Researchers at Stanford and Purdue universities seem to have discovered new physiscs.  The main discovery is that the rate of radioactive decay in some elements is not contant over time.  The theory is the variation is due to influence from neutrinos being emitted from the sun. 

Jere Jenkins, a nuclear engineer at Purdue, found the rate of decay of manganese-54 dropped suddenly one night.  Only later was it discovered that at that moment the sun had produced a massive solar flare.  Other observations have found that measurements of the rate of nuclear decay vary seasonally.  Other patterns show a 33 day cycle, which is the rate of rotation of the sun’s core.

This discovery is truly amazing.  Current theories suggest the neutrino does not interact with matter in this way.  If in fact the neutrino is interacting with atomic nuclei and influencing the rate of nuclear decay, than some new principal of physics must be involved. 

Although no theory has yet been put forward as to how this may work, or what new physics might explain the variation, the impact on modern science will be profound.  To begin with, basic assumptions about radioactive decay are used to date things.  If the rate of decay can change, the dates may also change, which could affect everything from paleontology to climate change.

Perhaps more astounding is the possibilities of applications of these new principals of physics.  Being able to manipulate the rate of radioactive decay might bring new kinds of nuclear reactors.  Perhaps a way to stop a nuclear meltdown by arresting the rate of nuclear decay in the fuel rods, or maybe even finding a way to make hydrogen fusion feasible.  Perhaps the transmutation of atomic elements might be possible, if the atomic nuclei can be caused to decay more readily.  More sinister applications might include new kinds of nuclear weapons, or even a disintegration ray that would cause atoms and molecules to simply fall apart.

Curiously, the discovery was originally made by Ephraim Fischbach, a researcher at Purdue, who was trying to use radioactive decay as a source of random numbers.  It was his investigation that led to the discovery that the rate of decay inexplicably varied over time.

Great home made pictures by a space enthusiast.

Robert was trying to take aerial photos of his house, using a remote control helicopter. When that didn’t work, he looked into high altitude balloons – the kind used for weather observation. He has since sent up 12 of the balloons, each toting a cheap digital camera, taking incredible photos and video capturing 1,000 miles of the Earth’s surface.

http://www.motherboard.tv/2010/3/30/one-man-s-diy-space-photography-has-nasa-calling

Now that is commitment to a hobby.

http://pinktentacle.com/2010/06/futuristic-mega-projects-by-shimizu/

My favorite is the desert irrigation project.

Although it looks like that plan is for a saltwater based series of lakes in low lying areas.  I’ve always wondered what would happen if you could irrigate desert areas with massive de-salinated salt water.  The technology is of course not yet.  Although there are big systems in California and Israel, they are too small by many factors.

Nice launch and congratulations to SpaceX!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37459323

As I predicted back in January [SpaceX: Finally some new news.] SpaceX is going to be attempting a launch of their Falcon 9 rocket this Friday.  This is great news. 

The remaining hurdle has been waiting for Air Force approval as they check that SpaceX has the proper capability to terminate the flight (i.e. blow up the rocket effectively) if it veers from its flight plan.  This is what is termed the Flight Termination System or FTS.

Today [6/1] we completed end to end testing of the Falcon 9 as required by the Air Force Range and everything was nominal. Later this evening, we will finish final system connections for the FTS. Tomorrow we plan to rollout in the morning, and erect the vehicle in the afternoon. On Friday, the targeted schedule is as follows:

Friday 4 June 2010
Launch Window Opens: 11:00 AM Eastern / 8:00 AM Pacific / 1500 UTC
Launch window lasts 4 hours. SpaceX has also reserved a second launch day on Saturday 5 June, with the same hours.

There will be a live webcast of the launch here.

Let’s all hope it goes off clean and easy.  SpaceX is one of the cornerstones of the new Obama space policy which is intended to rely more and more on private industry.  Elon Musk [SpaceX CEO] has positioned his company ideally to benefit from the shift in policy.

After years fo research and development, the J Craig Ventner Institute has finally succeeded in creating a living organism from synthetic DNA.  the organism was created by inerting a complete genome of labratory created DNA into a host cell from which the DNA had been removed.  The cell was able to replicate using only the synthetic DNA.

The hope is this synthetic organism will become a labratory platform for research into DNA and the origins of life. 

Today, some drugs and other organic compounds can be synthesized by inserting sequences of DNA into a model organism such as e. coli.  There is always some risk of contamination from the host organism, so obviously using a synthetic host organism at least guarantees that any contimanation coudl only come from an organism who's complete genome is well understood.

Jupiter has recently emerged beltless after spending the winter on the opposite side of the sun from the Earth.  The reasons behind our largest planet’s change in fashionremain unclear at this time.  Neighborhood sources interviewed expressed concern that with insufficient support, the planet could be vulnerable to a surprise pantsing, as Pluto is well-known for its practical jokes.

Jupiter did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Now Elon has a vested interest in the privatization of the space program but he also  has a lot of the current knowledge of the industry that objective observers do not like your’s truly.

His statement focuses on the economics of the program which, if that is what you focus on exclusively, make the decision an easy one to cancel.  And yet there is also the inspirational aspects to a robust manned program run directly by NASA.  I’m unsure if a private space program will inspire as much as one run by the USA directly.

Regardless it is what it is now.  Go read Elon’s statement here: [Space X: Elon Musk statement]

Carbon Nanotubes are one of the most talked about inventions in nanotechnology…but, what are they good for?  There are pie in the sky dreams of using carbon nanotube fiber to create the space elevator ribbon, there are attempts to line it up as a near superconductor.  But creating multi-mile long cohesive strips of the stuff is going to be hard.

On a smaller scale it appears have some applications that might actually be achievable in the short term such as a synthetic muscle.

Artificial muscles made from carbon nanotubes are 100 times stronger than human muscles. [link]

Trippy.

It turns out I might be wrong about my prediction for a launch: “So for my money that means May or June in actuality.  (heh).”

Because they just ran a successful test fire of the Falcon 9 last Saturday 3.13.2010.

With the success of Saturday's "hot fire" test, the Falcon 9 could lift off for the first time as early as April 12.

Cool.  Link to the news item: [MSNBC]