Colonization of Mars Essay Example

Colonization of Mars Essay Example Colonization of Mars Essay Colonization of Mars Essay Colonization of Mars What does a planet need to have in order to support life? Earth is unique in our solar system because it is the only planet that is supporting life. Some scientists go so far as to say that the Earth is a â€Å"perfect planet† because it has features that are the perfect environment for living organisms; these features include our atmosphere, water, and a single moon. Earth is also in a place in our solar system where the Sun gives off the right amount of energy to drive the life. The distance from the Earth to the Sun determines how much of that heat we receive. If it weren’t for our ozone layer and Earth’s magnetic field, harmful rays would penetrate our surface and life would be exterminated. Everything the Earth has to offer us is balanced perfectly to keep life continuous. Humans would not be able survive on planets such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, or Neptune because those planets are Gas Giants. There is no surface, the planet is made up entirely of gas and atmosphere and the cores would thus most likely be liquid. Mercury, the innermost planet in our solar system, is a terrestrial planet which means it has a hard rocky surface. And although that is true*, humans still would not be able to live on Mercury. There is no atmosphere and because Mercury’s distance is substantially closer to the Sun, temperatures are exceedingly high. Venus is the second planet from Sun and is also a terrestrial planet. The size and mass of Venus is relative to Earth in that they are similar under those characteristics. But due to Venus’ dense carbon dioxide atmosphere, living on its surface would be quite impossible. Venus also has dense sulfur dioxide clouds which makes this planet have the strongest greenhouse effect. And because of this Venus is actually hotter in temperature than Mercury. But what about Mars? Are we able to colonize and inhabit the planet Mars? Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, roughly 1. 5 AU and it is a terrestrial planet with characteristics similar to that of Earth *except the size*. It has two tiny moons, Phobos and Deimos, that orbit close to the planet. When compared to Earth, Mars is a relatively small planet. It is approximately half the size in diameter and one/tenth the mass. Because of Earth’s strong atmosphere and magnetic field we are able to withstand cosmic radiation as opposed to Mars which has a very thin atmosphere and a weaker magnetic field. There are geological similarities between Mars and Earth and our Moon. Impact craters and evidence of volcanic activity is reminiscent of the Moon and polar ice caps are like that of Earth. Other similarities between Mars and Earth include the surface area, that being almost the exact same as the dry land on Earth. In addition to these geographical features, the seasonal cycles and rotational periods are similar to Earth’s as well. Of all the planets in our solar system, Mars is the most Earth-like. There is a debate amongst scientists and astronomers about whether or not Mars can sustain life. According to Trudy E. Bell’s and Tony Phillips’ â€Å"Once Upon a Water Planet†, Mars has the most capability of harboring life because of the ice water found by the Phoenix Mars Lander. Phoenix was sent to gather information about the past and potential of Mars being habitable. It has two main objectives while scouting: searching for the best places for humans to inhabit and to look for ice-water. And it has thus far given us data that we need, having landed near the Northern polar cap where it was proven that ice-water does indeed exists***. With this much information given the thought of terraforming the planet does not seem so far-stretched. There are reasons for the hypothetical process of expanding Human life. Firstly, the population of the Earth is growing to immense amounts and the ratio of population to sustainable resources is thinning**. Another reason is the Sun. We all know that eventually our Sun will become a red giant star, but even before that we have an issues**. All the stars in the main sequences become increasingly brighter throughout their life-period which will cause Humans to migrate to other places that can sustain life, if they want to survive. The demands for resources pressure humans to thinking outside-the-box in regards to relocating or creating not habitual places*. Suggestions for these places are areas such as the ocean, sea-floor, the moon, and of course Mars. Right now, people would not be able to live on Mars, because of its thin atmosphere and lack of green and liquidized water*. One way to go about terraforming Mars would be to build a stronger atmosphere. We would send rockets of chemical compounds that are strong with greenhouse gases; the rockets we would send for these chemical compounds would have to be sustained for just over a decade for the process to really flourish and for the planet to become warmer. Mars would inevitably become so warm that the polar caps solidify, although still not able to develop liquid water. There will come a point when the dust storms die down, and then the planet will finally be able to sustain small forms of life, such as algae and bacteria. There are plenty of ideas that scientists are brainstorming. But a person doesn’t wake up one morning and think â€Å"I’m going to move to Mars today†. Migrating humans to Mars is difficult on many levels, that being the terraforming and equipment needed. But there is also the psychological aspect. The demands placed upon the humans will be harsh and brutal. The people would have to be chosen for very specific and diligent reasons, looking closely at each persons‘ attribute and skill. They would have to get along with each other, for one. You don’t want to put a group of people that don’t get along into a confined spacecraft for several months. They will have to be optimistic people, who understand the treacherous journey ahead of them. The team will have to endure all sorts of tests; tests in a physical sense and mental sense. The task to colonize seems impossible but with scientists and astronomers working harder than ever on this topic, the thought does not seem so far stretched. Work Cited Educational , Mission To Mars. Mars Academy. November 6th, 2008 http://library. thinkquest. org/11147/index. htm. Ashish Jain, Matt Struck, Neil Christopher, Mars General Information. November 2nd, 2008 . American Scientist Online: The Magazine of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society.  © Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society. November 2nd, 2008 . Ahrens, Peter. Terraforming of Worlds. November 3rd, 2008 . Fogg, Martyn J. . Terraforming Mars: A Review of Research. November 8th, 2008 .

