a) what are neutrinos?
Neutrinos are similar to an electron, with one difference: neutrinos do not carry electric charge. Because neutrinos are electrically neutral, they are not affected by the electromagnetic forces that act on electrons. But the neutrinos are affected only by a "weak" sub-atomic force that is shorter range than electromagnetism, and because of that they are able to pass through long distances in matter without being affected by it.
b) why are they so important to understanding the sun?
They are important because the sun is a nuclear fusion reactor, which is powered by a proton-proton chain. This converts four hydrogen nuclei (protons) into helium, neutrinos and energy. The left over energy is released as gamma rays ands as kinetic energy of the particles, also which includes neutrinos. Neutrinos ravel from the suns core to earth without any absorption by the sun's outer layer.
c) Would YOU be able to persist for as long as Bahcall and Davis did when people doubted your experiment? No, because I would probably start doubting myself after 3 decades!
d) what is the importance of neutrinos having mass
Neutrinos that have mass can change from the type that had been expected to be produced in the Sun's interior. They change into two types that would not be caught by the detectors in use at the time. As neutrino detectors become sensitive measure the flow of neutrinos from the Sun, it was obvious that the number detected was lower than that predicted by models of the solar interior. In various experiments, the number of detected neutrinos was between one third and one half of the predicted number. This came to be known as the solar neutrino problem.
e) where are neutrinos being researched around the world?
They are being researched in South Dakota. Homestake Neutrino Detector 1.5 km underground. They are underground to protect them from the other unwanted cosmic ray particles. They are also being researched in Canada - Sudbury Neutrino Observatory which is 2 km underground. The tank is 12 meters in diameter and contains 1,000 tons of heavy water. Another location is in Japan - Kamiokande Neutrino Detector.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Will the World End In 2012?
There has been numerous amounts of theories about how the world is going to end, and how/if life will exist. Many people believe that all living things on earth will come to an end and die, and others believe 2012 to be a great spiritual awakening or a large shift in global consciousness.
NASA predicts a striking increase in the number of sunspots and sun flares in 2010.They believe that this is sure to cause electrical failures and satellite disruptions. They are looking at the ancient Maya cyclical calendar which is believe to be the longest of which last renewed if self approx. 5,125 ago and is set to end again supposedly with catastrophic consequences, in 2012. Also the ancient Egyptians see 2010 as a year of great change.
Geryl believes that polar reversals will cause the north to become south and the sun will then be rising in the west. Huge earthquakes, tidal waves, and at the same time volcanoes will be erupting. He also thinks that nuclear reactors will melt, buildings will be crumbling to the ground, and the cloud of volcanic dust will block out the sun for 40 years. "Only the prepared will survive," Geryl said, "and not even all of them."
According to astronomers,in a billion years, the sun will turn into a red giant. This will cause it to expand to a size larger than the earths orbit. Even if somehow our earth survives, it will sometime shirk turning into a dwarf planet. This will cause the temperature to drop and will no longer be able to produce heat to warm anything in the solar system.
Mayan people don't actually believe the world is going to be gone at the end of this calendar cycle. They just believe it's a time of great celebration and luck when the planet lasts through a full Great Cycle. Just like any other calendar, it will start again.
NASA predicts a striking increase in the number of sunspots and sun flares in 2010.They believe that this is sure to cause electrical failures and satellite disruptions. They are looking at the ancient Maya cyclical calendar which is believe to be the longest of which last renewed if self approx. 5,125 ago and is set to end again supposedly with catastrophic consequences, in 2012. Also the ancient Egyptians see 2010 as a year of great change.
Geryl believes that polar reversals will cause the north to become south and the sun will then be rising in the west. Huge earthquakes, tidal waves, and at the same time volcanoes will be erupting. He also thinks that nuclear reactors will melt, buildings will be crumbling to the ground, and the cloud of volcanic dust will block out the sun for 40 years. "Only the prepared will survive," Geryl said, "and not even all of them."
According to astronomers,in a billion years, the sun will turn into a red giant. This will cause it to expand to a size larger than the earths orbit. Even if somehow our earth survives, it will sometime shirk turning into a dwarf planet. This will cause the temperature to drop and will no longer be able to produce heat to warm anything in the solar system.
Mayan people don't actually believe the world is going to be gone at the end of this calendar cycle. They just believe it's a time of great celebration and luck when the planet lasts through a full Great Cycle. Just like any other calendar, it will start again.
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