Gamma Radiation

Have you ever wondered what comes from a supernova(when a star explodes at the end of its life) occurs, or a black hole? Well, one thing that does are gamma rays. Gamma rays are the highest form of energy that we know of on the electromagnetic spectrum.

Image via: Colour Therapy

Gamma rays are the most energetic form of light, that has been detected. They are about the size of an atomic nucleus. The frequency range for gamma rays is greater than 10^20 Hz. The wavelength range of gamma rays is less than 10^-12 m. Gamma rays aren't visible, considering they are about the size of a nucleus of an atom, but we are able to gain knowledge about what they look like and do from the Fermi Ga

mma-Ray Space Telescope. This telescope has helped us learn new information about supernovae, black holes, pulsars, and neutron stars, all of which involve gamma rays.

Image via: The Internet Encyclopedia of Science

Gamma rays are extremely dangerous, and can kill humans. Luckily, our atmosphere is able to deflect the rays, so they don't enter the earth. Gamma-Ray bursts can release more energy in 10 seconds, than the sun will emit in its entire life-time. We're not sure where they come from yet, but they are very powerful.

Images:

http://www.colourtherapyhealing.com/colour/electromagnetic_spectrum.php

http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/G/gamma-ray_burst.html

Sources:

“Gamma Rays.” EPA. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. .

“Gamma-Rays.” Hyper Physics. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. .

“Gamma Rays.” NASA. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. .

Volcanology

Volcanologists are geologists, who specialize in the study of volcanoes. A large part of their job is understanding what causes volcanoes erupt, how they erupt, and how volcanos' eruptions affect the life surrounding it.

Image: Buzzle.com

I want to become a volcanologist because they get to work in the outdoors, usually a tropical climate, such as Hawaii. Also they can help save thousands of lives by alerting people about nearby volcano that is going to erupt. Also it seems like a fun job, that isn't too stressful or boring, which is a preference of mine.

Image: Volcano World

In order to become a volcanologist, you have to go through a lot of school, which is a slight downside to becoming a volcanologist, but it's worth it in the long run. Most volcanologists get a bachelor's degree in geology. You need to take numerous high level math courses, including, Calculus I, II and III, and differential equations. You also need to take physics courses, geology courses, geophysics, and

some biology courses. On top of

Image: Volcano World

that, if you want to be able to head, or lead experiments, you need a Ph.D. Even though you have to study all of those course/fields, you aren't just restricted to textbooks and the classroom. You can conduct research and gather data under an experienced volcanologist, while you're earning you're degree.

Volcanologists should be needed in the future, because, unless volcanos vanish from the face of the Earth, volcanologists will be needed.

Links: http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/volcanologist/how_to.html

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/volcanologist-job-description.html

http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/volcanologist/3.html

Do People Explode in the Vacuum of Space?

When a human goes into space, what happens to them? Do they explode, freeze, or does nothing happen at all.

According to NASA, You do not explode. Your blood does not boil. You do not freeze. At some point you lose consciousness from lack of oxygen and you accumulate injuries. After about one or two minutes, you die from lack of oxygen and decompression, which is the gradual reduction in atmospheric pressure. The limits of what happens to humans in the vacuum of space aren’t really known. Even though the limits of what happens to humans in the vacuum of space aren’t really known, what happens to certain animals is known.

According to the Effect of Rapid Decompression and Associated Hypoxic Phenomena in Euthanasia of animals : A Review , dogs when put into the vacuum of space did not explode. When entered in to the vacuum of space, the dogs, which were anesthetized, severed many respiratory problems and other complications, of which involved problems with decompression.

So, in fact, according to NASA and Tvtropes, people don’t explode in the vacuum of space. Also, you don’t explode because your skin has enough strength, so that you won’t burst.

Links:

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/970603.html http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ExplosiveDecompression http://cousin.pascal1.free.fr/AVMA%20etude%20decom.pdf http://www.atmos.uah.edu/~sundar/images/partners/nasa.jpg http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Science/Images/astronaut-free-flight-above-earth.jpg