Hello again Science Fans!
Since it is Christmas Eve, many of you have plans for today or tonight, so we’re publishing earlier than usual today.
The holiday season is a joyous time for many. Please remember that for some, it is a source of stress. Check in on friends or relatives who might be alone at this time of year.
If you’re looking for something to do New Years Day, we’ve listed some First Day Hikes on our calendar. These are led at various California State Parks around the state, including quite a few in the Bay Area.
Also, remember that The Physics Show tickets are still available, but are selling well. Dates this time around are January 6 and 7, 20 and 21, with three shows each day.
After a month of unrest, the Reykjanes peninsula volcano in Iceland finally began erupting on December 18. As of the 21st, it appears that the lava flows have stopped, at least for now. Here’s a blog history of activity, and this article includes some images of the eruption, as well as maps. Pretty impressive.
Speaking of eruptions, there are plumes of hydrogen cyanide jetting from the surface of Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Hydrogen cyanide is toxic to humans, but is believed to have been a key building block of amino acids.
Fast Radio Bursts are one of those interesting components of cosmology, and scientists have caught one source doing something never seen before.
Twain is the name given to a humpback whale that scientists recently had a 20 minute long “conversation” with. “If we could talk to the animals…”
Last January, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County completed work on a wildlife tunnel under Laurel Curve on SR 17. While various small animals began using the tunnel immediatelly, on November 28 cameras captured images of a mountain lion using the tunnel for the first time.
Ever wonder what happens to all the tires on our cars and trucks after they wear out? A startup may have a new use for them. They are reclaiming graphite from old tires and using it in a new generation of fast-charging batteries for electric vehicles.
Supernova remnant Cassiopeia A looks like a Christmas tree ornament in the image at the top of the newsletter. NASA has released several more images with Christmas themes, as this article shows.
Last week I shared a couple of top 10 lists. Here are a two more. First is the Smithsonian Magazine’s picks for the ten most significant science stories of the year. Then Quanta Magazine looks at the year in Computer Science.
The James Webb telescope has been in operation for just about two years, and it may have “broken” cosmology. A lot of what we think we know about the cosmos may be wrong.
And with that to wrap your head around, those of us here at Bay Area Science wish you, your families, and friends Happy Holidays, however you celebrate them.
David will have the last word for 2023 next week.
Have a great week in Science!
Bob
Upcoming Events:
Click to see the next two weeks of events in your browser.
Tuesday, 12/26/2023
Telescope Moon Viewing - San Carlos - 12/26/2023 06:00 PM
San Carlos Public Library San Carlos
Telescope Moon Viewing - Brisbane - 12/26/2023 06:00 PM
Brisbane Public Library Brisbane
Wednesday, 12/27/2023
Telescope Moon Viewing - East Palo Alto - 12/27/2023 05:30 PM
East Palo Alto Public Library East Palo Alto
Telescope Moon Viewing - Pacifica - 12/27/2023 05:30 PM
Pacifica Sharp Park Library Pacifica
Telescope Moon Viewing - Woodside - 12/27/2023 05:30 PM
Woodside Public Library Woodside
Telescope Moon Viewing - Foster City - 12/27/2023 06:00 PM
Foster City Public Library Foster City
Thursday, 12/28/2023
After Dark: Find Your Glow - 12/28/2023 06:00 PM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
Telescope Moon Viewing - Belmont - 12/28/2023 06:00 PM
Belmont Public Library Belmont
Sunday, 12/31/2023
2023 Grand Finale at Lawrence Hall of Science - 12/31/2023 10:00 AM
Lawrence Hall of Science Berkeley
First Day Hikes - 01/01/2024 07:00 PM
Various California State Parks
California State Parks are hosting First Day Hikes at several state park locations around the Bay Area. Locations include:
Angel Island
Big Basin Redwoods
Murray Ranch
Castle Rock
Henry Cowell Redwoods
Montata State Beach
Mt. Tamalpais
Natural Bridges State Beach
Pacheco
Pescadero State Beach
Pigeon Point Light Station
San Luis Reservoir
Seacliff State Beach
Forest of Nisene Marks
Wilder Ranch
The hikes are free, but there is a parking fee for many of them
See the weblink for a list of events, including status as most are weather dependent. Zoom on the map to get see details of events within the current map scope.
Starting and ending times vary by hike, and some have multiple start times.
Thursday, 01/04/2024
After Dark: See for Yourself - 01/04/2024 06:00 PM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
Bhutan: The Happiest Kingdom on Earth - Livestream - 01/04/2024 07:00 PM
Golden Gate Bird Alliance
Friday, 01/05/2024
Solids, Liquids, and Gases Science Show - First Session - 01/05/2024 11:00 AM
Lawrence Hall of Science Berkeley
Solids, Liquids, and Gases Science Show - Second Session - 01/05/2024 02:00 PM
Lawrence Hall of Science Berkeley
First Friday: Close Encounters - 01/05/2024 06:00 PM
Chabot Space and Science Center Oakland
Mathematics: A Quick Revue - 01/05/2024 08:00 PM
Alcazar Theater San Fransisco
Saturday, 01/06/2024
The Physics Show (three performaces) - 01/06/2024 10:00 AM
Foothill College Los Altos Hills
He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters - 01/06/2024 12:00 PM
Commonwealth Club San Francisco
Nike Missile Site Veteran Open House - 01/06/2024 12:00 PM
Nike Missle Site Mill Valley
Saturday Cinema: The Art + Science of Luminous Animations - 01/06/2024 01:00 PM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
Starry Nights Star Party - 01/06/2024 06:30 PM
Rancho Canada Del Oro Open Space Preserve Morgan hill
Sunday, 01/07/2024
Point Reyes National Seashore Fungus Fair - 01/07/2024 10:00 AM
Bear Valley Visitor Center Point Reyes Station
The Physics Show (three performaces) - 01/07/2024 10:00 AM
Foothill College Los Altos Hills
Monday, 01/08/2024
FDA Guidance on Real-World Evidence - 01/08/2024 11:00 AM
Mission Hall San Francisco
Venture Capital and Demand-side Decarbonization: How to get rich while saving the planet - 01/08/2024 04:30 PM
Stanford University Energy Seminar Stanford