Biography of Wilfred Owen, a Poet in Wartime

Biography of Wilfred Owen, a Poet in Wartime Wilfred Owen (March 18, 1893- Nov. 4, 1918) was a compassionate poet whos work provides the finest description and critique of the soldiers experience during World War One. He was killed towards the end of the conflict in Ors, France.   Wilfred Owens Youth Wilfred Owen was born to an apparently wealthy family; however, within two years his grandfather died on the verge of bankruptcy and, missing his support, the family were forced into poorer housing at Birkenhead. This fallen status left a permanent impression on Wilfreds mother, and it may have combined with her staunch piety to produce a child who was sensible, serious, and who struggled to equate his wartime experiences with Christian teachings. Owen studied well at schools in Birkenhead and, after another family move, Shrewsbury- where he even helped to teach- but he failed the University of Londons entrance exam. Consequently, Wilfred became lay assistant to the vicar of Dunsden- an Oxfordshire parish- under an arrangement designed so the vicar would tutor Owen for another attempt at University. Early Poetry Although commentators differ as to whether Owen started writing at the age 10/11 or 17, he was certainly producing poems during his time at Dunsden; conversely, the experts agree that Owen favored literature, as well as Botany, at school, and that his main poetic influence was Keats. The Dunsden poems exhibit the compassionate awareness so characteristic of Wilfred Owens later war poetry, and the young poet found considerable material in the poverty and death he observed working for the church. Indeed, Wilfred Owens written compassion was often very close to morbidity. Mental Problems Wilfreds service in Dunsden may have made him more aware of the poor and less fortunate, but it didnt encourage a fondness for the church: away from his mothers influence he became critical of evangelical religion and intent on a different career, that of literature. Such thoughts led to a difficult and troubled period during January 1913, when Wilfred and Dunsdens vicar appear to have argued, and - or because perhaps as a result of - Owen suffered a near nervous breakdown. He left the parish, spending the following summer recovering. Travel During this period of relaxation Wilfred Owen wrote what critics often label his first war-poem - Uriconium, an Ode - after visiting an archaeological dig. The remains were Roman, and Owen described ancient combat with especial reference to the bodies he observed being unearthed. However, he failed to gain a scholarship to university and so left England, traveling to the continent and a position teaching English at the Berlitz school in Bordeaux. Owen was to remain in France for over two years, during which time he began a collection of poetry: it was never published. 1915- Wilfred Owen Enlists in the Army Although war seized Europe in 1914, it was only in 1915 that Owen considered the conflict to have expanded so considerably that he was needed by his country, whereupon he returned to Shrewsbury in September 1915, training as a private at Hare Hall Camp in Essex. Unlike many of the wars early recruits, the delay meant Owen was partly aware of the conflict he was entering, having visited a hospital for the wounded and having seen the carnage of modern warfare first-hand; however he still felt removed from events. Owen moved to the Officers school in Essex during the March of 1916 before joining the Manchester Regiment in June, where he was graded 1st Class Shot on a special course. An application to the Royal Flying Corps was rejected, and on December 30th 1916, Wilfred traveled to France, joining the 2nd Manchesters on January 12th 1917. They were positioned near Beaumont Hamel, on the Somme. Wilfred Owen Sees Combat Wilfreds own letters describe the following few days better than any writer or historian could hope to manage, but it is sufficient to say Owen and his men held a forward position, a muddy, flooded dug-out, for fifty hours as an artillery and shells raged around them. Having survived this, Owen remained active with the Manchesters, nearly getting frost bite in late January, suffering concussion in March- he fell through shell-damaged land into a cellar at Le Quesnoy-en-Santerre, earning him a trip behind the lines to hospital- and fighting in bitter combat at St. Quentin a few weeks later. Shell Shock at Craiglockhart It was after this latter battle, when Owen was caught in an explosion, that