(An introduction to my next book, Instances in Time) Incipience On the first day of my remaining future existence on the planet, I awoke with a goal of enhancing my experiences of the world by applying a lifetime of observations identifying phenomena through trained senses of touch, taste, smell, sound, and sight. As my eyes broke through a barrier of darkness and sensed an incipient spark of daylight, they captured a slice of solar energy arriving approximately eight minutes and nineteen seconds from its source, the Sun (plate 1). This singular instance in time is significant in that it represents an incipient movement of radiant energy emitted from the Sun to the Earth. Biologic existence could not have developed without the incredibly complex interactions between them, nor could the human species appreciate the plethora of observations made every day of our lives. An initial penetration of these radiant pulses continues through the atmosphere contacting the surface of the earth. The Sun is a major energy source for ultimately raising the temperature of the entire composition of matter above absolute zero (-273 degrees Celsius/0 degrees Kelvin), which is the catalyst for all molecular movement. It follows the ongoing evolutionary changes that have resulted throughout the Earth’s history are in part driven by forces that are continuously fed by energy emitted from our Sun. Geothermal energy is generated from within the core/mantle contact of the Earth by the radioactive decay (a nucleus of an unstable atom of an element loses energy by emitting ionizing radiation which is energy that liberates electrons from atoms or molecules thus creating a charged particle) of primary elements. Continued chemical exchanges at the atomic level and physical processes such as changes in temperature, pressure, and the addition of water form secondary elements, which combine to form the minerals that form the rocks that are the foundation or basement complex of the Earth’s crust. Solar energy generated by a continuous stream of nuclear reactions within the Sun combined with geothermal (radioactive decay) energy provide the driving forces between and within four principle Earth systems: the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Each system consists of an assemblage of surface and sub-surface processes that when combined, function to create an infinite array of changes at the Earth’s surface. Radiant energy derived from the Sun travels through space in electromagnetic wavelengths. The complete range of wavelengths is termed the electromagnetic spectrum. The visible range of the wavelengths within the electromagnetic spectrum is from 0.38 to 0.75 micrometers (one micrometer is a linear measure of one-millionth of a meter). When electromagnetic radiation (EMR) passes through a transparent prism, light is refracted into the principle visible colors of violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red (plate 2). As the Sun rises above the horizon, tiny particles suspended in the Earth’s lower atmosphere scatter (a form of reflection) the incoming longer visible wavelengths into hues of red, orange, and blue (plate 3). Within seconds, the colors of the sky begin to blend to a uniform blue. By early afternoon, incoming solar radiation from the sun generates uneven heating of the surface of the planet, which creates parcels (bubbles) of air. These bubbles of air rise, expand, cool (adiabatically), and upon reaching an altitude of saturation (convective condensation level) condense to form the incipient stages of cumulus humulus clouds (plate 4). Over the next several minutes, rising air continues to condense and add moisture that builds an infinite array of geometrical configurations within the growing cloud mass (plate 5). An upper level wind begins to reassemble the moist, rising air mass into the cauliflower-like cumulus congestus clouds (plate 6). Since the air is unstable aloft it continues to rise, condense, and ultimately level off into the anvil-shaped cumulonimbus thunderstorm cloud over the nearby mountains (plate 7). The entire process evolves over a few hours, and culminates in an afternoon thunderstorm. Electrically charged particles generate lightning, and the rapid pulses of thunder that result as electron movement breaks the sound barrier explode with startling force across the desert air producing sound effects heard for miles. Being alone on the desert floor surrounded by mountains during a thunderstorm is highly sensitizing and clearly a bit frightening. Although the smell of a passing thunderstorm is unmistakable, it is extremely difficult to express in words. How do you describe how rain smells, the taste of air freshened by a passing storm, or the distinctive odor left behind when lightning strikes a nearby structure? Some things must be witnessed to appreciate; to even begin to record the sensory feeling of such an event is inadequate in words, but these feelings are alive and well if one has witnessed them. There are few physical experiences as refreshing as the contact of rain on one’s parched skin previously exposed for days to the hot desert Sun. The coolness of water as it removes the grit consisting of sand mixed with perspiration and body salts deposited in this harsh unforgiving climate is cathartic. This single rainfall event cleanses the body and the soul, which is just one example of an experience being alive (plate 8)! Places I have been, visions I have captured, sounds I have heard, experiences I have valued, free in Spirit, healthy in body, sound in mind, happy in life… dmv
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 03:16:36 +0000
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