The Discovery Enterprise

NASA's Day of Remembrance

2012-01-28T01:03:00.000-08:00

Today on Discovery Enterprise we join with NASA in a Day of Remembrance to honor the Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia crews, as well as other members of the NASA family who lost their lives supporting the agency's missions.

NASA's Day of Remembrance

One Small Step - The Australian Story

2012-01-28T00:05:00.000-08:00

Today on Discovery Enterprise, in order to mark the occasion of Australia Day and as my own personal salute and tribute to my good friend and co-blogger Ralph Buttigieg, I would like to present the documentary One Small Step - The Australian Story.

Forty years after the Apollo 11 moon landing, this one-hour documentary explores the front-line role Australian radio astronomers and technicians performed in bringing to the world Neil Armstrong’s "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind."

On July 20th 1969, Australia had just twelve and a half million inhabitants and was known more for its kangaroos than its space program. But the moment Neil Armstrong planted the first human footstep on the moon all that changed.

With host Peter FitzSimons, we meet some of the characters who were directly involved in bringing live pictures from the moon to the rest of the world, and hear about the dramas of this most remarkable day. Their stories are interwoven with snapshots of Australia from July 20th 1969 as we relive the day leading up to one of the most significant events in this country's brief history.

It was Australia that beamed the clearest pictures 'live from the moon' to the rest of the planet and so were the first to witness this momentous footstep. This was no ordinary television signal. After travelling 384,000km, it would inspire Australians from all walks of life and bring a sense of future possibilities to the nation.

Neil Armstrong's "one small step" was the giant leap that put man on the moon and Australia on the map.

To learn more about the tracking stations in Australia mentioned in this documentary visit the Tribute Page dedicated to the Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station. This site is an ongoing work by Colin Mackellar as a tribute to the pioneering work of all who were involved with this NASA tracking station.

One Small Step - The Australian Story

The Australian motion picture “The Dish” (2000) starring Sam Neill dramatizes the events covered in this documentary.

Poster of Australian motion picture “The Dish” (2000) starring Sam Neill

The Dish (2000) Trailer

Success !

2012-01-27T14:16:00.000-08:00

We mention James Castrission and Justin Jones Antarctica expedition a while ago. They have succeeded in being the first (with Norwegian Aleksander Gamme ) to travel unassisted and back to the South Pole. :

'We're shattered, physically, mentally and emotionally,'' a slurring Castrission said over a scratchy line, in their first interview since arriving at Hercules Inlet on the coast of Antarctica that lies closest to South America, about 1000 kilometres to their north.And yet still their travails are not quite over. For when the Russian plane scheduled to pluck them to safety came over, it could not land because of dangerous winds and poor light, and was not even able to drop fresh supplies.The lack of supplies was particularly significant because since day 36 the two - who first came to fame in 2008 by becoming the first to paddle a kayak from the east coast of Australia to the west coast of New Zealand - have been on half-rations every second day, and have lost 50 kilograms between them.''We're absolutely starving,'' Castrission said simply, while Jones was out and about, trying to put markers out for the aeroplane to make a second attempt to land in perhaps 12 hours' time. ''All I want right now is a big meat pie with loads of tomato sauce and a big beer in my hand … but that is still a long way away,'' he said.For much of their journey it was, in fact, touch and go as to whether they would be able to make it.''The absolute worst of it,'' Castrission said, ''was early on, when I fell into a crevasse, and had that sickening feel of complete nothingness beneath my feet. It completely scared the bejesus out of me, and I realised the enormity of what we were trying to do.''

Like the first expedition to the South Pole this journey turned out to be a race as Aleksander Gamme was also completing a similar expedition. However this time the ending was very different from the Scott /Amundsen expeditions. Mr Gamme waited until the Australians arrived and they reached the finish together.

building the impossible: the roman war machine

2012-01-26T20:30:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

We have been looking at the Medieval Period and their technology recently (I blame it on my recent reading of Bernard Cornwell's excellent Saxon series) but today lets go back even further into time to the mighty Roman Empire and their great siege weapon the Ballista:

The Lance

2012-01-25T03:37:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Here is the final episode of Mike Loades series on how military technology changed history. The Weapons that made Britain. Today its the lance.

Of course jousting was a sport were the lance was used and some people still engage in the activity. Here are some modern day Germans jousting. I just hope the girl was worth the risks.

Blue Planet

2012-01-24T00:05:00.000-08:00

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present the IMAX film Blue Planet which offers an eloquent reminder and a cautionary warning, that the planet Earth is a delicate living organism, constantly reshaped and rejuvenated by the awesome forces of nature.

