NASA press release announces citizen scientists help discover oldest stellar nursery

So,  I have been still doing research here and there, and one of the things that I help with is classification of data for large projects needing "extra eyes" to identify things that computers miss or have difficulty spotting. From looking for Higgs bosons to spotting glitches in gravitational wave detectors, these projects are anything from a method of training the software to better identify what scientists are looking for, to other projects so phenomenally large that it would take decades to sift through the material with a small research group.

NASA/Jonathan Holden

One of these projects that I have been working on, Disk Detective, involves classifying potential planet-forming disks around certain types of stars in our galaxy. These stars have been recorded by several sky surveys, which are then compared to recent images taken by WISE to help eliminate those that don't meet Disk Detective criteria.

What is WISE? Well, WISE is an acronym for the Wide‑field Infrared Survey Explorer, a NASA mission to survey the whole sky in the infrared spectrum of light. With the data received from WISE, astrophysicists and astronomers are able to search for planet-forming debris disks of dust and gas similar to what we would expect our own solar system would have had in its early stage of planetary development.

The latest discoveries are the result of careful research and study that ended up revealing astounding discoveries over the past four months. Two stars have been identified as having very unusual properties that are now calling into question certain fundamental understandings regarding debris disks capable of forming planets. While HD 74389's triple star system has its own peculiarities, the latter star, AWI0005x3s, might well be the oldest planetary nursery ever found - about 45 million years old!

"But stars live for millions of years, so what's the big deal?" you might ask. The answer is, yes, debris disks are known to persist for hundreds of millions of years. However, only certain stars (called young stellar objects, or YSOs) are born in a gas-rich environment that becomes the type of debris that forms protoplanetary disks like the one around AWI0005x3s. Compare most YSO disks that seem to disappear by about 10 million years and you get a picture of why this disk is unusual for not fading away about 35 million years earlier.

And this is only the beginning! The Disk Detective project needs more "citizen scientists" to help classify the right kind of debris disks from millions of images of stars (over 2,000,000 subjects have so far been classified and that's 40% of the total). More scientific breakthroughs are out there, and citizen science is a chance for a person like me who isn't a "rocket surgeon" (yes, I'm being silly) to be a part of a scientific community, discovering strange new worlds.

(Edited for clarification.)

The Nostalgist

A touching story of dystopian society that longs for utopia. Based on a short story by Daniel H. Wilson, this short film was produced and directed by Giacomo Cimini and stars Lambert Wilson and Samuel Joslin.

Maker Profile - Jake van Slatt on MAKE: television

Jake von Slatt is an artist and tinkerer whose steampunk designs are renowned and have been featured in national media. Make: magazine's Youtube channel, follows von Slatt as he discusses his art and the world of Steampunk in general. You can find out more about his steam-powered and steam-inspired designs on his website, The Steampunk Workshop.

Alphonse Swinehart - "Riding Light"

Riding Light is a presentation of a photon (a packet of light) emitted from the sun and traveling for 45 minutes at relativistic speed. Through his shared vision, Alphonse Swinehart gives us a glimpse at, not only the speed at which light travels but, also, how insignificant the size of our home really is compared to our solar system - at the very least. The following comments about this musical 800-million-plus-kilometer sprint across part of the solar system (at which point, we have only just passed Jupiter), were posted by the author on Vimeo, and describes how he put this extraordinary visual together.

Alphonse Swinehart:

"In our terrestrial view of things, the speed of light seems incredibly fast. But as soon as you view it against the vast distances of the universe, it's unfortunately very slow. This animation illustrates, in realtime, the journey of a photon of light emitted from the sun and traveling across a portion of the solar system.

I've taken liberties with certain things like the alignment of planets and asteroids, but overall I've kept the size and distances of all the objects as accurate as possible. I also decided to end the animation just past Jupiter as I wanted to keep the running length below an hour."

Music: Steve Reich "Music for 18 Musicians"
Performed by: Eighth Blackbird
http://www.eighthblackbird.org/

How to build a performer. Here is a Michael Baldwin video that is Flash Boiler worthy. "Engines" by GaryGo. Enjoy!

GaryGo Engines from Michael Baldwin on Vimeo.

