So cool. Advice to boaters, weather conditions can change quickly!
Category Archives: Best Posts
A Time Lapse of a Supercell Developing in Wyoming
Talk about rotation.
Creep Leads to Retaining Wall Collapse in Baltimore
Doesn’t sound as good as “Landslide in Baltimore” but it’s more correct. Recent rains caused extra pressure on a retaining wall next to railroad tracks. The wall begins to give way slowly, by around 1:10 the fun starts.
And here’s a link to some cool pictures…
Why We Americans Speak the Way We Do
Saturn Has an Aurora
Wow, and before you tell me the images are grainy, remember, this is from a probe we humans put around Saturn! Saturn’s northern and southern lights glow in red on the bottom and purple on top in visible light, according to Cassini photos.
Saturn’s Auroras Glow in 360-Degree Views from NASA Spacecraft (Photos, Video)
The Oldest Star We Have Ever Found
Six Decades of Global Warming from NASA Data
This visualization from NASA, shows yearly deviation in average temperature from a mid-twentieth century baseline. It shows 1950 to 2013.
Coolest Wind Map Ever
Just mesmerizing.
Astronaut Chris Hadfield on the Importance of Space Exploration
Chris Hadfield is one cool guy. PBS News Hour’s Miles O’Brien interviewed Hadfield about his new book.
Moon Dust is a Problem
If we intend to go back to the moon. I was speaking today about volcanic ash and how it can be extraordinarily abrasive like moon dust. Here is an article on the very subject to illustrate my point.
Sugru
One of my favorite new products in the last couple of years is Sugru, a moldable silicone rubber compound. I mentioned it in one of my classes today so I thought I’d link to their rather irreverent video explaining their product. It’s a bit pricey, but invaluable for fixing A LOT of stuff.
Adam Savage’s Ground Rules for Success
Very good points here. Adam Savage from “Mythbusters” talks about advice he gives young people. (note – he does use the “A” word a good bit toward the end, but it’s to make a point)
Arithmetic, Population & Energy By Dr. Albert A. Bartlett
Called “The Most IMPORTANT Video You’ll Ever See” by those who have posted it on YouTube. Dr. Bartlett’s talk is very interesting and thought provoking.
“The Final Moments of Karl Brant” New Sci-Fi Short
If you know me, you know I love science fiction. Here is a new short science fiction film starring Paul Reubens (Pee-wee Herman). Really well done…
A Fond Farewell, And a Welcome to Summer Break
Just for fun, and because this is a beautiful clip. This flashmob event was orchestrated (pun there) as a celebration for the anniversary of the founding of a town in Spain by a local bank. Enjoy!
Oops! I forgot to mention that the piece is Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” the grande finale of his 9th symphony.
Thanks to Mr. Hartmann for this one.
Coca-Cola Uses Technology to Bring People Together
So anyone who is informed, or knows someone of Indian or Pakistani extraction, knows that these two countries have had an antagonistic relationship since the formation of Pakistan. Coca-Cola has come up with an interesting type of vending machine to address that problem. Very Cool….
Why We Need to Spend More Money on Space Exploration
Neil deGrasse Tyson explains…
I could not agree more!
It should be noted that this is a fan made film from comments Dr. Tyson made on a TV interview, it underscores the points Dr. Tyson makes. The Space Race was indeed about military might more than scientific research. But it galvanized a nation, indeed the whole world. It did more to further peace and plenty than any war ever fought. We need it all back.
It’s spring, and in both my classes we are studying Space. It is fitting to remember the legacy of our country in that area.
Freaky and Interesting Video Game
A totally cool, yet thought-provoking game. I love it!
“A Slower Speed of Light” is a rather unusual game created by the MIT Game Lab. It’s short and doesn’t even need to really install. Just download it, extract the folder and play. The basic idea is that as you gather a number of “orbs” you slow down the speed of light, eventually to your own rate of movement. As this happens, the screen reflects the distortion that would occur in first your vision, then space itself, as light slows down. Making the task increasingly challenging and very freaky looking.
A screenshot from the game.
Big thanks to Alex for this one, yes, you were right.
What Does the Average American Know About Science?
Not enough by a long shot…
What Does the Average American Know About Science?
How much do you know? Pew Research’s Study…
Yellowstone’s Volcano
More Weather: Tornadoes
The Elie, Manitoba Tornado was an F5 tornado that struck the town of Elie, Manitoba, Canada, (40 kilometres (25 mi) west of Winnipeg) on June 22, 2007. Amazingly, no one was killed. This is a very small, but intense tornado. It’s an F5 for wind speed, but a very small one. It’s very beautiful though.
An Oklahoma Hailstorm
Since we are studying weather right now, here is one of my favorite weather video clips. May 16th, 2010, Oklahoma City, OK
How Differential Gear Works
I saw this on another website I frequent. It’s a snipit from an old industrial film explaining how a differential gear works in a car. Really well done.
How Far is it to Mars?
Really far.
Neil deGrasse Tyson on Why Science and Math are Important
I could listen to Dr. Tyson read his grocery list, he’s that interesting.