Some term it witchcraft. Magic, spellcasting, enchantments - these are just a few words that come to mind when one thinks of witchcraft. Throughout history, witchcraft has held varying meanings and connotations, often being associated with dark and mysterious practices. However, it is important to recognize that witchcraft is not a monolithic concept. Instead, it encompasses a wide array of beliefs and practices that have been shaped by cultural, historical, and societal factors. Originating from ancient pagan traditions, witchcraft has endured as a form of spiritual expression for countless individuals.
Just like Penny Robinson's complete absence in War of the Robots (1966) (until the trailer), Will Robinson similarly does not appear in this episode except in the trailer for next week's adventure; however, unlike Penny in War of the Robots, Will's name is mentioned (twice) as if he's somewhere around.
He tells her he heard what she said about staying as she was forever, and entices her by promising that if she stays with him, she will never grow up or have to change. If the coronagraph technology performs as anticipated, it will see planets that are almost a billion times fainter than their host star and enable detailed studies of giant planets around other suns.
Originating from ancient pagan traditions, witchcraft has endured as a form of spiritual expression for countless individuals. It is deeply entwined with nature and the interconnectedness of all living things. Those who practice witchcraft often seek to harness the natural energies around them in order to bring about change in their personal lives or the world at large.
Primary Mirror for NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Completed
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’s primary mirror, which will collect and focus light from cosmic objects near and far, has been completed. Using this mirror, Roman will capture stunning space vistas with a field of view 100 times greater than Hubble images.
“Achieving this milestone is very exciting,” said Scott Smith, Roman telescope manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “Success relies on a team with each person doing their part, and it’s especially true in our current challenging environment. Everyone plays a role in collecting that first image and answering inspiring questions.”
Roman will peer through dust and across vast stretches of space and time to study the universe using infrared light, which human eyes can’t see. The amount of detail these observations will reveal is directly related to the size of the telescope’s mirror, since a larger surface gathers more light and measures finer features.
Roman’s primary mirror is 7.9 feet (2.4 meters) across. While it’s the same size as the Hubble Space Telescope’s main mirror, it is less than one-fourth the weight. Roman’s mirror weighs only 410 pounds (186 kilograms) thanks to major improvements in technology.
The Roman Space Telescope’s primary mirror reflects an American flag. Its surface is figured to a level hundreds of times finer than a typical household mirror.
Credit: L3Harris TechnologiesThe primary mirror, in concert with other optics, will send light to Roman’s two science instruments – the Wide Field Instrument and Coronagraph Instrument. The first is essentially a giant 300-megapixel camera that provides the same sharp resolution as Hubble across nearly 100 times the field of view. Using this instrument, scientists will be able to map the structure and distribution of invisible dark matter, study planetary systems around other stars, and explore how the universe evolved to its present state.
The coronagraph demonstrates technology that blocks out the glare of stars and allows astronomers to directly image planets in orbit around them. If the coronagraph technology performs as anticipated, it will see planets that are almost a billion times fainter than their host star and enable detailed studies of giant planets around other suns.
Roman will observe from a vantage point about 930,000 miles (1.5 million km) away from Earth in the direction opposite the Sun. Roman’s barrel-like shape will help block out unwanted light from the Sun, Earth, and Moon, and the spacecraft’s distant location will help keep the instruments cool, ensuring that it will be able to detect faint infrared signals.
Because it will experience a range of temperatures between manufacture and testing on Earth and operations in space, the primary mirror is made of a specialty ultralow-expansion glass. Most materials expand and contract when temperatures change, but if the primary mirror changed shape it would distort the images from the telescope. Roman’s mirror and its support structure are designed to reduce flexing, which will preserve the quality of its observations.
Crane operators lower the support equipment to move the Roman Space Telescope’s primary mirror. Using this mirror, Roman will provide a new view into the universe, helping scientists solve cosmic mysteries related to dark matter, dark energy, and planets around other stars.
Credit: L3Harris TechnologiesDevelopment of the mirror is much further along than it would typically be at this stage since the mission leverages a mirror that was transferred to NASA from the National Reconnaissance Office. The team modified the mirror’s shape and surface to meet Roman’s science objectives.
