If someone was promised a ‘New Earth’, as a replacement, would they be less inclined to look after the current one? This was one of the questions posed in a 2010 paper for The Expository Times. The author, Professor Edward Adams of King’s College, London, UK, points out that : ‘In accordance with his promise, we […]
Tag: earth
“Soil themes” in pop music (new study)
Have you ever considered how “soil themes” have been represented in popular song? If so, a new paper in the journal Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (Volume 63, 2017 – Issue 5) may be of interest. See: ‘Songs for our soils. How soil themes have been represented in popular song‘ The authors cite songs such […]
Math Challenge: Light Bulbs Count
Today’s Nasty Mathematics Challenge: Watch this video (taken by astronauts on the International Space Station with a camera that picks up low-intensity light, and then edited by Michael König, and sped up), and estimage the number of light bulbs whose light is visible: [vimeo]32001208[/vimeo] HINT: The task is easier (but not much) if you enlarge […]
Running on water: On the earth and on the moon
It would be even better on the moon. Yes, here on earth you can run atop a pool of water-mixed-with-cornstarch, as people are doing in this video: But you could also run atop a pool of pure water—if you and that water were somewhere that has weaker gravity. The moon is one such place. An […]
Ground Moon and Ground Ground, Compared Breathily
Investigator Dan Heck summarizes a new study. Heck says: “Moon dust, or above ground dirt, is apparently as toxic as regular ground dirt, but not ground dirt, which is about as toxic as unground dirt.” The study is: “Estimate of safe human exposure levels for lunar dust based on comparative benchmark dose modeling,” John T. […]
Just the facts, man… The persistence of misconceptions
Derek Muller writes (and explains in more detail than I’m presenting here): “It is a common view that ‘if only someone could break this down and explain it clearly enough, more people would understand.’ However it is debatable whether clear, concise explanations really work…. People have existing ideas about real world phenomena before they encounter […]
Billiard balls versus the earth
“All balls must be composed of cast phenolic resin plastic and measure 2 ¼ (+.005) inches [5.715 cm (+ .127 mm)] in diameter and weigh 5 ½ to 6 oz [156 to 170 gms]. Balls should be unpolished, and should also not be waxed. Balls should be cleaned with a towel or cloth free of […]
Heavens on and off the earth
Nicholas Heavens [pictured below] is a postdoc in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University. Heavens has turned his wond’ring gaze to what happens on our own planet and to the goings-on elsewhere. You might enjoy reading his take on Martian dust distribution: Heavens, N.G., Richardson, M.I., Kleinbhöl, A., Kass, D.M., McCleese, […]