NASA Hosts ‘Quest for Quakes’ Data Contest

NASA Hosts ‘Quest for Quakes’ Data Challenge

With our ever-increasing presence of Earthquakes and other Disasters, there is an attempt on the part of scientists to grasp a better understanding of earthquakes, and finding a way to locate possible indicators before the quake strikes.

In this announcement from NASA, they are seeking evidence of electromagnetic signals which may warn humans of impending shakers.

The challenge opened for registration on Tuesday. Competitors will be able to submit entries from Monday, July 27 at 1 p.m. ET through Monday, Aug. 9 at 1 p.m. ET.

Contestants will be provided with electromagnetic signal data collected over three-month periods from multiple sensors in the proximity of past earthquakes. Control data with no earthquakes also will be included. Coders will have two weeks to develop a new approach to extract the signals and identify potential earthquake precursors. The individuals or teams developing winning approaches will share a $25,000 prize.

For some reason, this puts me in remembrance of an e-book I read recently: "TSUNAMI STORM," by David Capps. Not one to give spoilers in book reviews, let me just say that this "fictional" account addressed the issue of Governments being able to produce Natural Disasters. The opening of the book has a Chinese scientist located at an area where there are devices that give out an electronic signal before disaster strikes. Only because this young man happened to be on-site when the first hit came, was it learned that the evil-doers in the U.S. Government had caused the disaster with electromagnetic devices. Interesting
.

I am happy to know that NASA is involved in this program, and is promoting other scientists to help humans have a better warning or indication of what has caused an earthquake. (A large bulldozer who is doing a heavy activity can shake the ground; that is an earthquake).

Oklahoma - Lots of Fracking Going On.

Here is hoping that NASA and other Scientists can prove that Fracking or fracture extraction causes earthquakes and hold these companies responsible, and stop the senseless waste of water and destruction of our Earth's crust. 

Let us pray that the knowledge will not be used for evil and power.

Alaska - The Global Warming and Ice Melts are causing movement in the Plates under Alaska - Oh, and there are volcanoes too.

Forestloss, Forestloss, Forestloss Reverberates Through Earth

Is This Our Mother's Face? Mother Earth!

eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/85000/85824/forestloss_gis_2013_lrg.jpg all rights reserved

From 2000 to 2013 these are the mask or face Forest Loss. 

Woods Hole Research Center: Science, Education and Policy for a Healthy Planet, has been using;

Integrated FORest Monitoring System for Central Africa ProjectINtegrated FORest Monitoring System for Central Africa Project (INFORMS). - See more here. They monitor all of the disappearance of forest and species. The Woods Hole Center can give us all kinds of facts to show how much has been lost with the Amazon rainforests, but they cannot stop it.(?) 

This was mapped with Landsat: This is a NASA: Image of the Day; May 7, 2015. This stunned me for a while as I stared at the sad faces that have come through the deforestation of our Earth. 

Amazon Deforestation: Timelapse - YouTube by Earth Outreach

A tortuous way to die. Being skinned alive and drained of body fluids it a planet held by billions of serial killers.

For each person that uses fossil fuels; (I am one), we are contributing to the ill health of our Globe. 

It is my hope, intention and prayer that our Earth, and Her People will come back to sanity, into careful and caring communities, to a slower pace where humans are not propelled tens or hundreds of miles per hour, through the skies, and down the road...slaughtering every speck of life in our way.

Even among environmentalists there will not maybe ever be a discussion about leaving combustion behind. We only fare worse when we live hurtling down the road, trying to cheat time, in order to fill ourselves up with more material junk.

We must move back to our farms, on our feet, and learn to live slower, kinder and more humane. 

People can you not see? We can change things for the better, we can still save Earth, but we must turn around, turn around from the path we have taken on motors, and feel our feet and legs again. 

Permaculture, solar power, methane gas from landfills, rebuilding aquifers, saving our species needs to be done quickly.

NASA's NuSTAR Captures Possible 'Screams' from Zombie Stars

NASA's NuSTAR Captures Possible 'Screams' from Zombie Stars

For those of you who consider Science and Mathematics boring, but you are mad about the "Walking Dead" series, let me tickle your curiosity with amazing facts about space.

