Most physics terms are just descriptive, like Giant Radiating Dyke Swarms and the dickitization caused by dyke intrusion, which is exactly what it sounds like. They only start sounding arcane from getting lipstick slathered on them in pop-sci or sci-fi, same as in medicine I'd imagine, though particle physicists seem to go out of their way to give things queer names.
Fear not, he'll invariably end up having to spend a lot of time teaching introductory courses or labs in his first couple years, that tends to grind off the worst tendencies toward techno-babble. Regrettably though Astro has virtually no segue potential besides radioactive dating, screaming about sci-fi movies, or maybe xenobiology so you are likely to have no option but to zone out entirely or scream STFU! as coping mechanisms for when the way too technical stuff occurs. Though at least in your case you've your own bag of field jargon to counterattack with
thanks. very interesting. My brother just got into grad school for astrophysics, but he very much focuses on the "physics" (specifically the quantum ones) so he's not incredibly helpful. he waxes on about the way-too-technical-for-me aspects.
Fear not, he'll invariably end up having to spend a lot of time teaching introductory courses or labs in his first couple years, that tends to grind off the worst tendencies toward techno-babble. Regrettably though Astro has virtually no segue potential besides radioactive dating, screaming about sci-fi movies, or maybe xenobiology so you are likely to have no option but to zone out entirely or scream STFU! as coping mechanisms for when the way too technical stuff occurs. Though at least in your case you've your own bag of field jargon to counterattack with
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
- Albert Einstein
King of Cairhien 20-7-2
Chancellor of the Landsraad, Archduke of Is'Mod
- Albert Einstein
King of Cairhien 20-7-2
Chancellor of the Landsraad, Archduke of Is'Mod
/Survey: What'd the supermoon look like from your place?
06/05/2012 05:38:02 AM
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Like this really big, really grey mush going from one horizon to the next
06/05/2012 10:39:09 AM
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They're not very common, depending on how you define one
06/05/2012 05:57:25 PM
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I can see why the news chose "supermoon" over Syzygy
06/05/2012 07:24:15 PM
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Well it would be a 'Perigee-Syzygy', which is admittedly more of a mouthful
06/05/2012 07:58:26 PM
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do y'all try to make everything rhyme?
06/05/2012 08:31:46 PM
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No, but that probably would be a good idea
06/05/2012 09:58:52 PM
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lol he's not TOO bad. and he's not as much into the "astronomy" as the "physics"
06/05/2012 10:23:30 PM
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Like this really big, really grey mush going from one horizon to the next
06/05/2012 10:39:09 AM
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Not really in to astrology. *NM*
06/05/2012 06:08:58 PM
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I'm sorry if my use of the astrological term bothers you. I didn't realize it came from there.
06/05/2012 07:21:41 PM
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