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 Posted January 22nd, 2013 at 12:48PM
High Speed Cameras Capture Falling Snowflakes in 3D
There’s no denying, there’s something absolutely mesmerizing about snowflakes. We’ve all marveled at photos of snowflakes under the microscope and intricate snow crystals made in the lab and we’ve filled in you in on the chemistry behind those beautiful formations, but scientists at the University of Utah have developed a way to show us snowflakes like we haven’t seen them before: in 3D.
The team, lead by atmospheric scientist Tim Garrett has developed a camera system called the Multi-Angle Snowflake Camera (MASC) capable of capturing 3D images of snowflakes as they fall from the sky. The system consists of three high-speed cameras triggered by infrared sensors that photograph snowflakes in mid-air at extremely fast exposures (up to 1/2,500th of a second). Multiple triggers along the snowflake’s path measure fall speed and the high resolution images let the scientists measure the snowflakes themselves.
“You’ve probably seen gorgeous pictures of snowflakes that have been collected on glass slides and put under a microscope. These pictures, while beautiful, are pictures of snowflakes that are exceedingly rare,” said Garrett to TechNewsDaily. He explained that most snowflakes that fall from the sky are actually clumps of many flakes stuck together. Putting those onto a slide would destroy them, which is why we’ve never gotten to see them close up before.
Original source at University of Utah
Where you can pick up your own snowflake cam
So all snowflakes are unique, but the overwhelming majority are ugly clumps of congealed frozen ice crystals. Who’s surprised? My gut reaction is I’m responding more to the scientific advance of capturing falling flakes in 3D (1/2,500th of a second isn’t really super-duper fast, now is it?) rather than the uninspiring conclusion researchers draw.
Also — the ending: the Army has already put in orders. Joy.
Posted February 13th, 2009 at 12:54PM
After doing a bit of research – and tripping across a good deal on Amazon – I bought a spray-type no bark collar for my dog. Baja does respond to a “hush” command, but not reliably, and it’s hopeless when we leave him in the car alone. But he enjoys his rides.
Broadly, there are three choices in terms of collars: shock, sonic / ultrasonic, and spray. I was initially thinking of a shock collar, because he responded so well with the “electric fence” which works on the same principle. (A small shock to correct bad behavior, be it barking or running out of the yard.) But spray collars – which release a non-toxic (but obnoxious to the dog) odor upon barking – have high success rates in independent testing. Citronella is a popular scent option. The idea is that the dog is able to associate his nuisance barking with something he hears, smells, feels, and sees. As opposed to the shock, which can confuse some dogs (as well as increase anxiety).
Baja does not nuisance bark much other than when left alone, indicating separation anxiety as the cause. But it’s also his only bad behavior when alone, so I’m hopeful it can be solved.
I also bought a clicker to aid with training. Mostly so I qualified for free shipping.
Posted October 16th, 2007 at 6:18PM
So it’s the first week of The Price is Right with Drew Carey. I’ve watched a bit. And I’m not too sure. I like Drew, sure (Who’s Line is it Anyway anyone?).
But it’s weird without Bob. Ol’ Bob. I’m sure Drew will grow into the role. In time. Hey, he’s telling America to get spayed and neutered. And isn’t that really the central issue?
It seems to me as if the audience is younger too. Less of the blue hair crowd, more of a middle-age not-terribly-hip-but-likes-Drew-Carey sort of crowd.
They tried to give away a Dodge Viper today too. The contestant bungled it. Jeez.
Posted February 24th, 2007 at 11:58AM
Last week I changed my hosts, and I no longer have cPanel access. This mean I no longer have access to the really good, detailed site statistic logger things. So I made an account at sitemeter.com and slapped the little link up on my right-hand column. It’s there, click on it and check out the stats if you want.
Anyways, to test it, I went to the blog and then checked to see that my visit was logged. I already had another visitor too, and it was to an old post, one of my most popular. Five days from now, it’ll be two years since I blogged about “the World’s Finest Love Doll.” It was just a humorous story, I thought. But since then, it’s been one of the most popular entries on this site, and searches for that story are one of my biggest draws. This particular chap searched yahoo.com for “male real sex doll.”
Guess who’s the first hit? I’m getting a lot of hits because I quoted the article extensively, and for a while, nerve.com was requiring you to register to read the article. (Today I was able to go back and read the whole thing. Your mileage may vary)
Other related “Love Doll” posts..
I Have The Worst Visitors
Back By Popular Demand – A Real Doll Post
The original article at nerve.com that started it all.
Posted January 22nd, 2007 at 8:34PM
Dutch brewers launch dogs’ beer
A small brewery in the Netherlands has launched a new beer designed to bring cool relief to thirsty dogs.
Kwispelbier, marketed as “a beer for your best friend”, is made from a special brew of beef extract and malt.
The beverage is a creation of pet shop owner Gerrie Berendsen, who wanted her dogs to share light refreshments with her after a day’s hunting.
The beer is non-alcoholic and fit for human consumption, but costs four times as much as a Heineken.
“Kwispel” is the Dutch word for wagging a tail.
Ms Berendsen, who lives in the eastern town of Zelhem, commissioned the small local Schelde brewery to make and bottle the beer.
“Once a year we go to Austria to hunt with our dogs, and at the end of the day we sit on the verandah and drink a beer. So we thought, my dog also has earned it,” Ms Berendsen told the Associated Press.
That’s the entire story, but it’s still damn entertaining.
Posted April 25th, 2006 at 7:45PM
kittenwar.com
Best picture rating site ever. The genius lies in the fact that you’re pitting two kitten pictures against each other, in a mortal struggle to determine which is cuter than the other. Only one will live.
They’re also in the process of making a book. Perfect coffee table material for anyone with a soul.
kittenwar.com
Posted March 26th, 2006 at 11:42PM
Dedication Honors Nude Britney Spears Giving Birth
BROOKLYN, NY (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — A nude Britney Spears on a bearskin rug while giving birth to her firstborn marks a ‘first’ for Pro-Life. Pop-star Britney Spears is the “ideal” model for Pro-Life and the subject of a dedication at Capla Kesting Fine Art in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg gallery district, in what is proclaimed the first Pro-Life monument to birth, in April.
And it seems to be a real news article, too. Here’s the art gallery’s site.
So, my question is…
WHY IS EVERYTHING SO WEIRD AND FUCKED UP?
People are weird.
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