The ocean is a very strange and wondrous thing. It is one of the wonders of the world that man has yet to explore completely. One of the parts that has yet to be fully explored is the deep ocean. Who knows what really lies there? How important is the deep area of the ocean?
Deep in the ocean, there lies Hydrothermal Vents. These are areas where there lies molten rock that meets the ocean. When the water meets the rock, it begins to steam, and is a great place for animals and other organisims to live. An example of a Hydrothermal Vents is a Black Smoker. The smoke that comes from the vent forms and is the color black. Around these Hydrothermal Vents, there lies Chemosynthetic Bacteria. These bacteria gain their energy from the chemicals that come from the vent. They are eaten by others, and creates a food chain. The first discovery of these vents occured in 1977.
The larger animals that live near these vents migrate from vent to vent to keep a constant flow of food and energy. One way that they migrate is using the deep-sea currents. At the poles, water becomes very salty and cold. This cold water sinks to the bottom of the ocean because it becomes more dense. It will continue to sink until it reaches a level of water of equal density. Once it matches densities, it will start to spread out. It begins to flow toward the equator, where it becomes warmed and begins to raise. The water moves toward the equator because of the top-sea currents. So a chain forms of warm and cold water. The animals use this current and "ride" it to other vents.
Due to the extreme pressure due to the water, there are very few animals that can survive. These are specialized animals that are used to the water. These animals contain: Giant Squid, Octopi, Grenader Fish, Sabertooth glowfish, and many clams and mollusks. Most of these animals either have an extremely hard outer shell, or are boneless; so they can survive the pressure with relative ease and with little to no stress on their bones (Because they have none).
The sea contains several different geographical structures. One of these are the Abyssal Plain, which is a large area of nothing. And Sea Mounts, which are undersea moutains. Submersive Canyons are fissures that go down to reach the molten rocks. These are the Hydrothemal Vents. Other major themes are: Continental Shelves, Coral Reefs, Volcanic Islands, and Deep Ocean Trenches, which are where the continental plates are forced under one another. The Canyons occur where the plates separate.
The deep ocean is a habitat that houses several different species. Most of them survive around Hydrothermal Vents and use deep-sea currents to travel. There are many other mysteries that the sea holds. Who knows, there may be a Lost City of Atlantis. It may be a long time before the world really finds out.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The Big Bang
Have you ever wondered how everything got to be the way it was? What made the entire universe? What could have created the mass of matter and energy that made all of what we know? The most common explanation is the Big Bang.
Supposedly, a large, humongous explosion created the universe. This occurred in what is estimated to be about 15 Billion years age. Everything was standing still at a single point. This point was formed by what is called vaccuum fluctuation and squeezed everything into the size of a dime. What was everything before it? Nobody really knows, and nobody probably will. There is no way to find out, unless there is some way to travel back in time, but who knows if there would be a way back.
Contrary to popular explaination, The big bang isn't really an explosion. It's really a system of movement of matter throughout the entire universe. So it's like osmosis. Matter moved from an area of high concentration to that of low concentration. From this expanision of matter, the rest of the universe was created. The origin of the Big Bang theory came from a scientist of the name of Edwin Hubble. He stated that the universe is constantly expanding, and that all the galaxies are moving farther away from each other; otherwise known as the Inflation Theory.
From the big bang, photons were developed. From these photons came quarks, both positive and negative. Quarks formed protons, electrons and neutrons, and these furthermore made atoms. As everyone knows, atoms make up everything. Then, from the Big Bang and the creation of atoms, there could be the formation of living creatures. This is called the Chemosynthetic Theory. It basically says that when the planet was created, the atoms and molecules formed proteins and macromolecules (the stuff that makes essential body parts). From these, came more complex molecules, and eventually came bacteria. Then, according to Evolution, came human beings. So the Big Bang is verifiable when it comes to evolution and the creation of human beings. However, religion has a different view.
Through religion, it is believed that God created everything. Very simple, God said let it be, and it was. So the two are constantly butting heads. But recently, there was a new development of Intelligent Design. Intelligent Design is a mix between the two. It's where God created the world, and through Evolution and Natural Selection, came the current human beings. But who knows who's right or wrong.
