XKCD on the CIA Website Hack
This is so true. Courtsey of XKCD.
Musica Universalis
Dr. Phil Plait over at Bad Astronomy posted a video by Alex Parker, an astronomy PhD student, at the University of Victoria in Canada. The video entitles Supernovae Sonata is an attempt to put music to the universe. This concept is not new and greatly appeals to the romantic in me. The idea that there is a music to existence is appealing. It does give a sort of meaning to things, and as a human I often look for meaning in my life, and in the universe. The idea of the “Music of the Spheres”, or Musica Universalis is an old one dating back, in some form, to Ptolemy.
Supernova Sonata from Alex Parker on Vimeo.
I find the video a pretty cool way of visualizing, and audiolizing (new word?), aspects of the universe.
It’s pretty interesting how things seem to happen in life though. I just heard Jennifer Oullette mention the concept in a talk at TAM9. She included the Saturn clip from Cassini as an example. I find that clip slightly disturbing at times, but also compelling with it’s own beauty. It is the sound of the universe, in this case the dance of the rings of Saturn as they circle the planet.
I’ll end on a lighter note with this Doctor Who clip.
Off to TAM
Shortly I’ll be heading off to Las Vegas to attend TAM 9. TAM - The Amazing Meeting is an interesting meeting of skeptics and scientists to discuss all sorts of topics. There will be a nice mix of speakers to, some controversial and some minor celebrities. I’ll try and post while I am there. I intend to take many pictures too!
If anyone else is going drop me a line! I look forward for the chance to meet some people like PZ Meyers, Phil Plait, Jen McCreight, Bill Nye, and a whole lot more people.
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