Betelgeuse is not going to explode right now. The star's unusually extreme dimming period is over and it is returning to normal magnitude precisely on schedule.
Astronomers are not entirely sure why it dimmed so much, but possible explanations include sunspots or a cloud of dust that happened to pass between us and Betelgeuse when it was dimming anyway.
It's also possible that oscillations in a luminous red supergiant start to increase slowly before a supernova, and while this is not a sign Betelgeuse will blow tomorrow, it could be a "sign of aging" that means the nova is imminent.
Unfortunately for us, imminent could mean "in the next hundred thousand years."
Friday, February 28, 2020
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Why do whales swim up beaches?
We've never been quite sure why whales sometimes become lost, ground themselves on a beach, and die.
Until now.
We finally have enough data to see a pattern. Whale strandings occur...
...at the time of major solar storms.
The theory now is that these huge animals are so sensitive to the earth's magnetic field that when a CME or solar flare disrupts it, they become effectively blind and may accidentally swim into the shore.
This may be proof that whales navigate by the magnetic field but, unfortunately, doesn't give us any options to help the poor whales other than trying to push them back into the water.
Until now.
We finally have enough data to see a pattern. Whale strandings occur...
...at the time of major solar storms.
The theory now is that these huge animals are so sensitive to the earth's magnetic field that when a CME or solar flare disrupts it, they become effectively blind and may accidentally swim into the shore.
This may be proof that whales navigate by the magnetic field but, unfortunately, doesn't give us any options to help the poor whales other than trying to push them back into the water.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
When Computers Were Women - RIP Katherine Johnson 1918-2020
None of us knew who Katherine Johnson was – until Hidden Figures hit theaters. (Okay, none of us other than true space history geeks).
In fact, most people now think of a "computer" as that thing with a monitor and a keyboard you sit in front of.
The first computers were people. And most of them were women. These women were highly-skilled mathematicians who could do calculations in their head in seconds that would daunt an average person.
Johnson stood out from this crowd. She helped put men in orbit and then on the moon. Nowadays, we use AI to do these calculations.
She did them unassisted, and so well that the astronauts asked for her by name. In fact, when electronic computers were added to mission control, a skeptical John Glenn asked her to double check the figures.
Over more than three decades at NASA she authored or coauthored 26 research reports – this woman was no mere clerk but a scientist in her own right. In fact, all indications were that she was a mathematical genius. She skipped several grades in school, but was held back by her gender and race.
Her first career? Schoolteacher. Until NACA, NASA's predecessor created the all-black West Area Computing section and she saw a chance to truly spread her wings (although I would bet her students did well).
She has a NASA facility named after her - the home of the Independent Verification and Validation facility, which is where they...
...double check that the computers are doing the numbers right. Just as she did for Glenn all those years ago.
(A picture from NASA of Katherine Johnson at work).
She had a long life and a good innings and now the stars have called her home.
In fact, most people now think of a "computer" as that thing with a monitor and a keyboard you sit in front of.
The first computers were people. And most of them were women. These women were highly-skilled mathematicians who could do calculations in their head in seconds that would daunt an average person.
Johnson stood out from this crowd. She helped put men in orbit and then on the moon. Nowadays, we use AI to do these calculations.
She did them unassisted, and so well that the astronauts asked for her by name. In fact, when electronic computers were added to mission control, a skeptical John Glenn asked her to double check the figures.
Over more than three decades at NASA she authored or coauthored 26 research reports – this woman was no mere clerk but a scientist in her own right. In fact, all indications were that she was a mathematical genius. She skipped several grades in school, but was held back by her gender and race.
Her first career? Schoolteacher. Until NACA, NASA's predecessor created the all-black West Area Computing section and she saw a chance to truly spread her wings (although I would bet her students did well).
She has a NASA facility named after her - the home of the Independent Verification and Validation facility, which is where they...
...double check that the computers are doing the numbers right. Just as she did for Glenn all those years ago.
(A picture from NASA of Katherine Johnson at work).
She had a long life and a good innings and now the stars have called her home.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Farpoint Roundup
I would have posted yesterday, but I had a trip home that involved malfunctioning light rail doors, an ADA violation (Which was also a problem for people with, ya know, luggage) and an accident on the elevators at Penn (No, I wasn't hurt, but somebody else was, and I'm very glad I was there to hit the emergency stop button when everyone else was the other end of the platform).
