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Copy of Outer Space_ 2016 Planets Discovery

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Common Online Scams And How To Avoid Them

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Tech-savvy teens falling prey to online scams faster than their grandparents

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Distinctive Norms and Values of Ethnic Groups_ A Sociological Perspective

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Tara Siegel BernardAfter reporting this series, Tara, who writes about personal finance, thinks everything is a scam.

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Phony Romeos? Email Threats? Dissecting the Anatomy of an Online Scam.

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In a series for the Business desk, a reporter is chasing down sophisticated online scams that target Americans, particularly older adults.

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Cybersecurity is key

When cybersecurity is inadequate, it can lead to stolen identity and financial loss. Most scams and scammers have two main goals--to steal your money and your identity. You should know what to look for, how they work, and what to do, so you can protect yourself and your finances.

Maintaining cybersecurity is very important, even for consumers. It is not simply something that concerns large corporations and other businesses. Here are some steps you can take:

Do not open email from people you don't know. If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.

Be careful with links and new website addresses. Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.

Secure your personal information. Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.

Stay informed on the latest cyber threats. Keep yourself up to date on current scams. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) can provide you with Alerts.

Use Strong Passwords. Strong passwords are critical to online security. Review CISA guidance on Choosing and Protecting Passwords.

Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs. Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.

Update the operating systems on your electronic devices. Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.

Here are some trending scams to look out for:
Money Mules
Scammers use people as "money mules" to receive or move money obtained from victims of fraudulent activities. Scammers proactively recruit people to be part of fraudulent activity without their knowing it. If a stranger asks you to open a bank account, or asks for access to your bank account or debit card, be extremely guarded. A scammer may ask you to move money and direct you to deposit funds into your bank account, or ask you to purchase virtual currency or gift cards for someone else's benefit. In these scenarios, you may be unknowingly hiding someone else's money for them. Be very cautious if a stranger asks you to receive or forward packages containing money or goods, which may also be part of a similar fraudulent scheme.

If you believe you have engaged in, or contributed to, money mule activities, stop transferring money or merchandise, and stop communicating with the person giving you direction. Then, immediately report your concern to your bank. Your banker can assist you with the appropriate steps toward protecting your bank account and money. You should also report the suspected activity to law enforcement. Visit the U.S. Department of Justice webpage on money mules for more information.
Online Dating
Romance scammers, as they are often called, create fake profiles and try to develop relationships with their targeted victims through online dating apps or social networking websites. Once the relationship develops and they have earned your trust, the scammer makes up a story and asks for your money. Be aware that scammers are lurking in these areas, so you can keep yourself and your money safe. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has additional information on romance scams.
Impostors
Impostor scams are when a scammer pretends to be someone you know or trust to convince you to send them money. They may even claim they are with the FDIC or another government agency. These scams are communicated through emails, phone calls, letters, text messages, faxes, and social media. The messages might ask you to "confirm" or "update" confidential personal financial information, such as bank account numbers. In other cases, the communication might be an offer to help victims of current or previous frauds with an investigation or to recover losses. Some scams request that you file official looking forms, such as insurance claims, or pay taxes on prize winnings. They might claim that you have an unpaid debt and threaten you with a lawsuit or arrest if you don't pay. Other recent examples include check endorsements, bankruptcy claimant verification forms, stock confirmations, and investment purchases.

The FDIC or other government agencies do not send unsolicited correspondence asking for money or sensitive personal information, and we will never threaten you, or demand that you pay by gift card, wiring money, or digital currency. FDIC Consumer News: Scammers Pretending to be the FDIC has more information on impostor scams.
Mortgage and Foreclosure Scams
Watch out for scammers who falsely claim to be lenders, loan servicers, financial counselors, or representatives of government agencies who can help with your mortgage. These criminals prey on vulnerable, desperate homeowners. For more on mortgage scams and how to protect yourself, visit the FTC Mortgage Relief Scams.

Foreclosure scams usually come from multiple advertisements stating that a company wants to save you from foreclosure. This scam allows fraudsters to take the equity out of your home. They may even try to evict you from your home and sell it. Learn more at Common Foreclosure Rescue and Loan Modification Scams under the FDIC Consumer Assistance Topics.
Ransomware
One cyber threat often discussed in the news is ransomware. Typically, this scam targets businesses, not individuals. Ransomware is a type of malware created to lock or encrypt files on an electronic device like a smart phone or computer. The sender of the ransomware then demands a ransom in exchange for unlocking or decrypting the information on your electronic device. The scammer typically threatens to publically disclose or sell the compromised information, if the ransom is not paid.

If you believe your business is a victim of a ransomware attack, contact law enforcement immediately. You can also contact a local field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or U.S. Secret Service to report a ransomware attack and ask for assistance.

