Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Explorations, Vol. 6, No. 2, Carole J. Bombard, Nick Houtman, William H. Whitaker, Jean M. Andrews, Henry Munson Jr., Jamie Watler, Michael Palmer, Diane J. Garsombke, Thomas W. Garsombke

Explorations — A Journal of Research

Cover: Untitled #13, Series 2, chalk on paper, by Ronald Ghiz, Associate Professor of Art at the University of Maine.

Articles include:

"Editorial Overview: in this issue," by Carole J. Bombard

"Save the Planet . . . please," by Nick Houtman

"Research and Public Service Recognizing Leadership, Pioneering, and Productivity," Herb Hidu and Stephen Norton

"Private Assistance for Maine’s Hungry," by William H. Whitaker and Jean M. Andrews

"The Ugly Faces of Hunger"

"Explaining the Iranian Revolution," by Henry Munson, Jr.

"Biological Clocks: timing is everything—and everywhere," by Jamie Watler

"Love of Glory and the Common Good: Periclean Democracy and …

A Space-Based Solar Screen Against Climatic Warming, Michael Noah Mautner

Chemistry Publications

The expected global warming may be reversed by space-based screen that would intercept a fraction of the solar radiation incident on Earth. Warming by 2-5^oC could be prevented by intercepting 3-7%, respectively, of the incident solar radiation. The screen may be constructed for example of a thin film, a grid of film supported by a mesh or fine-grained dust deployed in orbit about the Earth. For an average film thickness or particle radius of 0.001 cm, the required mass is 10¹⁴ - 10¹⁵ g, equivalent to a medium sized lunar mountain or asteroid. The material may …

Iowa's Climate As Projected By The Global Climate Model Of The Goddard Institute For Space Studies For A Doubling Of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide, E. S. Takle, S. Zhong

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Results of a global climate model that simulates climate under a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide (estimated to occur by the latter half of the twenty first century) have been interpolated to Iowa. Summer temperatures under such a doubling are projected to rise by 4 to 7°F (2.2 to 3.9°C) and winter temperatures by 10 to 11° (5.6 to 6.1°C). Estimates of space heating and cooling demands from these data suggest a 30 to 35% decrease in space heat demand and a 200 to 300% increase in space cooling demand. Temperature variability is projected to decrease. Precipitation estimates from global …

Heating Degree Days In Iowa Relative To Home Natural Gas Consumption, Conservation Efforts, And Long-Term Trends, Richard E. Carlson

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

A methodology is presented to assess the effectiveness of conservation efforts relative to home heating. Billing period heating degree days and natural gas consumption relationships are established for a typical household for nineteen heating seasons using simple linear regression. Associated correlations (r² values) were greater than 0. 95 for nineteen different seasons. Regression coefficients (b₀ and b₁) were found to decrease with time indicating reduced natural gas consumption due to conservation efforts. Procedures are presented to illustrate dollar savings relative to conservation efforts using the regression relationships. Long-term trends for heating degree days at the Ames, …