Toccata and fugue D Minor:
On a 1883 Walker organ at Riga cathedral Lavtia.
Have a great day..
We enjoy the arts, they come at a great price. Somebody’s lifes poured into them more often than we can imagine to give us a day and a bit of a moment.
Category: Vegtable soup
The true North is strong and free.
Dated Photo
Mars for a deal
As close as it looks?
I shot this with my little Nikon. I think a number of years ago if it wasn’t my Nikon. It was my Kodak easy share. I do remember getting a nod from a NASA guy ” thanks for the photo of Mars.”
Being in conjunction with the moon looks like you can reach over and borrow a cup of sugar.
Just think if we on Earth and it’s Nations could be that close together and at peace. What a nice existence. This would work to the better of the
Happy Canada Day as we gear up to remove interprovincial trade barriers…
Wouldn’t that be smart? If at some point the training that we find in this would give us an ability for a leg up on being intergalactic trade barrier workers.
The life that starts…
Painting and photo KDG
It’s a fun thought experiment! Let’s break down why tarragon on the Moon, and the idea of greening it, is currently in the realm of science fiction:
Could there be tarragon on the Moon?
* No, not naturally. The Moon is a barren, airless body. Tarragon, like all plants, needs specific conditions to grow:
* Atmosphere: It needs carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and oxygen for respiration (though it produces oxygen as a byproduct). The Moon has virtually no atmosphere.
* Water: Tarragon needs water to live. While there’s evidence of water ice at the lunar poles, it’s not readily available as liquid water for plants to absorb.
* Soil: Lunar regolith (the “soil” on the Moon) is very different from Earth soil. It lacks organic matter, beneficial microbes, and readily available nutrients. While some studies have shown plants can sprout in lunar regolith, they show signs of stress and stunted growth compared to those grown in Earth soil.
* Temperature: The Moon experiences extreme temperature swings, from scorching hot in sunlight to frigid cold in shadow. Tarragon prefers warm, sheltered conditions and can’t survive such extremes without protection.
* Radiation: The Moon has no significant magnetic field or atmosphere to protect it from harmful solar and cosmic radiation. This radiation would be lethal to plants.
* Gravity: The Moon’s gravity is about one-sixth of Earth’s. While the direct effects on plant growth are still being studied, it’s another factor that makes it a very different environment for life.
Could tarragon (or any plants) green the Moon or turn it into a habitable place with a little bit of help from us?
This is the concept of terraforming, and it’s an incredibly ambitious and long-term prospect with many significant hurdles, especially for the Moon:
* Creating an Atmosphere: This is the biggest challenge. The Moon’s low gravity means any introduced atmosphere would quickly escape into space. We’d need a continuous and massive supply of gasses (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, etc.) and a way to somehow contain them or replenish them faster than they escape. This might involve building enormous artificial domes or even attempting to generate an artificial magnetic field to help retain the atmosphere, both of which are far beyond our current technological capabilities.
* Water Resources: While there’s ice, it needs to be extracted, processed, and then kept in liquid form, which is difficult given the Moon’s temperature extremes and lack of atmospheric pressure.
* Soil Development: Lunar regolith would need to be enriched with organic matter and nutrients to become viable soil for widespread plant growth. This would be a massive undertaking, requiring the introduction of vast amounts of biological material and the establishment of complex ecosystems.
* Radiation Protection: Even with an atmosphere, the Moon’s lack of a strong magnetic field means any surface-dwelling life would be exposed to dangerous radiation. Underground habitats or heavily shielded structures would be necessary.
* Temperature Regulation: Maintaining Earth-like temperatures would require massive energy inputs for heating and cooling, given the Moon’s extreme temperature variations.
In summary:
While the idea of a tarragon-scented, green Moon is appealing, it’s not currently feasible. Plants like tarragon require very specific conditions that the Moon simply doesn’t offer. Terraforming the Moon would require technological advancements on a scale far beyond anything we currently possess, and it would be an undertaking spanning centuries, if not millennia. For now, any lunar gardening would need to happen in highly controlled, enclosed environments, much like growing plants on the International Space Station.