Farpoint went very well. Including the masquerade (although sorry, Stephanie Kiss, I did not mean to jinx you!)
I honestly never thought Farpoint would be the first con at which I would see a drag queen perform - shout out to the brilliant D'Manda Martini.
The Star Trek and Contemporary Science Fiction, Conflict and Utopia, and Doctor Who panels went very well. Chibnall gave us way too much to argue about. Star Trek and Contemporary Fiction spawned at least one panel idea.
The Woke Media panel had some issues. We were all tired, and there was one particular attendee who wouldn't stay on topic (and not in a good way at all). I would like to do a similar panel again, but please not in the last shot of the con. Last panel needs to be something much lighter and less controversial, in my opinion. Not a criticism of my fellow panelists.
Special shout out to the hotel; they did a really good job this year with pretty much everything.
And, of course, shout out to the Farpoint committee and volunteers.
Farpoint went very well. Including the masquerade (although sorry, Stephanie Kiss, I did not mean to jinx you!)
I honestly never thought Farpoint would be the first con at which I would see a drag queen perform - shout out to the brilliant D'Manda Martini.
The Star Trek and Contemporary Science Fiction, Conflict and Utopia, and Doctor Who panels went very well. Chibnall gave us way too much to argue about. Star Trek and Contemporary Fiction spawned at least one panel idea.
The Woke Media panel had some issues. We were all tired, and there was one particular attendee who wouldn't stay on topic (and not in a good way at all). I would like to do a similar panel again, but please not in the last shot of the con. Last panel needs to be something much lighter and less controversial, in my opinion. Not a criticism of my fellow panelists.
Special shout out to the hotel; they did a really good job this year with pretty much everything.
And, of course, shout out to the Farpoint committee and volunteers.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Farpoint Reminder!
This is a reminder that I'll be at Farpoint Convention (I may not have time to post tomorrow) this weekend.
The con runs Friday through Sunday, and I'll have books for sale at the book fair on Friday at 10pm. I have copies of all of my novels including Araña. Copies are obviously limited (too far for me to come home and get more ;)).
This is also a great opportunity to corner me and talk about stuff. Please corner me and talk about stuff!
The con runs Friday through Sunday, and I'll have books for sale at the book fair on Friday at 10pm. I have copies of all of my novels including Araña. Copies are obviously limited (too far for me to come home and get more ;)).
This is also a great opportunity to corner me and talk about stuff. Please corner me and talk about stuff!
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Electricity from Thin Air?
Step aside, Tesla.
Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a device that can generate electricity from moisture in the air.
(They claim it even works in deserts).
It doesn't generate a lot of electricity, but it can "power small electronics." And it's basically a film of protein.
This may be the most promising lead yet for a cellphone that you never have to charge. It could also allow for further miniaturization of wearables by replacing batteries.
And it's biological. You literally grow it. (Because nature comes up with everything).
I want the cellphone that doesn't need to be charged, dang it.
Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a device that can generate electricity from moisture in the air.
(They claim it even works in deserts).
It doesn't generate a lot of electricity, but it can "power small electronics." And it's basically a film of protein.
This may be the most promising lead yet for a cellphone that you never have to charge. It could also allow for further miniaturization of wearables by replacing batteries.
And it's biological. You literally grow it. (Because nature comes up with everything).
I want the cellphone that doesn't need to be charged, dang it.
Monday, February 17, 2020
Betrayal At House on the Who (Doctor Who SPOILERS)
So, Betrayal at House on the Hill may be my favorite board game of all time.
For those of you who haven't played it, it's a semi-cooperative tile-based horror game with so many variants you will never get through them all. It also has a Legacy (campaign) version.
You explore the house by drawing tiles, then eventually somebody will trigger the Haunt, at which point (in most, but not all modules), somebody becomes the traitor and has to play against the rest of the group.
In this week's Doctor Who:
The party find themselves in a house.
Said house turns out to be non-euclidean and keeps changing...almost as if people were drawing tiles.
One member of the party is missing. He turns out to be possessed and in partial control of the house (the Traitor).
The house is outwardly stated to be "evil."
