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The Science Thread

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SirRumpole said:
Fascinating video on how radiation can effect election results, and lots of other things.

Click to expand...


That was an absolutely fascinating video. The fact that random cosmic particles can and do interfere with computer programs including the examples offered is a lesson in chaos. I suppose the most challenging question would be "What if there was a serious solar flare or similar event which damaged every electronic chip in the world "
 
basilio said:
That was an absolutely fascinating video. The fact that random cosmic particles can and do interfere with computer programs including the examples offered is a lesson in chaos. I suppose the most challenging question would be "What if there was a serious solar flare or similar event which damaged every electronic chip in the world "
Click to expand...
I think humans might be fried if we got a flare that big, but if a nuclear weapon got hit and changed a command to 'fire' that would be a problem?
 
SirRumpole said:
I think humans might be fried if we got a flare that big, but if a nuclear weapon got hit and changed a command to 'fire' that would be a problem?
Click to expand...

Not really Rumpole. The massive solar flare of 1859 fried the electric telegraphs systems of the time and created some spectacular sights around the world. Such an event would burn out every computer chip that it hits. But it isn't the right sort of energy to directly kill people.

The stock market might look a bit sick though. (Actually there wouldn't be a stock market for some time after such an event. )

www.history.com

A Perfect Solar Superstorm: The 1859 Carrington Event | HISTORY

In 1859 a massive solar flare spewed electrified gas and subatomic particles toward Earth, wreaking havoc on telegraph networks.
www.history.com www.history.com
www.forbes.com

This Multi-Trillion Dollar Disaster Is Coming, And Solar Astronomy Is Our Prime Defense

The NSF's new, cutting-edge solar observatory shows us the Sun as never before. Here's why we need to know.
www.forbes.com www.forbes.com
 
In the 21st Century we use negative numbers without thinking. They are just part of the maths we learn at school and obviously play a critical role in solving many technological problems.

But when did "imaginary" numbers first come to be used? How did Egyptians or Persians or the Chinese deal with "minus 6 cows " ?

Well they didn't. Ancients Maths was rooted in the real world. But at some stage this changed.

Veritasium explores the development of maths and the role of Maths duels in Italy in the 1500's as drivers of a maths discovery that underpins all the science of the 21st Century. Fascinating.

 
A company in the US has found a new novel and carbon free way to launch satellites into outer space.
The company is called Spin Launch
FromCNBC
Spinlaunch is an innovative new space technology company that has created an alternative method for putting 200 kilogram class satellites into low earth orbit. Unlike traditional fuel-based rockets, SpinLaunch uses a ground-based, electric powered kinetic launch system that delivers a substantially less expensive and environmentally sustainable approach to space access.
SpinLaunch, which is building an alternative method of launching spacecraft to orbit, last month conducted its first test flight of a prototype in New Mexico.
The company is developing a launch system that uses kinetic energy as its primary method to get off the ground – with a vacuum-sealed centrifuge spinning the rocket at several times the speed of sound before releasing.

“It’s a radically different way to accelerate projectiles and launch vehicles to hypersonic speeds using a ground-based system,” SpinLaunch CEO Jonathan Yaney told CNBC. “This is about building a company and a space launch system that is going to enter into the commercial markets with a very high cadence and launch at the lowest cost in the industry.”

The SpinLaunch suborbital accelerator represents a one-third scale version, but – standing about 165 feet, “taller than the Statue of Liberty” – Yaney emphasized that it’s the size the company needs “to really prove the technology.”

The vacuum chamber holds a rotating arm, which Yaney said accelerates the projectile to high speed and then, “in less than a millisecond,” releases the vehicle for launch. The suborbital projectile is about 10 feet long, but “goes as fast as the orbital system needs, which is many thousands of miles an hour,” Yaney added.

“We can essentially validate our aerodynamic models for what our orbital launch vehicles are going to be like and it allows us to try out new technologies when it comes to release mechanisms,” Yaney said.

SpinLaunch’s first suborbital flight utilized about 20% of the accelerator’s full power capacity for the launch, and reached a test altitude “in the tens of thousands of feet,” according to Yaney.
Click to expand...
When they finally get that spin arm to 100% of its designed speed, you would want to be a long way away from it, as any failure would be the equivalent of a rocket pad launch destruction.
if they do prefect it, it would likely be unsuitable to launch humans into space, as the centrifugal forces would be a tad higher than the 15 or so that is the physical limit to most humans.
Mick
 
mullokintyre said:
A company in the US has found a new novel and carbon free way to launch satellites into outer space.
The company is called Spin Launch
FromCNBC

When they finally get that spin arm to 100% of its designed speed, you would want to be a long way away from it, as any failure would be the equivalent of a rocket pad launch destruction.
if they do prefect it, it would likely be unsuitable to launch humans into space, as the centrifugal forces would be a tad higher than the 15 or so that is the physical limit to most humans.
Mick
Click to expand...

