This Week in Science

post from Daily Kos on 07 November 2009 10:30:03 AM. © Daily Kos

If you're wondering that the hell a space elevator is, read this short, well illustrated introduction. For those familiar with the ambitious concept, you'll be interested to know that NASA is funding a contest to look at some of the solutions to make this out-of-the-world idea a reality. But hurdles remain:

The first, scientists say, is that there's currently not a viable material strong enough to make the cables that will support heavy loads of passengers or cargo into orbit. According to NASA research, the space elevator cable would need to be about 22,000 miles long. That's how far away a satellite must be to maintain orbit above a fixed spot on the Earth's equator.

A real world experiment in new media is under way. It's the new Texas Tribune. A non profit, online news venture sporting an all star staff. I'm sure they'd love it if you checked out the front page, blogs, and offered suggestions.

Speaking of new voices, ScienceBlogs has two new bloggers, David Sloan Wilson of Evolution for Everyone and Pamela Ronald of Tomorrow's Table. They're both highly accomplished scientists and authors in addition to being superb bloggers. Give 'em a Big Orange welcome!

It takes time, but here's a brand new ocean (Or would it be a sea first?) in the making.

Phil posts an absolutely stunning picture from the refurbished Hubble of nearby galaxy M83, along with some expert commentary. Click and enjoy, plus he links to a 3900 wide image if you think you can handle it!

Both Turkana and I wrote about the disappearing glacier atop Mt Kilimanjaro, which is how I came across this gorgeous picture. And don't forget to check out Mem from Somerville's this week in genomics.