From Antikythera Island to Lagrange

SciSchmooze 7.11.22

Jul 11, 2022

Greetings Science Fans and Critical Thinkers,

A special note about Tuesday, don’t miss the first images from the James Webb Telescope at 07:30 PDT (14:30 UTC). (Note: the Jan 6 hearing is also about the same time!) Here’s a teaser. Check out the NASA Scientific Visualization Studio for more great visualizations as well.

I am not a student, and never have been a student, of history. Needless to say there is a lot going on in the world of science and reason. I do like various stories that appear unrelated that I think make the threads of the history of science. Consider the Head of Hercules and other treasures. Why do I bring this up? Well, when quantum theory was first proposed and then proven, I don’t think it was thought that it would play such an important role today. You may remember that the discovery of the Higgs Boson at CERN was announced 10 years ago on July 4th. Well, just recently the CDF at Fermilab reported that they had precisely measured it’s mass and it is a lot higher than was predicted. I, for one, can’t begin to understand the science behind this but like so many things in science we have to trust the scientists and also celebrate their accomplishments. How we decide to trust what a scientist is a challenge when what they are doing is so esoteric(?) but still really important to our understanding of how the universe works. Why do I bring this up? Well, when quantum theory was first proposed and then proven, I don’t think it was thought that it would play such an important role today.

So how do you decide which scientist to believe or accept? You may or may not be familiar with the Sokal Affair and its’ latest iteration Sokal III: The Latest (and Greatest?) Academic Hoax Here in the USA we seem to be having a lot of trouble agreeing on what science can and can’t do. Here are a couple of articles from the Brazilian organization Instituto Questão de Ciência (IQC) that show that science is misunderstood in many places… Equals Before Science and The FLYING SAUCER CPI For me, getting to talk with people who know how to recognize good and bad science is really important. David and I have mentioned it before but this is your last reminder to check out SkeptiCal 2022 which is happening this coming weekend. The lineup of speakers is really excellent. The best known is Bill Nye but there are many others that you should watch. If you attend that you may very well find yourself looking for more science and reason at CSICon 2022. I’ll be there!

It’s summertime, the beaches are calling (some of us), and there’s great things to learn. Here are a few suggestions from the calendar… JWST: First Image of a New Dawn of Discovery Fri 7:00, Family Nature Walks - Baylands Nature Preserve Sat 10:00, The Ominous Ocean: Rogue Waves, Rip Currents, and Other Dangers Along the Shoreline and in the Sea Sun 1:30

This series … "Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World" premieres at 9 p.m. tonight.

You can see this live Thu evening. You can’t unsee this: Cow eyeball dissections are S.F.’s greatest science tradition

Here’s something to plan for next year if you have a young woman in your life who happens to be looking for a career… Camp Cinder Check out a career that has lots of science in it that most people don’t think about. Science is the great equalizer between a burly firefighter and someone who can look at something and figure it out!

Here are two bonus links for the week!!!
Jad Abumrad’s Superb Caltech Commencement Address
Immunity, Interdependence, and the Shared Root of Our Safety and Our Sanity

Have a great week learning new things and seeing how that changes what you see when you look as something familiar.

herb masters

“The displacement of the idea that facts and evidence matter by the idea that everything boils down to subjective interests and perspectives is -- second only to American political campaigns -- the most prominent and pernicious manifestation of anti-intellectualism in our time.” -- Larry Laudan, Science and Relativism (1990)

Upcoming Events:
Click to see the next two weeks of events in your browser.

Sunday, 07/10/2022

Morning Hike at La Honda Open Space Preserve - 07/10/2022 10:00 AM
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve La Honda

Join Peninsula Open Space Trust for a beautiful hike at Lower La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve where you’ll experience the area’s sweeping views and gorgeous rolling grasslands! The preserve is over 6,100 acres, of which POST has contributed 5,200 acres. You will be guided by a POST Ambassador on the meandering trails of Lower La Honda Creek, featuring a still-active cattle operation and views of the surrounding ridgelines! You will hear all about the human and natural history of this beautiful preserve!

The hike is moderate to strenuous at about 6 miles round trip with about 1100 feet of gradual elevation gain. There are some steep portions of this hike so hiking poles, closed-toed shoes with tread, and plenty of water/snacks for yourself is recommended.

