Microprocessors: Microprocessors are the marvels of modern technology. They are the brains behind many everyday things including computers, cell phones, video game consoles, cars, and even microwaves. In a little over 50 years, the speed and complexity of the microprocessor have increased billions of times.
Recording Sound: The first audio recordings were made in the 19th century. We don’t have a record of how anything at all sounded before this – nobody knows how Henry VIII spoke or exactly what Roman music was like. But since the invention of audio recording, technology has advanced rapidly, changing music with it. We’re going to visit Chem19, a modern recording studio near Glasgow, to see the techniques that are used. But first, let’s look at the history of recorded sound.
The Electrical Grid: Flicking a switch to turn a light on is the final step in a long journey to consume electricity. Various types of power plants generate electricity that is transmitted through a large network of lines, transformers, substations, and distribution lines before reaching the home.
Submarine: During this expedition, you will learn what it takes to dive in a submersible. You will join the Nekton Mission crew as they undertake deep ocean research around the seamounts of Bermuda. The Nekton team used two submersibles, Triton 1000/2s, which transported scientists down to depths of 1,000 feet. Each submersible has a life support system which can last up to 96 hours, although the team normally spent three to five hours underwater on each dive. You will learn about some of the science and technology involved in exploring the deep, and get ready to ‘Dive! Dive! Dive!’. This Expedition delivered the XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey. To find out more visit the Nekton website at http://nektonmission.org. Further education resources and opportunities are available at http://oceans.digitalexplorer.com.
Spacecraft: Welcome to Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. NASA’s Juno spacecraft is on a mission to investigate this mysterious world. What astronomers can’t see through a telescope, we are now seeing up close with a spacecraft. Juno’s new mission of discovery at Jupiter is just beginning.