Air pollution reduces rainfall Kimberly Prather measures soot and determines its origins. New instruments can be taken in aircraft which analyse particles in the air in real time, giving an instant readout. Kimberly Prather says soot from fires pumps billions of extra particles into the sky which collect water vapour. This goes some way to explaining why clouds which are expected to produce rain often don´t. Rather than large drops which fall as rain, the clouds contain a larger number of smaller drops which remain in the air. Synchrotron reveals ancient fish brain Paul Tafforeau describes his surprise discovery of an ancient fish brain while using the synchrotron at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Research funding in Australia David Blair presents the case for increased funding for university research programs. He describes the process of grant applications, the small success rate and the meagre level of funding available. He says the current system is a national tragedy. Flight celebrates South Pole centenary Nicky Phillips joins a flight to the South Pole to celebrate the centenary of the trip by explorers Edgeworth David, Douglas Mawson and Alistair Forbes-Mackay when the magnetic South Pole was discovered. Testing Phoenix and early results from Mars Earth and Mars have a lot in common. Both have polar caps, atmospheres and water climates (ice on Mars). So Peter Smith took his equipment to Antarctica for testing before being deployed in the Phoenix mission. The dry valleys in Antarctica are an ideal environment to simulate the conditions on Mars. Some of the results from Mars include data showing the Mars environment changes quickly. The Mars soil contains nutrients, such as calcium carbonate, which is only formed by the action of water. Just 5 million years ago, the climate was warmer and wetter. Plus, a mineral used by microbes on Earth as an energy source, perchlorate, was also found. And for the first time, snow has been found on Mars. Settlement on Mars Student Luke Sturgess contemplates the options and challenges for human settlement on distant planets.

[ Sat, 14 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +1000 ]

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