Starship Asterisk*

I thought models only approach perfection, never actually reaching it. What model would you say is perfect already... 1) The speed of light in a vacuum is a constant. 2) E=mc 2 3) Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. 4) The four laws of thermodynamics. 5) Maxwell's equations 6) https://upload.wikime...

Maybe I've been reading too much sci-fi but other than rocket launch options always seemed like a good alternative. Are we even close to such technology?

http://background.uchicago.edu/~whu/intermediate/Polarization/m0r_trans.gif I find it a strange coincidence that the nebula around this star resembles one of the d-orbitals of an atom. Anyone any comments? It is the classical shape of an axially symmetric quadrupole moment :arrow: Does anyone know ...

Looks like a White Christmas in Idaho this year. At 2700 feet it's not often we get this view while finishing up at work before the holidays!

To add to the Holiday joy here are some fun musings on Christmas's traditions and characters.
Happy Holidays to All!!

Say, Ron, did you have a couple of those 'cherry bombs' before you did the post? I'm not sure I could really recommend them to anyone with a straight face :derp: IF you tip your head a little, your face won't be so straight. The reason i asked, is because you have two Smirnoff vodka's listed. 1)-Bl...

Beyond wrote:Say, Ron, did you have a couple of those 'cherry bombs' before you did the post?

I'm not sure I could really recommend them to anyone with a straight face

Yes I think I saw the red sprite. On the previous pass over Idaho I could have swore I saw I guy sending up a toast to those on ISS wishing them "Happy Holidays!!" :thumb_up: Fizzacist Cherry Bomb 2 oz Smirnoff® Black Cherry Twist vodka 4 oz Sprite ® cherry soda 2 oz Red Bull® energy drink...

If you read the paper I'd like to know if you think that a fourth dimension could be a torus and that it may explain many of the shapes we see in nature? And you thought the apple and Newton was all about gravity. Food for rethinking

I'm usually curious why things happen but after glancing at this , I know why I became a pharmacist. Anyone up to give a Readers Digest version? I have enjoyed the idea of today's APOD but what is in its guts may essentially be indigestible. :p: Relativistic jet material starts on page 44 though I ...

I'm usually curious why things happen but after glancing at this , I know why I became a pharmacist. Anyone up to give a Readers Digest version? I have enjoyed the idea of today's APOD but what is in its guts may essentially be indigestible. :p: Relativistic jet material starts on page 44 though I s...

I have long enjoyed well written science fiction from authors such as Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke. I have no doubt there are literally thousands of others I have missed over the years. I am curious if the landscape has changed due to easy access to good information on the internet or for other...

Yes despite his good looks my wife still fell asleep. I suppose that's a tell.

Both you and Alohascope are correct Geck and indirectly the silica proves it. There obviously is evidence of life on Mars and the silicon is good proof of it. Fascinating, Ron, but I don't quite get it. I certainly understand that the silica proves that there used to be (abundant) liquid water on M...

Now that I've seen episode 2 and 3, I remain somewhat disappointed. I prefer that a well-known story, such as Clarke's novel, be filmed as closely as possible in line with that story. I've seen other sci fi TV shows and films which have done that to good effect, so I know it is possible. But this o...

Both you and Alohascope are correct Geck and indirectly the silica proves it. There obviously is evidence of life on Mars and the silicon is good proof of it.

Will this go in the " Who ordered that file?" We could only be so lucky if it turns out to be something unexpectedly interesting. Ok I'm done for the day

It's obvious that people who post simple observations for discussion get ignored, whereas those who post fully fledged theories that explain them get all the attention. Being of the first sort, may I repeat my observation to save anyone going back three pages? I said: In the Planum, there are three...

This too!
"You keep surfin' with hams then, Santa, Jaws is comin' to town!"

With a mighty heave-ho, Silver gallops away into the sunset leaving the Lone Ranger to warm himself by the flames. Jose has left it very clear. Nice job!

Well so far so good. I watched the first episode last night and it wasn't as bad as I thought it could be. Let's hope the "Childhood's" part goes as well.

Thanks for the replies. Equal and opposite forces didn't seem to apply but the first two of Kepler's Laws forced some sense into me.

I am surprised that I don't see a Sci-fi thread among those previously started. There are so many in other places that no one could convey the need here. Oh well-it's worth a try. I am bummed . :evil: The book was one of my favorites in my youth. Let's see someone wreck "The Gods Themselves&quo...

This really surprised me. http://cattime.com/cat-facts/lifestyle/ ... love-water I had no idea some are hydrophilic.

I am not trying to dispute the well-proven shape of elliptical orbits but what makes the opposite end of the ellipse so narrow? I can see how the suns's gravity causes it on the solar end but (on the other end) you'd think it would be a more gradual effect - causing it to be closer to egg shaped as ...