Comets Essays (1436 words) - Comets, Comet, Sungrazing Comet, Coma

Comets Before the seventeenth century, comets were considered portents-warning shots fired at a sinful Earth from the right hand of an avenging God. However, in the post-Newtonian era, when their paths were understood to intersect that of the Earth, they were considered actual agents of destruction. Experts have described comets as the carriers of both life-seeds to the early Earth and horrific missiles that will one day snuff out life as we know it. At one time or another, people have blamed comets for war and held responsible for the deaths of men, the birth of good wine, the London fire of 1666, severely cold weather, etc . . . If one central theme runs throughout history of comets, it must be the public concern they have commanded. Comets are ancient objects, formed in the outer reaches of the Solar System from the ice of gases such as methane, water vapor, and ammonia, combined with dust from primitive rock compounds. Sometimes comets are described as dirty snowballs because they are icy lumps, or wandering icebergs. Comets are relatively tiny- just a few miles across on average. Their nuclei are very different from glowing balls of light, with multimillion-mile-long tails. This is one reason comets occasionally visit the inner Solar System. Astronomers divide comets into long-period types with orbits of more than 200 years and short-period types with orbits of less than 200 years (as cited in Branley 1988 p. 43). All comets begin their journey as long- period types. Gravitational fields of planets then capture long- period comets. Comets can have orbits at any angle because they can come from any region. Once comets are captured, they fall into line with the movement of planets, staying close to the ecliptic, orbiting the sun in the same direction as the planets. One exception is Halley's Comet. It is a short-period comet with an orbital period of about seventy-six years- known as retrograde orbits (as cited in Branley 1988 p. 44). Retrograde orbits are simply clockwise orbital motion, as seen from the north pole of a planet. Most Solar System orbits are counter clockwise. Like people, comets group too. When several comets with different periods travel in nearly the same orbit, experts say that they are members of a comet group. One well-known group includes the spectacular Sun-grazing comet, Ikeya-Seki, of 1965, and seven others having periods of nearly a thousand years. Brian G. Marsden, an American astronomer, has concluded that a 1965 comet and the even brighter comet of 1882 split from a parent comet, possibly the one of 1106 (as cited in Yeomans 1991 p. 184). One interesting contribution of the comet is the solar effect. The process starts by a comet approaching the sun. Once the comet approaches the sun, solar heat sublimates, or evaporates, the ices. This causes the comet to brighten enormously. Sometimes this develops a brilliant tail, extending millions of kilometers into space. Even as the comet recedes again, the tail is directed away from the sun. What are these spectacular comet tails composed of? Comet tails are made up of simple ionized molecules, including carbon monoxide and dioxide. By action of solar wind, molecules are blown away, forming a thin stream of hot gases continuously ejected from the solar corona. In case you do not know the meaning of a solar corona, it is the outermost atmosphere of the Sun. Amazingly, the thin streams of high gases move at a speed of approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) per second (as cited in Yeomans 1991 p. 185). In addition, a comet frequently also displays smaller, curved tails composed of fine dust particles blown from the coma by the pressure of solar radiation. Yet, as a comet recedes from the Sun, the loss of gas and other dust particles decrease in quantity, which contribute to the disappearance of the tail. Some comets with small orbits contain tails so short that they are practically invisible. However, the tail of at least one comet has indeed exceeded approximately 320 million kilometers (200 million miles) in length (as cited in Yeornans 1991 p. 183). Surprisingly, of some 1400 comets on record, fewer than half the tails were visible to the naked eye, and fewer than 10 percent were conspicuous (as cited in Yeornans 1991 p. 185). Interestingly, amateur astronomer Yuji Hayukutake from Hawaii, discovered Comet Hayukutake. This discovery was on January 30, 1996 (as cited in rosat-goc-comet) However, mid -march is at its most visible in the northern hemisphere. This surprise comet has

To What Extend Should Be ElectedRrepresentatives Represent essays

To What Extend Should Be ElectedRrepresentatives Represent essays To what extent should be elected representatives represent the views of their constituents, their political party or themselves? There is the problem of whether elected representatives should act for the views of their constituents, or whether they should act more independently, using their knowledge and skills to lead their constituents to a more informed decision that is better for the greater good of the community. It is important that political leaders express not only their personal views, but the views of there constituents as well. Since Canada is a democratic nation, citizens that are above the legal voting age are given individual power to elect a representative. The representative stays with his party as long as the official satisfies the wishes of the people in the riding, if not the representative will be removed at the next election. It is then the representationalists responsibility to represent the views of their constituents. However, If the political leaders dont represent the views of their constituents; then they are not showing respect to the constituents who voted for them. Then there are those who believe the opposite, they believe that the person they are voting for does not have to represent the views of their constituents, but rather, represent the views of their party or their own personal views. The non-representationalist is to not follow by what its constituents believe, but by what he believes would make the nation a better place. On one side of the issue there are those that say politicians should only represent the views of their constituents. Since so many people think that this is the only fair way to do things it has become an on going argument. When the politicians agree to the opposite of what the constituents think is right, some arguments come across. The new law passed was the restriction of the ownership of fire arms. Many people believe that you should be abl ...

