Brent Danley » Science

Polarization

Brent Danley — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 23:52:30 +0000

Ever wonder why sunglasses manufacturers polarize the lenses? Polarization makes things looks better: skies more blue and clouds more white. Also, reflections are greatly reduced on shiny dark surfaces.

I took these photos today at Bay View Beach in Saco, Maine. Both of them are straight out of my iPhone 3GS’s camera without post processing. The one on the right was taken through polarized sunglasses.

Without and with polarization

I keep a circular polarization filter on my two most used camera lenses. With them I can dial in the amount of polarization I need for the look I’m trying to achieve. The difference can be dramatic, depending on the conditions.

Iridescent Clouds

Brent Danley — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:34:29 +0000

Today while at the beach with Kirsten I looked up and saw the most amazing meteorological phenomenon: iridescent clouds. I had never seen them before. It looked like a rainbow, but without rain and no bow.

Cloud iridescence is an unusual diffraction phenomenon.

Iridescent cloud

This photo was taken with my iPhone 3GS through polarized sunglasses. The foreground was lightened in post.

Evidence of Human Evolution

Brent Danley — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:57:21 +0000

If you don’t believe in human evolution because you think there isn’t any evidence, you’re mistaken. You’re willfully ignorant. There are mountains of evidence and many books on the subject. All you have to do is look.

Now look.

Evidence of human evolution

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: Human Origins Initiative

Gravity Wells

Brent Danley — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:08:55 +0000

Be careful if you ever find yourself on Mars’ moon Deimos. One misstep and you could wind up in outer space.

XKCD: Gravity Wells

XKCD: Gravity Wells

(View really big.)

Size Matters

Brent Danley — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:24:52 +0000

Wow! Just one more reason to like President Obama.

Obama to Back New Heavy Rocket, Bigger NASA Budget, Cancel Ares 1
Jesus Diaz, Gizmodo, December 22, 2009

Reporting on a White House and NASA meeting last Wednesday, sources say that the President has decided to give NASA an additional $1 billion in 2011. The extra funding will serve to create a new, simpler heavy lift rocket, as well as to increase the fleet of satellites controlling Earth’s land, oceans, and atmosphere.

Rocket size comparison