CrossTalk on Space: Mars or Bust!

Audio slideshow: Hubble's first 20 years

The world's most famous space telescope has been peering into some of the deepest recesses of the universe for two decades - and is now celebrating its 20th birthday.

Take a look at some of the sights it has seen in that time with Professor Alec Boksenberg from the Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge - who was on the European team that helped build Hubble.

Images courtesy Nasa. Music courtesy KPM Music.
Slideshow production by Paul Kerley. Publication date 23 April 2010.

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An easier way to learn a language?

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If you are bored of old-fashioned textbooks and repetition, then you could try developing your language skills using technology instead.

Working Lunch reporter Sharif Sakr looks at the latest websites, video games and software dedicated to teaching languages, including:

- The BBC's online resources for language students: www.bbc.co.uk/languages

- The language community site www.busuu.com

- 4 TRAVELLERS for the Nintendo DS

- Rosetta Stone for PC and Mac

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Ocean debris turning Hawaiian beach 'into plastic'

Consumer waste from the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" is turning a Hawaiian beach "into plastic", Tropic of Cancer presenter Simon Reeve has found.

Conservationist Sam Gon escorted him to the remote Kamilo Beach, where plastic bottles, bags, tyres, rusting petrol cans, and other waste from around the world washes up.

They found more plastic particles than sand, as they dug a hole on what has been described as "the world's dirtiest beach".

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X-37B military spaceplane launches from Cape Canaveral

By Paul Rincon Science reporter, BBC News

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Blast off for military spaceplane

A prototype spaceplane developed for the US military has been launched into orbit from Florida.

The X-37B, which has been likened to a scaled-down space shuttle, blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 1952 EDT (2352 GMT) on Thursday.

The military vehicle is unpiloted and will carry out the first autonomous re-entry and landing in the history of the US space programme.

The spacecraft can return experiments to Earth for inspection and analysis.

At 9m (29ft) long and with a 4.5m (15ft) wingspan, the reusable spaceplane is about one-quarter the size of the shuttle, with a large engine mounted at the rear of the ship for orbit changing.

The project could lead to the military's first operational spaceplane It might be at this point in time that [the Air Force is] going to roll the dice and see if something good happens Dr Joan Johnson-Freese US Naval War College

And while the space shuttle uses a fuel-cell power-system, the military vehicle is powered by a solar array and lithium-ion batteries.

The precise objectives and cost of the programme are secret, but the first few flights will allow officials to evaluate the vehicle's performance and ensure components and systems work the way they are supposed to.

"The top priority technology demonstration on this first flight is the vehicle itself," Gary Payton, the US Air Force's deputy under secretary for space programs, told journalists on a teleconference this week.

"Getting it into orbit, getting the payload bay doors open, the solar array deployed, learning about on-orbit attitude control and bringing it all back."

The X-37B was launched vertically atop an Atlas V rocket. The Air Force (USAF) says the vehicle will be used to test advanced guidance, navigation and control, thermal protection systems, avionics and high temperature structures and seals.

The Pentagon has not specified a duration for this mission, but the X-37B is designed to operate on orbit for up to 270 days: "In all honesty, we don't know when it's coming back for sure. It depends on the progress that we make with the on-orbit experiments, the on-orbit demonstrations," said Mr Payton.

Once the mission is complete, a command will be sent from the ground prompting the 5,000kg (11,000lb) spaceplane to fire its engine to re-enter the atmosphere.

It will then autonomously navigate its way to the 4.5km (15,000ft) -long primary runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The X-37B started life in 1999 as a US space agency programme, but Nasa handed the project over to the Pentagon in September 2004. As such, the Air Force is in a position to talk openly about the craft's design, but its purpose remains classified.

Dr Joan Johnson-Freese, chair of national security and decision making at the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, said the military would be waiting to see if this project yielded new capabilities: "It might be at this point in time that [the US Air Force is] going to roll the dice and see if something good happens.

"If it does, they'll continue with it. Otherwise, this will be another one of those [experimental] projects that goes into a bin somewhere."

