There’s simply nothing on all of Mars quite like it: Orcus Patera, a long, elliptical Martian depression situated between two sibling volcanoes, Elysium Mons and Olympus Mons, is a nearly 235-mile-long anomaly. Especially on its furthest side (far right in the image above), a rim protrudes from the depression, rising nearly to an elevation 6000 feet above the surrounding plains. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the use of “patera” in the strange crater’s name denotes a complex or irregularly shaped formation. “However, despite its name and the fact that it is positioned near volcanoes, the actual origin of Orcus Patera remains unclear,” the agency states at their website.

There has apparently been a good bit of speculation as to what might have caused the appearance of this strange anomaly, and Friday, the latest answer ESA officials provided only lends itself to more controversy:

The most likely explanation is that it was made in an oblique impact, when a small body struck the surface at a very shallow angle, perhaps less than five degrees from the horizontal.

This mention of a “small body” seemed to fuel imaginative speculation as to what sort of an object might have been the culprit. Lewis Page, writing for The Register this morning, said “Plainly, we’re talking here about an alien spaceship, its propulsion crippled, attempting a very-high-velocity glide landing through the evanescent Martian atmosphere–and cocking it up.” But if this were the case, could there still be debris located nearby? “There has to be a sporting chance,” Page continued, ruminating over whether “the alien ship yet lies preserved within its eternium-powered force bubbles, sealed within the now-cooled lake of molten rock it created as it crashed.”

So far as an actual solution to Orcus Patera’s strange shape, it seems we may be dealing with an area of the Maritan surface where an object (more likely a meteorite) entered the planet’s atmosphere at an angle that allowed it to glance the surface, possibly scraping by only to ricochet back into space again. Thus, the long lasting “alien skid mark” remains, decorating Mars with yet another strange, yet curiously wonderful natural landmark.

Image courtesy of ESA archives.

Sitting before you is a small, limbless, asexual being resembling Casper the Friendly Ghost, smiling and jerking around as it works to manifest a friend for you, who sits a good distance away speaking into a webcam. What’s going on here?

If Japanese robotist Hiroshi Ishiguro could have his way, this little creation, the Telenoid R1, would likely replace instant messaging and webcams altogether, providing a semi-realistic chat experience with friends remotely.

The Telenoid R1 was designed, according to Ishiguro, to resemble neither a male nor a female, maintaining the same lack of distinction between adult or a child, in an effort to present a “blank slate”–though slightly human–which people could use to communicate with friends remotely. “Casper” uses visual stimulus received from a webcam that captures the host’s movements, which are then interpreted into an eerie song-and-dance as the robot plays the part of the individual in their absence.

Somehow, I don’t see this creation ever out-doing plain ol’ video chat.

Truth Out reported today on the Gulf’s “Methane Monster,” warning that methane building there isn’t the only concern we have right now. “The Siberian Shelf alone harbors an estimated 1,400 billion tons of methane,” author Craig Collins wrote, noting this amount to be close to double the amount of carbon in all the trees, grasses and flowers on Earth. “If just one percent of this escaped into the atmosphere within a few decades, it would be enough to cause catastrophic, uncontrollable climate change.” Although the debate over the science behind anthropogenic global warming is still a point of partisan contention, are there certain natural occurrences that may occur in the future that indicate climate change, man-made or not, is inevitable?

Additionally, volcanic activity in various locales around the world poses a similar threat, albeit much smaller, according to most sources. Today, reports on Russia’s northernmost active volcano on Kamchatka Peninsula detailed how plumes of ash have continued to erupt into the atmosphere for days now. Scientists with the National Geophysical Service warn that “the volcano poses significant danger to villages in the area, just like the nearby Klyuchevskaya volcano.” However, the U.S. Geological Survey has stated that greenhouse gas emissions from volcanoes “make up less than one percent of those generated by human endeavors.” Additionally, the ash clouds and sulfur dioxide that emerge from such active volcanoes may even have a cooling effect, as did the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines. On average, temperatures were found to be a half degree centigrade cooler than normal worldwide the following year, due to the shading effect presented by ash present in the atmosphere. Similarly, the upcoming lunar eclipse visible here in the Western hemisphere may be a little redder than usual, due to ash from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which erupted earlier this year.