Marshallian Demand and Supply Theory Assignment

Marshallian Demand and Supply Theory - Assignment Example Very much similar to the modern supply and demand functions, it shows the choices of the customer in terms of his demand over a range of prices. Moreover, in the case of supply, it would show the quantity supplied, for a range of prices. Quite understandably, over demand would increase as the prices keep on increasing since these share a negative relation with each other. However, supply, on the other hand, would have a positive relationship with the price; therefore, the supply curve would be an upward or positively sloped curve (Taylor & Weerapana, pp. 126-128, 2007). Moreover, there are two very important assumptions for the Marshallian model as well. Firstly, that the supply and demand, is in no way, interdependent but act freely. Secondly, that supply is limited and finite, and the basic principle of economics must hold true that there are scare resources (Henderson, pp. 124-128, 2009). In addition, this model perfectly solves the utility maximization problem as well. Since consumers get a range of choices, sets of prices and the quantity supplied and demanded on them, they can choose the set, which satisfies them the most (Pindyck & Rubinfeld, pp. 148-149, 2001). Unlike, the Hicksian model, Marshallian model of supply and demand also accommodates the income and substitution effects. In the study of microeconomics, the Hickson model is referred to as the compensated demand function since its idea rests on fixed utility. However, the Marshallian model of supply and demand has received the name of uncompensated demand function, since, as mentione d earlier, that it offers the option of utility maximization (Rittenberg, pp. 469-478, 2008). Quite clearly, the laws of demand and supply are helpful in predicting the direction of changes in price and quantity, whether it would increase or decrease, in response to various shifts in demand and supply.  

Developing High Quality Human Resource Dissertation

Developing High Quality Human Resource - Dissertation Example Research design and rationale This study will consist of two phases. The first phase will deal with the study of literature while the second one will tackle qualitative and quantitative analysis. The literature study will entail analysis of current trends in a HR revolution in Vietnam and the world at large. In addition, the literature will be studied with the aim of examining and establishing an ideal evaluation technique for evaluation of HR function involved in PT projects. The basic aim of this study is to design and implement a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the quality of HR function in state owned EPC companies in Vietnam. The quantitative and qualitative research methodologies will be used to expediently differentiate contrasting research strategies, which will essentially depend on the nature of the research question or the problem being examined. As Gay (1996) explicates, quantitative and qualitative techniques presents corresponding aspects of the scientific st udy method, whereby the quantitative approaches are concerned with testing of hypothesis (primary deduction) while qualitative approaches are concerned with generating of hypothesis (primary induction). The complementary use of qualitative and quantitative methodologies has gained popularity as they are used in formulating wide innovations in science and social research. This provides a better array of perspectives and insights and allows substantiation of the results by different methods of triangulation, which boosts the general validity of findings and improves the usefulness of the study. Nevertheless, the investigation of accurately complementary techniques presents significant challenges too. These take account of additional human and financial-based additional costs, the need for respect for different epistemological positions and methodologies as well as teamwork. Population and sample The population has been defined by Hussey and Hussey (1997) as â€Å"any precisely define d set of people or collection of items which is under study† (p. 55). On the other hand, a sample is a subset of the population under consideration and it entails some specific members chosen from that population (Sekaran, 2000). Study sample The researcher will use purposive sampling for the qualitative study and simple random sampling for the quantitative part. Simple sampling will be selected for the quantitative part because no complexity is involved in the selection process. A purposeful sampling (also called judgmental sampling) is based on the fact the researcher is capable of selecting the participants who are effectively suited to meet the purpose of the study. This method of sampling will ensure that an extensive and thorough assessment is conducted and hence the researcher will be able to obtain a better understanding of the issues of quality in respect to the HR function in construction projects. In the selection of purposive sampling, it is conceived that sampling for proportionality is not of the essence; furthermore, purposive sampling is ideal for reaching the targeted sample in a quick manner (Neuman, 2003). The importance of choosing the right candidates for the study has been affirmed by Creswell (2007), who

