Is it possible to locate the place of origin of an email? If yes, how?
S.P.S. JAIN
New Delhi
Yes, it is possible. On Internet, each message that is sent out contains the unique identification number called I.P. Address of the source computer from where the message is sent.
Though normally not visible to the receiver, it can be extracted by using a suitable option of the email software like Yahoo!, Hotmail, gmail etc. (e.g., in an email received on Yahoo mail, there is an option Full View Header to expand and show the details of the path taken.
The IP address marked X-Originating-IP is the IP Address of the source computer).
Using this IP Address and one of the worldwide Internet Registries or some software applications, one can find the details of the Internet Service Provider (ISP) like the ISP name, address, person responsible etc.
Some software show the full path taken by the message from source computer to the destination.
ISP may be a public ISP like BSNL, Reliance, AOL or a closed organisation like Indian Railways, Boeing, TCS etc. In a closed organisation it will be easier for the network administrators to identify the person depending on the internal IP Address, time of the mail etc.
PRABHAKAR JONNALAGADDA
Hyderabad
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Flower colour
Why are flowers not black in colour?
R.M. MAMDHA
Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu
In addition to the answer published last week (December 30) in this column, there are other factors determining the colour of flowers.
There is a lot of physics and chemistry involved in flowering and colouration of flowers. Visual and chemical stimuli are provided by the flowers to the pollinators like bees. Flowers have to be essentially in colours other than black. Black objects absorb and retain heat. Hence, flowers, if black, will wither soon after sunrise. Essentially the pollen will have to be kept cool during daytime, atleast for 8 hours for viable pollination. Since most of the flowers directly face the sun at least for a few hours, stresses like rise in temperature, photosynthetic oxygen surge and fluid rise due to capillary pressure will adversely affect the texture, composition and longevity of flowers. That is why flowers are not black in colour. It is a natural adaptation.
Dr. S. KRISHNAN
Member, Commission on Ecosystems Management, IUCN
