(3.14) In Providence, totality begins at 2:26am, Friday, March 14. So either stay up late or get up early. Partial eclipse begins 1:09am. Clouds might be a problem. NASA explains the whole “blood” thing: A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align so that the Moon passes into Earth’s shadow. In a total lunar […]
(3.15) Want to touch a human brain? I bet your kid does. Brain Waves RI will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this Saturday at Brown University’s Engineering Research Building for the annual Brain Fair. And there’s more: Measure your brain waves, try some virtual reality, meet a scientist, try on some distortion goggles. (And the
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour tonight. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2am, Sunday morning. Go here for the official United States time. As far as we know this site is still maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This site will tell you how accurate the clock on your
(3.7) Head over to the State House Friday and join like-minded people in the national Stand Up For Science protest. From measles to climate change, the idiots in the White House seem determined to take us back to the dark ages. We are being led by a brainless lunatic who has ordered the dismantling of
It was more of a jolt and a thump, but there was no mistaking — Providence residents felt an earthquake this morning at 10:22am. The epicenter was just southeast of York Harbor, Maine; the United States Geological Survey has clocked it at 3.8 on the Richter Scale. (Don’t know whether the new administration meant to
[Update about January 21 from staff astronomer Jackson: Whenever the temperature drops below 20 degrees, even though the sky may be clear, Ladd unfortunately, for the comfort of both the staff and our guests, will be closed. Our next scheduled open house is January 28th, weather permitting.] Winter break is over and Ladd Observatory staff
(11.15) November’s full supermoon reaches peak illumination on Friday, November 15. This will be our fourth and final supermoon of the year. Why not get away from the city lights and take a guided hike in Roger Williams Park: Explore the moonlit trails of Roger Williams Park with the Museum of Natural History and Roger
(10.12) You can’t spell ‘fungi’ without a little ‘fun.’ The Blackstone Parks Conservancy will be holding one of its 15-minute field trips Saturday afternoon; this time the topic will be Mysterious Mushrooms. Learn about the role of fungi in the environment, even how they communicate (no joke). They will be making mushrooms out of clay
The Ladd Observatory will be open to the public on Monday evenings now through the end of the semester — weather permitting. (It will no longer be open on Tuesdays.) Even an overcast sky can ruin the fun, so look out your window before leaving the house. If the clouds move in, nobody will be
Unless of course . . . clouds. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a rare G4 geomagnetic storm watch which could produce a northern light show in our area late Friday night into early Saturday, May 11th (geomagnetic storms are measured on a five-point scale): A coronal mass ejection (CME) is an eruption
(4.8) In case you hadn’t heard, we have a solar eclipse happening Monday, April 8. Observers in Providence will be in the penumbra, seeing the partial eclipse. That may not be totality, but 90% of the sun will be covered, and unlike other areas along the path, we may have the advantage of clear skies.
(3.16) Want to touch a brain? You know you do. Brain Waves RI will be hosting another Brown Brain Fair this Saturday at the Engineering Research Center. Brain fairs feature 40+ tables with games and fun activities. Meet scientists and clinicians, learn about local colleges and programs, and pick up information about community resources. Touch
Throwing an eclipse party? Don’t spoil the fun by blinding your guests — order your ISO compliant glasses and viewers now. You need to get the right ones. The American Astronomical Society has issued an advisory with info on making the safe choice: To help the public obtain properly documented, vetted viewers, the AAS Solar
Curious about how the brain works? Are your kids interested in science? Touch a real human brain, measure your brain waves, or try on some distortion goggles at Brain Waves Rhode Island‘s two upcoming Brain Fairs: Saturday, March 9, at the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket; and Saturday, March 16, at Brown’s Engineering Research Center
(2.6) Finally! A Tuesday night with clear skies. Keep in mind, weather can be changeable, but as of this morning, staff astronomer Francine Jackson was inviting the public to tonight’s open house. I encourage you to follow her weekly newsletters as they are packed with skywatching news and astronomy history. This week she reminds us
That’s right, this museum wants you to play with its treasures and $10 gets you one entire day of unlimited play; you can even leave and return during the same day of purchase. Seen here is Joe Paquin, one of the co-founders, along with Emily Rose and Michael Pare, of the Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and