In this episode, we look at applying the tools of good critical thinking and skepticism to analyzing conspiracy theories.
Current Affairs
04/27/2020
04/26/2020
Episode 1.8: Barriers to Good Critical Thinking
In this episode of our series on "Science as Inquiry" we look at those things that keep people from engaging in good critical thinking practices and how to overcome them.
03/18/2020
The Scientific Odyssey Unscripted: The CoVID-19 Global Pandemic
Wherein your Navigator discusses the CoVID-19 virus, the global pandemic, how public health and public policy response is formulated, and how to engage with the information and misinformation that's coming through various media channels.
Link to Washington Post story using simulations to illustrate effects of social distancing.
02/02/2020
The Scientific Odyssey Unscripted: Betelgeuse-Is He Going to Blow?
Some recent media accounts have speculated that the red supergiant star in the constellation of Orion is about to explode in a cataclysmic supernova based on recent observations of the star's dimming brightness. We examine the evidence and offer a different explanation.
An infrared image of Betelgeuse superimposed on a diagram of our solar system.
06/25/2017
Scientific Odyssey Unscripted: Weather Forecasting and the JPSS Program
This week we take a look at weather forecasting after the Navigator's trip to Boulder, CO for the NASA Social event covering the launch of the JPSS-1 polar orbiting satellite. We discuss a brief history of weather forecasting, the roles of both geosynchronous and polar orbiting satellites in that endeavor and the JPSS program. Specific attention is given to the five instrument packages that will be places on the vehicle: CrIS, ATMS, VIIRS, OMPS and CERES.
03/02/2017
Scientific Odyssey Unscripted-The TRAPPIST Discovery
In this impromptu and unscripted episode, I talk about the recent announcement of the discovery of seven earth-like worlds orbiting a nearby class M star now named TRAPPIST-1 after the telescope used to make the initial discovery. I look at how exoplanets are discovered, the specifics of this discovery, what we know and why it is important. Also discussed are the ideas of scientific collaboration and the concept of universality.
By NASA/JPL-Caltech - Catalog page · Full-res (JPEG · TIFF), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56513197
By NASA/JPL-Caltech - Catalog page · Full-res (JPEG · TIFF), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56513150
By ESO/O. Furtak - http://www.eso.org/public/images/eso1706d/, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56526979
By NASA/JPL-Caltech - Catalog page · Full-res (JPEG · TIFF), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56513155
05/29/2016
Pocastia Interruptus
A short explanation of the recent lack of new content from the podcast and what the plan is going forward.
A Specialized Prevail Helmet that has done it's job of saving a human life.