About The Citizen Scientist!
The Citizen Scientist is a tool, a forum, a gallery of uncommon ingenuity. Every week we publish news, ideas, and techniques from the amateur scientist community. Our goal is to educate and empower those who enjoy testing the limits of their genius and experience against the wonders and mysteries of science and technology.
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 Hawk Captures a Copperhead Snake
Jay Yeaman
When I first noticed the hawk shown in Fig. 1, I thought it was injured. One wing was spread out, and the other was tucked to its body. As I approached the bird, it ruffled its head feathers in an effort to run me off. After realizing I had encroached on the hawk's area...
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Solar Aureole Photos and Asian Dust
David R. Brooks, Ph.D.
Our local weather during March 2010 has included many cloud-free days -- ideal conditions for photographing the solar aureole
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Poorman's Space Program
A BalloonSat Update
Paul Verhage's series on near space experiments using BalloonSats is among the most important collections of amateur science articles to appear in The Citizen Scientist. Paul will eventually publish the series as a book. Meanwhile, be sure to stay tuned to Paul's latest installments in the series
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The Drunkards Walk – How Randomness Rules Our Lives by Leonard Mlodinow
Reviewed by Mike Dziekan
Vice-President, Engineering
Connecticut Analytical Corporation
At one time or another, many have been sure that they have discovered causality based upon quick and mostly wishful observations. How many of us are sure that our favorite football or baseball team is on a so-called winning streak, only to be disappointed when that “streak” was snapped?
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Moon Myths – What We Think We Really Know About Our Closest Celestial Neighbor
Mike Dziekan
VP Engineering
Connecticut Analytical Corporation
Throughout history people have looked up at the Moon in wonder. Some have worshipped it, some saw a face or an animal, and a few studied it scientifically. People have come up with many interesting stories and theories related to the Moon, some true, and some, well, completely erroneous. Many of these theories have been either proven or put to rest. |
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Teachable Moments Through Observational Science
Wade Geery
Elementary students in Norfork, Arkansas, have conducted and reported well over a quarter of a million GLOBE measurements during the past decade. By far the majority of these measurements have been automated data logger digital measurements. These digital measurements produce less real learning than the interpolation of analog instrument values initially used by the GLOBE program.
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This Week at Hilton Pond
Bill Hilton Jr.
Executive Director
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History
York, South Carolina 29745 USA
Appalachian Spring 2010 (22-30 April 2010)
As always, participants in the just-completed New River Birding & Nature Festival in West Virginia were enthralled by natural wonders of the Mountain State, so "This Week at Hilton Pond" we share some up-close images of Appalachian spring birds and wildflowers we observed while conducting Festival workshops and leading field trips. |
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