discuss Science & Technology news & discussion

[CraigD]

Post and discuss interesting articles & videos about science and technology.

You don't need to be an expert - just interested in the wonders of modern science, technology, and the history of these fields.

Please keep it rational, and post articles from reputable sources.
Try not to editorialise headlines and keep the copy to just a paragraph with a link to the original source. When quoting excerpts from articles, I think the best method is to italicise the copy, and include a link to the source.

Have some fun with your comments and discussions... just keep the sources legitimate.

Other threads:
The Break Room has a number of other popular threads, so there is no need to post material here that is better suited to these other threads:

- Covid19-Coronavirus updates and news
- Conspiracy Thread Free For All
- The *religious* discussion thread

Please enjoy!

 

[CraigD]

Rogue Earth-Sized Planet Careening Through Our Galaxy

According to the study authors, this little world could be the first real evidence that free-floating, Earth-sized planets may be some of the most common objects in the galaxy.

https://www.sciencealert.com/an-earth-sized-rogue-planet-is-bouncing-around-the-milky-way

 

[CraigD]

Secrets of the ice: unlocking a melting time capsule

As the Earth’s ice melts, large numbers of perfectly preserved ancient artefacts are being revealed. But time is running out and ‘glacial archaeologists’ are racing to find these fragile treasures.

https://www.theguardian.com/science...g-a-melting-time-capsule-archaeology-glaciers

 

[CraigD]

158,962,555,217,826,360,000 (Enigma Machine) - Numberphile

Dr James Grime demonstrates the German Enigma Machine, the mathematics behind it, and discusses its many configurations.

The Enigma machine was invented by the German engineer Arthur Scherbius at the end of World War I... and began marketing the finished product under the brand name Enigma in 1923, initially targeted at commercial markets. Early models were used commercially from the early 1920s, and adopted by military and government services of several countries, most notably Nazi Germany before and during World War II.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_machine

 

[CraigD]

The History of the Screwdriver

Most everyone owns at least one screwdriver. But Canadians likely own a screwdriver that few outside Canada would recognize. The differing fates of the Robertson and the Phillips head screwdrivers demonstrates that innovation is intimately tied to historical events. The History Guy remembers the forgotten history of the screwdriver.

More information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives

 

[CraigD]

Can Underwater Turbines Solve Our Energy Problems?

 

[CraigD]

Fusion Power Explained – Future or Failure

How does Fusion Energy work and is it a good idea?

 

[koolishman]

In 1956 a U.S Navy test pilot shot down his own aircraft.

He shot 2 bursts from cannons. The bursts travelled faster than the aircraft and then slowed due to air resistance and was falling into ocean due to gravity.

The plane went into a dive, and nearly 2 to 3 miles from the point where firing began, the plane and the empty shells collided.

Pilot landed with some injuries.

That is why planes pull up immediately after firing these days.

 

[CraigD]

Safe underwater ejection from a downed fighter jet

Animation shows how to escape through underwater ejection. It shows different angles in which pilot can eject to the surface. While ejecting, there should be about 10 feet water above the pilot for safe ejection. The pilot in the test cockpit lowered into the water and then ejects to the surface. Cameraman recording the event. Location: United States. Date: 1965.

 

[Sutruk]

Juno Data Indicates 'Sprites' or 'Elves' Frolic in Jupiter's Atmosphere

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7769

"New results from NASA's Juno mission at Jupiter suggest that either "sprites" or "elves" could be dancing in the upper atmosphere of the solar system's largest planet. It is the first time these bright, unpredictable and extremely brief flashes of light - formally known as transient luminous events, or TLE's - have been observed on another world. The findings were published on Oct. 27, 2020, in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets."

 

[Sutruk]

Looking For Life on Europa, Enceladus, and Titan

https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk...ooking-for-life-on-europa-enceladus-and-titan

"...the possibility that life exists in the vast oceans covering Europa, one of Jupiter’s 67 known moons, or in those on Enceladus or Titan, which both orbit Saturn.

“When we think about the solar system, we’re used to a very traditional picture where we have eight planets,” says Cynthia Phillips, Europa Staff Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). “For a long time, people have been interested in a thing called the habitable zone, where water can be a liquid on the surface…Only recently have we started to expand our notion of a habitable zone to include the outer planets,” she notes."

