All of history in an hour? Amazingly, yes. And if you’d like to know more, I recommend A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson.
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Archive for the ‘Science!’ Category
Earth in an Hour
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, Earth, history, science on November 20, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Caution: Wet Paint
Posted in Likes, Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, @CornellBirds, art, birds, science, Thoughts on November 16, 2023| Leave a Comment »
John Oliver’s recent shenanigans in New Zealand’s Bird of the Century contest has me thinking about birds, and I remembered this site from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
This interactive mural showcases 270 of the interesting birds around us. Zoom in and click to learn more about each species. And if New Zealand’s competition wasn’t enough for you, you can vote for your favorites.
I enjoy a lot of these birds (the Drongo, Lilac-breasted Roller, Hoopoe, puffins!), but the Blue-footed Booby looks like it took a wrong turn and missed the “Caution: Wet Paint” sign. Delightful.
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From the “Things I Did Not Know” Files
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, innovation, Science and Technology, Thoughts on October 26, 2023| Leave a Comment »
I did not know that solar panels have been around for more than a century.
I did not know that one of the early pioneers in this field was a Canadian inventor named George Cove.
And I did not know that Cove was on the brink of bringing solar power to the masses when he was kidnapped and threatened unless he closed down his company.
While researching the economics of clean energy innovation, I came across a little-known story: that of Canadian inventor George Cove, one of the world’s first renewable energy entrepreneurs. Cove invented household solar panels that looked uncannily similar to the ones being installed in homes today – they even had a rudimentary battery to keep power running when the Sun wasn’t shining. Except this wasn’t in the 1970s. Or even the 1950s. This was in 1905.
It sounds like that wasn’t the only reason Cove’s company collapsed, but whoever was behind the actions against him clearly had, shall we say, other interests at heart. Spare a thought for George Cove and other creators who were either ahead of their time or swept aside.
While we’re here, enjoy these images of early electric cars, milk trucks, and… baby carriages?
Shock of the old: the amazing, infuriating history of the electric car – in pictures
Believe it or not, battery-powered vehicles have been around since Victorian times – everything from private automobiles to taxis, ambulances and tricycles. We’ve got the photos to prove it.
History is a fascinating place, full of lessons for the future.
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The Labyrinth of Night
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, inspiration, Mars, science, space exploration on October 20, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Today, a trip to a most excellently named location on Mars, courtesy of the European Space Agency’s Mars Express satellite program.
Fly across Mars’s ‘labyrinth of night’ with Mars Express
The video begins on a rotating full-globe of Mars, with white polar caps and mottled tan surface visible. It then zooms in on the westernmost part of the large Valles Marineris canyon system, a region highlighted by a white box, and swaps to a new Mars Express visualisation of Noctis Labyrinthus. The camera then flies slowly across a landscape that is broken apart by deep intersecting valleys and canyons.
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Putting A Ring On It, Space Edition
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, #moreusesfordiscoballs, cool stuff, eclipse, NASA, ring of fire, science on October 14, 2023| Leave a Comment »
NASA and the Heavens would like to invite you to a commitment ceremony between the Sun and the Moon!
Join us today for a Ring of Fire ceremony, otherwise known as an annular eclipse, to be celebrated starting at 9:13 PDT today!
Here’s how you can see Saturday’s ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse – NPR
The “ring of fire” effect happens when the moon, which appears smaller in the sky because it’s further away from us, passes directly in front of the sun.
For more details, including maps with viewing times and locations, visit 2023 Annular Eclipse: Where & When.
We’ll only have about 20% totality here, but I’m still excited for the happy couple. And remember, safety first!
How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely | Solar Eclipse Across America
The solar eclipse can burn your eyes. Here’s what you need to know | CBC Kids News
Astronomers want you to watch the Oct. 14 ‘ring of fire’ eclipse with a disco ball. No, seriously.
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Space News!
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, NASA, science, space exploration on October 13, 2023| Leave a Comment »
In less than an hour, NASA is set to launch Psyche, a mission to an asteroid with lots and lots of bling, arrival date in 2029.