The Hubble Telescope; an orbiting camera with four views,  launched into Earth's lower orbit back in nineteen-ninety (1990). We just celebrated the twenty-fifth (25th) anniversary of its origin, and fifteen (15) years in orbit. 

Almost Daily, the  (National Aeronautic & Space Agency) NASA releases images and information collected, and gleaned from orbit. We are finding some astronomically awesome facts.

3/15/2015 Einstein's Theory Confirmed by Hubble Images

Are Zombies Real? Is there such thing as the Living Dead?

"... When stars die, they don't always go quietly into the night. Unlike stars like our sun, collapsed dead stars that belong to stellar pairs, or binaries, can siphon matter from their companions. This zombie-like "feeding" process differs depending on the nature of the normal star, but the result may be an eruption of X-rays..."

According to NASA; Scientists have theorized that Space  Zombies, become a charged body called a Pulsar. They travel, and spin in rapid trajectories, shooting fire, and picking up energy all around them. At times that energy crosses Earth's atmosphere sending out beacons that can sound like screams. 

Recent Hubble image captures give us an amazing view: 

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech Image15-077- Nustar:

 Click on the image and it will get huge!

Recently there have been hints by NASA that they are sure we will have communication with other life in space.  

It is difficult for the untrained mind to consider that sound, light, and other images from stars or planets, come to us from space, can be thousands, or millions of years old.  

I love seeing the images shared with us from NASA and The European Space Agency (ESA). 

Us humans think we are central to the Universe. A critically thinking person takes the time to study Geology. Earth Science is not just about rock and planets, it includes study of  the tiniest chemical compounds as well. Once a student sees the big picture, they quickly realize that we are not "all that." 

Earthlings are a minuscule part of the whole of Creation. 

Cosmic Journeys - The Age of Hubble by SpaceRip

One note for those who think that the idea of zombies is pure fiction let me leave you something to chew on - hoping that it is not BRAINS!!

Matthew 27:52-54 Talks about when Jesus was crucified on the cross, and died, that an Earthquake shook and graves opened up, and the saints got out, and went into Jerusalem where they were seen by many people...I don't know how many ministers I asked about these passages, but I never got a straight answer. Jesus himself after he rose from the dead appeared to his followers for forty days. Reeks of Zombie to me.

This is a Vector Character Sillouette all rights reserved

NASA’s Hubble, Chandra Find Clues that May Help Identify Dark Matter

NASA’s Hubble, Chandra Find Clues that May Help Identify Dark Matter 03/26/2015

Yes my friends "Dark Matter" is real. A living entity that can be looked upon as magical.

Image Credit: 

NASA and ESA (2015)

To keep from sliding into silliness because of old Science Fiction movies I used to watch, hopefully I can pass on some good information that will be helpful for a future Science Project. Some Geology students that may be interested in finding  a different topic for reports. 

Dark Matter, or Dark Energy is less well understood than say what we know about the planets, moons and stars in our Solar System. The linked articles have fascinating data from NASA, and their partners, ESA (European Space Agency), Hubble and Chandra.

If I understand what I read correctly then Dark Matter or otherwise called Dark Energy is dancing about in Space, colliding into each other, but instead of their wreck causing damage, it seems as if the Matter folds in upon itself and the "cloud" it has made contact with. 

NEW Dark Energy and Dark Matter- BBC Universe NASA Science (HD) by Sheldon McBride

A website to learn more about Dark Energy, Dark Matter - NASA Science - Astrophysics is available at the live link within this sentence. It takes you to the NASA Science Astrophysics site where there are fairly easy to understand definitions and drawings; including this one: 

http://imgsrc.hubblesite.org/hu/db/images/hs-2001-09-g-full_jpg.jpg (NASA)

Worldwide scientists, laymen and women, science buffs and science fiction buffs are discussing and theorizing on the nature of Dark Matter.