I don't know where to stand on this. There are many loop holes in both of them. There is no for sure way to really understand this. Even is someone was able to see it, how could they describe it? There are so many other things in the world that are a mystery. Might as well add another one on the list. How the universe was created is going to forever be a mystery. Well, at least to me. But, at least they have options for how we got here...
Supposedly, a large, humongous explosion created the universe. This occurred in what is estimated to be about 15 Billion years age. Everything was standing still at a single point. This point was formed by what is called vaccuum fluctuation and squeezed everything into the size of a dime. What was everything before it? Nobody really knows, and nobody probably will. There is no way to find out, unless there is some way to travel back in time, but who knows if there would be a way back.
Contrary to popular explaination, The big bang isn't really an explosion. It's really a system of movement of matter throughout the entire universe. So it's like osmosis. Matter moved from an area of high concentration to that of low concentration. From this expanision of matter, the rest of the universe was created. The origin of the Big Bang theory came from a scientist of the name of Edwin Hubble. He stated that the universe is constantly expanding, and that all the galaxies are moving farther away from each other; otherwise known as the Inflation Theory.
From the big bang, photons were developed. From these photons came quarks, both positive and negative. Quarks formed protons, electrons and neutrons, and these furthermore made atoms. As everyone knows, atoms make up everything. Then, from the Big Bang and the creation of atoms, there could be the formation of living creatures. This is called the Chemosynthetic Theory. It basically says that when the planet was created, the atoms and molecules formed proteins and macromolecules (the stuff that makes essential body parts). From these, came more complex molecules, and eventually came bacteria. Then, according to Evolution, came human beings. So the Big Bang is verifiable when it comes to evolution and the creation of human beings. However, religion has a different view.
Through religion, it is believed that God created everything. Very simple, God said let it be, and it was. So the two are constantly butting heads. But recently, there was a new development of Intelligent Design. Intelligent Design is a mix between the two. It's where God created the world, and through Evolution and Natural Selection, came the current human beings. But who knows who's right or wrong.
I don't know where to stand on this. There are many loop holes in both of them. There is no for sure way to really understand this. Even is someone was able to see it, how could they describe it? There are so many other things in the world that are a mystery. Might as well add another one on the list. How the universe was created is going to forever be a mystery. Well, at least to me. But, at least they have options for how we got here...
Friday, April 11, 2008
Comparing Solar Systems and Galaxies
There are thousands of bodies of mass in the universe. These bodies of mass can range from giant galaxies to an individual solar system or even just a single star. Have you ever looked up at the stars at night and just wondered what was up there? Well, there's a lot up there.
A solar system can be defined as a system of bodies orbiting around a star. Solar systems can also have several other systems that are located in them. In our solar system, we have several systems. These systems are the planets and the moons or satellites that surround and orbit around them. These systems revlove around the sun in elliptical motions. These motions follow all of the laws of physics. They each revolve around the sun, and each have their own revolution.
In these solar systems, there can be several types of bodies. There can be physical, terrestial bodies, or there can be gas bodies. An example of a terrestial body is the earth. The earth is made of rock with a metallic core. An example of a gas body is Jupiter. There is no metallic center, and there is a very low density. There can also be smaller bodies in the solar system. These include astroids, comets, and meteors. These can range in materials and origin. These are formed when a star is formed. When there is an explosion that forms a star, the matter that surrounds it gets superheated and begins to form into bodies. These bodies then cool down and eventually morph into what we call planets.
Galaxies are the other major part of the universe.
There are several types of galaxies, they come in different shapes due to gravity. There are Elliptical Galaxies, Spiral, Lenticular, and irregular galaxies. Elliptical Galaxies are low density and have very little matter inside them. They range greatly in size, yet are some of the oldest in the universe. Spiral Galaxies have a largely dense outer area that is full of dust and other gases. There are characteristic arms that branch off from the center of the galaxy. But the center is full of stars, yet devoid of other matter. A Lenticular is sort of a mix between a Spiral and a Elliptical galaxy. There is a large bulge in the center, yet there are no arms. They have been called armless spirals. Irregular Galaxies are the oddballs of the bunch. There are no distinct characteristics, and they have any shape imaginable. The main difference between a solar system and a galaxy is that in a galaxy, there aren't any bodies that surround a center star. There also is no center star in a galaxy, there are thousands in the center.
