As the end of 2014 approaches, so many of us wonder where the year behind went. Time, as they say, flies by. But ever stop to wonder, “what is time?” Is it a physical dimension like distance? How is this “4th” dimension different? Why don’t the laws of physics care which direction time runs? An episode …
The University of Arizona presents a well-produced series of engaging lectures on popular cosmology: the origins of the universe, black holes, dark matter, the big bang, and the search for (and understanding of) life in the universe. It’s all free on iTunes U–a fantastic source for free audio and video courses online. >> Link: Cosmic Origins …
Cosmic Origins: Birth, Life, and Death of the Universe Read More
If you’re wondering what this wide-angle view of the universe tells us… …read on: How did we get here? : Starts With A Bang
Exciting news today as scientists announce the successful entrapment of antimatter. According to Nature: [A] research collaboration at CERN, Europe’s particle-physics lab near Geneva, Switzerland, has managed, 38 times, to confine single antihydrogen atoms in a magnetic trap for more than 170 milliseconds. The Economist presents a nice overview (in their usual cheeky tone). >> …
After wondering for years about how curveballs curve and breaking balls break, we can finally rest easy knowing that the rules of physics are not being violated on the pitchers mound! ScienceNOW reports on how curveballs are the mental effects of the way our visual field works. All this is the result of research by …
Baseball Magic Settled! The Curveball Is a Trick of the Eye Read More
NASA is charged with spotting most of the asteroids that pose a threat to Earth but doesn’t have the money to complete the job, a federal report says. Report: NASA cant keep up with killer asteroids – Yahoo! News
I was just watching a TV special on the Hubble Space Telescope, which has proved immensely useful to scientific research. Then started reading more about the next generation, the James Webb Space Telescope. Seems really cool. Fun if you’re into physics, astronomy, space, or just plain old discovery.
Bill Gates has funded a project at Microsoft Research to provide classic lectures in physics for free online. Some of the famous Feynman Lectures are presented with searchable video, embedded information, and educational resources. Check it out at Project Tuva.