Author Archives: Thor

Twin paradox, by Dr Don Lincoln of Fermilab (very unsatisfying, very unusual for Dr Lincoln, but maybe it will work for you). Twin paradox: the real explanation Twin paradox: the real explanation (no math) Sabine Hossenfelder This is the best … Continue reading →

The symmetry argument made in the twins paradox is now broken, but what is it about those non-inertial events that prevents us from considering the separate legs of space travel—away and back, as two independent segments of a single inertial … Continue reading →

At this point, Ben stops to take his samples and make measurements and survey the exoplanet.  He spends a year doing this, but he is no longer moving away from Amelia.  Their clocks are each ticking at the same rate.  … Continue reading →

I think I can present this topic without math, but I will rely heavily on the visual tool of spacetime diagrams.  Spacetime is the hybrid combination of space and time.  It might sound abstract and scary, but it is really … Continue reading →

The Melting Watch, Salvador Dali, 1954 When I was studying physics in college, one of the early subjects was Einstein’s special relativity theory.  The subject is called “relativity” because it explains the physics of objects moving relative to each other.  … Continue reading →

Sometimes, when I try to describe to others what I do as a color scientist, I am asked if I can fix their photos.  Usually it is to make their printer look more like their monitor, but a few years … Continue reading →

I was lucky to have ended up at this observing location with such excellent weather. When planning to view total eclipses, I am advised to arrange for other activities as well; the eclipse itself is subject to fickle viewing conditions … Continue reading →

It is a bit disappointing to be unable to show a clear gravitational signal, even with all of the successful exposures that were taken, but I recognized the difficulty of this measurement early on. In addition to the variables I … Continue reading →

I was able to obtain 35 photos during totality that were candidates to locate stars in the field. The exposures ranged from 1/60 to 2 seconds, but it became clear after applying the detection procedure starPos.m, that only the longest … Continue reading →

This was written prior to eclipse day as I was contemplating how to compare the two image sets.  I include it here to keep the thought sequence intact.   When we apply steps EE-1, 2, and 3 to both the … Continue reading →