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The author of Skulls in the Stars is a professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas. -
Search Results for: infinity is weird
Infinity is weird: what does it all mean?
The final installment in a series of posts on the size of the infinite, as described in mathematical set theory. The first post can be read here, the second here, and the third here. We have taken a long, strange journey into … Continue reading
Posted in Mathematics
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Infinity is weird: to infinity, and beyond!
The third and it-turns-out-not-final installment in a series of posts on the size of the infinite, as described in mathematical set theory. The first post can be read here, and the second here. I think Buzz Lightyear captures the spirit of this … Continue reading
Posted in Mathematics
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Infinity is weird: what’s bigger than big?
The second in what will (probably) be a three-part series of posts on the size of the infinite, as described in mathematical set theory. The first post can be read here. When I was young, there was a series of … Continue reading
Posted in Mathematics
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Infinity is weird: how big is infinity?
How big is infinity? Most people, though familiar with the general concept of infinity, would probably answer with a simple, question-dodging response of “infinite.” To be fair, the infinite is a really difficult concept to wrap one’s head around, and … Continue reading
Posted in Mathematics
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Infinity is weird… even in infinity mirrors!
Even very simple optics can reveal very interesting and surprising phenomena, if one looks carefully enough! I was recently looking into the optics of a so-called “infinity mirror”, which in its simplest incarnation is simply two parallel mirrors on opposite … Continue reading
Posted in Mathematics, Optics
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Twitter Weird Science Facts, Volume 4
Time for another summary of Twitter #weirdscifacts! Click below the fold to see how similar Steve Buscemi’s character in “Con Air” is to a particular species of caterpillar.
Posted in General science, Weirdscifacts
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Optics and infinity at American Scientist!
I’ve been kind of quiet here lately, partly due to my job and partly due to writing blog posts and essays for other venues. Happily, one of these blog posts is now available to read over at American Scientist, on … Continue reading
Posted in Mathematics, Optics, Personal
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Infinite series: not quite as weird as some would say
Updated with a third footnote clarifying my use of the term “diverge,” thanks to suggestion by Evelyn Lamb, who has also written an excellent discussion of the problem with the video. At the end of this post I list all the … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Mathematics
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Weird science facts, October 19 — October 25
It’s that time of week again for Twitter #weirdscifacts! 585. Oct 19: Thanks to Georg Cantor, we know that some infinities are bigger than others! The concept of “infinity” is a tricky business and very non-intuitive, in large part simply … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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Weird science facts, July 27 — August 2
Time for your weekly dose of weird, courtesy of my Twitter #weirdscifacts! 501. July 27: Sand tiger shark: only shark known to adjust its buoyancy by burping! I don’t know about you, but I never thought to put the words … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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Skulls in the Stars 