CENAP Infoline - no 152

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP-INFOLINE, dated February 26, 2002, is titled 'SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY' and covers a range of scientific advancements and space missions. It features articles on solar research, Mars exploration, rocket technology, astrobiology, and cutting-edge physics.

Sonnenteleskop SOHO: Sonnenflecken auf der Spur (SOHO Solar Telescope: Sunspots on the Trail)

The solar research probe SOHO has reported new discoveries about the Sun. It has observed that rising hot gas on the Sun's surface cools down and disappears back into the depths at speeds of around 4000 km/h. These cooler zones appear darker and are perceived as sunspots. The extremely fast gas masses are stabilized for months by enormous magnetic fields.

Mars Odyssey: USA sind wieder am Mars (Mars Odyssey: USA are back on Mars)

With the ignition of its main engine on October 23, 2001, NASA successfully sent a spacecraft to Mars after several costly failures. Scientists rejoiced when the probe finally reported back via radio after entering orbit. The process of transforming the elliptical orbit into a circular one will continue until January 2002, after which the scientific work will commence.

Rotary Rocket: Pleite für die Roton (Rotary Rocket: Bankruptcy for the Roton)

Due to insurmountable technical problems and insolvency, Rotary Rocket has definitively ceased work on its reusable launch vehicle, the Roton. The manned vehicle was intended to carry payloads into Earth orbit and then land like a helicopter using a rotor system. Although a 19.5-meter-long Atmospheric Test Vehicle was tested multiple times with a two-person crew, the drives and rotor system could not be made production-ready.

NASA-Projekte: Mini-Bulldozer auf dem Mars (NASA Projects: Mini-Bulldozers on Mars)

If humans are to explore Mars one day, small helpers should assist them, according to NASA engineers. Experts at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena are currently controlling four mini-bulldozers that scoop and dump sand and stones in various sandboxes. These intelligent, lightweight vehicles are too high-tech and expensive for children's toys. They could gradually 'graze' the Martian surface, search for water, or collect soil samples without a driver. Their solar-powered operation offers a better mass-to-performance ratio than larger vehicles, and they can handle more diverse tasks when deployed in groups. The 3.6 kg bulldozers have small shovels that allow them to pick up sand and gravel and even free themselves from difficult situations, including being upside down or in holes. Their activities are monitored from a central control tower equipped with television cameras.

Astrobiologie: Lebensbaustein aus dem All (Astrobiology: Building Blocks of Life from Space)

NASA researchers have found sugar molecules in meteorites, supporting the theory that life originated from space and came to Earth. The article posits that early Earth was a desolate place, formed about 4.5 million years ago from a primordial nebula of dust and gas. As the planet cooled and oceans formed, meteorites rained down, carrying organic molecules. Astrobiologist George Cooper suggests this 'bombardment' may have provided the building blocks for the synthesis of life. Cooper's research strengthens a 40-year-old theory that terrestrial life originated from extraterrestrial germs. He analyzed samples from the Murray meteorite (Texas, 1950) and the Murchison meteorite (Australia, 1969), discovering simple sugars (polyols). Previously, other organic substances like amino acids (building blocks of proteins) had been found in these meteorites. Sugar molecules, essential for life, were missing until now. Chemist Katrina Brabham explains that polyols are important components of nucleic acids and cell membranes and serve as energy sources. They likely formed under UV light from molecules like carbon monoxide, ammonia, water, and formaldehyde. NASA researchers claim these meteorite sugars are extraterrestrial, citing their uniform distribution in the rock and isotopic composition, which rules out contamination on Earth or in the lab. While this discovery makes the theory of life originating from space more plausible, it does not definitively prove it.

Astronomie: Scharfer Blick dank Spiegeltrick (Astronomy: Sharp Vision Thanks to Mirror Trick)

For the first time, an Earth-based observation station has outperformed the Hubble Space Telescope in terms of visual acuity. Astronomers equipped a mirror of the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in the Chilean Andes with a powerful infrared camera, developed primarily by the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy. They also used adaptive optics, where a flexible mirror is computer-controlled to counteract optical distortions caused by atmospheric turbulence. The first object observed was the star cluster NGC 3604, 20,000 light-years away. The images from Chile were more detailed than those from orbit. However, Hubble remains important for visible light observations, where it still provides superior images to Earth-based telescopes.

Schwarze Löcher strahlen doch (Black Holes Do Radiate After All)

Astrophysicists led by Jörn Wilms from the University of Tübingen have observed a gravitational giant that emits energy. A black hole, rotating like a dynamo at the center of a galaxy 100 million light-years away, pumps energy into a surrounding gas disk. This phenomenon was detected through X-ray satellite XMM-Newton, which showed the gas cloud radiating unexpectedly brightly.

Leitstern Mizar (Guiding Star Mizar)

A new theory by astronomers at the University of Cambridge suggests the construction of the Giza pyramid complex began between 2485 and 2475 BC. Older dating methods are only accurate to within 100 years. Researchers hypothesize that the builders oriented the pyramids along the North-South axis using the bright stars Mizar (Big Dipper) and Kochab (Little Dipper), which, around that time, formed an exact North-South line with the celestial pole. Their alignment indicates their age.