Galaxies form from a mix of gases that begin to rotate, and as they rotate, gravity forms. This gravity forms a center that causes the gases to collapse inward. They then increase in rotation, which forms a galaxy. So next time you look up at the stars, you can know what is really up there and where they come from.
A solar system can be defined as a system of bodies orbiting around a star. Solar systems can also have several other systems that are located in them. In our solar system, we have several systems. These systems are the planets and the moons or satellites that surround and orbit around them. These systems revlove around the sun in elliptical motions. These motions follow all of the laws of physics. They each revolve around the sun, and each have their own revolution.
In these solar systems, there can be several types of bodies. There can be physical, terrestial bodies, or there can be gas bodies. An example of a terrestial body is the earth. The earth is made of rock with a metallic core. An example of a gas body is Jupiter. There is no metallic center, and there is a very low density. There can also be smaller bodies in the solar system. These include astroids, comets, and meteors. These can range in materials and origin. These are formed when a star is formed. When there is an explosion that forms a star, the matter that surrounds it gets superheated and begins to form into bodies. These bodies then cool down and eventually morph into what we call planets.
Galaxies are the other major part of the universe.
There are several types of galaxies, they come in different shapes due to gravity. There are Elliptical Galaxies, Spiral, Lenticular, and irregular galaxies. Elliptical Galaxies are low density and have very little matter inside them. They range greatly in size, yet are some of the oldest in the universe. Spiral Galaxies have a largely dense outer area that is full of dust and other gases. There are characteristic arms that branch off from the center of the galaxy. But the center is full of stars, yet devoid of other matter. A Lenticular is sort of a mix between a Spiral and a Elliptical galaxy. There is a large bulge in the center, yet there are no arms. They have been called armless spirals. Irregular Galaxies are the oddballs of the bunch. There are no distinct characteristics, and they have any shape imaginable. The main difference between a solar system and a galaxy is that in a galaxy, there aren't any bodies that surround a center star. There also is no center star in a galaxy, there are thousands in the center.
Galaxies form from a mix of gases that begin to rotate, and as they rotate, gravity forms. This gravity forms a center that causes the gases to collapse inward. They then increase in rotation, which forms a galaxy. So next time you look up at the stars, you can know what is really up there and where they come from.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Comparing Stars
Stars are very mysterious. They are composed of only gases, yet they are able to hold their own gravity. Most bodies need to have more mass to accomplish this. But by this gravity, the star pulls itself inward, and attempts to condense or collapse. This would occur, but due to the pressure that the gases exert, the star is unable to collapse, which forms a star. During most of the stars life, or the "Main Sequence", the main reactions occur near the center and create nuclear energy. The phase that occurs before the "Main Sequence" is the "Contraction" phase, where the center of the star is unable to create enough heat to form reactions, but due to the gravity, the star begins to collapse, and forms pressure, which builds up heat to get to the "Main Sequence." Through the "Main Sequence" the star uses up the energy in the center, and there is no more reactions occur. But because of the lack of reactions, there is no longer pressure in the star, and then it collapses. This is the basic life cycle of a star. This is good to know because there are many different types of stars.
Red Giant: A red giant is a star near the ending of its Main Sequence. It does not have reactions occurring in the center of the star, and they mainly occur in the outer regions of the star, but these are not powerful enough to fuse and create the necessary energy to survive too long. The star begins to contract in upon itself, and the outer shell moves into the center of the star and begins to use up the outer gases and begins to swell. This is what makes it a "giant". The reactions become even hotter that it was previously due to the new energy source, which makes it red due to the immense heat.
The Sun: Our sun is obviously one of the main attractions of our solar system. It has been active for what scientists believe to be about 4.6 billion years. This allows the sun to be active for several years. About 5 million to be exact. So this means that it is about 3/4 of the way through its Main Sequence. After that, the sun will grow to become a Red Giant. But after the Red Giant stage, there is one other stage that follows.
