Delve Report - 2002 07 - July

Magazine Overview

Title: DELVE
Issue: Special 2002
Date: Sunday, August 5, 2001
Publisher: THE TORONTO STAR

This issue of DELVE magazine, a special edition from The Toronto Star, delves into various aspects of extraterrestrial life, space exploration, and potential cosmic threats. It features articles on the search for alien life, asteroid impact risks, UFO sightings, and scientific missions.

Articles

Alien hunters scan sky for extraterrestrial life

The cover story, by George Johnson of The New York Times, discusses humanity's persistent search for extraterrestrial life. It highlights the U.S.-based SETI project's efforts to detect electromagnetic signals from alien civilizations. A key finding presented at the International Society of Optical Engineering's annual meeting suggests microscopic creatures might exist in Martian soil. Dr. Joseph Miller of the University of Southern California analyzed data from the Viking lander, concluding that gases emitted from Martian soil exhibited cyclical rhythms similar to Earth's 'day-night' cycles, implying biological activity. However, other experts remain skeptical, attributing these rhythms to chemical reactions or spacecraft artifacts. The article also mentions evidence of bacteria raining down from space, found in the upper atmosphere by an international team. The excitement surrounding potential 'space bugs' is compared to the 1996 NASA announcement about a Martian meteorite possibly containing microscopic fossils. Despite the U.S. government ceasing SETI funding in 1993, philanthropists have continued support, with the Allen Telescope Array set to become operational in California in the coming years. Another SETI project will focus on detecting distant laser pulses.

Universe 13B years old, younger than previous estimates

This brief report from The National Post (April 25, 2002) states that scientists, led by Dr. Harvey Richer of the University of British Columbia, have measured the cooling rate of ancient white dwarfs, suggesting the universe is approximately 13 billion years old, slightly younger than previously thought. These observations were made using the Hubble Space Telescope.

Newly discovered comet can be seen in western sky

Another National Post report (March 11, 2002) announces the discovery of a comet, Ikeya-Zhang, which has doubled in brightness and is now visible in the western sky over the Edmonton area. Astronomers and star-gazers are excited about its potential to brighten further in the coming weeks.

No big asteroid threat for centuries

Written by Terence Dickinson, this article from 'The Universe' section discusses the ongoing efforts to identify asteroids that could pose a threat to Earth. Scientists have identified all 10-kilometer-class asteroids, which could cause global extinction, and none are predicted to hit Earth for hundreds of years. The concern lies with smaller, one to two-kilometer asteroids, of which about half of the estimated 1,200 have been identified. An impact from a one-kilometer asteroid could incinerate a city and cause widespread damage. The article references the Tunguska event in 1908, where a 30-meter asteroid exploded over Siberia, and notes that such an event occurs statistically every 200 years. The challenge for astronomers is to identify these objects before they reach Earth.

Asteroid scheduled to hit Earth on March 16, 2880

This report from The Toronto Star (July 21, 2002) details the asteroid 1950 DA, a 1.1-kilometer wide object with a 'non-negligible probability' of colliding with Earth on March 16, 2880. The impact could release energy equivalent to 100,000 megatonnes, potentially causing a nuclear winter. Scientists, including Peter Brown and Jon Giorgini of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, have calculated its orbit over 50 years. Methods to divert the asteroid, such as coating it with chalk or charcoal or using solar sail spacecraft, are discussed. The Yarkovsky effect, a subtle acceleration caused by uneven heat radiation, is also mentioned as a factor that could alter an asteroid's orbit.

Cam focuses on old galaxies

This Metro Today article (March 8, 2002) reports on astronauts adding a new camera to the Hubble Space Telescope. This instrument is expected to extend the telescope's optical reach to observe galaxies as they existed billions of years ago, potentially looking back to the first billion years after the Big Bang, according to Garth Illingworth of California State University at Santa Cruz.

Team teleports light ray

A Reuters report (June 18, 2002) from Metro Today describes physicists at the Australian National University in Canberra successfully teleporting a laser beam of light about one meter. This breakthrough opens possibilities for super-fast and secure communication systems, based on the principle that if quantum particles' properties can be reproduced, an object can be duplicated.

Scotland world capital of UFO sightings

This Metro Today article (March 11, 2002) highlights Scotland as having the highest concentration of UFO sightings globally. Approximately 300 Unidentified Flying Objects are spotted annually, with statistics showing a significantly higher rate per square kilometre and per capita compared to other countries like France, Italy, and the United States. Author Ron Halliday attributes this to Scotland's reputation for strange occurrences, while others suggest remote areas and airbases may play a role.

Kilometre-wide asteroid targets Earth

By Margaret Munro, this National Post article (April 5, 2002) discusses the potential impact of asteroid 1950 DA on March 16, 2880. The risk is calculated at one in 300, making it the longest-term and most precise asteroid impact forecast. The impact could be devastating, sending humans back to a 'cave-man like situation.' However, the long lead time allows for potential diversion strategies.

