7. Let's Go to the Space

    Now, it is also possible that human beings go there not only see the universe. 

Blue earth.

    Words of Major Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union the "The earth is blue" is famous in Japan. 1960s, space exploration began in earnest in the Soviet Union. And April 12, 1961, he came to the universe for the first time in mankind. Since then, various countries have been conducting space development as a national project. Development of competition between the Soviet Union and the United States has contributed greatly to the development of science and technology. The competing technologies to each other, Neil Armstrong of the United States landed on the moon for the first time in mankind at last. But huge cost is applied to space travel these. And only scientists and military personnel I could go into space. 

Dennis Tito.

   
     Russian Space Agency is carrying food and personnel to the International Space Station in the liner of the Soyuz. Some people were allowed to achieve space travel and boarded at their own expense to this rocket. There currently are eight civilians who stayed in the universe in this way. April 2001, Dennis Tito is a millionaire in the United States was the pioneer. He stayed on the ISS for about a week. Russia is getting part of the money by selling seats on Soyuz public. But to go into space is dangerous still. In addition, only the very rich can go into space. 

   

Space Craft. Cool!

     Can't we travel in space? It is still difficult. However it is also only a matter of time. It will be realized in t
he near future if method of jump out into space for a moment. In this case, we get on the new aircraft. First, plane of large carry spacecraft to 10 005 one thousand meters altitude. Then, spacecraft separate and be launched in air. It goes to outer space in a rocket engine. The spacecraft can be landing in the same way as glider. Time we are staying in outer space would be ten minutes enough at the longest. But it does not matter. Rather, the body would be weakened if we had been a long period of time the universe. It would be happy if you look at the space of jet black and sparkle sky at any moment. Club Tourism and Virgin Galactic's are going to give such travel. They were already finished the spacecraft. Ahter flight test is finished, we also go into space. It has been said to be in 2014 or later. It is not a far longer story. The price is 250,000 US dollars. Space travel perhaps it would be the goal of life?




The sources: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_tourism
http://spacetour.clublog.jp/
The pictures:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg/480px-The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg/480px-The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg
http://clublog.jp/usr/spacetour/vss-enterprise_glide-flight-01_6.jpg

Nelson Mandela

    Nelson Mandela died on December 5. He was a great black. People all over the world are mourning him now.

    Nelson was born in 1918 in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. He spent up to 1941 there. And he moved to Johannesburg City. But he was faced with the racism of that time Africa. He wanted to change the situation. And he found a cornerstone political in African National Congress. Because he was able to resist the racial discrimination in public. He was very active there. Of course, apartheid regime treated as the target of crackdown him. He had been in solitary confinement and prison many times. In 1960, African National Congress was banned. Nelson was decided to change the location of the activity. He continued the resistance to become a leader in the military organization called Umkhonto we Sizwe. He fought like a spear of the nation as well as the organization name.

Robben Island.

    In 1962, he was arrested due to military operations. In 1964, he was sentenced to treason. And he was sentenced to life imprisonment. For 27 years, he was living as a person imprisoned. By the way, he had been imprisoned on Robben Island for 17 years, but this island is a World Heritage Site now. This is said to
be Legacy of tragedy such as Auschwitz concentration camp. Misery of racial segregation policy is handed down today. Looking back on the prison of his time, he was saying it was one trial to try their beliefs. When he talks about the old days, he had stressed that officials of apartheid and prison is not the only villain. Because he thought that each other should see a good part of each other in order for people to live in harmony. While Nelson and his associates are being held captive on the island, activists who support them had fought for their release. Nelson was able to continue to have hope, because he was able to know that such activities are being carried out. He decided to write the autobiography and announce to the world. It was supposed to be announced on his birthday in 1978. It was published in 1994 in fact .

    After he was released from Robben Island, he was
an international symbol. But he was actively involved in the people and hate the trappings. He act for in democracy in South Africa. May 1994, he became president of the first democratically elected South Africa at last.

    He was committed to racial problems of South Africa. He was a person with fortitude. What's important is that he had a force that is supported by a large number of people. The world will never forget him.


