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Archive for the ‘Science!’ Category

From Eratosthenes to Sagan to You

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , , on March 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Today, a short but earth-shaking bit of science, from over 2000 years ago.

The story of Eratosthenes and Earth’s circumference, as told by Carl Sagan

After hearing that the shadows disappeared at noon in the town of Syene (now known as Aswan), Eratosthenes achieved his understanding of our planet’s size by comparing the angle of the sun’s rays in the port city of Alexandria-at the same time.

The Sagan video won’t post for whatever reason, but this is the link: 

Carl Sagan – Cosmos – Eratosthenes

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Photo by Jan Kopřiva on Unsplash

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Pi Today, Pie Tomorrow

Posted in Food and..., Holidays, Science!, tagged , , , , on March 14, 2023| 1 Comment »

Ladies and Gentlemen, we regret to announce that because this year’s annual Pi Day celebration falls on a Tuesday, it will have to be postponed. The good news is that pi is infinite. Any day can be Pi Day!

I will focus on pie at a later, more auspicious time. Until then, please enjoy both the mathematical concept and culinary reality of pi/e.

Happy Pi Day! Here’s all you need to know – CBS Boston

10 Ways to Celebrate Pi Day with NASA on March 14

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Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

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Not That Big A Deal

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , on March 13, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Despite weekend efforts to the contrary, my taxes remain unfinished (soon! really!). In the larger scheme of things, however, it’s not that big a deal.

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Photo by Tim Trad on Unsplash

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The Cure for Idiopathic Persistent Singultus

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , on March 12, 2023| Leave a Comment »

In case you’ve ever wondered how to cure idiopathic persistent singultus, and really, who hasn’t? 

How to (Actually) Stop Hiccups – The Atlantic

First, exhale completely, then inhale a deep breath. Wait 10 seconds, then—without exhaling—inhale a little more. Wait another five seconds, then top up the breath again. Finally, exhale. Generally, you will find that your singultus is gone.

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Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

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Learned Something

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , on March 3, 2023| Leave a Comment »

https://xkcd.com/2743

And now, back to my taxes.

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Photo by Nick Moore on Unsplash

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Congratulations, Percy!

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , , , , on February 26, 2023| Leave a Comment »

It’s been just over two years since the Perseverance rover began its quest on Mars. What’s it been up to? A lot, but this article has a summary and link to the whole of its adventure (so far) distilled into a time-lapse video.

Follow Perseverance on Its Mars Journey With This Two-Year Timelapse – Universe Today

The rover has now traveled almost 15 km (9 miles). In addition to studying numerous rocks, it has also collected and stowed away 18 sample containers of rocks, regolith, and even the Martian atmosphere, to be gathered later and brought to Earth in a future Mars Sample Return mission.

For more cool stuff like a Mars photo booth, check out NASA’s Perseverance’s Highlights and Dr. Sunanda Sharma’s talk about Perseverance- Two Years on Mars.

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Chewie on Mars: “What do you mean, this isn’t a new chew toy?”

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Check This Out

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , , on February 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »

If you are going shopping this weekend, you might find this information useful. If nothing else, it will give you something to consider as the checkout lines to either side of you whoosh on by.

Bill Hammack the engineerguy.com

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Photo by Mario Purisic on Unsplash

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How to Rocket

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , , on February 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Inquiring minds want to know!

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Photo by Laurent Grattepanche on Unsplash

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Purrfect Happiness

Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged , , , , , on February 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

It’s like this: I have a whole folder titled 365, full of interesting and informative ideas for this blog. I even had an idea for the post I wanted to do today, but lo (for various reasons involving day job bureaucracy for both myself and Mr Man), ’tis not to be. Instead, I give you ChatGPT’s idea of “a quote about joy in the voice of my cat.”

“Joy is found in the simple things, like a warm sunbeam, a cozy napping spot, and a good belly rub. Purr-fect happiness is just a whisker’s length away.”

— Your Cat.

Because this is the sort of information that everyone needs.

For more on cats and whiskers:

* You may also know that “chat” is French for cat. So now we know what’s really behind A.I…. that’s right, animal intelligence.

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Photo by Joyful on Unsplash

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The Green Comet, Redux

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , , on February 1, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Let’s give one last shoutout to our visitor from outer space. C/2022 E3 (ZTF), the universe’s charismatic invitation to look up and wonder about our past and our future, is at its closest point to Earth today. That means it will be at its brightest. If the world and weather are on your side, you might be able to see it with the naked eye. Look to the north after sunset. Is it fuzzy? Is it green? It might just be a comet!

Green comet C-2022 E3 (ZTF) will be closest to Earth today | Space

During the comet’s perigee, it will come to within a distance of around 26 million miles (42 million kilometers) from our planet, which is equivalent to about 28% of the distance between Earth and the sun. If you’ve been waiting to get a look at C/2022 E3 (ZTF) before it speeds away, now is your best chance. You can also watch the comet live online on Feb. 1 in a free webcast at 11 p.m. EST (0400 GMT) from the Virtual Telescope Project.

If the weather isn’t cooperating where you are or you have a hard time finding it or you just can’t see yourself outside in the cold, there will be a live webcast tonight. Pour a cup of hot cocoa and wave as The Green Comet flies by!

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Photo by Junseong Lee on Unsplash

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