Uncategorized – The Lab: Recent Episodes
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session1: Just started Our first DND game, with a dungeon master who’s never done this before. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff!
The eight year anniversary of The Lab After eight years of doing our silly science podcast, we’re adding something new. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff!
The world’s tiniest race Join us for a look at a race between molecule sized cars. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of videos about the nanocar race, and the nano cars that raced in it. NanoCar Race, the first-ever race of molecule-cars Nanocar Race II And here … Read More Read More
A little about the very little We start a look at nanotechnology, which is the making and use of the very tiny. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s a link to a talk by Richard Feynman, not the original, but a follow up many years later. Richard Feynman “Tiny Machines” Nanotechnology … Read More Read More
Sticky feet! Many animals, including bugs, can climb vertical surfaces or even upside-down. How? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a few links to more info about geckos, and their sticky little feet. Geckos’ Sticky Secret? They Hang by Toe Hairs Sticky Gecko Feet Gecko Grip: It’s Atomic (Really) And … Read More Read More
Still stuck on glue We talk of chemical and other forces that make sticky things sticky. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Only one link this time, a video on the invention of post-it notes. Chance Discoveries: Post-it Notes
Hooks and loops and stickiness There isn’t just one way that glues work. This time, we look at mechanical forces that attach one thing to another. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of videos on the invention of super blue. The Story Behind Super Glue How super glue … Read More Read More
When did we find what glue? We start a look at the science of stickiness with a quick historical overview, and a nifty trick with phonebooks. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of videos from the MythBusters on intermeshed phonebooks. They’ve both got the same name, but are … Read More Read More
Capitalism vs socialism vs communism vs robots! We compare the three best known economic systems, and take a look at how AI is changing what jobs you can get. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are some articles on the impact of AI on employment. The Impact of AI on Job … Read More Read More
What makes a nation wealthy? Time for a look at Adam Smith and his extraordinary book, “The Wealth of Nations.” Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s a video and an article about Adam’s Smith’s nifty book. Adam Smith Tercentenary | The Wealth of Nations The Wealth of Nations And here’s a … Read More Read More
Folk tales and freaky finance Let’s find out how Halloween makes money. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of articles and a video on the economics of pumpkin farming. The economics of pumpkin patches The Economics of Pumpkin Patches | YouTube Halloween Pumpkins: A Booming Farm Business And … Read More Read More
Economics, confusion, and the Dutch puzzle We start our look at the theory of economics, even though, or perhaps because, we don’t get it. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s a link to the episode in which we take a closer look at how the Dutch became a world power. Ep417: … Read More Read More
420 for the money A quick look at the business of marijuana. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s an article on the challenges marijuana businesses face. Why weed companies can’t make any money Here’s a video about starting a marijuana business in Oregon state. So you want to start a cannabis … Read More Read More
Economics, and the start of World War II The federal reserve had complicated reasons not to do their job. This caused a few miner issues, and a major war. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Check out our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 162 of Episode One: Don’t fear the reaper … Read More Read More
The great depression The 1930s saw the worst economic downturn in United States history, effecting the entire world. How did this happen? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a few things on the dust bowl and the great depression. Great Depression and the Dust Bowl The Dust Bowl | Great … Read More Read More
When markets crash A bit on the Knickerbocker crisis, and the stock market crash of 1929. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s an article about the 1929 stock market crash. Stock Market Crash of 1929 And here’s something on the 1907 Knickerbocker crisis. The Panic of 1907
Tall ships and troubled trips After a rocky start, the Dutch managed to build enough wooden ships to take over the world, despite having no trees to speak of. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s an article that outlines the Dutch economy during what is called their golden age. The Dutch … Read More Read More
How stock markets began We take a look at the historical beginnings of stock trading and stock markets, with a side order of the Dutch. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of articles about how stock markets began. History of Stock Market: Everything to Know How it All … Read More Read More
7 years of the lab, and some upcoming changes Join us to celebrate 7 years of this show, and hear about new projects we’ve begun. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff!
Technical issues! We’ve been having some trouble with one thing and another, so here’s a short apology to let you know we haven’t quit, and don’t plan to. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff!
What are stocks and bonds? I’m sure you’ve at least heard of stocks and bonds, but, what in the 9 hells are they? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s a site on stocks and stock trading. The Basics of Investing In Stocks And here’s a site on bonds. Bonds: How They … Read More Read More
When gold and silver don’t deliver It’s all about central banks this time, their roll and historical roots. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff!
