More about ice from NASA: If you’re watching the Winter Olympics, you know that snow and ice are an integral part of the sports. But did you know that snow and ice need to be different for each sport? NASA scientist Peter Wasilewski’s studies of ice using polarized light create beautiful colored pictures of the …
I should have mentioned this earlier, but I recently updated the SF Canada site that I maintain. SF Canada is the association of professional speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror) writers in Canada. The update includes an interview with publisher Brian Hades of EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing, an interview with Gordon van Gelder, …
National Geographic posts Curling Quandary: Why Stones Curl the “Wrong” Way. I would like to point out, for the record, that my column “Why Curling Rocks Curl,” containing the same information (which I’m sure I picked up on from some news item I saw), was posted back in 2004. It’s interesting to note, by the …
Introducing what I hope will be at least a semi-regular feature here at Hassenpfeffer: the Photo of the Day, in which I indulge my inner artist and try to capture a visually interesting digital photograph from my surroundings.
From Sciencebase: Irish and German researchers have discovered that the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida can eat polystyrene. This polymer, instantly recognisable in its expand form is a key component of disposable cups, and in “plastic” plates and utensils. This is potentially good news for the environmentally friendly disposal of these things, but it reminds me …
Here’s a wonderful story about a Mexico City grandpa who has built and flown his own rocket belt. Weren’t we all supposed to have one of these things by now? (Via Defense Tech.)
Quantum mechanics is weird. I give you Exhibit B.
I’m not sure where the story originated (I got it from a listserver post), but it sounds exciting: ABC Orders Masters Of SF ABC has given a green light to the SF anthology TV series Masters of Science Fiction, which will present works of well-known authors such as Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov, Variety reported. …
There’s a contest underway to choose an illustrator for a new edition of Yann Martel’s great book The Life of Pi. You can read about it and view some of the contest illustrations here. (Via Drawn.)
My science column goes out via e-mail to a couple of hundred subscribers around the world. However, they get it for free, whereas the Regina Leader Post and Red Deer Advocate and (every two weeks) CBC Saskatchewan’s Afternoon Edition actually pay for it, so my e-mail subscribers get the version I write for Canadian consumption. …
Check out this fabulous online collection of drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. (Via Drawn.)
Quantum mechanics is weird. I give you Exhibit A.
