Science Smorgesboard

Here is a brief mention of some of the latest science tidbits to pass my attention...

NewScienceTech discusses throwing satellites into space via huge superconducting magnets in Huge 'launch ring' to fling satellites into orbit:

'An enormous ring of superconducting magnets similar to a particle accelerator could fling satellites into space, or perhaps weapons around the world, suggest the findings of a new study funded by the US air force.'

yet - 'The US air force's interest stems from the ring's potential to launch small, 10-kilogram satellites into orbit, though the team says it has not been told what kind of satellites these are...This is because of its potential for use as a weapon, launching missiles that could reach anywhere in the world. "The ring then becomes one of the most important targets on the planet,"'

Also - The Irish Times writes in '2051 space oddity: TV station aims at an alien audience' that 'Eurotrash goes intergalactic tonight when two naked television presenters host the first programme conceived for aliens and broadcast to a star located in the Big Dipper, 45 light years away. The TV show has been conceived as an idiot's guide to humankind, or close encounters of the nude kind. The hosts will explain how the human body is created - thus justifying their own nakedness - and will tell about the main elements of daily human life.

Cosmic Connexion will talk to sociologists, scientists and space experts, as well as explain to viewers - on earth and in space - about previous attempts to contact other life forms such as the gold and aluminium disc placed on board the Pioneer 10 probe launched in 1972 and last contacted in 2003.' Oddly curious yet dubious!

Finally - 'PC World's 100 Fearless Forecasts' which looks at plenty of exciting technology advances that may be upon us fairly soon...

Ah - science... oddly lost without a dose of the Spirit...