This rotating spiral galaxy, NGC 1512, is located only 30 million light-years away, and is highlighted by a core of old stars, a central ring of hot, star-forming material, and then wispy, thin spiral arms connect it to a more ring-like, star-rich region in the outskirts. This Hubble/JWST composite image showcases the stark differences between what optical telescopes, like Hubble can see, with the network of gas and dust revealed by JWST in infrared light. Although JWST has revealed much about these dusty spirals, this couldn't crack the top 10 scientific advances of JWST's first two years of science operations.
Hello again Science fans!
It is mid-summer already. Time for vacation trips with the family, fun outdoors, BBQs, heat, wildfires, and this year, the run up to a very important election. So far, it has been anything but dull. It is also time for fewer science events around the Bay, although the quality of those on the schedule remains high.
Last Sunday was the hottest day on the planet since records have been kept, according to the European climate service Copernicus. That was followed by a second record breaking day on Monday. Not good. We have to be careful not to take a particular incident as proof, or lack of proof, for global climate change however. Weather is what happens today, climate is what happens in a particular spot on Earth over time. The fact that yesterday was delightfully cool here doesn’t lessen the importance of these two records.
The number of wildfire events has more than doubled over the past 20 years worldwide. Here in California, we have evidence of wildfires close to home. The Park Fire near Chico had burned around 350,000 acres as of late Saturday. Paradise, the town devistated by fire in 2018, is under evacuation warnings again. Late this week, much of the town of Jasper, Alberta, Canada was destroyed by wildfire. Jasper is the gateway to one of Canada’s most popular National Parks, and is a charming little town. Or it was.
Our government should be doing anything possible to mitigate the dangers to the climate, if for no other reason than to protect our health and economy. Yet several Supreme Court decisions have lessened the power of the Environmental Protection Agency. It is difficult to reconcile those two things in my mind. Another court decision regarding government regulation of so-called ephemeral streams flies in the face of science and logic.
But we can’t expect any different when a total of 123 members of the House and Senate deny climate change caused by human activity. The climate isn’t just a US problem, or a North America problem. It is a world wide issue.
Some of our problems are caused by acts made with the best of intentions. Many invasive species were introduced to solve a problem. Instead, they created new ones. There are so many variables affecting Nature that it is difficult to fully predict what happens if one of those variables gets tweaked. A case in point would be the Everglades. I lived in Florida before moving to the Bay Area and saw this first hand, especially the changes brought about by the melaluca trees, originally imported from Australia to help dry out swamp land for development.
Most of the rest of the news I have for you this week comes from space.
Believe it or not, the James Webb Space Telescope just celebrated its 2 year anniversary of operation. It was July, 2022 when the first images from the telescope were received here on Earth, and space science hasn’t been the same since. Here are 10 revolutionary discoveries from JWST in just these first two years.
Just this week, astronomers announced that JWST had directly imaged an exoplanet 12 light years from Earth, one of the coldest exoplanets observed to date. It is part of a 3 star system. Astronomer Phil Plait has more about this.
We’ve written before about JWST “breaking” astronomy by discovering galaxies that shouldn’t exist based on their supposed age and our understanding of how long ago the big bang happened. But is it really breaking astronomy?
Our neighbor Mars is in the news this week. The Perseverance rover may have found signs of ancient life on Mars with the discovery of a type of rock that often contains fossilized microbes when found here on Earth. More research is needed, but this would be a spectacular find. And Curiosity rover cracked open an unremarkable rock on Mars, only to find elemental sulfur, one of the building blocks of life.
In preparation for sending humans to Mars, NASA created a simulation and put four scientists inside for 378 days, isolated from the rest of the world. Here’s what that was like for Anca Selariu, a navy microbiologist. Could you spend a year isolated like this?
The last article I’ll pass along is about AI. It is kinda funny in that it involves a https://www.bayareascience.org/calendar/index.php?eID=35022 generation “Z” social media “influencer”, but also highlights a serious issue with using AI, and perhaps larger social issues with the whole influencer phenomenon.
My picks for this week include:
Wonderfest: Black Holes, and the Tech to Find Them, Tuesday, 7/20/24 in Novato
Vintage Computer Festival, Friday, 8/2/24, and Saturday 8/3/24 in Mountain View
Nike Missle Site Veteran Open House, Saturday, 8/3/24 in Mill Valley
Have a great week in Science!
Bob
Upcoming Events:
Click to see the next two weeks of events in your browser.
