Singer / Songwriter / Lyrics / Music = Songs

• Pluto-0.mp3
• Pluto-0.mp4
• Pluto-I.mp3
• Pluto-I.mp4
• Pluto-Interlude-2.mp3
• Pluto-Interlude.mp3
• Pluto-deep-space-intro.mp3

[Intro]
Out (…out… out)
Far (…out… out)

[Chorus]
[Instrumental, Strings Solo]
Our love for you is strong
(How did it go wrong?)
Dwarf (for what it’s worth)

[Verse]
Pluto
(What has become of you)
Tell us
(Tell us do)
Emotional (for all)
Commitment (to attachment)

[Bridge]
Out (…out… out)
Far (…out… out)

[Chorus]
Our love for you is strong
(How did it go wrong?)
Dwarf (for what it’s worth)

[Verse]
Pluto
(Please, for me… clear your debris!)
Let’s go!
(Pull it together together)

[Bridge]
Out (…out… out)
Far (…out… out)

[Chorus]
Our love for you is strong
(How did it go wrong?)
Dwarf (for what it’s worth)

[Outro]
Out (…out… out)
Far (…out… out)

A SCIENCE NOTE

Pluto: Myths, Facts, and Its Planetary Status

Myths about Pluto

1. Pluto was always considered a planet until recently:
   • Myth: Many believe Pluto’s status as a planet was only questioned in recent decades.
   • Fact: When Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930, its planetary status was based on the assumption that it was much larger than it is. Its classification faced periodic scrutiny after later discoveries showed it was much smaller than initially thought.
2. Pluto is the smallest planet in the Solar System:
   • Myth: Some still consider Pluto the smallest planet, smaller than Mercury.
   • Fact: Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet, and it is indeed smaller than Mercury, as well as several moons in the Solar System, including Earth’s Moon.
3. Pluto is named after the Disney character:
   • Myth: There’s a belief that Pluto’s name is tied to Disney’s iconic dog.
   • Fact: Pluto was named after the Roman god of the underworld. The name was suggested by an 11-year-old girl, Venetia Burney, and was accepted because it fit the naming convention of celestial bodies associated with mythology.
4. Pluto was demoted because of its size alone:
   • Myth: Its small size was the main reason for losing its planetary status.
   • Fact: Pluto’s reclassification stems from its inability to meet all the criteria set by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2006. Specifically, it doesn’t “clear its orbit” of other debris.

Facts about Pluto

1. Pluto’s Orbit:
   • Pluto’s orbit is highly elliptical and tilted relative to the plane of the Solar System. At times, it is closer to the Sun than Neptune.
2. Surface and Atmosphere:
   • Pluto has an icy surface with mountains made of water ice and plains of frozen nitrogen. Its atmosphere is thin and primarily composed of nitrogen, with traces of methane and carbon monoxide.
3. Moons:
   • Pluto has five known moons: Charon (the largest), Nix, Hydra, Kerberos, and Styx. Charon is so large relative to Pluto that they are sometimes considered a binary system.
4. Discovery and Exploration:
   • Discovered by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930.
   • NASA’s New Horizons mission provided detailed images and data about Pluto during its 2015 flyby, revealing its complex geology and atmosphere.
5. Location in the Kuiper Belt:
   • Pluto is located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy objects beyond Neptune. It is one of the largest known objects in this area.

Pluto and Mythology

• Roman God Pluto:
  • Pluto, the Roman counterpart to the Greek god Hades, rules the underworld. The cold and dark nature of this distant celestial body aligns with the characteristics of the god it was named after.
• Charon:
  • Pluto’s largest moon is named after the ferryman who carries souls across the rivers of the underworld. The naming theme reinforces the connection to mythology.

Is Pluto a Planet?

Pluto’s status has been debated since 2006, when the IAU redefined what constitutes a planet. The criteria include:

1. Orbiting the Sun.
2. Having sufficient mass to form a nearly round shape.
3. Clearing its orbital path of debris.

Pluto fails the third criterion, as it shares its orbital zone with other Kuiper Belt objects. This led to its reclassification as a dwarf planet.

While scientifically it is not a “full-fledged” planet, the emotional and cultural attachment to Pluto’s planetary identity remains strong, leading to ongoing debates and advocacy for its reinstatement.

