Category Archives: Moon Colonization

The magnetic field of the Moon is very weak in comparison to that of the Earth; the major difference is the Moon does not have a dipolar magnetic field currently (as would be generated by a geodynamo in its core), so that the magnetization present is varied (see picture) and its origin is almost entirely crustal in location; so it's difficult to compare as a percentage to Earth. But, one experiment discovered that lunar rocks formed 1 - 2.5 billion years ago were created in a field of about 5 microtesla, compared to present day Earth's 50 T.[1] During the Apollo program several magnetic field strength readings were taken with readings ranging from a low of 6 (6nT) at the Apollo 15 site to a maximum of 313 (0.31T) at the Apollo 16 site,[2] note these readings were recorded in gammas() a now outdated unit of magnetic flux density equivalent to 1nT.

One hypothesis holds that the crustal magnetizations were acquired early in lunar history when a geodynamo was still operating. An analysis of magnetized moon rocks brought to Earth by Apollo astronauts showed that the Moon must have had a strong (above 110 T)[3] magnetic field at least 4.25 billion years ago, which then fell to 20 T level in the 3.6 - 3.1 billion years BP period.[4] The small size of the lunar core, however, is a potential obstacle to promoting that hypothesis to the status of theory. However, single silicate grains with magnetic inclusions from Apollo rocks formed at 3.9, 3.6, 3.3, and 3.2 billion years ago have been shown to be capable of recording strong magnetic fields but do not.[5] This supports the alternative hypothesis that the Moon never had a long-lasting core dynamo, consistent with the lack of energy needed to sustain a field.[6]

It is possible that on an airless body such as the Moon, transient magnetic fields could be generated during large impact events. In particular, study of Apollo impact glass associated with a young, 2 million-year-old crater has yielded a strong magnetization comparable in strength to Earth's magnetic field[5]. This magnetization could not have originated in the lunar core, but is instead consistent with predictions from fields associated with impact plasmas[5].[7] These observations have led to the hypothesis that prior reports of high paleofield strengths from Apollo samples record impacts, not a core dynamo[5,6]. Importantly, the lack of a long-lasting lunar dynamo and paleomagnetosphere should have allowed 3He, water, and other volatile resources acquired from solar winds and Earths magnetosphere over some 4 billion years to accumulate in lunar soils [5,6].

It has also been noted that the largest crustal magnetizations appear to be located near the antipodes of the giant impact basins. It has been proposed that such a phenomenon could result from the free expansion of an impact-generated plasma cloud around the Moon in the presence of an ambient magnetic field.[8] For example, the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft mapped a "mini-magnetosphere" at the Crisium antipode on the Moon's far side, using its Sub-keV Atom Reflecting Analyzer (SARA) instrument. The mini-magnetosphere is 360km across at the surface and is surrounded by a 300-km-thick region of enhanced plasma flux that results from the solar wind flowing around the mini-magnetosphere.[9]

There is growing evidence that fine particles of moondust might actually float, ejected from the lunar surface by electrostatic repulsion. This could create a temporary nighttime "atmosphere" of dust. The moondust atmosphere might also gather itself into a sort of diaphanous wind. Drawn by differences in global charge accumulation, floating dust would naturally fly from the strongly negative nightside to the weakly negative dayside. This "dust storm" effect would be strongest at the Moon's terminator. Much of these details are still speculative, but the Lunar Prospector spacecraft detected changes in the lunar nightside voltage during magnetotail crossings, jumping from -200 V to -1000 V. Further characterization was done by the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer orbiter in late 2013.[10][11]

The plasma sheet is a very dynamic structure, in a constant state of motion, so as the Moon orbits through the magnetotail the plasma sheet can sweep across it many times with encounters lasting anywhere from minutes to hours or even days.[12]

In the Space Odyssey series by Arthur C. Clarke, a monolith is found on the Moon near the crater Tycho by its unnaturally powerful magnetic field and named Tycho Magnetic Anomaly 1 (TMA-1).[13]

View original post here:
Magnetic field of the Moon - Wikipedia

This article was originally published atThe Conversation.The publication contributed the article to Space.com'sExpert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

Alan Marshall, Lecturer in Environmental Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University

Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon Inc and the richest man on Earth, has just launched the third mission of his space tourism business,NS-19. His space company, Blue Origin, sent four more multimillionaire customers into space along with two "space celebrity" guests: Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of Alan Shepard, America's first astronaut, plus Michael Strahan, an American Football Hall-of-Famer turned TV presenter.

Space tourism is just the beginning of Bezoss grand projectto colonize the entire solar system. Such space colonization, he suggests, will fuel global prosperity by opening upboundless resources including crucial metals and massive amounts of solar and nuclear energy. All of which can make useful products for people back on Earth.

Such grand ideas of extraterrestrial colonization are hardly new. Not long after Indonesia gained independence in the 1940s, the nascent Space Age set in motion calls for anew wave of colonization directed outwards into space.

In photos: Blue Origin's 1st New Shepard passenger launch with Jeff Bezos

Although the symbolism of space colonization is rather distasteful to those peoples who suffered at the hands of past colonialism, at least the extraterrestrial solar system is not occupied by indigenous people who might have their territories invaded and conquered. However, like colonialism of old, Bezoss space colonization plans heavily depend on resource extraction and unfair and abusive labor practices, as we shall see below.

Presently, resource extraction beyond Earth is likely illegal.The Outer Space Treaty, signed by Indonesia on the day it was first presented in the United Nations Assembly in January 1967, states the bodies of the solar system are the "Common Heritage of Mankind." In other words, humanity as a whole owns the solar system in a shared fashion. It cannot be claimed by one person, or one country, or one company.

Therefore, Jeff Bezos should ask the rest of us for permission to set up extractive industries beyond the Earth.

After NASA had planted the U.S. flag on the moon and sent robotic probes to other planets, space entrepreneurs started seeing a problem with the Common Heritage of Mankind idea. "How can we make a profit from space," they thought, "if we have to just 'share' space resources with the whole of mankind?"

They then promoted a twisted interpretation of the Outer Space Treaty, which asserted that any resources extracted from extraterrestrial objects become the property of the extractor. Under such an interpretation, Bezos can claim any extraterrestrial material he might load onto his spaceship.

This situation would echo historical colonial endeavors on Earth where corporations like theDutch East India Companywere granted licenses to extract and sell resources that did not really belong to them.

In the late 1970s, the prospect ofspace imperialismprompted some ex-colonial states in the developing world, like the Philippines and Pakistan, to draft a better treaty that would more clearly denote that the extraterrestrial solar system belongs to all the world.

This new Moon Treaty also declared that space resources could only be used with global consent and should be fairly shared somehow. The trouble is, though, space-capable nations, like the U.S. and Russia, refused to sign up to this treaty when it was first presented to the United Nations in 1979. And space industrialists like Bezos lobby against it.

This lobbying seems to have worked. US President Donald Trump issued anexecutive order in 2020condemning the "Common Heritage of Mankind" principle in the Moon Treaty.

The Moon Treaty is an excellent pathway for all humanity to have a vested interest in the solar system. For millennia, all cultures worldwide gazed upon the moon and planets in the sky as constant cosmic fixtures, imbibing them into their folklore and spirituality and making them part of their arts and sciences. The moon and the planets belong to all of us. The Moon Treaty enshrines this in law and makes all humans stakeholders in the future of the solar system.

If Bezos colonizes the solar system, though, he will keep it for himself. I say this because his record of sharing stuff on Earth is woeful.

Despite being the richest man on Earth, Bezos ranks as one of the mostmiserly philanthropistsalive today. He is only happy to give stuff away (like Strahan's seat on the NS-19 flight) if it helps him promote his agenda.

Bezos also assiduouslyavoids paying taxesin America and around the world. As well,he exploitshis global Amazon workforce with low-paid, insecure and dangerous jobs. Each worker competes with one another in Darwinian survival-of-the-fittest fashion to fulfil unrealistic production targets.

During the NS-19 space mission, many dozens of Amazon workers lay trapped and fighting for their lives under acollapsed Amazon factory. Bezos, in the meantime, wascelebrating the missionwith his space passengers.