Maintaining your cybersecurity will help prevent you from being a victim of identity theft and potential financial loss. Staying current on the latest types of scams can help you to identify the risks and learn how avoid them, so you can protect yourself and your finances.
Additional Resources
FDIC Podcast: Banking on Innovation: Building a More Resilient Banking System

FDIC Consumer News: Beware It's a Scam

FDIC Video: #FDICExplains Phishing

CISA: Ransomware 101

FDIC Press Release: Online Dating Scams

For more consumer resources, visit FDIC.gov, or go to the FDIC Knowledge Center. You can also call the FDIC toll-free at 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342). Please send your story ideas or comments to ConsumerNews@fdic.gov. You can subscribe to this and other free FDIC publications to keep informed!

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When cybersecurity is inadequate, it can lead to stolen identity and financial loss. Most scams and scammers have two main goals--to steal your money and your identity. You should know what to look for, how they work, and what to do, so you can protect yourself and your finances.

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It may sometimes feel like AI is a recent development in technology. After all, it's only become mainstream to use in the last several years, right? In reality, the groundwork for AI began in the early 1900s. And although the biggest strides weren't made until the 1950s, it wouldn't have been possible without the work of early experts in many different fields.

Knowing the history of AI is important in understanding where AI is now and where it may go in the future. In this article, we cover all the major developments in AI, from the groundwork laid in the early 1900s, to the major strides made in recent years.

In this article, we'll cover:

1. What is artificial intelligence?

2. The history of artificial intelligence

3. What does the future hold

What is artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is a specialty within computer science that is concerned with creating systems that can replicate human intelligence and problem-solving abilities. They do this by taking in a myriad of data, processing it, and learning from their past in order to streamline and improve in the future. A normal computer program would need human interference in order to fix bugs and improve processes.

Learn more about AI.

The history of artificial intelligence:

The idea of "artificial intelligence" goes back thousands of years, to ancient philosophers considering questions of life and death. In ancient times, inventors made things called "automatons" which were mechanical and moved independently of human intervention. The word " automaton" comes from ancient Greek, and means "acting of one's own will." One of the earliest records of an automaton comes from 400 BCE and refers to a mechanical pigeon created by a friend of the philosopher Plato. Many years later, one of the most famous automatons was created by Leonardo da Vinci around the year 1495.

So while the idea of a machine being able to function on its own is ancient, for the purposes of this article, we're going to focus on the 20th century, when engineers and scientists began to make strides toward our modern-day AI.

Groundwork for AI:

1900-1950In the early 1900s, there was a lot of media created that centered around the idea of artificial humans. So much so that scientists of all sorts started asking the question: is it possible to create an artificial brain? Some creators even made some versions of what we now call "robots" (and the word was coined in a Czech play in 1921) though most of them were relatively simple. These were steam-powered for the most part, and some could make facial expressions and even walk.

Dates of note:

1921: Czech playwright Karel Čapek released a science fiction play "Rossum's Universal Robots" which introduced the idea of "artificial people" which he named robots. This was the first known use of the word.

1929: Japanese professor Makoto Nishimura built the first Japanese robot, named Gakutensoku.

1949: Computer scientist Edmund Callis Berkley published the book "Giant Brains, or Machines that Think" which compared the newer models of computers to human brains.

Birth of AI: 1950-1956

This range of time was when the interest in AI really came to a head. Alan Turing published his work "Computer Machinery and Intelligence" which eventually became The Turing Test, which experts used to measure computer intelligence. The term "artificial intelligence" was coined and came into popular use.

Dates of note:

1950: Alan Turing published "Computer Machinery and Intelligence" which proposed a test of machine intelligence called The Imitation Game.

1952: A computer scientist named Arthur Samuel developed a program to play checkers, which is the first to ever learn the game independently.

1955: John McCarthy held a workshop at Dartmouth on "artificial intelligence" which is the first use of the word, and how it came into popular usage.

AI maturation: 1957-1979

The time between when the phrase "artificial intelligence" was created, and the 1980s was a period of both rapid growth and struggle for AI research. The late 1950s through the 1960s was a time of creation. From programming languages that are still in use to this day to books and films that explored the idea of robots, AI became a mainstream idea quickly.

The 1970s showed similar improvements, such as the first anthropomorphic robot being built in Japan, to the first example of an autonomous vehicle being built by an engineering grad student. However, it was also a time of struggle for AI research, as the U.S. government showed little interest in continuing to fund AI research.

Notable dates include:

1958: John McCarthy created LISP (acronym for List Processing), the first programming language for AI research, which is still in popular use to this day.

1959: Arthur Samuel created the term "machine learning" when doing a speech about teaching machines to play chess better than the humans who programmed them.

1961: The first industrial robot Unimate started working on an assembly line at General Motors in New Jersey, tasked with transporting die casings and welding parts on cars (which was deemed too dangerous for humans).

1965: Edward Feigenbaum and Joshua Lederberg created the first "expert system" which was a form of AI programmed to replicate the thinking and decision-making abilities of human experts.

