S.S. Blog

A very heart-breaking event occurred to the Weronick family just today. Their 3-year-old toddler, Cassandra Weronick escaped the house at 3 am this morning. Just dressed in a t-shirt and a diaper, the child was found a half a mile from their home, frozen to death! Tuesday night’s harsh and frigid cold had frozen the toddler. And out of all the nights, she chose one of the coldest nights of the year to flee. It has been said, Cassandra has done this before, however, was found. Police say that the child knew how to open the door and left. With the dog’s barking, her mother woke and checked the door which was open. She locked the door, but did not bother to check on her child as well. A very unfortunate tragedy happened to this family today.
For more information, follow the link below:
http://wcbstv.com/local/mountaindale.child.freezes.2.926994.html

Corot’s Find of Yet Another Exoplanet!

The French space telescope, Corot has done it again. An exoplanet is a planet outside our solar system that also orbits a star. The latest one found, is the smallest and one of the very few handful which are also “rocky” and share similar aspects such as Earth and Venus. An approximate of 330 exoplanets have been discovered so far. Because this exoplanet orbits extremely close to its star, it attains a temperature of about 1,000 to 1,500 degrees Celsius. Thus, concludes it is unable to withstand or support life. A great majority have been found by the radial velocity method. It is much easier to detect planets with a larger mass than others using the method. Lead by the French Space Agency, Corot’s mission is to the investigation of exoplanets and to study the interior of stars. To find more information about this topic, please follow the link below.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7868100.stm

President Obama Inauguration

On January 20th, 2009, Barack Obama had made history. He was the first African American to have become president of the United States of America. Barack Obama was sworn in as president on the same exact bible Abraham Lincoln had done so on his day of inauguration. Speaking an inspirational speech, he had brought tears to those who stood in the frigid cold just to watch him. President Obama is surely to change the economic crisis we struggle today and get the US back on its track. Those capable of witnessing this historic day will remember this for the rest of their lives.
Over a billion people watched as President Barack Obama addressed the US with his eye-opening speech. Obama’s exact words from his speech are "Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious, and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met." This statement alone displays how determined he is for the change we need for this nation. He knows the many issues and is ready to face them with pride. Vowing many changes throughout his speech some included leaving Iraq, to end this war on terrorism, and to the Muslim people, "a new way forward, based on mutual interest.” America, the World has very high hopes for the 44th president knowing he will make a difference. For information, follow the link below. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/obama.inauguration/index.html
Deafening cheers roared at the Capitol Building as President Obama walked out for the inauguration to begin. After the swearing-in, the Illinois governor was now transferred as the President of the United States. Obama is really urging the people in picking ourselves up and remaking America. Through the years, life has not become any simpler and Barack Obama wants that to change and get the working class and America out of this economic crisis that has hung over us for the past eight years. Although there was no mention of race, many African Americans traveled to Washington just to experience this memorable day of history. President Barack Obama has also helped destroy the racial gap in our nation for many years. Obama is the president we need to turn things around and gain back the honor this country had to offer. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_rdp
I believe President Obama will bring Americans back on their feet and have an impact to the world. Obama is a dedicated and hard-working person who has the knowledge to get the nation out of this economic crisis. He will do as much as he can to have the nation excel. Although the progress may be slow, there will be a difference to the world. Barack Obama being elected as president is the turning point in this crisis.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