Although the amounts in which various natural phenomenon may affect the planet vary, these, along with other concerning environmental and space-weather related phenomenon reported on this blog in recent weeks, have many 2012 “believers” up in arms. Earthquakes have ravaged the globe for the majority of 2010, volcanic eruptions have clouded the skies, record cold temperatures from the winter months have led to a hot, muggy summer that lends promise to a coming hurricane season, and there’s still no end in site to the damages incurred by the oil spill in the Gulf. Some fear things will get much worse before they’ll get any better.

Is this a sign of things to come? Or, is there merely a strange synchronicity afoot here, lending to a number of coincidences which, as they accumulate, may test the limits of human survival in the face of natural disasters… and all leading up to that pivotal year of 2012? Only time will tell…

Think of the variety of electronic devices you use every single day: from cell phones, to navigation systems in the vehicle you drive, ATMs and electronic banking, and even the computer you’re reading this on right now. What would happen if these sensitive devices were suddenly rendered useless?

At present, this is the very sort of thing that NASA scientists are concerned about, warning that Earth’s sun is now awakening from “a deep sleep” which could result in massive solar storms that, worst case scenario, might be capable of knocking out Earth’s electrical grid.

Utilizing both existing satellite systems paired with new advances and partnerships with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), scientists are discovering new ways to study the sun’s behavior, and although the latest technology in use still represents “a field in its infancy,” data collected is enough to cause concern, according to experts.

According to Richard Fisher, head of NASA’s Heliophysics division, “we’re on the threshold of a new era in which space weather can be as influential in our daily lives as ordinary terrestrial weather,” adding that “We take this very seriously indeed.” Fisher also warns that “we expect to see much higher levels of solar activity.” This, paired with our dependence on devices that remain sensitive to the influence of solar storms, presents an inevitable problem. “The intersection of these two issues is what we’re getting together to discuss,” he says.

It is presently estimated that the devastation a century-class solar storm would cause could be likened to twenty times more economically destructive than Hurricane Katrina. Will scientists find ways to harden our infrastructure in time to prevent a cataclysm, or are we destined to remain in dutch with our light-giver?

But what are the ethical concerns regarding this exciting–and potentially frightening discovery? As humanity rides the crest of a great (and quickly growing) wave toward the regular implementation of human genome manipulation, DNA re-structuring, and now the engineering of synthetic life forms, one must consider whether we, as a species, are ready to head down the road toward meeting variations of life as we know it, and even variations of human beings. How might future differentials in Earth species, resulting from manipulation through technology, affect us?

One immediate concern, though some might warn we’re getting ahead of ourselves by even stating such, is how a future of genetically modified individuals might create certain inequalities among the populace. Granted, uni-cellular synth in question is still a few million years away from evolving into a sentient being (or perhaps only a few decades, depending on the kinds of manipulations that might occur in the lab). No less, Eric Hoffman of Friends of the Earth recently told Reuters, “We must ensure that strong regulations are in place to protect the environment and human health from this potentially dangerous new technology,” with others warning that scientists may not yet know enough about life to attempt creating it.

Politically, the notion of any kind of engineering that might result in benefits granted to certain groups of the population in the stead of others might present inequalities. Invoking hints of a Vonneguttian (or even Huxlean) philosophy, we might speculate that a new class system could emerge in the US and other parts of the world, based on the results of engineering that spiraled toward certain portions of the population with varying degrees of immunity to common diseases, as well as other aptitudes that grant them physical prowess beyond the capabilities of others. In such a hypothetical future, monetary inequalities among citizens might be the least of our concerns: after all, how do you address social problems where only certain portions of an otherwise healthy population are ridden with cumbersome dispositions such as disease, old age, or other things which affect most everyone today?

Indeed, the spirit of innovation is alive and well, and as long as the inherent goodness of those involved in such research is able to act as a regulator, mankind’s future won’t be at any great risk. However, knowing how corruptible the inherent goodness of man as a species is, can we rest easy hoping that the same pretense will always remain among those in the scientific fields involved?