1966: Joseph Weizenbaum created the first "chatterbot" (later shortened to chatbot), ELIZA, a mock psychotherapist, that used natural language processing (NLP) to converse with humans.1968: Soviet mathematician Alexey Ivakhnenko published "Group Method of Data Handling" in the journal "Avtomatika," which proposed a new approach to AI that would later become what we now know as "Deep Learning."

1973: An applied mathematician named James Lighthill gave a report to the British Science Council, underlining that strides were not as impressive as those that had been promised by scientists, which led to much-reduced support and funding for AI research from the British government.

1979: James L. Adams created The Standford Cart in 1961, which became one of the first examples of an autonomous vehicle. In '79, it successfully navigated a room full of chairs without human interference.

1979: The American Association of Artificial Intelligence which is now known as the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) was founded.

AI boom: 1980-1987

Most of the 1980s showed a period of rapid growth and interest in AI, now labeled as the "AI boom." This came from both breakthroughs in research, and additional government funding to support the researchers. Deep Learning techniques and the use of Expert System became more popular, both of which allowed computers to learn from their mistakes and make independent decisions.

Notable dates in this time period include:

1980: First conference of the AAAI was held at Stanford.

1980: The first expert system came into the commercial market, known as XCON (expert configurer). It was designed to assist in the ordering of computer systems by automatically picking components based on the customer's needs.

1981: The Japanese government allocated $850 million (over $2 billion dollars in today's money) to the Fifth Generation Computer project. Their aim was to create computers that could translate, converse in human language, and express reasoning on a human level.

1984: The AAAI warns of an incoming "AI Winter" where funding and interest would decrease, and make research significantly more difficult.

1985: An autonomous drawing program known as AARON is demonstrated at the AAAI conference.

1986: Ernst Dickmann and his team at Bundeswehr University of Munich created and demonstrated the first driverless car (or robot car). It could drive up to 55 mph on roads that didn't have other obstacles or human drivers.

1987: Commercial launch of Alacrity by Alactrious Inc. Alacrity was the first strategy managerial advisory system, and used a complex expert system with 3,000+ rules.

AI winter: 1987-1993

As the AAAI warned, an AI Winter came. The term describes a period of low consumer, public, and private interest in AI which leads to decreased research funding, which, in turn, leads to few breakthroughs. Both private investors and the government lost interest in AI and halted their funding due to high cost versus seemingly low return. This AI Winter came about because of some setbacks in the machine market and expert systems, including the end of the Fifth Generation project, cutbacks in strategic computing initiatives, and a slowdown in the deployment of expert systems.

Notable dates include:

AI agents: 1993-2011

Despite the lack of funding during the AI Winter, the early 90s showed some impressive strides forward in AI research, including the introduction of the first AI system that could beat a reigning world champion chess player. This era also introduced AI into everyday life via innovations such as the first Roomba and the first commercially-available speech recognition software on Windows computers.

The surge in interest was followed by a surge in funding for research, which allowed even more progress to be made.

Notable dates include:

1997: Deep Blue (developed by IBM) beat the world chess champion, Gary Kasparov, in a highly-publicized match, becoming the first program to beat a human chess champion.

1997: Windows released a speech recognition software (developed by Dragon Systems).

2000: Professor Cynthia Breazeal developed the first robot that could simulate human emotions with its face,which included eyes, eyebrows, ears, and a mouth. It was called Kismet.

2002: The first Roomba was released.

2003: Nasa landed two rovers onto Mars (Spirit and Opportunity) and they navigated the surface of the planet without human intervention.

2006: Companies such as Twitter, Facebook, and Netflix started utilizing AI as a part of their advertising and user experience (UX) algorithms.

2010: Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 Kinect, the first gaming hardware designed to track body movement and translate it into gaming directions.

2011: An NLP computer programmed to answer questions named Watson (created by IBM) won Jeopardy against two former champions in a televised game.

2011: Apple released Siri, the first popular virtual assistant.

Artificial General Intelligence: 2012-present

That brings us to the most recent developments in AI, up to the present day. We've seen a surge in common-use AI tools, such as virtual assistants, search engines, etc. This time period also popularized Deep Learning and Big Data..

Notable dates include:

2012: Two researchers from Google (Jeff Dean and Andrew Ng) trained a neural network to recognize cats by showing it unlabeled images and no background information.

2015: Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, and Steve Wozniak (and over 3,000 others) signed an open letter to the worlds' government systems banning the development of (and later, use of) autonomous weapons for purposes of war.

2016: Hanson Robotics created a humanoid robot named Sophia, who became known as the first "robot citizen" and was the first robot created with a realistic human appearance and the ability to see and replicate emotions, as well as to communicate.

2017: Facebook programmed two AI chatbots to converse and learn how to negotiate, but as they went back and forth they ended up forgoing English and developing their own language, completely autonomously.

2018: A Chinese tech group called Alibaba's language-processing AI beat human intellect on a Stanford reading and comprehension test.