It worked, until it didn’t Join us for the Mississippi bubble, when a Scottish gambler and convicted murderer gain control of virtually all French finances. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s an article about John Law and the Mississippi bubble. John Law and the Mississippi Bubble: 1718-1720 Here’s a video on … Read More Read More
It’s the beginning of banks baby! Join us for the start of banks and banking, with a side trip to how US money is printed. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s an article about the printing of money in the US. Journey to Circulation Here’s a bit about how the federal … Read More Read More
Pick a card Join us for the beginnings of paper money and fiat currency. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Check out our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 159 of Episode One: Got Milk? Here are a couple of articles about the use of playing cards as money. A Good Deal … Read More Read More
Coin flips and clips Join us as we attempt to figure out where the first coins came from. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of things on Roman coins. Coin Production in the Roman World Ancient Roman Coins: More Than Just Money Rome: A Thousand Years of Monetary … Read More Read More
Nothing to sneeze at If you don’t use gold silver or coins, what does one use for money? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are several links with information, and differing notions, on the sale of Manhattan Island. Keep the Change: The Beads that Bought Manhattan Was Manhattan really sold for … Read More Read More
Why money? We take a look at economic activity by nonhumans, and the Incas, with a large empire that never used money. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are some links about gift giving in the animal kingdom. Do Animals Give Gifts? Why Dolphins Bring Humans “Gifts” From the Sea at … Read More Read More
On silly names and loud voices Let’s take a closer look at the sperm whale, with an unfortunate name and the loudest voice in nature. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are links to videos and articles about shattering glass with the human voice. Can You Shatter Glass With Your Voice? … Read More Read More
On dragons, fire, and breathing For our last question on DND and fantasy fiction, could any animal ever be able to actually breathe fire? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Special thanks to: Girls Who Don’t DND Here’s the website for the Fuel Girls. Fuel Girls – Fire & Pyro Performances Here … Read More Read More
Ouch! 13 types of damage in dungeons and dragons, let’s see how many of them we can find amongst actual living creatures. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Special thanks to: Girls Who Don’t DND. Here’s a bit on chicken hypnosis. Can You Hypnotize a Chicken? Here’s an article about the firefly … Read More Read More
To see in the dark In fantasy novels and roll playing games, some characters can see in the dark. What about in real life? Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Special thanks to: Girls Who Don’t DND Here are some articles on human echolocation. Echolocation: How It Works and How to Learn … Read More Read More
Whose mind is it anyway? Fantasy fiction and DND have charm spells and other ways to control one’s mind. We take a look at examples of mind control from nature. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Special thanks to: Girls Who Don’t DND Here’s a paper on false memories. The false memory … Read More Read More
How microbes went nuclear We try to figure out how eukaryotes, which include everything from single cells to the blue whale, got their nucleus. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s an article about how the nucleus might have originally been a virus. Medusavirus Ancestor in a Proto-Eukaryotic Cell Here’s something on … Continue reading Ep 390: How microbes went nuclear →
Those sexy prokaryotes Have a look at prokaryotes, and how they do some of what they do. Including, but not limited to, mixing their genetics, without sex. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s an article about proton gradients, what they are and how they’re used. Proton Gradient, Cell Origin, ATP Synthase
Eukaryotes, living large We take a look at a few eukaryotes, including some single celled creatures large enough to be seen with the naked eye. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here’s a link to the earlier episode we referenced. Ep 141: The largest of the small Here’s an article about the … Continue reading Ep 388: Eukaryotes, living large →
The cells that carry it Take a tour of eukaryotic cells by following a bit of food, as the cell turns it into, well… more cell. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are some of the old episodes, though not all of them, that we referenced. Ep 254: Prebiotic evolution part … Continue reading Ep 387: The cells that carry it →
Viruses, from the horse’s mouth We finally explain what viruses are, with a side trip to the battle against diphtheria, and heroic horses. Join us on patreon.com/thelabwithbrad for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of articles about diphtheria, and the fight against this childhood killer. How Science Conquered Diphtheria, the Plague Among Children … Continue reading Ep 386: Viruses, from the horse’s mouth →
