Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Antikythera Mechanism


Credit and Copyright: Wikipedia

Explanation: What is it? It was found at the bottom of the sea aboard an ancient Greek ship. Its seeming complexity has prompted decades of study, although some of its functions remained unknown. Recent X-rays of the device have now confirmed the nature of the Antikythera mechanism, and discovered several surprising functions. The Antikythera mechanism has been discovered to be a mechanical computer of an accuracy thought impossible in 80 BC, when the ship that carried it sank. Such sophisticated technology was not thought to be developed by humanity for another 1,000 years. Its wheels and gears create a portable orrery of the sky that predicted star and planet locations as well as lunar and solar eclipses. The Antikythera mechanism, shown above, is 33 centimeters high and similar in size to a large book.
from NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day

h/t
Tim Fowler

Added:
Antikythera clockwork computer may be even older than thought

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Hi, I'm Rusty. This is my story.



Dogs Against Romney is back for the 2012 campaign, and has established a website and twitter page. The group is devoted to publicizing the notorious incident where Mitt Romney strapped the family dog Seamus in a dog carrier attached to the roof of his car, and then kept him there for a twelve hour-long trip until the dog relieved himself and ended up covered in excrement.
h/t
Volokh

More Imelda May!



I'm pretty sure it was Sipp who first put me on to Imelda May.