The sources: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela
http://archives.nelsonmandela.org
The pictures:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Nelson_Mandela-2008_%28edit%29.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/SafrikaIMG_8414.JPG/640px-SafrikaIMG_8414.JPG

6. Mysteries of the Universe

    There is a mystery that can not be counted in the universe. I said before, the fact that it has been clarified in the universe are very few.

    For example, it's existence, such as dark energy and dark matter that human beings can not be found yet. It is expected that mass and energy of all substances that we know is less than 5% of the total energy and the total mass of the universe. something 95% of the remaining should exist in theory, but they're still unidentified.

Data of Wow! Signal.

    Sometimes scientists happen to encounter a mysterious phenomenon during the study. Wow! Signal is one of such phenomena. August 15 1977 when Jerry R. Ehman had been observing the SETI project, he observed a strong signal concentrated in a narrow frequency. It represents well the characteristics of the signal for use in interstellar communication that is expected by astronomer. Ehman was surprised in this.  He print out the data of this signal, and he wrote a "Wow!" on it. There are many people who expected that this is a signal from an alien. But the identity of this signal has not yet been elucidated.

    Some celestial body emits a pulse too regular. It was hard to think that it is a thing of the natural world by people. So, it has been considered to be a signal from space. Now, it has been found that celestial body, pulsar neutron star. When neutron stars rotate at a high speed, radiant energy of it is directed to the earth periodically. In other words, it's like a lighthouse floating in space.

    There are other strange star. Mira is located in the Cetus is a famous star. Because this star is changing the brightness of its own greatly. It will be the star of the tenth magnitude from the star of the second magnitude. Why its brightness change? Because this star shrink and bulge periodically. The period's approximately 332 days. It is very interesting for you to observe this star.

Growth of the Universe.

    How the universe birth is the biggest mystery of the universe. Scientists know that the Big Bang happened first. In before, what is there? Why explosion happened? There would have been nothing there. There was no space there. And there was no time. But the universe was born from nothingness. How do we think of this? It is too difficult problem for us now.

    And how the universe end? Scientists know this answer probably. Universe puffy now. This bulge forever, star and star will no longer encounter. The universe will go dark again.

    It was a lonely story last, but I think very interesting story is in many cases. 



The sources: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_fate_of_the_universe
http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/4148262/
The pictures:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Wow_signal.jpg/640px-Wow_signal.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Universe_expansion.png

5. How to Enjoy Astronomical Observation

    When we enjoy the astronomical observation, there is no need to have advanced equipment there. Only you have to have is a curiosity at least. But if you're have the equipment, you should take advantage of it, and if you want to get some equipment from now, you should know what you need to own. 

Planisphere.

    If you want to enjoy the night sky empty-handed, you just look up at the sky. I think you should care about the place might be good for you. There is no light source around, the air is clear, there is no danger. You should try to find such a place. Even if there is not any knowledge with you, you will come across a beautiful sky. Seeing the meteor shower is one of the most enjoyable observation. 

    If you know the constellations, fun of astronomical observations spread further. Smartphone apps that can see roughly things in the night sky exists. If you did not have a smart phone, you should use a planisphere. PC software that has such a feature also present. They will willing to guide you. They tells us that starry sky you see that due to the time and season. 

Telescope of Newton.

    If you have a telescope or binoculars, you can see the night sky over to use like a microscope. That what was a small stain turns to galaxies and nebulae and star clusters is impressive. If it is the cheapest telescope, the price's less ten thousand yen. It is only two kinds of astronomical telescope and large separation. They are the refractive and reflective. The former use the mirror. You can buy it relatively cheap. The latter use the lens. This can make a thin tube. So this is hardly affected by the outside air. If you buy a telescope, you should understand the advantages and disadvantages of each type. 

    There is a celestial body that does not appear to be darker in the telescope. But it may be possible to make the subject look into the camera. Let put the long exposure time of the camera towards the sky . You can do install it in astronomical telescope. The camera produces an image by collecting a small light. You can observe the more distant of the universe. 

We are able to astronomical observation in a variety of ways like this. Degree of difficulty increases as become item below. But you can easily do it if you think you are trying to do. You may be observed at their own pace. I want you to try If you're so inclined.