The film targets a grade-school audience but will prove informative to anyone fascinated by our home planet’s evolution. Hurricanes, glaciers, volcanoes, thunderstorms, asteroid impacts, undersea furnace vents, and earthquakes are all explored as a system of interconnected forces that ensure the planet’s survival. The difference between this and other nature films is that the Earth’s delicacy is emphasized by stunning views from space, filmed in the IMAX format by NASA astronauts in orbit 200 miles above the Earth’s surface.

With astonishing clarity, this orbital perspective supports the film’s ultimate purpose: to reveal the awesome beauty of the Earth, and to emphasize that we, the custodians of this miraculous gift, are also the greatest threat to the planet’s delicate health. Proof of man’s destructive influence offers a sobering reminder that our responsibility toward nature is perpetual, essential, and routinely abused.

This wonderful documentary is available on DVD from Amazon.com.

IMAX - Blue Planet

Prehistoric Park - T. Rex Returns

2012-01-23T00:05:00.001-08:00

Today on Discovery Enterprise we introduce a new series featuring British wildlife presenter Nigel Marven throwing himself into the ultimate challenge: going back in time to rescue prehistoric animals from extinction and bringing them back to the ultimate wildlife sanctuary.

Montana: Sixty five million years ago, Cretaceous. Genera encountered: Ornithomimus, Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Nyctosaurus (unidentified).

The episode starts with the crew erecting the prehistoric animal enclosures. Nigel immediately knows which animal he wants to bring back first: the huge dinosaur Tyrannosaurus.

Nigel goes through the time portal, aiming to bring back a Tyrannosaurus. He finds a flock of Ornithomimus and tries to catch one by putting a sock over its head to quieten it, but must let it go when three Tyrannosaurus arrive. Nigel is pursued by the Tyrannosaurus, but they give up when he heads into the deeper forest where they cannot pursue as they are so top-heavy, tripping could kill them.

He tracks the Tyrannosaurus to the middle of their territory. He finds some Tyrannosaurus eggs, hoping to bring some back for hatching, but they are broken and empty, either hatched or eaten. As he returns to camp, in the sky are meteors running ahead of the asteroid which will wipe out the dinosaurs.

Prehistoric Park with Nigel Marven is available as a DVD set from Amazon.com.

Prehistoric Park - T. Rex Returns

Holiday in Outer Space

2012-01-22T00:05:00.000-08:00

Today on Discovery Enterprise we travel to the ultimate holiday destination and have a look at what space travel might be like through the eyes of visionaries, and learn about some of the most audacious projects ever.

SpaceShipOne

Space is an unforgiving environment and the journey into space equally so. Tiny errors of manufacture or judgement are hugely amplified in the marginal corridor out of Earth's atmosphere. This should not be in any way an obstacle to progress and exploration - the 'shuttlecock-style' return-to-Earth system of Space Ship One has the lowest-energy impact of any space transport system currently in service.

SpaceShipTwo Comparison With SpaceShipOne

It has been possible to book a flight on Space Ship Two for the last four years. Virgin Galactic already has hundreds of advanced bookings from a surprisingly diverse mix of people (mixed in the sense of having access to $200,000 for the price of a ticket).

This and other National Geographic Channel documentaries can be purchased from their online store.

National Geographic Holiday in Outer Space

Christa McAuliffe - Reach for the Stars

2012-01-20T08:46:00.000-08:00

"I touch the future. I teach." ~ Christa McAuliffe

Today on Discovery Enterprise we find out how a social studies teacher from Concord, New Hampshire was selected to become NASA's first civilian astronaut. Documentary filmmakers Renee Sotile and Jo Godges explore the remarkable life of Christie McAullife, the beloved educator who lost her life when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on January 28, 1986.

Christie McAullife was selected from thousands of applicants for the journey into the stars. McAullife's personal mission was to make space exploration exciting for school children everywhere.

Christa McAuliffe - Reach for the Stars

When the Apocalypse arrived

2012-01-19T02:37:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Some believe 2012 will bring then End Times. While I remain a sceptic lets remember there was a time when the Apocalypse really did seem to have arrived, the 14th Century during the plague. Twenty five million killed in Asia, half of Europe killed off, a world in chaos. If there ever was a time when the world seem to be coming to an end it was during the Black Death.

Armour

2012-01-18T23:13:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Historian Mike Loades takes a look at another military technology that changed the course of British history this time its armour. Just how was it posible to cover a night in steel armour? How protected really was the knight?

Finding the New Earth

2012-01-17T00:05:00.000-08:00

We are living in an age of great discovery and exploration. It took humans thousands of years to explore our own planet and centuries to comprehend the neighbouring planets of our solar system.

