Indiana Sightings |
Guest Column Segment 7, The Universe: A Revolution in Knowledge A review of the parameters of the universe is made using data achieved by on-going ground and space craft research. Graphic and text links are made to supporting data in both print and audio form. Mars and the inner solar system is reviewed first. Note: Our Guest Column is available to any one wishing to contribute a column for appearance on this web site. |
Announcements The Indiana MUFON State fall Symposium was held Saturday September 19, 2009 at the Franklin Indiana branch of the Johnson County Public Library on the beautiful campus of Franklin College. A good crowd was present. New and old UFO reports, "in-between" stuff and investigational data with MRIPA were covered. Link to the Symposium page. For Past Indiana MUFON state meetings see our Meetings Index page. Contacting Indiana MUFON If you are interested in contacting Indiana MUFON directly you may do so by either E-mail or telephone. For E-mail simply click on the "e-mail me" button on the left bar. Indiana MUFON may be reached directly by telephone at 812-882-1862. The "Report a UFO" button on the left bar provides the MUFON National report form. Once completed this form is automatically posted on the national MUFON web site (last 20 Reports) and forwarded on to the state MUFON chapter for the state in which the event occurred. Current News Its Halloween time again and with it comes UFO hoaxes'. Just for those who may feel prepped to such a thing here is one that has all the events which ufology has to offer. These reports when they come in have a tone to them which makes them suspicious. MUFON though most checkout all reports and our investigators action on this one leaves no doubt. Indiana reported UFO activity may be found from our Report Index Page on the MUFON Case Management System link; follow the instructions given. Past year archived reports are also available for viewing by year links. Green Fireballs Mystify Military in 1947; One of our Indiana MUFON Investigators reported viewing a green fire ball in March of 2008. Green fire balls are not common except in the southwest United States in the late 1940's. To review this strange phenomena just Google search "green fireballs". 2008 Kokomo Boom: Review of the strange activity in north-central Indiana leading up to the April 16, 2008 events near the Kokomo area. (Note this page currently under construction.) Historic Events STRANGE EVENTS ON MICHIGAN LAKE 43 YEARS APART A couple of strange events separated by approximately 43 years occurred on a fishing lake in southwestern Michigan not far from the Indiana state line. "When I heard of the events it got my curiosity up" reports Steven Hile, independent researcher. "This is the type of occurrence which doesn't get reported very often except these occurrences were on the same lake and the witnesses knew each other". APRIL 2004 NORTH/CENTRAL FLAP ONE FOR THE ARCHIVES The April 2004 north/central Indiana flap had the most unusual events since the southern Indiana UFO wave of 1987. Tree top sightings caught the attention of the area media. Tweleve reported sightings in five counties date from April 8 to April 10th 2004. Numerous CE1K's were reported, magnetic effects found, and one CE4K abduction factor. Media coverage resulted in other witnesses coming forth. For more information see 2004 North/Central Indiana Flap UFO Reports page. Indiana reports (April 2004 time frame). INDIANA CASE MAY HAVE SWAYED DR. J. ALLEN HYNKE? Classic UFO Reports page: The noted astronomer and Ufologists, the late Dr. J. Allen Hynke's break with a physical reality for UFOs may have come right here in Indiana. In 1980 he received and interviewed witnesses to a strange sighting near Bloomfield Indiana. This report had the situation of an object actually changing shape several times as it moved toward and over the witnesses. This led Dr. Hynke to the response that these objects may not be of a physical nature. BELATED INDIANA UFO REPORTS PAGE Belated UFO Reports page: Lists those type of reports which were submitted to MUFON Indiana recently, but years after the event actually happened. Reports sometimes up to Ten or more years are not uncommon. Independent researcher Steven Hile states "These types of reports indicate witnesses who have lived with a perturbing event, having chosen not to come forth initially. It tells us they have lived with a disturbing incident in their lives for which they have no answer and are only now bring it forth in their own way. Book Review Page New on our Book Review page: "UFOs: The Great Debate". Also reviewed recently "Memoirs of a Monster Hunter", "Strange Company", "Exempt From Disclosure", "Hunt For The Skinwalker", "On the Trail of the Saucer Spies". Science Corner Our Science Corner is dedicated to the studies revealing the mysteries of the Universe and to the origins and characteristics of our planet the Earth. We have only recently seen developments in technologies with applications which only a few years ago were beyond realization. In the days before light pollution one could easily look up into the night sky and see stars scattered like shards of glass caught in