The sources: http://homepage2.nifty.com/turupura/observe/menu.htm
http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2136435653503464601
The pictures:
http://image1.shopserve.jp/otokomonoya.com/pic-labo/llimg/newton2006_01.jpg
http://www.astroarts.jp/alacarte/2013/201312/image/starchart.jpg

4. About Outer Space

    I will introduce the outside of the solar system now. What we can observe is a small part of the whole universe. It is not less than ten percent of the whole universe.

    Earth  belong to the solar system. There are many other organizations such as the solar system in universe. they are gathered and form a giant spiral or disk. This is the galaxy. We can observe from inside the galaxy which we belong. It is a so-called Milky Way. Plenty galaxies are also gathered, forming a cluster of galaxies. They are also gathered, they will form a supercluster. On the whole observable universe, celestial bodies are distributed in the form, such as a foam. But distance that we can observe is in the range of 93 billion light-years in diameter approximately. Because IDM distant is expanding faster than the speed of light. It is that to so, where light does not reach is invisible for us.  
    

Big two are Rigel and Aldebaran, other are Bellatrix, Algol B, Sun.

    There are a variety of celestial objects in the universe. Planets and satellites, and the like star. Human grow older. Star also grow older. Protostar glow in the only potential energy. This is a baby star. Main-sequence stars glow by the nuclear fusion. Sun is also included in this. Star most of the universe is a main-sequence stars. Star that is being run out of nuclear fusion energy becomes red giant. Star has a wide variety of end. Small star just go cold and dark. Huge star cause supernova explosion. Neutron star remain after, or stars that are too large become a black hole. When a star dies, it will release the material of the next star. We observed it as a nebula. Stars are born or dies somewhere at any time in the universe. 
    

If we see the Black hole, it become like this.

    Celestial objects with various properties exist in the universe. Neutron star is a celestial body of small and rotates at high speed. Sometimes energy it emits will be regular as a pulse signal. In that case, We call the pulsar neutron star. Neutron star with a strong magnetic field is called a magnetar neutron star. These stars also known that the density is high. It is said that its density is also one hundred trillion times that of the sun. When the star is no longer withstand the mighty gravity of their own, black hole is born. This star has the location and density gravity is infinite. Be stuck even light is also tied to the gravity of this star. So we can not see this star. 

    By the way, look at the night sky, we can say that star is bright. In most cases, they are close to the Earth relatively. I want to see the stars are in far away.


The sources: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe
http://4d2u.nao.ac.jp/html/program/mitaka/index.html
The pictures:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/1e10m_comparison_Rigel%2C_Aldebaran%2C_and_smaller_-_antialiased_no_transparency.pnghttp://www.spacetimetravel.org/galerie/sl218.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzVduP6ud9Y

3. About the Solar System

    This time, I will talk about the solar system. What's there in the solar system? Solar system is made up from the celestial body orbiting around the sun. Celestial body are on the same disk basically. I think I will try to explain from the inside.

The Solar System.

    The sun is stellar. In other words it is that it's celestial body which emits light by itself. Some of the same system, there's no such thing as the other. Its size is also exceptional. The volume of the sun is about 1.3 million times that of the Earth. It is the terrestrial planets from the next. They are made from roughly rock.

    Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system. Pluto is smaller, but it has become the dwarf planet rather than a planet. Mercury is too close to the sun, so observation of it is difficult. This is the planet that we do not know yet in many cases.

    Venus is the planet that is most similar to Earth. There is air in this planet, and the orbit is also quite close to the earth. But the direction of the rotation is the opposite. The sun sinks to the east on the rise in the west in Venus. Astronomers do not know well the reason. By the way Venus has been known as the first star. Everyone would have the eye once.

    So far, Earth is the only planet organisms are present in the solar system. There is no doubt that it is rare in the universe this. Because we have not seen an alien yet.

Mars.

    Fourth is Mars. Its surface is covered in iron oxide, this planet is red as the name. This is the location of choice as to which scholars we will send the spacecraft. Maybe there was a water like Earth this planet a long time ago. There might have been some biological. There is the asteroid belt after the Mars. It is a Jupiter -type planets from the next. It is made of gas mainly, these are huge.

    Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. As well as the combined weight of all the other planets, Jupiter will have a weight of more than double that. We can see only the surface of the cloud. This planet is well known for that there is a vortex called the Great Red Spot. This is found to be a super- huge storm. But why is this will not disappear? I wonder.

Saturn.

