Birth Certificate Debate Decoded: Digital Document Authentication Terms Explained

Anti-aliasing Image by Mwyann

Regardless of your political party, you probably recognize the image to the left of this text, particularly in reference to the claims of image manipulation and tampering that erupted on the blogosphere immediately following its release. President Obama posted the PDF of his long form birth certificate online in April, 2011, and it was quickly [...]

Collatz Conjecture Remains Unproven Despite its Easy Arithmetic

"Collatz Fractal" by Pokipsy76

Lothar Collatz proposed the “Collatz problem” in 1937. It is still an unproven conjecture. Although it has not been disproved, neither is there an accepted proof. Defining the Collatz Function and Series A neat and tidy mathematical description of the problem is: Let “n”, “i”, “j” and “m” be any positive integers, and define a [...]

How Chemical Reactions in Fireworks Produce Sounds and Colors

A Green Fireworks Display Image Credit: Wikimedia User Bouncey2k

Many people enjoy fireworks displays on the fourth of July, the new year, and other festive holidays. These fireworks displays produce many loud sounds and vibrant colors, but how? How Do Fireworks Make Noise? When the fuse on a firecracker is lit and burns, it sets off a chemical reaction in the gunpowder. Burning gunpowder [...]

Harry Potter Character Names Derived From Astronomy

J.K. Rowling Author of the Harry Potter Series Image Credit: Sjhill Creative Commons

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books and the Harry Potter movies are immensely popular in part because of the very rich detail in the stories.  Among these details is the large cast of both major and minor characters and their names – many of which are taken from astronomy. Harry’s Classmates at Hogwarts Draco Malfoy was [...]

Carbon Neutral Housing Takes a Step Forward

Greenwatt Way

Zero-carbon is trendy just now – as emphasis on building and design shifts towards sustainability the world is competing to produce zero carbon theaters, football matches, even a zero-carbon bra.  In the UK, energy company SSE has developed a series of ten dwellings where zero carbon living has become a reality. What are Zero Carbon [...]