The X-37B was launched vertically atop an Atlas V rocket

The USAF has requisitioned a second experimental plane from the prime contractor Boeing; this is being targeted for launch sometime in 2011.

Speculation about the craft's purpose has led to accusations that the project could move us a step closer to the weaponisation of space.

Mr Payton responded: "I don't know how this could be called weaponisation of space. It's just an updated version of the space shuttle type of activities in space. We, the Air Force, have a suite of military missions in space and this new vehicle could potentially help us do those missions better."

Dr Johnson-Freese said that one way in which the spaceplane could potentially be used was as a "manoeuvrable satellite".

She said that conventional satellites were vulnerable to missile systems because they followed predictable paths in orbit and were relatively easy to spot. The X-37B could evade attempts to shoot it down with anti-satellite (A-sat) weapons.

And if enemy forces know when spy satellites are due to fly over their territory, they can limit sensitive activities to times when there are no passes by reconnaissance spacecraft. The X-37B could spring a surprise by virtue of its manoeuvrability.

The programme is now led by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO).

Edwards Air Force Base, also in California, has been designated as the vehicle's back-up landing facility. The Soviet Union carried out an autonomous re-entry and landing with its Buran space shuttle in 1988.

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Secrets of the 'immortal worms'

Secrets of the 'immortal worms'

By Brady Haran BBC News

Is this the fountain of youth?

Is this sewage outlet the "fountain of youth"?

The small waterway behind Nottingham's Queens Medical Centre looks unspectacular, but may help unlock the secret to increasing human lifespans.

Scientist Aziz Aboobaker and fellow researchers use the outlet as a source of planaria (flatworms).

They say the worms are helping us understand stem cells and leading to advances in human medicine.

The planaria are special because they have a high proportion of adult stem cells, with Dr Aboobaker nicknaming them "immortal worms".

He says: "The coolest thing is that we can take a worm in the lab, chop its head off, and within seven days the worm has grown a whole new brain.

Aziz Aboobaker studies flatworms

"That's an incredible thing.

"The brain even in a simple worm like that is incredibly complex with thousands of cells that all have to be in the right place and all know what they're doing.

"And don't worry about the head (that was chopped off), it just re-grows a new tail and crawls off."

It is hoped understanding these powers of regeneration in flatworms will lead to breakthroughs with human stem cells.

Adult human stem cells are limited compared to their worm counterparts.

Aziz thinks the worms are 'cute'

Dr Aboobaker says: "If you make a small wound in (human) skin, sure we can cope with that.

"But if we lose a whole piece of tissue, like an organ or limb, we don't know how to (re-grow) that.

"That's one of the reasons we are so interested in the flatworms, because they've figured out how to do that."

'Cartoon eyes'

Planaria are common and Dr Aboobaker's team regularly take them from the sewage outlet at the QMC because it is convenient.

However many other flatworms used for their research are shipped from Spain.

So how does Dr Aboobaker, from the University of Nottingham, feel about working with the tiny creatures?

"They're really cute," he says.

"They have big cartoon character eyes and they're easy to look after - and they don't die."

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~~~~~~~~~~~

Immortal worms that constantly replace their ageing cells

A planarium worm (flatworm): this one has no brain

Scientists have identified the gene that allows a tiny flatworm to display amazing powers of regeneration.

It can even grow a new head after being decapitated.

Could this be any help to humans?

Dr Aziz Aboobaker, a biologist at the University of Nottingham, is the author of the study.

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First broadcast 22 April 2010

Favourite walks: Ballaglass Glen

Favourite walks: Ballaglass Glen

Steve Wright

Ballaglass in May is like being wrapped in a big blanket of seasonal spring.

The towering beech trees have fresh leaves, the ground is carpeted with thousands of Bluebells and the birds are busy in song.

In fact the birds seem to be louder than anywhere else, possibly so they can be heard above the tumbling river.

I always feel refreshed and revitalised after a walk in this glen and I recommend you see it during its full glory from late April to early May.

I enjoy taking a circular anti-clockwise walk around the glen which takes less than thirty minutes.

From the car-park, head up the right hand path at the top of the glen. As you walk between the Bluebells you may hear the songs of Robins and Mistle Thrush.