    Saturn is the planet with a beautiful ring. This ring is made of rock and ice. This planet is also made ​​of gas again. This star has a satellite countless. Titan is the largest satellite will even have air in it. You may also have a microbial component of the sea and the earth as they are quite similar liquid component of Enceladus. 
     
    Neptune and Uranus is a planet made ​​of gas and ice. They have a uniform structure as remove the core from the planet of Jupiter type. It is a very cold place because these are too far away from the sun. Uranus is a celestial body with a thin blue-green. It has in its side rotation oddly. Neptune is a celestial body with a deep blue. Strong wind is blowing here, big storm called the great dark spot was observed by Voyager 2, but it was gone in a few years. There is no planet later than this.

    Pluto is a dwarf planet. Include Ellis, Makemake, Haumea is the other celestial body called Plutonian objects. According to the definition of a planet, that it goes round the sun, that it is almost completely spherical, that it is to wipe out the bodies nearby. Planet to meet these three. Dwarf planet to meet only two.

    On the outside, scattering disk and astrophotography Kuiper belt objects were scattered around the myriad further. It is thought the place farthest from the sun, and there are countless small bodies in spherical you around the sun.

    There is a lot of mystery still in the solar system. Really, it does not fit on the page I just talk about the one planet. Could you know what's in the solar system?

The sources: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_System
http://omgspace.net/

The pictures:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Solar_sys8.jpg
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/image/planetary/mars/hst_mars060.jpg
http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpegMod/PIA05389_modest.jpg

2. Progress of Astronomy

    I talk about the remarkable development of this study. What do people would have studied in astronomy state-of-the-art? Since it is very diverse, it is possible to introduce all difficult.

Neptune.

    Newtonian physics since been established, people understood that the earth around it around the sun. Because they knew that the planet like Jupiter is a movement different from other stars, I noticed that the planets around the sun around. March 13, 1781, William Herschel discovered Uranus in the telescope. Motion of the planet was strange. Scientists knew that the orbit of the planet is not a perfect circle, but even so the orbit of this planet was disturbed unnatural. Scientists expect another planet is lacking the power to this planet from the outside. And they calculated the orbit of an unknown planet. Result, astronomers have found Neptune. This star is the first planet whose existence was revealed by calculation.
 
    There is a learning called spectroscopy. By analyzing the spectrum of light, this study can predict the properties of the light source. This is established in the mid-19th century, scientists began to allow observation of the stars in more detail.They were able to predict that the star is that whether they contain any element. Speed ​​of a star could also be predicted from the Doppler effect of light they.

Radio telescope, ALMA.

    19th century, photography was invented. Astronomers looked faint stars invisible to the human by using the photograph.They began to observe the galaxy and nebula in earnest. In addition, in 1931, Karl Jansky found that celestial body is emitting radio waves. He was a physicist cruncher wireless technology. His discovery, made ​​a study of radio astronomy. Certain radio has the property of passing through the obstacle or reaches farther than the light. This property was convenient to observe celestial bodies invisible disturb the nebula celestial bodies and not the emitted light. In this way, observation target people began increasing.

Albert Einstein.

     From modern, astronomy was the quest for knowledge. That the new discovery will lead to the discovery of the next there were many. There was also a theory until it is overturned. For example, inadequacies of Newtonian mechanics is modified by Einstein's theory of relativity. Unfortunately, this theory of Einstein is famous but difficult, most people may not understand. We found that the time and space that distorted the time being. For curiosity not for life, scientists wanted to know the mechanism of the universe. In fact , bodies far away even if what sort would be little that it is involved in our lives. But so it 's good. Because it was something interesting for scientists.




The sources: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_astronomy
http://gigazine.net/news/20110817_astoronomy_discoveries/

The pictures:
 http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpegMod/PIA00046_modest.jpg
http://alma.mtk.nao.ac.jp/j/multimedia/files/editor/2013_alma_0001.jpg

1. Beginning of Astronomy

I like astronomy.

    Hello. Do you like stars? Are you interested in the universe? I think I would like to talk about astronomy in this blog.

