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COSMOS is defined by GSReport as the sum and product of all forces, phenomena and events within the entire expanse of the universe, whether known or unknown. For purposes of Global Situation Report, Cosmos includes not only the physical universe of star systems and galaxies, but also forces and phenomena which may exist beyond the known physical, including phenomena sometimes termed trans-dimensional and phenomena sometimes termed metaphysical or spiritual. Cosmos includes that which appears, to the human mind, to be transcendental, mystical or persistently mysterious. It includes all expressions of God. Therefore, as viewed by Global Situation Report, human religion arises out of the interaction of Society and Cosmos. Means to Detect Distant E.T. Life May Come by 2010 (5/25/99) Scientists are optimistic that a new space-based telescope called the Terrestrial Planet Finder could identify extra-solar planets suitable for life within ten years. Ideal Moon Bases Identified At South Pole (5/10/99) Plenty of sun and the likelihood of water make the moon's south pole a promising spot for human activity. New Evidence Supports Claims of Life on Mars (4/1/99) Several unrelated discoveries announced in mid-March, 1999 seemed to lend further support to the claim that bacteria-like organisms may have once lived on Mars. More Evidence Supporting Ocean on Europa (4/1/99) Several new studies of data from the Galileo spacecraft suppport the notion that Jupiter's moon Europa has a liquid salt-water ocean, probably below several miles of ice and slush. Solar Storms May Add to Y2K Threat (3/25/99) An unusually strong peak in the 11-year sunspot cycle could coincide with Y2K in early January, 2000, adding an extra measure of technological trouble. Quantum Entanglement Could Have Huge Real-World Impacts (3/25/99) New discoveries regarding quantum entanglement could revolutionize long distance communication and may have numerous other implications as well. First Interstellar Space Mission Now Under Study (3/25/99) Scientists are working on a plan to launch the world's first interstellar space mission, an unmanned nuclear powered rocket that would carry a space telescope well beyond the edge of our solar system. Leading Cosmologist Says Universe is Immortal (3/1/99) Cosmologist Andrei Linde says the Big Bang theory is all wrong. Instead, he says, the known universe 'bubbled off' from a previous universe and will in turn 'bubble off' other universes in a sequence that lasts literally forever. Survey: Most U.S. Scientists Don't Believe in God (2/25/99) A survey in mid-1998 found that 93% of U.S. scientists do not profess belief in God, and 92.1 percent do not profess belief in immortality. Newly Discovered Exo-Planet Could Be Smallest Yet (2/16/99) An extra-solar planet recently discovered about 70 light years from Earth might be about the size of Saturn, which would make it the smallest such planet yet found. Low Gravity of Mars May Alter Plants, Animals (2/1/99) Once Mars is settled, the much lower gravity of the Red Planet might profoundly alter many features of transplanted Earth life, including humans. If E.T. Hasn't Visited Yet, Here's a Reason Why (2/1/99) Astrophysicist James Annis has proposed that giant gamma ray bursts periodically wipe out most life in the galaxy, meaning that intelligent E.T.s might not have time to evolve to the spacefaring stage. Galaxy Just Coming of Age, Leading Space Theorist Says (12/10/98) Space theorist Mario Livio, in a paper to be published in the Astrophysical Journal, says intelligent life and civilization may be just starting to emerge in many parts of the galaxy at this time. New Planet Discovered Around Nearby Star (12/05/98) Swiss scientists working at a Chilean observatory announced on November 24, 1998 the discovery of a Jupiter-like planet orbiting a star called Gliese 86. Built by Frontier on a Macintosh on 6/17/00; 12:55:39 PM. Mail to GSReport - Web Comments - Produced by Larry Lowe Served 9210 times since 4/10/99.

The most luminous star ever found in our galaxy is shown in the center of this 1997 image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope -- a celestial mammoth which releases up to 10 million times the power of the Sun and is big enough to fill the diameter of Earth's orbit. Called the "Pistol Star" for the pistol-shaped nebula surrounding it, this object is about 25,000 light-years from Earth near the center of the Milky Way. It is young as stars go, probably less than three million years old; and because of its enormous size and energy output, it will have a short life and a very violent death. Astronomers of the future will perhaps witness the super-nova of the Pistol Star and record it as the greatest explosion ever observed by humans. (Photo by AURA/STScI)