a spotlight. It was easy to view from one star to the next and gain a chilling sense of serenity. Today here in Indiana such is not the case but technology every day is opening the universe and our world to better understandings. On the left bar can be found links to numerous information and data which is occurring on an ever increasing basis. Space.com's 'Night Sky' provides the sky tonight. Space Weather covers current activity going on over our heads. Universe Today has a wealth of just released information and news almost on a daily basis. Below we review particular releases which address our dedicated studies. Checkout the NASA and ESA web sites, web streaming and Quick Time videos. Astronomical Research Our Special Solar System: Scientists trying to explain solar system formation have until now thought our solar system as just average and that all solar systems were like ours. But in looking at the 300 plus extrasolar planets that have been discovered and the systems they are in, none so far are anything like our home solar system. In fact, scientists at Northwestern University say we may be special after all. In a study using computer simulations researchers ran more than a hundred simulations, and the results show that the average planetary system's origin is full of violence and drama but that the formation of a system like ours requires conditions to be "just right" and quite special indeed. WMAP Resolves the Universe: Five year analyses on high-resolution map of microwave baclground emitted only 380,000 years after the Big Bang event. Universe May Be Just the Right Size: Scientist believe our Sun is a third generation star in a universe that appears to be just the right size. What is required for human life places requirements on the universe to form stars in a sequence leading to the types and abundances we witness today. Narrowing the Mysteries of Dark Matter and Dark Energy Scientists almost universally acknowledge the enormous "problems" represented by the extreme fine-tuning inherent in dark matter and dark energy (e.g. space-energy density or vacuum density). The following links narrow the mysteries of these universal question marks. Dark energy theoretical values (also known as "the cosmological constant) differ from the observational values creating a discrepancy for the majority of scientists. Then the Spitzer Space Telescope is used to look at the invisible "heavy stuff" in our Milky Way galaxy and else where: Black Holes Found to be Key to Evolution of Universe A supercomputer simulation has retraced the evolution of the Universe giving new clues pointing to black holes as key to galaxy formation. Called BHCosmo, researchers started with initial conditions that matched the cosmic microwave background radiation, and seeded particles of ordinary matter surrounded with the gravitational force of dark matter. Researchers then watched how the particles of matter collapsed to form galaxies and black holes. One of the most important findings of the simulation was the impact of black holes. Galaxies look the way they do because of the super massive black holes at their centers. Eventually they hope to model the entire Universe with a resolution that matches the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Spitzer Space Telescope: Asteroids, Comets, and Planets: Cut from the Same Cloth? Could all of the asteroids, comets, and planets of our Milky Way galaxy be made of a similar mix of dusty components? After analyzing the dust particles of a variety of comets with NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, the Deep Impact spacecraft, and the Infrared Space Observatory, the answer appears to be "yes". Moons Like Ours Uncommon Observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope suggest that moons like Earth's, formed out of tremendous collisions, are uncommon in the universe. XMM-Newton Analyzes Newly Forming Stars Surveying more than 200 stars in various stages of formation, ESA's XMM-Newton X-Ray Observatory reveals a dramatically different picture than predictions indicated. The observatory helped show streams of matter falling down onto the stars, cooling their atmosphere, and absorbing X-rays. The star formations in the Taurus Molecular Cloud, a vast formation 400 light-years away, are still accumulating new material through a process called accretion. Neutrino Evidence: Neutrinos permeate the Universe at a density of about 150 per cubic centimetre. The Earth is immersed in an ocean of neutrinos, without us even knowing it. Cassini At Saturn: More on Titans secrets and Cryovolcano. The Extrasolar Planets Encyclopaedia: Planet hunters continue to discovered new worlds orbiting other stars. Gliese 876; The closes extrasolar planet (Orbital graphic). SuperWASP Earth Type Planet Formation Research Planets forming in Pleiades star cluster Rocky terrestrial planets, perhaps like Earth, Mars or Venus, appear to be forming around a star in the Pleiades ("seven sisters") star cluster, the result of "monster collisions" of planetary embryos. K/T impactor source identified: Scientists believe they have found the parent object that produced the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs on the Earth 65 million years ago. This mass extinction event changed the course of life on Earth. Gas and Dust Disks Around Young Stars: The disks of gas and dust that surround newborn stars are known as proto-planetary disks. Research is showing planets eventually form from this gas and dust. These disks disappear as the stars mature, but some stars can still be seen with a cloud of material around them called debris disks. One of the most famous of these is the disk surrounding Beta Pictoris, located only 60 light years away. Planet-Formation Found To Be Constrained in Binary Star Systems: Virtually all stars around which planets have been discovered are similar in class to our Sun. However most stars similar to the sun reside in binary (two-star) systems. Studies now show binary systems significantly impact the formation of planetary systems. Planets form from a disk of material orbiting a star. However, observations of a young star cluster have revealed that disks around binary stars dissipate in about half the time of those around single stars. Since the disk-dissipation time around single stars is about the same as the time required to form Earth-like terrestrial planets, this result means that planet formation around stars in binary systems is going to be much more rare. Additionally, since the disk dissipates faster in binary systems, any terrestrial planets are likely to be smaller than those in our solar system (and thus not life-supporting candidates). This finding coupled with the star-planet systems found to date does not comport well for the life seeking extraterrestrial models. Giant Outer Exoplanets Are Rare: After a 3-year survey astronomers unable to find exoplanets more massive than Jupiter in the outer parts of other solar systems. Star Disk-Planet Interactions Reveal How Unique Our Solar System Is: The study of planet formation continues to reveal the dynamics that our solar system went through to arrive at a planetary system where the Earth could exist and support complex life. During formation of planets around stars, gas giants form before rocky terrestrial planets. Earlier research showed that gas giants had eccentric orbits which will prevent the formation of inner earth-sized, watery planets. Now, a team of international scientists has shown how interactions of gas-giant planets within the dust disks around their stars cause the eccentricity of the gas giants to grow-even if their orbits were initially circular. One feature of our solar system that remains unique among all known planetary systems is the very circular orbits of the multiple outer gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune). This circularity ensured the gravitational stability of Earth through time and provided an environment for the development of the Earth including the accumulation of water from the comets. Pillars of Creation: Probably the most famous photograph every taken by the Hubble Space Telescope is of the "Pillars of Creation"; a star forming region inside the Eagle Nebula (M16). Astronomers have wanted to know just how much star formation is actually going on inside the nebula. A composite between the original Hubble photograph overlaid with data from Hubble's co-Chandra X-Ray Observatory is now helping to answer that question. Gamma-Ray Bursts, Super Nova Signatures Star Death; Gamma-Ray Bursts, Some Rare in Milky Way Galaxy: As large stars die, they supernova explode, thereby producing and distributing throughout the universe almost all elements heavier than helium. However, some particularly violent explosions known as Long GRB's would significantly disrupt life in any galaxy where the GRB occurred. According to a recent study, these particular explosions occur only in galaxies with low abundance of metals. Consequently, GRBs are rare in metal-rich galaxys like our own Milky Way Galaxy, but were more abundant in the early universe when they enhanced metal element enrichment. Gamma-Ray Burst Remnant Found in Our Milky Way Galaxy: While a Long GRB would be rare in the Milky Way galaxy they are not in others galaxies. The recent discovery of a gamma-ray burst remnant (GRBR) near by in our galaxy provides strong evidence for a mass extinction event on the Earth. If GRBRs play this role, their frequency must be small enough to not destroy all Earth life, but sufficiently large to actually affect Earth's habitability in order to account for the appearance of the Earth's fossil record. A team of North American astrophysicists has detected one GRBR dated at a few ten of thousands years ago. One or two more detections would increase the likelihood of GRBs having had a direct impact on Earth life at different points in time without catastrophically diminishing Earth's capacity to support life at all. Such events leave a fine-tuned or intelligent aspect to the development of life on Earth. Some scientists now readily admit to a strange habitat preparation of the planet for the introduction of more advanced species with each mass extinction event which matches up to the fossil record. Life Basis in the Quantum World ! Surveyor 3 On the Moon: A Small colony of the bacteria streptococcus mitis stowed away