Pyramid of Mayan

    The first topic is the beginning of astronomy. Its history began in BC. Why did ancient people tried to study astronomy? Scholars believe astronomy began with that people make the calendar. First , lunar calendar is used. But it did not represent the one year exactly. Then solar calendar came into use. At the time, it was important that to study in order to make a more accurate calendar. In fact, from the ancient ruins of many, such as the pyramid of the Mayan civilization in Mexico and Stonehenge in England and the pyramids of Egypt, evidence that ancient people had the astronomical knowledge have been found. But astronomy at that time were not clearly separated from astrology. Therefore, it contained between occult element while for that. There is a geocentric theory as an example of the concept non-scientific. Astronomer excellent cast heliocentric theory was present from BC in Egypt and ancient Greece, but there were few at that time that their opinions can be seen unfortunately.

Galileo's telescope

    16 century, from the Renaissance period, astronomy began to progress scientifically in Europe. 17th century, the invention of telescope quickened its progress. It has allowed the researchers that collect a large amount of observational data that can be trusted. Observation technology was so immature Until then, scholars have even figured out the correct theory, they failed to pｒove it. Galileo Galilei is a pioneer of the scientific method, he contributed to the development of various fields is not limited to astronomy. To derive the laws of Kepler, Johannes Kepler explained the motion of the planet to the sun. Universal gravitation was proposed by Isaac Newton at the same time played an important role in this law. People believed the Ptolemaic system still at this time. But we do not have a misunderstanding. People of that era was not stupid. At the time, heliocentric theory was not more accurate than the Ptolemaic theory immature. So they did not know is that the theory that their religion is wrong. Kepler's laws is right pretty . So 18th and 19th centuries, scientists were able to prove on the basis of the theory and excellent observation technology that advanced the heliocentric theory. People eliminate the theory unscientific in this manner, Astronomy, leading to the modern finally been established.

    Able to turn over what it was previously believed to be common sense is very difficult. But when Copernican turn occurs, people had to be taken to it. After this, astronomy more developed, it began to more observation target. Astronomers finished the exact calendar making, They entered the next phase. I want to talk about at the next modern astronomy.

 The sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_astronomy

http://rikanet2.jst.go.jp/contents/cp0320a/contents/rekishi/

Self-introduction

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Hello everyone. My name is Ryuusei Ohta and I am from the Japan. My hometown is Yachiyo city in Chiba prefecture, and I was born in 1994. In Chiba, there is Tokyo Disney Land, and Narita Airport; one is one of the most popular amusement parks. Another is commonly known as "World Sky Gate". I'm proud of my native place. We are a family of four. I have one younger brother. My brother is three years younger than me. I attend the University of Tsukuba, while he goes to high school now. It is a little regrettable that a difference in age makes us difficult to go to same school at the same time. If we could do that, my school life might get more interesting. My life in a junior high school is dealing with Japanese swordmanship. We usually call it kendo. Lessons were never easy. Once I thought of giving up. But I didn't give up. Kendo gave us the important things. Of course, I got myself into shape. And I strengthened myself mentally. In this way, I learned the Japanese mind. I never forget this experience because it is one of the most valuable things in my life. When I was a high school student, I was a member of the astronomy club. Because there is a big astronomical telescope on the roof of my high school, I could enjoy a wonderful view of stars. I did not only watching the night sky but also taking pictures. I love astronomy observation even now. Since the stars are shining brightly in Tsukuba, it might be a wonderful time that I look through an astronomical telescope. My favorite subject is physics and chemistry. I want to be able to look into the true nature of a thing instead of looking merely at its surface. And I want to create something innovative. Already there are many inventions in the world. I can't wait to challenge innovators. It is the reason why I learn the fundamentals of sciences. My English skill is still poor to talk with others. I hope that I will be able to use this language at will. I have so many thing to study. These are sometimes difficult for me. I think knowledge is not a hindrance but a useful thing. So, study is not hardship for me. Recently, I become a member of the Tsugaru samisen club. Samisen is a three-stringed Japanese banjo. Tsugaru is the city in Aomori prefecture of Japan. When I started life of college, I want to try something new. Since this club welcome a beginner, I join this club without worry. I can't play the samisen now. But I am enjoying the practice. University of Tsukuba is very advanced college. "IMAGINE THE FUTURE" is the slogan of this college. This attitude is suitable for me. I think that being far-sighted is very important. We should make effort to be in the vanguard. I want to contribute the progress of science someday.