Climate Change and Energy are Converging into New Era of Clean Energy

“High energy prices, climate change and energy security are converging as the new engine driving the development of clean energy,” Daniel Yergin, chairman of Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) and executive vice president, IHS Inc., said today in Washington, D.C. “There is a major shift in public opinion towards clean energy, which is being bolstered by the growing conviction that new carbon policies will reshape the competitive landscape of the global energy business.” Yergin... Read more »

“Oil as the New Gold”: CERA Comments on the New Fundamentals of Oil and Record High Prices

“The new fundamentals” - global financial dynamics and new cost structures - are driving the momentum that pushed oil prices to record highs around $110 a barrel, well ahead of what had been the previous inflation-adjusted record high of $103.59 set in April 1980, according to Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA), an IHS company. “Oil has become the ‘new gold’ - a financial asset in which investors seek refuge as inflation rises and the dollar weakens,”... Read more »

How To Choose A Pair Of Binoculars For Astronomy?

Many people believe that you need a telescope to be able to view space. However, this is not the case, and sometimes could get you out of astronomy sooner, than if you had started with a good pair of binoculars for astronomy. Telescopes are great, however, most of the telescopes available are those found in toy stores. These telescopes look enticing; however, as you use the telescope, you will find that it is only good for looking at the Moon or local planets such as Jupiter or Saturn. A good pair... Read more »

The Ubiquitous Coating: Industries Armor Against Chemicals, Corrosion

Coatings have been used for centuries in human history. In some of their basic, more practical functions, they have been used to gloss over wood to prevent rotting, or even used for food preservation– say for instance brine and salt over meat to prevent spoilage. In this modern age coatings are quite chemically complex and are found in work nearly everywhere. From propane tank coatings to chemical resistant coatings of paint on military vehicles, their use is multifaceted. Industrial Coatings... Read more »

How Far Can You See With A Telescope?

You have seen the pictures from NASA. Those pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope, and now you want to see to the ends of the universe. However, before you plunge into buying a telescope to see the heavens there is something to consider. You go into a toy store or similar place, and find in the science section a low cost telescope. Now soon as you take a look, you see it says 100’s of times of magnification. Great this telescope will let me see what Hubble shows me, but maybe with less quality. Less... Read more »

Where Can I Learn About Confocal Microscopy ?

The world of confocal microscopy has greatly advanced since the beginnings of this type of microscopy, which was founded in 1957. The microscopes used in this highly advanced form of science now use everything from lasers to computers to ensure that researchers have the best images possible. This is one type of microscopy that is very technical and hard to understand, but if one takes the time and effort, then one can learn all about the world of the confocal microscopes. One of the first places... Read more »

The Science of Early Learning

Your baby is born with most of the brain cells she will ever have, but during her first 12 months in the world, her brain will become increasingly complex. By the time she reaches the age of two, her brain will already be 75 percent of its adult weight. By the age of three, it will have reached 90 percent of its adult weight. Almost 50 percent of the brain cells your baby is born with will wither and die during the first few years of life. This process, known as neural pruning, organizes the brain... Read more »

Shopping For Binoculars For Astronomy and What to Look For

Looking at astronomical objects with your binoculars is a big difference from seeing those objects with your own eyes. You can observe astronomical details that would normally not be visible with the naked eye. Buying binoculars is a more affordable and easier alternative to viewing the sky with a telescope. In many ways, binoculars are better than telescopes. Starting to look at astronomy with binoculars is a much cheaper way to get started with sky gazing than using a telescope. Telescopes are... Read more »

Mars, Europa, Titan & Climate Change - Whats The Link ?

Techniques pioneered by the European Space Agency (ESA) for use on Mars, are set to have a very down to earth use here on planet Earth and beyond to the Icy moon Europa circling the Gas Giant Planet, Jupiter. As well as Europa, another Ice moon “Titan”, the biggest of Saturn’s Moons, is also a target for study. ESA’s Mars Express has aboard some pioneering radar experiment currently investigating the Red Planet and searching for any evidence of sub-surface reservoirs of water... Read more »

Viewing The Moon With Binoculars

Except for the Sun, our Moon is the brightest celestial body in the heavens, and has been a topic of discussion and myth for thousands of years. Regularly visible to the naked eye, the Moon is our closest neighbor and Orbits around us; even to the naked eye, it reveals shaded areas that, under further investigation with your Apochromatic telescope or 10 x 25 BCR Compact Leica Binoculars reveals craters, seas and mountain ranges, as interesting as the Earth’s own surface. The Moon has easily... Read more »