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Monthly Archives: February 2012
Making Music From Tree Rings
This natural composition transforms into musical notes the width of the growth rings of a canopy branch of a Texas bois d’arc tree that was downed by a flood in 2010. Continue reading
Posted in Botany, Electronics, Invention, Uncategorized
Tagged avant-garde, experimental music, music
1 Comment
Planetary Alignment: CSL Members Share Their Photos
Earlier we reported on the alignment this weekend of the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn. Since then we’ve received a few photos from our readers. Continue reading
Posted in Amateur Science, Astronomy, Photography, Space
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Rock Analysis With a Laser
So, you’ve just come back from your nature walk carrying some interesting looking rock samples. You probably figured that with all those field guides and charts at home, identification will be a breeze. Rummaging around your closet, you find that hardness of minerals kit you got as a kid on one of your museum field trips. The kit often included a streak plate. Assuming the kit and plate are properly used, my experience indicates that you can narrow the approximately 6,000 possible choices of rocks and minerals down to 5,980 or so. Continue reading
Posted in Amateur Science, Geology, Invention, Physics, Projects
5 Comments
Citizen Science Musings: Of Artists and Scientists
Last night’s ceremony made reference, as they always do, to the science and technology behind the art of making movies. And this got me thinking about the relationship between science and art throughout history. Continue reading
An Alignment of Planets
If you have clear skies where you live, just after the sun sets you can see an unusual alignment of planets, Jupiter and Saturn, set alongside a crescent moon. This map courtesy of NASA will help get you oriented, although most observers will have little difficulty seeing this striking display. Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Photography
2 Comments
Transits of Venus, Then and Now
The American Philosophical Society (APS) Museum in Philadelphia will be presenting 10 days of activities in conjunction with the Transit of Venus on June 5th including an exhibition with original instruments created for the observation of the 1769 transit. Continue reading
Curie Point Demonstration Apparatus
The Curie point demonstration apparatus is one version of a “thermo-magnetic motor” or oscillator. It converts thermal to kinetic energy directly by using a ferrous metal’s Curie temperature. Continue reading
Posted in Magnetism, Physics, Projects
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February Fireballs
Back in the 1960s and 70s, amateur astronomers noticed an increase in the number of bright, sound-producing deep-penetrating fireballs during the month of February. Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Space
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Blog: Doing Good Science
The gallery of science blogs over at Scientific American has a new offering that shows promise. Authored by Janet D. Stemwedel is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at San José State University, the focus of this blog is on training new scientists with an eye on ethics and working alongside other scientists. Continue reading
Posted in Best Practices, Science Education
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From Amateur Scientist to Entrepeneur
An interesting example of an amateur scientist in search of a marketable product, who succeeded Continue reading
Posted in Amateur Science, Invention
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