soldiers reported him acting rather strangely; he was diagnosed as having shell-shock and sent back to England for treatment in May. Owen arrived at the, now famous, Craiglockhart War Hospital on June 26th, an establishment sited outside Edinburgh. Over the next few months Wilfred wrote some of his finest poetry, the result of several stimuli. Owens doctor, Arthur Brock, encouraged his patient to overcome shell-shock by working hard at his poetry and editing The Hydra, Craiglockharts magazine. Meanwhile, Owen met another patient, Siegfried Sassoon, an established poet whose recently published war work inspired Wilfred and whose encouragement guided him; the exact debt owed by Owen to Sassoon is unclear, but the former certainly improved far beyond the latters talents. Owens War Poetry In addition, Owen was exposed to the cloyingly sentimental writing and attitude of non-combatants who glorified the war, an attitude to which Wilfred reacted with fury. Further fueled by nightmares of his wartime experiences, Owen wrote classics like Anthem for Doomed Youth, rich and multi-layered works characterized by a brutal honesty and deep compassion for the soldiers/victims, many of which were direct ripostes to other authors. Its important to note that Wilfred wasnt a simple pacifist- indeed, on occasions he railed against them- but a man sensitive to the burden of soldiery. Owen may have been self-important before the war- as betrayed by his letters home from France- but there is no self-pity in his war work. Owen Continues to Write While in the Reserves Despite a low number of publications, Owens poetry was now attracting attention, prompting supporters to request non-combat positions on his behalf, but these requests were turned down. Its questionable as to whether Wilfred would have accepted them: his letters reveal a sense of obligation, that he had to do his duty as poet and observe the conflict in person, a feeling exacerbated by Sassoons renewed injuries and return from the front. Only by fighting could Owen earn respect, or escape the easy slurs of cowardice, and only a proud war-record would protect him from detractors. Owen Returns to the Front and Is Killed Owen was back in France by September- again as a company commander- and on September 29th he captured a machine gun position during an attack on the Beaurevoir-Fonsomme Line, for which he was awarded the Military Cross. After his battalion was rested in early October Owen saw in action again, his unit operating around the Oise-Sambre canal. Early in the morning of November 4th Owen led an attempt to cross the canal; he was struck and killed by enemy fire. Aftermath Owens death was followed by one of World War Ones most iconic stories: when the telegram reporting his demise was delivered to his parents, the local church bells could be heard ringing in celebration of the armistice. A collection of Owens poems was soon created by Sassoon, although the numerous different versions, and the attendant difficulty in working out which were Owens drafts and which were his preferred edits, led to two new editions in the early 1920s. The definitive edition of Wilfreds work may well be Jon Stallworthys Complete Poems and Fragments from 1983, but all justify Owens long-lasting acclaim. The War Poetry The poetry is not for everyone, for within Owen combines graphic descriptions of trench life- gas, lice, mud, death- with an absence of glorification; dominant themes include the return of bodies to the earth, hell and the underworld. Wilfred Owens poetry is remembered as reflecting the real life of the soldier, although critics and historians argue over whether he was overwhelming honest or overly scared by his experiences. He was certainly compassionate, a word repeated throughout this biography and texts on Owen in general, and works like Disabled, focusing on the motives and thoughts of soldiers themselves, provide ample illustration of why. Owens poetry is certainly free of the bitterness present in several historians monographs on the conflict, and he is generally acknowledged as being the both the most successful, and best, poet of wars reality. The reason why may be found in the preface to his poetry, of which a drafted fragment was found after Owens death: Yet these elegies are not to this generation, this is in no sense consolatory. They may be to the next. All a poet can do today is to warn. That is why the true Poets must be truthful. (Wilfred Owen, Preface) Notable Family of Wilfred Owen Father: Tom OwenMother: Susan Owen

