Lately I’ve had a lot going on.

I know I say that every single time I make a post, but this time it is genuinely true I promise! There are a bunch of modules going on for me and my classmates and each of them keeps setting more coursework. So, in order for me to take a break from doing said coursework I thought I’d run you through what I’ve been up to lately!

Radiation

Once you get your head around the code it’s a fascinating subject to be learning about, and there aren’t many people in the world who have the knowledge of the software so it really feels like I’m getting to know something exclusive!

I’ve got a few pictures of things I’ve modelled and particle simulations below. If I remember on Monday, I’ll add a picture of my ongoing coursework to model a satellite, I think it’s looking pretty good so far.

Human Spaceflight

Another of my modules is all about the effect that space travel would have on humans. Humans are real squishy (really when you think about it) so things like space can have some pretty intense effects.

A common thing that can happen for astronauts returning to Earth is that their blood pressure becomes so low that it can’t get to their head. There’s a few videos online of astronauts fainting after returning, spooky!

The coursework for this module is an essay we get to write about a human spaceflight topic. I think I might do mine about the digestive system, I have my greivances with it and I bet it completely breaks when in space. I’ve done a bit of research already on it, written a few paragraphs and such, but I’ve got plenty of time to write the rest!

Instruments

So third and final module I want to talk about is all about instruments. There are lots of different things that are needed on spacecraft that get sent into space and to other planets such as detectors, power sources, and communication devices to name a few. This module covers these and helps us to learn what would be the best in which situation.

Each of the instruments has their own physics tied to it which we get to learn about. A good example of this is the CCD or Charged Coupled Device. CCDs use semiconductors in order to detect photons (particles of light). These semiconductors produce an electrical signal which depends on the energy of the light which shows where it lies on the electromagnetic spectrum. CCDs are essentially very fancy (and quite sensetive) cameras which are used in a lot of scientific experiments to accurately determine material makeups.

We have coursework in this module too, this time in the form of a worksheet where we get to use the equations we’ve learned to tackle problems with instruments. Luckily I’ve managed to get that one finished with lots of time to spare so I don’t have to worry about it any longer!

Reading Corner

So here we are again learning about what book Cassie is reading now, and good news: it’s a really intersting one.

For those who don’t know me too well I’m a big fan of spooky stuff. I love a good scary story and I have to say, nobody does it better than Edgar Allen Poe. I’ve been searching for some of their poems for a while and one finally became available at my local library so I immediately snatched it up and have been reading it ever since.

It has all the classics in it: from tell-tale heart to the fall of the house of usher; from the raven to the black cat. I’m loving reading all the short stories and seeing what an influence they have had on literature since they were written!

Well I think that’s about all I have to update you on, sorry for the infrequent posts I think I’m still figuring out how to make these interesting for you to read (and for me to write) but I’m sure I’ll get there soon!

Miss you already!

Cassie