Toy train used to calibrate fusion reactor
While Princeton University's National Spherical Torus Experiment was shut down for improvements over the winter break, scientists and engineers availed themselves of the opportunity to recalibrate the reactor's neutron sensors. To do so, they assembled a circular toy train track around the torus and ran a toy locomotive carrying a chunk of neutron-emitting californium-252 along it for three days. The New York Times explains:
A stationary neutron source was previously used for the calibration, but that did not fully capture how the neutrons bounced around. Putting the californium on the moving train improved the accuracy by about a factor of 10, Dr. Ono said.
Dr. Ono! He should be in the Muppets. And how brilliant to use the train.
Also, I've loved the Antikethyran device since I've heard about it. I get weird favorite things. I've always wondered what we might have accomplished if the Greeks hadn't been conquered by the Romans.
It's really goddamned cold out there. Yet I am still going to walk to the pool. Now. Now. NOW.
I am up in arms about a lot of things, but sort of languidly.
Wave your hands in the air like you care, but not emphatically? It's catchy.
It's really goddamned cold out there. Yet I am still going to walk to the pool. Now. Now. NOW.
I really hope that's an indoor pool.
I have an important discovery to share: listening to Jonathan Coulton sing "Baby Got Back" is the perfect way to make Friday afternoon at work totally bearable.
I finished my book, so I need entertaining for the hour while mac is in therapy. I was tricked into thinking there was more book left, stupid acknowledgements and bookclub discussion section.
Back from seeing Avatar. My brain won't stop screaming.
I have an important discovery to share: listening to Jonathan Coulton sing "Baby Got Back" is the perfect way to make Friday afternoon at work totally bearable.
I really could listen to that over and over again. So good!!
In the Salt Lake City airport, and in one of the terminals where the wifi actually works.
They're trying to find someone to bump. $400 voucher, but you have to take a red-eye to Atlanta and then a flight to New Orleans, or wait until tomorrow. Nope, sorry. You'd have to offer me a lot more money.