Tuesday, 07/30/2024
Wonderfest: Black Holes, and the Tech to Find Them - 07/30/2024 07:00 PM
Hopmonk Tavern Novato
The nearest black hole lurks 1,500 light-years from Earth (~ 10 quadrillion miles!), and it neither emits nor reflects light. How can we possibly detect - far less investigate - such wondrous holes in the fabric of spacetime? High-precision astrometry is the key: adaptive optics allow ground-based telescopes to see through our turbulent atmosphere using ordinary light, and space telescopes provide high-resolution images in other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Today, high technology affords astronomers many ways to discover and explore the intriguing space around black hole singularities.
Speaker: Jessica Lu, UC Berkeley
Wednesday, 07/31/2024
Serving science by serving people - Livestream - 07/31/2024 11:00 AM
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
I decided to save the world when I was very young. I’ve spent my career figuring out how to actually do that, and settled on being a science communicator. I will share my career journey in this seminar, focusing on key inflection points of my life and jobs, including how I figure out what I want from life, how I measure career success, and how I make sure my career aligns with my personal values. I will candidly discuss what it was like to leave academia, the duties I think of as unshakable companions to my privilege, and the tension I feel as a mother who loves leaving her children in order to explore the world. My goal is to show seminar attendees how I achieve joy in my pursuit of purpose, and to prompt them to think about how they can do the same.
Speaker: Virginia Schutte, Science Media Specialist
Register at weblink to attend
Form Follows Data - Livestream - 07/31/2024 03:00 PM
Bodega Marine Laboratory
Speaker: Adrien Segal, Artist, Oakland, CA
Register at weblink to receive connection information
Plastic Free July Trivia Night: Plastics & Petrochemicals - 07/31/2024 06:00 PM
Ecology Center Berkeley
Join us for a fun and educational Plastic Free July Trivia Night at the Ecology Center Store and Resource Center! Test your knowledge of the harms of plastics & petrochemicals in a lively quiz night. Come with friends (teams are limited to 6 players) or make new ones while learning about the plastics crisis and ongoing solutions. Let’s have a blast while raising awareness about plastic waste. See you there! Small bites and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided.
Thursday, 08/01/2024
After Dark: See for Yourself - 08/01/2024 06:00 PM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
The Exploratorium is your playground after dark! Be a cloud puppeteer, meet gods and imaginary mythological creatures built from LEGO® pieces, weave with others on a giant loom, find patterns in miles of hanging yarn, watch shoes smile, and more at ExtraOrdinary!, our fanciful summer exhibition.
Radio Axion: Tuning in to the Dark Matter Airwaves - 08/01/2024 07:00 PM
Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC) Public Lecture Series Menlo Park
We observe that 85% of the matter in the universe is in the form of invisible "dark matter" -- but we still do not know what this dark matter is. My favorite dark matter candidate is an "axion" - a hypothetical particle suggested by the problem of explaining the fundamental symmetries of the nuclear forces. The axion has a very small mass compared to other suggested dark matter particles. In an experiment, it would behave more like a wave than a particle. So, to discover axions, we are using a method completely different from those of other dark matter searches. In the SLAC experiments ADMX and Dark Matter Radio, we are building ultra-low-noise radio receivers, immersed in high magnetic fields, to identify the axion as a new radio band coming in from the cosmos. If we discover the axion, any high school physics class will be able to tune in to the axion airwaves.
Speaker: Chelsea Bartram, SLAC
Register to attend in person, or watch on YouTube (see weblink)
Friday, 08/02/2024
Vintage Computer Festival - 08/02/2024 10:00 AM
Computer History Museum Mountain View
A favorite among computer enthusiasts worldwide, VCF is a two-day event offering an extraordinary showcase of historical computers with insights into their preservation and presentation.
From pristine original machines to unique modern hacks, there's something for everyone. Experience hands-on demos of historical systems from the 1960s through the 1990s, and try out brands like Apple, Atari, Commodore, Tandy/Radio Shack, and more.
Your ticket grants full access to CHM exhibits, demos, the Bistro Café, Museum Store and attendance at VCF-West. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity.
Click here to buy tickets for day 1, day 2, or both.
Various discounts available as well as 2 day pricing
First Friday Nights at CuriOdyssey - 08/02/2024 05:00 PM
CuriOdyssey San Mateo
Swing into the weekend with live music, a food truck, animals and fun! On the first Friday of every month, from 5 PM until 8 PM, parents and kids celebrate together at CuriOdyssey.
Dance to some of your favorite pop and rock hits, while enjoying animal presentations and science activities. Activities and programs are different each time, so make it a monthly tradition!
First Friday: Moon - 08/02/2024 06:00 PM
Chabot Space and Science Center Oakland
First Fridays are back at Chabot and we can’t wait to party with you! This month, join us under the moonlight for an exciting evening dedicated to our nearest celestial neighbor, the Moon. Explore the mysteries of the lunar surface as you immerse yourself in interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. Discover the spectacular science behind lunar phases, create your own moon-inspired art to take home, and dance the night away with live music in the Courtyard!
