Where science and tech meet creativity.

With a lever, I move the Earth

The other day, Astronomy Cast listener James S. sent us this really great question: “Give me a lever long enough, a fulcrum strong enough and I’ll move the world” -Archimedes No doubt both of you guys have heard the quote. My question is just how...

Wheeee – It’s a Wii Remote in Physics!

The following is a guest blog post written by Dr. Lenore Horner of SIUE (a physics professor who works down the hall from me and who has the best toys in the department.) In late October or early November of last year, eons in academic life, one of our graduate...

Homework for people in cold climates

I heard the coolest thing today. One of my students, who wintered in North Dakota, reported than at temperatures below zero F, when you blow soap bubbles, they freeze and crumple. If you are some where cold, can you please go out with a little kids thing of soap...

Astronomy Education in America

At least once a month (often more often), I get an email from someone saying they really wished they’d taken astronomy in high school. I more rarely get emails from students who “wish [their] school taught astronomy.” In today’s world of...