I recall reading a discussion on science and poetry. I recall the author (I can’t remember who it was) asking, where are the poets inspired by science? Given the indescribable beauty and majesty of this universe we live in, and are part of, why is it that we find so few poets or artists inspired by scientific discoveries? I don’t know the answer to the question, but I have a bit of evidence that contradicts the assumption that science fails to inspire art!
Hot off the presses, here’s another stirring melody from John Boswell of Symphony of Science. You will remember him from the two other pieces he has composed, also posted on this site.
Without further delay, here’s “Our Place in the Cosmos,” by John Boswell, and featuring the words of Carl Sagan, Richard Dawkins, Michio Kaku and Robert Jastrow.
Beautiful!
What are your thoughts on our place in the cosmos as revealed by science? Do you find it frightening to confront our smallness? Does the enormity of time, stretching so far in either direction, make your life seem vain? Do you struggle with the idea that you and all your wonders stem from a body made of matter? Or does our smallness inspire you to consider with what luck we exist at all? Does the enormity of time force an emphasis on this very moment? And does all of human complexity stemming from common matter elevate that matter, rather than degrading the human? What do you think?
Thousands of you are coming here for information on the shower, but I don’t have a post up about today’s event! So here it is!
The Leonid Meteor shower occurs every year when Earth passes through the cloud of debris left behind by the passage of the comet Temple-Tuttle. Specks of dust are rapidly heated upon contact with our atmosphere and glow spectacularly for a brief moment. If you want to catch a glimpse of our brush with this cometary dust cloud, tonight is a good night. Last night was technically the peak, but since the cloud of dust is fairly large, Leonid meteors should be visible tonight and tomorrow as well. Some folks have reported some brilliant displays, so if you’re awake you may as well take a look. In any case if you decide to check out the event, just find a nice spot with a good view of as much of the sky as possible. Make sure it’s dark and free from light pollution. Then relax on your back and enjoy the show! Oh – some additional viewing tips from someone who knows his stuff:
It’s more important to orient looking away from sources of light pollution – especially the moon if it’s up. If possible, orient so these light sources are blocked from your visual field by objects in your surroundings. This will encourage your pupils to open a bit wider, and allow seeing fainter meteors. Orient toward the holes in the clouds, if any. Orient so that the place where you are lying is comfortable. Aaahhh!
And another layer of the cosmic onion is peeled back! Scientists from NASA’s LCROSS project have confirmed their previously hesitant assertion that water exists on our moon in the permanent shade of its impact craters. I’m going to defer to the public relations folks at NASA on this one and just send you to their press release, which contains nice charts and pictures to help bring the issue into focus.
I’m hardly qualified to speak on the full implications of the discovery of water on the moon, but I suppose I could outline at least one provocative point. The existence of water on the moon makes human settlement there far more simple. With accessible frozen water (and ample sunlight for hydrolysis), we have a source of oxygen (for breathing) and hydrogen (for fuel). We also of course have the water itself that can be melted and used for drinking or for any of the other myriad purposes water can fulfill. The moon is of course still relatively inhospitable, and I would not expect resorts to start springing up there any time soon, but the presence of frozen water does make the prospect of limited colonization or the establishment of permanent bases a bit more likely.
Until next time, Earthlings!
-Neil
P.S. The lovely photo of the moon was taken by Luc Viatour.
Holy Moley did I cry with joy when I learned this. Our friends at Hulu have put up all thirteen episodes of Carl Sagan’s magnum opus, Cosmos. If you’re unfamiliar with Cosmos, it’s an awesome series. Sagan explores a different topic each episode, outlining a particular feature of our wonderful universe with his characteristic awe and infectious enthusiasm. Stars, galaxies, the formation of the Earth? The origins of the elements, the subtleties of star death? You’ll find it here! I whole heartedly recommend you watch every single episode. Dang, it’s just so cool!
Go now! Go and be entertained and educated!
I think there’s been a little too much talking here lately about leaf abscission layers and not enough awe-struck open-jawed reveling in the absurd beauty of existence. So to help remedy this dreadful lack, I’m going to post two wonderful videos/songs for you to listen to. The fellow who created these is named John Boswell and he has a site here.
A 19th century engraving of a meteor shower. This image is earning its keep!
Listen up surface dwellers, because there’s not much time ! In just a few short hours, the Orionid meteor shower will be peaking! That’s right! The night of Tuesday, October 20th into the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday, October 21st is the time for curious humans to look upward and catch a glimpse of dusty leavings from Halley’s Comet streaking through our humble atmosphere! Get some blankets, some coffee, and some friends, orient yourself toward the constellation Orion, and enjoy! This sight comes but once a year.
Beautiful fall colors! But where do they come from, and why are they coating the ground?
Hello! I haven’t done one of these long posts in a little while, so I thought I would remedy that. If you’re one of those people who seem to be suddenly coming to visit this site in great numbers, welcome! I’m glad to have you. Anyway, let’s get on with it.
I wanted to discuss the changes going on all around for those of us living in temperate deciduous forests like the kind in the northeastern United States. Every year, billions and billions of trees shed their leaves to prepare for winter. The precursor to this amputation is the emergence of beautiful and vivid fall leaf color. But what accounts for this color, and why do trees shed their leaves in the first place? In this exciting two-part series, we’ll answer both questions! First, why do some trees lose their leaves in the fall? Read the rest of this entry »
Cool news. A fellow who works on public outreach for the Hubble program has consented to my asking him a few questions. If any of you fine people out there have any questions YOU want answered, just put them in a comment after this post or send me an email at dangthatscool@gmail.com. Ask about Hubble, the new Webb telescope, whatever.
This pitcher plant, Nepenthes muluensis, is closely related to the newly discovered species. Note the slippery lip and the deep cavity.
This is pretty cool. Researchers on an expedition to the Philippines’ Mt. Victoria have discovered a type of pitcher plant that specializes in rats. The pitcher plant is an awesome organism that lures prey with the promise of sweet smelling nectar. Once the victim climbs up on the lip of the plant, a waxy coating on the plant’s surface causes it to slip into the pitcher, where it drowns. Slowly, digestive enzymes or symbiotic creatures digest the captured animal, breaking it down into its constituent parts. These nutrients are then absorbed by the lining of the pitcher and used by the plant. This newly discovered organism, named Nepenthes attenboroughii after the wonderful David Attenborough, can be seen in a video on the Sun’s website here. Click the link for hot plant-on-rat action.
A plant that consumes rats. Awesome… Just imagine what other fantastic organisms remain to be discovered!
-Neil
P.S. I tried to think of a way to work this joke in but I couldn’t, so here it is. “I guess in this case, curiosity killed the rat!” Ha ha ha ha ha! I hope you treasure this joke… and may it fill you with gleeful laughter long into the night.