2019: Google's AlphaStar reached Grandmaster on the video game StarCraft 2, outperforming all but .2% of human players.

2020: OpenAI started beta testing GPT-3, a model that uses Deep Learning to create code, poetry, and other such language and writing tasks. While not the first of its kind, it is the first that creates content almost indistinguishable from those created by humans.

2021: OpenAI developed DALL-E, which can process and understand images enough to produce accurate captions, moving AI one step closer to understanding the visual world.

What does the future hold?

Now that we're back to the present, there is probably a natural next question on your mind: so what comes next for AI?

Well, we can never entirely predict the future. However, many leading experts talk about the possible futures of AI, so we can make educated guesses. We can expect to see further adoption of AI by businesses of all sizes, changes in the workforce as more automation eliminates and creates jobs in equal measure, more robotics, autonomous vehicles, and so much more.

Interested in moving your business forward with the help of AI? Learn how Tableau equips customers with the best possible data using AI analytics.

Connect with your customers and boost your bottom line with actionable insights.

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What is the history of artificial intelligence (AI)?

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Understanding the history of AI is the key to understanding where we are now, and where we can go. Learn about the history of AI now.

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What Is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? | IBM

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision-making, creativity and autonomy.

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Humans have always looked up into the night sky and dreamed about space.

In the latter half of the 20th century, rockets were developed that were powerful enough to overcome the force of gravity to reach orbital velocities, paving the way for space exploration to become a reality.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Nazi Germany saw the possibilities of using long-distance rockets as weapons. Late in World War II, London was attacked by 200-mile-range V-2 missiles, which arched 60 miles high over the English Channel at more than 3,500 miles per hour. After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union created their own missile programs.

On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviets launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into space. Four years later on April 12, 1961, Russian Lt. Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit Earth in Vostok 1. His flight lasted 108 minutes, and Gagarin reached an altitude of 327 kilometers (about 202 miles).

The first U.S. satellite, Explorer 1, went into orbit on Jan. 31, 1958. In 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American to fly into space. On Feb. 20, 1962, John Glenn's historic flight made him the first American to orbit Earth.

Landing On The Moon

Landing on the moon: Apollo 12 launches for second moon landing Nov. 14, 1969.

"Landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth within a decade" was a national goal set by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong took "one giant leap for mankind" as he stepped onto the Moon. Six Apollo missions were made to explore the Moon between 1969 and 1972.

During the 1960s, unmanned spacecraft photographed and probed the Moon before astronauts ever landed. By the early 1970s, orbiting communications and navigation satellites were in everyday use, and the Mariner spacecraft was orbiting and mapping the surface of Mars. By the end of the decade, the Voyager spacecraft had sent back detailed images of Jupiter and Saturn, their rings, and their moons.

Skylab, America's first space station, was a human-spaceflight highlight of the 1970s, as was the Apollo Soyuz Test Project, the world's first internationally crewed (American and Russian) space mission.

In the 1980s, satellite communications expanded to carry television programs, and people were able to pick up the satellite signals on their home dish antennas. Satellites discovered an ozone hole over Antarctica, pinpointed forest fires, and gave us photographs of the nuclear power plant disaster at Chernobyl in 1986. Astronomical satellites found new stars and gave us a new view of the center of our galaxy.

Space Shuttle

In April 1981, the launch of the space shuttle Columbia ushered in a period of reliance on the reusable shuttle for most civilian and military space missions. Twenty-four successful shuttle launches fulfilled many scientific and military requirements until Jan. 28,1986, when just 73 seconds after liftoff, the space shuttle Challenger exploded. The crew of seven was killed, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from New Hampshire who would have been the first civilian in space.

The Space Shuttle was the first reusable spacecraft to carry people into orbit; launch, recover, and repair satellites; conduct cutting-edge research; and help build the International Space Station.

The Columbia disaster was the second shuttle tragedy. On Feb. 1, 2003, the shuttle broke apart while reentering the Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. The disaster occurred over Texas, and only minutes before it was scheduled to land at the Kennedy Space Center. An investigation determined the catastrophe was caused by a piece of foam insulation that broke off the shuttle's propellant tank and damaged the edge of the shuttle's left wing. It was the second loss of a shuttle in 113 shuttle flights. After each of the disasters, space shuttle flight operations were suspended for more than two years.

Discovery was the first of the three active space shuttles to be retired, completing its final mission on March 9, 2011; Endeavour did so on June 1. The final shuttle mission was completed with the landing of Atlantis on July 21, 2011, closing the 30-year space shuttle program.

The Gulf War proved the value of satellites in modern conflicts. During this war, allied forces were able to use their control of the "high ground" of space to achieve a decisive advantage. Satellites were used to provide information on enemy troop formations and movements, early warning of enemy missile attacks, and precise navigation in the featureless desert terrain. The advantages of satellites allowed the coalition forces to quickly bring the war to a conclusion, saving many lives.