It seems as though Bezos can afford to fund his space business because he pays so few taxes and cares so little for his employees. If Bezos does colonize space, it will likely be achieved in the same fashion; by exploiting space workers and without sharing the benefits of space extraction by paying taxes at a fair rate.

Bezoss first joyride into space, in July 2021, so enraged many progressive leaders around the world they called for new "space taxes" so some public good might come from space tourism.

Space exploration fans should also encourage Bezos to pay his fair share of taxes in nations across the world so democratically elected representatives can discuss and decide how to invest in more inclusive non-colonialist forms of space development.

Given his space colonization plans, I would like to go further and encourage governments around the world to sign up to the Moon Treaty, so colonialism is not repeated on a solar system scale in the future.

This article is republished fromThe Conversationunder a Creative Commons license. Read theoriginal article.

Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates and become part of the discussion on Facebook and Twitter. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.

Read more here:
The solar system belongs to us all, not just Jeff Bezos - Space.com

The hope of the new year is the same hope of any science fiction or fantasy novel please, mighty powers above, get us through this catastrophe in one piece. With the start of New Normal Year 3, many of us are looking for an unwritten road map.

Luckily, few heroes conquer evil alone, so its totally okay to look to others for inspiration. And yes, Im talking about books.

2022 promises us pandemic delivery drivers protecting monsters, magical thieves trying to make good while bartending, and powerful women bargaining with ancient magical beings on their own terms. Whether youre returning to the fantastical worlds you love through highly anticipated sequels (and endings) or discovering something brand new with a fresh take, here are 26 fantasy and science fiction books to watch for in 2022, so far.

Jan. 4, 2022

The Fallen Star, part of Lucasfilms High Republic initiative, arrives as a follow-up to 2021s Star Wars: Light of the Jedi and The Rising Storm. The book is the beginning of the end for Phase 1 of the new batch of storytelling, wrapping up the saga of Jedi and the evil Nihil before the series jumps backward in time. In this title, the High Republic continues to defend against the Nihil marauders and their leader, Marchion Ro. In the threequel, Ros planning a bold attack, making use of a terrifying weapon that can wrestle the Force from Jedi.

Jan. 11, 2022

The 16th novel in the magical alternate history Elemental Masters series follows Annie Oakley, sharpshooter and performer, as she tours through Germany with Buffalo Bills Wild West Show. When Bill hires a local sharpshooter as a part of the act, Annie learns that she isnt just a crack shot shes a magician. She, her husband Frank, and the German sharpshooter Giselle, team up together to hunt the monsters that follow the show, threatening performers and locals alike. Annies got her gun, and its filled with silver bullets.

Jan. 18, 2022

Return to Okorafors award-winning fantasy world in this follow-up to Akata Witch and Akata Warrior. Sunny Nwazue continues to strike a balance in her life, whether thats between America and Nigeria or her life as a Leopard Person and a good daughter. Now, armed with all shes learned so far, Sunny must go on a dangerous mission to find a hidden object one that will change her forever.

Jan. 18, 2022

In 2030, a grieving archeologist discovers the remains of a girl killed by an ancient virus. As the permafrost lessens, the Arctic Plague is unleashed, forcing humanity to reshape everything about their lives. How High We Go in the Dark spans centuries and planets to tell the story of human resiliency through the eyes of a cynical theme park worker who falls in love, a heartbroken scientist who teaches a pig to talk, and a widowed painter who seeks a new home in space with her granddaughter.

Jan. 25, 2022

Goliath is set in 2050 Earth, where the privileged have fled to colonies, cannibalizing the remaining neighborhoods brick-by-brick to build reminders of their old homes in space. Those left behind have to navigate collapsing infrastructure, barely surviving. Featuring a space dweller looking to settle in New Haven, a group of laborers attempting to save Earths cities, and a marshall trying to solve a kidnapping, Tochi Onyebuchi weaves together multiple disparate narratives within this very real fictional world.

Feb. 15, 2022

Described as an African Game of Thrones, Marlon James first Dark Star book, Black Leopard, Red Wolf, told the story of Sogolon the Moon Witch and Tracker as they battled to find a missing boy across a mythical landscape. Now, the highly anticipated sequel presents Sogolons version of events how she triumphed and failed in her search for the boy, how she challenged Aesi, the powerful chancellor to the king, leading to a century-long feud. More than just a retelling with a new lens, Moon Witch, Spider King is an indomitable woman fighting to tell her own story.

Feb. 15, 2022

From the co-author of The Expanse comes a brand new epic fantasy trilogy set in the ancient, bloody city of Kithamar. When Alys, a thief from the slums of Longhill, sets out to find her brothers killer, she uncovers an intrigue as deep as the roots of Kithamar itself one that just may change everything.

Feb. 15, 2022

The companion novel to Akwaeke Emezis young adult novel Pet introduces us to Bitter, a young painter attending the haven-like Eucalyptus school. Outside the school walls, the city of Lucille is filled with protests against deep-set injustices. Tempted to stay out of the fray, Bitter finds herself pulled in multiple directions by friends who want more for their world, a new romance, and her art.

March 1, 2022

When Olivia Prior receives a mysterious invite to her late parents manor, Gallant, she finds the first place in her life that feels like home. Unfortunately, it is a home that is trying to drive her out her cousin is hostile and there are ghouls in the halls. After stumbling through a seam in a shadow that leads her to a place where the ghouls are fully-formed and a dark presence reigns, Olivia must decide if she will protect her world from the Master of the House or join him.

March 15, 2022

For the first time, The Expanses numerous novellas each of which tells a focused story set in the world of the towering space opera will be collected into a single volume. Memorys Legion will include: Drive, The Butcher of Anderson Station, The Churn, Gods of Risk, The Vital Abyss, Strange Dogs, Auberon, and a new release, Memorys Legion.

March 15, 2022

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Interdependency trilogy comes a brand new standalone novel. Jamie Gray is a delivery driver in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic when a chance delivery connects him to an old acquaintance with a wild job protecting monster dinosaurs called Kaiju in an alternate dimension. But Jamie and his new team at the Kaiju Preservation Society arent the only ones who can enter the Kaijus territory, and careless opposing forces may cause millions back on Jamies Earth to die.

April 5, 2022

The author of Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel is back with another human-centered science fiction novel this time telling the story of a plague, interwoven through the lives of several characters, set across time and space. 18-year-old Edwin St. Andrew is an exile, traveling the Atlantic on a steamship. Olive Llewllyn is traveling through Earth on a book tour, though she is from the second moon colony, to promote her best-selling pandemic novel. And a detective in Night City, Gaspery-Jacques Roberts, is investigating the North American wilderness, where he finds mysteries that might upend their entire way of life.

April 19, 2022

In the sequel to 2020s epic fantasy Black Sun, Roanhorse takes readers back to the shattered city of Tova where strange alliances form under the threat of gathering enemies. Sea captain Xiala finds herself allied with the Prince of Knives while the now living avatars Serapio and Naranpa struggle for free will within their new identities. A new order is rising and all must learn to navigate a world with living legends.

April 19, 2022

Janelle Mone is already a multi-hyphenate. In 2018, the Grammy Award nominated artist released her excellent album Dirty Computer, which was accompanied by a science fiction visual album, which she called an emotion picture. The Memory Librarian is a collection of short speculative fiction, from Black women and Black non-binary writers.

April 26, 2022

If you would rather watch a princess kill a prince than marry one, T. Kingfishers latest is for you. In order to save her sister from the abusive prince shes been married off to, Marra must complete three seemingly impossible tasks. But of course, building a dog of bones and sewing a cloak of nettles is only the beginning. With a cast of strange companions she meets along the way a reluctant fairy godmother, a grave witch, and her familiar, a disgraced knight Marra must find the courage to overthrow the crown and save her sister.

May 3, 2022

Having enthralled young adult readers for decades, Holly Black makes the much anticipated leap to adult dark fantasy with Book of Night. Follow Charlie Halls straight path through the crooked magical underbelly of the Berkshires while she tries to make up for past mistakes. Formerly a magical thief and lock-pick, Charlie is a dive bartender hoping to keep herself and her sister Posey out of trouble. But Poseys boyfriend is keeping secrets and when Charlies past catches up with her, shes thrown back into the chaotic and dangerous world she tried to leave behind.