for nearly three years on Surveyor 3, an unmanned spacecraft that landed on the moon in 1967. The crew of Apollo 12 recovered the organisms and brought them back to earth under sterile conditions. This unplanned experiment proved that certain microorganisms can survive years of radiation exposure, the vacuum of space and deep-freeze, without any nutrient, water or energy source. Origins of Life: An oxygen-antioxidant paradox seriously challenges naturalistic attempts to explain the history of life on Earth. Consequently, confirming the validity of such a paradox would go a long way toward pointing in the true direction from which life arose. The results of recent tests underscore a major dilemma for naturalists. Biochemical Design: Organization of Simplest Life. Only a decade ago microbiologists viewed bacteria as "containers" of haphazardly arranged molecules, but recent advances show this view is incorrect. It's now understood that these simplest of life-forms possess remarkable organization at the molecular level. New research on the cell cycle of bacteria that belong to the genus Caulobacter expands upon this emerging paradigm. This work identifies master regulators that direct the localization of proteins which control the progression of the cell cycle. Such internal organizations of simple life-forms are now fast becoming markers for biochemical design. On the above basis it logically follows that life can not just happen. Biochemists have discovered that many biochemical systems function as molecular-level machines. In fact, some display an eerie resemblance to man-made machines. One of the most remarkable advances in the last two decades of biochemical research is the recognition that some biomolecules inside the cell are comprised of components that are strict analogs to the components used in man-made devices. Here is just a sampling: Insect Flight Muscles Reveal Machine-like Properties of Biomolecules: Scientists studying projectin and kettin, proteins that impart stiffness to the flight muscles of insects, demonstrate that when these two proteins are exposed to mechanical stresses, which cause them to unfold, they rapidly refold utilizing a molecular spring-like mechanism. Another is the bacterial flagellum, a literal rotary motor complete with rotor, stator, drive shaft, bushing, and universal joint. New studies show machine-like behavior suggesting complex design. Biochemists have also discovered that many enzyme systems located inside cells function as molecular-level machines. Typically, these machines operate with a remarkable degree of efficiency, far exceeding the operational capacity of man-made machines. In recent years, chemists have tried to design and synthesize molecular machines that emulate those found inside cells. A recent study describes the production of a man-made molecular motor that can rotate in both directions. This achievement, the first of its kind, is an example of science at its very best. Yet, this molecular motor's operation is crude and cumbersome when compared to those found inside the cell. Does it make sense to conclude that the designs found in nature stem from random undirected processes when they are far superior to that which the best scientists and engineers can accomplish? Note: Click here for Science Magazine Registration Information. Myosin Molecular Motors (Full Text PDF File with Videos): Greater understanding of the cellular processes is boosting evidence for biochemical design. New studies highlight the machine-like characteristics of myosin VI, a protein that transports cellular cargo along actin fibers throughout body cells. Functioning as literal linear motors their relationships provides a swivel direction for the myosin lever arms and the direction of myosin movement along actin filaments. Researchers detect precision, optimal design in this relationship making the myosin VI motors point toward elegant design in stark contrast to man-made motors. Biochemical Design: Proteins with Machine-Like Parts. A watch requires a watchmaker. And machines don't assemble themselves. The British natural theologian William Paley argued 200 years ago that just as a watch requires a watchmaker, so too, life logically required a designer. Paley's analogy suffered criticism for nearly two centuries. Now twenty-first century science adds vigor to Paley's argument. Biochemists have discovered "Paley's watch" in cyanobacteria. The biochemical systems of these microbes display periodic behavior linked to the day-night cycle. This so-called "circadian oscillation" is regulated by a biomolecular machine composed of proteins that literally function as a clock. This actual biochemical watch renders the philosophical criticisms leveled at Paley's watchmaker argument irrelevant. The cyanobacterial rotary clock logically compels the existence of a designer far beyond human capability. ALIEN LIFE FORMS ON MARS? Finally, we have incontrovertible proof that there are alien life forms on Mars. The MUFON of Indiana Website Web Master is Stan Hile The MUFON of Indiana Website was created and designed by Lynn Recker P |