Solar Observing - 07/10/2022 02:00 PM
San Jose Astronomical Association San Jose

It’s there for us year round, lighting our days and providing energy for our lives, so maybe it’s time to give it a closer look. Join SJAA for amazing and detailed views of the Sun, and be assured that we’ll be using special telescopes that will keep your eyeballs perfectly safe.

We’ll have white-light telescopes with dense solar filters that reveal sunspots. Further, we’ll show you hydrogen-alpha telescopes that isolate a very specific color of red that reveals prominences (often thought of as solar flares) and intricate texture within the Sun’s chromosphere (its atmosphere).

We can also share with you a little about how the Sun works and how complex magnetic fields drive the number of sunspots and prominences that we’ll see on a given day.

Around 2:15, we'll have a short introductory talk, and at other times, you can enjoy the views and ask questions about the Sun, telescopes or astronomy in general.

You may bring your own telescope. If you have a properly filtered white light or H-alpha telescope and want to share views with others, please arrive at 1:30 or earlier, so you have time to set up before the event officially starts.

Monday, 07/11/2022

The Search for Evidence of Life Beyond Earth - 07/11/2022 07:30 PM
California Academy of Sciences San Francisco

Is there life beyond Earth? This is one of humanity’s most profound and existential questions. The discovery of another inhabited world would be a society-shaping event that would forever change our perspective of life and the universe. Decades of robotic exploration have revealed an unexpected diversity of alien worlds that could potentially sustain life. Within our solar system, the subsurface ocean of Saturn’s moon Enceladus has the highest biological potential, and robotic missions are currently being designed to search for evidence of life in that ocean world. This public lecture will discuss the scientific and technical challenges and strategies to search for signatures of life at Enceladus, and the possible implications of a positive result.

Speaker: Dr. Alfonso Davila, NASA Ames

Tuesday, 07/12/2022

Alice Waters: We Are What We Eat - 07/12/2022 12:30 PM
Commonwealth Club San Francisco

Alice Waters is a true Bay Area icon and one of the most influential chefs of her generation.

A long-time food activist, Waters first opened Bay Area local restaurant Chez Panisse in 1971 with the intention of feeding people good food during a time of political turmoil. Customers responded positively to the restaurant and its focus on locally sourced organic ingredients, delectable hand-made dishes, and wonderfully mastered hospitality.

In pioneering a revolutionary approach to food preparation and service, Waters determined that the rise of fast food, frozen meals, and prepackaged ingredients were increasingly overshadowing the human qualities of eating and cooking. In her recent book We Are What We Eat, Waters urges us to take up the mantle of slow food culture. She writes this book as a declaration of action against fast food values and a working theory about what we can do to change the course.

From years of working with regional farmers, Waters learned about the dangers of pesticides; the plight of fieldworkers; and the social, economic and environmental threats posed by industrial farming and food distribution. Thus she says every decision we make about what we put in our mouths affects our bodies and the world at large. By eating in a “slow way,” the philosophy at the core of her life’s work, Waters says we can be empowered to prioritize and nurture a different kind of culture, one that champions values such as biodiversity, seasonality, stewardship and pleasure in work.

Join us as Alice Waters teaches us how to change our relationship with food to unlock a radical reconsideration of how each of us cooks and eats.

Speaker: Alice Waters, Chez Paonsse; William Rosenzweig, Berkeley Hass Center for Responsible Business, Moderator

Attend in person or online.

Wednesday, 07/13/2022

July LASER Event - Livestream - 07/13/2022 06:00 PM
LASER Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous

Bektur Ryskeldiev (live from Japan) on "The (near) future of immersive and interactive media" Laura Splan (Media Artist) on "Recursive Residues: Navigating Interfaces Between Virtual and Biological Worlds" Marjorie Perloff (Stanford) on "TS Eliot's 'The Waste Land' at 100" Register here or here

Thursday, 07/14/2022

NightLife - 07/14/2022 06:00 PM
California Academy of Sciences San Francisco

Calling all creatures of the night: explore the nocturnal side of the Academy at NightLife and see what's revealed. With live DJs, outdoor bars, ambiance lighting, and nearly 40,000 live animals (including familiar faces like Claude the albino alligator), the night is sure to be wild.

Step inside the iconic Shake House and our four-story Rainforest, where you can explore the Amazon’s treetops surrounded by free-flying birds and butterflies. Reservations for these exhibits are no longer required. However, please note that the last entry into the rainforest is 7:30 pm - our animals need their sleep.

Venture into our latest aquarium exhibit Venom to encounter live venomous animals and learn the power of venom to both harm and heal.

