Week 9: Space and Art

In my opinion, space is one of the most fascinating areas of human exploration. To think that we are just a tiny human part of a massive outer space can sometimes be incomprehensible. Many components of space have been explored, yet there is still so much more information to learn.   

In 1957, Russia launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into space beginning what is known as the “Race to Space”. Sputnik, launched into an elliptical low Earth orbit, was visible around the Earth and its signal, although not entirely clear, was detectable. Other countries began to participate in this race to space, which ultimately led to the Cold War.

Sputnik

After launching a dog, and chimpanzees into Space, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to be launched into space.

Yuri Gagarin-The First Human to go to Space

Although extremely interesting, space can also be very dangerous. The tragic deaths of the astronauts aboard the Columbia (2003) and Challenger (1986) were extremely disheartening to both the mission of NASA and the American people as a whole. Today, despite many technological advances, astronauts face many dangerous medical conditions such as muscle wasting, eyeball deformity, and the effects of gravity on bones.  

Columbia Crew

Challenger Explosion

Space has also been a huge interest in the world of entertainment.The movie E.T. (1982) was one of the first films to address the idea of extraterrestrial life and audiences have responded very well to science fiction movies and show since. Even children have been targeted in the entertainment industry in the past with the television show "The Jetsons". Space was simply fascinating people of all ages in all different parts of the world.

Me with ET at the LA Wax Museum! 

Today, the Mars Curiosity Rover is teaching more and more about the planet Mars. Currently, it is headed for a strange cluster of rock formations on its journey to Mount Sharp. Mount Sharp is three miles above the planet’s surface. NASA researchers are hoping that it may contain clues about the ancient environment of Mars. Space is an ever exploring topic that I hope to learn more about in the future!

 Resources:

Mars Rover Curiosity: http://www.space.com/23597-mars-rover-curiosity-destination-names.html

NASA History of Sputnik: http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/

NASA Yuri Gagarin: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/sts1/gagarin_anniversary.html

The History of E.T.: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/et-the-extra-terrestrial-released

Mars Rover: http://www.space.com/18027-mars-rover-curiosity-amazing-photos-red-planet.html