there are methane clouds which produce methane rain and methane lakes. Titan is often compared to primordial Earth, but unfortunately it's in deep freeze with surface temperatures around -179C (-290F). Still it is possible that methane based microbial life could exist there breathing hydrogen instead of oxygen, might well be a bit too chilly though.

In my opinion I have left the best till last. It's an icy moon orbiting around Jupiter called Europa. Scientists believe this moon, just slightly smaller than our own moon, presents the best possibilities for life in the entire solar system. The force of Jupiter's gravity produces tremendous tidal heating inside Europa warming its interior and producing a salt water ocean which is 62 miles (100 km) deep. It is possible that there is twice the amount of liquid water on Europa than there is on Earth! It has been speculated that Europa's ocean could be teeming with life, not just bacteria but complex organisms could be swimming in the warm water. Unfortunately we won't find out until around 2025 when NASA hopes to land a probe on its surface which will then melt through the ice and investigate the ocean for signs of life. Maybe then we will found out that we are not alone.

Our Solar System is a varied and fascinating place full of wonders that we're only just discovering.

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Evolution and Creation of the Solar System

By John Battelle

The creation and evolution of the Solar System is estimated to have begun 4.55 to 4.56 billion years ago with the gravitational collapse of a tiny part of a giant molecular cloud. Most of the collapsing mass collected in the centre, forming the Sun, though the rest flattened into a protoplanetary disc out of which the planets, moons, asteroids, and other small Solar System bodies shaped.

Effect of giant collision

This broadly accepted model, known as the nebular hypothesis, was first developed in the 18th century by Emanuel Swedenborg, Immanuel Kant, and Pierre-Simon Laplace. Its succeeding development has interwoven a variety of scientific disciplines as well as astronomy, physics, geology, and planetary science. Since the dawn of the space era in the 1950s and the discovery of extrasolar planets in the 1990s, the models have been both challenged and refined to account for latest observations.

The Solar System has evolved considerably since its earlier formation. Many moons have formed from circling discs of gas and dust around their parent planets, while other moons are believed to have formed separately and later been captured by their planets. Still others, as the Earth's Moon, may be the effect of giant collisions.

Planetary migration of Solar System

Collisions between bodies have occurred continually up to the present day and have been middle to the evolution of the solar system. The positions of the planets often shifted, as well as planets have switched places. This planetary migration now is supposed to have been responsible for much of the Solar System's early evolution.

Approximately 5 billion years, the Sun will cool and expand outward to many times its current diameter (becoming a red giant), previous to casting off its outer layers as a planetary nebula, and leaving behind a planetary corpse known as a white dwarf. In the far-away future, the gravity of passing stars step by step will whittle away at the Sun's retinue of planets. Some of the planets will be destroyed, others ejected into interstellar space. Eventually, more than the course of trillions of years, it is probable that the Sun will be left alone with no bodies in orbit around it.

John Battelle is an expert author, who is presently working on the site Earth Solar System. He has written many articles in various topics. For more information about International Space Station. Visit our site Moon and Mars.

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The Wonder of the Solar System - A Five Part Documentary by Brian Cox

By Roy Fernandez

Brian Cox is an English particle physicist, a Royal Society University Research Fellow and a professor at the University of Manchester. He was the keyboard player for the pop band D:Ream and currently works on the ATLAS experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. He is best known for presenting science programs for the BBC. One such program is the 'Wonders of the Solar System'. The series comprises of five episodes, each focusing on an aspect of the Solar System.

Professor Brian Cox's opening narration for each episode goes as follows, "We live on a world of wonders. A place of astonishing beauty and complexity. We have vast oceans and incredible weather. Giant mountains and breathtaking landscapes. If you think that this is all there is, that our planet exists in magnificent isolation, then you're wrong. We're part of a much wider ecosystem that extends way beyond the top of our atmosphere. As a physicist I'm fascinated by how the laws of nature that shaped all this, also shaped the worlds beyond our home planet. I think we're living through the greatest age of discovery our civilization has known. We've voyaged to the farthest reaches of the Solar System. We've photographed strange new worlds, stood in unfamiliar landscapes, tasted alien air."

