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 Hayton on 02/16 at 10:46 PM
Saturday, February 13, 2010
History of science, Twitter style.
Posted by Darin Hayton on 02/13 at 10:46 PM
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 Hayton on 01/24 at 02:09 PM
(1) Comments •
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 Hayton on 01/16 at 10:50 PM
(1) Comments •
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 Hayton on 01/07 at 10:55 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 Hayton on 01/06 at 02:12 PM
(1) Comments •
Monday, January 04, 2010
Today Google celebrates Isaac Newton’s birthday with a falling apple.
Posted by Darin Hayton on 01/04 at 10:15 AM
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Govert Shilling’s The Hunt for Planet X is the second review in my survey of the literature on Pluto. Unlike Weintraub, Shilling does not think Pluto deserves the status of planet. It seems that for Shilling, the IAU’s decision in 2006 was long overdue.
Posted by Darin Hayton on 12/20 at 10:49 PM
(1) Comments •
Friday, December 18, 2009
This is the first review of the literature on Pluto. Here I look at David Weintraub’s Is Pluto a Planet? Weintraub supports Pluto’s planetary status and is, probably, still upset that the IAU’s definition of a planet excludes Pluto.
Posted by Darin Hayton on 12/18 at 01:25 AM
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Sunday, December 13, 2009
A quick pointer to a reconstruction of Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine, currently on display at the Computer History Museum and reported on at NPR.
Posted by Darin Hayton on 12/13 at 12:45 PM