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Colliding Auroras Produce Explosions of Light
elyons writes "Another neat discovery has come from the lab of Larry Lyons at UCLA. As reported earlier on Slashdot, Lyons' group studies the dynamics of auroras. Their most recent discovery reveals for the first time the sequence of events leading to dramatic space-weather disturbances. Using a network of cameras deployed around the Arctic in support of NASA's THEMIS mission, they recorded over 200 instances of auroras colliding, causing brilliant displays of northern lights (see time 8:22 for such an example)."
first magnetic reconection, now explosive behaviour on auroras, we might aswell be about to discover some neat fuel source that dosn't imply burning dinosaur remains
How much progress could be made if these religious fanatics (including Islamic states like Iran) could focus their energy on science rather than their own petty prejudices?
Well, when countries like Iran attempt to make their own advances in science, they get accused of wanting to develop WMDs and get threatened with military action by Israel. Could you imagine the uproar if Tehran tried to get into space exploration?
A good article on why the nuclear issue in Iran is also medical, and not just energy / weapons research.
I do agree with your point overall though. As someone who has visited Iran, their situation would be much nicer if the government spent their funds on their own people rather than propping up Hezbollah over in Lebanon. Their water treatment plants are antiquated, they have virtually no space program, and most of their technologies are hand-me-downs from US tech from the 70s or Russian-made.
Theocracies just do not work and will do anything possible to continue their survival, even if it means sacrificing their own citizens.
Best "String" Ever!
They also import Gas... makes you go WTF.
Ugh, don't remind me. :\ It really does make you go WTF!
They have so much oil, what do they need nuclear tech for?
Iran's nuclear history started in the 1970s with the help of the US, back when Iran was an ally. The Shah was very forward-thinking and understood that oil wouldn't last forever. I believe the current estimate is that Iran has enough oil for maybe 75 years. This sounds like a long time, but only if everything remains constant.
Iran's population has doubled in the last twenty years, meaning their demand for power is far outweighing their supply. Even if they were to completely refine all of their own oil, they're going to simply pollute their own environment and burn through their oil supply much faster.
No single nation should put all of their eggs in one basket and nobody should be dependent on another country for their sole source of power. I hear the argument for the US to build more nuclear reactors all the time because it's cheaper and cleaner than burning fossil fuels. Why not Iran?
I will be very surprised if Iran doesn't go for the A-Bomb.
This is a legitimate concern - I can't argue that. The alternative is for outside nations to supply Iran with the enriched uranium and disposing of the spent fuel rods, but we go back to my previous comment about not depending on any nation for their sole source of power.
The government of Iran only has themselves to blame and unfortunately, the people there will suffer because of it.
Best "String" Ever!