Space systems continue to become more and more integral to homeland defense, weather surveillance, communication, navigation, imaging, and remote sensing for chemicals, fires, and other disasters.

International Space Station

The International Space Station.

The International Space Station is a research laboratory in low Earth orbit. With many different partners contributing to its design and construction, this high-flying laboratory has become a symbol of cooperation in space exploration, with former competitors now working together.

The station has been continuously occupied since the arrival of Expedition 1 in November of 2000. The station is serviced by a variety of visiting spacecraft: the Russian Soyuz and Progress; the American Dragon and Cygnus; the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle; and formerly the Space Shuttle and the European Automated Transfer Vehicle. It has been visited by astronauts, cosmonauts, and space tourists from 17 different nations.

Space launch systems have been designed to reduce costs and improve dependability, safety, and reliability. Most U.S. military and scientific satellites are launched into orbit by a family of expendable launch vehicles designed for a variety of missions. Other nations have their own launch systems, and there is strong competition in the commercial launch market to develop the next generation of launch systems.

The Future Of Space Exploration

During Exploration Mission-1, Orion will venture thousands of miles beyond the Moon during an approximately three-week mission. (Image: NASA)

Modern space exploration is reaching areas once only dreamed about. Mars is focal point of modern space exploration, and manned Mars exploration is a long-term goal of the

United States. NASA is on a journey to Mars, with a goal of sending humans to the Red Planet in the 2030s.

NASA and its partners have sent orbiters, landers, and rovers, increasing our knowledge about the planet. The Curiosity Rover has gathered radiation data to protect astronauts, and the MARS 2020 Rover will study the availability of oxygen and other Martian resources.

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A Brief History of Space Exploration | The Aerospace Corporation

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The development of ballistic missiles, first used by Germany toward the end of World War II, paved the way for the launch vehicles that would fuel a space race between the Soviet Union and the United States. The space race was then followed by an era of space cooperation, highlighted by the International Space Station.

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By Dr. Gary L. Deel | 03/15/2024

For centuries, humans have been fascinated by the mysteries of the universe, driving us to venture beyond our planet and explore unknown environments beyond our solar system. In today's world, the question of why we should embark on space exploration voyages goes beyond mere curiosity.

Ultimately, space exploration is a necessity with wide-ranging implications. It's not just an endeavor; instead, it involves both intrinsic and extrinsic benefits to humanity.

Space Exploration Advances Scientific Understanding

At the core of our pursuit for space exploration lies humanity's thirst for knowledge. The universe - with its galaxies, stars, and planets - awaits our full understanding.

By venturing into space, scientists can utilize a multitude of instruments - such as probes, satellites, and state-of-the-art telescopes. They can gather data about celestial bodies and investigate the universe in its natural state.

Exploring our solar system and beyond it not only deepens our comprehension of the cosmos, but also contributes significantly to advancements in astrophysics and cosmology.

Space exploration plays a huge role in expanding our understanding of the universe - from studying planets to learning the mysteries of black holes, dark matter, dark energy, and other groundbreaking subjects.

Space Exploration Is an Opportunity to Search for Other Habitats and Alien Life

The search for other potential habitats and intelligent life is an integral part of space exploration. Scientists examine the atmospheres of exoplanets and identify potentially habitable celestial bodies to determine if conditions exist that could support life beyond our planet.

Space exploration is also a chance to answer the question of whether we are alone in the vastness of the universe or if distant civilizations actually exist. It offers greater insights into the origins and existence of life itself.

Space Exploration Is a Catalyst for Developing Technology and Economic Prosperity

The challenges of space exploration act as a catalyst for innovation and drive advancements in fields like astrobiology and astrochemistry, which leads to cutting-edge developments with far-ranging implications here on Earth. Many scientific breakthroughs have applications across different industries, benefiting society as a whole.

GPS Technology and Other Valuable Space Exploration Spin-Offs

Throughout history, numerous technological products used for space exploration, such as cell phone cameras, solar panels, and emergency beacons that use satellite technology, have seamlessly transitioned into everyday technologies commonly used by most of the world's population. A prime example is the Global Positioning System (GPS), which relies on satellite navigation to provide location information.

Originally created for space missions, GPS has now become an important part of our lives. It influences a wide range of industries - including transportation and agriculture - while also offering precise location-based services around the world.

The Economic Promise of Space Exploration

But the economic advantages of space exploration go beyond mere technological advancements. The growth of the space travel industry - involving both government space agencies and private companies - contributes to job creation and economic progress.

Collaborative efforts between private entities in space exploration drive competition and innovation in this sector. As a result, there are technological advancements that benefit not only space missions but also various industries here on Earth.

Space Exploration Serves Human Survival Interests

Despite Earth's nature, it is not impervious to celestial threats that have the potential for catastrophic consequences on human life as we know it. One crucial aspect of space exploration is the identification and monitoring of near-Earth objects (NEOs) such as asteroids and comets that could pose a risk to our planet.

