For many years, physicists have been mystified by the Neutrino, a subatomic particle. Our sun generates heaps of them: 6.5 × 1010 neutrinos per second per square centimeter of the earth. In other words, ‘lots and lots’.
The funny thing about neutrinos, though, is that they’re hard to see. They move fast– about the speed of light– and rarely interact with anything. Most of the neutrinos from the sun pass right through the earth. More mysteriously, physicists have only been able to measure less than half the expected number of neutrinos from the sun. Something doesn’t add up.
Physicists at Stanford and Purdue Universities recently discovered something unusual: decay rates of radioactive materials appear to be linked to the neutrino flux. Decay rates increased when the earth was close to the sun and decreased when the earth was farther away.
This has tremendous consequences.
First, we’ve assumed (since Rutherford figured out radioactive half-life) that decay rates are constant. We’ve based a huge amount of scientific knowledge on this assumption. Radiometric dating is important for archeology, geology and other physical sciences. Our understanding of nuclear physics– reactors and weapons– is also based on these assumptions. If this link with neutrino flux is true, then a large enough burst of neutrinos from the sun could detonate all the reactors and nuclear weapons on the planet. (Admittedly, this is a very remote possibility.)
The core of the earth is very hot– around 9,800 °F. Some of this heat comes from the decay of radioactive materials. Speculation: Increased neutrino flux could increase this temperature and be responsible for increased volcanic activity. We know that the earth has experienced such periods. Could the sun have ‘neutrino cycles’ like its ‘sunspot cycles’?
Stay tuned. Further scientific understanding on this topic could turn into a Nobel prize.
The Neutrino Puzzle
August 26th, 2010 § 0
The Pakistan Disaster
August 17th, 2010 § 0
It’s been raining in Pakistan. This is known to happen; it’s called ‘Monsoon Season’, which lasts until September. Furthermore– no surprise, this happens every year– Monsoon Season coincides with the period of highest snow melt runoff from the Himalayas.
So why are things coming unglued this year? Why is this year a particular catastrophe? Part of the problem is the way the Indus river has been diverted over the years to irrigate farmland. Wetlands and buffer zones have been removed, and what used to be empty floodplain is now farms, villages and towns. (Source: National Geographic) In other words, the Indus river now has fingers that reach throughout the country, and there is less room for flood waters to spread out.
In July and August, the Monsoon (on average) brings 10 inches of rain. In an ironic twist, drought has been a serious problem this year.
Before I get to my conclusions, one more important fact needs to be put forth: Much of the wheat stockpiled by the Pakistani government was lost in the floods. This will affect not only food but next years seed availability.
Likely outcomes:
- With the loss of Pakistan’s wheat crop from international markets, wheat prices will climb quite high this year. (Remember also that Russia and Ukraine are cutting back on wheat exports.) Thankfully, US farmers have had a good year.
- The Pakistani government screwed up, and badly. This will have profound effects on the ‘War on Terror’ and our relationship with Pakistan. Expect the current (democratically elected) government to get shaky, and perhaps even collapse.
- The U.N. is requesting nearly $500 million for immediate aid to Pakistan. This is a lot of money, and I suspect the world is going to have a tough time shelling out. Expect to see China lend a big hand in return for preferential food, raw materials and energy deals. China is a hungry place.
Canon XSi waterproofing
August 7th, 2010 § 0
Just wanted to throw a quick note out to the interwebs.
Last month, on a trip to Bryce Canyon, I was taking pictures while standing in the middle of a small creek.
Seconds after I took this shot…
… I took another step forward, still looking through the viewfinder, and the bottom of the stream disappeared from beneath my feet. I plunged down into a waterfall-carved pit as deep as my waist. My camera slipped from my hands. The strap may have been around my neck, but as I floundered, trying to get my footing and get out of the hole, I saw my camera– galunk- into the water. Lens first.
It was only underwater a few seconds, and as soon as I was standing again– maybe fifteen seconds– I had removed the main battery and opened all the ports to allow the camera to dry. I set it in the dappled sunlight under a tree to dry out and hoped for the best.
It must be said that the lens is a Canon L series, equipped with a polarizing filter. I wasn’t worried about the lens. I wasn’t worried about the camera, either. At worst, I’d have to buy a new camera (7D, anyone?). Still, I was quite pleased that, after a few hours of warmth and 9% humidity, the camera worked perfectly when I replaced the battery and turned it back on.
So, for those of you out there who wonder about the effect rain may have on your non-pro camera body, I wouldn’t worry about a few drops of rain.
