Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Neil deGrasse Tyson takes his Pluto Files on the road and onto PBS. It is an entertaining show, but don’t expect Tyson to resolve the question of Pluto’s planetary status.
Posted by Darin on 03/03 at 11:30 PM
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Saturday, February 27, 2010
The Royal Mail has issued ten new stamps to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Royal Society. Each stamp features a different scientist.
Posted by Darin on 02/27 at 11:56 PM
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Thursday, February 25, 2010
A quick pointer to The Royal Society’s series of podcasts on contemporary science and the history of science.
Posted by Darin on 02/25 at 04:04 PM
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
King Tutankhamun was all over the press today. Here is a quick roundup of links to articles, including the study that prompted it all in the JAMA. The difference in the reporting styles and certainty with which the conclusions are stated is, at a meta-level, interesting.
Posted by Darin on 02/16 at 11:46 PM
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Saturday, February 13, 2010
History of science, Twitter style.
Posted by Darin on 02/13 at 11:46 PM
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Sunday, January 24, 2010
A quick review of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s The Pluto Files. Tyson’s book, which just appeared in paperback, is readable, witty, and engaging. It will not, however, convince very many people that Pluto should not be counted amongst the planets.
Posted by Darin on 01/24 at 03:09 PM
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Saturday, January 16, 2010
A review of Alan Boyle’s The Case for Pluto, which is readable and enjoyable. As he makes clear in the title, he favors a definition of a planet that would include Pluto, as well as an indeterminate number of yet-to-be-discovered objects orbiting our sun as well as other stars.
Posted by Darin on 01/16 at 11:50 PM
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Thursday, January 07, 2010
In my growing survey of the literature on Pluto, here I review a recent book by two astronomer who claim to be on opposite sides of the debate. They try to conceal their positions until the final chapter, but the general tone of the book supports Pluto’s claim to planethood.
Posted by Darin on 01/07 at 11:55 AM
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Wednesday, January 06, 2010
A round-up of different radio shows devoted to the history of science and science, including NPR, BBC, and CBC programs. Most of these are available as podcasts or through other audio archives.
Posted by Darin on 01/06 at 03:12 PM
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Monday, January 04, 2010
Today Google celebrates Isaac Newton’s birthday with a falling apple.
Posted by Darin on 01/04 at 11:15 AM
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