Friday Links!
Link of the week goes to Andrew Borelli, who sent in a link to an ad for a 16k ram card. Be sure and take a look at how much they're charging for burn-in.I linked a few months ago to the Antikythera Mechanism, a 2,000 year old mechanical calculator. Sirius sent me a link to the news that scientists have unraveled some of its mysteries, and here's an excerpt:
Since its discovery, scientists have been trying to reconstruct the device, which is now known to be an astronomical calendar capable of tracking with remarkable precision the position of the sun, several heavenly bodies and the phases of the moon. Experts believe it to be the earliest-known device to use gear wheels and by far the most sophisticated object to be found from the ancient and medieval periods.
Using modern computer x-ray tomography and high resolution surface scanning, a team led by Mike Edmunds and Tony Freeth at Cardiff University peered inside fragments of the crust-encased mechanism and read the faintest inscriptions that once covered the outer casing of the machine. Detailed imaging of the mechanism suggests it dates back to 150-100 BC and had 37 gear wheels enabling it to follow the movements of the moon and the sun through the zodiac, predict eclipses and even recreate the irregular orbit of the moon. The motion, known as the first lunar anomaly, was developed by the astronomer Hipparcus of Rhodes in the 2nd century BC, and he may have been consulted in the machine's construction, the scientists speculate.
Remarkably, scans showed the device uses a differential gear, which was previously believed to have been invented in the 16th century. The level of miniaturisation and complexity of its parts is comparable to that of 18th century clocks.
Some researchers believe the machine, known as the Antikythera Mechanism, may have been among other treasure looted from Rhodes that was en route to Rome for a celebration staged by Julius Caesar.
One of the remaining mysteries is why the Greek technology invented for the machine seemed to disappear. No other civilisation is believed to have created anything as complex for another 1,000 years.
Wow. Just wow.
As an aid for people with certain kinds of blindness, MIT has developed a "a bio-electronic implant that delivers images to the brain via a connector the width of a human hair."
More from Sirius. First, a link to a remarkable discovery: butterflies remember what they learned as caterpillars. And a second link, to the discovery of feathers preserved in amber. Feathers that are a hundred million years old.
From my friend David Potter, a link to a story about a 101-year old man--training for a marathon! And I suspect the same fellow was boxing as late as last year.
Tim Hibbets sent me a link to a Schweppes commercial that shows water baloons bursting--at 10,000 frames a second.
From Nate Carpenter, a link to a thought-provoking piece of art--a balloon tank. Be sure and view the image sequence.
From the Edwin Garcia Links Machine, a link to a story about a lake that is called The World's Largest Natural Mirror. Next, a link to a video of an amazing artist--Christine Cambreau. Her website, by the way, is here, and the process by which she creates her pieces is mind-blowing.
Tom Ross sent me a link to a spectacular series of pre-flight images of the Space Shuttle.
From Lenard Burgess, a link to a story about a meteor made of rock that struck Peru. Rock, not metal.
From Jeff Pinard, a link to what must be one of the greatest local news videos in history. The ending, in particular, is a cautionary tale for anyone who wants to do a live feed.
Two excellent links from this month's National Geographic. The first, a story about animal cognition, and be sure to look at the "Gallery" links in the upper left for some fascinating information. Second, a link to a story about the Large Hadron Collider.
Vahur Teller sent in a link to a series of beautiful images of abandoned Russian homes. The architecture is remarkable.
Damon Caporaso sent me a link to an NCAA basketball style tournament over at Fantasy Bookstop--but there are fantasy books instead of basketball teams. The announcement says 2007, but it's for this year, and you can see the forum thread here.
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