"Odelia's Fan"
digitally manipulated fractal flame collage by Mick Mather

OUTER DUST RINGS, Quadrant 7 - A remnant of the black hole currently occupying Quadrant 1 is adding another mystery to the growing number of visible events throughout the system. A spokesperson for The Ministry of Science & Future Technology has gone on record to report that sanctioned study teams are relatively certain that they're seeing a graviton attached to a superstring. Once the black hole began breaking apart, fundamental forces in each sector began behaving radically, in this display, for example, with an emission of light particles dubbed "Odelia's Fan" (after The Princess of Derby). The space around the graviton is extremely bent and another theory is that we're witnessing the creation of a new continuum portal that, if true, is suspected to reach farther into the known universe than any other previously discovered port. As with the Quadrant 1 activity, only authorized scientific teams are allowed in the area but satellite transmission of approved visuals - as seen here - are now available via EyeSpy Satellite feed. Since grid time is expensive, the Ministry of Education will purchase block feeds and make them available to appropriate study groups. Contact MoE for complete details.

High Flying Sport -

"Surf Shakers"
digitally manipulated fractal flame collage by Mick Mather

LAST WORLD, Thermosphere - In an effort to rehabilitate Last World's atmosphere, the Ministry of Science & Future Technology has purchased a modernized fleet of high-flying processors that are expected to boost and enhance the output of ground-based units. The ships are huge, kilometer-size behemoths that circle the planet, skimming along - or, as the pilots call it, surfing the thermosphere. Each is equipped with a number of atmospheric seeding devices as well as a particle accelerator configured to accomplish such tasks as super heating water, breaking up ice sheets and raking permafrost layers known to contain bacteria and other organisms that assist in speeding up the process of planet warming and atmosphere stabilization. This shake & bake approach to creating livable environments for future colonists is standard technology fare, but the addition of the Surf Shaker high-fly unit is quite a new wrinkle. In this artist rendition, a pair of processors can be seen as they go about their important work in tandem. Since pilot rotation is heavy during this phase of planetary rehab, opportunities for young men and women seeking work after graduation are above average for qualified individuals. The Ministry of Education has implemented an internship program for seniors and graduate level students who are encouraged to apply. What's in your future?

Theorists Laboratory -

"A Black Hole Losing Gravity"
digitally manipulated fractal flame by Mick Mather

OUTER DUST RINGS, Quadrant 1 - The Ministry of Science & Future Technology has released the unsettling news that a black hole has apparently been captured by the Outer Dust Rings System. A research station, established at the fringe of Quadrant 1 to study an unknown and puzzling event, has now confirmed that a black hole in the throes of rapid entropic convulsion is the cause. Until now, it was always assumed that a black hole would continue to capture and devour anything in its path through eternity. This is no longer thought to be the case and it's clear that this stellar destroyer is losing gravity at an exponential rate. While no member of the research team is willing to offer a theory as regards what the end result of this strange occurrence will be, it is quite clear that the information being gathered will effectively change current paradigms relating to quantum mechanics of black holes. Currently, only authorized scientific teams are permitted in the quadrant but fly-by tours may be forthcoming.

"The Ribs of the Sea of Dust"
digitally manipulated fractal flame collage by Mick Mather

TRACKS, The Ribs - The Ministry of Science & Future Technology will be offering another series of digs for students interested in archaeology. This collaboration with the Ministry of Education will study the plate tectonics and inter-plate, oceanic volcanic activity that gave rise to this planet's name. The ribbed patterns of magma seen from space make the planet appear to be covered in a variety of track-like patterns. Similar activity is occurring on all of the planets with deep oceans and plate activity, especially Waterworld. Tracks itself is an elder sister and was once completely covered with water as well. The dig team process has a relatively simple application but competition for available slots is stiff. Contact either Ministry today for complete details.

Emergence From the Birth Chamber -

"Hyper Cooling View"
fractal flame & digital drawing by Mick Mather

STAR CHAMBER: QUADRANT SIX, Outer Dust Rings - The most recent gas bubble to emerge from the cluster of birth chambers in Quadrant Six shows signs of becoming a planet. The gas bubble that was ejected suddenly and quickly from one of the unstable canals is currently undergoing hyper cooling. In addition, post genesis ion streams driven by magnetically charged winds of super heated gas seem to be providing the required ingredients for this recipe of planet building. While it's too soon to know whether the newborn will remain on the current path to planet status, study teams are busily recording every facet of the post-delivery process. It may be decades before probes can be sent and perhaps a generation before manned research teams will be able to stand on the surface. If your adolescent scientist is showing any early interest in this phenomenon, be aware that the Ministry of Science & Future Technology is planning experiential learning programs in partnership with the Ministry of Education and The Ground Zero Geological Foundation. Contact any of these partner organizations for enrollment details today.

The R2 Factory -

"Power Core Upgrade at the R2 Factory"
digital collage by Mick Mather

OOPSVILLE, DERBY, Ministry of Science & Future Technology - A recent advance by teams of engineers and AI developers at Netsky is expected to improve the intelligence capacity of machines to previously unimagined levels. The new power core hardware is assembled from millions of clusters of nanotech appliances capable of progressive, intuitive and creative thinking. Apparently, the AI code writers plugged a desktop model into the wrong power outlet where a surge resulted in the creation of magnetic fields that quickly became intertwined with - and took control of - the linear thinking loops. Soon, the model was creatively thinking and learning on it's own as evidenced by work output that was clearly defining, refining and recreating the field to achieve faster and better results as well as making innovations on the programmed linear task loops. The power core installations for factory line R2 units will begin soon and the Ministry of Tourism has already partnered with Netsky and their Public Relations department to promote factory tours. Contact your local agent for details!

Star Cradle of Tanak -

"Starbirth"

digitally manipulated photograph & digital drawing by Mick Mather

TANAK, The Star Cradle - The eccentric orbit of Tanak brings it closer than any of the other Outer Dust Ring planets to that area of space where stars are born. The recent discovery of a rogue planet and its companion, as they transit a forming star, is making Tanak a scientific and tourist destination. Teams of experts have been assembled by the Ministry of Science and Future Technology with the express purpose of studying a phenomena of symbiosis never before seen. As this rogue planet and her moon come into close proximity of the new star - dubbed Egg, Egbert and RM214 respectively by the study group - it is becoming apparent the magnetic fields of each orb and the infant star are affecting each other. All current indications point to the unusual occurrence where Egg and Egbert will merge with the ionized plasma to create the star's core. This raises many questions and many new theories - will the moon continue to orbit within the star and what effects would that have on the core layers, the surface and the corona. Why not plan your visit to Tanak today and be part of this amazing conversation of discovery!

Clouds of Plenty -

"Harvest Aurora on Derby"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

DERBY, The Harvest Festival - Once again, as Waterworld draws closer to Derby, you can expect to view spectacular displays in the sky during The Harvest Festival. Every three years this close proximity of two extraordinary worlds initiates a game of hide and seek with a light show! Collisions between atmospheric gases and showers of electrons and protons guided by their intersecting magnetic fields set the skies aglow. As can be seen in this artists rendition of one spectacular auroral formation documented by the Ministry of Science & Future Technology a trip to Derby will be especially rewarding this year. For family fun and an educational package available nowhere else, now is the time to plan your festival vacation.