Writing Assignment #7

    In David E. Singer and William J. Broad's article, "Radiation Spread Seen; Frantic Repairs Go On," they discuss the current crisis in Japan. This article was about the efforts to cool the nuclear fuel in the reactors and in the spent-fuel pool in Japan's nuclear power plant. There are reports of harmful radiation in the immediate vicinity of the nuclear power plant. The Japanese are trying to get the situation under control, but efforts are failing. If the fuel rods are uncovered and exposed to air, they heat up and burst into flames. This would allow for the spewing of radioactive ingredients. There have been several explosions since the earthquake and tsunami that caused the nuclear power plant to experience this difficulty.



Singer, David E. and William J. Broad. "Radiation Spread Seen; Frantic Repairs Go On."
            The New York Times. 17 Mar. 2011. Web.
            <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/world/asia/18intel.html?ref=earth>

Writing Assignment #4

    In John M. Broder and John Collins Rudolf's article entitled, "EPA Proposes New Emission Standards for Power Plants," a discussion of possible new standards is discussed. This article was about the Environmental Protection Agency proposing the first national standard for emissions of mercury and other coal-burning plants. This could lead to the closing of older plants. These regulations were designed to protect public health. The Environmental Protection Agency is trying to get the plants to install and maintain smoke stack scrubbers and other control technology. This will reduce the emissions of mercury, lead, arsenic, chromium, and other air pollutants. These toxic emissions are growing and causing defects and diseases in the population.


Broder, John M. and John Collins Rudolf. "EPA Proposes New Emission Standards for Power Plants."
           The New York Times. 16 Mar. 2011. Web.
           <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/science/earth/17epa.html?ref=science>

Writing Assignment #3

     An article by the Associated Press describes how a NASA spacecraft is now circling Mercury. This article was about one of NASA's spacecraft called the Messenger. The spacecraft has gotten so close to the planet Mercury, that it is 120 miles above the planet's surface. This is a difficult planet to get to. Its temperatures get up to 800 degrees. In the 1970s, NASA sent the spacecraft called, Mariner, to Mercury. They were only able to obtain pictures of the planet. Next month it is expected that the spacecraft, Messenger, will begin taking pictures and investigating the magnetic fluid and unused density of the planet. This is the closest we have come to Mercury.


Associated Press. "NASA Spacecraft Now Circling Mercury." The New York Times. 17 Mar. 2011. Web.
  <http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/03/17/science/AP-US-SCI-Mercury.html?_r=l&re>

Writing Assignment #2

     In Kenneth Chang's article "NASA Grabs a Second Look at a Comet," he describes how the Stardust spacecraft passed by the comet Tempeli. This was the first time that a comet had been seen close up twice. Scientists wanted to see how parts of Tempeli's surface had changed, by deep impact, since 2005. Scientists had to precisely track the comet's rotation and navigate the spacecraft to ensure that the desired parts of Tempeli would be facing Stardust as it passed. The Stardust spacecraft passed by the comet at 24,000 mph and it also passed 110 miles from the comet Tempeli.


Chang, Kenneth. "NASA Grabs a Second Look at a Comet." New York Times. 15 Feb. 2011. Web.
      <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/science/space/16comet.html?r=1&ref=space>