I really
enjoyed learning about space and art. One part of this week’s lectures that I
thought was interesting was how space exploration involved nanotechnology.
Bucky balls are carbon cages in space. Scientist has been conducting new
research that has led them to believe that Bucky Balls are responsible for
creation on earth. There are two parts to the Bucky ball that I think are really
important. The first one is the structure of Bucky balls. Bucky Balls are
shaped like soccer balls and are held together similar to the structure of a
cage. However, they are small and hallow which makes them the perfect molecule
for nanotechnologist to manipulate and research. The other part that I think is
interesting is the idea that Bucky balls can have a significant medical impact
in the future. The carbon structure of the Bucky balls makes them extremely
strong. Therefore, nanotechnologist are conducting research to see if they can
transport medicine to patients through Bucky balls. I think this could be vital
to patient’s health, because it could lead to a safe, efficient, and effective
way to treat patients in the future. Just like Victoria Vesna mentioned in the
first lecture, Nanotechnology connects to biotechnology and other topics that
we have discussed in class
Another
part of this week’s lectures that I found interesting, was the idea that space
exploration started as an imagination. People’s dreams of going to space or
extraterrestrial life were translated into science fiction movies. One of my
favorite space movies is 2001: A Space Odyssey. The film revolves around a
spacecraft that is bound for Jupiter. Unfortunately, when they are in space,
the astronauts encounter multiple problems including a manipulative robot. Although the film mainly takes place inside
the spacecraft, the graphics of the film depict what Stanley Kubrick believed
space and spacescrafts to look like. I think it is extremely cool that science fiction
is now turning into reality. There is now virtual reality that can accurately
depict what space looks like to the general public and there are spacecrafts
that are taking people into space! Soon our world will no longer be confined to
a single planet.
Space exploration and art are
extremely important in our evolving world. Luckily, artist are collaborating
with scientist to show space to the general public, make a beneficial impact to
the word, and hopefully turning space exploration into a reality.
2. Ginny, Elizabeth. "Buckyballs in
Space Solve 100-year-old Riddle." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, 15
July 2015. Web. 24 May 2016.
<http://www.nature.com/news/buckyballs-in-space-solve-100-year-old-riddle-1.17987>.
3. "CODED UTOPIA." Continental
Drift. 2007. Web. 24 May 2016. <https://brianholmes.wordpress.com/2007/03/27/coded-utopia/>.
4. Rhodes, Margaret. "The Amazingly
Accurate Futurism of 2001: A Space Odyssey." Wired.com. Conde Nast
Digital. Web. 24 May 2016.
<http://www.wired.com/2015/08/amazingly-accurate-futurism-2001-space-odyssey/>.
5. "Buckminsterfullerene." Wikipedia.
Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 24 May 2016.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckminsterfullerene>.