And there are two very direct references to the game. The coal chute tile is notorious for being a one way route to the basement.
And the phrase "You know these things to be true" is how the read aloud text for the heroes starts for every haunt.
So, fess up...
...just who gave Chris Chibnall a copy of Betrayal? Or maybe it was new writer Maxine Alderton to blame, although judging by what I can find out about her it seems more likely she was asked to write the ep because she's good at this particular kind of weird.
Either way?
I feel personally fanserviced. Like, did Chibnall read my mind and give me everything I didn't know I wanted?
For those of you who haven't played it, it's a semi-cooperative tile-based horror game with so many variants you will never get through them all. It also has a Legacy (campaign) version.
You explore the house by drawing tiles, then eventually somebody will trigger the Haunt, at which point (in most, but not all modules), somebody becomes the traitor and has to play against the rest of the group.
In this week's Doctor Who:
The party find themselves in a house.
Said house turns out to be non-euclidean and keeps changing...almost as if people were drawing tiles.
One member of the party is missing. He turns out to be possessed and in partial control of the house (the Traitor).
The house is outwardly stated to be "evil."
And there are two very direct references to the game. The coal chute tile is notorious for being a one way route to the basement.
And the phrase "You know these things to be true" is how the read aloud text for the heroes starts for every haunt.
So, fess up...
...just who gave Chris Chibnall a copy of Betrayal? Or maybe it was new writer Maxine Alderton to blame, although judging by what I can find out about her it seems more likely she was asked to write the ep because she's good at this particular kind of weird.
Either way?
I feel personally fanserviced. Like, did Chibnall read my mind and give me everything I didn't know I wanted?
Friday, February 14, 2020
Want to be an Astronaut?
NASA is taking applications for their next class of astronauts, which may well include the first people to go to Mars.
It's a pretty tough job application, though. Most of us are still going to be watching from the ground.
It's a pretty tough job application, though. Most of us are still going to be watching from the ground.
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Neanderthals, Denisovans, and...
...and at least one more human species that left markers in our DNA. Or at least in the DNA of people from west Africa.
All we know about this other species is...well...that they mated with Homo sapiens in west Africa. We haven't discovered them from fossils or artifacts, but through their grandchildren.
And some of the individuals sequenced have as much as 19% of this DNA...indicating some very extensive interbreeding.
Or that there was more than one other species people were mating with. Or that the genes had a high survival value.
It's becoming more and more clear that modern humans are the braided descendants of multiple people, keeping the genes which were useful for survival. And that it shouldn't matter.
All we know about this other species is...well...that they mated with Homo sapiens in west Africa. We haven't discovered them from fossils or artifacts, but through their grandchildren.
And some of the individuals sequenced have as much as 19% of this DNA...indicating some very extensive interbreeding.
Or that there was more than one other species people were mating with. Or that the genes had a high survival value.
It's becoming more and more clear that modern humans are the braided descendants of multiple people, keeping the genes which were useful for survival. And that it shouldn't matter.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Ah, Viruses
We generally hate them, but they're a natural part of the ecosystem.
Most people are worried about the Wuhan coronavirus, now officially named Covid-19 by the WHO.
But scientists are more interested in Yaravirus, found in a lake in Brazil.
This virus is so exotic it literally has genes we haven't seen elsewhere, including at least one novel protein.
Don't worry. Yaravirus won't infect you; it actually prefers amoebae as a host. And studying it might teach us more about genetics or even help us come up with a treatment for something.
But you'd think we'd have found all the genes by now.
Most people are worried about the Wuhan coronavirus, now officially named Covid-19 by the WHO.
But scientists are more interested in Yaravirus, found in a lake in Brazil.
This virus is so exotic it literally has genes we haven't seen elsewhere, including at least one novel protein.
Don't worry. Yaravirus won't infect you; it actually prefers amoebae as a host. And studying it might teach us more about genetics or even help us come up with a treatment for something.
But you'd think we'd have found all the genes by now.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Betelgeuse Update
Every time I go outside at night these days, I'm looking at Orion.
See, Betelgeuse is still dimming. Scientists have an idea for when we might know for sure, though.
If the giant star continues to dim after February 21, then the chances of it being the prequel to a light show become much higher.
