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Posts Tagged ‘science’

Better with Magic

Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 25, 2024| Leave a Comment »

A phrase in a recent Storybundle promo caught my eye: “real life would be better if it had magic.”

Not that I actually think there are werewolves and vampires lurking around every corner, and I definitely believe in the power of science and all its wonders, but in general? I couldn’t agree more.

For me, magic is possibility. 

Magic is the sure and certain knowledge that while we like to think we know everything the world has to offer, we do not.

I find that encouraging. You may have noticed that our world has a number of pressing issues, from the social to the political to the environmental. It would be wonderful to be able to pull out a magic wand and make those problems go away, but that’s not how our magic works.

Our magic is anchored in reality. I’ve talked about this idea before, but think it bears repeating. Just like the best fantasy, it relies on people (that’s you and that’s me) who care about their family, their friends, and their communities. 

This form of magic is slower, yes, but surer. A rogue warlock can’t come along one day and upend everything we’ve worked for, just because he stole a forbidden spell from the archives of Alexandria-Under-Sea. (The Lernaean Hydra has been protecting those archives for centuries, thankfully! If you visit, tell him I sent you. And bring salmon snacks, he loves those.)

It also means that the problems and constraints we face today aren’t necessarily permanent. Not if we continue to study, to observe, to understand the world around us. (To quote Kurt Vonnegut, science is magic that works.) Not if we understand that every face is a mirror of our own humanity. Not if we are brave and focused and keep our eyes on our goals.

And if someone tells you that there is no hope? That you might as well give up?

Don’t listen to them.

So what if you’ve misplaced your magic wand. That’s ok, you can still be a hero. You can make your own magic.

Just embrace a world of possibilities. And then work to make it real.

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Photo by Lena Polishko on Unsplash

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Just Perfect

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , on April 9, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Our eclipse experience was great. We found a terrific little nature preserve called the Cooper Marsh Conservation Area, with boardwalks, picnic tables, lawns and benches. Lunch, exploration, then a bit of chillaxation as we waited for the eclipse.

When they said that there is a significant difference between 99% and totality, they were not kidding. It was a beautiful day, but when the light faded and the stars came out? Just perfect.

If you missed it, here are highlights from NASA’s feed, along with a collection of images.

Amazing!

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NASA

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It’s an Eclipse!

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , on April 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »

If you can go outside and view the eclipse using protective glasses or an indirect method like a pinhole or disco ball, great! But even if you can’t get outside, there are many ways to watch the event online, like The Planetary Society’s live cast with Bill Nye.

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Photo by karen kayser on Unsplash

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Eclipse the Storm

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , on April 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Why care about Monday’s eclipse (aside from the fact that it’s demonstrably cool)? This physicist is working to find answers to the why, how and how bad of coronas and solar storms, and eclipses can help with that. How? Read on!

Why a solar physicist has been chasing solar eclipses for more than three decades – Vox

Despite how much damage solar storms can do to our tech on Earth, scientists are still struggling to predict them. And that’s because they don’t understand that much about how the corona works.

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Photo by Selvan B on Unsplash

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Eclipse Ready?

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , , , , , , on April 4, 2024| Leave a Comment »

If you are anywhere near the path of totality for the big event on Monday, April 8th, are you eclipse ready? I will argue that one of the most important parts of such prep is to ensure that you have a plan for safe eclipse viewing. This article may be of help:

Are Your Solar Eclipse Glasses Fake? Here’s How to Check | Scientific American

Legitimate eclipse glasses are at least 1,000 times darker than the darkest sunglasses you can buy….

While lab tests are the best way to determine whether glasses meet the ISO standard, Fienberg says there is a three-part test people can do at home if they’re concerned their eclipse viewers aren’t up to the task.

First, put your glasses on indoors and look around. The only things you should be able to see are very bright lights, such as a halogen bulb or a smartphone flashlight.

Then, if the glasses pass the indoor test, bring them outside—but don’t look at the sun just yet. Look around: it should be too dark to see distant hills, trees or even the ground.

If that second test is passed, keep the glasses on and quickly glance at the sun. You should comfortably see a bright, sharp-edged round disk. If your glasses pass all three tests, they are probably safe to wear. Still, Fienberg points out that it’s best to use them for only a few seconds every minute or so during the eclipse…

Here’s a reference for Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers & Filters | Solar Eclipse Across America.

Your eyes need eclipse protection, but did you know that your phone/camera does too?

How to photograph the eclipse, according to NASA | Popular Science

Speaking of NASA, NASA needs your smartphone during April’s solar eclipse. Go citizen scientists!

And if you’re already looking forward to upcoming total solar eclipses, here’s a map to help you plan:

Map of total solar eclipses across the Continental US over time
From Scientific American: See Where Future U.S. Eclipses Will be Visible
Credit: Shuyao Xiao; Source: NASA (data)

2106, here we come!

