Cosmos – serie

In 1997, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) formed the National Astrobiology Institute to coordinate and fund research into the origins, distribution, and fate of life in the universe. A 2002 NRC study of that program, Life in the Universe: An Assessment of U.S. and International Programs in Astrobiology, raised a number of concerns about the Astrobiology program. In particular, it concluded that areas of astrophysics related to the astronomical environment in which life arose on earth were not well represented in the program. In response to that finding, the Space Studies Board requested the original study committee, the Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life, to examine ways to augment and integrate astronomy and astrophysics into the Astrobiology program. This report presents the results of that study. It provides a review of the earlier report and related efforts, a detailed examination of the elements of the astrobiology program that would benefit from greater integration and augmentation of astronomy and astrophysics, and an assessment of ways to facilitate the integration of astronomy with other astrobiology disciplines.

From the interior of the Sun, to the upper atmosphere and near-space environment of Earth, and outward to a region far beyond Pluto where the Sun's influence wanes, advances during the past decade in space physics and solar physics--the disciplines NASA refers to as heliophysics--have yielded spectacular insights into the phenomena that affect our home in space. Solar and Space Physics, from the National Research Council's (NRC's) Committee for a Decadal Strategy in Solar and Space Physics, is the second NRC decadal survey in heliophysics. Building on the research accomplishments realized during the past decade, the report presents a program of basic and applied research for the period 2013-2022 that will improve scientific understanding of the mechanisms that drive the Sun's activity and the fundamental physical processes underlying near-Earth plasma dynamics, determine the physical interactions of Earth's atmospheric layers in the context of the connected Sun-Earth system, and enhance greatly the capability to provide realistic and specific forecasts of Earth's space environment that will better serve the needs of society.Although the recommended program is directed primarily at NASA and the National Science Foundation for action, the report also recommends actions by other federal agencies, especially the parts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration charged with the day-to-day (operational) forecast of space weather. In addition to the recommendations included in this summary, related recommendations are presented in this report.

High school student Kaede’s new job is out of this world—or at least his clients are…When high school student Kaede is hired to use his uncanny ability to sniff out fact from fiction for Cosmos, an intergalactic insurance agency, he embarks on a journey that is out of this world…Kaede’s search for a missing classmate leads to the shocking discovery that his friend is actually an alien in a human flesh suit. Grateful for Kaede’s help with her case, cute and ruthless insurance investigator Rin headhunts him. Kaede’s job interview leads to an epic battle on a commuter train, alien treachery, and a hidden spaceship. But before he can decide whether to accept the position or not, Kaede discovers another alien hidden in plain sight—one with a tragic story to share.

High school student Kaede’s new job is out of this world—or at least his clients are...When high school student Kaede is hired to use his uncanny ability to sniff out fact from fiction for Cosmos, an intergalactic insurance agency, he embarks on a journey that is out of this world…Alien abduction is in the air…so to speak. When an alien princess vanishes, it’s not exactly clear who abducted whom or why…but it’s still up to Kaede and Rin to rescue her. Then, our team moves on to investigate a kidnapping case that leads to an ethical dilemma. By the way, is it true that Rin is only in this for the money?

High school student Kaede’s new job is out of this world—or at least his clients are...When high school student Kaede is hired to use his uncanny ability to sniff out fact from fiction for Cosmos, an intergalactic insurance agency, he embarks on a journey that is out of this world…Things get personal for Kaede when aliens endanger his little sister. Rin doesn’t want to work on her day off but can’t tolerate an incompetent S.T.A.R.S. operative messing up a mission. Then a mundane job insuring a painting leads Kaede and Rin to a thief who steals things far more valuable than art, and their new associate Soprano gets an offer that’s very hard to refuse…

High school student Kaede’s new job is out of this world—or at least his clients are...When high school student Kaede is hired to use his uncanny ability to sniff out fact from fiction for Cosmos, an intergalactic insurance agency, he embarks on a journey that is out of this world…While Sakura embraces the challenges of her new music club, her protective older brother Kaede worries about the aliens hiding in plain sight in her class. Then, our friends uncover a scam operation at an alien host club, and Cosmos’s pursuit of the mysterious crime syndicate Pied Piper continues with a visit to a strange oracle…

High school student Kaede’s new job is out of this world—or at least his clients are...When high school student Kaede is hired to use his uncanny ability to sniff out fact from fiction for Cosmos, an intergalactic insurance agency, he embarks on a journey that is out of this world…Soprano and Sunagami finally infiltrate Pied Piper’s HQ, only to discover that they are in over their heads. Can Rin and Kaede rescue them and the rest of Pied Piper’s captives? Then, more is revealed about the source of Kaede’s special ability to smell lies. Plus, a wild party at Galactica leads to the Cosmos staff battling for the attention of its hottest members!

