CENAP Infoline - no 145

Magazine Overview

This issue of MORGEN magazine, dated October 2001, features a prominent cover story on physicist Stephen Hawking, with the headline "Superhirn Hawking: 'Ich hoffe auf ein Lächeln von Gott'" and a striking sub-headline "Menschheit kann nur der Nuss-Schale im All überleben!". The magazine covers a range of scientific and space-related topics, including astronomy, space exploration, and environmental science.

Stephen Hawking on Humanity's Future and the Universe

The lead article details Stephen Hawking's visit to Munich to promote his new book, "Das Universum in einer Nussschale" (The Universe in a Nutshell). Hawking, who communicates via a speech computer due to his physical condition, expresses his belief that humanity's long-term survival depends on colonizing space. He is optimistic about humanity's ability to reach the stars but cautions about the dangers involved. When asked about intelligent life in the universe, he suggests it must be very advanced and far away, otherwise, we would have already had visitors.

Hawking also touches upon his views on God, stating that knowing the laws of nature is akin to knowing God's laws. He predicts that humanity will understand God's plan by the end of the 21st century. He hopes that if God were to read his book, He would smile rather than be angry.

A separate article delves deeper into Hawking's theories, explaining his concept of the universe being embedded in a multi-dimensional space with countless other worlds, a concept rooted in quantum mechanics and "M-Theories." He likens this to a balloon with galaxies painted on its surface, which can expand. The article also highlights Hawking's concern that humanity might not survive the next millennium without space colonization, fearing the accidental or intentional creation of a destructive virus through advanced biotechnology, which he considers a greater long-term threat than nuclear weapons.

Advancements in Astronomy

The Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT)

Another significant piece reports on the construction of the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) in Mexico, situated at an altitude of 4560 meters on the Cerro La Negra. This telescope, with a 50-meter diameter, will be the world's largest for receiving radio waves in the one to three-millimeter range. Its purpose is to provide new insights into the formation of distant galaxies and star nurseries within our own Milky Way. The project is a collaboration between Mexico's National Institute for Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (INAOE) and the University of Massachusetts. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Radioastronomy in Bonn plan to integrate the LMT into a virtual giant telescope through interferometry to create highly detailed maps of active galactic nuclei.

The "Ghost Head Nebula"

A visually striking section presents a Hubble Space Telescope image of the "Ghost Head Nebula" (NGC 2080), located in a neighboring galaxy 168,000 light-years away. This nebula is described as a stellar nursery where young stars, no more than 10,000 years old, are being born. The image showcases glowing hydrogen and oxygen clouds, with the young stars appearing as bright, white blurs.

Space Exploration and Missions

Claudie Haignere's Journey to the ISS

The magazine features French astronaut Claudie Haignere, who is set to become the first European to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the "Andromeda Mission." Haignere, a physician and engineer, will spend seven days aboard the ISS, conducting experiments. She previously spent two weeks on the Russian Mir space station in 1996. Her mission includes experiments on plasma structures and neurological studies. Her daughter's teddy bear will accompany her, a memento from her family.

Kaulquappen (Tadpoles) Fly to the ISS

In a peculiar detail, the issue mentions that tadpoles are also traveling to the ISS aboard the Soyuz- Raumkapsel with Claudie Haignere and two Russian cosmonauts. These tadpoles are part of an experiment by the University of Ulm to study the effects of weightlessness on the balance system.

US Astronaut's Perspective on 9/11

An excerpt from a letter by US astronaut Frank Culbertson, commander of the ISS, describes his harrowing experience of witnessing the 9/11 terrorist attacks from orbit. He recounts seeing smoke plumes rising from the World Trade Center and Washington, describing it as seeing "smoke rising from the wounds of my country." He expresses the profound sadness of observing such destruction from a "fantastic vantage point."

Environmental Science

Ozone Hole Remains Largely Unchanged

An article reports that the ozone hole over Antarctica has remained consistently large for the fourth consecutive year, measuring approximately 26 million square kilometers. Scientists from NASA indicate that the thinning of the ozone layer over the South Pole is comparable to previous years. The recovery of the ozone layer is expected to be a slow process, taking 30 to 50 years for the ozone-depleting substances to significantly degrade.

Historical Mysteries

The Venus and the Fall of Teotihuacan

A speculative piece proposes a theory linking the demise of the ancient Mexican city of Teotihuacan to the planet Venus. Researchers suggest that the inhabitants, driven by religious beliefs, engaged in constant warfare whenever Venus appeared in the morning sky. This practice, it is theorized, led to their eventual downfall, possibly at the hands of a neighboring people who exploited this ritualistic warfare.

Astronomical Events

Halley's Comet Meteor Shower

The magazine also notes an upcoming meteor shower caused by debris from Halley's Comet, expected to produce up to 20 meteors per hour in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend, with a peak on Sunday night. The Orionids, as they are known, are fast-moving objects entering the atmosphere.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around humanity's place in the universe, the pursuit of scientific knowledge, and the exploration of space. There is a strong emphasis on the future of humanity, with Hawking's dire warnings about the need for space colonization serving as a central point. The magazine also highlights significant scientific and technological achievements, such as the LMT and the ISS missions. The editorial stance appears to be one of fascination with scientific discovery and a cautious awareness of both the potential and the perils facing humanity, whether from cosmic threats or self-inflicted ones. The inclusion of the 9/11 aftermath from an astronaut's perspective adds a layer of contemporary global concern to the broader scientific and existential discussions.