Quick One: A Second Home Planet; Kepler-22b
A Perilous Journey to the Unknown
A planet 635 light years distant from us here on Earth, deep in the wide depths of outer space, beckons with the promise of new beginnings. Kepler-22b, the first planet identified within a sun-like star's habitable zone, bears the enticing potential of liquid water and, maybe, the existence of life as we know it.
But venturing to Kepler-22b is no simple task. The planet hides amidst the blinding glow of its star, eluding our telescopes' prying eyes. Yet, undeterred, scientists devised a cunning plan. Instead of gazing at the stars, they focused on finding the peculiarities within them. Their efforts were rewarded when they stumbled upon the fluctuations in brightness emanating from Kepler-22's vicinity. This discovery unveiled Kepler-22b's size and orbit, paving the way for humanity's next great adventure.
Kepler-22b, an exoplanet, presents itself as a potential new home. Its mass, 36 times that of Earth, and a radius two and a half times larger, make it both familiar and strange. A year on Kepler-22b lasts a mere 290 days, its proximity to its star is 15 times closer than Earth is to the Sun. But don't be fooled; this proximity to a smaller, cooler sun grants Kepler-22b a similar amount of sunlight as our home planet, resulting in a balmy climate of 15 to 22 degrees Celsius—reminiscent of an eternal spring.
Yet, as humanity reaches toward the stars, it encounters the unexpected and the treacherous. Scientific models suggest that Kepler-22b's rotation is askew, similar to our very own Uranus. This strange behavior means that half of the planet plunges into darkness or basks in perpetual sunlight for six months at a time. This cosmic quirk transforms the surface from boiling hot to freezing cold, an inhospitable environment for human life.
However, the universe does offer glimmers of hope amidst its dark tapestry. Recent studies propose that Kepler-22b might be covered by a vast, 50-meter-deep ocean. This majestic expanse of water acts as a natural climate regulator, keeping erratic temperatures in check. Like an ethereal guardian, the ocean would store heat during summers and release it in winters, fostering a mild and habitable environment. Indeed, it seems living near the water has its advantages.
But how could one even embark on such an otherworldly journey? Even at the speed of light, traversing the vast expanse to Kepler-22b would consume a staggering 635 years. One might consider the possibility of entering a cryogenic sleep chamber, preserving the body beyond its natural lifespan. NASA has already developed such a chamber, capable of inducing hibernation by lowering the body temperature to a chilling 32 degrees Celsius. While cryosleep might be a solution, it remains a risky venture on this arduously long voyage.
The most dangerous aspect of this odyssey remains shrouded in mystery: the nature of Kepler-22b itself. Unknowns loom, casting shadows of doubt upon our dreams. The planet's gravity may be twice as strong as that of our own, turning a mere 10-kilogram sack of potatoes into a backbreaking 20 kilograms. Suddenly, every aspect of life on Kepler-22b becomes doubly demanding. To stand a chance, settlers must embark on intense strength training, bulking up their bodies to endure the gravitational forces.
As humans brace themselves for the transformative effects of gravity, other life forms face their own challenges. Plants, brought from Earth to provide oxygen and sustenance, may struggle to survive on Kepler-22b. Animals, if they made the journey, would be forced to evolve swiftly, adapting to the relentless gravity. Creatures might sprout additional legs, navigate strange terrains, and undergo profound transformations in their anatomy.
Moreover, the enigma surrounding Kepler-22b persists. Scientists still debate whether this distant world is a rocky planet or something entirely different—an enigmatic gas giant or a planet enveloped by endless oceans. Imagine the shock of awakening from cryosleep, only to find yourself on a gas planet with no solid ground beneath your feet. The prospect of building a floating city among the clouds becomes the only viable option. Alternatively, landing on an ocean planet would necessitate the establishment of a submerged society, thriving beneath the surface.
But even if Kepler-22b is a rocky planet, akin to Earth, its potential habitability is not guaranteed. Take Venus, for example—a rocky world rendered inhospitable by its thick atmosphere, choked with greenhouse gasses. Sweltering temperatures and the absence of liquid water create a hostile environment. If Kepler-22b harbors similar conditions, humanity's only recourse would be to rely on robotic pioneers, constructing subterranean havens shielded from the scorching heat. A subterranean utopia might be the key to survival.
Discovering new worlds enthralls the human spirit, stirring dreams of exploration and colonization. Kepler-22b beckons with its allure, promising a fresh start for humanity. Yet, even in the vast reaches of space, equilibrium hangs by a delicate thread. Our Earth, with all its imperfections, remains a sanctuary, reminding us that the slightest disruption can disrupt the balance we often take for granted.
As we conclude this tale, remember that even the breath of life can cease in the blink of an eye. So, appreciate the wonders of our home, for the universe is a tapestry of wonders and dangers—a cosmos where each discovery unearths new mysteries, and every endeavor brings unforeseen twists.
But if you were given the chance for a move to a new planet, would you volunteer? Well that is a quick one for another time.
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The Purple Olympian
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'20/20'
"Do It Again" the track that would ultimately open the Beach Boys final album on Capitol Records which was released on February 10th 1969 had originally been released as a single in August of 1968. The track was the first of many post-Pet Sounds era throwbacks to the early Beach Boys sound which would become continually more cliched and eventually lead the Beach Boys to the level of self-parody they would eventually succumb to in the 1980s while their closest contemporaries The Beatles nearing the end of their run in 1969 would go on to be viewed as the most influential band of all time. However, the song itself is not bad on its surface, and it opens with a futuristic sounding (for 1969) drumbeat captured by then-Beach Boys engineer Stephen Desper using tape delays on the drums performed by Dennis Wilson and John Guerin. The song has been re-recorded numerous times over the years on various Beach Boys-related projects most notably the 2011 re-recording at Capitol studios featuring the five surviving Beach Boys at the time backed instrumentally by various members of both the Brian Wilson Band and Mike Loves touring "Beach Boys" to promote the then upcoming Beach Boys 50th Anniversary reunion tour in 2012. The hammering and power drill sound at the end of the song was an excerpt from a track called "Workshop" that was to be a part of the uncompleted "SMiLE" album.
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