AstroInformatics I: From Data to Knowledge June 23, 2010
Posted by sarah in: astro 2.0, astronomy . 1 comment so far
Optical layout of LSST, the catalyst for many semantic headaches
Like many sciences, astronomy is becoming increasingly data-rich. The next generation of observatories, such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, will produce staggering amounts of data every night and push the subject into the petabyte regime. The large surveys that feed a substantial portion of the research community today, such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, are already demonstrating the difficulties of converting large datasets into knowledge: converting the data into catalogues, estimating selection biases and performing robust statistics are all common problems to those working with the data. Astroinformatics, or the science behind the information captured in our wealth of astronomical data, is therefore becoming an increasingly relevant field of study. The AstroInformatics 2010 conference was organised with the aim of essentially defining this emerging field.
AstroInformatics 2010 June 17, 2010
Posted by sarah in: astro 2.0, dotastronomy . Add a comment
The AstroInformatics 2010 conference is currently going on at Caltech in Pasadena. There’s a substantial online presence, if you can’t attend but want to take part in the discussion, here’s some links!
- The conference programme is here (times in Pacific time!)
- Follow the talks on Ustream
- Track the tweets (hashtag #astroinfo2010)
- Join in the discussion on the blog
More to follow!
The Big Bang Debate June 12, 2010
Posted by sarah in: reviews, science, women . 5comments
A few days ago, I posted this poll about the show The Big Bang Theory, asking the question if it was bad for science (and women). I closed the poll last night, the votes are in, you people have spoken. Here’s the final results from 58 votes – and thanks for voting, polls are fun!
Most of you don’t seem to take sitcoms all that seriously, and that’s probably a sensible attitude. Also, quite a few of you think I should get a life. That’s probably also a fair statement. Beyond that, there’s about twice the number of BBT-lovers as there are BBT-haters, with a smattering of on-the-fencers. Well, you already know where I stand, but before I return back to the life that I do in fact have, let me elaborate.
The Big Bang Theory: Badass or Badness? June 9, 2010
Posted by sarah in: random, science . 3commentsAfter hearing much chatter about it online I finally got round to watching all three seasons of the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. And I love it. Then I discovered, however, that some of my bestest scientist friends really dislike it. They think it sets back both the quest for realistic role models in science and the positive portrayal of women. It seems like the cute little sitcom, immensely popular both in the US and in Europe, is dividing opinions (and here, and here) among scientists. It’s been a while since I played around with polls, so here’s one for you. What do you think?
3 Quarks Daily Science Blogging Awards May 30, 2010
Posted by sarah in: science . 1 comment so farThe excellent multi-disciplinary 3 Quarks Daily blog has announced that following the success of last year’s prizes, it’s starting its second cycle of blogging awards. First up are the science prizes, judged by none other than Richard Dawkins. Other categories to be awarded later this year are politics, philosophy and arts & literature. All the info is on 3QD, here, and nominations can be made by just posting a link in the post’s comments section. The nominations will be closed at the end of the day in EDT on 31 May.
Do you have a favourite sciency blog post – your own or someone else’s? Go nominate it quickly!
