Stay Curious

Another Balancing Act

Karyn — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:14:59 +0000

I went away this past weekend for a private retreat after ScienceOnline2012. During some of the time I worked on balancing some rocks. These rocks are smooth, round, river rocks and are much more difficult to balance than the rocks I usually try to balance. I love the focus that it takes. I close my eyes and “feel” the weight of the rocks, move them until they “sink” into balance with gravity. Simple pleasures. Fleeting works of art (the wind or other vibrations will knock them over soon enough).

Looks simple... but there is only a small area of contact.

Here's the point of contact. Kind of like balancing two balls.

Curious about all this ScienceOnline2012 stuff?

Karyn — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:53:16 +0000

I’m one of the organizers of the ScienceOnline2012 conference. This video (by @DrBondar) gives you a taste of why it’s such a great time and why we love putting it together. I hope to write some behind-the-scenes thoughts soon.

Tattoo Process

Karyn — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:10:45 +0000

Curious about the process of getting a tattoo? Click on the collage below to go to my Picasa photo album (including video) that documents the process as I got my three snow crystal tattoos this week. Dogstar Tattoo is an amazing studio. Kathryn, the owner, is a graduate of the Carnegie Mellon School of Art. I’m so glad she decided to move her canvas to skin. This is the studio that the ScienceOnline2012 folks will visit later this week as they tour the amazing space, listen to Carl Zimmer talk about the Science Of Ink (and his book Science Ink: The Tattoos of the Science Obsessed), and enjoy some surprises. Several conference attendees will be getting tattoos during the tour (as the others watch!). My tattoo was done early because it took so long and because I will be very busy during the conference (I’m one of the organizers). But, it still counts as one of the #scio12 #SciInk tats and I can’t wait for those who get inked at ScienceOnline to take a group photo!

Video captures the thrill of watching Mars Curiosity Launch

Karyn — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:57:53 +0000

This video captures the excitement of Day 2 of the Mars Curiosity NASATweetup. It was such a thrill to be there, and somehow this video (by Lou Braga, @Photog4NY) brings it to life!

MSL Tweetup Launch Day from Braga on Vimeo.

Snow Crystals + iPhone = Awesomeness!

Karyn — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:16:14 +0000

I took these quick photos with my iPhone and an amazingly simple (but terrific) macro lens from www.easy-macro.com

I can’t wait to get out in some more snow and capture some more magic!

What’s a NASATweetup like? This.

Karyn — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:50:03 +0000

Many thanks to Lou Braga (@Photog4NY) who shot and edited this terrific overview of the first day of our Mars Curiosity NASATweetup!

Mars Curiosity Tweetup Day 1 from Braga on Vimeo.

“O Tannenbaum Gilthoniel”

Karyn — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:39:25 +0000

This post originally appeared on my blog two years ago, but it deserves another look!

Attention all Tolkien language geeks, my friend, Patrick Wynne, sings “A Elbereth Gilthoniel” (by J.R.R.Tolkien) to the tune of “O Tannenbaum.” Brilliant.

(if you have trouble viewing the video, refresh your browser)

Lyrics:

A Elbereth Gilthoniel,
O Elbereth Starkindler,
silivren penna míriel
white-glittering, slants down sparkling like jewels,
o menel aglar elenath!
from the firmament the glory of the starry host!
Na-chaered palan-díriel
Having gazed far away
o galadhremmin ennorath,
from the tree-woven lands of Middle-earth,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
to thee, Everwhite, I will sing,
nef aear, sí nef aearon!
on this side of the Sea, here on this side of the Great Ocean!

Special thanks to Pat for letting me post this here!

Fractal Tree Generator

Karyn — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:53:07 +0000

Clearly there is something mesmerizing and delightful about anything that has to do with fractals (at least, that’s what I think). This fractal tree generator is a wonderful way to explore fractal designs.
Original link. Thanks to @GabrielleNYC for sharing with me!

Ice, Rockets, and Steam

Karyn — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:45:56 +0000

Check out this photo from Chase Clark. He’s got a series of photos from the initial 1.6 seconds of the Atlas V rocket launch (Nov 26, 2011) that is propelling the Mars Curiosity rover to Mars.

Notice the ice on the rocket. Why is there ice? Why does it break off like that? What happens after it breaks off? Be curious and find out!

Why this NASA photo of Atlas V rocket should make you Curious

Karyn — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:07:25 +0000

I am always trying to encourage people to Stay Curious. Sure, I can give you information (and will be happy to), but often it is better for people to be curious about something and discover answers for themselves. However, many folks are out of the habit of being curious, so I will help prod you a bit. I ask you, why should this NASA photo of the Atlas V rocket which launched on Sat., 11/26, make you curious?

Curiosity Rover Lifts Off for Mars (Image Credit: NASA)

What are those billowy clouds coming out from the rocket? It’s not smoke!
Why are the booster rockets on the side asymetrical? There are four. Why aren’t they evenly placed around the main rocket?
What are those towers around the rocket? Why are they taller than the rocket?
What is that “train” track in the foreground?
Do you know what is inside the rocket? Where is the payload? How does it get out?

Hints to help you:
This rocket launched off SLC 41 (that may help you get information about the launchpad configurations)
The group responsible for the rocket was the United Launch Alliance

Here’s a link to the Astronomy Picture of the Day, where the photo was highlighted on Wed, Nov 30th. Read the caption there and you will find links to several aspects of the launch and mission.

Now, go get curious. And stay that way!