May 3, 2022

Jump back into Tchaikovskys space opera with Eyes of the Void, the follow up to last years Shards of Earth. The planet-killing Architects have returned threatening life across the galaxy, and throwing human colonies into disarray. Only the Intermediaries, who can communicate with the Architects and who helped avoid catastrophe 80 years ago stand between humanity and complete annihilation. Idris, an Intermediary who attempted to start a new life, may hold the key to saving humanity. But it will come at the cost of plunging into unspace: the terrifying, chilling frontier that has broken other minds.

May 10, 2022

Luli Wei is desperate to be a star, but not so desperate shell play a maid. Trying to make it in pre-Code Hollywood, Luli knows how cutthroat the industry is to people who look like her. So when she discovers that Hollywood is run on a system of ancient magic and blood bargains, shell do whatever it takes for the steep price of fame. Written by Nghi Vo, author of The Empress of Salt and Fortune, Siren Queen is a fantastical exploration of an outsider finding success on her own terms.

June 7, 2022

Joey and Rudra are two very different people. She is the Reality Controller for South Asias fastest rising celebrity who also happens to be her ex. He is a wealthy recluse estranged from his family, seeking refuge in video games and his immigrant neighbors lives. As each continues to make the best decision they can in a world of lesser evils, they quickly become enmeshed in multiple conspiracies. Resistance, for these two contrasting heroes, will look vastly different to each. The City Inside is a near-future epic set in Delhi that offers hope in the face of mounting anxieties about the government, the environment, and our world at large.

June 21, 2022

The final installment in the epic silkpunk fantasy series by Ken Liu has arrived. Beginning immediately after the events of The Veiled Throne, readers land back in the middle of two wars, following familiar characters as they enter their final act.

Princess Thra wrestles with her ancestral dream as she runs across the continent from Lyucu pursuers, asking herself how to conquer the unconquerable. In the city of Dara, Empress Jia, Prince Phyro, and Pkyu Tanvanaki must navigate changing visions of the future while struggling against the genocidal Lyucu. On both sides of the Wall of Storms, mortals hearts will determine the fate of two empires on the brink.

July 12, 2022

Readers return to Panga with Sibling Dex and Mosscap as they explore the villages and cities of the moon they call home in the follow up to Becky Chambers solarpunk novella A Psalm for the Wild-Built. The monk and the robot continue their quest for answers, learning more about one anothers cultures, while making new friends and experiencing the entropic nature of the universe. This meditative series continues Chambers reputation for writing contemplative but hopeful books.

July 12, 2022

The sequel to AC Wises adult, feminist retelling of Peter Pan, Hooked follows Captain James Hook, the immortal pirate, 22 years after his escape from Neverland. James discovers that Peter Pans monster has found him again, this time in London, but a chance encounter with Wendy Darling gives James the help he needs to vanquish Pans monster even if he must return to playing the villain for a final time.

Aug. 16, 2022

Tasha Suri brings readers a new entry in the Burning Kingdoms trilogy with The Oleander Sword. Malini is the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa, but even with a prophecy and an army by her side, deposing her brother will not be easy. Priya, thrice born priestess, Elder of Ahiranya, wants to see Parijatdvipa rid of its poisonous rule and the plague eating away at all living things across the country. Both Malini and Priya chose divergent paths, and although their intertwined souls will bring them back together to save their kingdom, the cost will be great.

Aug. 23, 2022

In the mid-1800s, Babel is the worlds center for translation and magic, including silver working, where lost translations are given meaning via enchanted silver bars. Hosting this center has made the British empire unparalleled in their quest for continued colonization. When Robin Smith, a Chinese orphan raised in Britain, joins Babel as a translator, he wrestles with serving the organization and betraying his motherland. He is caught between Babel and the Hermes Society, an organization aiming to stop imperial expansion. Soon, Robin will have to decide which side he will take.

September 13, 2022

Muir is back with another installment of her sharp-witted, queer, gothic, space-set necromancer series. Theres nothing else like it and nothing quite as acidic and propulsive. In Nona the Ninth, Nona just wants to live a normal life but the last Cohort facility is hemmed in by Blood of Eden forces, and Nona might have to be the weapon that saves them from the Nine Houses.

Sept. 27, 2022

The conclusion to Noviks Scholomance trilogy takes El out of the deadly magic schools halls, and into the wider world. But the celebration is short lived though she, and her friends, saved most of the schools students during their mad dash to escape the maw-mouths, she must return to save the one who remains locked in. Noviks version of magical education is deadly, thrilling, and violent and this final book will bring it all to a close.

Correction: This story previously stated the new Star Wars: The High Republic book was The Rising Storm. The list has been updated with the correct info.

See original here:
The big new science fiction and fantasy books coming out in 2022 - Polygon

When Gal Gadot was cast as the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra VII, it created a lot of controversy, but in the latest issue of InStyles February Badass Women issue, Gadot spoke about what this new film will highlight about the ancient ruler.

I cant reveal a lot, but I can tell you that were going to celebrate the Cleopatra story, Gadot told InStyle. Were going to show not just how sexy and appealing she was, but how strategic and smart, and how much impact she had and still has on the world were living in today.

The actress added, Ive watched all the Cleopatra movies throughout history, but I feel like were telling the story the world needs to hear now.

Kari Skogland will replace Patty Jenkins as the director of the project, but the latter will still be producing the film, maintaining that working relationship between Gadot and Jenkins.

Many people felt conflicted about Gal Gadot playing the Egyptian queen, rehashing long-running conversations about the race/ethnicity of Cleopatra. Historically, as far as we know, Cleopatra was of Greek heritage, specifically Macedonian, because she was part of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which was installed after the colonization of Egypt by Alexander the Great.

There has been some speculation as to whether Cleopatras mother was Cleopatra VI Tryphaena or someone else who was a woman of color. Personally, from the research Ive read, Cleopatra was likely just Greek.

In response to all this discussion, Gadot said, First of all, if you want to be true to the facts then Cleopatra was Macedonian. We were looking for a Macedonian actress that could fit Cleopatra. She wasnt there, and I was very passionate about Cleopatra.

I have friends from across the globe, whether theyre Muslims or Christian or Catholic or atheist or Buddhist, or Jewish of course, Gadot continued. People are people, and with me I want to celebrate the legacy of Cleopatra and honor this amazing historic icon that I admire so muchYou know, anybody can make this movie and anybody can go ahead and do it. Im very passionate that Im going to do my own too.

What some have said is that despite Cleopatra being likely Greek, casting an Egyptian/Arabic actress would have still been a great opportunity for an actress of that background.

Regardless, at this point, I think while Gal is a gorgeous woman and has a presence onscreen, she has not proven herself to be an actress with enough range to be able to translate into a woman with as much legacy and interesting nuance as Cleopatra. Maybe shell surprise us? We will have to see. But you know, smart and sexy Cleopatra. How groundbreaking.

(via Variety, image: Warner Bros.)

Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!

The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.

Have a tip we should know? [emailprotected]

See the rest here:
Gal Gadot Claims Cleopatra Movie Is the Story We Need Now - The Mary Sue

Science fiction as a literary genre has seen tremendous transformation in the last centuryespecially in the English speaking world. The genrebeloved of young and adults alikehas witnessed growth and popularity. While some novelists like H.G. Wells and Issac Asimov are considered geniuses of the genre, others like Phillip K. Dick and Frank Herbert have gradually established themselves as the greatest.

In this week's Sunday special,Rising Kashmir'ssub-editorIrfan Mehrajlists some of the best science fiction novels one can read in the ongoing winterespecially when it's snowing. Winter in Kashmir is long and harsh. To be able to curl up in a blanket and have your imagination take you to places is a pleasure rarely enjoyed in any other season. The novels in the list mostly belong to the popular category of fiction published in the last 100 years or so.