The newly resurfaced mirror sports a layer of silver less than 400 nanometers thick – about 200 times thinner than a human hair. The silver coating was specifically chosen for Roman because of how well it reflects near-infrared light. By contrast, Hubble’s mirror is coated with layers of aluminum and magnesium fluoride to optimize visible and ultraviolet light reflectivity. Likewise, the James Webb Space Telescope’s mirrors have a gold coating to suit its longer wavelength infrared observations.
Roman’s mirror is so finely polished that the average bump on its surface is only 1.2 nanometers tall – more than twice as smooth as the mission requires. If the mirror were scaled to be Earth’s size, these bumps would be just a quarter of an inch high.
“The mirror was precisely finished to the Roman Space Telescope’s optical prescription,” said Bonnie Patterson, program manager at L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York. “Since it’s so much smoother than required, it will provide even greater scientific benefit than originally planned.”
Next, the mirror will be mounted for additional testing at L3Harris. It has already been extensively tested at both cold and ambient temperatures. The new tests will be done with the mirror attached to its support structure.
“Roman’s primary mirror is complete, yet our work isn’t over,” said Smith. “We’re excited to see this mission through to launch and beyond, and eager to witness the wonders it will reveal.”
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is managed at Goddard, with participation by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech/IPAC in Pasadena, California, the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, and a science team comprising scientists from research institutions across the United States.
Media contact:
Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
301-286-1940
“The mirror was precisely finished to the Roman Space Telescope’s optical prescription,” said Bonnie Patterson, program manager at L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York. “Since it’s so much smoother than required, it will provide even greater scientific benefit than originally planned.”
Despite its rich history, witchcraft has long been subjected to persecution and demonization. In medieval Europe, for example, witch hunts and trials were common, resulting in the execution of innocent individuals, primarily women, who were accused of practicing witchcraft. These horrific events continue to cast a long shadow over the perception of witchcraft today. In modern times, however, witchcraft is experiencing a resurgence, particularly among younger generations. This revival can be seen in various forms, such as the popularity of Wicca, a contemporary pagan religious movement, and the widespread interest in astrology, crystals, and other metaphysical practices. The fascination with witchcraft can be attributed to a desire for spirituality outside of traditional religious structures, as well as a growing interest in connecting with nature and the supernatural. It is essential to recognize that witchcraft is not inherently good or evil. Like any belief system, it can be used for both positive and negative purposes. Some witches practice witchcraft solely for self-improvement and personal empowerment, focusing on cultivating positivity, healing, and love. Others may engage in more controversial practices, such as hexing or cursing. The diversity within witchcraft should be acknowledged and respected, just as one would approach any other spiritual or religious tradition. In conclusion, witchcraft is a complex and multifaceted concept that has held different meanings throughout history. While it has been associated with dark and mysterious practices, it is important to recognize that witchcraft encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices. Whether one views it as a form of spiritual expression, a connection to nature, or a means of personal empowerment, witchcraft should be understood and respected in its diversity..
Reviews for "The Salem Witch Trials: Lessons from a Dark Period in American History"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Some term it witchcraft" as I love fantasy books, but unfortunately, I found it to be quite disappointing. The story was slow-paced and lacked suspense, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged. Additionally, I felt that the characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them on an emotional level. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not recommend it to fellow fantasy enthusiasts.
2. Mike - 1 star - I have to admit, "Some term it witchcraft" was one of the most boring books I have ever read. The writing style was dull and monotonous, and the plot felt unoriginal and predictable. I didn't find any of the characters to be relatable or interesting, and the world-building was weak. I struggled to finish this book, and even when I did, I felt a great sense of relief. I would not recommend wasting your time on this one.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was intrigued by the concept of "Some term it witchcraft," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest in the story. The author's writing style was also confusing at times, making it difficult to follow along with what was happening. Additionally, I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters, which made it hard for me to become invested in their journey. Overall, I was left unsatisfied by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.