Saturday, 08/03/2024
Vintage Computer Festival - 08/03/2024 10:00 AM
Computer History Museum Mountain View
A favorite among computer enthusiasts worldwide, VCF is a two-day event offering an extraordinary showcase of historical computers with insights into their preservation and presentation.
From pristine original machines to unique modern hacks, there's something for everyone. Experience hands-on demos of historical systems from the 1960s through the 1990s, and try out brands like Apple, Atari, Commodore, Tandy/Radio Shack, and more.
Your ticket grants full access to CHM exhibits, demos, the Bistro Café, Museum Store and attendance at VCF-West. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity.
Click here to buy tickets for day 1, day 2, or both.
Various discounts available as well as 2 day pricing
Bay Day - 08/03/2024 11:00 AM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
Have you ever wondered what’s inside a scientific ocean buoy? Take a close look at the critters and seaweed that colonize the bottom of our NOAA data-collection buoy when we pull out of the water for its yearly servicing.
On Bay Day, we’ll provide microscopes, hand lenses, and activities that get you up close and personal with the animals and plants that call San Francisco Bay their home. Scientists and educators will be on hand to identify and catalog the marine organisms, both native and invasive species that live in San Francisco Bay.
On loan to us from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the CO2 buoy has been anchored between Piers 15 and 17 since April 2013, collecting data on water temperature, salinity, and CO2 levels in the atmosphere and the Bay. Every year, we pull it out of the water to calibrate and replace the sensors and to clean off corrosion and marine organisms.
Nike Missile Site Veteran Open House - 08/03/2024 12:00 PM
Nike Missle Site Mill Valley
Veterans of the Nike program come to the site to share their stories with visitors and give guided tours of SF88 between the hours of 12pm - 3pm
The SF-88 Nike Missile Site is the most fully restored Nike missile site in the country. During the tense years of the Cold War, from 1953 to 1979, the United States Army built and operated close to 300 Nike missile sites in the United States. These sites were designed to be the last line of defense against H-Bomb carrying Soviet bombers that had eluded the Air Force’s interceptor jet aircrafts. SF-88 in the Marin Headlands was one such site. Today, Golden Gate National Recreation Area works together with a dedicated group of volunteers to preserve the site as it was during operations to remind visitors of the physical and psychological effects of the Cold War on the American landscape.
The Bioethics of Gene Therapy - Livestream - 08/03/2024 06:00 PM
Bay Area Humanists
Dr. Escandon will go through the origins, history and current state of affairs in gene therapy - emphasizing both the hope and the areas where great care and ethical concerns lie.
Speaker: Rafael Escandon, consultant
Register at weblink to receive connection information
Sunday, 08/04/2024
First Sundays at OMCA - 08/04/2024 11:00 AM
Oakland Museum of California Oakland
Every first Sunday of the month, General Admission to the Oakland Museum of California's (OMCA) Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences is free and tickets to Special Exhibitions in our Great Hall are offered at a discounted price of $6!In between exploring the galleries, OMCA invites guests to pick up some locally-made goods from the shop, or relax outside in the Museum's updated garden. Visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets online in advance to secure your preferred entry time and reduce wait time. Tickets are available at the admissions desk on a first-come, first-served basis.
Presented by Oakland Museum of California
Tuesday, 08/06/2024
Let’s Try and Be More Tolerant: On Tolerant Property Testing and Distance Approximation - 08/06/2024 04:30 PM
Calvin Laboratory Berkeley
Wednesday, 08/07/2024
Environmental influences on deep-sea coral reef reproduction across the northern hemisphere - Livestream - 08/07/2024 11:00 AM
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Thursday, 08/08/2024
Sci vs. Psi: Testing Superpowers | Jim Underdown on Skeptical Inquirer Presents - Livestream - 08/08/2024 04:00 PM
Center for Inquery
After Dark: Rising Sea - 08/08/2024 06:00 PM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
Friday, 08/09/2024
Imaging Exoplanets with the World’s Largest Telescopes - SOLD OUT - 08/09/2024 08:00 PM
Lick Observatory Mt. Hamilton
Saturday, 08/10/2024
The intriguing lives of galaxies without dark matter - 08/10/2024 08:00 PM
Lick Observatory Mt. Hamilton
City Public Star Party - 08/10/2024 08:00 PM
City Star Parties - Tunnel Tops Park San Francisco
Sunday, 08/11/2024
Family Story Walk: A Home for Salty - 08/11/2024 10:00 AM
Don Edwards Refuge Environmental Education Center Alviso
2024 Summer Science Games - 08/11/2024 11:00 AM
Lawrence Hall of Science Berkeley