Now new worlds are being discovered every week. To date, astronomers have identified more than 725 “Exosolar Planets” worlds orbiting stars other than our sun. The search for Earth-like planets is reaching a fever-pitch. Does the evidence so far help shed light on the ancient question: Is the galaxy filled with life, or is Earth just a beautiful, lonely aberration?

This and other exciting National Geographic Channel documentaries can be purchased from the National Geographic Channel's online store.

Finding The New Earth

Man Made Disasters

2012-01-16T00:05:00.000-08:00

Are Man-made earthquakes possible? Can Tornadoes be caused by the mere presence of U.S. cities? Can volcanoes activated by human activity?

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present another exciting episode of the acclaimed documentary series Naked Science which examines how efforts to harness natural resources can trigger natural disasters. Watch how a Chinese dam weighing as much as three thousand Empire State Buildings caused tremors that claimed the lives of ninety thousand people.

Witness how another dam could trigger mudslides that bury millions. Investigate how growing urban areas can cause tornadoes and how mining and drilling have activated deadly mud volcanoes.

This and other exciting episodes of the acclaimed documentary series Naked Science can be purchased from the National Geographic Channel's online store.

Naked Science - Man Made Disasters

The Mystery of Chaco Canyon

2012-01-15T00:05:00.000-08:00

Today on Discovery Enterprise we take another exciting foray into the field of Archaeoastronomy and examine the deep enigmas presented by the massive prehistoric remains found in Chaco Canyon in north-western New Mexico.

This documentary is the summation of 20 years of research. The film reveals that between 850 and 1150 AD, the Chacoan people designed and constructed massive ceremonial buildings in a complex celestial pattern throughout a vast desert region. Aerial and time lapse footage, computer modelling, and interviews with scholars show how the Chacoan culture designed, oriented and located its major buildings in relationship to the sun and moon. Pueblo Indians, descendants of the Chacoan people, regard Chaco as a place where their ancestors lived in a sacred past. Pueblo leaders speak of the significance of Chaco to the Pueblo world today.

The film challenges the notion that Chaco Canyon was primarily a trade and redistribution centre. Rather it argues that it was a centre of astronomy and cosmology and that a primary purpose for the construction of the elaborate Chacoan buildings and certain roads was to express astronomical interests and to be integral parts of a celestial patterning.

While the Chacoans left no written text to help us to understand their culture, their thoughts are preserved in the language of their architecture, roads and light markings. Landscape, directions, sun and moon, and movement of shadow and light were the materials used by the Chacoan architects and builders to express their knowledge of an order in the universe.

The Mystery of Chaco Canyon is available on DVD from Amazon.com and the South West Indian Foundation.

The Mystery of Chaco Canyon also on Putlocker

The Manhattan Project

2012-01-14T00:05:00.000-08:00

On July 16^th, 1945 at 5:29:45 AM in Alamogordo, New Mexico at a location known as the Jornada del Muerto ("Journey of Death") desert a new age dawned and humanity in the deepest sense began its own journey of death.

Today on Discovery Enterprise we take a voyage back in time to the dawn of the Atomic Age and revisit – The Manhattan Project.

In its race against the Nazis to develop an atomic bomb, the United States of America assigned some of the world’s leading scientists to The Manhattan Project, an incredible scientific, engineering and manufacturing enterprise which would have everlasting global consequences for the future of humanity.

"The gadget" was the code name given to the first bomb used during the Trinity Test on July 16^th, 1945 . This type of Bomb was eventually dropped over Nagasaki, Japan on August 9, 1945

This documentary examines the Manhattan Project through government files, archival footage and accounts of surviving members of the developing team, including Paul Tibbets, pilot of the Enola Gay, and directors of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Although the atomic bomb was never officially used after World War 2, the potential danger and risk is still there and should not be underestimated.

The Trinity Test Fireball

The Manhattan Project

High Tech Hitler

2012-01-13T00:05:00.000-08:00

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present another exciting episode of the acclaimed documentary series Modern Marvels that explores the technology that fuelled the Third Reich's war machine.

Hi-Tech Hitler explores the manifold engineering and scientific accomplishments of the Nazis, many of which helped to radically transform the way we live today.

State of the art weaponry designed for world domination, combined with some of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. Their research led to the electron microscope, audio tape and even a link between smoking and cancer. But these discoveries sometimes came at great human cost.

