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Category Archives: Astronomy
Cosmology meets Philanthropy — guest post by Jess Riedel
My colleague Jess Riedel recently attended a conference exploring the connection between these seemingly disparate subjects, which led him to compose the following essay.–CHB People sometimes ask me what how my research will help society. This question is familiar to … Continue reading
Posted in Astrobiology, Astronomy, Economics, Off The Deep End, Uncategorized
2 Comments
Why the laity hope Einstein was wrong.
Although reputable news sources pointed out that most scientists think some more mundane explanation will be found for the too-early arrival of CERN-generated neutrinos in Gran Sasso, recently confirmed by a second round of experiments with much briefer pulse durations … Continue reading
Entangled LIGO
The quest to observe gravitational waves has been underway for several years now, but as yet there has been no signal. To try to detect gravitational waves, the LIGO collaboration basically uses huge kilometer-scale Michaelson-type interferometers, one of which is … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Physics, Quantum
7 Comments
Geocentrism Revival
Seriously? A few conservative Roman Catholics are pointing to a dozen Bible verses and the church’s original teachings as proof that Earth is the center of the universe, the view that was at the heart of the church’s clash with Galileo … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Off The Deep End, Physics Bastardizations, Religion
17 Comments
Tidbits
Penrose reviews Hawking and Mlodinow’s new book The Grand Design. Kim sends along a link to a classic telescope catalogs and manuals Mason Porter, after an inspiring talk with Aaron Clauset and Michelle Girvan (a not uncommon circumstance with these … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Mathematics, Physics, Programming
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Don't Forget To Look Up Tonight!
Perseids meteor shower peaking Thursday night through Friday morning. “For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent van Gogh
Posted in Astronomy
2 Comments
The Most Depressing Results in Physics
I’m a pretty optimistic guy. Okay, I’m a really optimistic guy. But even my optimism has its limits when bashing up against the cold hard reality of what experiments plus our understanding of the laws of physics tells us about … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Off The Deep End, Physics
73 Comments