If it starts to brighten, then it's just Betelgeuse doing its thing...possibly the combination of the normal variability cycle with sunspots or even a strategically placed dust cloud.
If it does seem that Betelgeuse will go nova, we may even have enough idea of when that people will be able to go outside to watch.
(And don't worry. Betelgeuse is much further away than the approx 50 light year range of damaging gamma ray bursts. It's not going to affect us. Well, possibly some upset wildlife not used to a light in the sky that may well be brighter than the moon).
See, Betelgeuse is still dimming. Scientists have an idea for when we might know for sure, though.
If the giant star continues to dim after February 21, then the chances of it being the prequel to a light show become much higher.
If it starts to brighten, then it's just Betelgeuse doing its thing...possibly the combination of the normal variability cycle with sunspots or even a strategically placed dust cloud.
If it does seem that Betelgeuse will go nova, we may even have enough idea of when that people will be able to go outside to watch.
(And don't worry. Betelgeuse is much further away than the approx 50 light year range of damaging gamma ray bursts. It's not going to affect us. Well, possibly some upset wildlife not used to a light in the sky that may well be brighter than the moon).
Monday, February 10, 2020
Studying the Sun
The ESA's Solar Orbiter successfully launched last night. It will take almost two years for the probe to get into position, but it will be able to study the sun's poles, something we can't see from here on Earth. This might help us get a better understanding of the sun's magnetic field - and thus better predict solar storms which can affect communications here on Earth.
The orbiter involves new technologies, and will go inside the orbit of Mercury, closer to the sun than any previous spacecraft. We're in the era of solar exploration, and understanding how our system's primary works is an amazing goal for science.
The orbiter involves new technologies, and will go inside the orbit of Mercury, closer to the sun than any previous spacecraft. We're in the era of solar exploration, and understanding how our system's primary works is an amazing goal for science.
Friday, February 7, 2020
Friday Updates
Not much actual news (other than the Farpoint schedule already posted).
I do have a new review of Araña up. Check it out, and if you don't already have your copy go get it!
I do have a new review of Araña up. Check it out, and if you don't already have your copy go get it!
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Insects, Hive Minds, and Worldbuilding
Let's face it: If you see a giant bug in science fiction, there's a better than 99% chance it's part of a hive mind. (The only exception I can think of right now is Vernor Vinge's spiders, and they're arachnoids not insectoids).
And a better than 90% chance that it's "evil."
I think this might be because we have a slightly skewed perspective on insects. We perceive them as fitting into one end of an extreme. Either they're colony insects and hive minds, or they're solitary creatures who couldn't build a society.
So, I decided to do some quick research to see if this is true.
First of all, any search on "insect society," "insect social structure" or similar will pull up explanations of eusociality (hive minds). Oh dear.
In order to find what I'm looking for, I had to search for a specific technical term, "subsocial." Not exactly intuitive there.
This led me to a site which defined various levels of sociality in insects.
Solitary
Subsocial - provides some care to offspring
Communal - live together, but don't share care of offspring. Do communicate and tell each other where food is.
Quasi-social - live together and share child-rearing duties
Semi-social - live together, share child-rearing duties, and have some nonreproductive workers
Primitively eusocial - live together, share child-rearing duties, have nonreproductive workers, but don't have huge size differences.
Which, yeah. You could easily have a "communal" insect species that's intelligent, and they wouldn't be that different from us.
Scientists, though, all seem convinced it's a stage in evolution. Sigh.
Now, let's look at some examples. Here's an interesting one: Paper wasps.
Paper wasps live in nests, workers help build and defend the next and feed and care for the larvae...
...but the workers are all juveniles. Once they have enough food and are strong enough, off they go to breed. Kind of like a, well. Wolf pack. Or a human family.
So, yeah. Insects have all kinds of levels of gregariousness. I'm not saying I have a problem with hive minds, but I'd like to see some insectoids that aren't hive minds.
Just so I don't know instantly the second the multiple legs are mentioned what I'm dealing with.
And a better than 90% chance that it's "evil."
I think this might be because we have a slightly skewed perspective on insects. We perceive them as fitting into one end of an extreme. Either they're colony insects and hive minds, or they're solitary creatures who couldn't build a society.
So, I decided to do some quick research to see if this is true.