Conclusion

Pluto’s story exemplifies how scientific understanding evolves. Whether viewed as a planet or a dwarf planet, its fascinating characteristics and connection to mythology ensure it remains one of the most beloved celestial objects in our Solar System.

From the album “Sol System” by Daniel

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

MegaEpix Enormous

• Comets-Interlude-1.mp3
• Comets-Interlude-2.mp3
• Comets-Interlude-3.mp3
• Comets-Interlude-3.mp4
• Comets-Interlude-4.mp3
• Comets-Interlude-4.mp4
• Comets__That-Frequently-Approach-Earth-I.mp3
• Comets__That-Frequently-Approach-Earth-I.mp4
• Comets__That-Frequently-Approach-Earth-II.mp3
• Comets__That-Frequently-Approach-Earth-II.mp4
• Comets__That-Frequently-Approach-Earth-space-bass.mp3
• Consider-Reason-0.mp3

[Intro]
Divine messengers
(Cutting through our curvatures)
Enjoy Lovejoy
(Hale-Bopp, Be-bop-a-lula)

[Bridge]
In the tale (of your tail)
All hail
Vaporize (and mesmerize)
Creating a glowing coma
(Pure light chroma)

[Verse]
Heat! (causes you to vaporize)
Realize! (right before my eyes)
Should come as no surprise…..

[Bridge]
In the tail (in the tale)
In the tale (in the tail)

[Chorus]
Divine messengers
(Cutting through our curvatures)
Enjoy Lovejoy
(Hale-Bopp, Be-bop-a-lula)

[Verse 2]
Heat! (causes you to vaporize)
Realize! (right before my eyes)
Should come as no surprise…..

[Bridge]
In the tale (of your tail)
All hail
Vaporize (and mesmerize)
Creating a glowing coma
(Pure light chroma)

[Chorus]
Divine messengers
(Cutting through our curvatures)
Enjoy Lovejoy
(Hale-Bopp, Be-bop-a-lula)

[Outro]
Vaporize (and mesmerize)
In the tale (of your tail)

A SCIENCE NOTE

Comets That Frequently Approach Earth and Their Mythological Connections

Comets are celestial bodies composed of ice, dust, and rocky materials that orbit the Sun. When a comet approaches the Sun, the heat causes its ice to vaporize, creating a glowing coma and sometimes a tail that points away from the Sun. While many comets have names derived from their discoverers, some have historical or mythological significance due to their appearances and the events associated with them.

Here are some of the most notable periodic comets that frequently approach Earth, along with their mythological connections:

1. Halley’s Comet (1P/Halley)

• Frequency: Approximately every 76 years.
• Last Appearance: 1986.
• Next Appearance: 2061.

Mythological Connection:

• Name Origin: Named after Edmond Halley, the English astronomer who determined its periodicity.
• Cultural Significance: Throughout history, Halley’s Comet has been associated with various myths and omens. For example:
  • Ancient China: Seen as a celestial messenger signaling significant events.
  • Europe: Often viewed as an omen of change or disaster, such as the Great Fire of London in 1666.
  • Biblical Interpretations: Some interpreted its appearance as a sign of divine intervention or judgment.

2. Encke’s Comet (2P/Encke)

• Frequency: Approximately every 3.3 years.
• Last Appearance: December 2022.
• Next Appearance: Early 2026.

Mythological Connection:

• Name Origin: Named after Johann Franz Encke, the German astronomer who calculated its orbit.
• Cultural Significance: While not directly linked to specific myths, Encke’s Comet has been observed and recorded by various cultures, often inspiring awe and curiosity about the cosmos.

3. Comet Swift-Tuttle (109P/Swift-Tuttle)

• Frequency: Approximately every 133 years.
• Last Appearance: 1992.
• Next Appearance: 2126.

Mythological Connection:

• Name Origin: Named after Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle, American astronomers who discovered the comet independently in 1862.
• Cultural Significance:
  • Perseid Meteor Shower: Comet Swift-Tuttle is the parent body of the Perseid meteor shower, one of the most prominent annual meteor showers. In Greek mythology, Perseids are associated with the tears of Perseus or the mourning of Cassiopeia, reflecting themes of heroism and tragedy.

4. Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1)

• Frequency: Non-periodic (orbit not yet determined; may take thousands of years to return).
• Last Appearance: 1997.
• Next Appearance: Estimated over 6,000 years from now.