Team Project Evaluation Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Team Project Evaluation Paper - Essay Example The group would thereafter indicate how these attributes compare to those of a larger group. In this regard, the group work will show how the larger group’s development is more complex, how they have less freedom to operate, how they use complex communication, how they receive lower satisfaction, how they make slower decisions, how they develop sub-teams, how they have a higher turnover, how they have higher absenteeism, and how they expand the group knowledge. The case scenario that will be used to achieve the above-mentioned objectives is about aliens landing on the planet Earth, first in a small group and then in large group. The study will explore how these different groups act differently and the differences in their behavior based solely on the number of members in each group. In the representation of aliens, the study will use action figures, dolls, and stuffed animals, among others. By doing this we can alter the numbers much easier than if we used real people. Also I believe these â€Å"actors† will be able to have a stronger personality and be able to switch more easily between a small group and a large group since it is only their voices, which will be used, and hence I feel everyone will not be holding back with shyness as much. The genre of the video will be strictly comedy. Therefore, the objective of the video is to make people laugh since we do not want our audience falling asleep and this is another reason why we used things like toys to represent human beings. We are going for a PG 13 to R rated Toy Story vibe based on how intense we can get. There will be a lot physical and verbal comedy based on random actions. For example, in the small group the aliens might be smoking marijuana because they have more freedom to operate, but in a large group you will see that there is less freedom to operate so if an alien starts smoking they will probably be fired. Performance Norms Effort In normal sense it is required that every group membe r should put in a 100 % effort, but as we know this is usually not the case in most group projects. However, the group leader is guaranteeing to put too much effort, to an extent that it will not matter if a few members of the group start to slack. The ideal situation is to have constant communication since this is the most important thing in a successful working relationship. We expect for everyone to text each other back as soon as possible after they receive a text from any group member and if any group member takes longer than a twelve-hour period or the member does not text back at all, he or she will be called upon to explain the lack of communication. We will ensure we stay on the set time schedule by working on a one single concept and this would eliminate the need to reshoot the scenes a bunch of times. We will get the filming portion done all in one day so there will be no chopping of certain scenes during the editing process and the plot of the comedy will remain consiste nt. It is expected that everybody will put their best effort in on that day and no one will be absent during this crucial day. We will not accept any excuses from our members for poor attendance. In addition, enthusiasm and initiative will be expected during the filming stage since failure will not be an option but nevertheless overall A effort is expected from everyone and anything less is frowned upon. Output It is expected th

Clarkes the Influence of Arthur Schomburg on My Concept of Africana Essay

Clarkes the Influence of Arthur Schomburg on My Concept of Africana Studies - Essay Example The author relates to how Schomburg says that scholars should approach the study of African history in various ways. First and foremost, John Clarke turns out to be a teacher due to the influence of Arthur A. Schomburg (Clarke 4). John quotes that Arthur was the person who influenced him in setting the establishment of his career as an educator, as a Socialist and a Pan Africanist. According to John Clarke, Arthur A. Schomburg was responsible for influencing him to become an individual who sees no problem in being a Pan-Africanist and a Socialist at the same time and an African World Nationalist at an early age of his life. Also, Clarke relates to Schomburg’s statement by studying through other cultures and understanding how they relate to the African American culture. According to Schomburg, in order to understand the African American culture, it is vital to understand the origin of African oppressors first (Clarke 6). Also, it was vital for a scholar to understand what led t o the Africans being oppressed by the whites as this would be the only way people such as Clarke would understand the African American culture. Question 2 Some of the organizations that focused on the African history during the 30’s and the 40’s include the Harlem History Club and the National League of Negro Youth. Individuals, on the other hand, who focused on the African history during the 30’s and the 40’s, include Willis N. Huggins, John G. Jackson, Eugene Orr and the author of the article himself, John Clarke.