A tale of two plants | how we discovered viruses With a side trip to antibiotics, we explore the discovery of viruses. Join us on Patreon for extra special extra stuff! Here are a couple of sites on the history of the study of viruses. Introduction: A Short History of Virology History of Viruses And … Continue reading Ep 385: A tale of two plants | how we discovered viruses →
Of people, potatoes and pathogens From the Irish potato famine, to the first vaccine for rabies. Join us on Patreon for extra special extra stuff! Here’s an article about Louis Pasteur. Louis Pasteur And here are a couple of articles about the Irish potato famine. Potato Late Blight, Plant Diseases Berkeley and Lindley Debate the … Continue reading Ep 384: Of people, potatoes and pathogens →
The birth of vaccination, and holy cow! Part by accident and part deliberate experiment, we discovered the very first vaccination, thanks to Blossom the cow. Join us on Patreon for extra special extra stuff! Here’s an article about the smallpox vaccination. Edward Jenner and the history of smallpox and vaccination Here’s an article about the … Continue reading Ep 383: The birth of vaccination, and holy cow! →
The birth of vaccination, and holy cow! Part by accident and part deliberate experiment, we discovered the very first vaccination, thanks to Blossom the cow. Here’s an article about the smallpox vaccination. Edward Jenner and the history of smallpox and vaccination Here’s an article about the guy who came up with the first vaccination. About … Continue reading Ep 383: The birth of vaccination, and holy cow! →
Microbes, and other ideas, good and bad What we thought before learning of microscopic life, and how we found out different. Join us on Patreon for extra special extra stuff! Check out our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 134 of Episode One: Ancient inventions, historical trivia, and a salute to good doggies Here are … Continue reading Ep 382: Microbes, and other ideas, good and bad →
The Lab’s six year anniversary Our show Turns six-years-old. We celebrate with experiments, science, and madness for all. Join us on Patreon for extra special extra stuff! Check out our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 133 of Episode One: Weird head space, and GPT! Here’s a link to Phil’s show, even though there’s already … Continue reading Ep 381: The Lab’s six year anniversary →
The how and why of electric batteries Brad has always wanted to understand how batteries make electricity. He more or less figured it out, and more or less explains. Check out our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 132 of Episode One: Fanciful creatures and electric mud Here’s a video that explains how a specific … Continue reading ep 380: The how and why of electric batteries →
Big bang business, and the end of all things This time, we talk of the birth of our universe, and several ways in which it could end. Check out our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 131 of Episode One: The weirdness of the natural world. Here’s an article about dark energy. How Do We … Continue reading Ep 379: Big bang business, and the end of all things →
What’s your cosmic mailing address? Join us for a look at the large scale structure of the universe. Check out our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 129 of Episode One: The defenestration of Episode One Here are a couple of videos on the great attractor, and the large scale structure of our universe. What … Continue reading Ep 378: What’s your cosmic mailing address? →
Phil’s 200th episode! It happens to be Phil’s 200th time doing this madness. We talk about where the show is going, and some interesting experiments we might do. Check out our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 128 of Episode One: Getting down to business Here’s a link to the episodes I did, long ago, … Continue reading Ep 377: Phil’s 200th episode! →
The galactic shuffle Galaxies come in all shapes and sizes, and they keep bumping into one another and becoming even stranger. Here are a couple of sites about the different types of galaxy. Galaxy Types! Types | Galaxies Here’s an article about dwarf galaxies. Dwarf Galaxies And here’s an article about Omega Centauri, the Milky … Continue reading Ep 376: The galactic shuffle →
Half an episode Our host, me, is a bit under the weather, so we just squeeze in a bit more black hole business. Here’s an article about the still theoretical stupendously large black holes. Black Holes Could Get So Humongous, Astronomers Came Up With a New Size Category Here are a couple of articles on … Continue reading Ep 375: Half an episode →
The darkest thing in the universe Nobody knows what it is, but we can see what it does. Join us for a talk about dark matter. Here’s an article about how we mapped where dark matter is in our universe. Mysterious dark matter mapped in finest detail yet Here’s an article about a galaxy that … Continue reading Ep 374: The darkest thing in the universe →
The brightest thing in the universe Join us for a look at quasars; the brightest thing in the universe. While talking about my recent mad scientist activities, I mentioned a couple of old episodes. Here are links to said episodes. Ep 311: Building brain bits for bots based on big beasties Ep 230: In search … Continue reading Ep 373: The brightest thing in the universe →
