Brian Koberlein
Astrophysicist and Author
What’s New
With the quarantine in full swing through April, I have some extra time to write. Let me know if there’s any topic you’d like me to cover.
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The Way the Universe Changed
At the end of the 1800s we finally knew how the universe worked. Our classical laws of physics worked extraordinarily well. At the time it was thought that the last few mysteries of physics would soon be solved. But they weren't. Instead, small mysteries became large ones. Science would soon undergo a quantum revolution.
Blog
The Librarian and the Astrophysicist
When I was about nine my parents finally allowed me to go to the library on my own. As a resident of the county, I had my own library card, and that meant I could check out up to five books at a time. For a midwest farm kid, it was like the entire world lay open before me. For free.
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Proven World
In Medieval Europe, the physical universe could be divided into two parts: the Earth and earthly events (chaotic and temporary) and the heavens (structured and eternal). Two things changed this view. The first was rise of accurate astronomical measurements. The second was the rise of the physical sciences. Read about how our views of the universe changed in this series of posts.
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Science Fiction, Science Fact
We love dreaming of new horizons, and science fiction can create entire tales from the the mere whiff of scientific possibility. This can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand science fiction lets us explore the possibilities, and can inspire an interest in science. On the other hand, the trappings of science fiction can make awesome feats of human engineering seem trivial.
Recent Work
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Not Yet
My memory might be failing, but it’s not gone. I forget to take daily meds on my own now and then, but I haven’t forgotten my family. Not yet anyway.
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Because I Can
A society is judged by how it treats the weak in times of crisis.
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If I Could Turn Back Time
Time symmetry argues that any physical interaction could be reversible. But perhaps that isn’t really true.
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Axion Galaxion
Astronomers have tested a theory of everything involving axions, and have found it wanting.
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The One Ring
Light can be deflected by a black hole in interesting ways, and could reveal some of gravity’s deepest secrets.
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The Evening Star
Venus will be at greatest elongation on March 24, making it very easy to find in the evening sky.
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Public Events
When astronomical data becomes public, it can lead to even more discoveries.
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Gnomes in the Garden
In the center of her garden, the two lawn gnomes stood frozen. Smiles on their faces, one with his head tilted to the side like a curious dog.