As I traveled home on the commuter train tonight I had an Einstein moment. No, I didn’t solve the grand unification theory. Much to my and all the passengers dismay, the A/C was broken on the train. It was 90+ degrees today so needless to say the train was a bit uncomfortable. However, unlike the great majority of the passengers who choose to be miserable, I set out to make the best of it by reading David Levy’s The Sky. As we traveled the 1+ hour path from Washington DC to Fredericksburg, VA I noticed something odd, there was an occasional breeze. I thought, hmm, they must have opened the doors to get some air moving, but they had not. Again, at each stop I noticed the breeze. Then, BOOM! I thought ah, physics. I realized that we were in a closed system. I was connected to the train via my seat. The air around me was not. As the train traveled and began its breaking process, I and the train shared the same negative acceleration. (Yes, I realize there is a slight difference as my connection to the train is based on the friction and gravity holding me to my seat but the difference is negligible.) So back to our story. As we slowed the air around us was continuing at its constant speed until it collided with the wall of the train. Now, I am sure there is a fluid dynamics problem in this for the turbidity of the air but long story short a breeze. I would time leaning out of my seat at each stop to feel the pleasant cooling breeze because I stopped to think about the world around me. It is so much fun to connect with the natural world around you.
This experience reminded me of the presentation by Neil deGrasse Tyson I attended 2 weeks ago. He stressed the importance of understanding physics and science because it impacts our understanding of the world around us.
As I got off the train I phoned my wife and described the scenario ending the conversation with, “When I get home, tell me if you determine why I felt a breeze.” She’s smart. She got it. The fun part was explaining it to our 8 year old, who also figured it out with minimal assistance. We then took the opportunity to relate it to Einstein and Special Relativity which describes that all uniform motion is relative to an observers state of motion. I thought that I must save this example for the next EPO or lecture I do.
GOD I LOVE PHYSICS!
Pleiades
I recently had a unique experience, perhaps even an epiphany. Over the long Labor Day weekend, my family and I traveled to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. While there, I had the opportunity to reconnect with the night sky through my daughter’s eyes. As many amateur astronomers know, the recent weather in the mid-Atlantic has been fabulous for observing; clear and cool with great transparency.
On one cool evening, my in-laws stoked up the outdoor fireplace and we all gathered around to enjoy the evening and the night sky. With the exception of the firelight, there were almost no other lights in the adjacent homes. The Milky Way was so bright you could almost reach up and touch it. We all chatted and enjoyed the night sky. What made my experience different? In my lap sat my 3 1/2 year old daughter, Ellie. Although born with Down’s Syndrome, Ellie was able connect with the night sky as well as any of us. As Ellie laid in my arms, she continued to look up at the night sky with eyes wide like a Japanese animae character. As she did this, the largest, brightest and most joyful smile crossed her face and she repeated the sign for stars. Ellie is currently non-verbal, which means she does not speak yet. We are fortunate that she has done wonderfully learning American Sign Language.
As we stared at the night sky together, Ellie would point and frequently reach up as though trying to touch the stars. I sang her favorite lullaby, “Twinkle, twinkle little star.” Hey, I’m and amateur astronomer, of course I taught her that lullaby. As the evening continued, I realized that the sky was no longer Messier objects, stars, constellations, or planets, it had become art and connection. Despite the fact that Ellie did not know anything technical about the sky and that our communication was limited to signing stars, we shared a definite connection.
That night, I saw the night sky in a way we should never forget, beauty, wonderment, and awe. Soon, Ellie drifted off to sleep in the cool air, nestled in Daddy’s arms. As I experienced this utter tranquility, I had to ask myself who was more at peace, her or me. What thoughts and ideas went through her little mind as she took in the the beauty of the night sky? Did she see the joy and peace on my face as I had seen on hers?
Whether you are an astronomer, or not, I strongly encourage you to seek out this feeling. The next clear, cool night, step outside with your kids. Leave the optics, charts and knowledge behind. Bring only child like wonderment. Perhaps the night sky will bring you joy, peace, romance, tranquilityor calm. The experience provided me with a new view of the night and a new view for the next day and all the rest to follow.
As I traveled home on the commuter train tonight I had an Einstein moment. No, I didn’t solve the grand unification theory. Much to my and all the passengers dismay, the A/C was broken on the train. It was 90+ degrees today so needless to say the train was a bit uncomfortable. However, unlike the great majority of the passengers who choose to be miserable, I set out to make the best of it by reading David Levy’s The Sky. As we traveled the 1+ hour path from Washington DC to Fredericksburg, VA I noticed something odd, there was an occasional breeze. I thought, hmm, they must have opened the doors to get some air moving, but they had not. Again, at each stop I noticed the breeze. Then, BOOM! I thought ah, physics. I realized that we were in a closed system. I was connected to the train via my seat. The air around me was not. As the train traveled and began its breaking process, I and the train shared the same negative acceleration. (Yes, I realize there is a slight difference as my connection to the train is based on the friction and gravity holding me to my seat but the difference is negligible.) So back to our story. As we slowed the air around us was continuing at its constant speed until it collided with the wall of the train. Now, I am sure there is a fluid dynamics problem in this for the turbidity of the air but long story short a breeze. I would time leaning out of my seat at each stop to feel the pleasant cooling breeze because I stopped to think about the world around me. It is so much fun to connect with the natural world around you.