Mythological Connection:

• Name Origin: Named after Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp, the astronomers who independently discovered the comet in 1995.
• Cultural Significance:
  • Modern Mythology: Hale-Bopp’s spectacular appearance inspired numerous cultural references, including the tragic Heaven’s Gate cult mass suicide in 1997, which believed the comet was a sign for their spiritual ascension.

5. Comet Lovejoy (C/2011 W3)

• Frequency: Several comets named Lovejoy, but notable ones include:
  • C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy): Discovered by Terence Michael Moore (Lovejoy) in 2011.
  • C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy): Discovered by Gavin H. Schmidt (Lovejoy) in 2014.
• Frequency: Each comet is unique with its own orbit.

Mythological Connection:

• Name Origin: Named after Doug and Donna Lovejoy, Australian amateur astronomers who discovered the comet.
• Cultural Significance: While not directly tied to ancient mythology, Comet Lovejoy’s dramatic survival through the Sun’s corona during its perihelion inspired modern narratives of resilience and wonder.

6. Comet Hyakutake (C/1996 B2)

• Frequency: Non-periodic (orbit not yet determined; possibly millions of years).
• Last Appearance: 1996.
• Next Appearance: Unknown.

Mythological Connection:

• Name Origin: Named after Yuji Hyakutake, a Japanese amateur astronomer who discovered the comet in 1996.
• Cultural Significance: Hyakutake’s bright appearance and close approach to Earth inspired awe and was featured in various cultural works, symbolizing celestial beauty and the mysteries of the universe.

Mythological Themes and Symbolism in Comet Observations

While the naming of comets typically honors their discoverers, the awe-inspiring nature of comets has long influenced human mythology and folklore. Common themes include:

1. Omens and Portents:
   • Comets have historically been viewed as harbingers of significant events, both positive and negative. For example, the appearance of a comet was often interpreted as a sign of impending change, war, or the birth of a great leader.
2. Divine Messengers:
   • In various cultures, comets were seen as messages from the gods or celestial beings. Their unpredictable and striking appearances made them perfect symbols for divine communication.
3. Symbols of Transformation:
   • The transient beauty of comets, which appear briefly and then fade, symbolizes transformation, renewal, and the fleeting nature of life.
4. Connection to Heroes and Myths:
   • As seen with the Perseid meteor shower linked to Perseus, comets and their associated meteor showers often intertwine with hero myths and legendary stories, reinforcing cultural narratives about heroism, sacrifice, and destiny.

Conclusion

While most comets are named after their discoverers rather than directly after mythological figures, their spectacular appearances and the events surrounding them have deeply influenced human mythology and cultural narratives. From Halley’s Comet being seen as an omen in ancient civilizations to modern comets inspiring stories of resilience and transformation, these celestial visitors continue to captivate our imagination and connect us to our mythological heritage.

From the album “Sol System” by Daniel

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

MegaEpix Enormous

• Meteor-Showers-0.mp3
• Meteor-Showers-0.mp4
• Meteor-Showers-I.mp3
• Meteor-Showers-I.mp4
• Meteor-Showers-II.mp3
• Meteor-Showers-II.mp4
• Meteor-Showers-III.mp3
• Meteor-Showers-III.mp4
• Meteor-Showers-space-intro.mp3

[Intro]
(Wow! Somehow)
The tale…
(Of the comet’s tail)
Paranoid…
(Of an asteroid?)

[Bridge]
Brought into sight
(Orbital alignment)
See!
(Upon atmospheric entry)

[Verse]
Perseids, Leonids, Geminids
(Open my eyelids)
The stars are falling
(Mother Nature is calling)

[Bridge]
Ohhh (ohh, ohh so….)

[Chorus]
(Wow! Somehow)
The tale…
(Of the comet’s tail)
Try ‘n avoid…
(The asteroid?)

[Bridge]
Brought into sight
(Orbital alignment)
See!
(Upon atmospheric entry)

[Verse]
Recurring dreams
(So the scene seems)
The sky is falling
(Mother Nature sprawling)

[Chorus]
(Wow! Somehow)
The tale…
(Of the comet’s tail)
Try ‘n avoid…
(The asteroid?)

[Outro]
Brought into sight
(Orbital alignment)
See!
(Upon atmospheric entry)

A SCIENCE NOTE
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through the trail of debris left behind by a comet or an asteroid. The small particles in these trails, often no larger than grains of sand, enter Earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speeds (up to 70 kilometers per second). The friction with the atmosphere heats these particles, causing them to glow and create streaks of light in the sky, which we see as meteors.