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Announcements The Indiana MUFON State fall Symposium was held Saturday September 19, 2009 at the Franklin Indiana branch of the Johnson County Public Library on the beautiful campus of Franklin College. A good crowd was present. New and old UFO reports, "in-between" stuff and investigational data with MRIPA were covered. Link to the Symposium page. For Past Indiana MUFON state meetings see our Meetings Index page. Contacting Indiana MUFON If you are interested in contacting Indiana MUFON directly you may do so by either E-mail or telephone. For E-mail simply click on the "e-mail me" button on the left bar. Indiana MUFON may be reached directly by telephone at 812-882-1862. The "Report a UFO" button on the left bar provides the MUFON National report form. Once completed this form is automatically posted on the national MUFON web site (last 20 Reports) and forwarded on to the state MUFON chapter for the state in which the event occurred. Current News Its Halloween time again and with it comes UFO hoaxes'. Just for those who may feel prepped to such a thing here is one that has all the events which ufology has to offer. These reports when they come in have a tone to them which makes them suspicious. MUFON though most checkout all reports and our investigators action on this one leaves no doubt. Indiana reported UFO activity may be found from our Report Index Page on the MUFON Case Management System link; follow the instructions given. Past year archived reports are also available for viewing by year links. Green Fireballs Mystify Military in 1947; One of our Indiana MUFON Investigators reported viewing a green fire ball in March of 2008. Green fire balls are not common except in the southwest United States in the late 1940's. To review this strange phenomena just Google search "green fireballs". 2008 Kokomo Boom: Review of the strange activity in north-central Indiana leading up to the April 16, 2008 events near the Kokomo area. (Note this page currently under construction.) Historic Events STRANGE EVENTS ON MICHIGAN LAKE 43 YEARS APART A couple of strange events separated by approximately 43 years occurred on a fishing lake in southwestern Michigan not far from the Indiana state line. "When I heard of the events it got my curiosity up" reports Steven Hile, independent researcher. "This is the type of occurrence which doesn't get reported very often except these occurrences were on the same lake and the witnesses knew each other". APRIL 2004 NORTH/CENTRAL FLAP ONE FOR THE ARCHIVES The April 2004 north/central Indiana flap had the most unusual events since the southern Indiana UFO wave of 1987. Tree top sightings caught the attention of the area media. Tweleve reported sightings in five counties date from April 8 to April 10th 2004. Numerous CE1K's were reported, magnetic effects found, and one CE4K abduction factor. Media coverage resulted in other witnesses coming forth. For more information see 2004 North/Central Indiana Flap UFO Reports page. Indiana reports (April 2004 time frame). INDIANA CASE MAY HAVE SWAYED DR. J. ALLEN HYNKE? Classic UFO Reports page: The noted astronomer and Ufologists, the late Dr. J. Allen Hynke's break with a physical reality for UFOs may have come right here in Indiana. In 1980 he received and interviewed witnesses to a strange sighting near Bloomfield Indiana. This report had the situation of an object actually changing shape several times as it moved toward and over the witnesses. This led Dr. Hynke to the response that these objects may not be of a physical nature. BELATED INDIANA UFO REPORTS PAGE Belated UFO Reports page: Lists those type of reports which were submitted to MUFON Indiana recently, but years after the event actually happened. Reports sometimes up to Ten or more years are not uncommon. Independent researcher Steven Hile states "These types of reports indicate witnesses who have lived with a perturbing event, having chosen not to come forth initially. It tells us they have lived with a disturbing incident in their lives for which they have no answer and are only now bring it forth in their own way. Book Review Page New on our Book Review page: "UFOs: The Great Debate". Also reviewed recently "Memoirs of a Monster Hunter", "Strange Company", "Exempt From Disclosure", "Hunt For The Skinwalker", "On the Trail of the Saucer Spies". Science Corner Our Science Corner is dedicated to the studies revealing the mysteries of the Universe and to the origins and characteristics of our planet the Earth. We have only recently seen developments in technologies with applications which only a few years ago were beyond realization. In the days before light pollution one could easily look up into the night sky and see stars scattered like shards of glass caught in a spotlight. It was easy to view from one star to the next and gain a chilling sense of serenity. Today here in Indiana such is not the case but technology every day is opening the universe and our world to better understandings. On the left bar can be found links to numerous information and data which is occurring on an ever increasing basis. Space.com's 'Night Sky' provides the sky tonight. Space Weather covers current activity going on over our heads. Universe Today