Neujahrsfeuerwerk auf der Sonne (New Year's Fireworks on the Sun)

On January 4th, the SOHO research satellite registered a spectacular eruption on the Sun, with gas masses ejected at 3.5 million km/h. This was the most complex coronal mass ejection observed to date. Fortunately, Earth was spared from this particle storm as it was directed 90 degrees away from our planet.

Galaxienkollision schuf kosmischen „Vogelkopf" (Galaxy Collision Created Cosmic "Vogelface")

A new image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows the galaxy NGC 6745 resembling a bird's head pecking at a worm. This shape is the result of a collision with the galaxy to its lower right ('the worm'). The impact compressed interstellar gas masses in both galaxies, leading to the formation of numerous stars. The blue areas indicate star formation regions where the 'unfortunate opponent' grazed along NGC 6745.

Populäre Irrtümer (Popular Misconceptions)

A large survey by the European Commission of 16,000 EU citizens revealed that about one in four Europeans still believes the Sun revolves around the Earth. Nearly one-eighth incorrectly thought that radioactive contaminated milk becomes safe after boiling, while another quarter answered 'don't know'. The survey concluded that Europeans' knowledge level has barely improved since 1992, with only a slight increase in awareness about dinosaurs (59% now know humans did not coexist with dinosaurs, up from 50% in 1992).

Ehrliches Gesicht (Honest Face)

US scientists from Minnesota have developed a novel lie detector that can also be used for mass screenings at airports. A thermal imaging camera detects changes in facial blood flow. When test subjects lied, blood flow around the eyes increased. This method achieved an 83 percent accuracy rate, comparable to conventional polygraphs, according to researchers in the journal 'Nature'.

Nobelpreis: Phantastische Kälte (Nobel Prize: Fantastic Cold)

Physicist Wolfgang Ketterle, along with US researchers Carl Wieman and Eric Cornell, received the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physics for creating a new form of matter: the Bose-Einstein condensate. Ketterle, working at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, observed two clouds of atoms in a vacuum chamber that, instead of mixing normally, formed a series of 'zebra stripes' where matter seemed to disappear. Ketterle explained that the clouds 'annihilated' each other. This exotic matter form, the Bose-Einstein condensate, could enable the creation of computer chips a hundred times smaller than current ones, the development of extremely precise measuring devices, and the imaging of microscopic objects as 3-D holograms. The Nobel Committee stated that 'revolutionary applications seem just around the corner.' The article also touches upon the 'brain drain' of German scientists to the USA, with Ketterle himself having moved there in 1990. He was offered a prestigious directorship in Germany in 1997 but chose to stay in the US due to close personal ties. The creation of Bose-Einstein condensates requires cooling atoms to less than one billionth of a degree above absolute zero (-273.15°C). In this state, atoms merge into a 'superatom' and move in perfect synchrony, allowing for complete control. The process involves using precisely aligned laser beams to cool the atoms and then allowing the warmest particles to escape. The first Bose-Einstein condensate was created by Wieman and Cornell in 1995, followed by Ketterle a few months later with a significantly larger atom cloud. Today, around 30 research teams worldwide produce Bose-Einstein condensates. Notable achievements include the development of atom lasers and atom chips, and the ability to slow down and even stop light beams using this cold matter.

Kühlendes Kreuzfeuer (Cooling Crossfire)

This section details the experimental setup for creating Bose-Einstein condensates, involving laser beams and magnetic fields to cool gas clouds of atoms to near absolute zero. It reiterates that the Nobel Prize was awarded for the creation of this new form of matter. The article profiles Wolfgang Ketterle, highlighting his background, his move to the USA in 1990, his professorship, and his personal life. It emphasizes the difficulty of reaching the extreme temperatures required for Bose-Einstein condensates, which are far colder than even the coldest parts of the universe. In this state, atoms merge and move in unison, providing unprecedented control. The process involves lasers to cool atoms and then removing warmer particles. The race to create the first condensate was won by Wieman and Cornell, with Ketterle following shortly after with a larger sample. Current research includes atom lasers, atom chips, and the manipulation of light using cold matter. Ketterle expresses excitement about the rapid progress and future possibilities, stating that reality will inspire imagination.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently highlights advancements in space exploration, astronomy, and physics, with a particular focus on international collaboration and the role of leading research institutions like NASA and the Max Planck Institutes. There is an underlying theme of awe and wonder regarding scientific discoveries, from the Sun's activity to the origins of life and the fundamental nature of matter. The magazine also touches upon the 'brain drain' phenomenon, noting the migration of top scientists from Germany to the USA, while also celebrating international scientific achievements. The editorial stance appears to be one of informing the public about cutting-edge science and technology, presenting complex topics in an accessible manner, and fostering an appreciation for scientific inquiry.