Key Causes:

1. Comet Debris:
   • Most meteor showers are associated with comets, which shed material as they approach the Sun. This debris lingers in the comet’s orbit, forming a trail of particles.
   • For example, the Perseid meteor shower is caused by debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle.
2. Asteroid Debris:
   • Some meteor showers are linked to debris from asteroids. For instance, the Geminids are caused by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which behaves like a rocky comet.
3. Earth’s Orbit:
   • As Earth moves through its yearly orbit, it intersects with these debris trails at specific times, causing predictable meteor showers.

Why Do We See Meteor Showers in Certain Locations and Times?

• Orbit Alignment: The path of the debris must align with Earth’s orbit.
• Atmospheric Entry: The meteors burn up at altitudes of 70-100 km, creating visible light.
• Recurring Events: Showers recur annually when Earth passes through the same debris field.

Notable Meteor Showers:

• Perseids (August): From Comet Swift-Tuttle.
• Leonids (November): From Comet Tempel-Tuttle.
• Geminids (December): From asteroid 3200 Phaethon.

Meteor showers are a natural reminder of Earth’s interaction with the solar system and provide spectacular celestial displays when conditions are right.

From the album “Sol System” by Daniel

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

MegaEpix Enormous

• Asteroid-Belt-I.mp3
• Asteroid-Belt-I.mp4
• Asteroid-Belt-II.mp3
• Asteroid-Belt-II.mp4
• Asteroid-Belt-Interlude-2.mp3
• Asteroid-Belt-Interlude.mp3
• Asteroid-Belt-space-intro.mp3

[Intro]
[Instrumental, Synth Solo]
Entering (an asteroid belt)
Venturing (trajectory dealt)

[Bridge]
Creating craters
(Influencing evolution’s path)
Orbital math

[Verse]
Have you felt
(Asteroid belt)
Kuiper (stupor)
Asteroid (belt)
In a tune (beyond Neptune)
(… the pelt of the belt)

[Chorus]
Entering (an asteroid belt)
Venturing (trajectory dealt)
Maybe there’s nothing you need do
(One could be coming to you)

[Bridge]
Creating craters
(Influencing evolution’s path)
Orbital math
(Mass extinction)
You know…
(66 million years ago)

[Verse]
Riding the coattails of Jupiter
(For the foreseeable future)
Trojans, Trojans, Trojans
(Knocking at the door again)

[Bridge]
Creating craters
(Influencing evolution’s path)
Orbital math
(Dinosaurs taking a bath)

[Chorus]
Entering (an asteroid belt)
Venturing (trajectory dealt)
Maybe there’s nothing you need do
(One could be coming to you)

[Bridge]
Creating craters
(Influencing evolution’s path)
Orbital math
(Mass extinction)
You know…
(66 million years ago)

[Outro]
Coming in a little closer
… Jupiter was further
(Now Mars is not that far)

A SCIENCE NOTE
Our solar system contains two primary asteroid belts, as well as other regions with significant asteroid populations. These are:

1. The Main Asteroid Belt

• Location: Between Mars and Jupiter.
• Composition: Millions of rocky and metallic bodies ranging from tiny pebbles to objects about 940 km (like Ceres, the largest asteroid).
• Impact on Earth:
  • Asteroids from this belt rarely impact Earth directly due to the gravitational influence of Jupiter, which keeps most of them confined.
  • Occasionally, collisions within the belt can send fragments (meteoroids) toward Earth, entering our atmosphere as meteors or meteorites.
  • Historically, impacts from asteroids have caused significant events, such as the one linked to the extinction of the dinosaurs about 66 million years ago.

2. The Kuiper Belt

• Location: Beyond Neptune’s orbit, 30-55 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun.
• Composition: Ice-rich bodies, including dwarf planets like Pluto and Eris.
• Impact on Earth:
  • Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) rarely pose a direct threat due to their distance.
  • Occasionally, gravitational interactions can push objects inward, potentially entering the inner solar system as comets, which might impact Earth.