has a wealth of just released information and news almost on a daily basis. Below we review particular releases which address our dedicated studies. Checkout the NASA and ESA web sites, web streaming and Quick Time videos. Astronomical Research Our Special Solar System: Scientists trying to explain solar system formation have until now thought our solar system as just average and that all solar systems were like ours. But in looking at the 300 plus extrasolar planets that have been discovered and the systems they are in, none so far are anything like our home solar system. In fact, scientists at Northwestern University say we may be special after all. In a study using computer simulations researchers ran more than a hundred simulations, and the results show that the average planetary system's origin is full of violence and drama but that the formation of a system like ours requires conditions to be "just right" and quite special indeed. WMAP Resolves the Universe: Five year analyses on high-resolution map of microwave baclground emitted only 380,000 years after the Big Bang event. Universe May Be Just the Right Size: Scientist believe our Sun is a third generation star in a universe that appears to be just the right size. What is required for human life places requirements on the universe to form stars in a sequence leading to the types and abundances we witness today. Narrowing the Mysteries of Dark Matter and Dark Energy Scientists almost universally acknowledge the enormous "problems" represented by the extreme fine-tuning inherent in dark matter and dark energy (e.g. space-energy density or vacuum density). The following links narrow the mysteries of these universal question marks. Dark energy theoretical values (also known as "the cosmological constant) differ from the observational values creating a discrepancy for the majority of scientists. Then the Spitzer Space Telescope is used to look at the invisible "heavy stuff" in our Milky Way galaxy and else where: Black Holes Found to be Key to Evolution of Universe A supercomputer simulation has retraced the evolution of the Universe giving new clues pointing to black holes as key to galaxy formation. Called BHCosmo, researchers started with initial conditions that matched the cosmic microwave background radiation, and seeded particles of ordinary matter surrounded with the gravitational force of dark matter. Researchers then watched how the particles of matter collapsed to form galaxies and black holes. One of the most important findings of the simulation was the impact of black holes. Galaxies look the way they do because of the super massive black holes at their centers. Eventually they hope to model the entire Universe with a resolution that matches the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Spitzer Space Telescope: Asteroids, Comets, and Planets: Cut from the Same Cloth? Could all of the asteroids, comets, and planets of our Milky Way galaxy be made of a similar mix of dusty components? After analyzing the dust particles of a variety of comets with NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, the Deep Impact spacecraft, and the Infrared Space Observatory, the answer appears to be "yes". Moons Like Ours Uncommon Observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope suggest that moons like Earth's, formed out of tremendous collisions, are uncommon in the universe. XMM-Newton Analyzes Newly Forming Stars Surveying more than 200 stars in various stages of formation, ESA's XMM-Newton X-Ray Observatory reveals a dramatically different picture than predictions indicated. The observatory helped show streams of matter falling down onto the stars, cooling their atmosphere, and absorbing X-rays. The star formations in the Taurus Molecular Cloud, a vast formation 400 light-years away, are still accumulating new material through a process called accretion. Neutrino Evidence: Neutrinos permeate the Universe at a density of about 150 per cubic centimetre. The Earth is immersed in an ocean of neutrinos, without us even knowing it. Cassini At Saturn: More on Titans secrets and Cryovolcano. The Extrasolar Planets Encyclopaedia: Planet hunters continue to discovered new worlds orbiting other stars. Gliese 876; The closes extrasolar planet (Orbital graphic). SuperWASP Earth Type Planet Formation Research Planets forming in Pleiades star cluster Rocky terrestrial planets, perhaps like Earth, Mars or Venus, appear to be forming around a star in the Pleiades ("seven sisters") star cluster, the result of "monster collisions" of planetary embryos. K/T impactor source identified: Scientists believe they have found the parent object that produced the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs on the Earth 65 million years ago. This mass extinction event changed the course of life on Earth. Gas and Dust Disks Around Young Stars: The disks of gas and dust that surround newborn stars are known as proto-planetary disks. Research is showing planets eventually form from this gas and dust. These disks disappear as the stars mature, but some stars can still be seen with a cloud of material around them called debris disks. One of the most famous of these is