Grand Tour (novel series)

The Grand Tour is a series of novels written by science fiction author Ben Bova.

The novels present a theme of exploration and colonization of the solar system by humans in the late 21st century. Most of the books focus on the exploration of one particular planet or planetary moon.

Several recurring themes are presented throughout the series. In particular, most of the solar system bodies whose exploration is the focus of a particular novel are presented as having life, either past or present. Many of the expeditions which explore the planets run into serious difficulty. The protagonists of most of these books are presented as initially weak and/or lacking in ability or confidence, and as part of surviving the trials of the story become heroic.

The future humanity as depicted in the Grand Tour novel series is divided between Greens (environmentalists) and wealthy industrialists, as well as between secularists/scientists and religious fundamentalists. These conflicts generally are presented as part of the background and often set up the initial conflicts of each of the books. In addition, several of the books reference, or indeed directly deal with, conflicts between wealthy industrialists and small, independent operators seeking to exploit the solar system's vast untapped mineral wealth.

Planets in astrology

Planets in astrology have a meaning different from the modern astronomical understanding of what a planet is. Before the age of telescopes, the night sky was thought to consist of two very similar components: fixed stars, which remained motionless in relation to each other, and "wandering stars" (Ancient Greek: ἀστέρες πλανῆται asteres planetai), which moved relative to the fixed stars over the course of the year.

To the Greeks and the other earliest astronomers, this group comprised the five planets visible to the naked eye, and excluded the Earth. Although strictly the term "planet" applied only to those five objects, the term was latterly broadened, particularly in the Middle Ages, to include the Sun and the Moon (sometimes referred to as "Lights"), making a total of seven planets. Astrologers retain this definition today.

To ancient astrologers, the planets represented the will of the gods and their direct influence upon human affairs. To modern astrologers the planets represent basic drives or urges in the unconscious, or energy flow regulators representing dimensions of experience. They express themselves with different qualities in the twelve signs of the zodiac and in the twelve houses. The planets are also related to each other in the form of aspects.

Saturn (band)

Saturn is a progressive rock band from Islamabad, Pakistan, formed in 2003. The group was founded by lead guitarist and songwriter Salman Zaidi and vocalist & lyricist Shahbaz Zaidi, who were later joined by bassist Aashir, drummer Shahbaz Asad, and rhythm guitarist Usman Ahmad Khan. The band is well known for being one of the pioneering progressive rock groups in Pakistan. Saturn became famous after releasing their debut track "Raakh" which is Urdu for "Ashes". They later gained more popularity for their energetic performances and stage presence. Saturn is known as one of the loudest bands of Pakistan. Their debut album "Naya Din" was released on April 7, 2013.

History

Formation (2003-2005)

Saturn was formed by brothers Salman and Shahbaz in 2003 and was joined by Hasham Kazi with whom they started recording "Raakh" their debut track at S & M Studios Islamabad. Hasham left the band due to personal reason shortly after the release of the song and the two brothers moved on. In 2004 Saturn released their second song with a completely new line up and started playing concerts regularly till late 2005. It was in the start of 2006 when Saturn disbanded and the band went into idle years Idle Years (2006–2007) From 2006 to 2007 Saturn remained out of the music scene, occasionally performing at music festivals, but not playing at many concerts. It was later revealed that the band had been working on their debut album "Naya Din".

Bedrock

In stratigraphy, bedrock is consolidated rock underlying the surface of a terrestrial planet, usually the Earth. Above the bedrock is usually an area of broken and weathered unconsolidated rock in the basal subsoil. The surface of the bedrock beneath soil cover is known as rockhead in engineering geology and identifying this, via excavations, drilling or geophysical methods, is an important task in most civil engineering projects. Superficial deposits (also known as drift) can be extremely thick, such that the bedrock lies hundreds of meters below the surface.

Bedrock may also experience subsurface weathering at its upper boundary, forming saprolite.

A solid geologic map of an area will usually show the distribution of differing bedrock types, i.e., rock that would be exposed at the surface if all soil or other superficial deposits were removed.

Soil scientists use the capital letters O, A, B, C, and E to identify the master soil horizons, and lowercase letters for distinctions of these horizons. Most soils have three major horizons—the surface horizon (A), the subsoil (B), and the substratum (C). Some soils have an organic horizon (O) on the surface, but such a horizon can also be buried. The master horizon, E, is used for subsurface horizons that have a significant loss of minerals (eluviation). Hard bedrock, which is not soil, uses the letter R.

BedRock

"BedRock" is the second single by hip hop group Young Money Entertainment from their debut collaboration album We Are Young Money. It is performed by Young Money artists Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga, Jae Millz, and features R&B singer Lloyd. It was released as a CD in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2010. "BedRock" is featured as a bonus track on the Japanese and New Zealand editions of Nicki Minaj's debut studio album, Pink Friday.

Background

After being leaked in September 2009 to Lil Wayne fan sites, "BedRock" was finally released on November 14, 2009. It was originally titled "Girl You Know" (the fan sites to which the single was leaked titled it "BedRock/Girl You Know") and the chorus was sung by Omarion and Lil Wayne's verse was different, but due to Omarion's departure from Young Money, he was replaced by Lloyd. The song was originally planned to be released as the 3rd official single of the album, however due to popular demand by fans it was released as the 2nd single.

Bedrock (producers)

Bedrock is a British trance and house production duo, featuring John Digweed and Nick Muir. They produced the singles "For What You Dream Of" (1993) (featured in Trainspotting), "Set In Stone" / "Forbidden Zone" (1997), "Heaven Scent" (1999) (featured in the film, Groove) and "Voices" (2000), all of which reached the UK Singles Chart. More recently they have released the "Beautiful Strange EP" (2001), "Emerald" (2002), "Forge" (2003) and "Santiago" (2005).

They have also remixed the work of artists such as Humate, New Order, Way out West, Evolution, Satoshi Tomiie, The Orb and Underworld. In 2003, they composed the soundtrack of the MTV cartoon drama Spider-Man, a miscellaneous program tied in to the 2002 blockbuster film as a promotion.

The song "Beautiful Strange" featured in the film What the Bleep Do We Know!? (2004).

References

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