Blogs / Bad Astronomy

Reminder: Wil Wheaton will be on The Big Bang Theory tonight! I don’t know if I’ll be able to watch tonight since I’m traveling, but I’m hoping.
And folks: if you comment below, PLEASE DON’T POST SPOILERS. Mmmmkay?

What happens when you take two of my favorite things in the whole world and put them together?

Why, you get my mancrush Wil Wheaton on The Big Bang Theory! Here’s the promo from CBS.

The episode airs Monday, October 19. Squeee!

Do you think you’re a Doctor Who fan? Hey, I thought I was one… that is, until I read about this guy, who took two years to built a Dalek out of matchsticks.

Wow. But I can’t help wondering: 480,000 matchsticks plus 3 coats of varnish? I don’t remember Daleks being particularly flammable, but if an open flame gets near that one it’ll make the Purge of Skaro look like a walk down the Grand Park on Raxacoricofallapatorius.

Tip o’ the sonic screwdriver to IVAN3MAN.

ZOOLOGY IS THE BEST SCIENCE. ESPECIALLY AMPHIBIANS. WE SHOULD ALL SUPPORT AND OBEY AMPHIBIANS.

Anyone out there in BALand know what kind of toad frog this is for realz? Very cool. Update: It’s an Amazon Horned Frog. Thanks to commenter Charles (#4 below)!

I just heard about a movie that I’m very much looking forward to seeing: "Agora".

I was halfway through the trailer when I realized who Rachel Weisz was playing: Hypatia, one of the greatest women in all of history. It’s a story — a true one — of religious conflict in the Roman Empire as Christianity was becoming a major force, and the old multitheistic Egyptian religion was on its way out.

Hypatia was a scientist before there was modern scientist, a mathematician and great thinker who taught at the great Library of Alexandria. She was considered one of the greatest philosophers of her time, which then meant someone who studies the natural world. She was killed by a Christian mob during what was essentially an uprising. It’s one of history’s major tragedies.

I don’t know how historically accurate the movie will be — I am no expert in this field — but as a story it’s a good one, and features a very strong role model for young women. I hope it winds up playing somewhere near me.

… well, to observe astronomically, that is. It’s been found, and it’s not exactly your backyard: it’s in Antarctica, and moreover in a fairly remote spot.

Universe Today has more details. I love the idea that this spot has the best atmospheric conditions on Earth yet found, but I wonder 1) how they’re gonna build a big observatory there, and b) who will winter over to staff it?

And actually, c) will they stock a flamethrower?

My friend and fellow astronomer and astronomy evangelist Dan Durda just let me know he’ll be on tonight’s episode of Universe on The History Channel. He’ll be talking up what he does best: asteroid impacts and extinction events. Oddly, I have an affinity for those as well. So, if you have a TV check Dan out as he apocalypticizes. It’s on at 21:00 Eastern (US) time.