Steampunk Anime: Last Exile

I am going to flashback to several of the really good anime series' that I have come across in my life. Japanese animation has really added much to the steampunk genre, that to ignore it would be missing out on really great works of art and dramatic presentation. By no means are the order in which I post them on here an indication of quality comparison between them. The first one I will mention today is the first in a two season series. This is fortunately available to view for free thanks to Funimation and you can even order the series on DVD on their site (you guys are awesome, thanks!).

The story begins with top-of-her-class navigator, Lavie Head, and first rate pilot, Claus Valca, working together to earn their livings doing easy courier work in retro-futuristic sky vehicles called vanships. The "planes" fly without wings, instead using an antigravity source of energy to hold them aloft rather than relying on airfoils for lift. This makes the vanships highly maneuverable, yet highly dangerous, to fly.

Meanwhile, war is brewing between Claus' and Lavie's home nation of Anatoray and an opposing nation, Disrith, on the other side of a region of unusual turbulence in a separate dimension above the planet, called "the Grand Stream." Intrigue pulls the two friends into unexpected danger when they take on an urgent delivery to Duke Madossein of Anatoray.

From Studio Gonzo, directed by Koichi Chigira, featuring art from anime master Range Murata, and music composed by Hitomi Kuroishi, I am sure you will enjoy each episode. Here is the preview trailer for the DVD set that Funimation distributes.

For the steampunk hobbyist, I recommend finding the complete boxed set that was released on November 21, 2004. The deluxe edition of this set included a model of Tatiana's and Alister's red vanship, a short story on the "Battle of Otranto" (mentioned in episode 11), unpublished articles on the series, and illustrations by character designer Range Murata. The selling point for me on this set is the card-model vanship that I my 8-year-old son can run around with in our living room pretending to cross the Grand Stream!

JVC (Victor Entertainment, Japan) distributed the original soundtrack for Last Exile, and has a site where you find out more information about anything to do with the series - that is, unfortunately, only if you can also read Japanese (which I do not). However, there are many images to peruse and if you can get a good Japanese-English translation engine to convert the site for you, you can read all about the flying machines, the characters, the staff and cast, as well as design notes and even a glossary of "Words*" - terminology - that are used in the episodes. All of this information is linked here and (old) "News" info for merchandise is linked here. Plus, the page has news of other extras that you can then search on eBay for (3G iPhone covers, a model of a vanship made of ABS/PVC, etc.).

Whether you wish to buy it or simply watch it online, Funimation provides both options on its website for English speaking fans. Whether you prefer to see it dubbed or subbed is up to you. Each episode title utilizes chess terminology. Therefore, the first episode is appropriately titled, "First Move."

The video above is the first episode on Funimation's YouTube channel, and is looped to play all of them - that is, if you have the time. Please note that it is subtitled on YouTube. If you want to watch it without having to read everything, then you need to visit Funimation's website to watch the dubbed version of Last Exile, here, which was also very well translated and voice talented. Enjoy!

Live-action Steampunk film: Aurora

Weekend Project: The Raygun

Ambition the film

In the far future, humanity's first successful attempt to catch and study a comet is discussed between a master and apprentice as the beginning of the drive to explore the universe. This short film was shown preceding the ESA's presentation on the Rosetta mission's successful landing of the Philae probe on comet 67P. According to the ESA on YouTube, "Ambition is a collaboration between Platige Image and ESA. Directed by Tomek Bagiński and starring Aidan Gillen and Aisling Franciosi, Ambition was shot on location in Iceland, and screened on 24 October 2014 during the British Film Institute’s celebration of Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder, at the Southbank, London."

Getting back on the Steam Trek

I'm back, so to speak. I am about to get really busy again, but I thought I would take the time to catch everyone up on what's been going on since my last (forever ago) posts.

I was working with a chap in England on turning a minitures tabletop game into a web version. However, since his promotion at his job, along with him getting married and having a baby, and then getting really active with his local larping community, the project has fallen off the charts.

I, on the other hand could not sustain the coding load by myself whilst working on my studies in nuclear physics. I have been (if I haven't mentioned before) doing nuclear research at the university I attend, on track for a nuclear mechanical engineering Bachelor of Science degree. Three research projects in three years with three successful and awarded results. Not to mention all the studying I've been doing in between all of that. Whew! I'm beat.

This year, I have taken an approved academic leave of absence due to health issues ("I'm getting better," said the old man on the cart before he got hit on the head) and moved out of Student Housing to buy a house while the buying is still good.

