book reviews
all commentary
science & medicine
technology
science humor & misc
image analysis
linux & computers
optics & photography
about / contact
astrophotographs
The science of auroras (updated Oct 13, 2024)
How does an aurora work? What causes the different colors? Do auroras emit infrared or ultraviolet light?
The information walls are closing in
We want misinformation! misinformation! misinformation! You won't get it. By hook or by crook, we will
What new technologies does the US military need?
Three recent developments have just given us new insight into that question
Oh Jeez, not this @#$% again!
A new report with weak data revives the COVID wet-market vs lab leak debate all over again
The internet says vinegar is the perfect cleaner. But is it true?
The chemistry of clogs, surface dirt, and cleaning agents and what does and doesn't work
Does vigorous exercise prevent cancer?
New research says patients who exercise survive longer. Also, a comparison of ways to monitor your pulse rate
Eight common beginner mistakes in astrophotography
If you plan to photograph the upcoming supernova, there's a big learning curve ahead of you
What is causing the depopulation crisis?
Humans don't want to face the truth, so they invent implausible reasons why it's happening
Do those cylindrical sails actually work?
A company claims that blowing air across a cylinder with a fan can power a whole ship
The Physics of Battery-based Electric Vehicles
No matter how much battery capacity improves, their explosive yield will never be good enough
Is string theory background independent?
Maybe, maybe not. But we can change it if you insist. Who wants ta know?
What's new in Alzheimer's disease research
Immunotherapy squeaks through the FDA, mice squeaking, and academics trapped like rats
What are your odds of getting Alzheimer's disease?
Latest research shows that the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease is 75% genetic
Stop picking on the cows
Global warmers want to stop cows from producing methane by eliminating cows. But it is anaerobic bacteria that are to blame
Time and space don't exist, scientists say
Why space is probably quantized and elementary particles may have incredibly complex structure
What does the Y chromosome do?
Is it really possible for a person to change sex? Do other animals have Y chromosomes?
Tinnitus: Causes and Treatment Recent research suggests that tinnitus is easier to cure when treatment is given early. In this article, I will discuss what is known about tinnitus and what tinnitus sufferers can do about their affliction
Tutorial on image densitometry in Imal
How to get scientifically accurate data from Western blots
Metaphysics of causal sets
A model for quantum gravity is remarkably similar to neural networks—and may resolve the multiverse question
How to do bad image forensic analysis
Scientific journals are paying experts to analyze images submitted by researchers. They're not very good
Space is quantum entanglement
Many physicists now say that spacetime is quantum entanglement. Does that mean it's a neural network?
Could the universe be eternal after all?
String theory may overthrow everything we believe about the Big Bang
Poison ivy
How to identify it, how it affects the immune system, why only humans are affected, and how it differs from giant hogweed
Build an infrared fluorescent Western blot imaging system
You can build a high quality fluorescent infrared imaging system for the lab. But it's not as easy as it looks
How to Photograph a Solar Eclipse
Without burning up your camera sensor, blinding yourself, and setting your dog on fire.
How to photograph Mars and other planets
It's not too late to get your azz to Mazz.
Are those inexpensive USB software-defined radios any good?
They're getting cheaper and more powerful than ever. Just our luck now that radio is almost obsolete
Photographing Radioactivity with a Webcam
You can use a webcam to photograph radioactivity.
Ultraviolet photography
The ultraviolet world is gloomy ... and pink.
Infrared photography
It's not difficult to modify a digital SLR camera to take pictures in the near-infrared.
Astrophotography Without a Telescope
You don't need a lot of equipment to take spectacular pictures of the stars.
Fireflies
Firefly biology and tips on photographing fireflies. Movie of fireflies flashing in synchrony.
Build an Ultraviolet Zoom Lens, Part 1: Design
Design and plans for a fused-silica zoom lens.
High-resolution compact spectrograph, Part 1
Design and plans for a compact spectrograph suitable for astronomy.
Astrophotographs
A collection of astrophotographs.
The sound of freedom
Technological sounds are drowning out the quiet music of nature.
Argumentation in a post-logical world
We must become more analytical in detecting and refuting hidden assumptions in the debate.
Atheism, Ducks and Bananas
Atheists and religious people both need to work on their sense of humor.
Eight myths about libertarianism
Libertarianism is not what many people think.
Pyotr Shervchofskii and the Glob of Fire (Revised)
If J.K. Rowling had been a Russian novelist, academics would be praising her novel as the sequel to Anna Karenina
Why your Earth stores are still doomed
It's not just the coronavirus panic. Your Earth store clerks are making things tough for us Martians again
The Blogger's Code of Snark
Some rules handed down to me by my old Grandma Blogger, who knitted them into a seven-foot-long tea cosy.
Fundamentals of Reindeer Aerodynamics
How did reindeer evolve the ability to fly?
