 |
 |
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
   
|
|||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| So you're into sci fi? But what about sci fact? Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction... Each month our very own Voyager Science Queen* will bring you interesting, quirky and downright bizarre tasty morsels from the world of science. And its all completely, totally, 100% true! July Sci-Facts |
The Vortex By popular request, this month I will be entering the vortex. A vortex, in its simplest sense, is a whirling mass of air or water that is forming a funnel or whirlpool, and is creating suction towards the centre of the funnel. A good example of this is the fast spin created by skaters, when they start out slow with their limbs extended and then draw their limbs in, speeding up their spin. As the air or water whirls, the faster spinning mass in the centre creates the area of low pressure, causing the suction. In everyday life, you see a vortex every time you empty a sink or bath. On a larger scale, cyclones, tornadoes, whirlwinds and waterspouts are also vortices. The Western Australian vortex is an offshoot of the Leeuwin Current, a river of warm water that sweeps south along the coast, and can reach as far as Tasmania. The current was named for the Dutch merchant ship, Leeuwin, which explored the Southwest coast of Western Australia in 1622. The start of the Leeuwin Current is north of North West Cape, where tropical ocean currents drain from the Pacific Ocean into the Indian Ocean through the Indonesian Archipelago. The current and the vortex vary in strength throughout the year, as water temperatures go through their seasonal fluctuation. The vortex is running at its strongest in winter. The vortex is easily detected by satellite, off Rottnest Island, as it is strongly coloured by coastal plankton. It is a large eddy floating upon the calmer waters of the deep ocean, and prevents the denser cooler water from welling up. This prevents the natural replenishment of the nutrients in these areas by these deep water currents. On the other hand, the warmer water helps keep the local coral communities healthy and thriving. Strong winds can effect the pattern of the vortex, and it can also form smaller ‘eddies’ at infrequent intervals. So, there you go, Eddie.
Biography of the Month: Caroline Lucretia Herschel Born: 16 March 1750; Died: 9 Jan 1848 (Hanover, Germany) Caroline Herschel was the first woman to discover a comet. She is also one of the few women to have a moon crater named after her, and the crater lies on the Western part of the Mare Imbrium. A minor planet was named Lucretia in her honour, in 1889, after her middle name, by fellow astronomer Johann Palisa. Caroline was never formally educated by her parents, Isaac and Anna Herschel. It was her mother’s belief that only boys should have a proper education, and girls should be trained in home duties. Luckily, her father appreciated her intellect enough to encourage her to expand her interests. After the death of her father, Caroline moved in with her brother William, possibly to escape her repressive and domineering mother. She was never to marry. William, though working as an organist, was interested in both astronomy and mathematics. He gave his sister lessons in music and singing, English and his two favourite subjects. When William began to construct telescopes, Caroline would help him with their setting up. He continued to teach her algebra, geometry and spherical trigonometry, vital skills for making astronomical observations. In 1781, William Herschel discovered Uranus. On 1 August 1786, Caroline discovered her first comet (Was she competitive by nature? I guess we will never know.). Over her lifetime, Caroline discovered eight comets, between 1786 and 1797. As well, she cross-referenced and corrected the star catalogue which had been produced by John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal. She spent the last part of her life helping to educate John Herschel, her nephew, and assisting him in his researches. She became a celebrity in her own right, and was often visited or consulted by other scientists. She was honoured by both the Royal Society (of the United Kingdom) and the Royal Irish Academy. I think it is refreshing to see a woman who wasn’t afraid to follow her own heart. Concept of the Month: Comets I have touched upon the subject of comets in previous Science Pages,
but just in case you have forgotten: Lynne’s Literary Comment
|
| *The Voyager Science Queen is also known as Lynne Green So, who is this woman who attempts to entertain us with Science? Well, I really am a scientist. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Queensland, in Zoology. And, at the moment, I am working in a Pathology laboratory. I have always been intensely curious about every aspect of our universe, from the teeny tiny workings of the gene right up to the mind-bending forces that are twisting and knotting inside a blackhole. So, now I am sharing a brain stuffed full of trivia...and hopefully entertaining people at the same time. As well, I write Fantasy stories and novels. One day, I hope to have a book published, but don't hold your breath. Reading is my other major love, and my favourite authors are Terry Pratchett and Isaac Asimov, though I could list hundreds of others. If I had one wish, I ask for more time to write! Read previous Sci-Facts: The Baddies on Your Bread Looking for more scientific oddities? Have you checked out Dr Steven Juan's website? He is, quite literally, the wizard of odds! |
Home | Books | Authors | Community | News | Contact us | FAQ | Sitemap Terms of use | Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2003 HarperCollinsPublishers Australia. All rights reserved. |