CAJ #3: Introduction

Hey everyone,

Welcome to my Current Affairs Journal. As I heard about STEM and this project we are going to spend quite some time researching information about, I immediately knew which topic I am going to write about. 

I chose the highly controversial topic of Space Exploration because I have been always fascinated in what is happening outside the borders of our planet. I always wanted to know more about the whole idea of getting to know the space and its secrets and, more importantly, how it can benefit mankind. I informed myself roughly and became even more interested. To really get absorbed in this topic, I chose Space exploration to be my CAJ. But what is Space exploration? In short, space exploration is the ongoing discovery and exploration of outer space though the use of space technology. While the study of space is carried out mainly by astronomers with telescopes, the physical exploration of space is conducted both by unmanned robotic probes and human spaceflight. It is also enormously important since it aids the advancement of scientific research, unites different nations, and guarantees the potential survival of humanity.

CAJ #2: Abstract

This Current Affairs Journals aims to provide readers with some essential knowledge about the highly controversial topic Space Exploration. It discusses issues as well as benefits related to this topic. The focus lies primarily on the benefits and new development that have been achieved from the early days of space exploration until now. The paper also covers the main goals which the companies, currently researching for this topic, have. The information that is being presented in this CAJ, in form of scientific papers and articles, was collected over a certain period of time. The information used to underline the arguments for and against space exploration is taken out of discussions and debates. As it is believed that space exploration is not worth its money, many companies have to face harsh criticisms.  However, some responses have included that people should give more thought on the exploration and colonization of new planets in our solar system, as this may help humanity to evolve into a species that will harvest energy from other planets or even become a species that expands to other planets. From the results of the discussions carried out, we can draw the conclusion that more people support the exploration of the space, as it could be a great benefit for humankind.

The Napalm Girl

Describing three pictures: The Napalm Girl

Here's the link to Emina's blog:
The Napalm Girl

Narrative Article Homework

The Search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Lana cries. She misses her husband desperately. The last weeks were unbearable for her. Not one single second goes by in which she does not think about him. The constant pain, like a black empty hole in her chest, becomes bigger and more intolerable every day. Ever since the early hours of March 8 en route to Beijing, 239 people disappeared without a trace along with the Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. Up to this Monday nothing has changed. At first it seemed to be as horrible as any other day, but the complete opposite was the case. What appeared to be a never-ending, exhausting search, arouse new hope for the affected families. The big impressive Australian naval ship, sailing for days and days across the deep, dark blue Indian Ocean, has detected a series of underwater signals that could match with those of a plane's data, possibly from the missing jet. 

“Clearly, this is a most promising lead,” stated Angus Houston with determination, the lead coordinator of the search. This statement awoke hope for the relatives in mourning. "We want to put an end to this terrible nightmare and start living our lives again."

[194 words]

Little history of photography

Little History of Photography

As my life runs by I see the most innovative and stunning technological development when it comes to camera and other electronic equipment. I am a portrait painted between 1503 and 1506 and I am exhibited since the late 80s in the one of the world’s largest and most famous museums – The Louvre.  The historic monument is located in the heart of Paris. With its prestige the museum attracts over nine million visitors each year. 

We count the year of 1939 when one very special lady passed by.  “Look at this breathtakingly beautiful painted portrait”, said the well-dressed lady who was walking towards me. She wore an elaborately embroidered dress with attached petticoat and purple embroidery. I knew that she must have been from a royal family as she could afford taking pictures, which cost around 25 gold francs at that time. The values for the exposure time and brightness are coupled to one another.  It took a certain period of time until the picture was taken because the photographs were iodized silver plates exposed in the camera obscura, which had to have a proper light to become a pale grey picture. “I think I might have to retouch the negative”, said the lady with the pricy camera. Everyone around her was surprised I looked in an admirable way. At this time it was something special to have a camera.´, but as time went by it became commercialized and I saw more and more people taking pictures.

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Little History of Photography

Numerous people have contributed to the progress of photography ever since the early days of photography. Are you wondering who is talking to you? Yes, it is me, right here in the center of this picture painted by Leonardo da Vinci. 

A little while ago I have heard a fourteen-year old child, who was part of an exhibition group, complaining about how bad the quality of the pictures on his iPhone was. He moaned: “Why is this taking so long to take a decent picture?!” Let me tell you an interesting story in line with this statement.

I was painted during the Renaissance in the early 1500s and had been exhibited in one of the world’s largest and most famous museums since the late 1880s. I have seen the most innovative and stunning technological developments when it comes to cameras.

At this time, attempts to capture fleeting images were seen as ludicrous and blasphemous. Only after more than 100 years of unsuccessful attempts of searching for a means to capture those images, did Niépce and Daguerre succeed to inventing something that would forever change the nature of visual representation: photography.

The 1840s marked the beginnings of the evolution of photography. The daguerreotypes, as Daguerre dubbed his invention, were photographs on a highly polished, silver-plated sheet of copper exposed in the camera obscura. The values for the exposure time and the low light-sensitivity of the plates are coupled to one another.  This means that the process to acquire a pale grey image not only took a considerable period of time, it also cost 25 gold francs. It was not common to be in the possession of a camera. People who were able to take pictures were seen as noble and photography was associated with wealth.

Things developed so rapidly that by 1840 photography has soon become a professional tool. During the industrialization photography became commercialized and more affordable. Most of the miniaturists became professional photographers and encountered something new and interesting. This also paved the way for businessmen and young photographers. Many people moved to the cities and more and more owned their camera.

Now, if you think about complaining the next time on how much time your iPhone needs to take pictures, think about all inconveniences the artists have had with the development of the first camera.

[387 words]