Episode one, named 'Empire of the Sun' begins with Professor Brian Cox travelling to India, to witness the total Solar eclipse on the 22nd of July, 2009. The episode illustrates the formation and behavior of the Sun and how it affects each planet in the Solar System. He goes about explaining the power of our Sun and how the energy could be harvested. We get to see the Aurora Borealis in Norway as the solar storms and their effects on our planet's magnetosphere are shown; a site truly magnificent on high-definition.

'Order Out of Chaos'; the second episode, Brian Cox tells about entropy, the arrow of time and discusses about the second law of thermodynamics. The seasons caused by the Earth's tilt and the retrograde motion of the planet Mars are discussed, the episode ends with images from the Cassini Huygens probe and a briefing about the rings of Saturn and the geysers of a Jovian moon, Enceladus.

Cox takes a journey in an English Electric to an altitude of about sixty thousand feet where the thin and fragile atmosphere of the Earth transits from light blue to dark blue to black. The third episode, 'The Thin Blue Line' is about the atmospheres of Mars and an other Jovian moon, Titan. With footage of the Huygens descend to Titan's surface, Brian Cox talks about the moons atmosphere in detail.

Comparing the Valles Marineris of Mars with the Grand Canyon of Arizona, the fourth episode, 'Dead or Alive' talks about the geological activities. Professor Brian Cox travels to Hawaii and again, a comparison is made between Olympus Mons and the planet Earth. Gravity and its effects are also discussed in this episode. He goes about explaining the enormous gravity Jupiter has and how it could potentially change the trajectory of an asteroid that has strayed into the inner Solar system and sent it on a collision course with the Earth. The episode ends with him explaining about the geological activities on Io.

The final episode, 'Aliens' covers life surviving in extreme environments. To draw comparisons between space travel, Brian Cox takes a submarine to the deep oceans. Focusing on Mars, and on a Jupiter's moon Europa, he explains how search for life by searching for water.

To those of us who care about the weather systems and canyons of Mars, or the volcanic activity of the moons around Jupiter, this show has been a treat. If you like documentaries or science programs in general, you can subscribe for Dish TV Packages that offer these programs. The advantage with these packages is that you can subscribe only channels that interest you, potentially saving money.

Roy Fernandez is a freelancer and a blogger who enjoys writing about science documentaries and science channels that are offered through packages like Dish TV Packages.

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Astronomy - How to Look Up and Gaze at the Night Time Sky

By Julie Hammel

Everybody is given the opportunity to do something, such as being able to appreciate the magnificence of astronomy. It doesn't matter from where you are in this planet because one thing you could do to appreciate these wonders is by just looking up.

Every night, it is very pleasing to see the stars, moon, and maybe comets in the sky. Come to think of it, even people in the past saw the same thing you are seeing right now. It seems like a never-ending journey when you look up the sky, knowing that there is something everlasting about the cosmos. Everything outside the universe has been there for like eternity such as the moons, planets, and stars and until now it hasn't changed.

We all know how to look up. Every night, we see the wonderful lights of the stars and to think this goes on indefinitely during night time. It's like having Christmas lights but only for free. Just like the saying goes, "The best things in life are free". This is even one of the best ways to show your children how beautiful our world is and maybe when they learn to appreciate it they would love to know more about it. It's a good start in showing them how a star and moon looks like and how the moon shines so bright during the night. Teaching them to look up is a good start.

You should be grateful that you are given the chance to see because not all people are given this kind of gift. Just like the stars at night, we appreciate it so much and wonder how it is made beautifully. The pleasurable thing about astronomy is learning how to become more and more expert in star gazing that you understand it more each time you look up.

The following are some ways you can dedicate in to your hobby of astronomy much more exciting:

o Try to go somewhere away from the city where there are less lights coming from you place. Some rural areas are recommendable but make sure it is safe and you are familiar with the place.

o Recognize what you are looking at. Some fun ways to start learning are the constellations, knowing where some famous stars and planets are directed.

o Know about some history. Being knowledgeable about the remarkable breakthrough in astronomy will make your experience worthwhile. It should have its history since it has been there even before we were born.

o Take someone with you who knows a lot about astronomy. They will be very grateful to share what they know about astronomy. While star gazing, a simple picnic will do it.

o Be aware of the weather and also some updates or research if there will be meteor showers, comets, and other significant astronomy events that will happen to make your experience more thrilling and worthwhile.

When everything is set, bring all the necessary equipment needed. Once you've started, get yourself more involved and deepen your understanding with astronomy.