What is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?? It is the complete sequence of all the electromagnetic waves placed in increasing frequency. The spectrum consists of six different types of waves which include the radio waves, infrared rays, visible light, ultraviolet rays, X-rays, and gamma rays. The speed, wavelength and frequency are all related due to the formula to find speed. Speed=Wavelength x Frequency.
Radio waves have longer wavelengths with the lowest frequencies. Microwaves are radio waves with the shortest wavelength and highest frequency. Moving a little down the spectrum is Infrared Rays. These electromagnetic waves have shorter wavelengths than radio waves. Because they have a higher frequency they have more energy. Making up a very little part of the electromagnetic spectrum, visible light is electromagnetic waves that the human eye can see. The change in wavelength can display the different colors that appear. Ultraviolet waves are those who have wavelengths just a little shorter than visible light. Their frequency increase in the spectrum also has an increase to the energy put in. Ultraviolet Rays compose of enough energy to kill living cells. X-Rays is the next wave in the spectrum. The frequency is a little bit higher; however, the wavelength is lower than ultraviolet rays. X-Rays are used for a photographic film that go passed the tissue to the bone. These can also be used for engineering and industry use. Coming to the end of the electromagnetic spectrum, gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths with the highest frequencies. Gamma Rays consist of the most energy as it is the most incisive wave of all the electromagnetic waves. Although gamma rays are extremely harmful, they have become use due to technology. They produce enough energy to kill cancer cells in the body. The Electromagnetic Spectrum consists of many details that can further extend your knowledge about waves.

For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum

Algae Fueled Plane Takes Off!

Just yesterday, Wednesday January 8, 2009, when an aircraft was tested for a 50/50 mix of biofuel and normal aircraft fuel, the flight was perfect. One of the US airlines tested the biofuel of algae as another alternative for aircraft fuel. The flight of the Continental Boeing 737-800 was the first plane by the US Carrier in progress of using alternative fuels. The aviation industry is having high hopes of using biofuels throughout within five years. Its ninety minute flight was completed from Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport to a course in Gulf of Mexico. The pilot had done several tests such as the mid-flight engine shutdown to find the plane exceeding the anticipations the industry yearned for. The biofuel used was made out of two types of plants, algae and jatropha. Both sources have a high growth speed and thus can be accessed at ease. Now the challenge is on in creating the biofuel in efficient ways to use everyday.

I think this is a very useful as it soon can be part of our everyday lives. Using natural sources from the earth can also be helping the environment instead of damaging it. The aviation industry should really begin using biofuels more frequently.

For more info:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7817849.stm

Camouflaged or Not?

Just recently during science class, we were instructed to color a paper butterfly and camouflage it within the room. Butterflies are like most insects with the six jointed legs and the three main body parts of the head, thorax, and the abdomen. Camouflage is a very important factor of the environment for both its preys and predators. Several animals depend on camouflage of their skin for a quick escape or to be left in hiding from their predators. For example, iguanas have the capability to change colors so they blend into the environment without notice. Prey on the other hand, can use camouflage in a completely different way. Once these consumers have spotted their meal they blend in and then go for a quick attack. Shaded a dark jet-black, my butterfly was hidden in the corner of the room. The predator was to come and find as many butterflies as possible in a given amount of time. Hidden in the corner, my butterfly was not found in the first two trials. This is because the predator did not bother to look at specific areas such as the corner. However, in the third trail it was necessary to place the critter where it would not be camouflaged at the same time in plain sight. Again, the predator was not able to spot the butterfly although it did not blend in at all. For the last testing, the flying insect was finally found. An observation noticed was the predator always followed the route he went previously, before looking in new areas. Camouflage is a way of life, animals use everyday.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterflies/allabout/

Smothering Fires

Thursday, November 13th, blazing fires broke out in Southern California. On the fourth day, firefighters are still trying to calm down the fires, but can’t do much for the destruction done. Almost 1,000 homes were burned and demolished from the raging fires including mobile houses and multi-million dollar mansions. Although winds did decrease, around FIFTY-THOUSAND people were forced to evacuate. Dozens of homes were burnt to ashes especially in L.A. and Orange County. The storm had a perfect time to strike; the high winds blew hard with the rising temperature and with the air very dry. Unknown cause of the fire did bring confusion, but nearly 20,000 acres of the foothills above Los Angeles was burned to the ground. Several families who had to flee from their homes are still in utter shock and hope all will soon get better. These yearly fires that wipe California can really be a pain, but a part of nature that we can’t prevent.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_wildfire_california;_ylt=AjOsglKpXG6FvXXy6BU_gays0NUE