Articles Tagged with calculation

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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Scientists and doublethink

Using different theories at the same time

shuScientists, especially astronomers, use several incompatible theories in their calculations.  How?  And why?

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When science is an art

The experimentalist’s skill

sextantSome scientists have an unusual skill for extracting precise data from their instruments.  Sometimes this leads others to question their results.

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