Category Archives: science

Colbert gets his liftoff

August 26, 2009Hilarity, science, Technology, VideoColbert, International Space Station, ISS, NASA, space, Stephen Colbert, The Colbert ReportScott Meisner

After receiving the most votes at NASA’s website, actor Stephen Colbert won the contest to put his last name on the next ISS module to launch into space. After deeming the situation inappropriate, NASA decided to name the module “Tranquility” and gave Colbert a consolation prize. After all, he did give the International Space Station a boost in popularity on his show “The Colbert Report.” His prize? NASA came up with this acronym: C.O.L.B.E.R.T. is the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill. Better than nothing, I guess. Check out his response video above.

[Via Gizmodo]

The Big Bang, the ten dimensions explained

August 21, 2009science, Technology, VideoBig Bang, dimensions, educational, space, timeScott Meisner

!INTERESTING ALERT! WATCH THESE VIDEOS AND YOUR BRAIN WILL GROW AND EXPAND EXPONENTIALLY.

Well, maybe it won’t, but still. These two videos are highly interesting and worth watching. The first one features astrophysicist Janne Levin explaining her model of the Big Bang theory and the potential ways it may have occured. The second video discusses the ten dimensions in great detail, integrating the notions of space and time. Although it is explained in layman’s terms with situational examples, the concepts can be difficult to entirely grasp. I’m telling you, though, it is worth the 11 minute trip. Sit back, relax, and get learn’d.

[Via Gizmodo]

Freezing Mentos in icecubes to make explosion labeled hoax, pranksters cry everywhere

August 20, 2009science, VideoCoke, experiment, hoax, Mentos, prank, scienceScott Meisner

The folks at Steve Spangler Science have finally shut and bolted the door on the famous prank that if you freeze Mentos inside icecubes and place them in Coke a crazy explosion will follow. Everyone knows that if you put a Mentos by itself in a cup of Coke a chemical reaction will occur. However, the sneakier ploy of freezing them inside icecubes and then dropping them in Coke, waiting for them to melt and create a mess does not work. Check out the video above to see for yourself and find out why.

[Via Gizmodo]