Tag: Science

Astronomical Toilet Paper

Astro TP

 

 

 

In an attempt to make astronomy more popular, a Japanese company has come out with toilet paper that is printed with astronomical information. So far you can get either ‘The life of a star’ or ‘Beyond the zodiac’. ‘The life of a star’ tells the story of solar evolution, from a molecular cloud up to a planetary nebula. A translation can be found here. The second set, ‘Beyond the zodiac’, as they say, "… we represent the signs of zodiac and some astronomical objects toward these constellations. You can feel the depth of the universe with this ATP." I’d hope that you would feel the softness of the paper and not the universe but that’s another story.
As a teaching tool it will probably go a long way in increasing the awareness of astronomy among those who read while doing their business.

[via Ektopia] 

Astronomical Toilet Paper

Mount St. Helens Is Moving Up

 

This is a big ‘ol slab of rock that is being pushed up from inside the volcano’s crater. There is a great time laps video of it showing the distance it’s grown since last November. The rate of movement is about 1 meter a day. I wonder how high it will get before it falls over or is destroyed by another eruption.

Rock Slab Growing at Mt. St. Helens Volcano

Titan Descent Data Movie

Titan Movie 

This is like a performance art piece from space. The decent of the Huygens probe on to the surface of the moon Titan took almost four hours but this video compresses it into 5 minutes. The visuals give you information on what the cameras were seeing, how the parachute moved (handy for telling wind conditions), and what sensors were doing what.

[via boing boing] 

NASA – Titan Descent Data Movie with Bells and Whistles – Movie

2006 Makefaire

MakeFaire 2006

 
The 2006 Makefaire is going on in San Francisco Ca this weekend. If your in the area or have enough cash burning a hole in your pocket to get a flight there you should go. Hobbyists, scientists, tinkers, gadget makers, Mythbusters, warrenty voiders, and a slug of other cool people are there discussing what they do and showing you how to do it. If your like me and are stuck at home, you can catch some video and see photos of it online.