The author shares many different writing passions. Want to find out more about a Suncast Resin Wicker Basket, then visit the author's site on how to choose the best Wicker Storage Baskets for your storage needs.

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Astronomy Binoculars - 7 Tips For Best Star Gazing Equipment And Techniques

By Andre Sylvester

Astronomy binoculars can be a valuable resource for the amateur astronomer. With a good set of binoculars, you can see a wide variety of stars and other formations. This article provides seven tips to help star gazers get started in viewing the heavens.

1) Get a good handbook

Many hobbies have excellent reference works. Two good books for learning how to use astronomy binoculars are "Touring The Universe Through Binoculars" by Philip Harrington, and "The Binocular Stargazer" by Leslie Peltier. These reference works provide helpful tips to the beginner and experienced star gazer alike.

2) Find an astronomy support group

Many cities and towns have an established astronomy club or interest group. The club members often organize star watching parties to promote astronomy as a hobby. These club members often have years of experience in doing astronomical observations, with both telescopes and binoculars. Sign up for one of these outdoor gatherings, there is usually a special program for newcomers. Find out all you can from these experienced star watchers.

3) Get a center focusing wheel

Once you have identfied a star watching target, focusing your binoculars is the most important operation to getting the best view of your target. A center focusing wheel will give you the most control in getting the sharpest image for your observation.

4) Make sure both the eyepiece and lens optics are coated

Coatings for binoculars used to be a secret feature on selected binoculars. Now there are industry standards for optimal coating technologies, which greatly helps astronomy viewing. Make sure both your eyepiece and lenses are coated. The highest end coating is called fully multi coated, although lesser degrees of coatings are also available.

5) The wider the field of view, the greater the light

Astronomy binoculars seek to gain the most light possible from the dim stars and other heavenly objects. A wide field of view means that the lenses used are able to collect light from a larger portion of the sky. More light will help you get the most from your observations.

6) A tripod will keep the view steady

Photographers often use a tripod to steady their camera when taking photos of a fixed setting. Constellations of stars are also relatively fixed for the time duration of most astronomical viewing. Using a tripod will keep your view steady as you try to make out the various star patterns.

7) Inspect your binocular features before purchase

You will have done a lot of research to make sure that the model of binoculars you are selecting meets your requirements. Inspecting the features of your binoculars before purchase will ensure that you are satisfied with the selection, and minimize "buyers remorse". If the store has a no questions asked return policy, you should be ready to go!

I hope these tips will help you get the most out of your astronomy binoculars!

Andre Sylvester devotes his online resources to reviewing the best products and services available for the community of binocular users athttp://www.binoculars-for-you.com/. When you visit the site, you will find information to help you in selecting the binoculars that are right for you. To get more information on resources for binocular users, check out http://www.binoculars-for-you.com/

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Astronomy Tourism: World's Best Places for Star Gazing

By Sanskrity Sinha

The beauty of night is a rare occurrence in cities where twinkling stars fade behind light pollution as the sky looks dully black in the night and where the moon also loses its shine to the fumes in atmosphere. No wonder parents living in big cities take their children miles away to merely show them the stars. Astronomy tourism, a special interest tourism that deals in seeing through the outer space, makes it possible on a wider spectrum.

Iceland South Africa Seeing stars from close while being footed firmly on earth is an enthralling experience that astronomy tourism offers. There are hotels that offer telescopes and other means for star gazing in the night sky and then there are observatories on some exclusive locations of the earth that help tourists delve deep into a world outside their world. Plus, there are a few lesser known natural sites where astronomy tourism is best enjoyed with your naked eyes.

From the clear skies of Canary Islands in Atlantic Ocean to the Northern lights that marvel in the skies on North Pole, here is a list of best places for enjoying astronomy tourism in the world. Read on and the next time you are planning a vacation, these places are sure to top your list of destinations.

Canary Islands

Enjoy the sense of being close to the cosmos at the Canary Islands, where they say, "Stars smile down on you".

Sky watching is at its best with crystal clear night skies in the Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the northwest coast of Africa. Canary Islands, which is a group of seven islands, make star gazing a thrilling experience absolutely without the help of a telescope. Because of the position of the islands in the northern latitude one can see all the constellations of the northern hemisphere throughout the year. Moreover, the Government of the Islands has taken measures to protect clean skies of the region from light pollution.

