The earth’s centre remains a mystery
May 19, 2003
Space exploration is old hat. So why not go down instead of up? A prominent California planetary scientist believes it may be possible — and very educational — to send a probe all the way to Earth’s core
Space exploration is old hat. So why not go down instead of up? A prominent California planetary scientist believes it may be possible — and very educational — to send a probe all the way to Earth’s core.
“My point is to get people to realise that we have dedicated immense resources to exploring space. I’m advocating balance,†said Dave Stevenson, professor of planetary science at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
Interior exploration could be accomplished by applying proven technologies and some well-grounded scientific assumptions about the planet, he says in a paper published in the latest edition of the journal Nature. Still, “the main reaction I'm expecting is laughter,†the scientist admitted.
“It’s wildly over-optimistic ... the arguments he gives are very vague,â€" said Ray Jeanloz, professor of geology and geophysics at the University of California, Berkeley. “But ... he’s exactly right about the knowledge that could be gained.†Stevenson’s proposal calls for a crack to be opened in the earth, maybe with a nuclear bomb.
Reuter
“My point is to get people to realise that we have dedicated immense resources to exploring space. I’m advocating balance,†said Dave Stevenson, professor of planetary science at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
Interior exploration could be accomplished by applying proven technologies and some well-grounded scientific assumptions about the planet, he says in a paper published in the latest edition of the journal Nature. Still, “the main reaction I'm expecting is laughter,†the scientist admitted.
“It’s wildly over-optimistic ... the arguments he gives are very vague,â€" said Ray Jeanloz, professor of geology and geophysics at the University of California, Berkeley. “But ... he’s exactly right about the knowledge that could be gained.†Stevenson’s proposal calls for a crack to be opened in the earth, maybe with a nuclear bomb.
Reuter