When Hitler came to power, Germany was one of the world’s most technologically advanced nations. In the midst of carrying out the atrocities of the Holocaust, the soldiers who made up Hitler’s murderous regime were also charged with furthering Germany’s foothold in the fields of science and technology. Under the leadership of the Führer, Nazi scientists were the first to establish a direct link between smoking and cancer. In an attempt to boost Nazi propaganda broadcasts, Hitler exploited the discovery of hi-fi recording equipment. Finally, it was during Hitler’s time that the very first jet-powered fighter plane flew, fully equipped with the first pilot ejection seat. Now, in this intriguing program, find out how and why so many positive advancements emerged from so much horror, and track the ongoing influence of both the feats and failures of the Third Reich.

And while the Third Reich would ultimately crumble, much of the technology they conceived is still being used in the Twenty-first Century.

Modern Marvels: High Tech Hitler is available on DVD from Amazon.com.

Modern Marvels - High Tech Hitler

Andrea – Queen Of Mantas

2012-01-12T00:05:00.000-08:00

Manta ray at cleaning station

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present the documentary Andrea – Queen Of Mantas, about the majestic Manta Ray and the pioneering work of marine biologist Andrea Marshall.

Manta rays are one of the most intelligent creatures in the ocean and, at up to seven metres long, one of the largest. Yet despite their size and curious nature, almost nothing is known about their lives.

Marine Biologist Andrea Marshall

Young marine biologist Andrea Marshall has given up everything for a life in Mozambique, diving amongst these beautiful animals. Superb underwater photography reveals new manta ray behaviour including breathtaking footage of their ritual courtship dances.

Manta group

The film follows Andrea as she studies these endangered animals up close. With the discovery of a giant new species and remarkable insights into mantas’ secretive lives, Andrea’s findings are already rocking the world of marine biology.

Andrea – Queen Of Mantas

The trebuchet

2012-01-11T02:35:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Perhaps the most impressive medieval weapon was the counter weight trebuchet. These huge siege machines used the force of gravity to hurl massive projectiles against castle walls. No one is really sure who invented them but they seems to have appeared in Europe around the 12th Century. The following NOVA segment describes a modern day attempt to build one of these ancient weapons.

Part One

Part two

In our time the military has no need for such weapons but ingenious inventor have come up with a use, the Human Trebuchet. Yes, if your life really lacks excitement you can be catapulted from a trebuchet.

The Shield

2012-01-10T03:45:00.000-08:00

Again we have historian Mike Loades looking at how technology effected medieval Britain. This time its the shield. He describes how Alfred the Great would have used a shield wall at the Battle of Eddington.

The people below decided to follow their interest in history by preforming reenactments. Lets just say I'm glad King Alfred didn't have this lot in his army or we would be speaking Norse.

The Longbow

2012-01-09T01:19:00.000-08:00

Image by Dave Pearson via Flickr

Today we will continue historian Mike Loades series on how advances in medieval technology changed British history. As a great fan of the old Robin Hood TV series I pleased to bring to you today the Longbow.

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Of course modern day archers still use the longbow and some can do some amazing shots. Have a look at what Mr Byron Ferguson can do.

Diving into Noah's Flood

2012-01-09T00:05:00.000-08:00

Today on Discovery Enterprise we present a National Geographic Channel documentary entitled “Diving into Noah's Flood”

We join archaeologist Jeff Rose as he embarks on a journey to understand how the destructive forces of water might have inspired the biblical story of Noah’s Ark and the great flood.

A Babylonian text has specs for a round ark meant to ride out the Flood. Photo: Rolf Mariott

Dr. Rose believes that a massive flood once swallowed a landmass as big as Great Britain, created the Persian Gulf and sent tribes of Neolithic people into constant retreat from the ever-rising waters.

National Geographic - Diving into Noah's Flood

The sword

2012-01-08T03:49:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

I seem to be blogging a lot on Medieval history recently so why not a bit more. Historian Mike Loades takes a look at weapons technology in his series "Weapons that made Britain" . Today we will look at the sword:

Modern day soldiers seldom use swords in battle but that hasn't stopped people developing updated swords. Here is Mr Lynn Thompson from Cold Steel and the two handed Great Sword. Remember "*Meats utilized in this video was carefully preserved and donated to the Ventura County Rescue Mission."

Surviving 2012 and Other Cosmic Disasters

2012-01-07T00:05:00.000-08:00

Today on Discovery Enterprise we take a closer look with NASA's Dr. David Morrison at claims made by doomsday fanatics and investigate whether or not December 21st, 2012 really represents the end of days.

As we approach the dreaded date of December 21st, 2012 (12/21/12) the world waits with bated breath for the end of our world. Yet would it not be more poetically significant numerically if our End Day have been say, December 12th, 2012 (12/12/12) or even June 6th, 2006 (6/6/6) to make it even more significant biblically.