the disk surrounding Beta Pictoris, located only 60 light years away. Planet-Formation Found To Be Constrained in Binary Star Systems: Virtually all stars around which planets have been discovered are similar in class to our Sun. However most stars similar to the sun reside in binary (two-star) systems. Studies now show binary systems significantly impact the formation of planetary systems. Planets form from a disk of material orbiting a star. However, observations of a young star cluster have revealed that disks around binary stars dissipate in about half the time of those around single stars. Since the disk-dissipation time around single stars is about the same as the time required to form Earth-like terrestrial planets, this result means that planet formation around stars in binary systems is going to be much more rare. Additionally, since the disk dissipates faster in binary systems, any terrestrial planets are likely to be smaller than those in our solar system (and thus not life-supporting candidates). This finding coupled with the star-planet systems found to date does not comport well for the life seeking extraterrestrial models. Giant Outer Exoplanets Are Rare: After a 3-year survey astronomers unable to find exoplanets more massive than Jupiter in the outer parts of other solar systems. Star Disk-Planet Interactions Reveal How Unique Our Solar System Is: The study of planet formation continues to reveal the dynamics that our solar system went through to arrive at a planetary system where the Earth could exist and support complex life. During formation of planets around stars, gas giants form before rocky terrestrial planets. Earlier research showed that gas giants had eccentric orbits which will prevent the formation of inner earth-sized, watery planets. Now, a team of international scientists has shown how interactions of gas-giant planets within the dust disks around their stars cause the eccentricity of the gas giants to grow-even if their orbits were initially circular. One feature of our solar system that remains unique among all known planetary systems is the very circular orbits of the multiple outer gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune). This circularity ensured the gravitational stability of Earth through time and provided an environment for the development of the Earth including the accumulation of water from the comets. Pillars of Creation: Probably the most famous photograph every taken by the Hubble Space Telescope is of the "Pillars of Creation"; a star forming region inside the Eagle Nebula (M16). Astronomers have wanted to know just how much star formation is actually going on inside the nebula. A composite between the original Hubble photograph overlaid with data from Hubble's co-Chandra X-Ray Observatory is now helping to answer that question. Gamma-Ray Bursts, Super Nova Signatures Star Death; Gamma-Ray Bursts, Some Rare in Milky Way Galaxy: As large stars die, they supernova explode, thereby producing and distributing throughout the universe almost all elements heavier than helium. However, some particularly violent explosions known as Long GRB's would significantly disrupt life in any galaxy where the GRB occurred. According to a recent study, these particular explosions occur only in galaxies with low abundance of metals. Consequently, GRBs are rare in metal-rich galaxys like our own Milky Way Galaxy, but were more abundant in the early universe when they enhanced metal element enrichment. Gamma-Ray Burst Remnant Found in Our Milky Way Galaxy: While a Long GRB would be rare in the Milky Way galaxy they are not in others galaxies. The recent discovery of a gamma-ray burst remnant (GRBR) near by in our galaxy provides strong evidence for a mass extinction event on the Earth. If GRBRs play this role, their frequency must be small enough to not destroy all Earth life, but sufficiently large to actually affect Earth's habitability in order to account for the appearance of the Earth's fossil record. A team of North American astrophysicists has detected one GRBR dated at a few ten of thousands years ago. One or two more detections would increase the likelihood of GRBs having had a direct impact on Earth life at different points in time without catastrophically diminishing Earth's capacity to support life at all. Such events leave a fine-tuned or intelligent aspect to the development of life on Earth. Some scientists now readily admit to a strange habitat preparation of the planet for the introduction of more advanced species with each mass extinction event which matches up to the fossil record. Life Basis in the Quantum World ! Surveyor 3 On the Moon: A Small colony of the bacteria streptococcus mitis stowed away for nearly three years on Surveyor 3, an unmanned spacecraft that landed on the moon in 1967. The crew of Apollo 12 recovered the organisms and brought them back to earth under sterile conditions. This unplanned experiment proved that certain microorganisms can survive years of radiation exposure, the vacuum of space and deep-freeze, without any nutrient, water or energy source. Origins of Life: An oxygen-antioxidant paradox seriously challenges naturalistic attempts to