3. Other Asteroid Regions

• Trojans: These are asteroids sharing orbits with larger planets, most notably Jupiter, located at stable Lagrange points.
• Near-Earth Objects (NEOs): Some asteroids from the Main Belt or other regions have orbits that bring them close to Earth.
  • NEOs are monitored closely for potential collision risks.
  • NASA’s DART mission in 2022 demonstrated the ability to alter the trajectory of an asteroid as a planetary defense measure.

Asteroids in Mythology and Symbolism

Asteroids have often been tied to myths of destruction and renewal. Their impacts symbolize the fragility of life on Earth but also its resilience, as life has thrived after catastrophic events.

Scientific and Cultural Impacts

Asteroid impacts have shaped Earth’s history, creating craters and influencing evolutionary paths. Continued monitoring and exploration of asteroids provide valuable insights into the solar system’s formation and help develop methods to mitigate collision risks.

From the album “Sol System” by Daniel

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

MegaEpix Enormous

• Spacetime-I.mp3
• Spacetime-I.mp4
• Spacetime-II.mp3
• Spacetime-II.mp4
• Spacetime-Interlude.mp3
• Spacetime-Interlude.mp4
• Spacetime-space-intro.mp3

[Bridge]
General (relativity)
Describing (gravity)
Warping (spacetime)
On the continuum (Um… I am)

[Bridge]
(Ummmm)… I am
On the continuum
(I am)
Define in time
(And place in space)
Gravity
(Is pulling at me)

[Bridge]
General (relativity)
Describing (gravity)
Warping (spacetime)
On the continuum (Um… I am)

[Verse]
Making a dent
(In the fabric of spacetime)
Heaven sent
(Making a dent)
Turning reason
(To rhyme)
In spacetime
… I’mmmm….
(of spacetime)

[Bridge]
(Ummmm)… I am
On the continuum
(I am)
Define in time
(And place in space)
Gravity
(Is pulling at me)

[Verse]
Making a dent
(In the fabric of spacetime)
Heaven sent
(Making a dent)

[Outro]
… I’mmmm….
(of spacetime)

A SCIENCE NOTE
Earth’s relationship to the spacetime continuum can be explained through the lens of general relativity, which describes gravity as the warping of spacetime by massive objects.

1. Earth’s Mass Warps Spacetime

• Earth, like all massive objects, creates a dent or curvature in the fabric of spacetime. This curvature is what we experience as gravity.
• Objects near Earth, such as the Moon or satellites, move along these curved paths, which is why they orbit the planet rather than traveling in straight lines.

Analogy: Think of spacetime as a stretched rubber sheet. Earth is like a heavy ball placed on the sheet, causing it to sag. Smaller objects (like a marble) roll around this dent, mimicking orbital motion.

2. Time Dilation on Earth

• Gravitational Time Dilation: The closer you are to Earth (or any massive body), the slower time passes compared to someone farther away. This is because the warping of spacetime affects the flow of time.
  • For example, clocks on the surface of Earth run slightly slower than those on satellites in orbit, a phenomenon accounted for in GPS technology.
• Relative Motion and Time: For objects moving relative to one another, time also passes at different rates. This is a part of the special relativity aspect of spacetime.

3. Earth’s Role in the Solar Spacetime Fabric

• Earth’s motion through spacetime affects other celestial bodies and interacts with the Sun’s much larger gravitational well.
• The combined spacetime distortions from the Sun, Earth, and other planets determine orbital dynamics and stability within the solar system.

4. Detecting Earth’s Influence on Spacetime

• Experiments like the Gravity Probe B mission have measured Earth’s spacetime curvature and effects, such as frame-dragging (the slight twisting of spacetime due to Earth’s rotation).
• Gravitational waves detected by observatories like LIGO also pass through Earth, showing how massive cosmic events ripple the spacetime continuum.

5. Earth’s Movement Through Spacetime

• Earth is not stationary in spacetime. It moves in orbit around the Sun, which itself orbits within the Milky Way galaxy. This means Earth’s position and motion are constantly shifting in the spacetime fabric.

Connection to Everyday Life

• Spacetime influences how we measure time, position, and navigation (e.g., GPS systems rely on relativistic corrections due to Earth’s spacetime effects).
• Earth’s spacetime relationship is a key factor in understanding phenomena like gravity, planetary motion, and cosmological observations.

In essence, Earth’s interaction with the spacetime continuum explains gravity, time dilation, and how the planet fits into the broader mechanics of the universe.

From the album “Sol System” by Daniel

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

MegaEpix Enormous