Over the summer, I have been getting to certain persons on the east coast who happen to have an interest in my artwork. So, presently I am doing art and graphic design with a podcaster in California for a couple of weeks for his website and Facebook page.

I have also just gone through an interviewing process with two individuals working on a seperate but related project, and Iam told that I have a couple of assignments that I can start working on once all the paperwork is complete.


But on to the good stuff, the reason that you come to this page in the first place:

I happen to be an avid Star Trek fan (ToS through Nemesis (not much a fan of Orci's and Abrams' versions of Trek), and the upcoming Axanar), I've come across some steampunk art that I found worth sharing. Forget about re-evisioning the present, let's re-envision the far-flung future! From fantastic German Deviant Artist, Flo Svensson, here are samples of some fine craftsmanship. After you see these, you will want to check out all his other goodies, so go check out his galleries. And don't forget to tell him what an awesome Steampunker he is!

Steam Punk in the Cinema Part 1

Whew!! Life has been extremely busy of late. Between classes at the university and a separate web project that I am running, there hasn't been much time to grease the squeaks in the Flash Boiler. Nevertheless, I had to post a few videos that I found recently that all carry the steam punk theme. Instead of popping them up all at once, however, I plan on posting them as a series.

First off, this week's clip is a 2010 Russian film called The Invention of Love. Very dystopian, I hope you like it:

Google honors Thomas Edison

Yet another Google homage to science, the search engine website has spelled their company name with "working" schematics of Thomas Edison's inventions to honor the 164th birthday of the innovative engineer.

Aside from the obvious electric light, can you identify the other contraptions?

   

Google Pays Tribute to Jules Verne

In a unique layout of their logo, Google opened a window into the steampunk universe on their search engine front page. With interactive features, the logo features a seascape that is framed with Nautilus-like trim. A handle to the right of the logo allows one to rotate the underwater view as if in a submersible. Any with motion sensitive technology in their Chrome or Firefox hand-held browsers can tilt their "Nautilus" to move the scene. As the scene pitches or yaws, dials move on the instrument panel to the left. The custom logo was done in honor of the influential author's birthday. Mr. Verne would have been 183 today.

Steam Sound Machines and Sound Steam Engines

Now that I am settled in after moving 500 miles west, I have started my research again and have found a couple of nice pieces of contributions of video involving steam power and practical applications. From a whimsical entertaining piece of equipment to a whimsical entertainer, here are my latest finds:

Simon Jansen of Auckland, New Zealand, shared his steam-powered record player with Make Magazine online. In the video he provided Make, he is playing the Sex Pistols' rock anthem "God Save the Queen" on an LP with a regulated speed of approximately 33 1/3. A beautiful piece of functional steampunk art! You can see more about his creation on the Make Magazine website.

Next, check out this "webisode" of the now canceled gear-head series, Garage 419, in which Jay Leno takes Matt Farah through his garage and talks to him and his viewing audience about the wonder and efficiency of steam powered motor vehicles.
   

Inexpensive Flash Boiler

Here's a really well done set of DIY instruction videos, from LynxSteam, on a simple home-built flash boiler. The author also has other interesting instruction videos that I am going to be watching that deal with wind power.

Steampunk Visual

The move is finished and I have finally put the computer back together. Got the emails (mostly) checked, so I decided to get caught up on my shows on Hulu. One of the recommendations that the site has given me is one of the first live action sci-fi web series to feature the steampunk genre, called Riese: Kingdom Falling. As a web production, is generated so much interest last December that it was bought and aired on SyFy.

I will check it out and see if it is worth recommeding.


 

The Pathfinder

I recently read the preview short story, called "Expendables," by Orson Scott Card. It is a collection of episodic chapter prologues from his upcoming new book, Pathfinder. If anybody remembers the Ender series of books and the spin-off Ender's Shadow series, this next endeavor is a greatly anticipated return to science fiction for Card. Here is a 'trailer' for the first book in this new series coming November 23:

A Move in Progress

Due to the recent news that I would be allowed to finish my degree at a University, I have decided to take up the offer. This requires moving the family closer to the campus, so we are in the process of packing everything up in boxes to go on the road.