The Smart Person™ difference
August 4th, 2010 § 0
As a Smart Person™, it is incumbent upon me to tell the rest of you– The Little People– why we are different from you. Noblesse oblige. It’s what I do. This is how I give back. Besides, you need it– trust me.
The key idea you must comprehend is that Smart People™ use their brains for thinking. We have subjugated the base instincts of our animal heritage to the power of our intellect. No longer need we jump at shadows or quiver in idolatrous fright when a shaman proclaims transgression. We know better. We have achieved an enlightenment beyond nature.
With this enlightenment, we can see how good society can be. With minor adjustments, we can remake the current world of brutality and want into a utopia undreamed of. All that remains is your cooperation. You want to protest, I know– but those are mere selfish desires, the animal instincts we’ve already overcome. One day, perhaps, you can be like us. But first, just obey.
It’s very simple. This is where the little people can do something Big and Important. Really– we’ve already got The Plan. All that remains is for you to follow and do. Obviously, any failure is your fault, but we can regroup and make a new plan to overcome any mess you may make when you fail to follow The Plan. We are the Smart People™. We are that awesome.
Please stop complaining about costs and taxes. Again, those are thoughtless, selfish desires. That whole concept of ‘yours’ is something you’ll have to get over, it’s only getting in the way of The Plan.
What is The Plan? It’s very simple. Here it is: you work hard and give us everything. We’ll use all the money, ideas and property to make the world wonderful. Nobody will be poor, or sick, or sad, or lonely. We’ll get rid of war and disease. If necessary, we’ll wrap the world in bubble wrap so nobody can trip and fall. We’ll issue helmets to children under 18.
Best of all, we’ll get rid of all mean feelings. We’re well along on black, brown and white. Now we’re working on rich and poor. Next we’ll focus on those that are taller, stronger, more coordinated or better looking than you. Equality is what America’s about. Isn’t that the thing? Why should anyone have an advantage over you, the poor downtrodden little person?
We’ll fix it all. Trust us, we’re the Smart People™. Resistance is futile.
New layout
August 4th, 2010 § 0
I’m trying a new layout, and if I don’t like it, I’ll try another one. I’m looking for something more ‘readable’. Let me know what you think.
Dealing with Monsters & Bad Guys
August 2nd, 2010 § 0
I’m a parent. This means I have children.
As any parent knows, children have fears– of the dark, of baths, of spinach, or Aunt Edna.
But, more than anything else– even old Aunt Edna with the Jurassic Breath– children are afraid of Monsters and Bad Guys.
For my non-parent readers, Monsters live in closets, under beds, behind curtains and eat children. Bad Guys sneak into the house to do unspeakable things to children, like stealing toys. The mere thought of Monsters or Bad Guys causes children to weep and wail.
Some years ago, a good friend shared his clever solution. He and his wife kept a can of Lysol on a top shelf in the closet. Before bedtime, just as the children would begin to worry, they would retrieve the can– referred to as ‘Monster Spray” and give the closet and underbed areas a quick spritz.
“No more monsters!” they would say, and the children would sleep. We both believe somebody could make a fortune by selling stick-on ‘Monster Spray” labels for Lysol or air freshener spray cans.
My approach was different. From the first, my wife and I maintained that there were no monsters or bad guys in the house– “Daddy doesn’t let them come in” was our simple statement. This was nice, because it had the side effect of making Daddy superior and all-powerful when it came to monsters and bad guys.
UPDATE:
Somebody already has done the Monster Spray thing. Sorry.
On top of Mount Olympus
August 2nd, 2010 § 0
More pictures
August 2nd, 2010 § 0
Since I’m posting pictures, here’s some nice pics I took while visiting Bryce Canyon a few weeks ago.
Storm over Paunsaugunt Plateau
This photo is several photographs, digitally stitched together. What is remarkable overall is that the featured plateau is 20 miles away, and I used a 300 mm lens to take the shots. You need to keep the camera VERY steady for a long distance shot– a fraction of a millimeter of movement can cause tremendous smearing of the image.
Small creek in Bryce Canyon
A fantastic view from Fairyland point.
Impressive Sunset
August 2nd, 2010 § 0
While out in the backyard last night, I was treated to this remarkable sunset. Thought I’d share.
View from my backyard last night
More on the oil spill
August 4th, 2010 § 0
I note the Reuters headline today: “Nearly 3/4 of BP spill gone from Gulf.“
How interesting. I thought the world was ending, listening to some pundits talk. Don’t let a good crisis go to waste!
This is the catastrophe some wanted:
And this is what happened:
This disconnect is important to understand.
I strongly recommend you get a copy of Sagan’s “The Demon haunted world” and read it. It will help.