NASA's Dragonfly Will Fly Around Titan Looking for Origins, Signs of Life

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/...round-titan-looking-for-origins-signs-of-life

"NASA has announced that our next destination in the solar system is the unique, richly organic world Titan. Advancing our search for the building blocks of life, the Dragonfly mission will fly multiple sorties to sample and examine sites around Saturn’s icy moon."

“With the Dragonfly mission, NASA will once again do what no one else can do,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “Visiting this mysterious ocean world could revolutionize what we know about life in the universe. This cutting-edge mission would have been unthinkable even just a few years ago, but we’re now ready for Dragonfly’s amazing flight.”

Dragonfly Launch Moved to 2027

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/dragonfly-launch-moved-to-2027

"Dragonfly is a NASA mission that delivers a rotorcraft to Saturn’s moon Titan to advance our search for the building blocks of life. While Dragonfly was originally scheduled to launch in 2026, NASA has requested the Dragonfly team pursue their alternative launch readiness date in 2027. No changes will be needed to the mission architecture to accommodate this new date, and launching at a later date will not affect Dragonfly’s science return or capabilities once at Titan."

 

[CraigD]

Titan - A Frozen Oasis

Of the hundreds of moons discovered in our Solar System, Saturn's largest moon "Titan" stands out as a true champion. In this new series, we will cover the past, present and future of this unique, bizarre and fascinating satellite.

 

[Mister Funsky]

If someone posted this already. my apologies. There has not been much time over the last few days to keep up with this thread. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPACE STATION!!!!!!!

20 Years Aboard the International Space Station

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/02/science/iss-20th-anniversary-timeline.html

 

[CraigD]

If someone posted this already. my apologies. There has not been much time over the last few days to keep up with this thread. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPACE STATION!!!!!!!

20 Years Aboard the International Space Station

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/02/science/iss-20th-anniversary-timeline.html

What a remarkable achievement!

The next big step will be colonising the Moon under the Artemis Program.

 

[koolishman]

/\

 

[CraigD]

How does the International Space Station work?

The International Space Station is the largest man made object in space. It was built in pieces and then launched into space and assembled in orbit. In this video we'll go over some background about the station and then walk through each module in the order that it was assembled.

-------------------

How to live in space: what we’ve learned from 20 years of the ISS

The ISS this week celebrates 20 years of taking on board its first guests – but the accommodation is not exactly five star.

https://theconversation.com/how-to-...ars-of-the-international-space-station-144851

 

[CraigD]

Did Neanderthals go to war with our ancestors?

Exactly why the Neanderthals died out 40,000 years ago is still debated, but evolutionary biologist Nicholas Longrich looks at the evidence for a war between them and modern humans.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201102-did-neanderthals-go-to-war-with-our-ancestors

 

[CraigD]

Sprint Missile - 0 to Mach 10 in 15 Seconds - 100Gs & 6000°F

At the height of the Cold War... the U.S. began working on advanced defense systems that could neutralize an enemy warhead in flight. The Sprint Missile was one of those defensive weapons. An anti-ballistic missile that could intercept objectives that had descended below an altitude of 37 miles, the Sprint was so fast that it glowed white as it flew. It was able to reach speeds of Mach 10 in just 15 seconds.

More information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprint_(missile)

 

[CraigD]

iPhone 12 Pro lets [the] blind 'see' others around them

A new People Detection feature uses lidar to alert iPhone 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max and iPad Pro users how close other people are.

https://www.cnet.com/news/iphone-12-pro-lets-people-who-are-blind-see-others-around-them/

 

[CraigD]

How does an Electric Motor work? (DC Motor)

Electric motors can seem very mysterious! Let's break it down step by step to understand how it works. Topics covered in this video: circuits, current, magnets, electromagnets, armature, commutator, brushes, stator, and rotor.

More information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_motor

 

[CraigD]

Freeman Dyson: A ‘Rebel’ Without a Ph.D.

A wide-ranging interview with the legendary mathematical physicist Freeman Dyson in which he discusses his work with Richard Feynman, his attempts to build a spaceship propelled by nuclear bombs and his controversial views on climate change.

More information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeman_Dyson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyson_sphere
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Orion_(nuclear_propulsion)

 

[CraigD]

How Far Can We Go? Limits of Humanity

Is there a border we will never cross? Are there places we will never be able to reach, no matter what? It turns out there are. Far, far more than you might have thought…

 

[Cannuck]

How Far Can We Go? Limits of Humanity
Is there a border we will never cross? Are there places we will never be able to reach, no matter what? It turns out there are. Far, far more than you might have thought…

"Nature's imagination is so boundless compared to our own meager human imagination." - James Cameron

How much actual energy does it take to make the possible, possible?