Developing the capability to detect, track, and potentially mitigate the impact of NEOs plays a critical role in defense strategies. Space exploration provides us with the tools, space resources, and knowledge to protect our planet from the dangers that exist in the vastness of space.

The Potential for Colonization

Exploration efforts also give humanity an opportunity to establish a presence beyond our own planet. As our population continues to grow and Earth's resources become more and more strained, the idea of colonizing space must evolve from being merely a dream to a potential solution for ensuring the long-term survival of our species. Perhaps one day, we might see a space settlement on Mars or other environment that could be made hospitable to human life.

By learning how to live in space environments such as the International Space Station (ISS) and other spacecraft, we can gain important insights into the challenges of sustainable space life, such as managing resources, discovering how the human body can remain healthy in space environments, creating life support systems, and being responsible stewards of our environment. Hopefully, these lessons for space explorers can also be applied back on Earth to avoid further catastrophes by interactions with other countries.

Space Exploration Fosters International Cooperation and Trust

Because space exploration is collaborative, it can foster cooperation and diplomacy between different countries. Geopolitical tensions often dominate the relations between different countries, but space missions requiring the joint efforts of two or more countries can bring them together as they pursue common goals.

The International Space Station, for example, involves collaboration with space agencies from the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. All of these agencies must work together in an international partnership to maintain a continuous human presence in space.

Participating in projects for exploring space goes beyond mere scientific cooperation, however. It also helps build trust among nations, facilitates the exchange of expertise, and promotes peaceful collaboration that will ultimately benefit the next generation of humanity.

The collective experience of venturing into the vastness of space brings people together, and it gives them a purpose, regardless of their political or cultural differences.

The Exploration of Outer Space Inspires Us to Improve Ourselves

The exploration of space showcases humanity's curiosity and our determination to conduct research and overcome challenges. New technologies in the space race - such as the Apollo moon landings, the James Webb Space Telescope, robotic spacecraft, the space shuttle program, and the construction of the International Space Station - not only demonstrated the capabilities of human innovation, but they also left an everlasting impact on all of us.

For everyone, the iconic images of Earth as seen from space with the aid of advanced technology instilled a sense of interconnectedness and environmental awareness. Through satellite imagery, we developed a greater appreciation of Earth's beauty.

Investing in space exploration sends a message to society about the potential within each individual. The obstacles involved with space travel require qualities such as creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and perseverance, attributes that are all crucial for addressing the social, economic, and national security problems faced by humanity.

Exploring Space Fosters Societal Values That Will Benefit Humanity

By creating a culture that embraces space exploration as important, we can develop a society that values education, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. It creates the groundwork for a future where humanity pushes boundaries and makes important achievements.

Additionally, the exploration of space will inspire future generations. Children and young adults growing up in a world touched by the wonders of space exploration and human spaceflight are far more likely to be captivated by fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The impact of the space program and space exploration on education is profound. It can inspire students to dream big, think smart, and pursue private-sector or public-sector careers that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and technology.

Space exploration is like embarking on a journey of self-discovery. It's an opportunity to understand our role in the universe, and it's a testament to the unwavering human spirit of curiosity and determination.

As we continue to study other planets in our solar system and elsewhere, marvel at the beauty of the night sky, and contemplate the universe's mysteries that are yet to be discovered, venturing into space is a transformative endeavor that aims to improve humanity.

APU Space Studies Degrees

Degree programs focused on space studies like the ones provided by American Public University (APU) are useful for students seeking a greater understanding of space exploration. These programs typically include courses that cover fields such as astrophysics, astronomy, planetary science, space programs, and space technology.

The hands-on learning opportunities incorporated in these programs allow students to apply their knowledge to real-world situations through activities like online laboratory work, research, and practical projects.

In our space studies programs, the courses are carefully designed to promote specific learning goals. For example, one master's-level course called "SPST631 Astrophysical Studies" delves into various aspects of astrophysics. Students explore subjects like star properties, galaxy characteristics, diversity on other planets, and cosmic structure dynamics, while simultaneously examining their underlying processes.

The space studies courses offered at APU also integrate the knowledge from other fields. This holistic approach allows students to appreciate the significance of space administration and space exploration. Ultimately, our space studies programs equip individuals with knowledge, practical skills, and a multidisciplinary mindset, enabling them to contribute to the continuous exploration of our expansive universe.

For more information about our space studies degrees, visit our program page.

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Why Should We Explore Space? What Are the Benefits for Us? | American Public University

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Why should we explore space? This article reviews the benefits of exploring space for humanity.

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Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. These harmful materials are called pollutants.

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Air pollution refers to the release of pollutants into the air-pollutants that are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) , each year, indoor and outdoor air pollution is responsible for nearly seven million deaths around the globe. Ninety-nine percent of human beings currently breathe air that exceeds the WHO's guideline limits for pollutants, with those living in low- and middle-income countries suffering the most. In the United States, the Clean Air Act , established in 1970, authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safeguard public health by regulating the emissions of these harmful air pollutants.