High school student Kaede’s new job is out of this world—or at least his clients are...When high school student Kaede is hired to use his uncanny ability to sniff out fact from fiction for Cosmos, an intergalactic insurance agency, he embarks on a journey that is out of this world…Kaede meets Rin’s beloved surrogate aunties, alien sisters who write and draw a hit manga series but are now aging backward toward the end of their careers and their lives. Meanwhile, Soprano returns a young former captive of the Pied Piper to a creepy rural village where no one is who they seem… Then, our friends become embroiled in the case of a criminal alien who will stop at nothing to acquire the bizarrely specific food he needs to survive…

High school student Kaede’s new job is out of this world—or at least his clients are...When high school student Kaede is hired to use his uncanny ability to sniff out fact from fiction for Cosmos, an intergalactic insurance agency, he embarks on a journey that is out of this world…Mizumori tries to earn the trust of an extraterrestrial student at his school while another student tries to earn her affection. Next, the gang explores the case of missing vloggers at a haunted hot springs hotel. Are the culprits alien or supernatural? Then, when Rin takes some well-deserved time off, her solitude is interrupted by S.T.A.R.S. paramilitary operatives who are way out of their depth. Plus, more disturbing intel about Soprano’s deadbeat dad...

High school student Kaede’s new job is out of this world—or at least his clients are...When high school student Kaede is hired to use his uncanny ability to sniff out fact from fiction for Cosmos, an intergalactic insurance agency, he embarks on a journey that is out of this world…Determined to find her missing little brother Alto, Soprano undergoes a risky procedure to retrieve her memories. Mizumori’s new alien friend Mika’s determination to become a COSMOS investigator is put to the test. And soothsayer Rona disappears from a high-security prison. Where is the alien genius, and who is responsible?!

The sun is the source of energy for life on earth and is the strongest modulator of the human physical environment. In fact, the Suna (TM)s influence extends throughout the solar system, both through photons, which provide heat, light, and ionization, and through the continuous outflow of a magnetized, supersonic ionized gas known as the solar wind. While the accomplishments of the past decade have answered important questions about the physics of the Sun, the interplanetary medium, and the space environments of Earth and other solar system bodies, they have also highlighted other questions, some of which are long-standing and fundamental. The Sun to the Eartha "and Beyond organizes these questions in terms of five challenges that are expected to be the focus of scientific investigations in solar and space physics during the coming decade and beyond.

The United States spends approximately $4 million each year searching for near-Earth objects (NEOs). The objective is to detect those that may collide with Earth. The majority of this funding supports the operation of several observatories that scan the sky searching for NEOs. This, however, is insufficient in detecting the majority of NEOs that may present a tangible threat to humanity. A significantly smaller amount of funding supports ways to protect the Earth from such a potential collision or "mitigation." In 2005, a Congressional mandate called for NASA to detect 90 percent of NEOs with diameters of 140 meters of greater by 2020. Defending Planet Earth: Near-Earth Object Surveys and Hazard Mitigation Strategies identifies the need for detection of objects as small as 30 to 50 meters as these can be highly destructive. The book explores four main types of mitigation including civil defense, "slow push" or "pull" methods, kinetic impactors and nuclear explosions. It also asserts that responding effectively to hazards posed by NEOs requires national and international cooperation.Defending Planet Earth: Near-Earth Object Surveys and Hazard Mitigation Strategies is a useful guide for scientists, astronomers, policy makers and engineers.

