Back at Ground Control

Display of the Rocketdyne Operations Support Center at California Science Center

Although I said a little while back that I would only be posting "Image of the Day" types of posts, the desire to share a bit more than a pretty picture occasionally gets the better of me. Since I have some time today, here are a few photos from my trip to the California Science Center to view the space shuttle, Endeavour.

It was an impressive exhibit. The various artifacts from the shuttle missions, diverse elements ranging from the "Space Potty" to the Space Shuttle Main Engines, presented a very engaging display of information. Merging the very human concerns of food and digestion with the highly technical elements of space flight, the exhibition was well grounded and very accessible.

The space shuttle Endeavour

But I was surprised by how wonderful it was to see the actual craft. It's a bit embarrassing to confess, but I got slightly choked up on seeing the Endeavour, feeling a bit of something similar to religious awe. Walking around and under, measuring by stride its length and width, viewing the tiles and surface texture, personally experiencing one of humankind's most remarkable constructs was shockingly vivid.

I'm curious to return again, perhaps sometime after the crowds of Summer. I wonder if this numinous sense of something "transcendent" will persist.

Under the Dangling Orbs

Pavilion at the entry to the California Science Center

I don't know what the golden balls signify, but they sure are pretty. ;-)

Enjoy!!!

Happy Darwin Day!!!

Charles Darwin was born on February 12, 1809.

Although I dislike celebrating traditional holidays, that doesn't mean that I'm anti-holiday across the board. ;-)

My complaint with traditional holidays is that either they have drifted from the original premise for which they were founded or that the original premise is no longer something that resonates within contemporary society. An example of the first situation is when a solemn celebration of some ethical/spiritual concern gets hijacked by crass consumerism. An example of the second is when a holiday is founded on a supernatural event or Bronze Age myth. In either case, the modern celebration has no valid basis beyond mere traditionalism.

On the other hand, most unofficial holidays have clarity in premise and authenticity in expression, unburdened by societal practice or the encrustations of tradition. Such a holiday is Darwin Day, which directs us to the appreciation and practice of Science, specifically as it relates to our understanding of humanity as a part of the greatness of Being.

And that's something that I can appreciate without candy hearts, colored eggs, or a turkey dinner. Maybe a banana cream pie. . .

Happy Darwin Day!!!

So, let's celebrate the birth date of Charles Darwin and reflect on the awesome wonders of Science.

Enjoy!!!

Lovejoy Lives!!!

The comet Lovejoy faced likely destruction when it entered the Sun's atmosphere (Image: NASA)


Over at Space.com, there's an interesting article about the comet Lovejoy's trip into the Sun's atmosphere. It traveled within 87,000 miles of the solar surface and withstood temperatures of up to 2 million degrees Fahrenheit!!!!!

It was a near certainty that the comet would be destroyed, but NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory filmed it escaping from the fiery inferno, zipping off into space. Lovejoy has definitely earned the title of "Sungrazer." ;-)

Enjoy!!!

Beyond the Crystal Spheres

Uranus Rings (1987) by David A. Hardy

In 1738, Sir William Herschel was born. His career in science was prestigious, including the discoveries of Uranus and infrared radiation, the coining of the word "asteroid", and the improvement of telescope technology. And he composed symphonic music as well!!!

Although I rarely cover "science" topics, I couldn't let Herschel's genius go uncelebrated. Too often, we spend our time celebrating "popular" figures, overlooking those individuals who may have been less glamorous but, nevertheless, contributed significant ideas or inventions to humanity. That's not to say that "media darlings" or celebrities are not important, but, instead, that a discerning society ought to give equal or greater interest and respect to those who labor in obscurity, as is appropriate to their contributions to society.

Our current Age of Information was founded upon the genius of prior scientists and thinkers. Herschel was one of these great men.

William Herschel's 40 ft. telescope, 1789

So, let's give thanks to Herschel and those innovative thinkers, famous or obscure, who have made our world a better place.

Science Reading List

I'd better schedule a trip to the library. (Redondo Beach Main Library)


Every year over the last decade, I've made a point of reading nonfiction books on scientific topics. My academic background is in the liberal arts and fine arts. Science was not a subject in which I excelled. I grew tired of being totally ignorant about a vitally important aspect of modern life. So, I began a long, informal process of self-education in the sciences.

The Royal Society Winton Prize shortlist is one source of input that I use to sharpen my science literacy. The nominees for 2011 were recently announced.

Here's the list:

Woo hoo!!! Looks like some fun reading is in my future. ;-)

Enjoy!!!

Triumph of Strife

Pluto, formerly the ninth planet of our solar system, was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.

