Topic/Overview Dynamic Ocean Topography (DOT), also known as Mean Dynamic Topography Assumed background understanding of ocean geophysics, including tides and currents, and understanding of geodesy, especially difference between ellipsoid and geoid representations of earth Lesson Objectives Students will be able to… Explain what DOT is, and the driving forces of DOT Derive DOT from tidal …
Category: knowledge
Dynamic Ocean Topography in a Flat Earth Perspective
Beware the certain science. I am as bad as many (even in this series of posts) of taking the shorthand of describing a scientific theory in certain terms despite the fact that all theories have some degree of uncertainty (even if relatively small). For our mutual benefit let me state that scientific theory isn’t just …
What is new in dynamic ocean topography?
Dynamic ocean topography (DOT) seems fairly observed, understood, and modeled. There are several satellites observing DOT in real time (OSTM/Jason-2 and Jason 3). There are numerous models (see several listed in the introductory post) for understanding long term trends and near real time DOT. So what does this leave for improvement and future work? One …
Researchers Haven’t Found A Single Endangered Right Whale Calf Yet This Season
Researchers Haven’t Found A Single Endangered Right Whale Calf Yet This Season “The right whales are at a point where more are dying than are being born,” biologist Clay George says. “That’s just not sustainable long-term.” cross-posted on Facebook
A Model of Dynamic Ocean Topography
In the last few posts I’ve introduced you to the concept of dynamic ocean topography (DOT) and what causes it. In this post I’d like to introduce you to one of the global models or estimates of mean DOT and explain a little about how it was made. DOT can change daily which makes it …
Inverse Barometric Effect: A Contribution to Dynamic Ocean Topography
One of the topics I omitted in the first post of this series was the inverse barometric (IB) effect. Think of someone jumping on the side of a waterbed, their mass adds pressure to the water which in turn causes it to flow to places where there is less pressure, like the other side of …
Dynamic Ocean Topography: An Introduction
We generally think of the average height of the ocean as being a height of zero. This is because it can be useful to know how far something is above or below sea level, which is a vertical datum. It is a convenient reference height that is easy to access on the ocean or near …
GGE6022 – Advanced Topics in Ocean Mapping
Over the next few months I will be making several post about an advanced topic in the ocean mapping domain for a course with the University of New Brunswick. To follow along the category label GGE6022 can be used. Other Posts in the Series GGE6022 – Advanced Topics in Ocean Mapping (this post) Dynamic Ocean …
Using photogrammetry for digital headstone etching
I found a damaged and illegible headstone today and wanted to recover the engraving but did not want to disturb it to try for an etching. Instead I attempted to use photogrammetric techniques to 3D model the tombstone and do a “digital etching” by coloring the model by depth. I used my camera phone and AgiSoft PhotoScan and …
The 1704 French and Indian Raid on Deerfield – A Personal Connection
I have been doing a lot of genealogical research recently. I’ve always been interested, but recently I’ve had lots of inspiration after attending the dedication of a historical marker for my 3rd great grandfather, Joel Perkins, on the 17th of April in the town he founded, Lafayette, Oregon. Joel has his own interesting story. Today …
The power of vulnerability
Amazing talk. The power of vulnerability Brené Brown studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share. (Filmed at TEDxHouston.) …
Response to Op-Ed in the Badger Herald: ‘Rape culture’ does not exist
I would welcome a legitimate debate on a concept well established and defined in the peer reviewed literature. But don’t bother reading this piece from the Badger Herald which tries to refute the whole discussion with 629 words. If the comments section is to be believed the piece’s aim is to prompt lively debate. The piece of …
Republicans block science laureate vote over climate change stance fear | theguardian.com
This is so ridiculous I just have to laugh. It seemed entirely harmless: the creation of an honorary and unpaid position of science laureate of the United States to travel around the country and inspire children to be future scientists. But Republicans in Congress last week quashed the initiative, which had gained rare bipartisan support, …
Thomas Thwaites: How I built a toaster — from scratch | Video on TED.com
I really appreciate this project and the dialogue that has surrounded it. The best reactions are the people posing the very questions that the project illustrates who then suggest it’s a waste of time or “self indulgent art.” Without directly asking questions about modern civilization the project very clearly illustrates how specialized nearly every facet …
White Women Teaching White Women about White Privilege, Race Cognizance and Social Action: toward…
In the process of researching bus sitting behavior and male privilege I stumbled on this paper which I found very interesting. The authors suggest that even in an academic environment where there is a presumption of openness, educating people about their privilege is a challenging task. “Three themes emerged from our analysis of our stories …
GPS Design Changes Will Add Waveform Generator, Dual-Launch Capability, and More | Inside GNSS
My GPS nerdling just got super excited. The new GPS satellite design will included a programmable waveform generator, which means the new satellites will be able to take advantage of any future updates to GPS signals even after the launch. Since the realization of the current GPS constellation several new GPS signals have been designed …
Slamming poems with Weston Renoud
I got featured in the Brunswickan for poetry! I gave shout-outs for Poetry is my bread & bananas and Open Mic at the Grad House.Slamming poems with Weston Renoud Renoud and a couple of his friends would frequently drive up to Vancouver or down to Seattle to attend poetry slam venues. Now living in Fredericton, …
Exoplanet Visualization Contest
Exoplanet Visualization Contest! $1500 in prizes for the most creative and inspiring visualization of real exoplanet data. Deadline May 1st.Exoplanet Visualization Contest Extrasolar planets, or exoplanets, are planets beyond our own Solar System. With the prospect of finding potentially habitable planets, this is one of the most exciting scientific areas of the 21st century. Space …
A planoterrestrialist perspective of the Bellingham mystery tortillas
Recently in Bellingham Washington there has been a spat of tortilla graffiti. Yes, tortilla graffiti. Some person or group has been distributing tortillas in zip-lock bags with various non-repeating messages. They have been found taped to street signs, parking meters, and business windows. Nearly 50 of these tortillas have been documented by the ad-hoc enthusiast …
What most schools don’t teach
Everyone can and should have some basic knowledge about coding. It empowers you to interact with and leverage information and technology to benefit yourself and others. For me it started with simple programs on my TI calculator to help me do repetitive math calculations. You too can be programming in minutes, check out all the …