If it’s worth doing. . . Published on September 13, 2016September 13, 2016 by fivecolorssandt@icloud.com Why bother with tentative research? Our astronomer ponders the state of the science in the middle of the last century, when things were so different and difficult. Read More
A plausible assumption Published on August 2, 2016August 2, 2016 by fivecolorssandt@icloud.com It’s reasonable and makes sense, but it’s wrong Our astronomer describes how an assumption widely made in his science in past years turned out to be completely erroneous. Read More
Why an f-stop? Published on July 26, 2016July 26, 2016 by fivecolorssandt@icloud.com It’s all the astronomers’ fault Our photographic consultant is reminded how complicated things are for beginners, no matter how straightforward it all seems to the professionals. Read More
Applied numerology Published on July 19, 2016July 19, 2016 by fivecolorssandt@icloud.com Why astronomers are natural translators Our astronomer offers an apology and an explanation. Read More
A star by moonlight Published on July 12, 2016July 11, 2016 by fivecolorssandt@icloud.com How can the Moon affect a star? As 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. Read More
How cold is space? Published on June 28, 2016June 28, 2016 by fivecolorssandt@icloud.com It’s more difficult than reading a thermometer Our astronomer answers a question of interest to science-fiction writers. Read More
Thinking in stories Published on June 7, 2016June 6, 2016 by fivecolorssandt@icloud.com The limits of doing your science in metaphors It’s vital not to confuse an illuminating explanation of science with the science itself. Read More
Not dangerous enough Published on May 10, 2016May 9, 2016 by fivecolorssandt@icloud.com Probable perils of new technology Using mobile phones, especially smartphones, while driving is dangerous. Yet our chief consultant concludes it’s not dangerous enough! Read More
Scientists and doublethink Published on May 3, 2016May 3, 2016 by fivecolorssandt@icloud.com Using different theories at the same time Scientists, especially astronomers, use several incompatible theories in their calculations. How? And why? Read More
When science is an art Published on April 12, 2016April 12, 2016 by fivecolorssandt@icloud.com The experimentalist’s skill Some scientists have an unusual skill for extracting precise data from their instruments. Sometimes this leads others to question their results. Read More