Astronaut Chris Hadfield adjusts to ‘earthling’ life
Canada’s space ambassador, Chris Hadfield, is still readapting to life on this planet after spending 146 days in zero gravity as commander of the International Space Station. For now, though, he’s taking his homecoming one step at a time. “Just learning to walk—- that’s enough,” Hadfield said of the “bizarre” experience of being back on [...]
Is warp speed possible?
Star Trek Into Darkness hit the big screen this week, taking moviegoers back to a science fiction universe where starships are capable of warp speed, crossing light years of interstellar space in minutes to boldly go where no one has gone before. Based on current scientific theory, will that ever be possible? And if so, [...]
High Arctic research station saved by new funding
Canada’s northernmost research lab won’t have to shut down after all and will be able to resume year-round operations, with the help of a new grant from the federal government. The Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) in Eureka, Nunavut, will receive $5 million over five years, Minister of State for Science and Technology Gary [...]
Why some Canadians want to die on Mars
Since the Dutch non-profit organization Mars One started inviting people to apply to take a one-way trip to Mars, more than 80,000 people have taken them up on the invitation, including dozens of Canadians. Anna Maria Tremonti, host of The Current, spoke to four Canadians—- two Mars One applicants, a member of the Mars One [...]
2 earthquakes felt in Ontario and Quebec
Two earthquakes near the Ontario-Quebec border could be felt across both provinces this morning. Earthquakes Canada reported the first event as a 5.1-magnitude quake 21 kilometres northeast of Shawville, Que. Earlier, the quake had been reported as originating near Braeside, Ont., about 75 kilometres west of Ottawa. The second event came 10 minutes later near [...]
Fracking may jeopardize Gros Morne UNESCO status
Gros Morne National Park’s status as a world heritage site may be in jeopardy due to plans for controversial oil exploration on Newfoundland’s west coast, Investor Central has learned. Black Spruce Exploration wants to use hydraulic fracturing—- the so-called fracking process of extracting natural gas from shale rock layers deep within the earth—- to find [...]
Chris Hadfield’s translator: Q&A with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen
While other Canadians were watching Chris Hadfield return from the International Space Station on Monday night, one Ontario native was offering his own unique play-by-play of the action as the Soyuz capsule plunged to Earth. “This is the best part,” rookie Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen tweeted. “Seeing a good parachute and hearing the crew over [...]
NASA, Google buy quantum computer from B.C. firm
A quantum computer has been purchased from Burnaby, B.C.-based D-Wave Systems by a NASA-led group that aims to solve problems requiring creativity—- something that conventional computers aren’t good at. The D-Wave Two is currently being installed at the new Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab at NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., and should be [...]
Rogers starts charging for paper bills
Rogers customers are being asked to pay an extra $2 per month for paper billing, amid claims of discrimination by a seniors’ advocate. Many wireless and cellphone companies already charge a similar amount for a paper bill, including Bell, Telus, Fido, Virgin, Koodo Mobile and Wind Mobile. Banks are also pushing clients away from paper [...]
Robots that can fire weapons, explore disaster sites, or help autistic kids
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