Visit the BigPicture exhibit in the Piazza to marvel at the most recent winners of the BigPicture Natural Photography competition.

Bask in the glow of one of the largest living coral reef displays in the world: our 212,000-gallon Philippine Coral Reef tank.

Take in the interstellar views from the Living Roof, then grab a bite from the Academy Cafe and head to the West Garden outdoor bar to drink and dine under the stars. For adults 21+.

After Dark: See for Yourself - 07/14/2022 06:00 PM
ExplOratorium San Francisco

The Exploratorium is your playground after dark! Wander the galleries, sip a cocktail, and let a DJ from Hip Hop for Change set the vibe. Tonight, experience a conversation about creativity with two remarkable creatives. Artist Lia Halloran and writer Maria Popova will dive into big ideas and share their enthusiasm for the interplay between art and science. Continue expanding your perspective and check out Halloran’s immersive three-screen video installation Double Horizon in the Black Box.

Expanding Views: Lia Halloran in Conversation with Maria Popova 7:30 p.m. Osher Gallery 1, Kanbar Forum

Please note: Capacity is limited and first come, first served. Overflow viewing in Bechtel Gallery 3, Wattis Studio, and Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery 6.

Join us for a soaring conversation between writer Maria Popova and interdisciplinary artist Lia Halloran, presented in celebration of Double Horizon, Halloran’s current installation at the Exploratorium. With an eye to this work, they will explore broader questions about creativity and the role of art as a lens on reality - all animated by their shared passion for science.

Double Horizon is on view at the Black Box in Osher Gallery 1 now through August 7.

D Eye Y: Cow Eye Dissection With the Visitor Experience Facilitators8:00-8:30 and 8:30-9:00 p.m.Bechtel Gallery 3, Classroom 1606 Tickets at Moore Gallery 4 Explainer Demo Station

Please note: Capacity is limited to 12 people for each time slot and availability is first come, first served. Tickets will be passed out at the Explainer Demo Station in Moore Gallery 4.

For decades, the Exploratorium has been dissecting cow eyes and teaching visitors about the similarities between their eyes and our own eyes. If you’ve ever wondered what that’s like, you’re in luck. Tonight, you will have the chance to step into the shoes of an Exploratorium Explainer and dissect a cow eye yourself!

The Visitor Experience Facilitators are a cohort of informal educators who help guests understand, question, and experience the museum on a deeper level.

Friday, 07/15/2022

Jones Trail Nature Tour - 07/15/2022 08:30 AM
Jones Trail Los Gatos

Join us for a leisurely paced nature exploration tour through the Jones Trail at St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve in Los Gatos! This program will be led by nature enthusiasts Sarah Wang and Sarah Chan. We will explore the rich variety of plants on the trail and listen and look for birds. Each season brings something unique and different for us to observe!

The planned trail length is 3 to 3.5 miles, although there are several possible points to turn around if needed. The event should take ~2.5 to 3 hours. The trail is partially shaded and in decent shape, although sections can be rocky and/or steep. There is no restroom or water available, so please plan accordingly. Bring binoculars, but if you don't have access to a pair, we can provide some upon request.

This event is limited to 12 participants and registration is required. Additional details will be sent in the confirmation email. Families are welcome, but please note the conditions above to make the best decision for your family. In accordance with SFBBO's COVID-19 safety protocols, we ask participants to wear a well-fitting mask at the event and fill out an online health self-assessment form the day before the event.

Berkeley Lab Virtual Public Tour - 07/15/2022 11:00 AM
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

In response to COVID-related social conditions, Berkeley Lab is offering virtual tours of its facilities to the public. These are pre-scheduled, live, interactive, one-hour long presentations by Lab staff and scientists. Participants will learn about the Lab's fascinating history, ground-breaking discoveries, and contributions to COVID-19-related research.

Join a Zoom Webinar to learn about Berkeley Lab's history and take a peek at the Molecular Foundry, the Advanced Light Source, National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC). While we can spend days showing you various facilities at Berkeley Lab, in order to respect your time we'll only be giving you a taste of the vast research conducted.

The Virtual Public Tour lasts approximately 90 minutes including live presentations and Q&A.

JWST: First Image of a New Dawn of Discovery - 07/15/2022 07:00 PM
Evergreen Valley College San Jose

On July 12, 2022, the moment many in the astronomical world have been waiting for will finally arrive! The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will kick off its science mission, releasing its first science images that showcase the telescope’s incredible capabilities and potential for amazing discovery. Throughout its mission, JWST will provide new insights into the early universe, the evolution of galaxies, the life cycles of stars and the characterization of exoplanets. These first images promise to be visually stunning and, perhaps more importantly, demonstrate the power of its instruments.

