Theory of Relativity Series Day 1

Theory of Relativity Lecture Series #1 This is an introduction to my favorite physics topic:  The special theory of relativity. In my career as a physics tutor I have always wanted to teach this subject in a one-on-one format.  This is my opportunity. I’ve spent years studying this topic and have developed a curriculum to … Continue reading Theory of Relativity Series Day 1

Unicorn Meteor Shower!

The Physics of a meteor Shower We’ve all seen a meteor shower, but do you understand the physics behind it?  A giant rock hurdling through space?  Nope.  It’s actually dust burning up in the atmosphere.   Most meteors are no larger than a grain of rice.  The most interesting thing about a meteor shower is that … Continue reading Unicorn Meteor Shower!

Stephen Hawking’s Ph.D. Thesis Crashes Cambridge Site After It’s Posted Online

Interest in “Properties of Expanding Universes” is at an all-time high: Stephen Hawking’s doctoral thesis of that name crashed Cambridge University’s open-access repository on the first day the document was posted online. The Cambridge Library made several PDF files of the thesis available for download from its website, from what it called a high-resolution “72 … Continue reading Stephen Hawking’s Ph.D. Thesis Crashes Cambridge Site After It’s Posted Online

Scientists detect gravitational waves from a new kind of nova, sparking a new era in astronomy

Some 130 million years ago, in a galaxy far away, the smoldering cores of two collapsed stars smashed into each other. The resulting explosion sent a burst of gamma rays streaming through space and rippled the very fabric of the universe. On Aug. 17, those signals reached Earth — and sparked an astronomy revolution. The … Continue reading Scientists detect gravitational waves from a new kind of nova, sparking a new era in astronomy