The birth of stars Clouds of dust collapse to form stars, but the actual process is far more complicated and interesting. Here are a few links about the youngest known objects in the night sky. 3 of the Youngest Stars in the Universe (That we Know) What’s the oldest star in the universe? What about … Continue reading Ep 372: The birth of stars →
The creator and destroyer of worlds Several kinds of supernova, and a rogue supermassive blackhole. Here’s an article on a possible rogue supermassive blackhole. Astronomers Spot a Rogue Supermassive Black Hole, Hurtling Through Space Leaving Star Formation in its Wake
Neutron stars and little green men Join us as we talk about how neutron stars managed to masquerade as a signal from aliens. Here are a few videos on pulsars and neutron stars. Pulsars and Neutron Stars What is a Pulsar? Pulsars & Quasars Infiltrate the Sky
From little to smaller to slightly larger Join us for a look at red dwarves, brown dwarves, white dwarves, and carbon stars. Here’s a bit about a brown dwarf that is a bit brighter than it should be. The Curious Case of the Mysterious Over-Luminous Brown Dwarf Here’s another brown dwarf. Neither Star nor Planet: … Continue reading Ep 369: From little to smaller to slightly larger →
On sunshine and the oldest stars We spend some time figuring out what powers our sun, and give a respectful nod towards the oldest stars in the universe. Here’s something on the failed attempts to detect our motion against the supposed ether. The Michelson-Morley Experiment Here’s an article on the discovery of spontaneous radioactivity. This … Continue reading Ep 368: On sunshine and the oldest stars →
We got the universe wrong At the beginning of the 20th century, the universe was 100,000 lightyears across, and static. How we found out that was wrong. Here’s an article about v1, and how it made the universe much bigger. Hubble Views the Star That Changed the Universe And because it came up, and your … Continue reading Ep 367: We got the universe wrong →
Hidden in the light Today, Newton shows us why planets move as they do, and we find out how we know what stars are made of. Here are a couple of sites on spectroscopy, and its history. The history of spectroscopy – from the flame test to the AAS MIT Spectroscopy Lab – History Because … Continue reading Ep 366: Hidden in the light →
Better glass, lenses, mirrors, and a star to sail by The debate over the Earth or Sun in the middle continues, and we take a look at navigating by the stars. Here’s an article on navigating by the stars. How to Navigate the Ocean Using Stars Here’s a video on using the Sun for navigation. … Continue reading Ep 365: Better glass, lenses, mirrors, and a star to sail by →
To learn the sky From prehistory to Babylon to the ancient Greeks, humanity begins to learn what our sky is up to, pardon the pun. Here’s a video on the history of astronomy. The History Of Astronomy Here’s an article on the history of astronomy. History of Astronomy And here’s a bit about the history … Continue reading Ep 364: To learn the sky →
On hearing, listening, and Ralph the robot hand For our last episode of 2022, we take a look at communication between the deaf community and the rest of us. Here’s a video on the history and use of sign language. American Sign Language: The Complete History Here are a couple of articles providing an overview … Continue reading Ep 363: On hearing, listening, and Ralph the robot hand →
Voices, bits, Braille and bellows Close your eyes and use your computer. We take a look at technology used to allow the blind to use computers and the internet. Here’s an article about how computers learned how to talk. History of speech synthesis Here’s a video, including samples of different speech synthesizers. The Evolution of … Continue reading Ep362: Voices, bits, Braille and bellows →
For better and worse, the internet is born After all the effort to communicate by wire and wireless, computers got in on the action. Let’s examine the beginnings of the internet. Today we have two videos, both with the same name—“history of the internet.” One short and one long. Here’s the short one. HISTORY OF … Continue reading Ep 361: For better and worse, the internet is born →
Getting wired and wireless Join us as telegraph and radio begin to make the world a smaller place. Here’s an article on the cable laid across the Atlantic to send messages that didn’t quite work. The First Transatlantic Telegraph Cable Was a Bold, Short-Lived Success And here’s a brief history of the speed of light. … Continue reading Ep 360: Getting wired and wireless →
The digital revolution, and a bit o’ spooky Join us for a thumbnail sketch of how modern computers came about, and then began to double in capability each year. Here’s an article about the spooky bit. The Real Electric Frankenstein Experiments of the 1800s Here’s something on the history of lithography. A Printing Revolution: The … Continue reading Ep 359: The digital revolution, and a bit o’ spooky →
From one tongue to another There are thousands of different languages in the world. Today we talk about the art of translation. Check out our latest attempt at Episode One: Wishing for luck and encrypted babies
