University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, December 11. 1974 16
Comet, space research make mark in science'74
By MIKE MEESKE
Reporter
A comet that fizzed, the end of an American space mission and two unmanned space vehicles kept the major science news at bay. The stories not most of the attention of the press.
On the ground, there were other important stories that dealt with the environment and natural resources. These stories didn't receive as much attention, but they probably will have more of an immediate impact on the future.
TO HERALD the scientific year, no greater harbinger was found than the comet Kohoutek. The comet, touted as the greatest space spectacle since Halley's comet, reached the closest point in its orbit of the sun in January.
Astronaut Edward Gibson, traveling aboard the orbiting space laboratory Skylab, said, "I tell you it's one of the most beautiful creations I've ever seen."
On earth, there were other phrases used to describe the comet that never really became discernible. Regardless of public disappointment, scientifically much data were gathered and opinions formed about the role of the comet in the universe.
THE COMPANION space travelers of Kohouteh, the astronauts of Skylab, and the astronauts of the International Space Station.
Gerald Carr, William Paulen and Edward Gibson returned after setting a record of 84 days in earth orbit. The Skylab project was the first manned mission, previously marveled American mission.
A similar venture in the Soviet Union ended abruptly in September. Soyuz 15, manned by two astronauts, one of them a grandfather, returned to earth after two days in space. American scientists speculated that electrical power had failed or that the craft was unable to hook up with the orbiting Space station Satyul 3.
TWO UNMANNED space vehicles gave
American scientists looks at distant neigh-
bors.
Mariner 10 passed the planet Mercury in March and sent back pictures and data. Photographs of the planet's surface showed craters not totally similar to those on the moon. The craters were flatter and had more rugosity than on the moon. The craft also detected a weak magnetic field and thin atmosphere encircling the planet.
Almost a year to the date of Pioneer 10's trip to Jupiter, Pioneer 11 passed by this December. Data haven't been analyzed, but Pioneer 11 is expected to solve mysteries about Jupiter's magnetic field and hands of heavy radiation.
AMERICAN SPACE achievements may have been successes, but many scientists sounded like prophets of doom when the environment was mentioned.
Production of two chemicals, aldrin and dieldrin, was stopped because of high cancer risks. A market basket check by the Food and Drug Administration found that 96 per cent of meat, fish and poultry was contaminated by those chemicals.
Later in the year, vinyl chloride, used to make products such as records and seat covers, came under scrutiny from the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Exposure to vinyl chloride in the air, the department said, caused a rare form of cancer of the liver.
THE EARTH'S atmosphere had its share of bad stories, too.
Ozone levels in the atmosphere, scientists said, were being reduced by aerosol spray ingredients that built up under the ozone. The ozone protects the earth from excessive ultraviolet radiation of the sun. Further reduction in ozone levels would nuclear testing or exhausts of supersonic aircraft might destroy the ozone, thus ending life on earth.
One scientist at the Stanford Research Institute has blamed new low pollution fuels for acidic rainfall in areas where soot problems were solved. The fuels form sulfur dioxide, and, because there is no soot-, combine in the atmosphere and fall as acidic rain. The rain, among other things, corrodes buildings.
WATER ALSO got into the news because of chlorination and the possible link of drinking water to cancer. The government decided to run tests on polluted and chlorinated New Orleans water to determine more facts.
The oceans of the world were publicized this year as the new resource to save mankind. Nations eagerly vied for it. The United States hosted a Conference on the Law of the Sea. Mineral deposits of lead, copper, zinc, silver and gold in the Red Sea alone are estimated to be worth $3.4 billion. Many nations want the seas for oils and for food production.
One group, the atomic scientists, bet that they would have to figure out about food, farming, fuel and resources.
THE ATOMIC scientists pushed forward their "doomday clock" by putting the minute hand at nine minutes to midnight, the closest it has ever been. Two years ago, the United States sent a nuclear saboteur and terrorism, India's entry into the nuclear world and the spread of nuclear weapons prompted the new time. One consolation is that this was done in 1945, when the Soviet-American arms agreements.
This year, the Nobel prize in chemistry went to Paul Flory of Stanford University for his study of large molecules or macromolecules.
Martin Ryle and Anthony Hewish of Cambridge University shared the Nobel prize in physics for their research in radio astronomy.
Popularity rises in intramurals
McElloy said participation was about equally distributed between the informants and the groups. The least participation, she said, comes from the large residence halls.
Intramurals are more popular than ever this year, Claire McEliroy, director of the women's and coeducational intramurals programs, said recently.
"It's hard for them to organize," McElroy said.
The most popular sport is coeducational volleyball. McPelroy said,
The intramural program is funded mostly through Student Senate funds. The Senate allots the intramural program 20 cents a month, and comes to about $8,200. McElroy said.
McEloy said a supplement had been given to set them through the year.
"The program costs about $12,000 a year, not including directors' salaries, which are paid by the state." McBryll said. "This program did get about $4,000 from the Senate."
A policy advisory board has been created to set up the intramural boards and to plan for future development.
Some students have complained about the lack of sufficient facilities. Teams sometimes haven't even been able to work with the crowds because of the crowding. McEllow said.
Improvements in Allen Field House should help alleviate this problem, she said. Tentatively starting in December, volleyball, basketball and badminton facilities will be available in Allen, McElroy said.
The money is available for a supervisor; maintenance and some basic equipment, she said. Applications are being accepted for the supervisor for the program.
The intramural program originally was a part of the physical education department until about five years ago. Because of the way the program was growing, the intramural program completely separated from that department two years ago.
Getting information to the student body about the programs and entry dates is one of the biggest problems of the intramural programs, McEliroy said. Information concerning any of the programs can be obtained in 208 Robinson Gymnasium.
The intramurals programs include activities for both men and women. These programs are either solely for men or for women, or for both.
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