Interesting concept. If it works - ground breaking.
First question I would have is "What is the effect of air friction on the rocket and it's contents when it is released and speeding into the orbit ? . It clearly begins at maximum velocity and is starting it's journey at sea level height with the densest atmosphere.

Second thought. This could be a devastating ICBM propellent. I'm guessing it would have guidance systems that could direct the rocket to a target. Travelling at hypersonic speeds it would have a devastating first strike capacity. o_O
 
Went looking for more info on Spin launch.
Certainly looks like a goer. The clearly sorted out the friction issues very early on.
And no surprise to discover that the US Defense Depatment is one of the early funders and they intend to move the launch site to coastal regions.

The Video is an excellent review of previous and current ways of accelerating rockets and armaments. Also does an excellent job of examining the the physics behind the rockt.
www.space.com

Startup SpinLaunch completes first test flight with wild rocket-flinging launch system

The alternative rocket system reached 'tens of thousands of feet' in altitude, the company says.
www.space.com www.space.com
 
Last edited:
Veritasium always offers some mind blowing scientific ideas in a very accessible form.

This discussion and exploration of a "simple" mathematical equation takes us on roads we couldn't imagine. Fascinating.
(21 million+ views. That is far out.)

 
SirRumpole said:
It's fusion Jim, but not as we know it...

Interesting to see energy is now being measured in units of the chocolate biscuit. :rolleyes:

www.abc.net.au

This reaction had the energy of half a chocolate biscuit, but it could change the game for nuclear fusion

This marks a milestone on the way to nuclear fusion power — and perhaps sustainable electricity generation — using lasers.
www.abc.net.au www.abc.net.au
Click to expand...
Actually, when you think about it, the successful production of a net positive energy gain fusion reactor would be a game changing result that would almost outweigh anything achieved in the last thirty years.
The ripple effects not only for energy production, but for climate alarmists, Electric transport of all varieties, reduction of smoke and diesel particulate pollution in poor countries, removal of fission waste that can be turned into weapons, reduction of large cross country high voltage transmission lines and interconnectors, and probably lots more I have not even thought of.
Mick
 
Just watched Professor Brian Cox talking about the takeaways from Don't Look up. This is a movie that has the premise of a couple of scientists who discover a comet is on a collison course with earth in 6 months and attempt to get governments to take action to save all life on earth.

Sadly.. we don't make it...

Brian Cox is just brilliant. Well worth a look and think IMV. As is Don't Look Up.

 
News flash.
Scientists know nuttin. They just make numbers up to look impressive.

‘I just make most of this stuff up to be honest’ admits Professor Brian Cox​


professor-brian-cox-small.jpg

Professor Brian Cox has revealed today that he ‘just tends to make **** up’ when it comes to massive numbers and facts about the universe.

Speaking about his popular BBC documentary Universe, Professor Cox, who is actually a musician and does physics for a laugh revealed most of the ‘facts’ and information in the programme about the universe are simply made up on the spot in order to sound really cool.

newsthump.com

‘I just make most of this stuff up to be honest’ admits Professor Brian Cox

Professor Brian Cox has revealed today that he ‘just tends to make **** up’ when it comes to massive numbers and facts about the universe. Speaking about his popular BBC documentary Universe, Profe…
newsthump.com newsthump.com
 
basilio said:
News flash.
Scientists know nuttin. They just make numbers up to look impressive.

‘I just make most of this stuff up to be honest’ admits Professor Brian Cox​


View attachment 136866
Professor Brian Cox has revealed today that he ‘just tends to make **** up’ when it comes to massive numbers and facts about the universe.

Speaking about his popular BBC documentary Universe, Professor Cox, who is actually a musician and does physics for a laugh revealed most of the ‘facts’ and information in the programme about the universe are simply made up on the spot in order to sound really cool.

newsthump.com

‘I just make most of this stuff up to be honest’ admits Professor Brian Cox

Professor Brian Cox has revealed today that he ‘just tends to make **** up’ when it comes to massive numbers and facts about the universe. Speaking about his popular BBC documentary Universe, Profe…
newsthump.com newsthump.com
Click to expand...
Who knew all your posts were 'Science based'.
 

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