Delve Report - 2000 07 - July

Magazine Overview

Title: DELVE REPORT
Issue: Special JULY Issue 2000
Date: July 2000
Publisher: National Post
Country: Canada

This issue of Delve Report delves into a variety of scientific and speculative topics, with a strong focus on space exploration, robotics, and unexplained phenomena. The cover story highlights a groundbreaking project at the University of Toronto aiming to send swarms of miniature robots to Mars. Other articles explore the burgeoning field of astrobiology, the discovery of new planets, the latest in robotics, and the ongoing fascination with UFOs and alien encounters.

Canadian Scientists Plan Mars Robot Mission

Peter Boisseau reports on a University of Toronto project developing multi-agent network robotics. The goal is to send battalions of palm-sized robots to Mars or other celestial bodies for tasks like seismology, sample return, and the search for life. Ernest Earon, a research assistant, emphasizes the importance of having independent rovers that can adapt to losses in numbers, citing the failure of NASA's Mars Polar Lander as a lesson. Christian Sallaberger of the Canadian Space Agency anticipates seeing several missions involving networks of planetary rovers within the next decade, potentially for assembling sensor arrays on the moon for deep space astronomy. The research is funded by government and private sectors, with interest from the U.S. military for applications like mine-sweeping and surveillance. The robots are inspired by nature, with plans to develop legged robots modeled on stick insects and ant-like logic for simple decision-making, focusing on reaction rather than reason. The team aims to have a plan ready for flight-ready rovers by the end of the year, with potential mission possibilities in 2005 and 2007.

The Search for Life Beyond Earth Intensifies

Clive Cookson writes about the growing excitement in astronomy surrounding the discovery of extrasolar planets. Just five years ago, the existence of planets beyond our solar system was theoretical, but now about 30 have been inferred, with two teams recently publishing direct evidence. Geoff Marcy of the University of California, Berkeley, and a British group led by Andrew Collier Cameron have provided direct evidence of planets. The main excitement stems from astrobiology, the search for life beyond Earth, as planets are considered essential for life to originate and evolve. While current discoveries show planets that are often giant and too close to their stars to be hospitable, the possibility of finding Earth-like planets or moons is increasing. The article discusses the ambitious 'Darwin' mission proposed by the European Space Agency and NASA, which aims to detect Earth-like planets and identify oxygen in their atmospheres, a potential signature of active biology. The technical requirements for Darwin are formidable, involving a flotilla of laser-guided spacecraft. The article also touches on the possibility of future, even more ambitious projects to image planetary surfaces.

UFO Conference: Abductees Share Experiences

Jonathan Gatehouse reports on the 21st annual Rocky Mountain UFO Conference, which focuses on alien abductees. The conference provides a space for individuals who have experienced direct extraterrestrial contact to share their stories, often facing ridicule and disbelief. Tom and Joan Bishop describe joyful encounters, while Janet shares harrowing tales of mistreatment by 'The Greys,' including regular kidnappings and hybrid children. Franklin Carter, president of the Institute for UFO Research, explains that the conference aims to help people integrate these traumatic experiences into their daily lives. The event features a variety of lectures and workshops on UFO sightings, crop circles, and animal mutilations. Bob White displays a piece of a claimed UFO, and Anna Hayes lectures on alien civilizations. Pamela Stonebrooke shares her experiences with 'Reptilians.' The article highlights the reluctance of abductees to come forward, even within the UFO community, and the challenges they face in integrating their experiences.

Astronomy News: Colliding Galaxies and New Planets

Kenneth Chang reports on a supercomputer simulation of the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies on a collision course. Astronomers Lars Hernquist and John Dubinski calculated the motions of 107 million particles to preview a potential head-on collision in three billion years. The simulation shows that while individual stars are unlikely to collide, gravitational forces will drastically shuffle star locations, creating 'tidal tails' of stars and eventually merging the galaxies into a mangled blob. This could help astronomers understand the formation of elliptical galaxies. The article also mentions the discovery of a giant planet orbiting two stars, a finding that suggests more complex planetary systems may exist than previously thought. The planet was detected using gravitational microlensing.

Meteorites: Gifts from the Sky and a Mini Cash Crop

Jeannie Marshall writes about the significance of meteorites, both scientifically and economically. Professor Robert Folinsbee recounts his experience collecting meteorite samples from Bruderheim, Alberta, in 1960, noting the need for haggling skills. He explains that meteorites are valuable for scientific study and can be traded for pieces of other meteorites. Folinsbee shares anecdotes about meteorites, including one instance where a meteorite fell through a roof and hit a sleeping woman, causing a bruise. He also mentions a recent case where a meteorite struck a vintage car, significantly increasing its value. The Bruderheim fall in 1960 is credited with renewing interest in meteorites and boosting the University of Alberta's collection. Folinsbee also describes traveling to Mexico to collect meteorite samples.

Robots in Antarctica and the Future of Cyborgs

Warren E. Leary reports on 'Nomad,' a four-wheeled robot built by Carnegie Mellon University, designed to search for and classify meteorites in Antarctica. This robot is intended to make its own judgments, unlike previous exploratory robots that simply transmitted data for human evaluation. Nomad uses sensors and a camera to identify potential meteorites based on shape, color, and charring. The project, sponsored by NASA, aims to test robots' ability to operate autonomously in harsh environments. In a related piece, Jay Bookman discusses the blurring boundaries between humans and computers, exploring the development of mind-controlled robots and wearable computers. He highlights research in building computers out of living brain cells and creating 'affective computing' and AI characters. The concept of cyborgs, where computer hardware is integrated with a human, is discussed, with some arguing that individuals with cellphones and beepers already exhibit cyborg status.

Other Science and Astronomy News

Several shorter articles cover diverse topics. One reports on the discovery of hardy microbes in the South Pole that thrive in extreme conditions, with implications for the search for life on Earth and other planets. Another discusses the possibility of giant ice cubes falling from clear skies, potentially linked to global warming. The issue also notes the detection of a comet three years after it passed Earth and mentions the ongoing search for 'Bigfoot' in China. A piece on physics reveals that the Earth's core rotates faster than the surface, completing an extra revolution every 2,400 years. Finally, an article discusses the economic potential of space exploration, with companies racing to build reusable launch vehicles and promote space tourism.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Delve Report consistently explores the intersection of science, technology, and the unexplained. There's a clear interest in pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, whether through robotic exploration of space, the search for extraterrestrial life, or understanding the human-machine interface. The magazine provides a platform for both established scientific research and more speculative topics like UFOs and alien abductions, presenting them with a degree of seriousness and encouraging further investigation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting diverse viewpoints and findings without overt skepticism, particularly when it comes to phenomena that challenge conventional understanding.