explain the history of life on Earth. Consequently, confirming the validity of such a paradox would go a long way toward pointing in the true direction from which life arose. The results of recent tests underscore a major dilemma for naturalists. Biochemical Design: Organization of Simplest Life. Only a decade ago microbiologists viewed bacteria as "containers" of haphazardly arranged molecules, but recent advances show this view is incorrect. It's now understood that these simplest of life-forms possess remarkable organization at the molecular level. New research on the cell cycle of bacteria that belong to the genus Caulobacter expands upon this emerging paradigm. This work identifies master regulators that direct the localization of proteins which control the progression of the cell cycle. Such internal organizations of simple life-forms are now fast becoming markers for biochemical design. On the above basis it logically follows that life can not just happen. Biochemists have discovered that many biochemical systems function as molecular-level machines. In fact, some display an eerie resemblance to man-made machines. One of the most remarkable advances in the last two decades of biochemical research is the recognition that some biomolecules inside the cell are comprised of components that are strict analogs to the components used in man-made devices. Here is just a sampling: Insect Flight Muscles Reveal Machine-like Properties of Biomolecules: Scientists studying projectin and kettin, proteins that impart stiffness to the flight muscles of insects, demonstrate that when these two proteins are exposed to mechanical stresses, which cause them to unfold, they rapidly refold utilizing a molecular spring-like mechanism. Another is the bacterial flagellum, a literal rotary motor complete with rotor, stator, drive shaft, bushing, and universal joint. New studies show machine-like behavior suggesting complex design. Biochemists have also discovered that many enzyme systems located inside cells function as molecular-level machines. Typically, these machines operate with a remarkable degree of efficiency, far exceeding the operational capacity of man-made machines. In recent years, chemists have tried to design and synthesize molecular machines that emulate those found inside cells. A recent study describes the production of a man-made molecular motor that can rotate in both directions. This achievement, the first of its kind, is an example of science at its very best. Yet, this molecular motor's operation is crude and cumbersome when compared to those found inside the cell. Does it make sense to conclude that the designs found in nature stem from random undirected processes when they are far superior to that which the best scientists and engineers can accomplish? Note: Click here for Science Magazine Registration Information. Myosin Molecular Motors (Full Text PDF File with Videos): Greater understanding of the cellular processes is boosting evidence for biochemical design. New studies highlight the machine-like characteristics of myosin VI, a protein that transports cellular cargo along actin fibers throughout body cells. Functioning as literal linear motors their relationships provides a swivel direction for the myosin lever arms and the direction of myosin movement along actin filaments. Researchers detect precision, optimal design in this relationship making the myosin VI motors point toward elegant design in stark contrast to man-made motors. Biochemical Design: Proteins with Machine-Like Parts. A watch requires a watchmaker. And machines don't assemble themselves. The British natural theologian William Paley argued 200 years ago that just as a watch requires a watchmaker, so too, life logically required a designer. Paley's analogy suffered criticism for nearly two centuries. Now twenty-first century science adds vigor to Paley's argument. Biochemists have discovered "Paley's watch" in cyanobacteria. The biochemical systems of these microbes display periodic behavior linked to the day-night cycle. This so-called "circadian oscillation" is regulated by a biomolecular machine composed of proteins that literally function as a clock. This actual biochemical watch renders the philosophical criticisms leveled at Paley's watchmaker argument irrelevant. The cyanobacterial rotary clock logically compels the existence of a designer far beyond human capability. ALIEN LIFE FORMS ON MARS? Finally, we have incontrovertible proof that there are alien life forms on Mars. The MUFON of Indiana Website Web Master is Stan Hile The MUFON of Indiana Website was created and designed by Lynn Recker P |
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Guest Column Segment 7, The Universe: A Revolution in Knowledge A review of the parameters of the universe is made using data achieved by on-going ground and space craft research. Graphic and text links are made to supporting data in both print and audio form. Mars and the inner solar system is reviewed first. Note: Our Guest Column is available to any one wishing to contribute a column for appearance on this web site. |
Updated October 22, 2009
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