Seeking out new life and new civilisations...
"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time"
T. S. Eliot
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Space Exploration - Mars, The Red Planet
The MARSIS Experiment - Investigating Subsurface Geology and Hydrology on Mars
The 'Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding' (MARSIS) is one of seven instruments aboard ESA's Mars Express spacecraft. Although the mission belongs to the European Space Agency (ESA) the NASA are heavily involved with the MARSIS experiment. The instrument is a multi-frequency Synthetic Radar Altimeter with ground penetration capabilities.
Mars Odyssey- Trickle Down Theory of Melting Snow May Support Life on Mars
Intriguing and often-examined gullies on Mars might not be created by water seeping out from underground springs. Rather, they are likely caused by trickling water from melting snowpacks, an active process that could sustain biology on the Red Planet.
Read more about Mars Exploration here
A Question of Intelligence - Is There Intelligent Life Elsewhere in the Universe?
In searching for the answer to what may prove to be the most profound of discoveries, we need to consider what we would require as evidence to claim such a discovery. It may be that science is lacking the philosophical apparatus to make such a discovery - or at least to announce it.
The True Colours of Mars
Have you ever wondered why the Martian sky appears predominatly red in NASA's images when High School physics tell us that it should be blue like it is on the Earth? Blue light with its shorter wavelength means it is more easily scattered in the atmosphere thanred light [Rayleigh Scattering] - therefore we see it all around us scattered by the Earths atmosphere. Mars, with its carbon dioxide rich atmosphere, should be no exception - apart from occasional atmospheric dust storms which can turn the sky red as it does on the Earth. NASA statements maintain that the colours used in their photographs are estimates since colour itself is subjective and difficult to qualify.
Solving the Colour Calibration Problem of Martian Lander Images - by Ron Levin and Gilbert Levin
Ron Levin (MIT Physicist) and Gilbert Levin (designer of NASAs Viking Labeled Release Experiment) solve the colour calibration issue.
Life On Mars - Extraterrestial Life Next Door
We humans have an innate curiosity about our place in the universe. The question of whether there is intelligent life beyond planet Earth comes essentially from a critique of a concept that is nearly universal in Western society. This is the theological affirmation that our world is special and unique. When we ask the question ‘are we alone in the universe’ we do so from within a culture that holds this concept as reality; the concept that we are alone. So what would happen if we discovered the existence of extraterrestial life, not just in some far off corner of our galaxy but, right in our local neighbourhood - on the planet next door?
The reigning paradigm that the universe is essentially devoid of life would give way to the possibility that the universe is likely to be teeming with life.
Evidence of Extraterrestrial Intelligence - Possible Artificial Structures on Mars
In 1976 NASA's Viking Space craft photographed what appeared to be artificial structures on the surface of Mars. Was this really evidence that someone has been there before us?
On the 20th July 1976 a NASA spacecraft released the first of the probes that were to land on the red planet. The spacecraft called Viking Orbiter 1 was the first of two to arrive at the planet Mars in 1976. After releasing its probe the spacecraft would photograph Mars from orbit. The primary objective of the mission was to study Martian Geology. But for now, with Viking Orbiter 2 still a month away from Mars, the photographs it returned would be used to find a suitable and safe landing site for the second lander. On 25th July 1976 Viking Orbiter 1 returned this image...
The McDaniel Report - A Peer Review of the Independant Research on the Artificiality Hypothesis of the Martian Structures
Dr Stanley V. McDaniel reviewed the research several independant researchers and statements of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In the report "On the Failure of Executive, Congressional and Scientific Responsibility in Investigating Possible Evidence of Artificial Structures on the Surface of Mars and Setting Mission Priorities for NASA's Mars Exploration Program" McDaniel was highly critical of NASAs investigative efforts and reasoning.
The Brookings Institute Report - Proposed Studies On The Implications Of Peaceful Space Activities For Human Affairs
NASA (Never A Straight Answer) appears to be adept at keeping secrets. The allegations include i) supression of information about the true colours of Mars, ii) and supressing knowledge of current life on Mars (and thus the existance of Extraterrestrial Life) and iii) failing to performed adequate investigations into evidence of potential artificial structures on Mars. Surely the Federal agency would not do any of these things - it must simply be over zealous "believers" and "conspiracy nuts" weaving a web of fiction - right?
In 1958, one year after NASA was formed, Washington DC based think-tank 'The Brookings Institute' was commisioned to determine the socio-political implications NASAs intended space activities including that of space exploration. The conclusions regarding the likelihood of discovering evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence and the mode of action should such an event occur is clear.
The Cydonian Message - Discoveries Made by the Research into the Potential Artificial Structures on Mars
Of the potential artifacts discovered on the plains of Cydonia on Mars by the Viking Missions back in 1976, it was the artifact that became known as the D&M Pyramid that is regarded as the Rosetta Stone of the mystery of Cydonia. By the early 1990's an investigation into the nature of the possible artifical structures led by Richard C. Hoagland, called "The Mars Mission", had progressed beyond simply investigating the reality of the structures to beginning to decipher what the "message" left at Cydonia could possibly mean. Hoagland and his team presented a summary of this topic in a briefing at the United Nations in New York in 1992.
"Knights of Cydonia" by Muse - Music Video
From the album "Black Holes & Revelations" 2006.
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