Set to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Psyche will travel across the solar system to an asteroid of the same name, which has unusually high metal content. Scientists hope understand why this is so, and to help answer fundamental questions about Earth’s own metal core and the formation of our solar system.
— Psyche – NASA
All of those important fundamental questions, yes. But you know they are also going to look for the shiny shiny.
For more on the mission:
6 Things to Know About NASA’s Asteroid-Exploring Psyche Mission – NASA
Can’t wait until 2029 to get into all things Psyche? Get Involved Opportunities | NASA Psyche Mission
(I particularly like the examples of #PsycheSpaceCRAFTY.)
Watch the launch live:
(Good news from the future: New mission to metal-rich asteroid Psyche successfully blasts off!)
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Designing the Future
Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, AI, creativity, future, genre fiction, Science and Technology, Writers on October 11, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Had a great chat this morning about AI and creativity with Technology Revolution’s Bonnie D., plus Jason Palmatier, Gene Williams and Glenda Benevides. If you’re interested in a discussion ranging from AI clones to democratized design, check it out.
Technology Revolution: “The Future of Human Creativity and AI: Emotion vs Logic? Part 2
LISTEN Later: On-Demand
WATCH Later: LinkedIn On-Demand and Facebook On-Demand
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A Special Delivery
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, #MyBuddyBennu, cool stuff, inspiration, NASA, science on September 24, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Today, we hope to receive a very special delivery: a capsule containing a sample of an asteroid.
The OSIRIS-REx mission has been in progress for over seven years. Today we find out if its ultimate goal is successful.
In Depth | OSIRIS-REx – NASA Solar System Exploration
The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) is the first U.S. spacecraft to collect a sample from an asteroid. OSIRIS-REx traveled to near-Earth asteroid Bennu and is bringing a small sample to Earth for study…
The mission, developed by scientists at the University of Arizona, will give us more information about how the early solar system formed and about how life began. It will also help us better understand asteroids that could impact Earth in the future.
The plan is for the return capsule to land at the Defense Department’s Utah Test and Training Range. If successful, humanity will have the opportunity to study pristine asteroid material.
Interested in videos, activities, and other information about the mission? Here you go:
OSIRIS-REx Resources – NASA Solar System Exploration
The capsule is expected to land at approximately 10:55am Eastern time. Want to watch the livestream? Me too:)
OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return (Official 4K NASA Broadcast)
* Spoiler alert! The mission was a success!
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Turning to Fall
Posted in Holidays, Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, astronomy, fall equinox, NASA, science, Thoughts on September 23, 2023| Leave a Comment »
It’s that time again. If you are in the northern hemisphere on planet Earth, today is the Fall Equinox.
Autumnal Equinox 2023: First Day of Fall | Facts, Folklore & More | The Old Farmer’s Almanac
After the autumnal equinox, days become shorter than nights as the Sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier. This ends with the winter solstice, after which days start to grow longer once again.
The word “equinox” comes from Latin aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, ”night.” On the equinox, day and night are roughly equal in length.
Why just “roughly” equal in length?
Why day and night aren’t equal length on an equinox
Firstly, the sun has a size—it’s not just a point in the sky.… Secondly, the Earth’s atmosphere refracts (bends) sunlight.
What does the ebb and flow of axial luminescence look like from space?
For more on the “why” of seasons, check out this explainer:
What Causes the Seasons? | NASA Space Place
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Maybe Next Time?
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, mysteries, NASA, science, sorry not aliens, UFOs on September 14, 2023| Leave a Comment »
NASA just released a report on the current status of research on unidentified anomalous phenomena, more commonly referred to by Area 51 enthusiasts as UFOs.
UNIDENTIFIED ANOMALOUS PHENOMENA: Independent Study Team Report
Don’t have time for the full document? Here’s a summary article:
NASA UFO report finds no evidence of ‘extraterrestrial origin’ for UAP sightings | Space
NASA’s UFO study team released its long-awaited first report today, and while its experts found no signs of extraterrestrial origins for reported sightings, the space agency is appointing a new chief to study the phenomenon.
The takeaway? Sorry, folks, it’s not aliens.
But.
When it comes to mysteries like these, we still have a lot more to learn.
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