Major research facility shuts down after 25 years (9/30/2011)

The Tevatron particle accelerator, one of the world's most powerful atom smashers, is being shut down after 25 years. Located in Chicago, this facility holds a significant importance in the history of subatomic physics. In this past quarter century, the Tevatron made several important discoveries, including the top quark, the heaviest of the most basic particles (that we know of) making up the universe. In addition to these discoveries, it was also close to the discovery of a particle that would have explained the origins of mass itself. However, since the US Department of Energy was not able to fund the extra 35 million dollars, the Tevatron was slated for shut down and fired its last particles this afternoon. Its parts will most likely be used in other facilities.

This closing, along with its space program closures, ends the era of "big science" in the US. I am not necessarily for or against this, because the discoveries will still be made, but by other programs. With that being said, I think that scientific research should be a collaborative effort, not competition. If scientific research was collaborative, then the Tevatron particle accelerator might not have shut down.

Full article at: BBC

Particle travels faster than speed of light (9/27/2011)

This weekend, scientists at CERN recorded particles travelling at a speed faster than that of light. This recent discovery shatters the fundamental basics of physics, in which it is explained through Einstein's famous equation, E=γMC^2, that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. The scientists recorded neutrinos, which are  extremely light, subatomic particles, travelling 60 nanoseconds faster than the speed of light. None of the scientists believe their result, and even after finding no errors, they want scientists in Japan and USA to look over their experiment.

I think that it is very likely that there is a problem with their experiment. However, the thought of this experiment actually being right is very exciting, and I hope it is. If it is, then a lot of what we know could also be wrong, and there would be so much more to discover and understand, all from different point of view. Things like space and time travel sound less unbelievable.

Full article at: The Globe and Mail

Saudi Arabian women allowed to vote (9/25/2011)

Earlier this week, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has increased the political rights for women. Starting next term (this Thursday), these woman will be allowed to vote and run in municipal elections. They will also be allowed to be appointed to Saudi Arabia's most influential council (Shura council). This is a great leap forward, because in their personal and working lives, women have faced severe restrictions. They aren't allowed to drive or leave the country alone. For activists, this news was happily welcomed. After 20 years of campaigning about driving, guardianship, and voting, they have finally achieved something.
According to me, this change could have great influence in the lives of Saudi Arabians, as well as many people around the world. Whenever I read news like this, I know that the world is becoming a better place. Soon, other barriers against women will also be removed and women will have equal rights.

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Somali children win guns for prizes (9/20/2011)

A radio station in Somalia recently awarded Somali children guns in a competition. This was the third year that the Ramadan contest was held, in which children from the age of 10 to 12 had to properly recite the Koran. The Ramadan competition was hosted by a radio show linked with the Al-Qaeda. The first place was awarded an AK 47 and  $700, the second place was awarded and AK 47 and $500, and the third place was awarded two hand grenades and $400. They were all also given religious books. In previous years, RPGs have also been awarded. At the prize-giving ceremony, senior al-Shabab official Mukhtar Robow said, "Youths should use one hand for education and the other for a gun to defend Islam."

Learning about such events makes me feel sad from the inside, not because of the fact that there's a competition, but because it's for children. The intention of that competition was not to test the children's faith in god; it was rather to teach them to grow up fighting for their religion. To me, it doesn't seem right to brainwash children in this way. Being children, they don't understand that underlying intention. Instead, by watching this contest, many of the younger children would have been inspired to win it one day as well.

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Large satellite falling into Earth this weekend (9/19/2011)

This week, a large satellite will plummet to the ground as it ends its twenty-year orbit around the Earth. The "dead" satellite, called the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), was used for studying the ozone layer and other chemical compounds in Earth's atmosphere. Originally sent for a 3-year mission, it lasted for 14 years, until more recent technologies rendered it outdated. It was expected to fall in early October, but recent solar activity has caused the Earth's atmosphere to expand, which in turn slowed down the spacecraft. Officials are unsure as to exactly when and where it will come in contact with Earth. However, they are certain that the UARS will enter the atmosphere within a day of this Friday. Of the 6.5 tons of spacecraft, 0.5 tons of it (at least twenty pieces) are expected to pass through the atmosphere and land on Earth, the largest piece estimated to being around 331 pounds. This fact raises a concern: could it be dangerous? NASA has estimated that the chances of the debris hitting a person is 1 out of 3,200, which is highly unlikely. Also, on average, one satellite as large as the UARS falls into Earth each year, and no one has ever been hit by spacecraft debris. Despite this possibility, many scientists and sky-watchers (including myself) will be looking for the satellite this weekend.

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