Judaism - Meaning of life Essay Example for Free

Judaism Meaning of life Essay The meaning of life is a philosophical question concerning the significance of life or existence in general. It can also be expressed in different forms, such as Why are we here? , What is life all about? , and What is the purpose of existence? It has been the subject of much philosophical, scientific, and theological speculation throughout history. There have been a large number of proposed answers to these questions from many different cultural and ideological backgrounds. The meaning of life is in the philosophical and religious conceptions of existence, social ties, consciousness, and happiness, and borders on many other issues, such as symbolic meaning, ontology, value, purpose, ethics, good and evil, free will, the existence of one or multiple Gods, conceptions of God, the soul, and the afterlife. Scientific contributions focus primarily on describing related empirical facts about the universe, exploring the context and parameters concerning the how of life. Science also studies and can provide recommendations for the pursuit of well-being and a related conception of morality. An alternative, humanistic approach poses the question What is the meaning of my life? The value of the question pertaining to the purpose of life may coincide with the achievement of ultimate reality, or a feeling of oneness, or even a feeling of sacredness. governs the universe. Closeness with the God of Israel is through study of His Torah, and adherence to its mitzvot (divine laws). In traditional Judaism, God established a special covenant with a people, the people of Israel, at Mount Sinai, giving the Jewish commandments. Torah comprises the written Pentateuch and the transcribed oral tradition, further developed through the generations. The Jewish people are intended as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation[69] and a light to the Nations, influencing the other peoples to keep their own religio-ethical Seven Laws of Noah. The messianic era is seen as the perfection of this dual path to God. Jewish observances involve ethical and ritual, affirmative and prohibative injunctions. Modern Jewish denominations differ over the nature, relevance and emphases of mitzvot. Jewish philosophy emphasises that God is not affected or benefited, but the individual and society benefit by drawing close to God. The rationalist Maimonides sees the ethical and ritual divine commandments as a necessary, but insufficient preparation for philosophical understanding of God, with its love and awe. [70] Among fundamental values in the Torah are pursuit of justice, compassion, peace, kindness, hard work, prosperity, humility, and education. [71][72] The world to come,[73] prepared in the present, elevates man to an everlasting connection with God. [74] Simeon the Righteous says, the world stands on three things: on Torah, on worship, and on acts of loving kindness. The prayer book relates, blessed is our God who created us for his honor and planted within us everlasting life. Of this context, the Talmud states, everything that God does is for the good, including suffering. The Jewish mystical Kabbalah gives complimentary esoteric meanings of life. As well as Judaism providing an immanent relationship with God (personal theism), in Kabbalah the spiritual and physical creation is a paradoxical manifestation of the immanent aspects of Gods Being (panentheism), related to the Shekhinah (Divine feminine). Jewish observance unites the sephirot (Divine attributes) on high, restoring harmony to creation. In Lurianic Kabbalah, the meaning of life is the messianic rectification of the shattered sparks of Gods persona, exiled in physical existence (the Kelipot shells), through the actions of Jewish observance. [75] Through this, in Hasidic Judaism the ultimate essential desire of God is the revelation of the Omnipresent Divine essence through materiality, achieved by man from within his limited physical realm, when the body will give life to the soul. Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism is the religion and philosophy named after its prophet Zoroaster, which is believed to have influenced the beliefs of Judaism and its descendant religions. [77] Zoroastrians believe in a universe created by a transcendental God, Ahura Mazda, to whom all worship is ultimately directed. Ahura Mazdas creation is asha, truth and order, and it is in conflict with its antithesis, druj, falsehood and disorder. (See also Zoroastrian eschatology). Since humanity possesses free will, people must be responsible for their moral choices. By using free will, people must take an active role in the universal conflict, with good thoughts, good words and good deeds to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay.

Humor in Dickens Tale of Two Cities :: essays research papers

A Tale of Two Cities Frequently in literature, humor is added in scenes to make them more interesting and more appealing to readers. Often times underneath the humorous covers lay a much more serious principle. Charles Dickens does exactly this in A Tale of Two Cities, by making slight comedy of issues such as democracy, the lower class, and spousal abuse. In A Tale of Two Cities, the actions of Jerry Cruncher, while essentially very humorless, may seem peculiarly funny to some people. The events that occur in chapter one of book two, concerning Mrs. Cruncher, is an appropriate example of this idea. In this scene, Jerry Cruncher yells at his wife because he thinks she was praying against him. To start with, because of this accusations obvious ridiculousness, it strikes readers as comical. One may even argue that he didn’t actually believe this, but maybe he was just bored and finds joy in harassing his wife. To say such silly things out of boredom also may hit someone as amusing. What generally makes this scene humorous is that Cruncher is so unjustified in yelling at his wife for such an absurd thing, and furthermore, he lacks any real evidence that she was doing what he accuses her of doing. While this scene may seem like a comical one, with a silly husband, it is really calling attention to verbal abuse to wives. It is palpable that Cruncher has no respect whatsoever for his wife. At the time of this book, this was a common situation so either people did not notice the seriousness because of the humor that is masking it, or it was an every day happenning for them. When Cruncher wakes up to find Mrs Cruncher praying (in reality praying for him), he reacts by throwing a muddy shoe at her. This notion may also seem like a funny one to readers. Because the idea of somebody getting hit in the head by a muddy shoe can be humorous, if used in an appropriate situation, such as a TV show or a movie, it may also seem funny in this scene. The realness of the situation can be easily overlooked. When Dickens adds these unexplainable events, it may strike some as funny because his actions are so unjustified and random.