Babbling about baby babble A newborn human can learn many languages at once, and without any coaching or teaching. We ask the babies how. Here are a few articles on language acquisition in human babies. FAQ: Language Acquisition Out of the mouth of babes Babies prefer baby talk, whether they’re learning one language or two … Continue reading Ep 357: Babbling about baby babble →
The spacecraft crashed, just like we planned Join us as we hang out with NASA while they deliberately crash into an asteroid. Here’s the episode when we started talking about robotics and automation in space and space travel. Ep 323: Robots orbiting the Earth And this is the episode when we started looking at space … Continue reading Ep 356: The spacecraft crashed, just like we planned →
To tell a secret, and keep it too Part of communicating is trying to tell someone something without the wrong someone hearing it. We take a look at the history and practice of secret messages. And here’s our latest attempt at Episode One. Take 106 of Episode One: Don’t know where to begin Here’s a … Continue reading Ep 355: To tell a secret, and keep it too →
By flame, drum and song How did people communicate over distance in the ancient world? We answer this question by examining signal fires, talking drums, and languages composed entirely of whistling. Here’s an article about whistle languages. More Than 80 Cultures Still Speak in Whistles Here are a couple of videos about whistle languages. Sylbo, … Continue reading Ep 354: By flame, drum and song →
Ancient mail, and the oldest known library Once again, the title says it all. We look at mail in the ancient world, and take a look at the oldest known library. Here’s an article about the Persian pony express. The surprising origins of the postal service Here’s a bit on ancient mail systems in general. … Continue reading Ep 353: Ancient mail, and the oldest known library →
Numbers and letters We pick it up from last time and finish the story of our alphabet, along with a look at where our numbers came from. Two of our previous episodes spend much more time on the story of our numbers. Ep 271: which numbers count? Ep 272: The fall of Rome and the … Continue reading Ep 352: Numbers and letters →
How we learned to write right This time we start from the very beginnings of writing, and move on to just before the invention of alphabets. Here’s part one of our latest attempted at Episode One. Positive thoughts, and shaven porcupines Here’s an article about early map making. Before Google Maps Here’s one map found … Continue reading Ep 351: How we learned to write right →
Who said what when, and how? The evidence is patchy and your hosts are daffy, but we try to figure out when language began. Here’s an article on an experiment to see how much language helps when teaching others how to make stone tools. Human language may have evolved to help our ancestors make tools … Continue reading Ep 350: Who said what when, and how? →
Monkey talk! We look at how nonhuman primates use language, compare it to human language use, and guess how one turned into the other. Here are a couple of videos on the coral snake. North America’s most VENOMOUS SNAKE – The Coral Snake! Coral Snake VS Milk Snake! (How to tell the Difference) Here’s an … Continue reading Ep 349: Monkey talk! →
Animals, lies and language An honest signal is useful for the one sending and receiving it. But, dishonest signals tend to destabilize the ability to communicate. How did human language develop when words make it so easy to fib? Here’s a link to the wild dolphin project. Wild Dolphin Project Here’s a video about ongoing … Continue reading Ep 348: Animals, lies and language →
Prey or play When differing animals meet, they sometimes communicate. Sometimes threats, sometimes lies, sometimes laughter. We take a look at interspecies communication. Here are two different videos—with the same name!—on animal laughter. Do Animals Laugh? Do Animals Laugh? Here’s an article about animal vocalizations during play. Dogs Do It, Birds Do It, and Dolphins … Continue reading Ep 347: Prey or play →
Ah, those babbling bacteria We begin a new subseries this week on language and communication. For starters, let’s have a looksee at how single-celled organisms chat. Here’s a quick video about the bobtail squid. Facts: The Bobtail Squid Here’s an article, rather technical, on how glowing bacteria influence the development of their bobtail squid host. … Continue reading Ep 346: Ah, those babbling bacteria →
Accidents and asteroids We didn’t notice it was going to be asteroid day until yesterday, but by coincidence, today is all about asteroids. Here’s something on an attempt to experiment with moving asteroids around. DART, NASA’s test to stop an asteroid from hitting Earth Here’s something on the end of the dinosaurs, a good reason … Continue reading Ep 345: Accidents and asteroids →
Robots chasing tail Once thought a portent of doom, or a sign of the impending death of kings, nowadays a comet makes a good target to launch a mission at. Here’s a site on the comet interceptor mission. The European space mission that plans to ambush a comet Here’s an article on the comet near … Continue reading Ep 344: Robots chasing tail →
Five years of the lab, for reasons We’ve been putting out episodes on science for five years. There’s no end in sight. You’re welcome, or we’re sorry, depending. In celebration we relax with a freeform episode, even drink a couple of beers. We do drift passed a bit of science, but only by accident.
