2007 Science Yearbook: Discovery
December 28th, 2007Astronomers kicked off the year with the discovery of an asteroid that has a one in 45,000 of hitting the Earth on April 13th, 2036. The cabinet of astronomical curiosities grew with the discoveries of a Diamond star (named “Lucy” after the Beatles song), a square nebula, a star 13.2 billion years old, a new Saturnian moon, bringing the planet’s total to 60, a Galactic Death Ray, and Comet Holmes expanded to a size bigger than the Sun. Cassini returned stunning views of Saturn, including a photo of the planet backlit by the sun, revealing additional rings:
Saturn Backlit by the Sun |
China and Japan joined the Cool Kids Club with their moon missions. China sent its first moon probe into space, revealing the country’s first lunar images. Japan’s SELENE probe returned the first high definition images of the moon.
Paleontologists condemned Jurassic Park to look dated and silly with the discovery that Velociraptors had Feathers. An ancient sea scorpion the size of a man took the title of biggest insect ever to roam the Earth. The Cowlike Dinosaur, Nigersaurus, was brought out in fascinating detail for all to see, and a mummified dinosaur, complete with skin, brought all dinosaurs into clearer detail.
In human origins, it was revealed that early humans lacked Achilles Tendons, and it was concluded that the Indonesian Hobbit is a distinct species.
Nigersaurus |
Our present living world continued to prove that it has plenty of mysteries to reveal as New Zealand fisherman landed a colossal squid, the rare Primitive Frilled Shark was caught on film, a spider community was found that covered acres of land, and scientists revived an eight-million year old bacterium from an ice core.
The human tendency to underestimate the intelligence of animals was highlighted again as cameras caught crows making tools and chimpanzees beat college kids at memory games.
In the abstract sciences, Mathematicians mapped E8, an equation the size of Manhattan (video of E8 here). The Earth was found to be 0.1 inches smaller than previously thought, and the standard kilogram lost mass to the bewilderment of physicists.
Science revealed more secrets about human beings intrinsic nature. Eye-tracking technologies revealed that men stare at crotches. A study found that lap dancers at the most fertile point in their menstral cycle got the biggest tips, suggesting that human females are similar to other mammals in that they send out signals that they are in “heat.”
A positive aspect of scientists’ argument that world oil supplies will run out faster than expected, was a study predicting lower obesity rates as gas prices rise. Other paths to self-improvement were found, as low Literacy was connected to shortened lifespans, lending further support to the discovery that education, more than any other element, extends a person’s lifespan. How you percieve and tell the story of your life affects your outlook on the present.
