Some people believe in ghosts, while others remain unconvinced. I fall into the latter group — not from total disbelief, but driven by curiosity and a desire to see if there is a natural explanation. My night at the Old South Pittsburgh Hospital (OSPH) was filled with moments that seemed…
Category: Science
Celestial Fireworks: Witnessing a Nova’s Return
In the vast theater of the universe, some stars capture our imagination more than others. Among these is Polaris, the “North Star,” Sirius, the brightest star in the sky; Betelgeuse, a red giant in Orion; and T Coronae Borealis, the “Blaze Star.” What’s that? You’re not familiar with T Coronae…
Polar Shifts: The Secrets of Earth’s Magnetic Flips
Welcome to an exploration of one of Earth’s most captivating natural phenomena: magnetic pole reversals. The concept of the North and South poles switching places might seem like the stuff of science fiction, but it’s a natural and recurring event in the life of our planet. It’s crucial to emphasize…
The Curious Case of the Blue Garlic
I recently tried my hand at making pickled garlic using a recipe from my sister-in-law. During a visit to her place, Mrs. G. and I had the opportunity to sample her homemade pickled garlic. While it wasn’t exactly to Mrs. G.’s liking, I was quite taken with it and secured…
Eclipsing Everest: Chimborazo’s Hidden Supremacy
On Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador, the elevation may not reach the towering heights of Mount Everest, but it uniquely sits as the most distant point from the Earth’s center. This notable geographical detail offers a distinct view into the Earth’s topography and how we evaluate mountain heights. In this exploration,…
Powerball®: All Tickets in Hand
The Powerball® jackpot is again soaring, teasingly approaching the staggering $1 billion mark. Excitement is in the air as hopeful individuals stand in winding queues, clutching onto the dream of that one ticket leading them to immense wealth. Eventually, a victor will emerge. The odds are against you and me…
Science
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The Monty Hall Problem
The Monty Hall problem is a famous probability puzzle that baffles many, even those with strong mathematical backgrounds. Named after the television game show host Monty Hall, this problem illustrates a counterintuitive concept in probability theory. The Game’s Setup Given this setup, what would you do? Would you stick with…
The Equinox Isn’t Exactly Equal
Growing up, many of us learned about the solstices: those days marking the longest or shortest spans of daylight in a year. And if you’re anything like me, you probably assumed that the equinoxes – with a name suggesting equality – would naturally bring us daylight and night hours of…