Asteroids could spill galactic secret

This report (June 13, 2002) from The National Post mentions a newly discovered cluster of 39 asteroids, formed 5.8 million years ago, which could provide clues about the solar system's origins. Scientists used a computer model to date their formation, which resulted from a 24-km asteroid being struck by a smaller object. This research could help answer questions about asteroid breakups and potential diversion methods.

Sensors to take inside look at Mars

According to a National Post article (May 31, 2002), British scientists are building 'Marsquake' sensors to detect underground water and search for life on Mars. The 2007 NetLander mission aims to examine the planet's weather and geological structure. The sensors will analyze vibrations to determine if they hit liquid water, which is a prerequisite for life.

Life on Mars gets boost from Toronto researchers

This Metro Today article (January 17, 2002) reports on Toronto researchers discovering microbes in Antarctic soils that thrive in Mars-like conditions. This discovery is expected to aid in identifying landing sites for robotic explorers on Mars. Victor Baker, a geologist from the University of Arizona, noted that while this doesn't prove life on Mars, it shows life can exist in Mars-like environments.

Asteroid armageddon coming, or maybe not

This National Post article (July 26, 2002) discusses asteroid 2002 NT7, a 2-kilometer wide object initially calculated to have a chance of hitting Earth on February 1, 2019. The risk was estimated at one in 75,000, but scientists expect further observations to eliminate this threat. The article also mentions asteroid 2002 CU11, whose collision risk with Earth in 2049 was reduced to zero after more data became available. Dr. Simon Mitton notes a pattern where initial high-risk indications often decrease with more precise calculations. The potential impact of such an asteroid could cause a global meltdown and reduce civilization to 'Dark Age conditions'.

Astronomers monitoring asteroid threat

A Reuters report (July 25, 2002) from The Toronto Star states that astronomers are monitoring a 2-kilometer wide asteroid, 2002 NT7, for a potential collision course with Earth on February 1, 2019. While the threat is considered minimal and expected to dissipate with more data, an object of this size could destroy a continent. The Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research Project detected the object.

The Milky Way galaxy has been caught in the act of shredding an ancient star cluster

This brief report (July 4, 2002) mentions astronomers capturing images of the Milky Way galaxy disrupting a globular cluster, leaving a trail of stellar debris. This observation was made using a camera on a telescope at Apache Point Observatory.

Earth-piercing 'missiles' coming from space

By Robert Matthews, this National Post article (May 14, 2002) proposes that two mysterious explosions in the 1990s, detected by earthquake sensors, may be evidence of 'strangelets' impacting Earth at high speeds. These strangelets are hypothesized clumps of matter with unusual properties. Scientists analyzed earthquake records and found two events in 1993 consistent with such impacts, suggesting they tore through Earth at speeds up to 1.5 million km/h.

Underground ice may lie on Mars

This National Post article (May 28, 2002) reports that NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft may have detected underground water ice on Mars. This finding is considered a significant step in Mars exploration, as liquid water is a prerequisite for Earth-type life.

Telescope to delve deep into alien hunt

According to MetroToday news services (July 17, 2002), the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute is developing a giant, $26-million telescope to search for extraterrestrial signals more efficiently, increasing the chances of finding intelligent life in the next 25 years.

'X-files' team probes weird animal deaths

This Metro Today article (June 20, 2002) describes the Argentine government sending 'X-Files' scientists to investigate the strange deaths of farm animals found dissected and drained of blood on remote Pampa plains. Some attribute these killings to aliens.

Comet swinging by after 341 years

This Metro Today article (March 18, 2002) announces that comet Ikeya-Zhang, last seen from Earth in 1661, will be visible for several weeks. Astronomers consider it the best comet visible in the Northern Hemisphere since Hale-Bopp in 1997. It is barely visible to the naked eye but its tail is visible through binoculars.

NASA hopes probe will solve mysteries of solar system's oldest objects

By Broward Liston, this National Post article (July 4, 2002) details the launch of the Contour satellite, designed to study comets up close. Contour will orbit Earth until August 15 before heading towards Comet Encke and Comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 3. NASA hopes that by analyzing these comets, which may contain primitive materials from the solar system's formation, scientists can gain insights into the origins of the solar system, Earth's water, and potentially life itself.

Scientists urge Pluto mission for clues to life's beginnings on Earth

This National Post article (July 12, 2002) reports that scientists are urging NASA to prioritize a mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, despite the elimination of funding for such a mission in the latest federal budget. The National Research Council recommends exploring this region, which may contain clues to how life began on Earth, as it is believed to be a source of water and biological materials that may have been delivered to Earth by comets and asteroids.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of DELVE magazine revolve around the search for extraterrestrial life, the scientific investigation of unexplained phenomena, and the potential threats and wonders of space. The magazine presents a generally optimistic yet cautious stance on these topics, highlighting scientific endeavors like SETI and space missions while also acknowledging the uncertainties and skepticism surrounding some findings. There is a clear emphasis on reporting the latest scientific discoveries and theories, often drawing from various news sources and expert opinions. The editorial stance appears to be one of informing the public about the ongoing exploration of the cosmos and the possibilities it holds, ranging from the profound question of life beyond Earth to the tangible risks posed by celestial objects.