First of all, any search on "insect society," "insect social structure" or similar will pull up explanations of eusociality (hive minds). Oh dear.
In order to find what I'm looking for, I had to search for a specific technical term, "subsocial." Not exactly intuitive there.
This led me to a site which defined various levels of sociality in insects.
Solitary
Subsocial - provides some care to offspring
Communal - live together, but don't share care of offspring. Do communicate and tell each other where food is.
Quasi-social - live together and share child-rearing duties
Semi-social - live together, share child-rearing duties, and have some nonreproductive workers
Primitively eusocial - live together, share child-rearing duties, have nonreproductive workers, but don't have huge size differences.
Which, yeah. You could easily have a "communal" insect species that's intelligent, and they wouldn't be that different from us.
Scientists, though, all seem convinced it's a stage in evolution. Sigh.
Now, let's look at some examples. Here's an interesting one: Paper wasps.
Paper wasps live in nests, workers help build and defend the next and feed and care for the larvae...
...but the workers are all juveniles. Once they have enough food and are strong enough, off they go to breed. Kind of like a, well. Wolf pack. Or a human family.
So, yeah. Insects have all kinds of levels of gregariousness. I'm not saying I have a problem with hive minds, but I'd like to see some insectoids that aren't hive minds.
Just so I don't know instantly the second the multiple legs are mentioned what I'm dealing with.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
This is Just Fun
...thankfully it's not likely to happen, but here, have a NASA simulation of what would happen if our oceans dried up.
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Best Tech to Find Orange Blight?
There's a nasty tree disease called "citrus greening" that may be making our orange juice more expensive.
It's called that because the fruit on affected trees never ripens properly, staying green. The disease has other symptoms too, and there's no cure - infected trees are culled.
Well, we have a new...or rather very old...weapon to save our orange juice (or the lime with your Corona).
Woof!
Yup. They're now training dogs, who can detect the infection well before the tree has any symptoms, allowing infected trees to be removed quickly before it spreads through the grove.
Because the dog's nose is still the best technology for so many things...
It's called that because the fruit on affected trees never ripens properly, staying green. The disease has other symptoms too, and there's no cure - infected trees are culled.
Well, we have a new...or rather very old...weapon to save our orange juice (or the lime with your Corona).
Woof!
Yup. They're now training dogs, who can detect the infection well before the tree has any symptoms, allowing infected trees to be removed quickly before it spreads through the grove.
Because the dog's nose is still the best technology for so many things...
Monday, February 3, 2020
Farpoint Schedule
As usual, subject to change, but here's my planned Farpoint schedule:
Friday, 3pm - Conflict and Utopia
Friday, 5pm - Fanfic Confessions (pro writers admit that yes, some of us do still write fanfic).
Friday, 10pm - Book fair (I'm going to be also debuting a cosplay of a character from Araña)
Saturday, 10am - Furry Familiars And The Like (writing animals)
Saturday, Noon - Reading
Saturday 3pm - Signing
Saturday 4pm - Doctor's Report Card (We're going to discuss Whitaker's *first* season, *not* the current one).
Saturday 5pm - Star Trek and Contemporary Science Fiction
Sunday, Noon - Reading
Sunday 1pm - Signing
Sunday 3pm - Woke Media - Successes and Failures
I will have copies of all of my books available for sale at both signings and the 10pm book fair. If you can't make it to any of those, let me know and I'll sneak you a copy ;).
Friday, 3pm - Conflict and Utopia
Friday, 5pm - Fanfic Confessions (pro writers admit that yes, some of us do still write fanfic).
Friday, 10pm - Book fair (I'm going to be also debuting a cosplay of a character from Araña)
Saturday, 10am - Furry Familiars And The Like (writing animals)
Saturday, Noon - Reading
Saturday 3pm - Signing
Saturday 4pm - Doctor's Report Card (We're going to discuss Whitaker's *first* season, *not* the current one).
Saturday 5pm - Star Trek and Contemporary Science Fiction
Sunday, Noon - Reading
Sunday 1pm - Signing
Sunday 3pm - Woke Media - Successes and Failures
I will have copies of all of my books available for sale at both signings and the 10pm book fair. If you can't make it to any of those, let me know and I'll sneak you a copy ;).
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