1. The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

Published at the turn of the century in 1898, the novel by the celebrated English novelist H. G. Wells hassince its publicationattained a cult status in the literary world. The novel first appeared in a serialized form in a magazine. The novel tells the classic sci-fi tale of the conflict between humans and extra-territorial beings. Told in the first-person narrative of two unnamed protagonists in England as the country is invaded by Martians. In its over two centuries of being in print, the novel is the most written about and cited science fiction novel to date. Such is its popularity, the novel has never been out of print and several films, dramas, comic books, and TV serials have been made on the plot of the book. The novel is a must-read for all science fiction lovers and for those looking to develop an interest in the genre.

2. Dune by Frank Herbert

Frank Herbert's brilliant novel Dune is the best-selling science fiction novel of all time. So much so, the entire Dune series is considered to be among the classics of the genre. The idea of the novel came to Herbert when he was supposed to write a magazine article on sand dunes in the Oregon Dunes near Florence, Oregon, United States. As was his style, the author got very involved and ended up with more material than was needed for the magazine article. The novel originated when he was supposed to do a magazine article on sand dunes in the Oregon Dunes near Florence, Oregon. He became too involved and ended up with far more raw material than needed for an article. As luck would have itHerbert never wrote the magazine article but instead the idea germinated into what later became Dune. The novel was published in 1965. It became an instant hit upon its publication and won several awards. Today, the Dune series has the distinction of being the single-most best selling science fiction of all time. In 2021, the movie was adapted to a major Hollywood picture directed by Denis Villeneuve.

3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Published in 1818, the novel by Mary Shelley has earned fame beyond measure. No list of best-ever science fiction books can miss this one. The author started writing this gothic thriller when she was only 18 years old and over two centuries later, the novel she wrote is still hailed as a masterpiece. The novel tells the story of a scientist Dr Frankestein who creates a monster with a scientific experiment and is horrified at what he has made. The novel is a classic horror and science-fiction brought together for epic effect. One of the important lessons drawn from the story is that just because one can doesn't mean one should and perhaps should sufficiently describe the present breakneck technological madness we are witnessing.

4. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

American novelist Ray Bradbury published the novel in 1950. Ever since it was published, the novel has never been out of print and has been a raging successwith several cinematic adaptations to its name. The novel is an episodic novel and is considered the author's best work. It's a relatively short novel and tells the epic story of the colonization of Mars by humans who are fleeing the soon-to-destroyed Earth. The novel is a classic American science fiction novel that delves into the theme of post-war America dealing with a technologically advanced future.

5. The Time Machine by H. G. Wells

The second novel by H. G. Wells, the Time Machine is a genre-bending novel that has spawned hundreds of spin-offs and adaptations since its publication in 1895. It's a novella but with great depth. It is considered the first novel to popularize the concept of time travel. Set in England, the novel tells the story of a scientist who develops a machine that can move him forwards and backwards in time. What follows is an exciting adventure.

6. I, Robot by Issac Asimov

Published in 1950, the novel is regarded as the American novelist Issac Asimov's most widely read and well-known work. Considered one of the greatest science fiction novels, the novel is prescient in its predictions of the future. It's a must-read for our time as we enter a world completely dominated by technology. The stories in the novel explore the theme of the moral and ethical implications of humankind's ever greater push for technology. The novel has influenced not only many other great science fiction writers but also scientists as well.

7. The Man in the High Castle by Phillip K. Dick

This novel by American novelist Phillip K. Dick changed his career. He would write under different pen names but after the publication of this alternative-history novel in 1962, Dick earned massive acclaimand won the Hugo Award for Best Novel. The novel tells the alternate story of the Axis PowersGermany and Japan winning the Second World War. It takes place in the partitioned United States of Americaruled by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan and is as intriguing as any other novel on this list. The novel has earned worldwide acclaim for the author. The novel was recently adapted into a Television series by Amazon Prime.

8. 2001: A Space Odyssey

British science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke wrote his celebrated novel 2001: A Space Odyssey concurrently with Stanley Kubrick's film of the same name. Both were instant hits and are rightly featured as some of the greatest science fiction ever written and filmed. The novel tells the story of an astronaut who embarks on a dangerous mission that takes him far into outer space and brings him into contact with an alien race. The novel was written even before the man set foot on the Moon. The novel explores what such an exploration would mean for humankind. It's definitely a novel no science fiction lover can afford to miss.

9. Neuromancer by William Gibson

Published in 1984, the novel by American-Canadian Willam Gibson has won many awards and is regarded today as the classic of the science fiction genre. It is set in a dystopian Japanese underworld, the novel touches upon aspects of futuristic technology and its impact on the human race. The novel is simply unputdownable. The central character of the novel is hacker-turned-junkie Henry Case as he is in the midst of pulling off a job that is as futuristic as anything written at that time. The novel was Gibson's debut novel and has the distinction of winning all three great science fiction awards the Nebula Award, the Philip K. Dick Award, and the Hugo Award. It's the only novel with that distinction.

10. Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

Robert A. Heinlein is a well-regarded science fiction writer of his generation. His novel Starship Troopers is one of the most popular and controversial books. It's a military sci-fi novel. Heinlein is said to have written the book in response to the United State's decision to halt their nuclear tests. The book has been called to glorify the military and tells the story of a group of soldiers who are undergoing rigorous training in order to fight aliens in the Bug War. While it has been criticized for its overt glorification of the military, the book is still one of the most important science fiction novels of the last century.

More:
Best science fiction novels to read this winter - Rising Kashmir

This is the latest in our series on underrated destinations, It's Still a Big World.

A day in Zihuatanejo starts before dawn. With bolillos de requesn (a salty Mexican cheese spread served on a fresh roll) and black coffee in front of the gas station at 6 a.m.

Under a moonless sky, the morning creeps in. Everything looks low-res in the limininal hours and we board a fiberglass panga boat as the sun begins to separate the water from the sky.

The fishermen are already coming in. They leave at sunset and return as the sun rises, on scant and efficient motorboats that will break your ass if youre sitting down and catch a wave the wrong way. They bring back tuna, mahi mahi, and red snapper.

My guide, Arturo Melln Mandujano, has been working on humpback whale research trips for years, south of Zihua in the small enclave of Barra de Potos, known for its fish and its surf. The warm waters of Guerreros coast here, roughly four hours north of Acapulco, are an ideal location for humpbacks to breed, and the seas fill with them in the winter, as well as sometimes the orcas that hunt humpback calves. Pelicans dive into the water surrounding our tiny craft as we move into the lagoon of Potos. Once breakfast has been caught, they sit at the tops of bright green mangroves, alongside high-soaring frigates and the seemingly impermeable cormorant; all warm under the golden orb sun which down here hits so hard the night barely has time to shake it off before its back up again.

When the sun creeps a few fingers above the mountains, we leave the tranquil waters of Laguna de Potos and head for open swell. I stand so I dont crack a vertebra as we thrash into the fury of Pacific waves racing toward the lagoon.

The dolphins find us quickly. They are swift and joyful. A lone Pacific Ridley sea turtle swims by; I am always so surprised to see them on the surface, even though its normal.

I didnt grow up on the tropical seas, and no matter how many times I go out on a boat in these waters, I am always amazed by the marine world as if it were the first time. And I always get a case of the tides. The Spanish word for seasick (mareado/a) comes from the word for tides (mareas).

I breathe into the steadiness of what I can see from here: Guerreros imposing, green mountains and secret beaches, and islands that jut out of the infinite, alive and never-still blue existence beneath me. In these moments of everythingness and nothingness, the world is mine.

And I am something else. Something that is too great to be judged or measured. Something that belongs to the forces of the wild. There is no time in Barra de Potos. Only the movements of the tides, the ferocity of the sun and the refuge of the moon.

Back at the beach in Barra de Potos, I am greeted with fresh-caught huachinango, fried and also baked in chile sauce, guacamole, fresh tortillas and coconut water at Enramada Leticia, as the waves frequently consume the sand beneath our feet, and women wander past the tables selling seashell necklaces and loose cigarettes. This spot belongs to Arturos family, from where they rent kayaks and offer tours of the lagoon and the open swell.

Ive come here seeking a low-key place to relax as I struggle with a health condition that appears to be difficult to diagnose. Zihuatanejo had called to me like many people looking to escape. I wanted a place where I wouldnt be hassled or hustled, where the culinary traditions remain strong, where the people are proud and the natural world is seen as a companion, not something to exterminate. And I found it.