Leadership Assumptions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Leadership Assumptions - Essay Example Educational leaders are not pre defined and moulded into certain stature. They are people who may be in the position to influence and motivate students to give their best. Educators and school administrators both can take up the role of educational leaders because both of them have the capacity to wield considerable influence among the students and teachers alike so that they give their best. Good leadership teaches through self example. Students like to emulate persons who inspire them and are capable of instilling self confidence. It is especially relevant in the context of multi cultural society where students learn to interact with each other without racial prejudice. They learn to develop attitude and behaviour which is conducive for a mutually benefiting and tolerant society. Educational leadership is a strong tool for promoting independent thought and actions with good analytical and rational approach towards issues and people thus facilitating and building a society which believes in peaceful coexistence in a multicultural atmosphere. Good leaders build relationships based on mutual trust and confidence which is the main reason that changes are accepted with equanimity. Students learn to become good leaders through observation and imbibe qualities that help them to evolve as an individual with strong character. In the educational institutes, peer leadership promotes and develops, quality education with scientific temperament incorporating the needs of the changing time. School administrator as educational leader, helps create a congenial atmosphere of learning and encourages students and teachers alike to develop skills and knowledge base that would be mutually beneficial to them. Students get effective learning environment and teachers are provided with a wider scope for professional growth in the area of core competencies. They

Emergency Leave Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Emergency Leave - Assignment Example On the other hand, the HRD requires much formality through written documentations. Clarke will definitely feel bad because his request for leave was not granted. The HRD though, will feel that upper level manager is just following the policies of the hotel in denying the request of Clarke, through a memo addressed to him. Obviously, Clarke values family over work. More specifically, he is very much concerned with his grandmother’s health that he is willing to sacrifice his work just to take care of her. The HRD values the strict implementation of company policies. After reading this message, one wants Clarke to realize that it is important that he gives importance to his work. It is also essential that he realizes that written requests for leaves is part of the policy of the hotel. Clarke must recognize that the hotel does not tolerate frequent absences. The HRD must think that the denial of the request for emergency leave is justified. The information that must be included for the secondary audience is the problem of Clarke about his sick grandmother. The HRD should also be informed that Clarke is frequently absent because of this problem. The most appropriate medium for both audiences is a memo addressed to Clarke, copy furnished the HRD. This will effectively document and convey to Clarke the denial of his request for leave and it will communicate the current situation of Clarke to the HRD. I received your voice mail message last (state date of message) requesting for an emergency leave for the upcoming holiday weekend. I fully understand that your grandmother’s health is one of your priorities. Taking care of a loved one is a commendable virtue and I admire you for that. As you are fully aware of, there is a conference of electrical engineers this weekend at a nearby convention center and for the first time, our hotel will be host to its attendees. This is a welcome

An analysis of macroeconomic and industry conditions of woolworths Essay

An analysis of macroeconomic and industry conditions of woolworths - Essay Example ASX reveals the details of Woolworths and Wesfarmers in the competitive market. It is a financial market exchange that offers services such as listings clearing, settlement, and trading across a wide range of asset classes. Woolworths is a retail chain store that deals with food merchandise. On the other hand, Wesfarmers is a company that deals with retail operations covering food merchandise, supermarkets, specialty department stores, liquor and fuel outlets, office and home supplies etc (Mankiw, 2003). A set of factors largely influence how companies, for instance Woolworths and Wesfarmers, will operate. These factors determine whether or not a particular company will meet its mission as well as realise its vision. The Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA) is a pact that combines Australia and New Zealand. Woolworths strives to meet the needs of its large market of customers in both countries. This is made simpler due to the fact that political stability is experienced in both countries. Political stability is a crucial factor in development. Economic factors are quite advantageous to Woolworths considering that Australia and New Zealand show economic stability. Based on gross domestic product, Australia and New Zealand are ranked 10th and 30th respectively the by International Monetary Fund (Mankiw, 2003). Customers are loyal to companies that meet their individual desires. These desires include preference for organic products over inorganic ones. These socio-cultural factors influence the companies’ strategies as they also desire to fully tap into the market. The purchasing power of the customers is good due to the economic stability that fuels the high standard of living. In addition, legal and regulatory factors such as policies favour the retail industry in Australia. It is these factors that make Woolworths a huge beneficiary. However,