It's been five years since the International Astronomical Union established the current planetary definition. These rules knocked Pluto from its planetary status and into the new category of dwarf planet. This was an extended debate that actually began in 1801 when Ceres was discovered and became the first asteroid. However, it was the discovery of the Eris, named after the Greek goddess of Strife, that set off the finalization of the great planet debate.

The end result was the controversial demotion of Pluto. So now the Solar System has eight planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) and five dwarf planets (Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris).



Artist's concept of the Pluto System (Credit: NASA, ESA and G. Bacon)


Of course, astronomers are still scanning the heavens. These numbers and definitions are best considered works in progress. ;-)

Enjoy!!!

Down These Mean Streets

Scrooge McDuck, Urban Entrepreneur (Original image by Carl Barks)

There's a fascinating article at Discovery News about how birds with big brains are successful at adapting to an urban environment. The term "big brain" doesn't necessarily means "smarter" but refers to the overall ratio of brain to body size. Avian critters such as jackdaws, magpies, and wrens are urban adapters. They are able to adjust to the diverse elements that comprise the city life, in terms of food and habitat.

Moreover, there may be some natural selection at work in the avian world, as these birds may become even brainier to continue thriving in the city. As urban development spreads and paves over the preexisting natural environment, the pressure for birds to adapt will become even greater. Things aren't looking good for the yellowhammer or the golden oriole.

Life is tough when you have a small brain. ;-)

Of course, a mention of big-brained magpies necessitates a vid:

Here's a link to the Discovery article, Brainy Birds Live the High Life in Cities.

Here's a link to Wikipedia page for Scrooge McDuck.

And here's the Wikipedia page for Heckle and Jeckle.

Finally, it's always good to pay a trip to the Audubon Society website.

Enjoy!!!

No Need for Speed

Apollo 10

After centuries in which we have constantly increased to speed of travel, humanity now finds itself slowing down. When NASA finally retires the space shuttle program this year, our top speed will be equivalent to that which our grandparents experienced flying the "friendly skies" in the mid-1960s. This is apparently the cause for some gloomy consideration for Daniel Michaels of the Wall Street Journal, in his article "Putting on the Brakes: Mankind Nears the End of the Age of Speed."

Although I disagree with the feel of his article, I found it to be an interesting read. He gives a quick overview of the history of speed, from early trains to Space Age aviation. This is a fascinating topic and does exemplify a core aspect of modern humanity, the Need for Speed. It's part of the Holy Trinity of 20th century American aesthetics of success, "Bigger, Faster, Stronger."

Pontiac GTO. General Motors.

Although I respect the accomplishment of the "Age of Speed", I'm not too sad to see it pass. First, I believe we will be seeing improvements in worldwide average speed of travel as transportation infrastructure is modernized globally. That's way more important than adding another 0.1 Mach speed to a jet that only a few will fly.

Second, I believe that there will eventually be a manned Mission to Mars. This technological feat will necessitate advancements in our space travel times. Interplanetary journeys simply must be at high speeds if they are meant to transport humans.

Third, I hold efficiency to be superior to speed. It doesn't matter if a jet takes a zillion hours to transport me from Los Angeles to Tokyo, if I can use telecommunications to avoid the need for such travel. Short of teleportation, humanity isn't going to design a mode of transport faster than virtual projectiongs.

Therefore, it is important to recognize the great technological accomplishments of the Age of Speed, but it is equally important to see that the Information Age will be leading us to innovations that will seem just as amazing as the contrast between horses and space shuttles. A world with no need for speed.

Here's a link the the WSJ article: Putting on the Brakes

Here are few Wikipedia pages of interest for the Age of Speed:

Stephenson's Rocket

Blackbird SR-71

Concorde

Apollo 10


Enjoy!!!

I Want to Believe

Every so often there is some sensationalized announcement regarding alien life. It is always debunked or pulled back. Here's a link to the most recent episode in this unhappy farce:

Nasa Refutes Alien Discovery Claim

Frustrating.

Successfully Navigating an Asteroid Field

More planet-destroying terror from space! ;-)

There's an brief interesting article at Discovery News. There's not much info, but it has cool graphics and informative links. And "killer asteroids" are one of my pet topics.

I'm a Science Fiction enthusiast. Two classic SF novels that I'd recommend on this topic are Lucifer's Hammer and the Hammer of God. Both are thought-provoking reads.

Calling Mr. Carrington

On Thursday, February 24, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory caught this big ol' solar flare. It's an M 3.6 class flare, which is pretty impressive, albeit well below the X class.

I have a morbid fascination with solar flares. They are awesome expressions of cosmic power beyond human capacity. An event like the Solar Storm of 1859, the "Carrington Event", would mess up our modern communications something fierce. Of course, it could be even worse. Yikes!!!

This Pop Sci article has some more info.

Fortunately, it discharged away from Earth, so no electronic disruptions. That means we can enjoy this video worry and guilt free. Woo hoo!!!