As the World Turns
Because you know you always wondered, the speed at which the Earth rotates (and how we determined it): http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/970401c.html
Solar Cell Virus ~ Brilliant!
Researchers at MIT have developed a GM virus that can boost the power of solar cells: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/solar-virus-0425.html
Sorting it Out
A robot that can go through mountains of trash and pick out the recyclables (audio): http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/9469594.stm
If I Could Turn Back Time
Cher might be dismayed by the preliminary conclusions drawn from a (comparatively) nano-scale re-creation of the birth of the universe. It's complicated, but it seems that they found that, since plasmons seem to follow the second law of thermodynamics, they can't trace an organized enough route to travel back over their own path. Of course, this is all complete conjecture and is already being challenged. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/04/110427-time-travel-not-possible-physics-big-bang-space-science/
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Radios
OK, this is so cool, it has to have its very own entry: On Thursday, May 5, from 7 to 10 p.m., the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (downtown) is holding In Your Car, two sound installations featuring you, NPR, and your car radio in melodious conjunction with other drivers and their car radios. Intriguing? You bet. http://www.moca.org/party/npr/?p=22
Things to Do ~ April 28 & Beyond
April 29, Duke Ellington Birthday Celebration, Fowler Museum, UCLA: http://www.fowler.ucla.edu/events/duke-ellington-birthday-celebration
April 29, "Opera Tales," Manhattan Beach Library: http://www.colapublib.org/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=7189
April 29, Wings of Freedom Tour, Long Beach Airport: http://events.la.com/long-beach-ca/events/show/182548325-wings-of-freedom-tour
April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, Shark Lagoon Nights (free), Aquarium of the Pacific: http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/newsevents/eventsdetail/shark_lagoon_nights/
April 30, Spring Open House, California Wildlife Center, Malibu: http://www.californiawildlifecenter.org/events/index.html
April 30, The inimitable Doo Dah Parade (and unofficial after parties)!, Pasadena: http://www.pasadenadoodahparade.info/index.htm
April 30, "Where Art Meets Science: Ancient Sculpture From the Hindu-Buddhist World" (Spotlight Talk), Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena: http://www.nortonsimon.org/events/index.php?span=month&caldate=04/01/2011&type=&who=&loc=
April 30, "In Love With Shakespeare" (recommended for ages 11 and up), Citrus College, Glendora: http://www.haughpac.com/Series/CampusProductions/Pages/InLoveWithShakespeare2011.aspx
April 30-May 1, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, University of Southern California: http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/
April 30-May 1, Wild West Days, Los Angeles County Arboretum, Arcadia: http://www.arboretum.org/index.php/news/wild_west_days/
April 30-May 1, Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo, San Diego State Historic Park: http://fiestaoldtown.com/
April 30-May 1, Romance of the Ranchos Festival, Homestead Museum, City of Industry: http://www.homesteadmuseum.org/festivals
April 29, "Opera Tales," Manhattan Beach Library: http://www.colapublib.org/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=7189
April 29, Wings of Freedom Tour, Long Beach Airport: http://events.la.com/long-beach-ca/events/show/182548325-wings-of-freedom-tour
April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, Shark Lagoon Nights (free), Aquarium of the Pacific: http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/newsevents/eventsdetail/shark_lagoon_nights/
April 30, Spring Open House, California Wildlife Center, Malibu: http://www.californiawildlifecenter.org/events/index.html
April 30, The inimitable Doo Dah Parade (and unofficial after parties)!, Pasadena: http://www.pasadenadoodahparade.info/index.htm
April 30, "Where Art Meets Science: Ancient Sculpture From the Hindu-Buddhist World" (Spotlight Talk), Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena: http://www.nortonsimon.org/events/index.php?span=month&caldate=04/01/2011&type=&who=&loc=
April 30, "In Love With Shakespeare" (recommended for ages 11 and up), Citrus College, Glendora: http://www.haughpac.com/Series/CampusProductions/Pages/InLoveWithShakespeare2011.aspx
April 30-May 1, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, University of Southern California: http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/
April 30-May 1, Wild West Days, Los Angeles County Arboretum, Arcadia: http://www.arboretum.org/index.php/news/wild_west_days/
April 30-May 1, Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo, San Diego State Historic Park: http://fiestaoldtown.com/
April 30-May 1, Romance of the Ranchos Festival, Homestead Museum, City of Industry: http://www.homesteadmuseum.org/festivals
Happy 85th, Harper Lee
Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926. Her charming, moving, and deeply meaningful To Kill a Mockingbird is a uniquely American masterpiece ~ and her only book. It also happens to be one of very, very few absolutely successful book-to-screen adaptations. Perhaps even the best. http://www.biography.com/articles/Harper-Lee-9377021
Ants Afloat
Fire ants link together to form a multi-ant raft to save themselves from drowning (story and videos): http://www.geekosystem.com/fire-ants-water/
Have a Butcher's at This
(Translation: Take a Look at This) In one of very few nods (if not the only nod) this blog will give to the Royal Wedding (is that supposed to be capitalized?), a slide show with audio of the Scots and Welsh Guards getting ready for the main event: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13192038
Only because it's a fairly interesting thing.
Only because it's a fairly interesting thing.
Orbicular Art
Nerd Toy Alert: The Eggbot draws whatever you program into it on anything round (thank you, Evil Mad Scientists, and Charlie, our math/science teacher who brought it in for the kids!): http://egg-bot.com/
Extreme DIY
Don't say I didn't give you enough notice: It's the fourth annual MAKER FAIRE! May 21 and 22! ~ unfortunately for Angelenos (or not, depending on one's free time and transportation situation), up in the Bay Area, but totally worth the drive. It's all about inventions and innovation and endless possibilities (videos on website): http://makerfaire.com/
You're So Transparent
 |
| Macropinna microstoma (MBARI photo) |
A deep-sea fish with a transparent head? It's on the Monterey Bay Aquarium site, so it must be for real (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM9o4VnfHJU&feature=player_embedded
For more information: http://www.mbari.org/news/news_releases/2009/barreleye/barreleye.html
Happy Birthday?
The real Panchen Lama turned 22 on Monday, April 25. He has spent over two-thirds of his life in detention, since the day he was kidnapped by Chinese police. No one has heard from him since. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Panchen-Lama-turns-22,-held-hostage-for-16-21388.html
This Is Your Brain on Cognitive Disinhibition
Why some people are creative ~ and why the rest of us owe them a debt of gratitude: http://www.delanceyplace.com/index.php
Relatively Heavy Metal
Fe Maidens is an all-girl robotics team. See how they did at the FIRST competition (video): http://www.scientificamerican.com/video.cfm?lineup=1406165298&id=794608687001
Big Bunny
A team of scientists has found the fossils of a rabbit that lived on Minorca about three million to five million years ago. It had short ears and didn't hop, but those aren't the main characteristics distinguishing it from its modern heirs (heirs/hares ~ get it?). Apparently, these bunnies weighed about 26 pounds! http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/03/110323-giant-rabbit-minorca-biggest-bunny-science-nuralagus-rex-largest/
And on a Slightly Different Note ...
Just HAD to pass this along (to all those of my generation or thereabouts): Embarrassing or hilarious? You decide. Jagger and Bowie dancing in the street (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y-x2fWKbmo&feature=player_embedded
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