What Causes Air Pollution?

"Most air pollution comes from energy use and production," says , director of the Clean Air team at NRDC. Driving a car on gasoline, heating a home with oil, running a power plant on fracked gas : In each case, a fossil fuel is burned and harmful chemicals and gases are released into the air.

"We've made progress over the last 50 years in improving air quality in the United States, thanks to the Clean Air Act. But climate change will make it harder in the future to meet pollution standards, which are designed to protect health ," says Walke.

Air pollution is now the world's fourth-largest risk factor for early death. According to the 2020 State of Global Air report -which summarizes the latest scientific understanding of air pollution around the world-4.5 million deaths were linked to outdoor air pollution exposures in 2019, and another 2.2 million deaths were caused by indoor air pollution. The world's most populous countries, China and India, continue to bear the highest burdens of disease.

The effects of air pollution on the human body vary, depending on the type of pollutant, the length and level of exposure, and other factors, including a person's individual health risks and the cumulative impacts of multiple pollutants or stressors.

Smog and soot

These are the two most prevalent types of air pollution. Smog (sometimes referred to as ground-level ozone) occurs when emissions from combusting fossil fuels react with sunlight. Soot-a type of particulate matter -is made up of tiny particles of chemicals, soil, smoke, dust, or allergens that are carried in the air. The sources of smog and soot are similar. "Both come from cars and trucks, factories, power plants, incinerators, engines, generally anything that combusts fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, or natural gas," Walke says.

Smog can irritate the eyes and throat and also damage the lungs, especially those of children, senior citizens, and people who work or exercise outdoors. It's even worse for people who have asthma or allergies; these extra pollutants can intensify their symptoms and trigger asthma attacks. The tiniest airborne particles in soot are especially dangerous because they can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream and worsen bronchitis, lead to heart attacks, and even hasten death. In 2020, a report from Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health showed that COVID-19 mortality rates were higher in areas with more particulate matter pollution than in areas with even slightly less, showing a correlation between the virus's deadliness and long-term exposure to air pollution.

Hazardous air pollutants

Another category of toxic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are by-products of traffic exhaust and wildfire smoke. In large amounts, they have been linked to eye and lung irritation, blood and liver issues, and even cancer. In one study , the children of mothers exposed to PAHs during pregnancy showed slower brain-processing speeds and more pronounced symptoms of ADHD.

Greenhouse gases

While these climate pollutants don't have the direct or immediate impacts on the human body associated with other air pollutants, like smog or hazardous chemicals, they are still harmful to our health. By trapping the earth's heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases lead to warmer temperatures, which in turn lead to the hallmarks of climate change: rising sea levels, more extreme weather, heat-related deaths, and the increased transmission of infectious diseases. In 2021, carbon dioxide accounted for roughly 79 percent of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions, and methane made up more than 11 percent. "Carbon dioxide comes from combusting fossil fuels, and methane comes from natural and industrial sources, including large amounts that are released during oil and gas drilling," Walke says. "We emit far larger amounts of carbon dioxide, but methane is significantly more potent, so it's also very destructive."

Pollen and mold

Mold and allergens from trees, weeds, and grass are also carried in the air, are exacerbated by climate change, and can be hazardous to health. Though they aren't regulated, they can be considered a form of air pollution. "When homes, schools, or businesses get water damage, mold can grow and produce allergenic airborne pollutants," says Kim Knowlton, professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University and a former NRDC scientist. " Mold exposure can precipitate asthma attacks or an allergic response, and some molds can even produce toxins that would be dangerous for anyone to inhale."

Pollen allergies are worsening because of climate change . "Lab and field studies are showing that pollen-producing plants-especially ragweed-grow larger and produce more pollen when you increase the amount of carbon dioxide that they grow in," Knowlton says. "Climate change also extends the pollen production season, and some studies are beginning to suggest that ragweed pollen itself might be becoming a more potent allergen." If so, more people will suffer runny noses, fevers, itchy eyes, and other symptoms. "And for people with allergies and asthma, pollen peaks can precipitate asthma attacks, which are far more serious and can be life-threatening."

Air Pollution in the United States

More than one in three U.S. residents-120 million people-live in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the by the American Lung Association (ALA). Since the annual report was first published, in 2000, its findings have shown how the Clean Air Act has been able to reduce harmful emissions from transportation, power plants, and manufacturing.

Recent findings, however, reflect how climate change-fueled wildfires and extreme heat are adding to the challenges of protecting public health. The latest report-which focuses on ozone, year-round particle pollution, and short-term particle pollution-also finds that people of color are 61 percent more likely than white people to live in a county with a failing grade in at least one of those categories, and three times more likely to live in a county that fails in all three.