One can feel the vastness of the universe at Canary Islands where thousands of stars appear to have formed a glittery blanket over the expanse. Watching shooting stars spread showers of light in the sky or discovering constellations come to you innately in the Canary regardless of your location on a hill top, on the shores or on the country side. Moderate temperatures of the islands favor astronomy tourism round the year. Individual camping facilities and guided tours for night are available in the region.

Chile

Chile in South America is yet another country witnessing growth in astronomy tourism. The northern part of the country has postcard blue skies with sunshine for over 300 sunny days in a year that supports natural observation of the universe. The region abounds in some of world's largest telescopes and many famous observatories including Cerro Mayu, Collowara and Mamalluca observatories in the Coquimbo region; Tololo, Pangue and La Silla observatories and the like. Chile is also home to Elqui Valley, located in the Region of Coquimbo, which has the maximum reports of UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings in the world. The country definitely beckons you for a gaze at the wonders of celestial bodies.

South Africa

Home to some of the world's known astronomical observatories, South Africa offers some of the best star viewing experiences. The country's largest telescope called Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), which is also the largest telescope in whole of Africa, is located on a hill top near Cape Town that attracts a huge number of tourists including astronauts, engineers, students and anyone who is interested in universe irrespective of their ages. Hotels in South Africa are making the most of the astronomy tourism with telescopes in rooms on offer, giving opportunity to visitors to watch night skies at their ease.

Northern lights tours: from Iceland to Siberia

Northern lights, also known as Aurora Borealis or Auroras, are one of the most magical spectacles in the sky in the Polar Regions, one can ever observe. The magnificent display of colorful, natural lights from evening through the night sky is a breathtakingly beautiful site that takes you by awe.

These auroras are created as a result of some natural mechanism between solar wind, a flow of ions, Earth's magnetic field and collisions between ions and atmospheric atoms and molecules that cause energy releases in the form of colorful lights.

Against the backdrop of starry, dark nights, the auroras add to the star gazing thrills on the countries located on Polar Regions. Auroras are clearly visible through the naked eyes more on North Pole than on South Pole. Iceland, northern Scandinavia, Greenland, northern Canada, Alaska, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Siberia are the ideal destinations to witness the beauty of night sky with twinkling stars and glowing Northern lights. Usually, the time of early spring or early autumn is considered best to see the Northern lights when nights are still dark.

Northern lights vacation packages, northern lights evening tours and day tours are available at these places.

This column has been written by Sanskrity Sinha for IBTimes.

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View The Night Sky With A Celestron Telescope

By Samuel Buckner

Many are interested in the night sky and some even dream of exploring outer space. However, for most of us the closest we will ever get to seeing space up close is through a telescope. One of the best manufacturers of telescopes out there is Celestron. They have been producing telescopes since the 1950's. They have a reputation for building quality telescopes, so much so that professional astronomers use them.

The basic Celestron models can be purchased for around $100, while the computer controlled, professional quality ones are sold for up to $2000. They offer a range of telescopes so you should be able to find one that is to your liking and fits your budget. You can view bright objects in the sky with a 500mm Celestron telescope that has a 80m lens.

FirstScope is an excellent model offered by Celestron. It's not very expensive when compared to others, while still offering great viewing. This is an ideal scope for beginners. Users can look through it during the night or day. To help enhance stability, Celestron puts quality stands in their telescopes. Stability is especially important when viewing in windy conditions. Also, a glass optical comes standard in all telescopes.

Computerized Telescopes

The NexStar model is more technologically advanced model that gives users the ability to program a specific time for viewing a certain object. It also provides excellent views of the stars. The star pointer is a feature that will locate millions of stars to view. The telescopes in this line are priced around $400.

The higher end NexStar telescope model comes with even more features. The focal length of the NexStar8 SE variation is more than 2000 and gives users some of the best views possible. The setup is also made easier. All you have to do is enter all the objects you want to see into the computer and it will automatically take you there. The price range for telescopes in this line are between $600 and $1600. The pricing of each scope is based on features.

Regardless of skill level and knowledge, you can find a Celestron telescope that fits your criteria. All their telescopes represent quality, and users can look forward to years of excellent viewing. You simply can't go wrong no matter which telescope you decide to buy. After starting off with a beginner scope, you can eventually progress toward the more advanced models as you become more educated.

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A Review of The Meade 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope

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