Editor’s note: while it’s not that attractive to us Canadians ( we like Canada) our home and native land. The Americans might suit us as our 51st moon. That’s presuming that we can get any life going there.
We like Canada…
Is the US serious…
The Artemis program is indeed going ahead, though with some shifts in its timeline and potential scope.
Artemis Program Status:
* Artemis I, an uncrewed test flight, successfully completed its mission to lunar orbit and back in late 2022.
* Artemis II, the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon (but not land), is now projected for April 2026, a delay from earlier targets.
* Artemis III, which aims to land humans on the lunar South Pole, is currently targeted for mid-2027, also delayed from previous schedules.
* There are ongoing discussions and potential budget cuts that could impact the program beyond Artemis III, with proposals to phase out the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, and even cancel the Lunar Gateway. This highlights the political and financial challenges alongside the technical ones.
China’s Lunar Program:
China is actively pursuing its own ambitious lunar exploration program, known as the Chang’e Project.
* This program has already achieved significant robotic milestones, including orbiters, landers, rovers, and sample return missions.
* Crucially, China has publicly announced its goal to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030. They are developing key components like the Long March-10 carrier rocket, Mengzhou manned spacecraft, Lanyue lunar lander, and a lunar rover.
* China also plans to establish an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) at the Moon’s south pole, aiming for international collaboration.
Is Competition Worthwhile?
The competition between the Artemis program (primarily US-led with international partners) and China’s lunar ambitions is often framed as a “new space race.” There are several arguments for why this competition can be worthwhile:
* Accelerates Innovation: Competition can spur rapid technological development and push the boundaries of what’s possible, as each nation strives to achieve milestones first or more efficiently.
* Reduces Costs: In some cases, competition, especially with the rise of private companies, can drive down the cost of space access and operations.
* Inspires and Engages: A visible “race” to the Moon can inspire public interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, and foster a sense of national pride and achievement.
* Redundancy and Resilience: Having multiple nations developing lunar capabilities can create redundancy, ensuring that human access to space and lunar exploration continue even if one program faces setbacks.
* Geopolitical Influence: Leadership in space exploration is often seen as a marker of a nation’s technological prowess and global influence.
However, there are also arguments against intense competition or for emphasizing cooperation:
* Duplication of Effort: Parallel programs can lead to redundant efforts and inefficient use of resources that could be pooled for greater scientific return.
* Increased Risk of Conflict: While currently peaceful, a heightened “space race” could potentially lead to increased geopolitical tensions or even weaponization of space, though most nations advocate for peaceful use.
* Missed Opportunities for Collaboration: Cooperation can lead to shared knowledge, expertise, and resources, potentially achieving more complex and ambitious scientific goals.
In summary, the Artemis program is pushing forward with its aim to return humans to the Moon, while China is a serious and active competitor with its own independent and ambitious lunar plans. Whether this competition is “worthwhile” depends on the perspective, but it undoubtedly drives innovation and maintains a dynamic environment in lunar exploration. Many argue that a balance of healthy competition and strategic cooperation could yield the most beneficial outcomes for humanity’s presence in space.
Stoke the fires of Hades.
Between gas, magma and temper it’s a hot old place sometimes.
Commuter choice, TCD.
So, the industry of those disciplines engineers rises again ..
Can Canada build BC ferries on both coasts. Well it would sure help if there was rapid trans Canada travel. It would make ports on both coasts more relevant, as well as relief for crowded skies …
A few days up until the 27th for Mercury and moon conjunction. View with dark skies to the west and to ” Ten” percent new moon for best results.
Going forward
Cibc in a report has indicated that Canadians are optimistic even though there’s adversity out there and at least 68% of them have made progress towards their goals in the last year.
Upper levels wet snow
Up to 40 millimeters of rain upper levels possibility of wet snow…
Join the organization that is most recognized for disaster relief. A Canadian or American Red Cross.
Situations may come up such as…
Editor’s note: We have no knowledge of any particular threat level at this time we would ask if your group join this service and take the assessment that you would comment or review back to us. pP
Alberta Canada, meeting
Good luck…
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