The Imperial College of London (2014)

Hubble Shows Farthest Lensing Galaxy Yields Clues to Early Universe | NASA

Hubble Shows Farthest Lensing Galaxy Yields Clues to Early Universe | NASA 

July 31, 2014  - RELEASE 14-205

It is safe to state that all of the geological theories we have been taught in Universities, are missing key elements. Look at the micro world of Geology, and then the Universe. Human beings have always had a misguided sense of importance in our place in the biosphere. It is plausible to consider we may actually not be kindred to apes and the like, but more resemble the dreaded and hated cockroach.

The cockroach, seems to have survived insurmountable odds of disasters that have struck down thousands of civilizations on our planet. They are carriers, like humans. They don't get sick. Have you ever seen an ill cockroach? The only roach I have ever seen, that appeared to be under the weather was a cockroach who has been poisoned. They do not go away, except for a short time. Wherever humans are, roaches are. This says a lot about the human species.

Each day, thanks to the endeavors of scientists  and explorers, we are reaching farther into space, and away from Earth. Some are hopeful for a new habitat of a select group of human beings, others with good intentions see the end of this Geological Era coming at us as fast as an errant asteroid. My own theory about what we will find, is laughable to most other scientists, so I will keep that to myself for now, but here is a hint. Everything in nature, works like the human body. 

When a human body suffers trauma, the whole system of the human being goes into heal mode. That system is very complex, but less of a mystery today, because of the continual process of using the scientific method. Two hundred years earlier, physicians thought a fever was the worst thing that could happen to a patient, but today we know that fever is a good thing in most cases. Our anti-bodies are on a search and destroy mission, to destroy what ails us. What makes us so arrogant, that we do not consider that the Universe operates the same way? 

Who is to say that an asteroid is not an anti-body, that a pyro-clastic volcanic explosion, is not part of healing Earth's systems? It may be something to think about. Coming from a cockroach point of view. Who do we think we are, versus the Universe?

Mount St. Helens Eruption May 18, 1980 (2010) US Geological Survey (USGS)

Groundwater Deficit Out West I Earth Observatory Reports!

"Groundwater Deficit Out West" by NASA Earth Observatory July 7, 2014

There was a time when red, white and blue meant something to one group of people, and many others misunderstood; taking it all the wrong way. Abundance did not mean, get more. America, in a hurry to burn this Republic experiment, thinking there will be another one, to dominate, and conquer. Leave us to our Beloved Earth, Gia, Tierra...Go on outta here, leave us to our globe. We will love her back to health; until a new Era is ushered in. (blogging, yada, yada, yada)

Link to Natural Hazards I NASA Earth Observatory

We hear what seem like little squabbles about water, ranchers, and environmentalists, lawn people, gardeners, swimmers and fishers are all screaming different things about water. 

For the last ten years, NASA has been using the technology of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (G.R.A.C.E.), in partnership with the University of California, Irvine have been keeping track of the water levels of the Colorado Basin.

Monthly measurements of the change in water mass from December 2004 to November 2013 revealed the basin lost nearly 53 million acre feet (65 cubic kilometers) of freshwater, almost double the volume of the nation's largest reservoir, Nevada's Lake Mead. More than three-quarters of the total -- about 41 million acre feet (50 cubic kilometers) -- was from groundwater.

Image Credit:  U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

"The Colorado River Basin (black outline) supplies water to about 40 million people in seven states. Major cities outside the basin (red shading) also use water from the Colorado River.

'We don't know exactly how much groundwater we have left, so we don't know when we're going to run out,' said Stephanie Castle, a water resources specialist at the University of California, Irvine, and the study's lead author."

GRACE Sees Water

July 23, 2014 further confirmation: 

It is important to understand what a Basin is in terms of Geology.

New NASA Space Observatory to Study Carbon Conundrums | NASA

New NASA Space Observatory to Study Carbon Conundrums | NASA

NASA Announcement June 12, 2014

The title above, is also a link to the NASA Space Observatory webpage that hosts this story. Since I started talking about that "Carbon Reduction Thingy" a few days ago, I have been looking for items, and information to share. 

This is an amazing article by our friends at NASA Space Observatory, and there are a few highlights I pulled out of this article to highlight:

Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2): NASA's New Carbon Counter - YouTube.