In rankings for each of the three pollution categories covered by the ALA report, California cities occupy the top three slots (i.e., were highest in pollution), despite progress that the Golden State has made in reducing air pollution emissions in the past half century. At the other end of the spectrum, these cities consistently rank among the country's best for air quality: Burlington, Vermont; Honolulu; and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Air Pollution and Environmental Justice

No one wants to live next door to an incinerator, oil refinery, port, toxic waste dump, or other polluting site. Yet millions of people around the world do, and this puts them at a much higher risk for respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, cancer, and death. In the United States, people of color are 1.5 times more likely than whites to live in areas with poor air quality, according to the ALA.

Historically, racist zoning policies and discriminatory lending practices known as have combined to keep polluting industries and car-choked highways away from white neighborhoods and have turned communities of color-especially low-income and working-class communities of color-into sacrifice zones, where residents are forced to breathe dirty air and suffer the many health problems associated with it. In addition to the increased health risks that come from living in such places, the polluted air can economically harm residents in the form of missed workdays and higher medical costs.

Environmental racism isn't limited to cities and industrial areas. Outdoor laborers, including the estimated three million migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States, are among the most vulnerable to air pollution-and they're also among the least equipped, politically, to pressure employers and lawmakers to affirm their right to breathe clean air.

Recently, cumulative impact mapping , which uses data on environmental conditions and demographics, has been able to show how some communities are overburdened with layers of issues, like high levels of poverty, unemployment, and pollution. Tools like the Environmental Justice Screening Method and the EPA's provide evidence of what many environmental justice communities have been explaining for decades: that we need land use and public health reforms to ensure that vulnerable areas are not overburdened and that the people who need resources the most are receiving them.

Controlling Air Pollution

In the United States, the Clean Air Act has been a crucial tool for reducing air pollution since its passage in 1970, although fossil fuel interests aided by industry-friendly lawmakers have frequently attempted to its many protections. Ensuring that this bedrock environmental law remains intact and properly enforced will always be key to maintaining and improving our air quality.

But the best, most effective way to control air pollution is to speed up our transition to cleaner fuels and industrial processes. By switching over to renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar power), maximizing fuel efficiency in our vehicles, and replacing more and more of our gasoline-powered cars and trucks with electric versions, we'll be limiting air pollution at its source while also curbing the global warming that heightens so many of its worst health impacts.

And what about the economic costs of controlling air pollution? According to a report on the Clean Air Act commissioned by NRDC, the annual benefits of cleaner air are up to 32 times greater than the cost of clean air regulations. Those benefits include up to 370,000 avoided premature deaths, 189,000 fewer hospital admissions for cardiac and respiratory illnesses, and net economic benefits of up to $3.8 trillion for the U.S. economy every year.

How to Help Reduce Air Pollution

"The less gasoline we burn, the better we're doing to reduce air pollution and the harmful effects of climate change," Walke explains. "Make good choices about transportation. When you can, ride a bike, walk, or take public transportation. For driving, choose a car that gets better miles per gallon of gas or buy an electric car ." You can also investigate your power provider options-you may be able to request that your electricity be supplied by wind or solar. Buying your food locally cuts down on the fossil fuels burned in trucking or flying food in from across the world. And most important: "Support leaders who push for clean air and water and responsible steps on climate change," Walke says.

How to Protect Your Health

"When you see in the news or hear on the weather report that pollution levels are high, it may be useful to limit the time when children go outside or you go for a jog," Walke says. Generally, ozone levels tend to be lower in the morning.

If you exercise outside, stay as far as you can from heavily trafficked roads. Then shower and wash your clothes to remove fine particles.

The air may look clear, but that doesn't mean it's pollution free. Utilize tools like the EPA's air pollution monitor, , to get the latest conditions. If the air quality is bad, stay inside with the windows closed.

If you live or work in an area that's prone to wildfires, stay away from the harmful smoke as much as you're able. Consider keeping a small stock of masks to wear when conditions are poor. The most ideal masks for smoke particles will be labelled "NIOSH" (which stands for National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and have either "N95" or "P100" printed on it.

If you're using an air conditioner while outdoor pollution conditions are bad, use the recirculating setting to limit the amount of polluted air that gets inside.

This story was originally published on November 1, 2016, and has been updated with new information and links.

This NRDC.org story is available for online republication by news media outlets or nonprofits under these conditions: The writer(s) must be credited with a byline; you must note prominently that the story was originally published by NRDC.org and link to the original; the story cannot be edited (beyond simple things such as grammar); you can't resell the story in any form or grant republishing rights to other outlets; you can't republish our material wholesale or automatically-you need to select stories individually; you can't republish the photos or graphics on our site without specific permission; you should to let us know when you've used one of our stories.

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Air Pollution: Everything You Need to Know

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The effects of air pollution wreck havoc on human health and our planet as a whole. Learn about what causes air pollution and how to help reduce the effects.