Sunglasses by Hoffman Disruptor®.
A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing
by Lawrence M. Krauss
224 pages, Atria Books, 2012
http://www.amazon.com/dp/145162445X/
“WHERE DID THE UNIVERSE COME FROM? WHAT WAS THERE BEFORE IT? WHAT WILL THE FUTURE BRING? AND FINALLY, WHY IS THERE SOMETHING RATHER THAN NOTHING?”
Lawrence Krauss’s provocative answers to these and other timeless questions in a wildly popular lecture now on YouTube have attracted almost a million viewers. The last of these questions in particular has been at the center of religious and philosophical debates about the existence of God, and it’s the supposed counterargument to anyone who questions the need for God. As Krauss argues, scientists have, however, historically focused on other, more pressing issues—such as figuring out how the universe actually functions, which can ultimately help us to improve the quality of our lives. Read More »
God's Planet
by Owen Gingerich
192 pages, Harvard University Press (October 22, 2014)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0674417100/
With exoplanets being discovered daily, Earth is still the only planet we know of that is home to creatures who seek a coherent explanation for the structure, origins, and fate of the universe, and of humanity’s place within it. Today, science and religion are the two major cultural entities on our planet that share this goal of coherent understanding, though their interpretation of evidence differs dramatically. Many scientists look at the known universe and conclude we are here by chance. The renowned astronomer and historian of science Owen Gingerich looks at the same evidence—along with the fact that the universe is comprehensible to our minds—and sees it as proof for the planning and intentions of a Creator-God. He believes that the idea of a universe without God is an oxymoron, a self-contradiction. God’s Planet exposes the fallacy in thinking that science and religion can be kept apart. Read More »
KAH BEE
Observing Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays with Smartphones
by http://crayfis.ps.uci.edu/
We propose a novel approach for observing cosmic rays at ultra-high energy by repurposing the existing network of smartphones as a ground detector array. Extensive air showers generated by cosmic rays produce muons and high-energy photons, which can be detected by the CMOS sensors of smartphone cameras. The small size and low efficiency of each sensor is compensated by the large number of active phones. We show that if user adoption targets are met, such a network will have significant observing power at the highest energies. (http://arxiv.org/abs/1410.2895)
Joining CRAYFIS
CRAYFIS is in limited beta testing as we grow our capacity to handle a large network of devices. Please leave your contact information, and we will let you know when the network is ready for your device! Read More »
Next Target for New Horizons beyond Pluto: PT1
(Kuiper Belt Object 1110113Y)
(News Release STScI-2014-47, October 15, 2014, http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2014/47/full/)
George Washington suffered from poor dental health and spent his life in frequent pain, employing a variety of tooth cleaners, dental medicines, and dentures. Dr. John Baker fabricated a partial denture with ivory that was wired to Washington’s remaining real teeth. When Washington was inaugurated President in 1789, only one real tooth remained in his mouth.
Dr. John Greenwood fashioned a set of dentures of hippopotamus ivory and gold wire springs and brass screws holding human teeth. Greenwood left a hole to accommodate Washington’s single tooth. When Washington finally lost this tooth as well, he gave it to Greenwood who saved this cherished item in a special case.
(The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland, http://www.dental.umaryland.edu/museum/)