#2 As I named this Observatory, is one of five that will be launched in 2104. 

“Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere plays a critical role in our planet's energy balance and is a key factor in understanding how our climate is changing,” said Michael Freilich, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division in Washington. “With the OCO-2 mission, NASA will be contributing an important new source of global observations to the scientific challenge of better understanding our Earth and its future."  (Freilich 2014)

For more information on OCO-2, NASA's New Carbon Counter, check these links: 

• http://oco.jpl.nasa.gov/

• http://www.nasa.gov/oco2/

Greenland Is A Model For Ocean Waters Rising

Today NASA News Announced that "Hidden Greenland Canyons Mean More Sea Level Rise."

Due to rapid ice loss occurring in Greenland, as well as other glacial formations that are losing mass, the danger that will be posed by that melting, includes an increase in the level of the ocean.

There is a mixed blessing in the glacial departure. One of the benefits is that it is easier for scientists to "see" what was deposited below the only surface we have known in modern times. Because of the ability to get visuals of these now warmer lands, more information can be gathered, and theories can be formed as to how our past and futures meet. 

The bad news about the declining glaciers, is that land mass, or habitat is being lost to mammals and other aquatic life that once thrived and survived in places like Greenland, and Alaska. The loss of land, means the loss of species, and one of those species could well be humans. 

There is a YouTube Video of the Bed topography (the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area."), of West Greenland in the above announcement from NASA News. It shows the geographic and scientific evidence being harvested about how the land lays in Greenland.

"Greenland Ice Sheet research - life in the field" by School of GeoSciences - YouTube

To learn more here are some links that you can go to for further information: 

For more information about NASA's Earth science activities in 2014 (link)

YouTube Animation of the newly mapped topography (link)

Thank you for your concern. Declare world peace, help Mother Earth.

Haze over India and Bangladesh

Haze over India and Bangladesh

This cloud, visible via Satellite is most likely an Inverse Convection of toxins, or other pollutants locked in place, like a Giant Salad bowl, turned upside down, or a fishing boat that has been capsized; where it retains that 'last bit of oxygen' you can breathe so you don't drown. There is also, a suction-like affect. That bubble is locked until a force or a chemical, possibly temperature change occurs.

A cloud this large is frightening. There are all sorts of life forms and weather patterns, currents that can be affected by an inverse convection, even birds, and butterflies and all of the other pollinators.

NASA EARTH OBSERVATORY (link to article)

This would be a perfect time and place for some kind of giant Nitrous Oxide, detector, to find out the measurement of pollutants to fresh air. This area has been bombarded with harsh flooding and volcanic activity since Summer of 2010. This is highly alarming to me personally, but I do worry. Can we get a Giant NOX Detector?

I do not blame everything on the terrible practices of the human animal when it comes to disasters and clouds such as these. It is important to note that volcanic activity has been chugging along this ridge of the Earth more and more often.

There was an era of man, not so long ago, especially looking at the larger, Geological picture, where a movement of Love and concern for our Brothers and Sisters across the world. The Love movement was quieted and still remains a small trickle.

  

One of the most memorable things I can remember was The Concert for Bangladesh, where an outpouring of love and anointed music spread cross the world, and George Harrison, Ravi Shankar, Ringo Star, Bob Dylan, sang to raise money and awareness. Everytime I hear this album, it brings back that spirit.

Is Pakistan Losing Ground?

(link) Are we Losing Land in Pakistan?

I understand that in the U.S., we have a lot going on. In Florida, there is a man saying he is called of God to burn the Koran, causing everyone in the U.S. to take a deep breath, and fall back into the fear we lived in during the 8 years of the Bush Administration. This is not a diatribe against President Bush, let us not forget that 7 of his 8 years were spent with us checking on daily "Terror Alerts", powdery substances in our mail, and the loss of lifelong held investments and retirement.

We are already in the fight for the next Presidential election, Christmas shopping and how the Health Care Act is causing changes in the upcoming years. We have our eyes peeled toward the Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana, and even this newest Disaster is not making the news...Is it too much?

If we stop looking in our own backyard, and consider the rest of the World as our friends, family and neighbors, we will have noticed that China, Indonesia and Pakistan have been under a deluge of rain and flooding for well over a month.