Analysis of poem: Half Caste (1996) by John Agard Essay

Question: Analyse the poem ‘Half Caste’ (1996) written by poet – John Agard, about his perspective on the addressing of biracial individuals. In your answer, you should consider: * Influence of context in which the poem was written * The ideas brought out of the poem * The structure and rhyme maintained Answer: John Agard gives painful and poetic expression to the mixed race experience. He was of Portuguese-Caribbean descent and lived in British Guyana (now Guyana), before he moved to Britain. The reference is to half-caste from the Spanish word ‘casta’ (origin, group) and being made to feel half a human being. The poem begins in an apologetic tone, and the strangeness of his situation is shown by him standing on one leg as he does not feel a complete man. The poet uses various examples from the world of art and music and the world of nature to challenge this stereotyping. The repetition of the words ‘explain yurself’ shows the poet’s frustration. He wonders if inanimate objects can become half-caste – Picasso’s painting in which colours are mixed to create a half-caste canvas, Tchaikovsky’s music on a piano with black and white key create a half caste symphony. The world of nature provides striking examples. Light and shadow mix in the sky to create half-caste weather. England always has ‘half caste weather’. Even the clouds are half-caste – so thick and dark and mean that they block the rays of the sun. The clouds are personified to show the negative impact they have on the earth, preventing the sun rays from reaching. The mixing of contradictory features contributes to their beauty, and this implicitly implies that only in human beings, the mixing is negative. The second part of the poem is increasingly sarcastic. Even looks and actions, dreams and shadows can be half caste. The poet listens with half an ear, looks with half an eye, and offers half a hand. This means that his reaction to life and other people is half hearted. This half-life, half identity has even affected his dreams. This could symbolise goals, ambitions that are limited or restricted. He does not have any impact on the world or other lives because he is only a half-caste human being (as per his perspective). The final suggestion is for society is to look and hear deeply and sensitively, to look at a half-caste human being’s sorrow with critical, evaluative judgement. The result of such an approach will increase understanding because the poet will tell him the other half of his story that is now hidden. The poem is built of short lines of uneven length. The first three lines introduces the subject in an apologetic tone – â€Å"Excuse me† and concludes with a small stanza of three lines promising to communicate. The middle of the poem is dominated by enjambment because the poet’s pain overflows in one unbroken recital. The word ‘half-caste’ is repeated 10 times. The title is used as an adjective, a certain condition in which a person is made to feel inferior. The absence of an article in the title shows this. The music of the poem depends on the repetition of words. Towards the end, the word ‘half-caste’ is juxtaposed with the whole. The poet moves from physical sensation – eye, ear to the idea of deep thought and feeling. There is a greater assertion in the last stanza, suggested by the words ‘I will’. The poet speaks English with overtones of a Caribbean dialect called Patois (mainly spoken in Jamaica and Barbados) – â€Å"wha ya mean† repeated 4 times, de (the), dat (that), dem (them) etc. to show that he has half a language and is incomplete even in that area. The half caste has a vivid imagination and uses a variety of examples to prove Agard’s point. The style of the poem is a question – wha yu mean and this is followed by the explanation – you mean. Various symbols are used in the poem – keen half of mih ear, keen half of mih eye implies a desire to ignore the stereotyping and yet keenly be conscious of it. The ‘half-caste’ offers only half a hand to show how deep the resentment is. Turning people into half-caste is one of the greatest of social predicaments the world faces. The need is for equality, dignity and respect to be given to each human being, bringing the marginalised to the centre. The poem ‘Half-Caste’ depicts the anger, pain and fluctuation of emotion felt by Agard, when (rude) comments were addressed to him, directed at his mix of nationality. It also validates that addressing a person as ‘half-caste’ is cretinous and in the conclusion, the lines ‘But yu must come back tomorrow, wid de whole of yu eye, wid de whole of yu ear, wid de whole of yu mind, and I will tell yu de other half of my story’ shows he is willing to make amends with the commentators, if they only cease to treat him as half a human being.