A place to wander and a culinary haven

At Marisquera Leo, which as the name suggests is a place for seafood delicacies, the owner will tell you that everything is great but the service. He has been fishing for goose barnacles (or percebes) for more than 50 years. His charming and rustic restaurant overlooks the bay from a distance, set back into the neighborhoods that climb the citys hills.

A delicacy in Spain, goose barnacles live naturally on the sides of the sea where fierce tides crash into jagged volcanic rock, making the fishing process so hazardous it leaves Leo next to zero competition. Worth a small fortune in the Iberian peninsula, percebes can be had for locals' prices at his restaurant overlooking the bay.

I tried the seaweed salad, the tuna sashimi and the percebes, of course, washing it down with a bottle of Taxco mineral water and lime and salt. Hydration is something to take into constant consideration in these parts.

Coming down from Leos hill, into the sun-blazed bay of Zihuatanejo, I watch as hundreds of fishermen leave when the sun begins to sink. The beach in front of Paseo de Pescador is filled with boats, and people preparing their coolers for the nighttime catch.

And while Zihuatanejo is a paradise for seafood lovers, it is also the home to three stellar vegan restaurants.

At La Casita Ecovegana, I dined on pozole (a Mexican corn stew, in this case with mushrooms rather than pork) and enfrijoladas, tortillas doused in a flavorful black bean sauce. The agua fresca, or fresh fruit water, was flowing that day and the outdoor picnic table seating made for the perfect relaxed ambience.

Finding a quality vegan restaurant in a Mexican beach town is not a given, and to find three is something special. EntreZankas (Zanka being a colloquial term for people from Zihua) and La Raz de la Tierra in neighboring resort town Ixtapa. Theres also a weekly organic market downtown where local farmers and producers bring all kinds of fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as homemade healthy foods. Eating vegan in Mexico can mean eating pre-Columbian, before massive trade with Europe and Asia altered the cuisine of the Americas, and vice versa, for ever more.

Later that night, I stopped by Angustina Mezcal y Cocina for a sampling of mezcal from their wide variety of menu items, and a few delicious eats such as zucchini and cheese tamales and tlayudas, a giant, fresh corn tortilla filled with smoked meat, cheese and vegetables

The mezcal was a highlight, as would be with any trip to Guerreroa state renowned for its take on this smoky agave intoxicant. Whether infused with cardamom, bottled with a scorpion or simply the Cupreata, a rare agave species native to the highlands of Guerrero, the effect is the same. A warming sensation, bordering at times a hallucinogenic trip. Guerreran mezcal is special.

Before calling it a night, I stroll along the newly renovated malecn, where people jog, lovers stroll and kids on skateboards and rollerblades playfully race alongside La Playa Principal.

The lights of Zihuatanejo shimmy across the waters, from Playa Las Gatas (accessible by boat) and from Playa La Ropa, where Andy Dufresne famously worked on his boat after escaping prison in The Shawshank Redemption, a famous Stephen King novel and box-office film based on said bestseller.

Even though the famous last scene of the movie wasnt even shot here, mention the name Zihuatanejo to any movie buff and theyll know exactly what youre referring to; perhaps more a feeling than a place. But what they may not know is that it is a real place with a great deal of history and lore of its own.

Into the blazing light

In the mornings, the fishermen return tired. Cigarette smoke lingers on a scorching summer morning as dozens of people come to the market, buying fish from the many vendors.

Not many women go out fishing, this is a job that has been strictly delineated by binary gender. But women dominate the selling and buying. They take the fish to their homes or to the many restaurants, markets and hotels in the Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa area.

Around downtown Zihuatanejo are sculptures and murals dedicated to the regions women. The name Zihuatanejo comes from Nahuatl and can be translated to land of adorned women in honor of the jade, shell and obsidian jewels that women would have worn in pre-Columbian times. Another legend tells of goddesses that would rise in the afternoon to guide the sun into the realm of the dead each night.

The rest of downtown is nearly silent this early. The bars wont open for several hours. People wash the sidewalks outside their homes and businesses, as the heat of the day begins to overthrow the misty morning calm.

The fish market begins to wind down by 9 a.m. and across the walkway, Magdaleno Flores a collector of handmade masks from across the Mexican state of Guerrero, is opening up his shop, Arte Objeto (at Paseo del Pescador #9). Stepping into his store is akin to stepping into a museum of indigenous, Afromestizo and other forms of Mexican art.

Each mask has a different significance, some of them are used for dances, battles, ceremonies and other festivities. Others are for decoration. Others are for protection. Many are highly religious in a synchronistic relationship between Catholicism, Mesoamerican and African cosmologies. Some still are simply representative of the times and popular culture, even resembling an extraterrestrial antagonist from a Hollywood blockbuster.

Many of the artisan villages are nestled deep in the sidewinding mountains of Guerrero, requiring a 10-hour bus trip east of Zihua, through territory that is currently marked by insecurity due to the international drug war.

Flores used to make the trip regularly to buy directly from artisans, but the threat of violence has prevented him from doing so for the past three years. A painter himself, Magdaleno also sells works of his own design such as the canoe depicted in the final image.

"We are Catholic, Flores says. The Nahua religion, the indigenous communities are very religious. For that reason, the festivities that they do often are representative of the fight between the Devil and Archangel Michael: the battle between good and evil."

The mask of a tecuan, in this case a tiger, is made of cow skin leather, painted by hand with natural pigments from various endemic flora. The mask is protected by a lacquer made from chia seeds, which are a common crop in the region. Tecuanes in Guerrero are associated with shapeshifting as well as with deities. Other masks are made of coconut shells and various types of wood. Horse and boar hair is also used to complete the design.

"The leather is very hard and very rigid, but they have a trick. The first time they use it, they drink mezcal and blow it into the center of the mask. It makes it very flexible."

The festivities for which this mask was made, specifically in Xalitla, Guerrero, take place in August and are an offering to the gods to ensure healthy crops.

As is common throughout much of Mexico, each village has its patron saint which is honored through food, dance and community festivities, which sometimes include orchestrated battles that fight with the goal of bleeding.

Guerrero, afterall, is the Spanish word for warrior.

Above the shop, Flores wife, Christina Rodriguez, operates a shelter for street dogs and cats, where people can volunteer to walk the dogs, or of course, take one home.

In the house of warriors

On my last day in Zihuatanejo, I had a situation. Although the early June heat was intense even at 9 a.m., my body began to overreact.

As I toured the beautiful, waterfront Museo Arqueolgico de la Costa Grande, learning about the history of the areas original peoples and also the tragic events of colonization, including the slave trade industry, I began to feel overwhelmed by heat. I struggled to hang on, to breathe, to sit down, but couldnt shake the discomfort. I had to ask for help.

I approached Liliana Pineda Nieto, assistant to the museums director. I was invited into the air conditioned office and offered a bottle of water as Liliana graciously fanned me with my palm-leaf sunhat and applied a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol to the back of my neck (a local trick for helping with symptoms of heat stroke). Pineda Nieto is a professional folklore dancer who attends folkloric dance conferences across the country. Being in her presence was a delight.

When I was feeling well enough, I figured it would be a good idea to eat something and the one restaurant that had been most highly recommended to me by locals and foreigners alike, Camelitas Caf, seemed like the best option.

I was greeted by owner Carmelita Ramrez, and two of her children, Paco Gonzlez and Carmen Gonzlez, pastry chef at the splendid Rol Coqueto.

I told them about my situation and received a traditional Mexican suero: an ultra hydrating drink consisting of lime juice, salt, baking soda and honey. Within a half hour, I felt well enough to engage in conversation with Carmelita and her family, and was able to dive into the tremendous spread that Carmelita had recommended for me.

While I wasnt able to finish everything, I was fortunate enough to sample a variety of dishes, most of which are unique to Guerrero. My favorite was pork ribs and country soup with corn, squash and plantain. Its amazing what a good, home-cooked meal can do for a person.

