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Uranus, 2006. A look at the planet, Uranus. 2,437 words (approx. 9.7 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 74.95 »
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Abstract This paper takes a look at Uranus, the third largest planet in the solar system. According to the paper, Uranus is approximately 15 times as massive as the Earth. The paper reports that it is believed that Uranus was discovered in 1781 by William Herschel, but actually, John Flamsteed first recorded it in 1690. Flamsteed called the planet 34 Tauri.
From the Paper "There are 11 known rings, all very faint; the brightest is known as the Epsilon ring." (Arnett, 2004). By far the largest ring is 1986U2R, which is 2,500 kilometers wide, and approximately 38,000 kilometers from Uranus' center. Ring 6 is 1-3 kilometers wide and approximately 41,840 kilometers from the center of Uranus. Ring 5 is 2-3 kilometers wide and is approximately 42,230 kilometers from the center. Ring 4 is also 2-3 kilometers wide, and is located just past ring 5. Alpha is 7-12 kilometers wide and is 44,720 kilometers from the center. Beta is 7-12 kilometers wide and is 45,670 kilometers from the center. Eta is 0-2 kilometers wide and is 47,190 kilometers from the center. Gamma is 1-4 kilometers wide and is 47,630 kilometers from the center. Delta is 1-4 kilometers wide and is located 48,290 kilometers from the center. 1986U1R is 1-2 kilometers wide and is located 48,290 kilometers from the center. Epsilon, the most visible of the rings from the surface of the Earth, is 20-100 kilometers wide and is located approximately 51,140 kilometers from the center of Uranus. Epsilon is the probably the most visible because it is the outer ring and is much larger than most of the other rings."
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Astronomy, Stars and Extraterrestrial Life, 2007. This paper explores life-supporting stars and the search for extraterrestrial life. 922 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 32.95 »
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Abstract The paper explains that stars are set up to have planets circling around them and it is on those planets that scientists search to locate other life forms that may exist. The paper reveals that a growing body of scientists believe that there is/was life on Mars. The paper discusses how, with the advances in technology, it may not be long until we find a planet with living beings.
Outline:
Introduction
Stars
The Search For Life
Conclusion
From the Paper "Man has been working on science since the beginning of time. As the human race continues to evolve, technology become more advanced and the ability to answer questions accurately grows stronger. One of the questions that has continued to stump mankind since the beginning of time is whether or not there is life out there. Songs are written about it, movies depicting aliens abound and books convey the belief that there is life on other planets and in other solar systems, however, to date no scientific evidence has been found that can support that belief. The technological advances that have occurred in recent history have allowed man to provide a more structured research setting to answer the questions about life bearing planets and alien life."
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Stars, 2007. An overview of the structure and characteristics of stars. 996 words (approx. 4.0 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 35.95 »
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Abstract This paper examines how a star is a huge, shining ball in space that produces a tremendous amount of light and other forms of energy. It looks at their physical makeup, the different types, and the recycling effect of star evolution on the rest of the universe.
From the Paper "Stars have many variants such as age, size, mass, and luminosity, but one thing they have in common is that "about 75 percent of all stars are members of a binary system, a pair of closely spaced stars that orbit each other" (Green, 2005, p. 1). Stars are also grouped together in galaxies such as the Milky Way which hosts more than 100 billion stars. "Three-dimensional computer models of star formation predict that the spinning clouds of dust may break up into two or three blobs; if true, this would explain why the majority of the stars in the Milky Way are paired or in groups of multiple stars" (science@nasa, p.1). Clearly, the structure and formation of individual stars mimics the structure of other important elements of the universe."
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Extrasolar Planets, 2007. This paper describes and analyzes the search for extrasolar planets within the last decade. 2,578 words (approx. 10.3 pages), 11 sources, MLA, $ 77.95 »
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Abstract This paper examines recent discoveries in the search for extrasolar planets. The author also discusses how this has become a viable area of research in astronomy. This study is divided into six sections. They include: definition of planets, how planets form, methods of detection, properties of extrasolar planets, and future implications of detection. The paper concludes acknowledging how extrasolar planetary research has opened up avenues of thought and possibilities that were seen as impossible just a few decades ago.
Outline:
Introduction and History
Definition of Planets and Extrasolar Planets
How Extrasolar Planets Form
Methods of Detection
Properties of Extrasolar Planets
Future Implications of Detection
Conclusion
From the Paper "The search for extrasolar planets has a long history. The notion that there might be other worlds existing in the heavens can be demonstrated as far back as ancient Greece. In more modern times, a Catholic monk was condemned for heresy in 1584 for suggesting that the sky was populated by countless suns and countless other Earths ("From Intuition" par. 1). The purpose of this essay is to describe and analyze the current search for extrasolar planets that has produced significant results within the last decade. What was once a fanciful possibility in astronomy has become a viable avenue of research, with new extrasolar planets being discovered every year. The remainder of this study will be divided into six sections. They include: definition of planets, how planets form, methods of detection, properties of extrasolar planets, future implications of detection, and conclusions."
