[J]ust as in the sciences we have learned that we are too ignorant to safely pronounce anything impossible, so for the individual, since we cannot know just what are his limitations, we can hardly say with certainty that anything is necessarily within or beyond his grasp. Each must remember that no one can predict to what heights of wealth, fame, or usefulness he may rise until he has honestly endeavored, and he should derive courage from the fact that all sciences have been, at some time, in the same condition as he, and that it has often proved true that the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.
Carl Sagan Partied With Chuck Berry At NASA JPL
Imagine it is the evening of August 25, 1989. You are partying with some scientists in California. Dancing on your right is Carl Sagan while on your left Chuck Berry is playing Johnny B. Goode.
Hero of Geek Myth #3: Maurice Sendak, The Man Who Tamed the Wild
Maurice Sendak , best known for writing and illustrating Where the Wild Things Are, passed away today. Rest in Peace, you magnificent illustrator. We all read your book. Posted by…
Open Source Death Star Kickstarter
After a failed petition to the U.S. government to build a Death Star, someone has taken up the cause to fund the construction project using the popular crowd sourced funding website Kickstarter. Thankfully, to help keep costs down and to help make the project a reality open source hardware and software will be used. Along with “enough chicken wire to protect reactor exhaust ports.” I can’t wait.
Sandra Bullock and Astronaut Cady Coleman Talk About Flying in Space and The Dangers of Fire on the International Space Station
A recent clip posted on the NASA TV YouTube channel gives some insight on how actress Sandra Bullock prepared for her role as Ryan Stone in the film Gravity.
Walk on Walls Using Geckskin
Duncan Irschick and Al Crosby have been working together at UMass Amherst to develop Geckskin. Using a gecko’s foot for inspiration, Geckskin can hold considerable weight while not leaving residue or marks behind like conventional tape or nails would.
Elon Musk’s Mission to Mars
Visionary Elon Musk enjoys a question and answer session with Wired’s Chris Anderson.