How consistent are you in the use of units?

Dear children of God,

You have heard me several times that I won't negotiate or even consider unboxed final answer, improper least number of significant figures and inconsistent units. You claim that  I am too harsh and you feel bad in the process. Sometimes, it is hard for you to fathom why certain rules are implemented inside the classroom as simple as units. Then you ask, "Why should one be consistent in units?" Well, I suggest you read the report in the link below before you continue reading. However, if you don't have much time then you consider the excerpts below from the report:

"The output from the SM_FORCES application code as required by a MSOP Project Software Interface Specification (SIS) was to be in metric units of Newton-seconds (N-s). Instead, the data was reported in English units of pound-seconds (lbf-s)." p . 16

"The Board recommends that the MPL project verify the consistent use of units throughout the MPL spacecraft design and operation." p.16

-Mars Climate Orbiter
Mishap Investigation Board
Phase I Report
ftp://ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao/reports/1999/MCO_report.pdf

If you were a taxpayer, how will you react if a project which cost $300 million is simply ruined by this mistake. What if you were manning the spacecraft? How will you explain yourself to your supervisor if you fail this basic skill in science?

Be consistent,

siraris

Sand grains photography, anyone?

Dear children of God,

If only I have the luxury of time I would be taking another hobby, sand grains photography. The picture below is an example how interesting sand grains can be when magnified 250x. 

Can you just imagine what treasure we can find in the sand we just step upon. To see other remarkable pictures, please click HERE.


Another image you should not miss is how close someone could get to a whale shark. Take for instance the picture below.

For other amazing pictures of sharks near encounter with humans, please click HERE.

Finally, I came across a webpage which works like Google Earth but it caters Earth Science enthusiasts primarily. I suggest you play with the buttons and see what happens when you click HERE. It starts with South America but you can scroll all the way to Philippines. It even provides you information about the occurrence of earthquakes, geothermal maps, oil and gas maps, and other maps.

The first two links should hopefully inspire you to pursue photography seriously other than your field of expertise. You see, no one can take science pictures scientifically except you who are inclined to it. You can hire a photographer but it is different if you take the picture yourself the way you wanted it.

Go diggin',

siraris

Coke ad going "green"

If people only realize that Coke used to be green and sold as a medicinal beverage. Please HERE for more info.

SciNews: 1st Mercury photo in an orbit and 12 year old astrophysics prodigy

I don't have much time to spare in reading all science news but I always make sure to scan the headlines. After scanning the headlines I would open the link of those news items which caught my attention. The news article must be interesting enough if I can read the first paragraph if not then I would proceed to other articles. Tonight I found the following articles interesting enough worthy to be shared.

1.1st Photo of Mercury from Orbit. Click the link for you to see how Mercury looks like taken by a spacecraft.

2. 12-year old astrophysics prodigy. This boy simply challenges Big Bang theory, finished his calculus at 8 years old and was offered a researcher job because he knows how to ask the right question. Watching this video reminds me of Gino Morgia. When he was in Pisay during his first year, he was oblivious of other people around him when he eats.

What is the chance that it will rain during recognition/graduation day? check link number 3!

Top SciNewsLink for the last two days..

1. Japan Earthquake: before and after. I really find the apps so cool. You have to drag the vertical line in the picture for you to see the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami thereafter.

2. Satellite imagery of Japan Earthquake & Tsunami. There are links below for you to see the imagery from Google map. Can anyone tell me how was it done?

3. New weather website. This is a cool website which provides maps, graphs and report. If you are not from Iloilo city then you go this link and make sure to change your current location. Under the reports tab, you check what will happen on the 28th and the 29th of March.

4. Supermoon and earthquake in Japan. This is a nice article disspelling the connection of supermoon and earthquake.

5. Stop Disaster Game. This games works like your Farmville or Cityville. The main difference is how you can learn science while playing the game.

SciNews: links to top science news

I wish I could share you all the things which caught my attention every night every time I read newspapers or e-news but it would be a tedious task. So I will just be recommending sites and articles you should know about what is "in" in the scientific world.

1. Supermoon. The link will show you pictures shared by those who went out and observed the supermoon phenonmenon.

2. Japan Quake Location. You will be surprised to read in this article the location of the Japan quake. Much had been said about the earthquake, tsunami, etc.

3. Amateur Tsunami Video. I wish we could be as calm as Japanese when we face disaster. Just check the video link. A good video that shows many split second correct decisions made.

4. Pre and Post Tsunami Pics. It is depressing to see the damage done by the earthquake but I find it cool to see the changes capture by Google.

5. Fukushima Nuclear Plant Update. Everyone is suspecting that journalist would get their information on nuclear plant status form this website. Why don't you check it yourself.

6. Earth's inertia. I though that this is an interesting link. The Earth's moment of inertia has been decreased by the recent earthquake in Japan. 

Enjoy reading and watching!