The Homely Scientist

I just heard on the radio that there is a total lunar eclipse tonight (this morning, technically).  I looked around and found a special page from NASA on it:

A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the early morning of Tuesday, August 28, 2007. The event is widely visible from the United States and Canada as well as South America, the Pacific Ocean, western Asia and Australia. During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon’s disk can take on a dramatically colorful appearance from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and (rarely) very dark gray. Source: NASA - Total Lunar Eclipse: August 28, 2007

Here is a diagram with transit times:

You know I was wondering if an eclipse was coming up because they only happen when sunset and moonrise are in sync.  I was up on Mt. Doug here in Victoria taking some sunset pictures and noticed that a) the moon was nearly full (and looking awesome) and b) the Sun was setting at the same time.

While not a “once in a life time” experience by any stretch, a lunar eclipse is very cool to watch.  Also you don’t need to worry about special glasses, observing boxes, or anything to observe them.

The NASA page has times for other timezones as well so set your alarm and check out the eclipse tonight.

Share This

Recently scientists found bacteria preserved in an Antarctic glacier (talk about freeze drying!) and were able to get it growing in culture in the lab:

Paul Falkowski of Rutgers University, who led the study, describes the ancient bacteria as small round cells that had been in a “suspended state of animation for 8 million years”. He says the increasingly rapid flow of glaciers into the ocean as a result of global warming could release new organisms into the sea but he does not believe this is cause for concern because marine bacteria and viruses are typically far less harmful to human health than, for instance, those found on land Source: Boing Boing: Bacteria is eight-million-years-old, and still alive

Yeah, okay this is cool and all, but I’m not sure I agree with the assertion that there is nothing to fear.  See, what if some pathogen that old is re-released into the environment and the immunity to is long since gone?  What if this wipes out fish stocks?  Or worse plant or other smaller marine life that are the foundations of the food chain?

Let’s not even think about human pathogens that could be trapped in places.

Okay, okay … the risk isn’t huge … and no this isn’t something I’d lose sleep over, but when I read sections above I always feel like I’m in the opening scenes of some disaster movie…

Again, this is another potential off-shoot of global warming that I’m sure we’re not going to be too pleased about.

Share This

This came out last week I think.  Turns out the folks at the Goddard Institute made a bad assumption about their data and got called on it:

The Goddard Institute claimed that the cause of the error was a switch to a new data-collection system in 2000. This led to an incorrect assumption that the old and new methods matched, which was proved to be untrue.

According to latest figures, 1934 is now the hottest year on record in the US at 1.25C higher than normal. 1998, the previous front-runner, is now second at 1.23C, followed by 1921 at 1.15C.

The old system put 1998 first, with 1.24C above normal, with 1934 at 1.23C. Next was 2006, now relegated to fourth place, which was placed at 1.23C. Source: Blogger proves Nasa wrong on climate change - Times Online

Now before you start the “see I told you so…” stuff the variation as hundredths and thousandths of a degree different.  Almost, IMHO, within the range of error.  However, that being said, this doesn’t mean that climate change isn’t happening.

We all know it is.  Climate data are extremely variable and looking at just one factor isn’t going to give you the whole picture.  Looking at ice sheets, plant and ecosystem changes, animal migration patterns.  Together these give a bigger picture.  And it ain’t a pretty one.  I have a long-ish post in my head on climate analogues … essentially explaining what my area of study was.

Maybe later this week I’ll write it up.  Gotta find my old data … which if you can find it online (it is online) and put a link in the comments … well I’ll give you Google points (no prizes right now, sorry … although I have a cool book on electricity!).  That’s it.  First person who puts a link in the comments to my masters thesis data gets my review copy of Much ado about almost nothing … which is a book I’m almost done reading and is a really interesting look at the history of electricity.

Here’s a hint … my data is with NOAA.

Share This

While you might think that we are more closely related to gorillas, it’s chimpanzees that we’re closest too, genetically that is.  One of the key key questions is then, when did the split occur?  Well about 10 million years ago, 2 million years earlier than previously thought:

If they are correct, it implies that the ancestors of modern humans and African great apes split and embarked on different evolutionary paths much earlier than had been thought. Source: Channel 4 - News - Teeth reveal gorilla ancestor clue

This is important because every bit of data on hominid evolution we have gives us a much better idea of how quickly evolutionary changes can take place.  What is remarkable, in my mind, is given that gorillas went on a divergent path so long ago, how closely they resemble humans.  Makes you wonder how things have all pieced together, doesn’t it?

Share This

 Here’s a great example of science and engineering looking to nature for new and innovative ways to solve problems.  Look at that robot!  It’s tiny!  It hops!  It finds pollution!