From Pluto, with love If you count it as a planet, it is the furthest away and smallest. Whether or not you think it’s a planet, it might harbor life. Here are a few links that cover the ongoing debate over Pluto’s status as a planet. Pluto should be reclassified as a planet, scientists argue … Continue reading Ep 342: From Pluto, with love →
There’s something on the wing! High winds, a segmented ring and other oddities confound us as we take a trip to Neptune. Here’s an article about cryovolcanism, like our volcanoes, only much colder. Cryovolcanism in the Solar System Here’s a video about Triton and its oddities. The Bizarre Characteristics of Triton Here’s an article about … Continue reading Ep 341: There’s something on the wing! →
Uranus, as a whole Jokes aside, we take a more complete look at Uranus, the sideways planet. Here are a couple of videos about Uranus. Uranus 101 The Bizarre Characteristics Of Uranus Here’s something on the latus rectum, just so you know I’m not making it up. What is Latus Rectum of Parabola? Here are … Continue reading Ep 340: Uranus, as a whole →
A brief probed toward Uranus Unexpected issues caused a very short episode about the seventh planet. Gave us a chance to go ahead and snicker at its name. Here’s a link to our episodes on computers computing and the history thereof. Ep270: Stone age computers Here’s a link to episodes on space and space travel. … Continue reading Ep 339: A brief probed toward Uranus →
Why is that moon spewing? We finish up with the planet Saturn with a look at her moon, Enceladus. It is spewing forth giant guizers of water and other chemicals, hinting at its subsurface salty ocean and even the possibility of life. Here’s an article about Enceladus and the chance that it could support life. … Continue reading Ep 338: Why is that moon spewing? →
Saturn’s invisible ring, and two faced moon The largest ring in the solar system is nearly impossible to see. Not even the Cassini mission, which spent 13 years orbiting Saturn, was able to see it. Just to make things more interesting, Saturn also has a now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t moon. As it happens, these two oddities are related, … Continue reading Ep 337: Saturn’s invisible ring, and two faced moon →
Saturn’s strangest moon is such a gas The second largest moon is arguably the strangest. From lakes of liquid natural gas, to its thick atmosphere, to magic islands that come and go, join us for a look at Saturn’s moon Titan. Here’s a video about the lander and its landing on Titan. Cassini-Huygens: Historic adventure … Continue reading Ep 336: Saturn’s strangest moon is such a gas →
Saturn’s rings and things You can’t look at Saturn without noticing the rings. So, we take a closer look at Saturn’s rings. The episode ended up a bit longer than usual as the closer you look at them, the more complicated they become. Here’s a video about one way Saturn may have got it’s spectacular … Continue reading Ep 335: Saturn’s rings and things →
Saturn spins me right round baby, right round We get started with the second largest planet in the solar system with a look at strangely spinning strange things. Here are a couple of sites about Saturn. Saturn 101 Saturn Information and Facts And here are a couple of videos on the hexagon around Saturn’s north … Continue reading Ep 334: Saturn spins me right round baby, right round →
Jupiter’s turn In previous episodes, we talked of Jupiter’s rings, moons, and magnetic field. This time, we finally talk about the actual planet. Here’s a video that goes into detail about Jupiter’s large and complex atmosphere. Jupiter’s 3D Atmosphere Revealed by NASA’s Juno Spacecraft And here are a couple of articles about the 2016 impact … Continue reading Ep 333: Jupiter’s turn →
It’s just like the ocean, under the moon We’ve save the best of Jupiter’s moons for last. Europa, which has a subsurface ocean that could hold twice the water as all of Earth’s oceans combined. What, if any, kind of life might we find there? Here’s a video about Jupiter’s moon Europa. The Highest Resolution … Continue reading Ep 332: It’s just like the ocean, under the moon →
