I've been away from blogging for a while. Life hits hard sometimes and we get busy.
But -
It is a new year and I've got a few months of science / tech / geek / geo / grey matter to share.
Last fall I also started teaching 8 homeschoolers a science course. I've been having a ball with it and I have lots of observations and photos to share as well.
Stay tuned.
Google is rocking out (pun intended) a stratigraphic section on their page today in honor of Nicolas Steno - a noted geologist, a catholic bishop and a saint in the making.
I do not know about you, but I'm thinking the logo has "Minecraft" written all over it!
From Wikipedia:
Blessed Nicolas Steno (1 January 1638 – 25 November 1686 was a Danish Catholic bishop and scientist who pioneered in both anatomy and geology. By 1659, Steno had decided not to accept a statement as true simply because it was written in a book, but rather to rely on his own research. He is considered one of the founders of modern stratigraphy and, together with James Hutton, the founder of modern geology. Pope John Paul II beatified Steno in 1988.
Thanks for showing us rockheads some love Google!
Another awesome TED talk - this time with a little magic thrown in - or is it deception?
You know that little rattling thing that you hear in a can of Guinness? I always thought it was just carbon dioxide (CO2), but apparently it is also Nitrogen. (N). The inert nitrogen prevents the acidic taste caused by the CO2, and also promotes smaller bubbles. Apparently, getting the perfect head is a challenge in a heavy stout.
Well, a team of mathematicians have figured out a better way to get fizzy - adding cellulose fibers. Yep - essentially ground up paper.
stout + cellulose - gas widget --> less expensive Guinness
That's an equation I can get my head wrapped around.
Read on...
I know that our future for spaceflight has not died. But somehow, the little part of me that grew up with the majestic United States Space Shuttle, is dying today.
A generation ago, my parents watched as the United States and the Soviet Union competed for space supremacy during the Apollo and Redstone years. The U.S. accelerated its space exploration schedule and budget bouyed on President Kennedy's inspiring "We Choose the Moon" speech and a wave of nationalistic price that followed. Astronauts were heroes! Ask a child what they wanted to be when they grew up and "Astronaut" was surely among the top answers. Apollo 11's historic trip and those celebrated (and controversial) words uttered by Neil Armstrong will never be forgotten by those who watched it on television 42 years ago.
Enter the Space Shuttle. It was a thing of Science Fiction! Part rocket, part aircraft, part glider. What's not to love?
Back in the day (was that really 3 decades ago?) I remember watching the first space shuttle launch on TV at home and then being pulled out of grade school class 2 days later to watch the smooth glider-like landing and the double sonic boom. I remember making my own shuttle model from a kit, painstakingly gluing and painting each detailed part, and then placing the completed model with pride onto my nightstand. I vividly recall mourning the fatal results of Challenger's faulty o-ring and of Columbia's impact with frozen insulation. But what I recall the most is the pride that I felt in the Unites States. We were leaders - innovators - explorers. And so - what about my children? I know that we will continue for forge ahead, but - I'm sorry B.B. - the thrill is gone.
Do not get me wrong - I am fully aware that the innovation is not dead. We still have the trusty utilitarian workhorses of the sky - the delta rockets. There are also private companies that are competing for the X-Prize to be the "next big thing" to step into the void left by NASA's retirement of the shuttle fleet. The X-Prize competition has been stimulating innovation in a sector that has been traditionally dominated by big governments and government contractors. This is a good thing. However, we are still a long way off from the regular US manned flights into space that have been happening for decades. Those launches (and the EVA's - oh those daring souls!) were becoming so commonplace (this is mission #135 people!) that there was barely any mainstream news coverage. Most people I have spoken to did not even realize that the International Space Station construction was essentially complete and has been in use for quite some time (Atlantis marks the 37th docking we've made)
And this week, the news outlets finally pay attention, to say goodbye - to the shuttle, and to an era.
Scientists have given NASA their recommended marching orders for future goals, but until we get back into the transportation business, we're going to have to take a back seat. For now, we can only hope for the future, and watch as we hitchhike our way to the International space station aboard a Soyuz rocket - owned by our former sole competitor in the space race.
Space may be the final frontier, dear friends, but it is not a frontier that we will be able to explore to our satisfaction for quite some time.
Perhaps, I may just have to book my own flight.
Check out this awesome (and huge) Photoshop compilation of dwarf sneak peeks that have been released so far. No carbon-copies here! Meticulous attention to each unique detail - matching each unique personality. My only question - what's with Kili's 5 o'clock shadow?
I do NOT want this to become a "Cute Blog" but I could not resist. At least it is not a kitten :)
As a lifelong geologist (once a rockhead, always a rockhead), how could I not post this gem? The alt image info states the following:
If you're a geologist or geophysicist and you don't introduce yourself by saying your name, then gesturing downward and saying "... and I study that", I don't know what you're doing with your life.
Am I the only one who is disappointed that the Hobbit is being filmed in 3D? Its about the story, not about the gimmicks! I'm all for 48fps, but I cannot believe that the battle at Helms Deep would have been improved by 3D. Someone please tell me that I'm crazy. Tell me why the Hobbit in 3D will be better than without.
software developer, geologist, geocacher, science nut, homeschooling dad, and overall techaholic