Join the SETI Institute and Evergreen Valley College for a special panel discussion to take a look at the images and what they represent, and take a deep dive into what we can expect from JWST:

Dr. Natalie Batalha: Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, and her project, The Transiting Exoplanet Community of Early Release Science Program, was awarded significant observation hours on JWSTDr. Uma Gorti: Research Scientist at the SETI Institute studying star and planet formation whose JWST observations will provide new information on how planet-forming disks evolveDr. Natasha Batalha: Research Scientist at NASA Ames Research Center who will use JWST to learn more about exoplanet atmospheres

The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Simon Steel, Deputy Director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute.

Following the panel discussion and Q&A, the audience is invited to participate in astronomical observations using Unistellar’s eVscope with SETI Institute scientists Ariel Graykowski and Ryan Lambert.

Comet Hunting - 07/15/2022 07:30 PM
Tri-Valley Stargazers Livermore

In this talk, I discuss what a comet is, how they orbit the sun and why that is important to comet hunters. I talk about how comets are named and I will show how visual comet hunters sweep the sky and a study on comet discovery positions. I will then talk about the sky surveys which now find most of the comets we used to find visually and the end of the visual comet hunting era. Next, I talk about the 260-year history of comet hunting and highlight everyone who has found seven or more named comets. The second half of the talk is about my own comet hunting program, how and why I got started in 1975, and each of the 12 comets that I have visually discovered.

Speaker: Don Macholz

Attend in person or online. See weblink for access instructions.

Saturday, 07/16/2022

SkeptiCal 2022 - Livestream - 07/16/2022 09:00 AM
SkeptiCal

SkeptiCal is the annual scientific skepticism conference brought to you by Northern California Skeptics.Speakers include Steven Novella, Bill Nye, Celestia Ward, Edzard Ernst, Leighann Lord, Nick Little, Eugenie Scott, Alex Kasprak, Susan Gerbic, Kenny Biddle, Mick West, Emery Emery, John Cook, Ian Harris, Michael Marshall, et al.In its 12th year, the SkeptiCal Conference brings, in the words of Carl Sagan, questioners of "extraordinary claims". Join us for two stimulating days of speakers, interviews, discussions, break-out rooms, a virtual reality room, SkeptiCal's popular Skepardy! game, and a round of SkeptiCal Trivia (test your wits).Science-themed prizes will be raffled off from GeeksBearingGifts, HouhaDesigns, LaunchPins, MontroseBiology, and ShopMicrobi.

Family Nature Walks - Baylands Nature Preserve - 07/16/2022 10:00 AM
Environmental Volunteers EcoCenter Palo Alto

Environmental Volunteers’ Family Nature Walks program is designed to help students and their families get to know our local open space areas. Small family groups will be guided by a knowledgeable environmental educator during an exploration of a local open space. These small groups will be introduced to fun nature-based activities, and a chance to learn more about the plants and animals all around us. Join us for some fun, outdoor learning!

Each group will have a maximum limit of 12 participants.

Families/groups are welcome to sign up for as many as they like. The nature walks are intended for children aged 6 to 11, and we ask that each group is accompanied by an adult.

Climate Resiliency Walks: Leona Canyon - 07/16/2022 10:00 AM
Leona Canyon Regional Open Space Preserve Oakland

Learn the importance of preserving native habitats and how extreme weather events, like atmospheric rivers, are affecting the parks. Easy 3-mile out and back hike. This is a drop-in program; no registration is required. No bathrooms available.

Apollo 11 Throwback - 07/16/2022 01:00 PM
Chabot Space and Science Center Oakland

As NASA plans Artemis, our next mission to the Moon, we are remembering the 1969 landing that changed everything

53 years ago, the first humans landed on the Moon as part of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission. We look back at the story and impact of the Moon landing during this anniversary. We will look back at this historic accomplishment and look forward to humans’ upcoming return to the Moon.

Astronomy Without Borders: Astronomical Outreach Around the World - Livestream - 07/16/2022 07:00 PM
East Bay Astronomical Society

Astronomy has been a part of every culture throughout history. Mike Simmons has traveled extensively, meeting and working with astronomy enthusiasts around the world. In this presentation, he’ll show us passionate amateur astronomers exploring the Universe and sharing it with others in even the most unlikely circumstances, including war zones, developing countries, and isolated locations. Mike will share his experiences organizing and leading global astronomy projects and organizations in astronomy, including 100 Hours of Astronomy, a cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 that attracted as many as a million people viewing through telescopes in one night.