About a month after returning to Mexico City, I would receive a diagnosis of a chronic illness, likely brought on by the natural aging process and also pandemic stress. I was in a crisis, and these incredible people came to my aid. While I recover, I dream of the next, and hopefully much longer - as in months - time I will spend in Zihuatanejo.

Where to stay

In Ixtapa:

Cala del Mar Resort & Spa is a classy resort with breathtaking views, seated atop a cliff overlooking the rocky Pacific shore. Excellent sashimi, room service, superb obsidian stone massage, plunge pools and chic minimalist design make this one of Zihuatanejoss most luxurious stays.

In Zihuatanejo:

Get a room with a hammock and a private pool at La Casa que Canta and call it a life. This opulent hotel overlooks the entire bay of Zihuatanejo and all the activity therein, with epic sunset viewing to boot. It is within walking distance of the citys downtown beaches and restaurants.

In downtown Zihuatanejo:

This area became popular in the 1950s, and much of the architecture in the older hotels lean toward a preserved retro style. To stay in the heart of it all, Hotel Casa de la Palma Bed & Breakfast, offers balconies and a pool to retreat from after a day of wandering around the city.

In Barra de Potos:

Hacienda la Rusa is a romantic, palm-thatch-roofed Mexican villa steps away from a lengthy beachfront and a devastating view of the Guerreran coast. This bed and breakfast is within walking distance of the small town of Barra de Potosi for activities and snacks , and would be the place to go and forget about literally everything.

North along the coast:

Love everything you read above but dont want to stay near the city? ZIhuatanejo is the jumping off point for exploring Guerreros northernmost beaches such as nearby surfing hotspot Troncones and into the lush and nearly unpopulated beaches of Michoacn.

Megan Frye is an independent journalist and translator living in Mexico City. She has a history of newsroom journalism as well as nonprofit administration and works with international and Mexican publications.

The rest is here:
This Pacific Coast Mexican Town Is Always the Perfect Escape - Daily Beast

Reading time: 2 minutes detected futuristic

The conquest of space is the dream of many people and scientific progress brings us closer to this saga every year. But it may be more dangerous than we imagine. Future space colonists may already have difficulties providing food, which could lead them to resort to cannibalism. This possibility was pointed out by Professor of Astrobiology at the University of Edinburgh, Charles Cockell, in interview with metro.

It lists the challenges astronauts would face if humans attempted to colonize places such as Jupiters moon, Callisto, and Saturns moon Titan. Charles Cookeil points out that if the imagined devices of farming and farming failed, the food supply would depend solely on food from planet Earth. But if settlers are too far away or if the land collapses completely that scenario becomes out of the question.

Charles as an agent does not seek to panic anyone and his warning is based on a story dating back to 1845. At the time, Sir John Franklins crew He goes on an arctic exploration mission and tries Look for a way to the northwest of the globe, [naviguant] On boats from the end of the nineteenth centurye century which turned out to contain the most advanced technology of that timeThe astronomer explains. They had canned food [une innovation en 1845] But they got lost, stranded and engaged in cannibalism between them to survive.

With his dark anticipation, Charles as an agent wants to send a warning message. Farming systems will need to be tested and improved on places like the Moon or Mars before space colonization begins. If you throw twenty people hundreds of millions of miles from Earth into a lethal environment instantly on the surface of the moon, you better be sure that it will work, He recommends, Because if it doesnt, it will collapse very quickly.

Organizer. Social media geek. General communicator. Bacon scholar. Proud pop culture trailblazer.

See the article here:
Space colonization can lead to cannibalism - theinformant.co.nz

China last month lodged a protest at the UN, accusing American billionaire Elon Musks SpaceX of irresponsible and unsafe behavior in space and of twice forcing its Tiangong space station to take evasive action.

Days earlier, it was the US that was complaining about a Russian military exercise that involved blowing up a satellite in orbit. Washington said that the debris created as a result of the explosion was spread over too large an area and included too many pieces large enough to harm other objects.

SpaceX is one of the latest and most sizable entrants to the space business. It has launched 2,000 satellites to form a constellation that provides global coverage of communications, among other services. It has also launched missions into space and plans to eventually embark on a manned mission to the moon for the state-owned NASA. The fierce rival of SpaceX is Blue Origin, owned by another American billionaire, Jeff Bezos, which is also fighting to establish itself as the leader, at least in the US, in all things space.

The list of private entrepreneurs aiming to carve out a piece of space for themselves, their companies or their customers is long and getting longer by the year, as more and more ambitious people from other nations join in. Meanwhile, some of the governments of small nations with deep pockets have set up their own space missions.

While space is big enough, most of the interest right now is in a limited area close to Earths orbit, leading to overcrowding. There are already thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of satellites and debris from older satellites, rockets and other human-made objects circling the Earth.

This belt around the Earth is certain to become even more cluttered, as hundreds of satellite launches are scheduled around the world over the next few years. Until now, space has always been about first come, first served or finders keepers, without any global regulation on how it will be utilized. Little wonder, then, that only rich or militarily and politically important countries have established a presence in space, with a vast majority of the 193 members of the UN having no role to play.

While space is big enough, most of the interest right now is in a limited area close to Earths orbit, leading to overcrowding.

Ranvir S. Nayar

Of the 3,372 active satellites as of Jan. 1, more than half 1,897 belong to the US, 412 to China, 197 to Russia and the rest are shared around the world. Meanwhile, of the 24,943 human-made objects ever put into orbit, the US, the former Soviet bloc, China, the UK and Japan account for the bulk. Algeria and South Africa are the only African nations to have a satellite in space, while none of the small island developing states have one.

With the increasing number of launches, more incidents like those involving SpaceX and the Russian test are likely. Moreover, smaller and poorer countries are likely to be denied the chance to use space for their own purposes for a long time, if not forever, as other nations and private firms carve out chunks for themselves.

It is high time that the UNs Outer Space Treaty got some regulatory teeth to control the number of launches each country can have. And that figure has to include all the satellites launched by governments, private companies, universities and nongovernmental organizations in each country. Perhaps, under the aegis of the UN, the global community could agree on a quota earmarking exclusive rights to space for either individual countries or regional multilateral bodies like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the EU, Arab League, African Union and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

Alternatively, since the wherewithal for space research and exploitation is currently restricted to just a few nations, the global community could discuss and work toward a treaty governing the use of space and how to distribute the benefits of any research or activity fairly to all countries.

Just as there is a treaty even if it is only partially effective regulating each nations maritime exclusive economic zones, it is important to have similar restrictions imposed in space to ensure that it is protected for posterity and every single human, rather than allowing rampant and uncontrolled colonization by those who can afford it and who have the capabilities. Space, just like the atmosphere, belongs to every living being and it is important to ensure that everyone has equal and fair access to it.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point-of-view

See the rest here:
Space: It's getting too crowded up there - Arab News

Books Alex Wong/Getty Images, File

Readers, get ready.

Another year chock-full of absorbing nonfiction, captivating fiction, and arresting poetry is before us, according to local booksellers.

To get the scoop on the titles that shouldnt be missed among the abundance of new reads, we asked staff members at Harvard Book Store, Brookline Booksmith, Frugal Bookstore, Trident Booksellers & Caf, and Porter Square Books to share the books they are most looking forward to in 2022.

Ahead, the 23 reads the booksellers say not to sleep on as the new year kicks off.

Rachel Cass, a book buyer at Harvard Book Store, recommends picking up this fun debut novel, which follows Olga, a wedding planner for the elite families of Manhattan. While the story touches on the feelings of a modern society novel, it also delves into her relationship with her family; she is the daughter of Puerto Rican revolutionaries and her brother is a congressman. The book becomes about family and community and career and love and politics, and the way that all of those things are tied up together and intertwined in real peoples lives, Cass said.

This memoir by the Pulitzer Prize-winning New Yorker writer about finding and losing things in life is one that several staff members at Harvard Book Store, including Cass, are excited to pick up in the new year. The book is told in three sections. One focuses on the death of Schulzs father, another speaks to her meeting and falling in love with the woman she eventually marries, and the third part examines living in the space between those life events. I love her writing because its really personal and intimate and shes also just one of the smartest writers that I have read, Cass said. Shes just incredibly erudite and can pull in lots of different kinds of text, so its a really unusual and really beautiful memoir.