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Is Pluto a Planet?, 2006. A discussion on whether Pluto should be classified as a planet or a comet. 1,609 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 52.95 »
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Abstract The paper discusses how Pluto recently came under fire regarding the legitimacy of its status as a planet of the solar system. The paper examines the controversy that began when the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1999, was implicated with the decision of reconsidering Pluto's planetary status. The paper concludes that the issue was finally set to rest when the IAU duly rejected the status change as a rumour or misinformation and Pluto's status remained safe.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Pluto Statistics
Pluto Planet or comet (A Discussion)
Pluto (A Misfit?)
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "First and foremost comes the fact of size. As mentioned earlier, Pluto is the smallest planet and in terms of its size is even smaller than seven of the moons of other planets including earth's moon. Comparatively, mercury the next smallest planet is more than twice the size of Pluto. However, most astronomers brush aside this argument stating that Pluto is too big to be classified as a minor planet. For example, Ceres the largest minor planet that exists in the asteroid belt between Jupiter and mars is only 580 miles."
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The Life Cycle of Stars, 2006. An analysis of the regeneration of stars. 1,118 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 38.95 »
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Abstract In order to shed some light onthe processes involved in the stars' life cycle, this paper discusses and analyzes how, throughout its 'life,' a star will remain dependent on other stars for its eventual re-birth--that is, the creation of another kind of a star. In line with the main topic of this paper, the discussion and analysis argue that the life cycle of a star is an interdependent and recurring process, mainly because stars depend on other stars to re-generate or create another star.
From the Paper "The second phase, the star's death, occurs when the star has finally used up its hydrogen atoms, and can no longer generate energy from its stellar body. As this happens, the star is "pulled" by the gravity and will burn its helium to become carbon, becoming a red giant. The dying star will be pulled towards the gravity because it will no longer have the counterforce that it once had (force from the energy radiated from it) in order to balance the two forces (gravity and energy pressure). Once helium gases were burned out or exhausted from the stellar body, carbon will be produced and scattered. The dead star will eventually have a carbon core, cool down, and become a white dwarf."
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Life on Mars, 2006. This paper describes man's interest in Mars, with emphasis on the search for life on the planet and recent research. 2,051 words (approx. 8.2 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 64.95 »
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Abstract This paper explores man's interest in the planet Mars. The paper begins by taking a historical look at observation and exploration of the planet. Next, the author describes conditions on the planet, and how they are unsuitable for life. Finally, the author concludes that Mars is a beautiful planet, and gives a description of the planet as well as including actual pictures.
Introduction
Analysis
Conclusion
From the Paper "Though there are no live forms, yet there is a meteorite present on Earth which had come down some 13,000 years ago in the Antarctic which is raising a lot of questions. This contains a magnetic compound called magnetite or Fe3O4 and that compound is found easily on earth. It is also used in many products like video and audio tapes which are regularly used in most houses. At the same time, there are only very few bacteria on earth which can produce magnetite in the crystalline form as they are able to assemble magnetite structures which are chemically pure and free from any defects. This type of magnetite crystals were found in the Allan Hills meteorite and that is a 4 billion year old rock which had come down from Mars as described earlier. The crystals of magnetite were present deep inside the rock. There is a belief in the scientists that these crystals had traveled all the way from Mars and were not produced on Earth through contamination by bacteria from the Earth after its arrival. (Life on Mars? The Allan Hills meteorite from Mars is peppered with tiny magnetic crystals that on our planet are made only by bacteria) "
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Black Holes, 2005. This paper describes the basic types of black holes and their detection. 2,010 words (approx. 8.0 pages), 13 sources, MLA, $ 63.95 »
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Abstract This paper explains that in the universe, few elements are weirder than black holes, a celestial body made of material so dense that nothing can easily escape its gravitational field, not even light. The author points out, that for decades, theorists considered them mere mathematical constructs, unavoidable consequences of Albert Einstein's theories of relativity; but there is no reason that they cannot exist in nature and, over the last four decades, evidence has mounted that suggests they actually do exist. The paper relates that, although black holes are totally invisible and there is no way to see them directly, they can be detected indirectly (1) by observing the radiation from the bright-burning accretion disks, which radiate on all electromagnetic frequencies especially on the X-ray bands, and (2) by observing their gravitational effects on other objects.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Black Hole Anatomy 101
Surfing the Singularity
From the Paper "Another important feature possessed by many black holes is an accretion disk, a torus around the event horizon formed by infalling matter as it spirals toward the singularity. Because of the energetic nature of the infall-think of the whirlpool formed as water drains from a bathtub-accretion disks usually emit all sorts of radiation, including visible light. The only other features black holes are reliably theorized to possess are angular momentum (rotation) and occasionally the odd electric charge or magnetic polarity, a consequence of eating too many charged particles"
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The Race to Space, 2006. An examination of the motivating factor behind the American and Soviet race to space. 1,439 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 47.95 »
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Abstract The paper explains that before landing on the moon, scientists feared that the astronauts manning a space craft might die and that there was a possibility of lunar microbes causing an epidemic if they found their way into the earth's biosphere. The writer explains that despite this great risk, the Soviets and Americans continued the race to space. The paper suggests reasons for this race to have continued and the writer posits that the only reason for doing so was for one of these nations to prove the dominance of their way of life over the other country's way of life. The writer states that the United States won the race to the moon, and also dominance of the planet, and that the Soviet Union broke apart while America prospered. In conclusion, the writer questions whether the exploration of space will wane without competition and posits that it may become a mission not of fostering competition between nations, but inspiring cooperation.