Mike will also show how astronomy is much more than a hobby. Mike will share his experiences from founding and leading Astronomers Without Borders, creating in programs that connected people in order to create understanding and empathy, replacing ignorance and fear. Astronomy is also used to introduce teachers and students to science in places lacking formal training and facilities, creating opportunities for underserved and disadvantaged communities, and helping to build the future in developing countries. Astronomy also shows us our place in the cosmos, serving as a kind of Overview Effect, the experience many astronauts have after seeing Earth as a planet among the stars. This is the basis for our caring about our planet and our fellow travelers on Spaceship Earth. Astronomy shows us that we really are all in this together.

Attend on Facebook.

Sunday, 07/17/2022

SkeptiCal 2022 - Livestream - 07/17/2022 09:00 AM
SkeptiCal

The Ominous Ocean: Rogue Waves, Rip Currents, and Other Dangers Along the Shoreline and in the Sea - 07/17/2022 01:30 PM
Seymour Marine Discovery Center Santa Cruz

The oceans cover 71% of the planet and pose a myriad of hazards to everyone from blue-water sailors to the casual beachcomber. From rip currents to rogue waves, the possibilities for some water-borne calamity seem endless, but in most cases, a deadly outcome can be avoided or at least mitigated by having a better understanding of the risks involved.

This book presents cautionary tales of the most dangerous aspects of ocean encounters, including hazardous sea life such as sharks and rays, the power of waves, and high seas that can engulf an entire fleet of naval vessels. In each case, the author provides actual examples of various ocean phenomena and the people who either survive or succumb to them, from competitive big-wave surfers to the passengers and crew of the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2, severely damaged by a 95-foot wave that seemed to come out of nowhere in the middle of the night.

The author also addresses several well-known maritime disasters and their causes, as well as such phenomena as the so-called Bermuda Triangle. Above all, The Ominous Ocean seeks to provide a better understanding of the perilous seas, so that we will be better prepared before taking that swim or venturing off to places unknown.

Join Gary Griggs for an engaging presentation followed by a book signing.

Attend in person or online

Tuesday, 07/19/2022

Weekday Morning Hike at Rancho Cañada del Oro - 07/19/2022 09:00 AM
Rancho Canada Del Oro Open Space Preserve Morgan hill

Wednesday, 07/20/2022

SETI Talks: Planets, exoplanets and more with JWST - Livestream - 07/20/2022 03:00 PM
SETI Institute

10 Years of Bringing the High Energy Sky into Focus with NuSTAR - Livestream - 07/20/2022 06:00 PM
Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Upsetting the Setup: Creating a California for All - 07/20/2022 07:00 PM
Long Now Foundation San Francisco

Part 2: Travels into Astronomical History with the Antique Telescope Society - Livestream - 07/20/2022 07:00 PM
San Francisco Amateur Astronomers

Provable Privacy Guarantee and Smart Navigation Attachment to Aid - 07/20/2022 07:00 PM
SF Bay Association of Computing Machinery

Thursday, 07/21/2022

NightLife: Inked - 07/21/2022 06:00 PM
California Academy of Sciences San Francisco

After Dark: Build - 07/21/2022 06:00 PM
ExplOratorium San Francisco

Birding while Disabled - Livestream - 07/21/2022 07:00 PM
Golden Gate Audubon Society

Friday, 07/22/2022

Coastal Walk at Pillar Point Bluff - 07/22/2022 10:00 AM
Pillar Point Bluff Moss Beach

Innovative Computer Art: Past and Present - 07/22/2022 07:00 PM
Computer History Museum Mountain View

Evening with the Stars at Lick Observatory - Sold Out - 07/22/2022 08:30 PM
Lick Observatory Mt. Hamilton

Saturday, 07/23/2022

STEM Saturday Summer Science Series - 07/23/2022 10:00 AM
NexGeneGirls San Francisco

Music of the Spheres at Lick Observatory - 07/23/2022 07:30 PM
Lick Observatory Mt. Hamilton

Monday, 07/25/2022

Scaling ML/AI workloads with Ray Ecosystem - Livestream - 07/25/2022 07:00 PM
SF Bay Association of Computing Machinery