The new novel from the author of A Little Life is also causing a lot of excitement, according to Alie Hess, head buyer at Brookline Booksmith. The story is divided into three sections, following characters in an alternate version of 1893 America, 1993, and 2093. Hess said the novel examines loneliness, family, and what power does to people. She weaves these three stories together in just an amazing way, Hess said.

Clarrissa Cropper Egerton, co-owner of Frugal Bookstore, is looking forward to the release of this novel. The story follows 30-something Yinka, an Oxford-educated, British Nigerian woman, whose Nigerian aunties are constantly asking her when she will be married. Its not quite a romance novel, according to Cropper Egerton, but it follows Yinka as she searches for a date to her cousins wedding and balances traditional expectations and her modern beliefs about love. Shes in the middle of these two different cultures, of being Nigerian, but also British, Cropper Egerton said.

Hess said not to miss this memoir by the author whose novel Girl, Woman, Other won the 2019 Booker Prize. In it, Evaristo delves into her life and work and being the daughter of a Nigerian father and a white Catholic mother. Shes really just literally writing about how she didnt see any books that told her story or in her world, and she wanted books like that, Hess said. So she started writing And of course shes just an incredible writer. So I think [this] is going to be amazing.

Courtney Flynn, manager of Trident Booksellers & Caf, recommends picking up this novel, told through connected stories about an ancient plague that is dug up during an excavation in the Arctic Circle. The stories follow all the ways the pestilence has affected different parts of the world, families, and culture. The book is beautifully written, Flynn said. It talks about society as a whole [and] society within our units of our families. Its really tender and heartbreaking and beautiful.

This novel is one that Ellen Jarrett, a book buyer and an employee-owner at Porter Square Books, is anticipating. The story explores the lives that intersect at a womens clinic in Boston, where the heroine, Claudia, counsels patients. Jarrett said the clinic, Mercy Street, offers many of its patients a second chance in life. [Haigh] hasnt had a novel in quite a while, so it will be good to see something from her, Jarrett said.

One of the books Cropper Egerton suggests adding to your to be read pile is this work of historical fiction. The narrative follows what happens to two siblings after their mother dies and leaves them, as their inheritance, a traditional Caribbean black cake made from a family recipe. The siblings begin an exploration of their mothers history, piecing together her life in a journey that brings them closer. They find out so much about their mother, their family, and they are at odds against each other so it brings them back together, Cropper Egerton said.

If youre looking for some perceptive nonfiction composed with fun and wit, Flynn recommends this new book. In it, Klosterman turns his attention to the 90s, examining the era with a birds eye view. He talks about TV and music and film and sports, politics, Flynn said. And Im sure he does it in his clever, witty way, with an eye for humor and irony as well. So that one is going to be really fun.

The sequel to Black Leopard, Red Wolf isnt to be missed, according to Cropper Egerton. Often described as an African Game of Thrones, the latest installment of Jamess Dark Star trilogy is told from the perspective of Sogolon the Moon Witch, who refuses to bow to any man across a century-long feud. It talks about power, personality, Cropper Egerton said. It talks about sexism. Theres just so many different layers.

The new work of fiction by the author of The Buddha in the Attic and When the Emperor Was Divine is another example of Otsukas ability to write short, beautifully spare novels, Hess said. The story follows a group of people whose lives intersect at the public pool where they swim laps and what happens when a crack in the pool forces the facilitys closure. One of the swimmers is a woman who is on the verge of dementia and becomes lost with the pools closure. Her daughter comes in sort of too late and they have a very hard relationship So its painful, but spare Its really beautifully done, Hess said.

Cass said this novel is another that several staff members at Harvard Book Store are excited about, since its been several years since the authors debut work, Pond. The new story follows a young woman, who has a job as a checkout clerk and is learning to write. [She] is sort of learning how to turn her life, turn her observations about life into stories, while also sort of figuring out how to live in the world, Cass said.

Jarrett said this novel is another to add to the list in 2022. The story, inspired by the 2017 fall of Zimbabwes president Robert Mugabe, is about the demise of an oppressive regime and the chaos of revolution, presented in an uncannily recognizable anthropomorphic allegory, Jarrett said. In her bold, vividly imagined novel, animal voices call out the dangerous absurdity of contemporary global politics, Jarrett said. So its a totally original rendering of the illusory and transient character of power.

If nonfiction is more your tempo, Jarrett said to consider this new book by Kayyem, a local author who is a frequent commentator in the media due to her expertise organizing governmental responses to crises and disasters. She served as assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs at the Department of Homeland Security in the Obama administration and currently is a professor at Harvards Kennedy School of Government. In this new [book], she lays the groundwork for a new approach to dealing with an inevitable disaster before it hits, using anecdotal and real life examples she applies her seven steps for getting ahead of catastrophe, Jarrett said.

In Cains last book, Quiet, she examined the idea that introverts may have more to say than society gives them credit for. In her new work of nonfiction, the author turns her attention to talking about grief and sorrow and how those experiences are useful to our lives, Flynn said. She does a great job of turning her eye to something and flipping on its head how those terrible times of grief can end up opening up our worlds to something more, she said.

Fans of A Visit from the Goon Squad will not want to miss this new novel, Hess said. In the new book, Egan has taken a few of the minor characters from her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and made them into the main characters. The story centers around a tech tycoon who creates a new technology Own Your Unconscious, which gives people access to every memory theyve ever had and the ability to share their memories in exchange for those belonging to others. Everyone, ironically, is looking for and desperately longing for real connection but using this fake way of doing it, Hess said. The story delves into the ramifications and how, as we know, certain tech giants or certain people can become so all-empowered, so just all powerful, Hess said.

Cass said this heist novel, based on the true story of Chinese artwork that was disappearing from Western art museums, is a fun read to look forward to. Its about colonization of art and repatriation of art and all of those issues, but it also sounds like its just going to be a really fun heist novel, she said. And a lot of it is also set in Boston and Cambridge, so I think that will have a lot of local interest, too.

Readers of St. John Mandels previous books will find this new novel of light dystopia a delight and those who havent read her work before will also highly enjoy it, Flynn said. The story is set in the past, the present, future, and further future, and includes some Easter eggs from The Glass Hotel and Station Eleven. Her writing is amazing; its quietly devastating, Flynn said. This book does include a pandemic, so theres this visceral reaction to that since were experiencing that ourselves. But she processes it in such an interesting way, and it was such a delight to read, even while being slightly sad and depressing. But the writing is just exquisite.

Both Jarrett and Hess say this poetry collection, Vuongs second, should be on your radar in 2022. In it, Vuong grapples with his grief following his mothers death and shifts through themes similar to those captured in his bestselling novel On Earth Were Briefly Gorgeous. Personal loss, the meaning of family, and the cost of being the product of an American war in America, Jarrett said. The poetry is just incredible and so moving, Hess said. Anyone can read it and cull from it what they need from it at that time, which I love because it really speaks to so many people across many aspects of life.

If youre looking for an uplifting read, Jarret recommends this forthcoming memoir. In it, Ephron, a bestselling novelist and screenwriter, delves into losing her sister, Nora Ephron, and husband, Jerry, in the space of a few years. In her grieving process, she wrote an op-ed for The New York Times, which caught the eye of a man named Peter, who was recently widowed himself. Now both in their 70s, he and Ephron had dated 50 years earlier. When she wrote this op-ed it precipitated them exchanging emails and then they finally met and a whirlwind romance ensued and they ended up getting married, Jarrett said. It was Ephrons second chance at love. It is a fun and rewarding read.

This novel is pure delight and quirky fun, according to Flynn. The narrative follows a young woman who returns to her small New Hampshire town from California. The golden child in her family, she returns to a family in disarray and as a medical school dropout. Her father has a degenerative disease that is causing him cognitive and physical issues, her brother is in recovery for addiction, and her mother is kind of checking out, Flynn said. Shes coming back to this crazy scenario and trying to put the pieces together, she said. Meanwhile, she needs her own pieces put together. Its a bit of a mystery as well. Her best friend has gone missing. So theres this thread of mystery that youre trying to figure out where she went.