But, whatever date satisfies your own particular fancy there is no denying the fact that we humans have a special place in our hearts for tales of terror associated with the unseen and supernatural forces that lurk in the darkest recesses of our collective imagination whatever the date of the year.

Galactic Alignment

Doomsday fanatics believe that a lost civilization predicted our fate more than 1,000 years ago -- that the world will come to an end on 21st December 2012. They claim that fire will pour down from the skies and the oceans will rise up and swallow the land. They are adamant destruction on this date is certain, and evidence confirming our impending doom can be found in ancient calendars and the movements of the stars and planets. Let’s investigate these plausible planetary disasters and whether or not they determine if the end of life on Earth really is lurking just around the corner.

But what does science have to say about this looming apocalypse? What real threats could possibly bring about cataclysmic changes on Earth in 2012?

And, for your viewing pleasure we present a second video feature from the Discovery Channel that only seems to add fuel to the fire of the 2012 doomsday hysteria. We present this second documentary to illustrate the very blatant attempt by commercial television to capitalise on public fear.

After watching David Morrison presentation, dear readers, rest assured that on Friday December 21st, 2012, in all probability “the Earth's magnetic poles will not flip, California will not break apart and slide into the sea, and a secret monster planet will not smash into Earth “out of the invisible nowhere”.

On Saturday December 22nd, 2012 we will be back to the old everyday concerns of work, school and family and making the last minute entries on our holiday gift list and debating whether or not we are going to get Uncle Bob another Paisley tie once again this Christmas.

We encourage our readers to go to a very good web site that does a good job of debunking the "2012 Doomsday" myth and two previous articles posted here in the past “December 21st, 2012: Doomsday Ain’tHappening” and “2012: Science or Superstition?” for a more detailed analysis of these doomsday claims.

David Morrison: Surviving 2012 and Other Cosmic Disasters

David Morrison: Surviving 2012 and Other Cosmic Disasters from SkeptiCal on FORA.tv

Discovery Channel: 2012 Apocalypse

Why the entire English speaking people only exist because of a hot German chick

2012-01-06T22:46:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

My previous post was on the Anglo-Saxon king Alfred the Great. You might ask just how did the Anglo-Saxons get to rule England? The original inhabitants were the Britons. Well through warfare, treachery, conquest and murder. The traditional way. But central to the story is the British ruler Vortigern and his love for the Saxon beauty Rowena.

Here is the story of the Saxons.

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Alfred the Great. Hero of Civilization

2012-01-05T23:08:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Today I want to post on one of my historical heros, the Anglo-Saxon king Alfred of Wessex , more commonly known as Alfred the Great. In the 9th Century the Vikings were terrorizing Britain, by the 870's they had ransacked and occupied all the English Kingdoms bar one, Wessex. Top on the Vikings plunder list were monasteries. They would raid them steal what they could and kill the monks. By killing the monks they were killing the educated people making it virtually impossible to administer the kingdom. England was slipping back into barbarism.

Alfred was a pious, scholarly man who had only come to the throne at the age of 22 because his brother was killed. In January 878 Alfred was spending Christmas at Chipenham and the Vikings took the opportunity to attack killing most of the people. Alfred and a few followers escaped to the marshes were they conducted a guerrilla campaign against the Danes. Guthrum the leader of the Vikings, had promised to kill Alfred spread eagle, which meant tearing open his rip cage and throwing out his lungs over his shoulders so they looked like the wings of an eagle.

However by Easter Alfred has built a fortress at Athelney. There he brought in men from the surrounding counties and prepared his forces. The Anglo-Saxons were ready for the decisive battle at Eddington. There they defeated the Danes, driving them back to Chipenham. for 14 days they isolated the Danes. Finally the starving Danes surrendered. Despite the threats Guthrum had made Alfred did not kill him, instead Guthrum converted to Christianity.

But it was not his military victories that made Alfred great, it was what he did after. To have any sort of validity governments must do three tasks, defend the State, provide law and order, and provide the currency. Alfred set about doing all three. He build a series of fortress towns that allowed the people to seek refuge from Viking raids also he reorganized the military to more effectively defend the kingdom. So low had the kingdom sunk that they didn't have a coinage. Alfred made sure they had one. As well he provided a comprehensive legal code.

Further more he knew that educated people were required to administer a government. So he supported scholorship and the Church. He personally translated books from Latin into English. A school was set up that not only educated the children of noblemen but also bright children from lower ranks.

In the thousand years of English history only one monarch has ever been called Great and well deserved title it was too. Alfred The Great. Savior of the English people . The man who took England out of the Dark Ages. Hero of Civilization.