Archives for the 'science fiction' Category
Newton’s First Law and Space Travel
Published on 23 Sep 2006 at 2:47 pm.
1 Comment.
Filed under physics, science fiction.
A drug runner is racing towards the US in a powerboat. The Coast Guard is giving chase. The Coast Guard orders the drug runner to cut their engine. The drug runner refuses. The Coast Guard opens fire into the path of the drug runner. Seeing that they mean business, the […]
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40 years of Trekking
Published on 9 Sep 2006 at 1:16 am.
1 Comment.
Filed under science fiction.
40 years ago, a new era came to television. September 8, 1966, the first episode of Star Trek aired. Whether you like Star Trek or not, you have to admit that it has had an impact on popular culture. Everyone has heard of the Starship Enterprise. More people who know Mr. […]
Forbidden Planet at 50
Published on 15 Apr 2006 at 6:51 pm.
2 Comments.
Filed under science fiction.
Fifty years ago, the award winning classic science fiction movie Forbidden Planet was released. The movie predates me, but I did get to see it on television when I was young.
I have always rather enjoyed science fiction. Growing up, I used to watch scifi movies on TV whenever I got a chance. […]
Geosynchronous Orbits
Published on 22 Mar 2006 at 11:01 am.
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Filed under Earth, science fiction, space exploration.
A bit over a decade ago, I remember watching an episode of Star Trek:  Next Generation in which Captain Picard orders the Enterprise to go into a geosynchrnous orbit over a planet’s south pole. That is not possible, even in the world of Star Trek! Let me explain why not.
Let’s get straight just what we […]
T Tauri Stars
Published on 10 Feb 2006 at 2:36 pm.
1 Comment.
Filed under science fiction, stars.
OK. This one is for all you Trekkies out there!
Back a number of years ago, (long enough to be depressing), I was teaching a second semester astronomy class. We were covering star formation, and the lecture was on T Tauri stars. Well, wouldn’t you know it, that week’s episode of Star Trek: Next Generation entitled […]
Stardust, Haybusa, and the Andromeda Strain
Published on 6 Dec 2005 at 7:53 pm.
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Filed under asteroids, comets, science fiction.
In 1969, as NASA prepared to land the first manned mission on the Moon, the public was introduced to a science fiction novel written by Michael Crichton called The Andromeda Strain. This was later made into a movie. The premise of the story is that a space probe returning to Earth brought back […]
