A person does not need to be a scientist to find new discoveries that are intriguing and informative. The scientific method most of us learned in school, however, discourages many from following up on discoveries to prove their worth. The world is fortunate that there are people not only willing, but eager, to prove or disprove theories and possible facts. Five things found in the last few years may someday highlight the news as scientific discoveries that changed history.
Water on Mars
Opportunity, the NASA rover on Mars, sent information in 2011 about a small mineral vein on that planet. It appears to hold gypsum, which is a common mineral found in countries such as Britain, Canada, the United States and Italy. A hydrated form of calcium sulfate, this discovery indicates the presence of water at some point in the history of Mars. Perhaps a colony on the “Red Planet” is not so farfetched, after all.
Almost Like Home
Another discovery is the rocky planet HD85512b, found in 2011. HARPS, the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher in Chile, located it in the constellation Vela. Since it is 36 light-years away, none of us will ever visit, although possibly our great-grandchildren may see it someday. It has an orange sun, rather than the yellow one of Earth. The planet appears to resemble ours closely. Its orbit indicates that surface water in a liquid state is possible. If so, beings like us could live there. The hot and muggy climate and the stronger gravity, estimated to be1.4 times that of Earth, would be tolerable for humans.
Too Hot to Think About
The Kepler spacecraft is on a NASA mission and early in 2012 discovered the smallest exoplanet seen yet. Short for extra-solar planet, it describes planets outside our solar system. Named the Kepler-10b, its diameter exceeds Earth’s by 1.4 times. A distance of 560 light years takes it out of visiting range for many years. Scientists feel that it is too close to its sun for human comfort, as the heat would be extremely unbearable.
To E or not to E
How can a vitamin cause so much controversy? Vitamin E is in the news lately as both a cause and prevention of cancer. Recent studies from such places as the Cancer Institute of New Jersey indicate that delta-tocopherols and gamma-tocopherols, found in corn, canola and soybean oils, help prevent lung and colon cancers, among others. Nuts also contain this type of vitamin E. Access and analyze the studies online to determine the parameters for each opinion.
Unique Creatures
Sent off to search for snakes on Manus Island in 2010, biologist Robert Fisher encountered two unusual geckos instead. Named the bumblebee gecko, the black and gold striping is unusual, yet beautiful. Some scientists believe the colors provide safety, as they blend with the rain forest floor. The gecko is about 5 inches long and is a slender-toed gecko. The unpadded toes lack the ability to climb walls.
Print out this information and put it in a safe place. Your grandchildren and their children can discover more data and find out if any of these discoveries affected their lifestyle over the years. Perhaps they will share the news of their colony on Mars.
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