"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?

Topographic Zoning -

"Reclamation Zone I"
digitally manipulated fractal flame & digital drawing by Mick Mather

TRACKS, Edge of the Sea of Dust - Geoformers have begun reclaiming large tracts of the wastelands north of the Sea of Dust. From a distance, the gridded locations of future reservoirs, reflecting pools and building foundations appear as a series of dots and dashes. These depressions not only resemble an ancient communication code, they are in fact based on that old code. One that tells the story of how the built environment to come is to be zoned, developed and marked for purposes of site design, satellite mapping and wayfinding that will eventually include visual signage, maps and municipal information directories. While there is a program for advanced study level students of geoforming, other disciplines - communication design, environmental foundation gridding, architectural community design as well as infrastructure development & management - will find the Work Studies Program to be an experiential addition to contemporary curricula and theory. Contact The Ministry of Education today for your information brochure and application.

"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.

Ministry of Education: School of Architecture -

"Close to Zero"

book jacket design by Mick Mather

DERBY, Ministry of Education - The bestseller on architectural engineering practices in low-gravity environments has recently been revised by Professor Dona Churnow. Publication of the second edition is pending - awaiting a decision by The University of Derby to use their own imprint again or move the tome to an outside publisher. The dust jacket, shown here, has also been redesigned by Michael Warren, the well known ex patriot Terran artist. An exhibition of the original painting is being planned when a release date has been confirmed.