A walk through history

Walk until you reach an old stone building and head down to the 'off-white' old mining office. Many of our glens have had a history of some mining (for example Glen Maye and Dhoon).

Head left and join the path beside the Cornae River and walk with it down the glen.

Once beside the river, look out for circular pools worn in the flat bedrock of the river.

These circular holes are created by small stones which have fallen into the pools, the stones swirl inside over many years, scouring out the circular shapes you see today; forming large stone bowls.

A feast for the senses

Can you smell the wild garlic? Grey Wagtails are often seen bobbing beside the river, they are much more colourful than their name suggests, and I have always thought they would be Yellow Wagtails if that name wasn't already taken!

You should soon see a small bench, take a seat and gaze upwards at the towering Beech trees with their smooth grey trunks and bright new leaves forming the canopy above.

In the summer these trees shade the woodland below, so spring is the best time to see a floral spectacle on the ground before the shadows grow.

Walk a little further and you will see a small white cottage secluded in the glen; take a peek in the garden to see their outdoor convenience.

Rich in birdsong

Walk past the cottage and up the glen beside a turbulent stream which leads you back to the car-park.

Look out for the yellow flowers of Lesser Celandine and listen for the loud energetic song of Blackcaps and Wrens.

Like many places on the Island, Ballaglass has a meaning in Manx. Ballaglass means 'Place of Green' which is certainly is!

There are a several ways to get to Ballaglass Glen.

Directions to Ballaglass Glen

If heading from Douglas by car take the coastal road towards Maughold.

After Glen Mona, take the right hand turn which is signposted Ballaglass (on the left is North Barrule).

If you drive down the country lane for nearly a mile you will see a sign for Ballaglass and turn right.

There are parking spaces at the glen, but it can be busy during summer weekends.

Alternatively you can alight from the Electric Tram at the Cornae stop and take a pleasant walk down to the glen.

Prepare yourself for a wonderful fresh air experience.

Photographer Ray Collister works throughout the seasons at Ballaglass. It is his favourite glen because it brings out the passion of his photography, "The Bluebells and luscious greens are a treat in late spring. Summer is the green canopy season with ferns. Autumn is the explosion of colours throughout, and the carpet bed of leaves are crisp and crunchy under foot. Winter is the month where it all quietening down, but if you get some heavy rainfall, the river swells and produces dramatic waterfalls".

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Invstigators: New Documents Confirm Military Recruiters Continue to Lie

Everest 'death zone' to be cleaned up

The clean-up on the world's tallest peak is the first of its kind at such an altitude

Joanna Jolly BBC News, Kathmandu

A team of 20 Nepalese Sherpas are planning to clean up rubbish and bring the bodies of dead climbers down from the top of Mount Everest.

The Sherpas will work above 8,000m (26,240ft) - in what's known as the "Death Zone" because of the thin air and treacherous conditions.

They expect to bring back the bodies of at least two climbers, including American mountaineer Scott Fischer, who died in 1996, and Swiss Mountaineer Gianni Goltz, who died in 2008.

The expedition will set off from the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, this weekend and reach the South Col of Everest, just below 8,000m, by 1 May.

After setting up camp on the South Col, the team will climb to the summit of Everest and start working their way down, picking up rubbish as they go.

Seven-times Everest climber, Namgyal Sherpa, is running the expedition.

He says this is the first time anyone has cleaned up rubbish at this altitude, but that it is important to do so to preserve the environment and make the mountain safe.

"I'm a climber and I can say frankly that I'm a little bit angry when I climb Mount Everest because of the rubbish," he says.

'Death zone'

Because of the lack of oxygen, freezing temperatures and punishing conditions, the Sherpas say they will not be able to carry more than 20kg per person and that they will spend no longer than 12 hours above 8,000m in one go.

They will stay at South Col for a week, making several trips into the death zone, before returning to base camp, resting, and then repeating the operation twice more.

Namgyal Sherpa says the task will be dangerous, but that his team is experienced enough to cope.

Expedition leader Namgyal Sherpa says Everest should not be polluted

"We need to focus on avalanches and the different crevices. If you have the technique and if you have proper experience, it's not so dangerous," he says.