I must admit with everything going on, I have dreaded to look at the Natural Disasters postings to see how my beloved Earth and fellow Earthlings are doing...

Not so good. today's photo of Pakistan (LINK above), is startling.  An increasing amount of their land mass is under water. How much water will remain? How much land, silt, soil, rocks, trees and other resource's are becoming one with the Sea?

Image courtesy of NASA Earth Observatory 9/5/10

Flat Map Globe - Pakistan Upper Right Quadrant
Image Courtesy of NASA Earth Observatory 9/5/10

The above images were captured by NASA on September 5, 2010, the preceding weeks have shown an increasing movement of water into all low lying areas. This has been going on for weeks.

The space satellites do show false colors to help distinguish certain things, the light blue to dark teal is the water,  vegetation shows red and bare ground and settlements range in colors from grey to beige.

There is not really a lot we can do against the forces of Nature, but let us be mindful of populations around the world who are beginning to wonder if life will ever be the same. The loss of top-soil in the low-lying crop areas, will be devastating for farming and crops.

Let us not forget our brethren, it could be us tomorrow...

July 19th 2010 -

Image courtesy of NASA - Earth Observatory

Natural Disasters in Pakistan: Earthquakes in Pakistan, Floods in Pakistan, Natural Disaster Deaths in Pakistan, Tropical Cyclones in Pakistan

(link) On a Mission to the Ball of Fire - The Sun

NASA Article - Author: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA

For quite some time, NASA has sought to solve one of the greatest mysteries in our Solar System, the Sun and all of her dynamics and science. 

Set to launch no later than 2018, this will bring great and imaginative minds together with Science and Physics beyond what I can comprehend. There will be new strides made in making materials that can withstand the heat of the Sun.

According to Lika Guhathakurta, "Solar Probe+ is going where no spacecraft has gone before," Guhathakurta is a Solar Probe+ program scientist at NASA HQ. "For the first time, we'll be able to 'touch, taste and smell' the sun", he stated.

Last year NASA sent invitations around the world inviting great minds and think tanks to submit proposals of possible scientific investigations that could be done with the probe. (The size of the Solar Probe they are sending is about 'smart car' size. (link) What the Solar Probe Will Look Like) Out of 13 Proposals, 5 were chosen:

1. SWEAP -  Solar wind electrons Alphas & Protons Investigation
2. WISPR  -   the Wide-field Imager for Solar Probe Plus 
3. FIELDS -  The Fields Investigation for the Solar Probe Plus
4. ISIS       -    Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun
5. Human -   Solar Probe+ Investigative Scientist (Marco Velli)

There are two questions that scientists have wanted to find answers to...

Why is the sun's atmosphere is so much hotter than its surface? 

what propels the solar wind?

Amazon Books You may Find Interesting!

Mission to the Sun

Mission to Saturn: Cassini and the Huygens Probe

Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator

Solar Products at Amazon.com

Upper Atmosphere Collapse - Not a Science Fiction Movie!

(link) NASA Article Released July 15, 2010

As a blossoming geologist, this news is an occurrence that we have been hoping would not happen.This is not meant to be offensive to those who "don't believe" in Climate Change ~ or Global Warming, but those who have made it their lucrative business of giving false information to the public about our Global Climate are not looking for the health of the planet. These highly financed ventures are not concerned with human health. They have one goal, and that is to make profits every quarter for the richest people in the world. 

Scientists have been monitoring the atmosphere above Earth since the first successful satellite launch. Where the atmosphere (upper skies), meets with space is called the thermosphere. These layers are made of gases, but you could say they are maps of our Upper Space. It recently suffered a system collapse, and is now rebounding. The original evidence of collapse occurred during 2008-2009.

The thermosphere, like a set of astro-lungs naturally cools and contracts when solar activity is low. The frightening fact is the 08-09 collapse was 2 - 3 times greater than normal, and scientists say the resulting thermosphere (the area where Earth atmosphere meets with Space gas) activity and readings are not adding up to normal expectations.