 

[CraigD]

"Nature's imagination is so boundless compared to our own meager human imagination." - James Cameron

How much actual energy does it take to make the possible, possible?

How much energy as in those bricks of coal at the end of the video?

I found the history of the Gutenberg press interesting. I had no idea that the sale of indulgences by the church drove the printing industry. Quite sad that people were paying for their souls."As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs"

 

[Sutruk]

Did Neanderthals go to war with our ancestors?

Exactly why the Neanderthals died out 40,000 years ago is still debated, but evolutionary biologist Nicholas Longrich looks at the evidence for a war between them and modern humans.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201102-did-neanderthals-go-to-war-with-our-ancestors

I don't agree with some things that article states...

"Instead, for around 100,000 years, Neanderthals resisted modern human expansion."

No, Neanderthals resited 10,000 years modern human expansion, not 100,000.

"Why else would we take so long to leave Africa? Not because the environment was hostile but because Neanderthals were already thriving in Europe and Asia."

Don't agree. It was because live in Africa still was good. At some point, a group of Homo Sapiens felt the need to go to the north for better conditions. It wasn't Neanderthals who prevented Homo Sapiens go to the north.

"It’s exceedingly unlikely that modern humans met the Neanderthals and decided to just live and let live."

Don't agree. They lived together for thousands of years. The better prove is that they mixed, and not just a few times. Modern humans living out of Africa have 2% of Neanderthal DNA, that's the prove.

"Even after primitive Homo sapiens broke out of Africa 200,000 years ago, it took over 150,000 years to conquer Neanderthal lands. In Israel and Greece, archaic Homo sapiens took ground only to fall back against Neanderthal counteroffensives, before a final offensive by modern Homo sapiens, starting 125,000 years ago, eliminated them."

All wrong. Homo sapiens broke out of Africa 50,000 years ago. It just took 10,000 years to "conquer" Neanderthal lands. And in fact it was not "conquer" as the article says, it was just the normal evolution when two similar species live on the same habitat.
Sapiens, due to their social network brain with bigger frontal lobe, lived on communities of thousands of people. Unlike Neanderthals, that lived just in small families. That was what made the difference.
It wasn't wars between them, who provoqued the Neanderthal extintion, it was that Sapiens, due to their superior social brain, where capable to live in bigger communities and bigger extensions of land.
Neanderthals had a brain optimized for hunt, with bigger eyes and bigger back lobe, specialized for better vision, and due to that, had smaller front lobe.
Also Neanderthals were stronger than Sapiens, they just lived fine with small families, but lived shorter than Sapiens. Neanthertals lived at most 30 years.
Sapiens, improved their social network capabilities, and they did it thanks to their bigger frontal lobe, because they were not so strong as Neanderthals, and was that precisely, what made Sapiens more successful than Neanderthals for the long term.

 

[Sutruk]

Although it's from 2011, I find this article way more accurate:

Elaborate social networking helped homo sapiens prevail over neanderthals

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/ne...s/news-story/d185f13324653ebba0fdc150b7e95767

"ELABORATE forms of social networking helped humans force the extinction of neanderthals, outnumbering them 10 to 1, according to a new study."

"The study found a swell of modern humans outnumbered Neanderthals in Europe forcing their extinction 40,000 years ago."

"Researchers at the University of Cambridge found more sites where modern humans settled, larger settlement areas, greater densities of tools and bigger amounts of animal and food remains, suggesting Neanderthals were crowded out."

"Homo sapiens also likely had more elaborate social networks and possibly sharper brains, as evidenced by the stone tools, jewelry and artwork they left behind which was much more advanced than Neanderthal creations."

"Their arrival in such large numbers likely forced Neanderthals from their habitual settlements and into places where food and shelter were harder to find, said lead author Paul Mellars of Cambridge University."

"It was clearly this range of new technological and behavioral innovations which allowed the modern human populations to invade and survive in much larger population numbers than those of the preceding Neanderthals across the whole of the European continent," he said.

"Faced with this kind of competition, the Neanderthals seem to have retreated initially into more marginal and less attractive regions of the continent."