White Dwarf: After a star has used up all of its energy, it collapses and becomes a white dwarf. It starts by removing all of the material from within itself and forms a nebula. Then it begins to cool down, which can take thousands upon billions of years. These are the result of a medium to low energy stars. They are very common in our own galaxy, the Milky Way. The mass of a White Dwarf can be over the Chandrasekhar limit, which is the limit of the weight of a White Dwarf. But this equals about one and a half of our own sun. Most of the White Dwarf are about half of the Chandreadekhar limit though.
Black Holes: Black Holes are supposedly collapsed massive stars. Stephen Hawking is one of the great idealist about Black Holes. He came up with the Paradox Theory. This is based on where there are several different dimensions that if matter is thrown into a black hole, it will be expunged into an alternate dimension. This new dimension does not have a black hole at that location. There was a lot of scepticism about this Theory, and he knew it. So he came up with another theory, and is still working on maintaining that theory.
The stars that form Black Holes are about 10-15 times more massive than our own sun. They are relatively small, and are hard to locate. But there is some research being done and they believe that there is a black hole in the center of each Galaxy. This is what causes the galaxies to rotate all of the matter surrounding it. So it's similar to the our solar system, but on a much larger scale. There is still a lot to learn about Black Holes and there are several different theories and beliefs about them. Which do you believe?
Red Giant: A red giant is a star near the ending of its Main Sequence. It does not have reactions occurring in the center of the star, and they mainly occur in the outer regions of the star, but these are not powerful enough to fuse and create the necessary energy to survive too long. The star begins to contract in upon itself, and the outer shell moves into the center of the star and begins to use up the outer gases and begins to swell. This is what makes it a "giant". The reactions become even hotter that it was previously due to the new energy source, which makes it red due to the immense heat.
The Sun: Our sun is obviously one of the main attractions of our solar system. It has been active for what scientists believe to be about 4.6 billion years. This allows the sun to be active for several years. About 5 million to be exact. So this means that it is about 3/4 of the way through its Main Sequence. After that, the sun will grow to become a Red Giant. But after the Red Giant stage, there is one other stage that follows.
White Dwarf: After a star has used up all of its energy, it collapses and becomes a white dwarf. It starts by removing all of the material from within itself and forms a nebula. Then it begins to cool down, which can take thousands upon billions of years. These are the result of a medium to low energy stars. They are very common in our own galaxy, the Milky Way. The mass of a White Dwarf can be over the Chandrasekhar limit, which is the limit of the weight of a White Dwarf. But this equals about one and a half of our own sun. Most of the White Dwarf are about half of the Chandreadekhar limit though.
Black Holes: Black Holes are supposedly collapsed massive stars. Stephen Hawking is one of the great idealist about Black Holes. He came up with the Paradox Theory. This is based on where there are several different dimensions that if matter is thrown into a black hole, it will be expunged into an alternate dimension. This new dimension does not have a black hole at that location. There was a lot of scepticism about this Theory, and he knew it. So he came up with another theory, and is still working on maintaining that theory.
The stars that form Black Holes are about 10-15 times more massive than our own sun. They are relatively small, and are hard to locate. But there is some research being done and they believe that there is a black hole in the center of each Galaxy. This is what causes the galaxies to rotate all of the matter surrounding it. So it's similar to the our solar system, but on a much larger scale. There is still a lot to learn about Black Holes and there are several different theories and beliefs about them. Which do you believe?
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Hey, in case anyone was wondering how to invite, here's how:
1. Log into your blog
2. Go to customize
3. Go to Settings
4. Go to permission (Top Left Tab)
5. Enter e-mail addresses
6. Click Add Authors
7. Click Invite
You may want to e-mail the person personally just so they know what it is so they know what to do.
1. Log into your blog
2. Go to customize
3. Go to Settings
4. Go to permission (Top Left Tab)
5. Enter e-mail addresses
6. Click Add Authors
7. Click Invite
You may want to e-mail the person personally just so they know what it is so they know what to do.
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