Communicating what physics says — Domain of Science YouTube channel

August 10, 2018August 10, 2018 John Healy

Today’s post is somewhat different than usual. I’m highlighting a YouTube channel. Communicating science to a general audience has a long history. The bibliography for my physics blog contains some books by authors to this purpose. Modern physics has many great stories, and the just plain strangeness of quantum physics lends itself to great storytelling.… Continue reading Communicating what physics says — Domain of Science YouTube channel

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Blazar neutrinos

July 16, 2018July 17, 2018 John Healy

I’ve written elsewhere about neutrinos (aka “ghost particles”). The latest news is about a particular discovery — a major team effort — as to the source of some of the most energetic ones. Many articles. Some contain illustrations. High-Energy ‘Ghost Particle’ Traced to Distant Galaxy in Astronomy Breakthrough Most of these neutrinos come from the… Continue reading Blazar neutrinos

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Acceleration causes gravity, gravity causes acceleration

June 19, 2018July 1, 2018 John Healy2 Comments

As I’ve written elsewhere, I sometimes think that generations of scientists raised in space might help advance physics, having lived in a world dominated by inertia (rather than friction). Especially in regard to a visceral understanding of microgravity. Like characters in the TV series The Expanse. So, this Space.com article (June 18, 2018) “Relativity: The… Continue reading Acceleration causes gravity, gravity causes acceleration

General · Media

World Science Festival — black holes, aliens, etc

May 31, 2018June 29, 2018 John Healy

Space.com May 30, 2018, “World Science Festival Kicks Off in NYC with Black Holes, Aliens and More.” Science fans from around the globe will converge in New York City this week for the 11th annual World Science Festival, a celebration of scientific discoveries with more than 70 live events. The festival kicked off Tuesday (May… Continue reading World Science Festival — black holes, aliens, etc

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Multiverse paradox — potpourri of universes

May 3, 2018May 4, 2018 John Healy

I’ve been following this topic for years. Just some notes before I post something more complete — prompted by Stephen Hawking’s final research paper, much in the news. Multiverse: infinite or countable verses? • Prof Stephen Hawking’s multiverse finale (May 2, 2018), BBC News, includes a video. The study was submitted to the Journal of High-Energy… Continue reading Multiverse paradox — potpourri of universes

General

Pulsars can glitch?

April 30, 2018May 1, 2018 John Healy1 Comment

I didn’t realize that pulsars can glitch. But some do. As Wiki notes: “Certain types of pulsars rival atomic clocks in their accuracy in keeping time.” So, there are different types of pulsars, eh. This Space.com article (April 30, 2018), “Captured! Radio Telescope Records a Rare ‘Glitch’ in a Pulsar’s Pulsing Beat,” notes that: Pulsars… Continue reading Pulsars can glitch?

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What’s an attosecond?

April 30, 2018April 30, 2018 John Healy

As I continue to ponder the mind boggling character of quantum physics (the 10^-n reality), I’m fascinated by articles about novel experiments which routinely explore infinitesimal time scales and distances. Nanoscale (10^-9) is amazing! But now there’s the attosecond. This Space.com article (April 30, 2018), “The ‘Attoclock’ Shows How Fast Electrons Move in a Millionth of a Billionth… Continue reading What’s an attosecond?

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Celebrity and cultural phenomenon — Stephen Hawking

March 19, 2018April 30, 2018 John Healy

Stephen Hawking died last week. Lots of tributes in the media about his scientific legacy and life. Sean Carroll posted an article on his blog on March 16: “Stephen Hawking’s Scientific Legacy.” It’s particularly interesting. As a career physicist and cosmologist, Carroll met and interacted with Hawking over the decades. Early in his career Carroll turned… Continue reading Celebrity and cultural phenomenon — Stephen Hawking

Language · Media · TV

The Earth is round — needless to say?

March 11, 2018June 25, 2018 John Healy2 Comments

While it is strange (and disturbing) that some religious conservatives dispute the scientific consensus on the age of the Earth and the universe, another Space.com article this past week (3-10-2018) — Yep, the Earth Is Still Round, Neil deGrasse Tyson Says — reminded me that there’s an even stranger group, namely, those who still play… Continue reading The Earth is round — needless to say?

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Star bright, first light — fingerprint hunt

February 28, 2018August 30, 2018 John Healy4 Comments

Following up on the “Ultimate how” question in the context of the Big Bang theory, how far back in time can we actually detect evidence, follow a breadcrumbs trail? To a cosmic dawn? Space.com, among others, today posted articles about research at the Murchison Radio-Astronomy Observatory (MRO), in particular the MRO’s Experiment to Detect the Global EoR… Continue reading Star bright, first light — fingerprint hunt

Physics says what?

Entangled 'verse … 10^n and 10^-n