Author | Lightnews

Reposted by M.J. Dunlavy

Tiffany @tiffzny.bsky.social · 15h

I'll be at the AST conference in Halifax tomorrow sharing free resources for teachers from Star Finder - the David Lane Astronomy Outreach Program. I'm finishing up my presentation now and tearing up over slides about Dave. He was really great. I miss him. He'd be thrilled about that we've created.

Star Finder Program @ SMU @smustarfinder.bsky.social · 3d

Nova Scotia teachers! The Star Finder team will be at the Association of Science Teachers conference on Oct 24! We'll have a table & we'll do a presentation to share resources with you. We hope we'll see you there! We'll have some printed materials (and maybe even some pens!) to hand out! 👀 ✨

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · 3d

I was once in a gallery in the Louvre when the security system kicked in and shut off the whole room. Automatic doors and alarms. There was another time when we watched someone walk painting to painting setting off the alarm on each. Were they an employee?

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Reposted by M.J. Dunlavy

gnuphysics.bsky.social @gnuphysics.bsky.social · 7d

If you miss the video analysis that was available in Logger Pro that is not included in Graphical Analysis, try Sigmund (noragulfa.com/sigmund). This is a FREE, web-based app that will run on Chromebooks. #iteachphysics

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · 7d

For context, Plottertron is our in-house plotting program for 1st yr labs. He works in any browser and performs weighted lst-sq fits.

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · 7d

Learning a 3d modelling package for another project and got carried away.

Plottertron looks mad to be in 3D.

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · 9d

There is a frankly disturbing close-up pic of my hand on instagram right now and I don't care for it.

(My hand, I mean. The photo was posted with permission.)

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · 16d

Weather Model Projection

Halifax:Rain::Neo:Bullets

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · 17d

Disgusting behaviour at the best of times, really.

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · 22d

If I only listen to music by The Residents while editing a single lab experiment in a manual for next term, will students be able to spot which one?

M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · 24d

"Wait, are you telling me THE Wilford Brimley plays Blair?"
"No, just ..."

Single-card credit from "The Thing" (1982) for "A. Wilford Brimley"

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · 28d

Been undergoing a lot of personal internal reflection...

Green laser beam being internally reflected multiple times in a semi-circular pice of glass.

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · Sep 23

Super slo-mo (1000fps) and super zoomed-in clip of a water ripples. The low resolution and weird CCD-induced color scheme leave something reminiscent of fireworks!

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · Sep 20

#iTeachPhysics

Tiffany @tiffzny.bsky.social · Sep 20

There's a small team of us at SMU creating free astronomy content and lesson plans for science teachers. (Specifically Grade 9 Science Teachers in NS to start, but it's also pretty adaptable for broader audiences). It's all online already, follow along. ✨ @smuhalifax.bsky.social

Star Finder Program @ SMU @smustarfinder.bsky.social · Sep 19

New Star Finder Newsletter!

sway.cloud.microsoft/hYupvkznJi9o...

In this issue:
🔭 Highlights from the first Star Finder Teachers' Workshop
📚 New astronomy lesson plans and resources now available
☁️ Upcoming content on Bluesky!
🌟 Star Finder at the Association of Science Teachers Conference

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Reposted by M.J. Dunlavy

Star Finder Program @ SMU @smustarfinder.bsky.social · Sep 19

New Star Finder Newsletter!

sway.cloud.microsoft/hYupvkznJi9o...

In this issue:
🔭 Highlights from the first Star Finder Teachers' Workshop
📚 New astronomy lesson plans and resources now available
☁️ Upcoming content on Bluesky!
🌟 Star Finder at the Association of Science Teachers Conference

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · Sep 18

😠

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · Sep 17

Now that term is finally underway, hopefully video production will increase from its current moribund rate. Here's a test shot from this morning:

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · Sep 17

Straight to the video:
youtu.be/khHP0vf7hhs

Centre of Mass Rotation

YouTube video by SMUPhysics

youtu.be

M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · Sep 17

Random Demo: Free Rotation About the Centre of Mass

All you need is a flat block, a small mass, and an air-hockey table!

#iTeachPhysics

demos.smu.ca/demos/mechan...

Rotation About the Centre of Mass

Demo showing the centre of rotation and the centre of mass are equivalent.

demos.smu.ca

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · Sep 16

Campus Entomology. The good news is that it is on the outside the window,

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Reposted by M.J. Dunlavy

SMU Astronomy and Physics @smuastroandphys.bsky.social · Sep 15

Halifax professor talks about black holes

YouTube video by CTV News

www.youtube.com

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · Sep 10

What could possibly go wrong?

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · Sep 9

What could go wrong?

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Reposted by M.J. Dunlavy

Dr Jan Eldridge @astro-jje.bsky.social · Sep 5

One of the awesome bits of supernova science I always love is when someone finds a new ancient record of a supernovae! In this case new Arabic records for SN1181 and SN1006 from poems!

arxiv.org/abs/2509.04127

New Arabic records from Cairo on supernovae 1181 and 1006

The remnant of the historical supernova SN 1181 is under discussion: While the previously suggested G130.7+3.1 (3C58) appears too old (3000-5000 yr), the unusual star IRAS 00500+6713 with a surroundin...

arxiv.org

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Reposted by M.J. Dunlavy

Faculty of Science at Saint Mary's University @smuscience.bsky.social · Sep 4

We had a great time exploring astronomy eduction with these great teachers last month! @smustarfinder.bsky.social

Star Finder program prepares NS teachers with astronomy lesson plans | SMU News and Events

An enthusiastic group of elementary and junior high educators attended the first Star Finder Teachers’ Workshop in August, and they are now ready to share an appreciation of astronomical understanding...

news.smu.ca

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M.J. Dunlavy @mdunlavyca.bsky.social · Aug 28

Random Demo: Parallax in Astronomical Observation.
(Might worth re-filming this one)

demos.smu.ca/demos/astron...

What is Parallax?

A simple demonstration of parallax in astronomy.

demos.smu.ca