Rocky Exoplanets May Be 'Squishy' Worlds

Bethany 7B

By Irene Klotz
Thu Nov 22, 2012

http://news.discovery.com/space/exoplanet-super-earth-pressure-heat-metal-121122.htm

Rocky Exoplanets May Be 'Squishy' Worlds

Did you know that Planets beyond the solar system that are bigger than Earth but smaller than Neptune could have large areas of liquid metal and life-protecting magnetic shields? As laboratory test shows, “Under the heat and pressure that exist inside super-Earths, magnesium oxide and other minerals commonly found in the rocky mantles of the terrestrial planets, transform into liquid metals” Researchers are trying to figure out if these metals could help medical conditions or help us in any other way. The liquid metal might be able to stop a physics phenomenon called a "dynamo" which means action, which is responsible for generating magnetic fields. "It is often thought that a planetary magnetic field protects life on a planet's surface from harmful space radiation, like cosmic rays. What we find is that magnetic fields may exist on more super-Earth planets than expected, resulting from the transformation of the planet's rocks to metals in the deep interior. This could create new environments for life in the universe," geophysicist Stewart McWilliams. This is really cool because who knew that there could be another life in the universe! The article was really interesting since it talked about different points of view. First the point of view of a scientist and how they zapped a piece of metal to make it liquid, to the point of view of researchers and then to the point of view of a geophysicist. I wonder what would happen if there was another planet that is usable for humans! Would everyone leave earth to go to the different planet?

             

        This is related to science because space is studied a lot in science! Also scientists were involved in this activity by doing experiments with the metal! The article was really interesting and I would recommend the article to anyone who is interested in space. I would also recommend this article to people who enjoy reading a good article that is interesting. This would definitely fit the description if interesting! I really enjoyed it!

Tasmanian Devils to Get Their Own Island

Friday November 16, 2012

Content provided by AFP

http://news.discovery.com/animals/tasmanian-devil-island-121116.html

         

        Up until now I never knew what Tasmanian devils were! Now I am finding out that the Tasmanian devils are being transferred to a small Australian island to start a new life without the scars of what had happened with their species all because of the tumor disease. The Tasmanian devils will be released on Thursday, November 21, 2012 on Maria Island, a nature sanctuary off the state's east coast. This is good because it is a major step to stop extinction of wild animals. "The Maria Island translocation is designed to establish a self-sustaining population of healthy wild devils in a safe haven where they are protected from interaction with the deadly facial tumor disease," Wightman said. Did you know that the tumor was discovered in 1996 and since Tasmania is the only country with these animals roaming freely the numbers of Tasmanian devils have decreased 91% to the low 10,000! Thank goodness that not the entire state has affected the Tasmanian devils there are still some parts that are disease free! “If successful authorities plan to increase the overall population on Maria Island over the next two years to about 50 animals.” Wightman says. In my opinion this is great! I really like how the people in Tasmania are taking action!

            This is related to science because when we study animals we are studying science! When I was reading this article I thought that this connected to what we were studying because we are talking about how science takes action and how we can help. This is talking about the people of Tasmania wanting to help a wild species so they decide to send them to the island! I really enjoyed reading this article because usually I read about depressing articles about animals! In conclusion before I read this article I didn’t know what Tasmanian devils were! Now I want to learn more about them!