Umberto Scarfogliero, one of the men behind the University of Lucca project, says that the team focused on fleas and frogs in particular when researching the ‘bot. “Robots like these are far more efficient than larger ones in scouring vast areas of land in a shorter time,” he explained. The little critters are now being equipped with sensors that will allow them to locate sources of mercury poisoning. Source: Leaping Lizards: Robot that Jumps Like a Flea Can Sniff out Pollution - Gizmodo

If there is one thing I’ve learned in my years of looking at the natural world, it’s that nature has some great ideas.  Lots of inspiration to be had.  Like … Velcro from burrs (the plant kind), the chain saw from beetle grubs (this is true).  Just sit, watch, and learn.  You never know what you might come up with.

Share This

 I know this might seem hokey, but wait read on:

We’ve all dreamed of having a mini-greenhouse that we could plug into our computer, but until today it was just that — dreams. But dream no longer. Geeks.com is selling a USB-powered Mini Greenhouse that includes a computer interface which helps you monitor growth rate and that includes a calendar, wallpaper and bookmark settings to aid you in monitoring the growth of your greenhouse. Source: USB: Grow Plants with the USB-Powered Mini-Greenhouse - Gizmodo

What about using this as a great science experiment with your kids?  I’m sure the software is fun and teaches you about plant growth.  Clearly the USB is going to be powering the grow light and giving some feedback (moisture maybe).

Face it, simple plant growth projects are fun and easy.  They can teach kids a lot about science too.

Now I’m going have to hunt one of these down…

Share This

The key to many hybrid cars is the battery technology.  Seems that an attempt by Toyota to switch to LiON batteries has caused some problems:

Bob Kanode, the CEO of Valence Technology, which makes lithium-ion batteries for vehicles, recently said one of the big issues for the electric car world was going to be cobalt versus phosphate. And he may be right. Source: Has Toyota delayed new Priuses? Is cobalt to blame? | Tech news blog - CNET News.com

Right now the Prius uses the time-tested Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, laptops and other power-hungry devices use LiON (Lithium ion).  Of course LiON batteries have been having a small safety issue of late.  Can you imagine a LiON battery catching on fire in a car?

Boom.

Not good for increasing adoption of hybrid or electric vehicles.  Solution?  Instead of cobalt, phosphate could be used…but the work isn’t complete.  They only thing that can be done now, is wait.

Share This

 I don’t know if this is a post for here or PimpYourWork, but eh, we’ll do it here (more science than work I guess).  We know that electrical resistance makes heat (this how toasters and electric heaters work, btw) and our computers are packing in so many electro-bits (I made that up) that heat generation is a big problem.  I have no less than three devices handy to help keep my laptop cool.  All involve passive cooling (letting more cool air get to the machine), not what if the processors were made to cool themselves!

US researchers have developed a prototype device that creates a “breeze” made up of charged particles, or ions, to cool computer chips.

The “ionic wind”, the scientists say, will help to manage the heat generated by increasingly powerful, yet ever-shrinking devices.

[snip]

The prototype, which is attached to a mock computer chip, works by shifting charged particles from one end of the device to the other. As a voltage is applied to the ionic engine, positively charged particles (ions) are produced, and are dragged towards a negatively charged wire (a cathode), forcing constant air movement.

The team found the prototype engine boosted cooling

The researchers said that when it was used in conjunction with a conventional fan, air molecules, rather than getting stuck, were dragged across the chip’s surface boosting cooling.

The team said the device increased the cooling rate from a conventional fan by up to 250%.

Source: BBC NEWS | Technology | Tiny wind engines cool computers

Sure, while this is a long way off, if I’m right, the more powerful the processor the stronger the wind so the better the cooling.  This could help computers get pretty dern powerful!

Share This

 Now this is what I’m talkin’ about!

Built on just 3 acres of land, (most single-story storage facilities need ten times that amount) Portland City Storage will be the largest solar facility in the Northwest. Excess power will be sold on to Portland General Electric, and there is a rainwater collection area on the roof. Source: Eco: Portland’s Solar-Powered, 22-Story Storage Facility - Gizmodo

Really what we have to do is build this kind of facility in order to satisfy our energy thirst.  Is it easy?  Of course not, but also fears that something like this has to be ugly…well just look at that picture!

Share This

 Not only does our world run on electricity, it runs on batteries.  Batteries, while greatly improved even in my lifetime,  still have a way to go.  They are heavy (relatively), bulky, and toxic (like really freakin’ toxic).  What if a battery could be thin, light, and safer?  Soon that might be possible….

Companies have been trying to figure out how to use carbon nanotubes in electronics. Batteries may be the answer, say researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

The device is a piece of paper infused with carbon nanotubes and a salt, which serves as an electrolyte. Because it stores energy and conducts it, the device can act like a battery. Source: Paper and carbon nanotube battery developed, and it’s flexible | Tech news blog - CNET News.com

What is cool about this is that carbon is, well, everywhere.  Yes, while this new tech is getting a lot of press and coverage, practical applications are a long way off.  Think about it like the first glider or understanding how a combustion engine might work.  Yep, we just have to wait, watch and see.  That is also what science is about: patience.

Share This