We’ve seen many variations of robotic creations over the years that mimic the way nature around us works, occasionally attempting to implement life-like devices that carry out work that humans might not otherwise be capable (or desirous) of doing. Examples range from automated carpet cleaners that buzz around suburban homes, to the sophisticated–and controversial–CIA drones that monitor areas where enemy combatants operate, capable of sniping individuals from a distance via remote control operation several miles away.

As time goes on, the trend is that technology seeks to consolidate mechanisms and devices into smaller and smaller locales, mostly for sake of convenience. However, a new achievement recently disclosed in the British journal Nature reports that a tiny, four-legged spider-like robot has been created that is so small it can literally crawl along a track composed of strands of DNA! (Image above courtesy of Lukjonis)

The robot itself is comprised of DNA, and is a mere four billionths of a meter in diameter, and its function exemplifies brilliance in every capacity. The body of the little robotic creation is constructed from a protein called streptavidin, from which three strands of enzymatic DNA protrude, functioning as “legs” which both bind to and cut DNA as it moves along. A fourth leg also mounts the spider to its starting point as its other “limbs” carry out the act of moving it along a biochemically predetermined path. This study, along with future innovations that will capitalize and expand on the science behind it, are hoped to pave the way toward creating a variety of “nanobots” that can perform functions on the molecular level, as well as a variety of other locations too tiny for humans to reach.

Some primative attempts at augmenting nature in similar ways have been lees than successful; take for instance the failed 1960s CIA project, dubbed Operation Acoustic Kitty. Rather than building the semblance of a creature from scratch (something technology today might allow), several decades ago the CIA opted to “bug” a living cat with batteries, recording devices, and a wire inserted into its tail to serve as an antenna. The cat was even “modified” to ignore hunger and other impulsive behavior. “They created a monstrosity,” recounted former CIA officer Victor Marchetti of the incident. On it’s maiden mission, the cat was released onto a park bench in Washington DC with intent of “spying” on a pair of individuals nearby. Only minutes later, while attempting to cross a busy street, the poor feline was struck by a moving vehicle and killed, along with a reported $15 million investment.

Thankfully, time has shown us more humane methods of using nature to our advantage… or so we hope. Who knows creations of tomorrow will be strolling along our synapses?

Disclosure on the Horizon: World Powers vs Priorities

Time Traveller: Stephen Hawking is Everywhere

Before getting to the aforementioned categories, I must say I was a bit shocked by this bit of research for a number of reasons. First of all, the observations made are based on things which were videotaped by recreational users of hallucinogenic substances, then subsequently posted on the Internet. Although I am an advocate for considering the potential economic and political benefits we might garner from legalization of certain substances for medical and personal use (namely marijuana, for which many states are already taking measures to create legal markets for its sale), it must also be acknowledged that recreational use of many substances–particularly the more potent psychedelics available today–can be very dangerous and potentially deadly. Because of this, what other circumstances should be considered pertaining to the study in question?

Granted, debating the ethics or legalities of drug use is not our present consideration, especially since the hallucinogen in question, Salvia Divinorum, is already legal in many areas. But when discussing the recreational use of any substances with potent mind-altering effects, questions based on moral and legal principles inevitably come into question. That said, the fact that videos online of individuals engaging in this behavior now serves as the basis for scientific study (apparently by San Diego State University’s Prevention Science Collaborative) seems a bit unusual altogether.

Additionally, when compared alongside previous studies with hallucinogens, it seems that a controlled setting such as those created in the past might have contributed to a more consistent body of knowledge. Take for instance the DEA-approved clinical research performed in the 1990’s by Rick Strassman M.D. that involved DMT, arguably one of the most powerful psychedelics available today and, ironically, one produced within the human body (I spend a good bit of time on this subject in Magic, Mysticism and the Molecule). On the other hand (and before I start sounding too damning of the circumstances surrounding the recent Salvia research in question), let’s take into consideration the potential benefits as well. First, Salvia is, at present, legal in many states. Second, by watching videos posted online of individuals getting a “legal high” off the stuff, arguably the researchers are shown a “window” into how recreational use of similar substances might affect individuals in environments other than those clinical in nature. In other words, taking “setting” into consideration, environmental factors within, say, a hospital room might affect the participants in much different ways than those depicted in the videos used in the study.

