Science thread [merged]

[dwaino]

Latest images of the Martian surface taken by Curiosity:

[Loui Tufga]

Latest images of the Martian surface taken by Curiosity:

Why isn't the sky blue?

[Yeahright]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRsPheErBj8

[dwaino]

Why isn't the sky blue?

Not sure if srs O_o

But... it's because the atmosphere has a different composition and light is bent at different angles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRsPheErBj8

  could use a computer nerd at the moment. Can't find anything definitive on whether to use a fixed or offset voltage when overclocking a CPU. Load line calibration 

[Dubstep Dookie]

Has anyone recently calibrated a pressure transducer? I've tried a deadweight but it's particularly sensitive and not having much luck.

Note:- it's the Piezoresistive strain gauge type (mono crystalline of course!) I've toggled with the L4s on the bridge circuit but no luck   

[dwaino]

Gee whiz http://electronicdesign.com/article/unassigned/calibration_of_piezoresistive_pressure_sensors_by_external_or_integrated_circuits 

[Dubstep Dookie]

Yeah I get all that but I think it's more of a nominal bridge resistance issue that's throwing things out...hmmmmmm I might have to take it to Marty's tomorrow

[Loui Tufga]

I have never had this issue with the deadweight tester Are you using all the right type of instruments?
When I do the test I follow this procedure......
First: You need the following recently calibrated instruments - deadweight tester, voltage source, and DMM. Remember that the accuracy of your calibration is only as good as the total uncertainty of this "system." (Note: Some deadweight testers can be calibrated for your local gravitational constant! There are also other types of pressure generating equipment available, but they all depend on a known-good gauge/transducer.)
Second: I use an 11 point test: 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%. Slowly rotate the piston at each step so stiction doesn't affect your reading. Going up and down on the pressure will check for hysteresis, especially important with gauges.
Third: Keep good records and check on a regular basis.

Be very careful when comparing the accuracy of pressure transducers! There appears to be no standard convention so different manufacturers will state different numbers which are difficult to compare.

Let us know if you can't get a reading, I do have another way

[Dubstep Dookie]

All good - was the nominal bridge resistance issue after all 

Cheers,

Dooks

[wayne]

Latest images of the Martian surface taken by Curiosity:

That looks like the hill that Arnie fell down and cracked his helmet.

[dwaino]

I was looking for some info on that starfish with human teeth and found this that I know a few people would be keen on

NSFW
http://www.cracked.com/article/125_13-real-animals-lifted-directly-out-your-nightmares/

But being from cracked.com just be warned that some of the language may not be safe for work

[Eat_em_Alive]

I was looking for some info on that starfish with human teeth and found this that I know a few people would be keen on

NSFW
http://www.cracked.com/article/125_13-real-animals-lifted-directly-out-your-nightmares/

But being from cracked.com just be warned that some of the language may not be safe for work

Interesting viewing, are they all supposedly real or are they taking the pee?

[dwaino]

They're all fair dinkim.

[Eat_em_Alive]

They're all fair dinkim.

Awesome

[dwaino]

Are humans getting dumber? http://m.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1287365--are-humans-getting-dumber-one-u-s-biologist-thinks-we-ve-got-nothing-on-hunter-gatherers-of-old

I was just talking to the missus about this the other day. Many don't realise, but you would of had the same quality of life in ancient Egypt, even early Rome than we all do now. The Egyptians had antibiotics and other medicines to cure ailments from naturally occurring sources. Aristophanes even proved the world was round and almost pinpointed the circumference. We're cheating Darwinism with technology and it's the only reason we're still around.