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> January 21, 2000:
Hour Two: Astronomy Update / Hybrid Cars
| Last week, astronomers gathered at the American Astronomical Society meeting were introduced to the first scientific results from Chandra, a NASA satellite observatory that looks at the heavens in X-ray vision. Those results included some surprising findings, including an unusually cool black hole at the center of the Andromeda galaxy, and glimpses of what may be the oldest objects yet spotted in the universe - too faint for even the Hubble Space Telescope to see. We'll get a rundown of the findings. | 
An X-ray source at the center of our galaxy.
(NASA/MIT/PSU) | 
"Cool" black hole at the center of the
Andromeda Galaxy. (NASA/CXC/SAO) | 
Perhaps the most distant objects yet
seen in the universe. (NASA/GSFC) | We'll also take a look under the hood of something a little bit closer to home. The recent auto show in Detroit, well-known as a chance for automakers to show off their newest and best creations, had several intriguing introductions. General Motors and Ford both introduced experimental models of new hybrid cars -- cars that combine elements of regular gas or diesel powered engines with the high efficiency of electric cars. Ford displayed the Prodigy, a hybrid diesel-electric vehicle that may hit the road by 2003. General Motors unveiled the Precept, a 6-passenger hybrid that reportedly gets about 80 miles to a gallon of diesel fuel.
However, Honda and Toyota are both introducing hybrid cars of their own, and although they may be smaller and less luxurious than the domestic models, they are scheduled to be available in limited quantities in the U.S. this year --not several years down the road, as with the entries from U.S. automakers. Honda expects to offer only about 4000 of its Insight vehicles in the U.S., while Toyota plans to offer 12000 Prius cars -- perhaps due to the fact that, in order to offer the cars at a consumer-friendly price, the Japanese automakers may lose money on each hybrid they sell in the U.S. 
The Honda Insight
(American Honda Motor Co.) | 
The Toyota Prius
(Toyota Motor Sales USA / PRN) | 
The Ford Prodigy
(Ford Motor Company) | On this hour of Science Friday, we'll kick the tires of the new hybrids, and try to weigh the pluses and minuses of the different approaches to fuel economy and environmental friendliness. Are U.S. automakers behind the ball when it comes to advanced, next-generation vehicles? And how do the new cars fit into the complex clean-air regulations around the country?
X-rays, stars, and greener cars -- plus your comments and questions -- on this hour of Science Friday.
Guests:
Wallace Tucker
Science Spokesman
Chandra X-ray Observatory Center
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Ron York
Director
"Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles" Program
General Motors Corporation
Detroit, Michigan
Bob Culver
PNGV Policy and Business Strageies Manager
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, Michigan
John DeCicco
Senior Associate
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Washington, DC
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
X-ray Astronomy Field Guide: Black Holes
American Astronomical Society
Chandra Press Room - Press Releases
Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles
Hybrid Vehicle Propulsion Program
National Transportation Library (Energy & the Environment)
General Motors News
Honda Insight
Toyota Prius
Ford Motor Company
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- This segment produced by:
Charles Bergquist
Web producer:
Charles Bergquist |