But setting some of the more serious debate aside, the categorization resulting from the study were as follows:

(1) hypo-movement (e.g. slumping into a slouched position, limp hands, facial muscles slack or relaxed and falling down), (2) hyper-movement (e.g. uncontrolled laughter, restlessness, touching or rubbing the face without apparent reason or thought), (3) emotional effects included being visibly excited or afraid, (4) speech effects (unable to make sense, problems with diction, problems with fluency, inability to speak, and having problems recalling words) and finally (5) heating effects related to being hot or heated (e.g. flushed, or user makes a statement about being hot or sweating).

So how will such information continue to shape the way science interprets the use of such substances? Do you find this sort of thing more helpful or hindering to the advancement of our understanding of nature and the world around us?

Some reports, such as those issued by CNN, described the event as being longer, at close to fifteen minutes. From various perspectives, what was presumed to be a meteor presented a brilliant flare of light, eventually breaking into several pieces. If the bright object in question was indeed a meteor, these fragments are believed to have landed somewhere near Livingston, Wisconsin.

Similar fragments found in the Park Forest area in 2003 were worth an estimated $500,000, hence retrieval of the fragmented meteor shards will be sought out over the next few days… but can we be certain what was seen was actually a meteor?

According to WGN TV out of Chicago, lucky rock seekers hope to strike gold… or rather, various other minerals present in said space rock. “But there is a chance they could uncover nothing at all. Whatever zipped across the sky Wednesday night may not be a meteor at all. It could be fallen space junk.”

Space debris (i.e. fragments of dislocated components of satellites and other man-made objects) do sometimes enter Earth’s atmosphere, and due to their metallic and highly reflective qualities, these are also frequently mistaken for unidentified craft capable of “flashing,” a phenomenon that occurs as metallic debris in orbit above Earth catches light of the sun as they rotate along their orbit path, sometimes causing the illusion of bright, sudden flashes that disappear quickly. Such phenomenon is often associated with alleged extraterrestrial movement above Earth by stargazers and UFO buffs alike.

The verdict may still be out on yesterday’s Northwestern Fireball, but in the meantime here are several links with video and commentary on the event:

CNN Fireball Report

Meteor Lights Up Midwest

WISN Footage and Report

“The massive plasma-filled structure rose up and burst during a 2 hour period around 0900 UT on April 13th,” the report reads. “The eruption hurled a bright coronal mass ejection (CME, movie) into space. The expanding cloud could deliver a glancing blow to Earth’s magnetic field around April 15th. NOAA forecasters estimate a 35% chance of polar geomagnetic activity when the CME arrives.” With increased geomagnetic activity of this sort, there could be any manner of strange phenomena that will become observable in the resulting “window” of scientific anomalies, many of which are only present during such solar storms.

For instance, changes in the geomagnetic field, typically resulting from Earth’s bombardment by solar rays, may affect biological systems in a number of ways. Studies have shown that that “physically stressed” people have been observed responding to fluctuations in the geomagnetic field, arousing enough concern for the International Union of Radio Science to establish it’s Commission K–Electromagnetics in Biology and Medicine. Under the most extreme circumstances, solar radiation from the sun can be harmful to the health of those overexposed, as is the case with most any form of radiation, resulting in poisoning and even death; this, however, poses the greatest risk to those outside the protective structures of Earth’s geomagnetic field, such as astronauts in space.

Other strange affects witnessed during massive solar and geomagnetic storms include interference with the navigational abilities of a variety of animals. Pigeons, as well as dolphins and whales, utilize a unique system called magnetoception, in which biological “compasses” composed of the mineral magnetite wrapped in bundles of nerve cells help them find their way along migratory paths. Especially in the case with homing pigeons, a number of incidents involving confusion and disorientation have occurred during geomagnetic storms, prompting a necessity among pigeon handlers for alerts and warnings as to whether geomagnetic storms will be present.

Auroral activity will also likely increase, and in the event that electromagnetic phenomenon may be the cause behind earthlight activity (such as that which occurs at locations like Hessdalen, Norway and in the Linville Gorge of Western North Carolina, popularly known as the Brown Mountain Lights), increased activity could be expected in popular locations associated with the phenomenon.