Articles Tagged with calculation

Extremes

They need not actually be spectacular

moonOur astronomer, somewhat reluctantly, talks about the Supermoon

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Hard problems and easy ones

What’s difficult is not always clear

Humans have accomplished some pretty amazing things, from putting men on the Moon (with old technology!) to sequencing their own heredity.  But stubborn problems that look much easier persist.

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If it’s worth doing. . .

Why bother with tentative research?

tandwOur astronomer ponders the state of the science in the middle of the last century, when things were so different and difficult.

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A plausible assumption

It’s reasonable and makes sense, but it’s wrong

mapOur astronomer describes how an assumption widely made in his science in past years turned out to be completely erroneous.

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Why an f-stop?

It’s all the astronomers’ fault

fstopOur photographic consultant is reminded how complicated things are for beginners, no matter how straightforward it all seems to the professionals.

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Applied numerology

Why astronomers are natural translators

thermoOur astronomer offers an apology and an explanation.

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A star by moonlight

How can the Moon affect a star?

miraAs things go in the universe, the Moon is a small thing, insignificant compared to a distant star.  Yet our astronomer found that it can have a definite influence on measures of the latter.

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How cold is space?

It’s more difficult than reading a thermometer

coalsackOur astronomer answers a question of interest to science-fiction writers.

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Thinking in stories

The limits of doing your science in metaphors

the balloon analogyIt’s vital not to confuse an illuminating explanation of science with the science itself.

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Not dangerous enough

Probable perils of new technology

traffic2Using mobile phones, especially smartphones, while driving is dangerous.  Yet our chief consultant concludes it’s not dangerous enough!

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