Forrest,
I remember reading the article in the SAS
E-Bulletin about using a scanner for imaging things (http://www.sas.org/E-Bulletin/2004-01-16/labNotes/body.html).
You had also talked about having an upcoming article on tree
rings.
This got me to thinking, and I did a little
experimenting scanning tree rings with a scanner. I used my
Epson Perfection 3170 to scan a sample from a red elm tree
that I had to cut down this past fall (2004). The tree was
dying and threatening the house with fallen limbs or maybe
the whole tree. The ring sample was too big to fit on the
scanner all at once so I scanned it in two parts and combined
the images.
You can find the image at http://www.fmtcs.com/web/jmhannon/elmrings6.jpg.
The black dot on the wood indicates the same spot on both
scans.
Jim Hannon
Jim, great work. I've had excellent results
scanning numerous tree sections using scanners in this fashion.
I also use a digital camera. There hasn't been time to assemble
an article yet. I'll definitely put this on the "to do"
list. Editor.
Editor,
I enjoy reading The Citizen Scientist. Mr. Coppola
wanted to know how the "mind reading" program works
( Flash
Mind Reader).
It is based on a very simple principle of
number theory that doing the math it requests (taking a two-digit
number, adding the digits and then subtracting them from the
original) results in only ten possible answers. All ten have
the same mystic symbol associated with them. A few other randomly
chosen numbers have the same symbol in order to make it harder
to track the trick.
When the viewer clicks on the crystal ball,
the symbol appears. The next time the user tries the trick
a different symbol is associated with the ten numbers.
Tim Kraemer
I don't know whether this is news to you,
but I have learned that the U.S. Consumer Products Safety
Commission is acting to eliminate suppliers of "hazardous"
chemicals to the non-professional market.
The action appears targeted at pyrotechnics hobbyists, but,
if successful, it will likely eliminate ALL supply sources
for all amateur uses.
The following web pages explain the situation in more detail
(too much detail, really--I'm still looking for a more concise
explanation): http://www.fireworksfoundation.org/CPSC-Handel.aspx
The Fireworks Foundation is soliciting donations and planning
defense. See: http://www.
fireworksfoundation.org/donations.aspx . I would very
much like to see SAS support their action.
I have no connection with the Foundation,
and I don't know any of the people there. Their contact info
can be found here: http://www.fireworksfoundation.org/trustees.aspx
Olin Sibert 
|
