Author: Brian Garthwaite

Wind Speed Indicator

Posted on by Brian Garthwaite
Wind speed indicator with wind chill chart
Must get real cold at some weather stations.

This particular wind speed indicator hasn’t been functional in ages, but at some point it was probably useful in determining whether or not to go outside for telescope observations. Wind is of concern in astronomy, as it can produce poor seeing and – when really strong – cause telescopes to shake. But wind chill is the more immediate concern. Cold nights can be good for observing, with clear skies and good seeing, but rough on fingers and toes.

All of that standing still, lack of warming sunshine, etc. doesn’t do a lot to counter a cold night. Maybe think ahead and bring along a hot beverage?

An awful lot of that chart is devoted to conditions when no one should be outside at all. One line of thought considers that a chart with all of your category indicators bunched up on the left isn’t the ideal for communicating information visually. Another notes that an endless tundra of negative numbers tells you enough without needing the particulars.

Warning Label

Posted on by Brian Garthwaite
Telescope label reading "Do Not Aim At The Sun"
They are very insistent upon this point.

For very important safety reasons, you should never point a telescope at the sun. Without proper safety filters and the utmost care, that is.

There’s a solar eclipse in a month, and we’re definitely pointing this particular telescope at the sun. With the proper filters and the utmost care, of course.

News Release: Buddy System

Posted on by Brian Garthwaite
“Where’s his buddy? They all have a buddy!”

We’re not arguing here: contingency plans in a potentially dangerous situation are essential. One can reasonably assume that any and all tasks undertaken by astronauts while naut-ing in the astro are, if not inherently dangerous, at least dangerous-adjacent. And, as that time Tom Hanks almost died in space taught us, you can’t call 911 from space and expect them to do anything about it.

In case you were curious: the first 911 call was in Haleyville, Alabama in February, 1968. The Apollo 13 mission went sideways in April, 1970. Presumably any connection between the two would have to have been routed through CAPCOM anyway.

Pinholes

Posted on by Brian Garthwaite
Pinhole camera image on floor
It’s the sun!

Much of our day revolves around the Physics and Astronomy labs in Olin Science Building, which was the finest construction the budget could shoulder in 1954.

Which, after 7 decades, some renovations, and who knows what else, means there are a few minor holes here and there.

Holes which act like a pinhole camera in an otherwise dark lab, casting images of the sun and tree branches on the floor.

News Release: Satellites

Posted on by Brian Garthwaite
NASA press release of satellites in orbit
It’s a space race score sheet!

April 14th, 1961: NASA publishes a list of satellites and space probes orbiting the Earth, Moon, and Sun, and it all fits on a single, ordinary, typed sheet of letter-sized paper. Twenty-six in all.

Just take a moment to marvel at that.

Now, of course, we (as in humans, not the physics shop) are still sending scads of objects into space, and NASA maintains the ARES Orbital Debris Program to keep track of all the crap up there.

Remember: wishing upon the burning reentry of space debris is just as good as on the remnants of comet dust!

Copper-coated

Posted on by Brian Garthwaite
Shiny!

Copper-coated steel BBs, used in several different labs throughout physics and astronomy. Like many of the odds and ends we use for labs and demonstrations, these aren’t used as intended by the manufacturer. In this case, one can only imagine that off-label use is actually safer.

News Release: Metric System

Posted on by Brian Garthwaite
NASA news: metric system
‘Bout time.

NASA makes an effort to switch over to the metric system. (For some things.) Because when your day-to-day job involves a lot of calculations and unit conversions, decimal-based order takes a lot of irritation out of doing ordinary stuff.

NASA data with hand-written kilometers to miles conversion
Working units to brain-thinking units.

Of course, when you make the changeover from one system to another, it’s a challenge. Sometimes it’s necessary to use a few crutches before the comfort and ease settle in. (Note that this particular sheet predates the press release by the better part of a decade.)

Enlargement of handwritten note
We’ve all been there.

Odd observations:

  • It’s written out in plain English, rather than as a symbolic equation, like ” 1 km = 0.6214 mi. “
  • There’s no 0 before the decimal point.
  • The k for kilo is capitalized, and there’s a period after the m.
  • But there’s no period at the end of the actual sentence.
  • Love that old-school printed g.

Chair

Posted on by Brian Garthwaite
Remember back when desk chairs didn’t swivel?

Classic and simple, this wood and… leather-like chair has probably been in this office since the mid-20th century. Still in good shape! Nice curves, old-style rivets with a hammered finish, and a subdued brown-on-brown color palette. Sits comfortably.

B’Gosh.

Somehow, despite surviving the decades of use and age, a misaligned decal proclaiming “quality” gives one pause. Was it really that hard?