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Photo by Jason Howell on Unsplash

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Martians Wanted

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , , , on February 26, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Want to get away for a year or so? This job might be for you!

Martians Wanted: NASA Opens Call for Simulated Yearlong Mars Mission – NASA

NASA is seeking applicants to participate in its next simulated one-year Mars surface mission to help inform the agency’s plans for human exploration of the Red Planet.

NASA is looking for healthy, motivated U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are non-smokers, 30-55 years old, and proficient in English for effective communication between crewmates and mission control. Applicants should have a strong desire for unique, rewarding adventures and interest in contributing to NASA’s work to prepare for the first human journey to Mars.

The deadline for applicants is Tuesday, April 2.

https://chapea.nasa.gov

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Photo by Benjamin Recinos on Unsplash

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Empathy Engines

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on February 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Today, an essay by Cecilia Tan in Uncanny magazine: A Novel Is an Empathy Engine.

The idea that story can have an effect on the humans that consume it is not new. It’s well accepted across many cultures, and well supported by studies, that children’s development is aided by hearing stories, with benefits ranging from emotional development and improved communication skills to increased vocabulary and social maturity. But adults are also affected and changed by story.

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Photo by Nav Rashmi Kalsi on Unsplash

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It’s the Little Things

Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged , , , , , , on January 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »

I have not read Brian Klaas’s Fluke, the book on which the article below is based, but this line made an impression in my busy day.

The big idea: what if every little thing you do changes history?

One hundred million years ago, a shrew-like creature got infected with a retrovirus, eventually leading to the placenta and, by extension, the reason why we don’t lay eggs.

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Photo by Domino on Unsplash

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The Little ‘Copter That Could

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »

If you’ve seen any space news this past week, you may already know that Ingenuity, the adorable little helicopter that has exceeded all expectations in its exploration of Mars, has ended its mission.

After Three Years on Mars, NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends – NASA

Originally designed as a technology demonstration to perform up to five experimental test flights over 30 days, the first aircraft on another world operated from the Martian surface for almost three years, performed 72 flights, and flew more than 14 times farther than planned while logging more than two hours of total flight time.

Ingenuity arrived on Mars with the Perseverance rover almost two years ago. It began as a limited technology demonstration but quickly became a scout for the rover’s mission and a fan favorite. Now, after 72 flights, a difficult landing has caused irreparable damage to its rotor blades.

Here’s what NASA Administrator Bill Nelson had to say about the end, and what the plucky little project managed to accomplish.

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Ingenuity, and its swatch from the original Wright flyer, will remain on the Martian surface as a testament to how far we’ve come.

“That remarkable helicopter flew higher and farther than we ever imagined and helped NASA do what we do best – make the impossible, possible.”

— Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator

This weekend join me in raising a glass to the first powered, controlled flight on another world, and to the little ‘copter that could.

Thanks, Ingenuity.

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original from NASA

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Hieroglyphs from Heaven

Posted in Science!, tagged , , , , , , on January 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Winter has finally arrived in the Northeast, and it is making a serious splash.

We wanted a white Christmas, but that didn’t happen around here; Nature is making up for it now. We’ve had multiple storms this week complete with snow, sleet, ice and rain (sometimes all at once) and expect a significant snowstorm to hit this weekend.

That has me investigating weather reports, flexing my shoveling muscles, and generally catching up on all things snow. Here are a few of the interesting articles I found:

Science of Snow | National Snow and Ice Data Center

Snow forecasts are better than they used to be, and they continue to improve, but snow forecasting remains a difficult challenge for meteorologists. One reason is that during intense snows, the heaviest snowfall can occur in surprisingly narrow bands, and on a smaller scale than observing networks and forecast zones can see. Also, the extremely small temperature differences that define the boundary line between rain and snow make large differences in snow forecasts. This is part of the fun and frustration that makes snow forecasting so interesting.

Winter storm hits East Coast. What’s in a snowflake? (transcript)

“So a snowflake that was more than a foot across. Is that, like, even possible?”

How to Shovel Snow Safely – This Old House

Freezing temperatures often bring snow, sleet, and ice. And removing that messy wintry mix from your walkways and driveways is no easy feat. Here is the best way to shovel snow to prevent injury and lessen your workload.

What’s Wrong With This Snowflake? (transcript)

Koop thinks ice crystals are masterpieces of natural beauty. Unfortunately, he says, “This beauty is sometimes corrupted.”

Seeing Snowflakes As ‘Hieroglyphs from the Sky’ (transcript)

“It’s been said that snowflakes are like hieroglyphs from the sky…,” says Libbrecht, an astrophysicist and chairman of the physics department at the California Institute of Technology. “In the shape of the crystal is encoded the conditions under which it grew.”

And for when snow stops being fun and starts getting real: United States Power Outage Map.

Time to charge up our phones, laptops, power banks and car. Stay safe and warm!

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Photo by Donnie Rosie on Unsplash

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