Today in Science Blog Posts
Happy Birthday, James Joseph Sylvester
Ever heard the word combiants? What about plagiograph, allotrius, or zetaic? The Shakespeare of mathematics, James Joseph Sylvester used his love of poetry to find new ways to describe theories.
A Look Back at Early Film Technology
Did you know that one of the most prominent filmmakers during the advent of cinema was Thomas Edison? Here, we discuss early film technology, instruments, and the people who used them.
Happy Birthday, Samuel P. Langley
The person behind the NASA Langley Research Center, Samuel P. Langley once invented a system of standardized time in order to get more funding for his astronomical observatory.
Happy Birthday, Frederick Sanger
Thanks to English biochemist Frederick Sanger, we have a method for sequencing DNA, which has enabled us to learn more about the building blocks of life.
Defeating Giant Movie Monsters Using Mathematical Modeling
The predator-prey equation can predict how we’d fare in a monster invasion, as well as real-world biology and ecology scenarios like shark overpopulation and tumor movement.
Happy Birthday, Joseph Keller
Mathematician Joseph Keller is best known for his geometrical theory of diffraction, but he also pursued other areas of study, even developing a teapot spout that doesn’t spill.
Happy Birthday, Friedrich Bessel
Friedrich Bessel could have led a comfortable life had he stayed in his career at a commercial firm. Instead, he was inspired to study astronomy, physics, and planetary behavior and movement…
5 Facts for 50 Years: The Apollo 11 Lunar Landing
Think you know everything about the Apollo 11 mission? We go over 5 fun facts about the landmark aeronautical event in celebration of the 50-year anniversary.
What Do Lobster Shells Have to Do with Body Armor?
Believe it or not, lobster are potentially paving the way for innovations in body armor and soft robotics due to the unique properties of the translucent membrane on the underside of their tails.
Happy Birthday, Maria Goeppert Mayer
2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, and 126 were the “magic numbers” that led Maria Goeppert Mayer to develop the first mathematical model for nuclear shells in an atom.
Happy Birthday, James Clerk Maxwell
Maxwell’s equations, which describe how electric and magnetic fields behave and interact, revolutionized electromagnetics. Did you know that James Clerk Maxwell also took the first color photo?
How Does Sand Move on Mars? A Planetary Geology Question
There are a lot of sand dunes on the red planet. Studying how sand and sediment moves on Mars may help scientists better plan exploratory missions.