From the Paper "While the moon does not have anything to due with proving either of these ways of life superior to the other per se, the conquest of the moon was an important symbolic victory. There was a definite feeling that whoever managed to land on the moon first would prove to be the "superior" society. Astronaut Eugene Cernan clearly illustrates this anxiety to prove America's dominance of the Earth through space travel in his book The Last Man on the Moon. He starts his book recalling the occasion when he and two fellow astronauts were in the middle of testing a space craft when they were interrupted by an important phone call. Interruptions of these tests were rare since they were so difficult to set-up, so terminating the test must mean something very wrong had happened. One of the first thoughts Cernan remembers having when they were called out of their craft was "...maybe it was our worst nightmare come true, and the Russians were on their way to the Moon" (Cernan 5). That turned out not to be the case: in fact, the phone call was to inform them of the deaths of three other American astronauts in an electrical fire while testing another spacecraft. Cernan, of course, was devastated by the loss of his friends and colleagues, but nevertheless, he apparently viewed the idea of the Russians reaching the moon as his "worst nightmare." He writes that after the funerals, he worried that the American space program might be scrapped forever. "From this point on," he writes, "the dream of sending men into orbit and beyond would be viewed through the prism of the sacrifice demanded. It was a dangerous enterprise and we all now clearly understood what President Kennedy meant when he said our country had accepted this challenge not because it was easy, but because it was hard" (Cernan 13). Why, after such a tragedy, was Cernan's first fear that the Russians might beat the Americans to the moon? And why, after the funerals, did he and his fellow astronauts become even more determined to risk their lives for what was, for all practical purposes, a mostly symbolic victory? Risking so much to do something "because it was hard" really isn't a satisfactory answer."
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"The Demon-Haunted World", 2006. This paper reviews and analyzes "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark" written by author and astronomer Carl Sagan. 1,655 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 53.95 »
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Abstract This paper examines Carl Sagan's clear and lucid style of writing which lends itself well to understanding the diverse number of issues as detailed in ""The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark." This paper discusses the basic theme of Sagan's novel which is the defense of technology as a necessity to improve man's existence on this planet. The writer of this paper also touches on Sagan's provision of figures which communicate the number of people who remain in the dark about matters of science.
From the Paper "Carl Sagan uses a clear and lucid style of writing which lends itself well to our understanding of the diverse number of issues he discusses. Perhaps the best way that Sagan creates such a clear understanding of his ideas in The Demon Haunted World is his art of using words effectively. From the beginning of the work his explanations are
handled with a sort of empathy so as not to demean the intelligence of true believers. Not once does he ever write anything to suggest that people who believe in the various pseudosciences are asinine. He simply shows the evidence in an unbiased, objective manner."
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Purpose of the Universe, 2006. A philosophical discussion about the purpose of the universe. 1,121 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 38.95 »
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Abstract The purpose of the universe has been seen from many angles in human history. The scientific view of the purpose of the universe has fluctuated together with various epochs and the philosophies connected with these epochs. Various philosophies of the purpose of the universe, and whether indeed the universe does have a purpose, are discussed.
From the Paper "Cosmology, or the study of the universe, originated in Mesopotamia. The philosophy of the time was that the earth was the center of the universe. Main philosophers of the time were Aristotle and Ptolemy. Because of Aristotle's power, this view of the world remained relatively uncontested until 1543. This philosophy also made the idea of the purpose of the universe fairly simple. The universe existed for human beings, who were created at the center of it. The understanding of the world, being simple, was therefore unproblematic. It therefore might be not only Aristotle's power but also the basic human need to feel that there is a purpose to things that perpetuated this view."
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Humans upon Mars, 2005. Argues that the U.S. should resist the pull of the Red Planet and not aim to send human beings to Mars. 988 words (approx. 4.0 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 35.95 »
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Abstract It is difficult for many Americans to believe that sending human beings into space via the national space program is such an important effort today. This is partly in the light of a reconfigured geopolitical balance between Russia and America, and partly due to the increased costs and perceived risks of the space program. This paper argues these doubts are correct. For although it may become technically possible for humans to travel to Mars, the paper argues that human travel to Mars should not be the primary goal of the American space program.
From the Paper "For NASA, Mars remains an important long-term goal and a way of establishing political capital in Washington D.C. during a time where even necessary, earthly social services programs are finanically strapped, given the war on terrorism at home, and the reconstruction of Iraq abroad. Its official literature directed towards the public promotes Mars exploration, in the form of the Mars Rover and also in terms of the potential for "making the vision a reality" of manning a spacecraft to the Red Planet. But although refreshing in the breadth of its vision and the beauty of its prose, NASA remains cagey about the financial realities this mission would cost the United States, and working out the details of negotiating a truce or a peace pact regarding finances between the United States and Russia over such a mission. (NASA Official Website, 2005)"
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