Driven by discoveries, and enabled by leaps in technology and imagination, our understanding of the universe has changed dramatically during the course of the last few decades. The fields of astronomy and astrophysics are making new connections to physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. Based on a broad and comprehensive survey of scientific opportunities, infrastructure, and organization in a national and international context, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics outlines a plan for ground- and space- based astronomy and astrophysics for the decade of the 2010's. Realizing these scientific opportunities is contingent upon maintaining and strengthening the foundations of the research enterprise including technological development, theory, computation and data handling, laboratory experiments, and human resources. New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics proposes enhancing innovative but moderate-cost programs in space and on the ground that will enable the community to respond rapidly and flexibly to new scientific discoveries.The book recommends beginning construction on survey telescopes in space and on the ground to investigate the nature of dark energy, as well as the next generation of large ground-based giant optical telescopes and a new class of space-based gravitational observatory to observe the merging of distant black holes and precisely test theories of gravity. New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics recommends a balanced and executable program that will support research surrounding the most profound questions about the cosmos. The discoveries ahead will facilitate the search for habitable planets, shed light on dark energy and dark matter, and aid our understanding of the history of the universe and how the earliest stars and galaxies formed. The book is a useful resource for agencies supporting the field of astronomy and astrophysics, the Congressional committees with jurisdiction over those agencies, the scientific community, and the public.

In recent years, planetary science has seen a tremendous growth in new knowledge. Deposits of water ice exist at the Moon's poles. Discoveries on the surface of Mars point to an early warm wet climate, and perhaps conditions under which life could have emerged. Liquid methane rain falls on Saturn's moon Titan, creating rivers, lakes, and geologic landscapes with uncanny resemblances to Earth's. Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 surveys the current state of knowledge of the solar system and recommends a suite of planetary science flagship missions for the decade 2013-2022 that could provide a steady stream of important new discoveries about the solar system. Research priorities defined in the report were selected through a rigorous review that included input from five expert panels. NASA's highest priority large mission should be the Mars Astrobiology Explorer Cacher (MAX-C), a mission to Mars that could help determine whether the planet ever supported life and could also help answer questions about its geologic and climatic history.Other projects should include a mission to Jupiter's icy moon Europa and its subsurface ocean, and the Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission to investigate that planet's interior structure, atmosphere, and composition. For medium-size missions, Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 recommends that NASA select two new missions to be included in its New Frontiers program, which explores the solar system with frequent, mid-size spacecraft missions. If NASA cannot stay within budget for any of these proposed flagship projects, it should focus on smaller, less expensive missions first. Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 suggests that the National Science Foundation expand its funding for existing laboratories and establish new facilities as needed. It also recommends that the program enlist the participation of international partners. This report is a vital resource for government agencies supporting space science, the planetary science community, and the public.

Understanding the effects of natural and human-induced changes on the global environment and their implications requires a foundation of integrated observations of land, sea, air and space, on which to build credible information products, forecast models, and other tools for making informed decisions. The 2007 National Research Council report on decadal survey called for a renewal of the national commitment to a program of Earth observations in which attention to securing practical benefits for humankind plays an equal role with the quest to acquire new knowledge about the Earth system. NASA responded favorably and aggressively to this survey, embracing its overall recommendations for Earth observations, missions, technology investments, and priorities for the underlying science. As a result, the science and applications communities have made significant progress over the past 5 years. However, the Committee on Assessment of NASA's Earth Science Program found that the survey vision is being realized at a far slower pace than was recommended, principally because the required budget was not achieved.Exacerbating the budget shortfalls, NASA Earth science programs experienced launch failures and delays and the cost of implementing missions increased substantially as a result of changes in mission scope, increases in launch vehicle costs and/or the lack of availability of a medium-class launch vehicle, under-estimation of costs by the decadal survey, and unfunded programmatic changes that were required by Congress and the Office of Management and Budget. In addition, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has made significant reductions in scope to its future Earth environmental observing satellites as it contends with budget shortfalls. Earth Science and Applications from Space: A Midterm Assessment of NASA's Implementation of the Decadal Survey recommends a number of steps to better manage existing programs and to implement future programs that will be recommended by the next decadal survey. The report also highlights the urgent need for the Executive Branch to develop and implement an overarching multiagency national strategy for Earth observations from space, a key recommendation of the 2007 decadal survey that remains unfulfilled.