The exploding, electrified moon This time we spend time with IO—the most volcanically active body in the solar system; and how it interacts with Jupiter’s magnetic field. Here’s a video on how a gravity assist works. What’s a gravity assist? Here’s a site about gravity assists. Gravity assist Here’s a site on the Galileo mission. … Continue reading Ep 331: The exploding, electrified moon →
Jupiter’s rings and things We talk of Calisto, the inner moons, Jupiter’s rings and irregular satellites. Here’s an article about how the Galileo spacecraft discovered where Jupiter’s rings come from. Galileo finds Jupiter’s rings formed by dust blasted off small moons Here’s a site on Calisto. Facts About Jupiter’s (Not So) Dead Moon And here’s … Continue reading Ep 330: Jupiter’s rings and things →
A song of Ganymede The biggest moon orbits the biggest planet. We talk of Ganymede, how it may harbor life, and listen to the giant moon sing. Here are a couple of articles about how the four largest moons of Jupiter might be heating one another. How Jupiter’s moons warm each other Jupiter’s moons could … Continue reading Ep 329: A song of Ganymede →
Jupiter’s magnetic personality After geeking out over space hardware, we turn an eye toward Jupiter and talk about the most massive planet’s massive magnetic field. Here’s a NASA site on Jupiter’s magnetosphere. Jupiter’s Magnetosphere Here’s someone else’s site on Jupiter’s magnetosphere. The Outer Planets: Giant Planets: Magnetospheres Here’s NASA’s site on the MarCo mission, two … Continue reading Ep 328: Jupiter’s magnetic personality →
The Martian robotic invasion As of yet, no humans have made it to Mars. However, many of our spacecraft, landers and rovers have. Join us as we take a little look at a few missions, and a large look at what we’ve learned about our neighbor, the red planet. Here’s NASA’s site on exploring Mars. … Continue reading Ep 327: The Martian robotic invasion →
Hit and miss missions to Mars Most of the early missions to Mars failed, but by the mid-70s, orbiters circled the red planet, and some landers sat safely on its surface. We also have a look at a few Martian mirages, when astronomers squinting threw telescopes saw things that weren’t actually there. Here’s an article … Continue reading Ep 326: Hit and miss missions to Mars →
Of time and tides and Mercury The smallest planet in our solar system is also the fastest and closest to our sun. In fact, on occasion, the sun will reverse direction in Mercury’s skies. Join us for a look at this good thing in a small package. Here’s a video about Mercury. Mercury 101 Here’s … Continue reading Ep 325: Of time and tides and Mercury →
The Venus bot trap Humans have never been to Venus, and a good thing too. Judging by the wreckage of failed automated missions, the Goddess of love, loves to eat robots. Here’s a link to our first episode on space and space travel. Ep 288: From stones to strings to space Here’s a link to … Continue reading Ep 324: The Venus bot trap →
Robots orbiting the Earth We’re combining and continuing our episodes on robots, automation, space and space travel with a look at what robots have been up to while orbiting our planet. Here’s a link to the beginning of our episodes about space. Ep 288: From stones to strings to space Here’s a link to the … Continue reading Ep 323: Robots orbiting the Earth →
Robots, saving lives and curing cancer With a side trip to the largest robots in the world, we talk about robots used for search and rescue, and some very small robots being developed to fight illness. Here’s an article about nanobots, robots that are very tiny, sometimes smaller than cells. These tiny robots could be … Continue reading Ep 322: Robots, saving lives and curing cancer →
The robot apocalypse is nigh In honor of Halloween, we get just a little bit spooky this week. With more and more robots in the world, and with said robots becoming smarter over time, what happens if they turn against us and start to harm humans? In fact, it has already happened. Here is a … Continue reading Ep 321: The robot apocalypse is nigh →
Should robots think for themselves? We get to robot brains today, including an early neural network, made from analog circuits, instead of digital. Once again, for background you can checkout our series on computers and computing and the history thereof, starting with: Ep270: Stone age computers And here are a couple of episodes on the … Continue reading Ep 320: Should robots think for themselves? →