As we have seen in recent days, Betelgeuse (usually the 11th brightest visible star) has started to climb back up the magnitude scale; right on time for a 420 – 430 day cycle. That suggests that the event since October is likely a superposition of dimming cycles. The long- expected Type II supernova is put on hold. Some time in the next 100,000 years is projected. Also, Betelgeuse is actually the brightest star, when we look at the near infrared (excepting the Sun, of course). This is because its spectral peak is actually in the infrared, much like that for an old fashioned incandescent lamp. That brings up the question of star spectra and the close relationship of such spectra Read More ›

Involving quantum mechanics: In an enormously complicated 165-page paper, computer scientist Zhengfeng Ji and colleagues present a result that penetrates to the heart of deep questions about math, computing and their connection to reality. It’s about a procedure for verifying the solutions to very complex mathematical propositions, even some that are believed to be impossible to solve. In essence, the new finding boils down to demonstrating a vast gulf between infinite and almost infinite, with huge implications for certain high-profile math problems. Seeing into that gulf, it turns out, requires the mysterious power of quantum physics. Tom Siegfried, “How a quantum technique highlights math’s mysterious link to physics” at ScienceNews It’s not entirely clear why a link between physics and Read More ›