An extended break!

Hi folks! I hope that all of you have a wonderful Christmas and new year. I pray that the end of your 2010 is everything that your dreamed of and more.

For many of you, I hope our shared celebration of Christ's birth, right up to the Epiphany season, is time spent in joy with your family, in peace with yourself and others, with hope for your future, and with love for everyone and everything that is around you!

Astronomy -- 1st period did not get to take the outer planets quiz prior to our departure before break. Just know that you will take it the SECOND class period that you are back from break. That will be Wednesday, January 5th. We will begin talking about the sun when you return in January. So, if you get a chance, check out this cool website on space weather and the links that it contains. You will never look at the sun in the same way again!

Geology -- We took notes on glaciers before you left, and that is exactly where we will pick up when you return. While I didn't get a chance to post the notes on the blog here yet, they will be posted, at the lastest, the day that we return. Regardless, work on your book homework and be ready to slide right back in on January 3rd!

BRCC folks -- We will have a visit from a JMU professor to help us better understand water testing. The date is still up in the air, but after that, we will schedule a time to collect samples. Otherwise, enjoy your break!

Freuliche Weinachten!

ET Becoming more Likely!

Check out this article on ET! Several lines of evidence are suggesting the the liklihood of life beyond Earth is becoming greater all the time. Predictions on life beyond Earth are based upon probabilities and various assumptions that may or may not be universal, but they are definitely worth taking seriously.

Mineral rights -- what a convoluted topic. Check out this article to learn more about the complex legal arrangements that the owners and buyers of mineral rights have to has out. Someone could drill under your land without your permission!

Today and tomorrow we are taking trips to the Broadway water treatment plant and the Broadway-Timberville Wastewater Plant. You'll see the entire process that creates drinking water from the river to where that water is expelled in a toilet, treated, and released back to the rivr. Awesome stuff!

Stream Gauging Data Record


Mr. Kohrs Linville Creek Data

Copper Mines and Electromagnetic Pulses

When you think of Afghanistan, what comes to mind? Is bearded men brandishing weaponry? Is it a great society based upon exploited mineral wealth? Or, is it a place with a flourishing tradition of Buddhism?

Well, in its history, it has been or is all of these things. This article on a copper mine that the Chinese are planning to build in a few years does a great job of shedding some light on the lavish and impressive history of this war-torn region. Helmand province, one of the most bitterly contested between NATO and the Taliban in modern memory, was once home to an impressive, and wealthy, presumably Buddhist civilization. It was all based on the mining of copper. This brown metal brought fabulous riches to this area, at least until all the trees were used up and smelting could no longer occur. Today, the Chinese are planning on extracting it and, once again, the Afghan people will benefit economically. The sad part, though, is the cultural loss that is inevitable with this type of a mine. The plan is to build an opencast mine. I've included a picture of the Mirna Mine in Siberia (Diamond mine) for reference...in case you don't know what one of these looks like:

All I can say is "ecological and archaeological disaster". None of these ancient sites will exist any longer. How sad.

On a lighter note (not really), could our civilization survive an electromagnetic pulse? Well, this article explores that question. They can occur naturally (the sun) or be created by man (military weaponry, terrorist A-bomb) and essentially fry electronics. A large enough pulse could sideline power for millions of people at a time over a huge region. Check this article out!

Geology -- We are taking our quiz on chapter 9 today and will start talking about Mass Wasting (Chapter 8).

Astronomy -- Mercury was hot, but Venus is hotter! Venus today, Mars on Thursday!

Geology BRCC -- Come early tomorrow, we leave at 7:30. We're going to Bergton to gauge streams! Friday, we'll analyze our data.

Marcellus Shale Conference

This article on a conference that recently took place about the Marcellus Shale is interesting in that industry leaders are at least paying lip service to the notion that being environmentally responsible in the production of gas from shale is good business. Naturally, with business, actions speak louder than words! They also seem to recognize the ignorance of those whose lands lie atop these deposits with regard to the processes involved in drilling and fracking wells. Of course, the more education that people have, the more cautious they become in signing lease agreements. And rightly so! The industry's environmental record with respect to fracking is not exemplary, as we've seen evidenced in many places. Before it happens in Virginia, we need to be sure that as many people get educated on the process, risks, and yes, potential benefits, as possible.

In geology, we're wrapping up our chapter 9 materials. Tuesday next week, the 16th, we'll take the chapter 9 quiz.

Astronomy students may find this article on the dwarf planet Eris to be interesting. It seems that it is smaller than originally thought, just slightly more diminutive than Pluto. However, it is more massive. So, it must be more dense than Pluto. Why? This is the big puzzle now. The outer solar system is becoming more and more interesting!

But, before we get there...

Today, we talked about the formation of the solar system. Your lab is due next class. We will be in the computer lab next time, exploring Mercury and the Messenger mission in more detail. Venus is up next!

Oh, and by the way, if you are awake at 5:30-6:00 am, be sure to check out Venus AND Saturn in the pre-dawn sky.

Closest Images Ever Taken of a Comet!

The Deep Impact spacecraft took some fantastic pictures of Comet Hartley 2 this morning. Check them out!

Rare Earths and a $100 Billion Dollar spacecraft

Geology students should check out this article on China's monopoly on rare earth elements and how this may or may not affect America's national security. These elements, like Neodymium and Samarium have unique properties that allow them to be used in batteries and other hardware. The trouble is, while they are not really "rare", they are hard to find in economical quantities. They are expensive, as a result, for western nations to mine. China has managed to mine them quite cheaply and thus controls 97% of the world's supply. Your cell phone needs them. Your computer needs them. Your car needs them...but they ALL come from China.

BRCC students should remember their sediment samples and the GPS units by tomorrow. Friday, we'll analyze the dry samples. On the 15th and 17th, we have two field trips coming up. Expect to come early. We'll need extra time!

Geology students -- We're in the computer lab tomorrow and will be travelling to Timberville Park on Monday. Dress warmly! I'll give you permission slips tomorrow.

Upload your Virtual River Worksheet

Astronomy students should ask themselves whether the $100 billion dollar international space station was worth it. This station has always been controversial, even among scientists. Read the article and put some thought into it.

We will be wrapping up the History of Astronomy and taking the quiz on that chapter next time (6th period -- Friday, 1st period -- Monday. Be ready! Our next topic is the solar system.

Best Wishes...