May 17 1964
From The Space Library
Herbert Friedman of Naval Research Laboratory reported to COSPAR a new picture of space cosmic rays, based on results of experiments with rocket-borne x-ray telescope. New results showed that less than one per cent of all cosmic rays could be produced in intergalactic space. Therefore, Friedman said, all cosmic rays would appear to come from exploding stars. He said these findings showed that there were too many x-rays to support theory that x-rays are produced by cosmic rays' colliding with starlight, and too few x-rays to support theory that they come from the near-collision of electrons and protons (formed by neutron's disintegration in so-called "hot universe" theory). Further experiments were planned to gather more evidence. (Simons, Wash. Post, 5/18/64)
Dr. N. A. Kozyrev of Pulkovo Observatory, U.S.S.R., told conference on geological problems in lunar research in New York that volcanic activity was evident in two of the moon's craters-Alphonsus and Aristarchus. Overall, he said, "the Moon had an internal energy which can be not less than the internal energy of the earth." And from analysis of certain light wavelengths, he believed there was "significant volcanic activity on Venus and only slight activity on Mars." (AP, Houston Post, 5/18/64)
At COSPAR, Harvard Univ. scientist Dr. Carl Sagan said acetaldehyde gas, believed to exist in atmosphere of Mars, turns to sugar on contact with ultraviolet sunlight. Martian life, which probably is microorganic, possibly gives off the acetaldehyde gas and then feeds on the sugar that falls from the atmosphere, Dr. Sagan said. (AP, Houston Post, 5/18/64)
Dr. Thomas Gold, Chairman of. Cornell Univ.'s Astronomy Dept., told COSPAR that laboratory experiments to simulate conditions on lunar surface pointed "toward a surface of soft, crushable material, between 6 and 10 times less dense than solid rock. It would have a texture some-thing like cake. A man walking on the moon might sink pretty far into the soft surface. How far we don't know." (AP, Houston Post, 5/18/64)
Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick shake hands on a deal to make an, as yet, untitled science fiction film about space travel. It will become 2001:A Space Odyssey. Moments later they see the Echo I satellite from Kubrick's balcony and mistake it for a UFO.
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