The New York Times. The New York Times,
14 Nov. 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/world/europe/spacecraft-on-comet-drills-for-data-as-its-power-fades.html?contentCollection=science&action=click&module=NextInCollection®ion=Footer&pgtype=article>.
Spacecraft on Comet Drills for Data as Its Power Fades
By the Associated Press
The ten-year project had finally
come to an end on November 12, 2014 when the Philae spacecraft landed on the
67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet. The European space agency had been working to
land the machine in order to receive data on the comet. Once the spacecraft had
approached the moving comet, it had a rough landing. The machine bounced three
times, before landing on an angle that could not receive sunlight to recharge
the solar panels. The unchargable solar panels eventually burned out after two
days on the comet, but were still able to send a limited amount of data and
pictures on the composition of the comet back to Earth. After waiting 10 years
for the machine to finally reach the comet and ultimately dying two days after
landing, caused grief upon the scientists. Although there was not much data
collected, Andrea Accomazzo, a flight director, is optimistic about the
discoveries found. She says, “Let’s stop looking at
things that we could have done if everything had worked properly… Let us look
at things that we have done, what we have achieved and what we have on the
ground. This is unique and will be unique forever.”
The entire
mission has taught society that sending astronauts into space is no longer
completely necessary. Instead of sending humans, we can now send these machines,
eliminating the risks of space travel. Not only have we discovered the
importance of these machines, but we have learned so much in the two days on
the comet. Scientist can use the information to make further discoveries about
other planets and the history of the universe.
The article by
the associated press was well written and provided the reader with a great over
view of the event. Although, the reader was not given details and the author
had assumed that the reader already had background information on the event. In
addition, the journalist did not provide many quotes that could have been
useful in the interpretation of the event. Overall, the journalist presented
the story well and had the advantage of writing about a tremendously exciting
topic.
Through the review written by, Fina Maldonado of the article, “Spacecraft on Comet Drills for Data as It’s Power Fades” readers were able to get a direct understanding on the information in the article. I felt as though Fina expressed her personally opinions and observations about the text very well in the last paragraph of her paper. She expressed her concern for the lack of background information that the author assumes readers already knew and that the journalist did not provide enough quotes, which Fina felt could help in the interpretation of the event. Also, Fina opened her writing with a topic sentence that told the reader directly what the article she read was about, she did go straight into the story without building up, however I felt the way she formed her opening was well done and helpful to readers. One last thing I felt Fina included well was her quote. She addressed the statement and expressed her view on how this speaker was feeling and trying to say. However, Fina did lack in including a few important aspects of this review. To start, I feel it would have been very helpful if she had included what information the scientists did obtain and what they were missing because of the malfunction. Fina did claim that the article was missing background information, but at least some more details of the information were much needed. Secondly, to have information about why the machine did not land correctly or why it malfunctioned could have been useful. If the scientists planned on the device being powered on sunlight, then why did it not land in the right position for this to be possible? Any details from the article about this could have greatly impacted the reader’s interpretation of the event. Overall, I was greatly impressed by Fina’s writing. Her organization and format was impeccable, and she informed readers on the situation directly and nor leaving out details. From this review I learned about an event I had never heard of before and was impressed that some scientists were viewing the situation optimistically even though their original plan had failed.
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ReplyDeleteMaldonado, Fina. "Bronxville HS Core Chemistry." : Spacecraft on Comet Drills for Data as Its Power Fades. N.p., 23 Nov. 2014. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
ReplyDeleteFina reviewed the article Spacecraft on Comet Drills for Data as Its Power Fades. I liked how she started with how long the project has been worked on, and the date it came to an end. She said it started 10 years ago and ended November 12th this year. Also, I like how she inserted a quote from someone who worked on the project, saying, “Let’s stop looking at things that we could have done if everything had worked properly… Let us look at things that we have done, what we have achieved and what we have on the ground. This is unique and will be unique forever.” Another thing Fina did well was she had few to no grammatical errors.
Something Fina could work on is a stronger opening statement. She started with “the ten year project,” which isn’t very specific. Also, she could’ve added more detail on what the author did well. All she said was “the journalist presented the story well and had the advantage of writing about a tremendously exciting topic”
From this article, I learned more about the long project about the Philae Spacecraft and what it does. It’s an important spacecraft that can help with solar power.