The cause for these abnormal readings can possibly be attributed to excess C02 in the atmosphere. Even considering the rising levels of C02 (Carbon Dioxide), the numbers and charts are not adding up to why the thermospheric temperatures are coming out the way they are.

The biggest producers of C02, dirty polluters, and dirty Governments will do anything to keep people from the truth of pollution and its long-term affects on global and human health. They have a lot to answer for. The thing is, if we do not turn around the way we use energy, if we do not quit looking at our Globe like one big gas pump, it will not matter, and all the 10101010's we put on our computer screens will be meaningless.

We must demand a Brave New World, that operates under a Green Economy. This means the way we consider power and energy will have to do a complete 360. We have wasted a lot of what we depend on for life. It cannot be business as usual. We cannot continue to do things like "we always have done it." In the long term, it is not working. Ask a dolphin the next time you see one not covered in oil.

NASA Spots "Puff the Magic Dragon" Cruising through Space

(link) NASA - Spitzer - Puff the Magic Dragon

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has satellites way out in space. This "glimpse" of a dark cosmic cloud of what can be described as a "dragon" is spotted by the satellite Spitzer. The camera is capturing a snapshot of the formation and birth of a nebula, before major star formation. This dark cloud, M17SWex  - a Bright Star-Forming Nebula continues to be a mystery.

How big is this 'dragon'? From "tail" to "snout" M17SWex stretches 160 light years. Is this something that scientists have just discovered? No. This ultra-right nebula was actually first discovered by French astronomer Charles Messier in the Summer of 1764. For astronomy buffs, this is known as the Omega or Swan Nebula.

JPL Scientist think that this cosmic phenomenon is an early stage of development, is the lack of O stars. O stars are the bluest, hottest and biggest of new stars. O stars are rare in the cosmos. There is a giant bubble in the area of the Dragon's Eye, that could be O stars. O stars are hotter than the Sun, and the nebula of these stars, is around a million years old.

From reading this blog post, it is obvious I am not an expert of Astronomy. As a geology student, we have learned to include the Earth's Core beneath us to the furthest reaches of Space as systems that have affected our universal development, and systems we need to consider when thinking about our part in Evolution/Creation.

Today, I intend to put a smile on your face, and perhaps some young person (under 100 is young) will be interested and join in the solving and observation of mysteries that surround us.

Thank you for all you do for the enhancement of our Environment. Thank you for your public service. Thank you for every "one thing" you do to make a difference.

"To Infinity, and Beyond" Buzz Lightyear - Toy Story

NASA.Gov Announces Hazard:Flooding Along the Illinois River!

Because the waters of our State are vital to commerce. sport, food, transportation, hauling ~ and habitat, this public announcement may be of interest to you. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=41006&src=nha The Illinois River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River.

Anyone, even a person who is not a scientist knows that if there is a bowl shape water will flow into the depression. Significant Basins are vital to the Hydro-sphere [the hydro-sphere is the water systems and circulations.] of an area.

Only, recently has it been acknowledged that pollution, dust, toxins, warming can happen in one area, but affect the entire globe and it's bio-sphere. (The goods that keep us alive and healthy).

Less than 30 years ago, no one considered spraying DDT on vegetables to kill bugs could hurt people. Even less the fact of run-off from their application of poisons like DDT, would affect an entire water supply and health of every living thing. All that is being said, to consider we have made bad assumptions in the recent past, or didn't take into the equation what our 'progress' will cost at the end.

The State of Arkansas is dependent upon the health of the Mississippi River Basin. There are active programs now setting "watches" on the health of the Mississippi River Basin. Hypoxia is a concern; "Hypoxia: is a pathological condition which the body as a whole, or a region of the body is deprived of oxygen- that part dies eventually" - HELLO!
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:Aoppq9qdABAJ:www.epa.gov/gmpo/lmrsbc/index.html+Mississippi+River+Basin,+Illinois+River,+Arkansas&cd=10&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
http://www.riverwatch.noaa.gov/arkansas.shtml Is a National Weather Service link to the River Watch. It lists the cities and States affected and concerned about this waterway. Arkansas City, Arkansas. Helena. West Memphis. Memphis, TN