Tardigrade

The Kepler Telescope main instrument is a photometer. This instrument measures the brightness of stars within its field of view. Data is then gathered and analyzed to detect any variations or deviations of light which is caused by the transits of plants of host stars. These dips in light help in detecting planets in "Habitable Zones". Gliese-581g The planet Gliese 581g is one of six possible planets in the constellation Libra. This exoplanet was discovered in late September 2010. The main reason…

It is well known that all organisms require at least some water to survive, even the most hardy creature on the planet earth, the tardigrade, Hypsibius dujardini, which can survive near complete dehydration, exposure to extreme radiation, vacuum, temperature and pressure, must be rejuvenated with water if it is to resume life after near complete desiccation (Gabriel, et al. 2007). H. dujardini, famous for surviving some of the harshest conditions of any organism we know of, is a perfect example…

Renowned American author H. P. Lovecraft once wrote, “Blue, green, grey, white, or black; smooth, ruffled, or mountainous; that ocean is not silent”. Presently, the earth is estimated to be around 70% water, yet humanity has only explored less than 5% of the oceans. Imagine what we could learn from the unknowns of the most treacherous depths, and to what possibilities could we utilize all the information gathered? One anomaly quite intriguing is the diverse sea-life, which proceeds to prosper by…