Clear Skies on Exoplanet

NASA’s Hubble, Spitzer and Kepler space telescopes have discovered clear skies and water vapor in the atmosphere of a Neptune-sized planet orbiting a star 120 light years from Earth. Astronomers like clear skies on Earth, because it makes it easier to look out of the atmosphere. They also like clear skies on other planets because it allows them to look in. sometimes , they just end up looking at a load of cloud tops. In a very distant example of a nice day, astronomer found clear skies on HAT-P-11b; an exo-Neptune planet that orbits the orange dwarf star HAT-P-11 once every five days.Located 120 light years distant in the constellation of Cygnus, HAT-P-11b is a hot world with a rocky core and gaseous atmosphere. According to NASA, this is the smallest planet on which any sort of molecules have been detected. Previously, molecules, including water vapor, have been detected in the atmospheres of jupiter and super jupiter sized planet because of their size and less dense atmospheres. But HAT-P-11b is the smallest planet yet where water has been detected – nothing of its size has been withi

Artist's concept comparing the atmosphere of exoplanet HAT-P-11b (right) and how other exoplanets seen until now may look (left) (Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

n the range of current technology until now.

The technique used for peeking through the atmosphere is called transmission spectroscopy. This involves studying the light from the planet’s star as it passes through the planet’s atmosphere. Obviously, if that atmosphere is laden with clouds, the light won’t go through. Fortunately, HAT-P-11b’s atmosphere has clear skies in at least the higher altitudes. This clearness was demonstrated by the fact that the Hubble could detect the starlight.

Using the Hubbles wide field camera 3, the team took spectroscope readings of the light passing through the planet’s atmosphere and compared it to that of the star. The differences would indicate the presence and nature of any molecules in the air around HAT-P-11b.

According to NASA, the team did detect water vapor, but water can be found in regions of cooler stars called “starspots,” which are analogous to sunspots. To eliminate the possibility that all they were seeing was water on HAT-P-11, the team used data from the kepler and spitzer telescopes. Since they can see in the infrared, they could determine the temperature of the star and concluded that any starspots present would be too hot for water, which would break down into its constituent atoms at too high a temperature.

NASA says that HAT-P-11b has an atmosphere of water vapor, hydrogen, and other gases yet to be determined, and that the data will be helpful in learning more about the diversity of giant exoplanets and their formation. NASA plans to continue working to detect clear skies and water vapor on smaller and smaller planets with the goal of ultimately finding water on an Earth-like exoplanet using the James webb telescope, which launches in 2018.

"The work we are doing now is important for future studies of super-Earths and even smaller planets, because we want to be able to pick out in advance the planets with clear atmospheres that will let us detect molecules," says Heather Knutson of the California Institute of technology in Pasadena.

Technology in Education

Now a days usage of technology in education increases rapidly , which gives an opportunities greater access to multimedia content, online course taking to offer classes ,the wide spread availability if mobile devices that can access the internet, which expands the social networking tools for learning and professional development .

At the same time, the pace of change creates significant challenges for schools. To begin with, schools are forever playing technological catch up as digital innovations emerge that require upgrading schools’ technological infrastructure and building new professional development by providing  computer labs, Wifi zones, classes should be in digital mode E-classes, advance technology in Research centre . Some educators think that games and simulations will provide a way for students to picture themselves in career paths they may otherwise would not have chosen, especially in the stem subjects, and some argue that games and simulations offer students a way to connect what they are learning in class to real world situations in a safe and low – cost environment. Because games can promote higher order thinking skills, such as collaboration, communication, problem- solving, and team work.

Wikis and blogs allow students to work collaboratively and share their work with a limited or unlimited number of people. The video phone service Skype is also popular with teachers, particularly for allowing their students to connect with peers in other parts of the country or the world. 

Educators have also taken to social networks for professional development. The social networking site Ning, for example, has a plethora of group sites organized around teaching a particular subject, like English literature or high school biology. In addition, Twitter has become a force in the professional development arena, with features such as EdChat, weekly one-hour conversations that take place around pre-arranged educational topics

Western Illinois university

Western Illinois University

                Western Illinois University main campus is rural community of Macomb, Illinois and offers excellent collegiate experience for nearly 12000 students. The university is beautifully landscaped has more than 60 buildings on more than 1050 acres, which includes nine residence , a 300-acre farm and a 18- hole golf courts.

 Available Degree(s):

* Bachelor's Degree

*Post baccalaureate Degree

*Master's Degree

*Doctor's Degree

Location:

There are two campus one is Residential which is located in Macomb, Illinois and other non-residential campus is located at Quad cities/Moline, IL.

Nearly 75% of the students from Illinois and rest of the students come from the abroad .The student to faculty ratio is 15:1. This university is also provided a commitment scholarships which rewards the student entire fees waived, but it is only eligible when the students fulfills is high school GPA and ACT/SAT score.

 

Extracurricular:

       Campus Recreation Centre at western Illinois offers a variety of fitness opportunities. Intramural sports program and club sports. Office of Student activities provide students with practical, educational and leadership extracurricular opportunities. International Events conducting regularly to interact the students from different countries.

Accommodation :

               There are 9 residence halls in campus. It is the place to create students as own college experience by getting involved on campus.  These halls provide more than 4400 students with living and dining services. All residence halls are smoke – free and rooms are wired for LAN and wireless internet. Besides, many off campus housing are also available which includes fraternities and sororities.

Mal- Pass Library:

              The Leslie F.Malpass Library in Macomb is the main branch at western Illinois University and provides inviting environment for research and study. It will be available not only for students but also residents of Macomb city all the time.

Beu -health center:

               Beu Health Center is available to all students, full or part-time, who are registered and have paid tuition and fees. Spouses and domestic partners of WIU students are also eligible to use these services for a fee, payable at the time of service.

Leather neck:

               Leather neck was chosen as WIU's nickname in 1927. A fighting school spirit with leaders passionate about instilling higher value in higher education, social responsibility personal growth and expanding student education in university students.

 

                                                             EBOLA   

Ebola is a viral disease started spread from South Africa. World Health Organization it announced as a global disease. Symptoms start two days to three weeks after contracting the virus. fever , vomit sensation , dehydration are the major problems.  These disease spread through air. Once it infected it can be spread easily.

Preventing Methods:
-->Decreasing the spread of disease from infected animals to humans. This may be done by checking such animals for infection and killing and properly disposing of the bodies if the disease is discovered.
-->Properly cooking meat and wearing protective clothing when handling meat may also be helpful, as are wearing protective clothing and washing hands.
--> wearing mask when going out and be away from the infected one.

Ebola virus infection:
Ebola is a rare but deadly virus that causes bleeding inside and outside the body.

As the virus spreads through the body, it damages the immune system and organs. Ultimately, it causes levels of blood-clotting cells to drop. This leads to severe, uncontrollable bleeding.

Symptoms of Ebola  typically include:

--Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F)

--Severe headache

--Muscle pain

--Weakness

--Diarrhea

--Vomiting

--Abdominal (stomach) pain

--Lack of appetite

Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to ebolavirus, although 8-10 days is most common.

Some who become sick with Ebola are able to recover. We do not yet fully understand why. However, patients who die usually have not developed a significant immune response to the virus at the time of death.