Geekery

The known universe

Posted on 01. Feb, 2010 by Jake.

I was going to post one of the many YouTube clips I’ve seen today either dismissing the iPad as useless or proclaiming it to be the saviour of all mankind, but then I had a dramatic and monumental epiphane:

There is more to life than the iPad.

This clip takes you on an impressive and comprehensive tour of our known universe. It uses the world’s most complete four-dimensional map of the universe, the Digital Universe Atlas, which is maintained and updated by astrophysicists at the American Museum of Natural History.

Every star, planet, and quasar seen in the film is possible because of the world’s most complete four-dimensional map of the universe, the Digital Universe Atlas that is maintained and updated by astrophysicists at the American Museum of Natural History.

The new film, created by the Museum, is part of an exhibition, Visions of the Cosmos: From the Milky Ocean to an Evolving Universe, at the Rubin Museum of Art in Manhattan through May 2010.

Most importantly, it offers a reminder that there are things that are bigger than us, and more important than us, and certainly bigger and more important than the iPad. Enjoy.

Continue Reading

Moving Choc at the Speed of Light

Posted on 31. Aug, 2009 by Jake.

A bit science-y, but pretty cool none the less. My suggestion? Best to finger-paint on zoo biscuits with the melted choc when you’re done.

Continue Reading

Discovery’s Time Warp-Soap Bubbles Science

Posted on 12. Aug, 2009 by Jake.

Ever watched Discovery’s “Time Warp”? Check out this soap bubbles science with Keith Johnson of BubbleArtist.com.

Watch bubbles form and dissappear in slow motion. Its awesome!!

Continue Reading

Six and Out

Posted on 23. Apr, 2009 by Jake.

I’m really excited about the IPL coming to SA. I’ve always enjoyed going to watch live cricket, especially one day games, which are more action packed. So I can’t wait to check out the 20-20 format, which is mind-bendingly full of wild shots and athleticism on the field.

Purists sometimes complain about the technology in modern cricket: third umpire appeals, radars to check the speed of the ball, and so on. Not to mention the oversized electronic scoreboards and giant TV screens.

Maybe they don’t realize how much science was involved in the first place.

This occurred to me when I was reading an interesting piece on baseball catching.

Researchers noticed that the best fielders don’t sprint to catch an aerial ball. Instead, they adjust their pace as they approach the ball, reaching the spot as the ball lands.

During a study, players were asked to remain stationary and predict where the ball would land. Even good catchers made bad predictors.  

According to one theory, fielders use the acceleration of the ball in relation to his movement as a guide to the ball’s ultimate location.

The same principle applies to catching a slog off the boundary at Newlands.

The fielder is working out the acceleration and trajectory of the ball, not guessing or relying on instinct.

This reminded me of research by sport scientist Tim Noakes of UCT about how top batsmen ‘see’ really quick pace bowling. In fact, a Brett Lee delivery moves too quickly to be tracked with the naked eye. The batsman actually calculates the trajectory of the ball the point that it hits the deck!

Of course, we’re not conscious of any of this, and even the players will be oblivious to it. But next time you hear the blazers in the Long Room criticizing the modern game, you might want to remind them that the most powerful computer in sport remains the human brain.

Continue Reading