Griffith is a beloved author by staff at Harvard Book Store, and Cass said everyone is excited about her new novella, a queer fantasy retelling of the legend of King Arthur. It sits in this space thats really popular right now of retelling ancient stories, ancient tales, ancient myths for modern audiences, Cass said. But Nicola Griffith is a really singular writer and she also is sort of a pioneer of crip lit. So shes sort of got all these unique takes on the world. So I think thats going to be a really interesting book.

Cropper Egerton said this memoir by the award-winning actress is one she cant wait for. In it, Davis delves into her life and career starting with her childhood in Rhode Island to the barriers shes broken in Hollywood. Shes very honest, shes very open So it just chronicles her journey and talks about her story at the beginning, where she started and where shes at now, Cropper Egerton said. And I think its a phenomenal story of her.

Editors note: John Henry, who owns Boston Globe Media Partners, is also a part-owner of Harvard Book Store.

Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com

See original here:
23 books to look out for in 2022, according to local experts - Boston.com

NASAs James Webb Space Telescope has lifted off! Its an exciting day for the space enthusiasts among us. And even if you arent as well versed in space exploration and discovery, the Webb Telescope has exciting potential that will impact all of us here on planet earth. News outlets have described the telescopes journey as a quest to the edge of time itself and scientists eagerly anticipate new data about the birth of the universe as the telescope flies into action.

Today were going to take a look at the details of the James Webb Telescope, what scientists anticipate this technology can accomplish, and what it might mean for us back here on Earths surface as we navigate challenging times on both global and local scales.

For as vast and expansive as our home galaxy is, our connections to each other and the questions that inspire these pursuits define our species and illuminate critical information and survival on this planet and beyond.

The James Webb Telescope (JWST) launched on Christmas morning December 25, 2021. At the same time when many children around the globe rushed to see what Christmas presents had landed from Santa in the night, the JWST lifted off from the Ariane 5. The launchpad is part of Europes spaceport located in Kourou, French Guiana. The rocket ignited and sent the telescope rocketing out of our atmosphere and into space. We are expecting to see the light from the first galaxies that formed some 100 [million], 200 million years after the Big Bang, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said in a recent briefing.

NASA developed the JWST in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency and the European Space Agency (ESA). The intention behind the JWST is that it will succeed and expand the Hubble Space Telescope, which has enchanted scientists and children alike for the last 30 years. The Hubble telescope succeeded in determining the age of our universe (13.8 billion years). It has helped scientists to discover two moons around pluto. The images from Hubble contributed to calculations on how fast the universe is expanding. It illuminated that almost every galaxy we have so far discovered has a black hole, anchoring its center. The JWST is the next step in these significant leaps in our cosmic understanding.

Even though JWST is intended to supersede Hubble, it is actually only half the size of the older space telescope. However, Webbs primary mirror is over 6 times larger than Hubbles. The mirror is 21 ft in diameter. Made of gold-coated beryllium reflector, it has 18 hexagonal mirrors. Scientists have designed the Webb Telescope in this way to provide improved infrared resolution of images and will also empower an exciting amount of new investigations in the fields of astrophysics, astronomy, and cosmology.

A critical design element of the telescope is its sunshield. The sunshield is important because the mirrors must be cold and out of the suns heat. It is designed to always block the mirrors from the sun, moon, and earth and will passively radiate the telescopes heat into space. The shield is made up of 5 layers. Each successive layer is cooler than the last. The vacuum created between each layer functions as insulation which disrupts the conduction of heat better than a single, large layer. Overall, the shield will protect the telescope so that the sensitive scientific instruments will be better able to detect infrared light from very distant and faint objects.

The Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) is the telescopes framework. It incorporates four scientific instruments as well as a guide camera. The four instruments are: the NIRCam (Near InfraRed Camera) which is an infrared imager; NIRSpec (Near InfraRed Spectrograph) will also perform spectroscopy over the same wavelength range; MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument) will measure the mid-to-long-infrared wavelength range from 5 to 27 m; and FGS/NIRISS (Fine Guidance Sensor and Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph) which will stabilize the light of sight of the telescopes observatory.

There is also a spacecraft bus a term which, if you grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s, may remind you of Mrs. Frizzle and her magic school bus, but is actually in reference to the primary support component of the telescope which will provide computing, communication, electrical power, propulsion and structural parts to the telescope as a whole.

These scientific instruments and frameworks add up into an incredible piece of space technology. This technology enables ongoing and yet-to-be-determined investigations and explorations that will include some very far-reaching elements of our universe. But what is it that were hoping to find in the far reaches of space, exactly? Aliens?

When Homo sapiens look up into the sky, we tend to ask big questions. What we seek up there in the stars can be an ineffable quandary but it can also be a scientific hypothesis. Telescopes have already empowered us to learn so much about our solar system. From the Aztec star charts, to 1600s Netherlands, to Galileo, and up to today, these discoveries have shaped our species and planted seeds of cosmic curiosity.

With the James Webb space telescope launch, there is a continued legacy of hopes, dreams, hypotheses, and explorations that become possible to undertake for us as a species. There are big questions to pursue as has been true in every decade of our evolution.

Examples specific to this telescope launch include the formation of first galaxies and the potential identification of habitable exoplanets and their atmospheres. We might be able to glimpse the first stars to light up the universe. The telescope will be able to observe black holes and quasars with unmatched sensitivity and detail possibly revealing the mysteries of their complex structures.

According to Nasa administrator Bill Nelson, JWST has the potential to open up the secrets of the universe. It can sound like a sci-fi novel to the uninitiated but it is real life, in the real world, floating in a real universe and fascinating mystery and astronomy principles. The first images from the Webb telescope are expected to arrive in summer 2022.

Obviously, the stakes are quite high as is anticipation. While we wait for the images of the telescope to come in, maybe we can take the time to ask: who is James Webb? And why did NASA and global collaborators choose to name this incredible telescope after him?

Webb ran the fledgling space agency, NASA, from 1961 1968 and is most linked to the Apollo space program of that era. To many, he is a government figure whose work balanced human curiosity and space flight with science. According to NASAs online site, Webb did more for science than perhaps any other government official and that it is only fitting that the Next Generation Space Telescope would be named after him. There has been controversy over Webbs legacy and potential involvement in the lavender scare that took place in NASAs history an assault on LGBTQ workers of which there is a continued need for reconciliation. NASA declined to change the name.

When NASA administrator Sean OKeefe announced the name of JWST, he explained that [James Webb] took our nation on its first voyages of exploration, turning our imagination into reality.

It is a striking moment in history. A telescope that can reach the ends of time, named for a man whose life work was dedicated to human curiosity and potential, launched on Christmas day in the midst of a harrowing global pandemic. 2021 was a year characterized by misinformation, ghastly politics, and crumbling social structures that we all depend upon and also, apparently, hope and optimism via telescope. Its a lot to take in.

The questions surrounding how we use our resources and who gets to decide is an emotional debate. We do not all agree and acute crisis surrounds all but the luckiest of our species. Billionaire business owners launch themselves into space while their workers contract a deadly virus from working in warehouses for wages that do not cover even the most basic living expenses. Where do space travel and space science fit into all of this? Especially when a project like JWST comes at a high cost, of course. The commissioning cost for the telescope swoops in at a whopping 8.8 billion dollars so far. Our dominant culture is coming around the fact that our resources are not infinite. Our planet has limitations that will demand our adherence, one way or another.

The Webb Telescope isnt some impulsive whimsey of spending and space colonization. This technology has been in the works since the 1980s. This telescope and observatory have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe and better inform our understanding of how our planet and our species fit into that cosmic web.

And boy, do we ever need some perspective. As the omicron variant rages through our communities we will all answer these philosophical and tangible debates according to our lived experiences and value systems. Maybe the James Webb Space Telescope, in addition to illuminating certain astronomy and cosmology theories, might also apply to our mundane, everyday lives. What does it mean to turn our imaginations into reality? How might our own planet look if we were able to cultivate connective relationships and a shared curiosity?

More:
Lift Off! The James Webb Telescope Is Headed to Space - Earth.com