The Moon's North Pole

This image of the moon’s north polar region was taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, or LROC. One of the primary scientific objectives of LROC is to identify regions of permanent shadow and near-permanent illumination. Since the start of the mission, LROC has acquired thousands of Wide Angle Camera images approaching the north pole. From these images, scientists produced this mosaic, which is composed of 983 images taken over a one month period during northern summer. This mosaic shows the pole when it is best illuminated, regions that are in shadow are candidates for permanent shadow.

The left square, labelled “world,” is around the size of Austria. If that area were covered in solar thermal power plants, it could produce enough electricity to meet world demand. The area in the center would be required to meet European demand. The one on the right corresponds to Germany’s energy demand.

I wonder how this theoretical area compares to total oil spill area coverage or areas affected by coal strip-mining.

Via Spiegl

DONA is the robot that interactively solicits donations from passers-by. The robot roams around in a public outdoor space and solicits donations from passers-by by engaging them through pet-like inter-action.

http://www.thisisminsu.com/#!dona

Isaac Asimov Contemplating the Future of the Planet

The other day I came across this great interview from 1988 with Isaac Asimov on Bill Moyers World of Ideas. It’s incredible hearing Asimov talk about the technology and the internet way before it evolved to become the greatest tool of our generation. The parallels Asimov draws in his books aren’t a surprise to those that are familiar with his work, especially the Foundation series. Psychohistory and mathematical sociology are closer to reality than ever before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CwUuU6C4pk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJAIERgWhZQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEHtt5sGbTw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFVlzUAZkHY

Via RoboTimes