In this week's episode we look at the early work of the Harvard College Observatory under the direction of Edward Charles Pickering.  We discuss his three big research initiatives: the visual photometric survey of stars, the All-Sky Survey and Catalogue and the Draper Memorial Catalogue that catalogued and classified the spectra of over 10,000 individual stars.  Instrumental in this last effort was Williamina Fleming: Pickering's one time housekeeper turned lead calculator in the project.

Episode 3.34: The Harvard College Observatory

An examination of scientific inquiry through a discussion of the history and philosophy of the scientific endeavor.

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Science & Medicine

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Science

In this unscripted episode, we take a look at the announced results from the Muon g-2 experiment recently performed at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.  We examine what it means for the Standard Model of Particle Physics along with the importance of doing science with the goal of falsifying presently accepted models and theories rather than seeking confirmation.

The Scientific Odyssey Unscripted-The Muon g-2 Experiment Results

A look at pseudosciences and their characteristics through the lenses of critical thinking and inquiry.

Episode 1.10: Science, Pseudoscience, and Snake Oil

In this episode, we begin our exploration of the Chinese cartographic tradition.

Episode 5.12: Boundaries of Empire

In this special solstice episode fo the podcast, we embark on a winter journey through the writings of John Muir and David Henry Thoreau among others.

Solstice 2020

In this episode, we conclude our examination of cartography in the Roman Empire by looking at the development of itineraries and travel maps from the period of the late Antonines to the Byzantine Empire.

Episode 3.34: The Harvard College Observatory

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