Moving is such an expensive endeavor, and I would not normally make such a decision; however, several factors have been involved in going through with this:

1. the University is paying for my tuition to attend there (doesn't include books, but it's still fantastic)
2. the company I work for is willing to transfer me (and is looking forward to having me there)
3. the housing arrangements have been taken care of quickly and worry free
4. and our landlord at our current residence is waiving the lease for remainder of time here (a wonderful gentleman, we are going to miss him).

What does this mean for my book and my research? Merely a change in environment. I am currently halfway through the first short story that will give a background to the complete novel. I am taking a page from the Orson Scott Card "school of writing" and will have chapter headings that parallel the context of the chapters themselves with flashbacks and "little-did-they-knows." I will post when I send it off to a sf mag to review for publication, and if it is accepted, I will reveal which magazine it is appearing in.

Meanwhile, I am a fan of the Food Network Challenge and just saw a really cool episode last night called "Flying Sugar." The competition was to create confectionery "flying machines," and there were some great steampunk-themed designs. Watch the Food Network to see it on October 30th.

Steampunk Past Almost a Reality

As a way of explanation as to why I have embarked on this route to imagine a history rewritten, I submit to you a key element to which the steampunk past made possible could have hinged.

A steam-powered device used for computation was imagined in 1837 by the amazing Charles Babbage, who called the contraption an "analytical engine". It remains one of the greatest inventions that ever was conceived but never came to fruition, due to a variety of reasons, including Babbage being turned down for governmental funding that would have made his dream a reality.

Babbage died before he could see out the construction of the analytical engine himself, with only partial pieces finished (on display in the London Science Museum), and a demonstration version of what he termed a "mill" completed by his son Henry P. Babbage. The "mill" was essentially a CPU, an arithmetical unit able to perform all four arithmetic operations, plus comparisons and square roots. If built, the analytical engine would have been about the size of a small steam locomotive, and capable of holding approximately 20.7 kilobytes of memory, with 1.7 kilobytes of expandable memory.

Before frowning at the juxtaposition of the massive size of the entire device to the seemingly small size of the memory capacity, keep in mind that it would have been in many ways more advanced than some of the first computers that emerged a century later in the 1940s, as it would have been digital, programmable, and a "universal Turing machine" long before Alan Turing introduced his own concept in 1936.

All of this begs the question of how much of a setback this put the advance of technology, and if even greater advances and scientific breakthroughs could have been possible by now. And, if so, would the results be beneficial or detrimental to our society as a whole?

Interestingly enough, science blogger John Graham-Cumming has started a campaign to finally build the marvelous device while using Babbage's original blueprints stored at the Science Museum in London. If built, it would the first complete working model of the machine. It would also be a humanitarian endeavor, as Mr. Graham-Cumming has stated his intent to donate the completed machine to either London's Science Museum or the National Museum of Computing. His Plan98.org website is asking 50,000 people to pledge money towards building the machine. So far, 3,448 have already pledged their support; however, 46,552 will be needed by the deadline on January 31, 2011 to make an important piece of potential steampunk history a present-day reality.

What A Novel Idea

Well, I have been working on my piece of science fiction for some time, and am beginning to lay some groundwork to start on the first part of the novel. I am thinking of writing a few short stories to provide a glimpse of the world in which the novel takes place to introduce the characters and milieu. This will give me a chance to publish them as a test bed for gauging the success of the novel as a whole.

All in all, the hardest part of the process is trying to find the time to do it in. I am a promotional and marketing director as well as a core artist of a fine art gallery. Between that and the actual breadwinner job I have (art isn't doing so well in this economy), I have had little time for my writing until recently.

The book itself is a retro-futuristic novel that explores what could have happened if the steam-powered analytical engine was built with computer technology based on steam power developing from there. Think of the advances in quantum science that we would have had by now if that were possible. For my story, society will have had to come to terms with some grievous errors made in the name of science, leading it to eschew the push for advanced technology (say goodbye to the electrical grid).

Instead, the society in my novel will take a not-so-graceful step back to the drawing board, so to speak, building scientific understand from the ground up based on new principles that are in harmony with environmental needs.

If only it were that simple! There will always be the individuals that do not want to go along with the status quo and for reasons either noble or otherwise, they will work against the societal standards. The conflicts should be interesting.

Part of my writing process is to sketch and paint the world in which the story takes place as a means to express and develop the backdrop. So, I will post my pieces here to help convey what I envision that world to be. Stay tuned...