The team expects to remove 3,000kg of old tents, ropes, oxygen cylinders, food packaging and camping stoves from the mountain.

They will also bring back the bodies of climbers who have perished while attempting to climb Everest.

"I have seen three dead bodies laying on the trail. But we know that there is another dead body also which we heard about a long time ago," says Namgyal.

The team plans to bring down the body of Swiss climber Gianni Goltz to base camp, where they have been given permission by Goltz's family to cremate it.

"We have a special stretcher to bring the bodies down. We can put the dead body on a stretcher and then drag it slowly to base camp," says Namgyal.

'Holy mountain'

They expect to bring down the body of American mountain guide and climber Scott Fischer.

Fischer died on Everest in 1996 - the mountain's worst-ever climbing season.

Fifteen climbers died that year, eight of them in one day.

Journalist Jon Krakauer later published the story of the tragedy in the book Into Thin Air.

The team says they may find the body of well-known climber Rob Hall

The team also suspect they will find the body of New Zealand climber Rob Hall, who also died in 1996.

Namgyal says some families have expressed the desire to leave the bodies on Mount Everest, as they feel this is what the climbers would have wanted.

However, the expedition project co-ordinator, Chakra Karki, says that Nepalese people do not want the mountain to become a graveyard.

"We respect the sentiments of the family of anyone who has died on Everest," he said.

"But it is a holy mountain and our government policy is clear - there should be no dead bodies on the mountain.

"All dead bodies should be brought below base camp and either buried or cremated. They shouldn't pollute the mountain glaciers."

New standard

As well as bringing down dead bodies, the team will concentrate on removing old ropes from expeditions as long ago as 1953.

These are still attached to the mountain and cause confusion for climbers who do not know whether they are secure or not.

"Those ropes are all the same and look brand new, but people misunderstand which ropes are new and which are the old ropes," says Namgyal.

"If they attached themselves to an old rope, they'll have an accident."

Namgyal says he hopes this expedition will set the standard for future clean-up operations.

"Whoever is climbing in the world, any mountain, I want to say please keep it clean," he says.

"Any mountain is a source of water. People should keep the mountains clean. And they need to support anyone who is cleaning the mountain."

The Nepalese government has now imposed strict rules on climbers, requiring them to return all their rubbish or risk losing a $4,000 (£2,600) deposit.

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Goldman Sachs to be investigated by FSA

Goldman has rejected the SEC's claims

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is starting a formal UK enforcement investigation into Goldman Sachs in relation to recent fraud allegations.

The move follows claims made by the Securities and Exchange Commission in the US that Goldman defrauded investors during the sub-prime housing crisis.

Goldman has strongly rejected the SEC's claims as wrong "in fact and law" and said it would co-operate with the FSA.

The FSA said it would liaise closely with the SEC in its review.

Goldman Sachs is due to announce its profits for the first three months of 2010 later on Tuesday.

'Just starting'

It is unusual for the FSA to announce the beginning of a formal investigation. It is understood that the investigation process typically takes months, if not years.

The FSA's decision to investigate Goldman... is another embarrassment for the world's most successful hedge fund Robert Peston, BBC business editor

The enforcement division of the FSA will now have powers to demand that Goldman provide it with documentation such as records of transactions and records of telephone calls.

If the watchdog finds Goldman at fault, it could impose a fine on the bank.

Bruce Packard, banking analyst at Seymour Pierce, said "it seems like it is just starting".

"I've always been slightly surprised that investors haven't gone after the investment banks in the way they did after the internet bubble."

Allegations

On Friday, the SEC issued civil charges against Goldman, alleging that it failed to disclose conflicts of interest during the marketing of sub-prime mortgages in which investors lost $1bn.

The SEC says Goldman failed to disclose "vital information" that one of its clients, Paulson & Co, helped choose which securities were packaged into the mortgage portfolio.

These securities were sold to investors in 2007.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for the FSA to launch an inquiry into Goldman Sachs.

"Hundreds of millions of pounds have been traded here and it looks as if people were misled about what happened," he said. "I want the Financial Services Authority to investigate it immediately."

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