QUANTUM COMPUTING
量子计算
If they could be made to work on a large scale, quantum computers would be able to solve problems much faster than any machines based around traditional electronics. The idea behind quantum computation is to hijack some of the "spookiness" in the area of physics known as quantum mechanics.
如果能大范围普及，根据传统电子学，量子计算机比任何机器解决问题的速度都快。量子计算依据的想法是劫持一些在物理学领域称之为量子力学的“幽灵”。
Researchers aim to exploit the way sub-atomic particles can become delicately but inextricably linked in "entangled states" to do computing of unimaginable complexity. Part of that effort comes by bumping up, one by one, the number of quantum bits or "qubits" - units of quantum information - that can be brought under control.
计算无法想象的复杂信息时，次原子粒子会变得脆弱而纠缠不清，混在“纠缠态”中。研究者们旨在探索次原子粒子变成这种状态的方式。他们的部分尝试是一个一个地去碰可以控制的原子（量子信息的单位）的数量。
This year saw three qubits entangled in a situation not unlike that found in traditional electronics. Researchers were also able to entangle ten photons - the fundamental packets of light. Both results are regarded as an experimental tours de force.
今年发现的三个粒子纠缠的情形与传统电子学的发现相似。研究者们还能再混合10个光子（光的最小单位）。这两个结果都被认为是实验杰作。
The demonstrations of logic gates using entangled states and of a way to store quantum bits (analogous to computer memory) were also promising advances towards the goal of a functioning quantum computer.
用纠缠态证明逻辑门和储存量子的方法（与计算机记忆类似）也是实现功能量子计算机目标有有希望的进展。
More than that, quantum computation could simply be easier than originally thought. We now know that "quantum objects" might not need to be single atoms or photons. Instead, even objects big enough to be seen with the naked eye can take on slippery quantum properties. In 2010, we also saw that quantum computers might even work with lots of errors - that is, the constraints on how many delicate quantum states must be maintained for the computer to function might not be as tight as once thought. We can expect more promising advances to emerge in 2011.
还有，量子计算比一般思维简单容易。现在我们知道“量子物体”可能不需要单个粒子或光子。甚至大到用肉眼也可看见的物体也有一些量子性质。2010年，我们也看到甚至量子计算机也可能出错——也就是说，保留多少不稳定的量子态以使计算机工作的限制可能不像以前想的那么严格。我们期待2011出现更多有希望的进展。
DESTINATION MARS
目的地火星
Nasa's twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity are about to enter their seventh year on Mars. And it shouldn't be too long before they are joined by another roaming robot nicknamed Curiosity. The US space agency's Mars Science Laboratory mission is scheduled to launch in late 2011, to land the Curiosity rover on Mars's surface in the summer of 2012.
国家航天航空总局的双流浪者“幽灵”号和“机遇”号即将进入它们在火星上的第7年时光。不久另一个绰号为“好奇”的流浪机器人将加入它们。美国太空部的火星自然实验室的使命是计划在2011年末发射流浪者“好奇”号，于2012年夏天登陆火星表面。
MSL is designed to determine whether Mars was, or still is, capable of hosting life. The 750kg rover will carry state-of-the-art instruments - a scientific payload to help study the Red Planet's geology, atmosphere and environmental conditions, as well as potential biosignatures.
火星科学实验室的目的是决定是否火星能或仍能寄主生命。这个重达750千克的流浪者将运载艺术态工具——这是个科学负载，用来帮助研究红色星球的地理，大气层以及环境条件，还有潜在的生物特征。
The mission will also employ cutting edge technology, including a "sky crane" system. MSL is too heavy for the airbags employed to cushion landings on previous Mars missions. Instead, the rocket-powered sky crane will gently lower the rover to the surface using a tether.
其任务还有运用前沿技术，包括“架空所吊运机”系统。火星科学实验室先前的火星使命中，运用安全气囊使垫子着陆的方法有点太繁杂。而火箭助力的架空所吊运机能用链子使流浪者轻轻着陆在火星表面。
We will have to wait until 2012 to see Curiosity touch down on the surface of Mars, but many are hopeful the mission will make an important contribution to answering a question that scientists - along with a certain mercurial rock solo artist from Brixton - have pondered for decades: Is there life on Mars?
要看“好奇”号接触火星表面我们还需等到2012，然而许多人希望这次使命能对解答科学家(以及来自布里克斯顿固执善变的某些个艺术家）踌躇数百年的问题做出重要贡献。火星上有生命吗?
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