But only if you put your phone away!
Physics Educator, Space Enthusiast, Astrophotographer https://the-physics-well.net/
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But only if you put your phone away!
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite although Everybody Hurts seems right for the times
A mural I painted, in oils on canvas, on the walls and ceiling of the entry way of a 3 story mansion I lived and painted in for 9 years starting 1973. when one stood at the second floor the ocean horizon was at eye level and the real columns merged with the painted ones.
#ITeachPhysics
Wow what an impressive shock! B_t is approaching 30 nT. This is a strong CME at least in terms of magnetic field strength. Check webcams and head out to your spots. Aurora may intensify shortly after the shock reaches our magnetosphere. go.theauroraguy.com/webcams
New #APPhyscis2 Video! Electric Potential Energy of 3 Point Charges Check it out, eh! youtu.be/SuuzKhag2gs #ElectricPotentialEnergy #3PointCharges #iTeachPhysics
#PPOD: A gigantic jet was photographed from the International Space Station by astronaut Nichole Ayers on 3 July 2025. Gigantic jets are transient luminous events (TLEs) that appear to initiate as an intracloud flash between the middle negative and upper positive charge regions in a thundercloud. đ§Ș
How do you get the acceleration measurement from the car? They have accelerometers but it isn't easy for the owner to access. It would be easier to use the phone's accelerometer. I see safety problems with students using cars for a physics experiment.
If they are using an accelerometer you could challenge them to produce a constant acceleration for x seconds using only body motion.
Not sure I understand your constraints. How is it different from measuring the acceleration of an elevator etc. and using it to find velocity and position?
Too bad these are difficult to obtain. However, regular pull-back cars have an interesting acceleration profile. I attached a phone to one and measured the acceleration. A simple numerical integration yields the velocity and position curves. Data File: docs.google.com/spreadsheets... #ITeachPhysics
With a mass of 420,000 kg, how much energy is it losing each cycle?
Physics teachers. This graph might make for some interesting discussions in class #PhysicsEd #iTeachPhysics #Science đ§Ș
A website that lets you select a country or state and move it around a Mercator projection map to yield better size comparisons. thetruesize.com, created by James Talmage and Damon Maneice
For all the links to the cameras and lenses I mentioned above, check out my blog article "My Top Camera Gear Recommendations for Aurora Photography" theauroraguy.com/blogs/blog/m...
Thinking of coming to Alaska to see the aurora? Start here: 1. Download my free e-book on aurora chasing: go.theauroraguy.com/ebook 2. Read my Fairbanks Visitor's Guide: go.theauroraguy.com/fairbanks-vi... 3. Find out where to stay in Fairbanks: go.theauroraguy.com/where-to-sta...
Hale-Bopp was the best. I did this selfie with my trusty Cannon AE-1 and Fujifilm 400 ASA that brought out the ion tail. #astrophotography
Day 2: Physics 2 solved Ramp vs. Turntable as an introduction to circular motion. I wanted to see them working on a problem, reviewing their physics, and working with lab equipment. These observations help me set an initial level for this new course. #teach180
#ITeachPhysics
It was a gorgeous day in the SF Bay Area! We stayed at a friend's condo. He has a nice view of Oracle Park and the SF Bay and a lot of Giants bobble heads.
Enjoyed yesterday's Cubs/Giants day game at Oracle Park. At only 2 hr 9 min, it was too short. This Cubs fan wanted at least one more inning. This shows Jung Hoo Lee getting a shower for driving in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th. #gocubs @cubsbot.bsky.social
Twilight west coast launch tonight. Links in ALT.
New #physics post - we talk about the apparent weight at the equator vs. the poles, but what about all the locations in between? What if the Earth was frictionless? What would happen to all the people? #iteachphysics rjallain.medium.com/the-slippery...
Welcome back to the classroom, STEP UP teachers! We hope you all had a restful summer break and are looking forward to inspiring the next batch of future physicists. Looking to improve your classroom culture? Check out our workshops: buff.ly/KHkqb0p #iTeachPhysics
AP Review Team assemble! youtube.com/shorts/fcVlG... #apushistory #apworld #aphg #apchem #apbio #apgov #apeuro #apstats #apprecalc #apenvironmentalscience #apmicro #apmacro #appsych #apphysics #iTeachPhysics
I finally got around to making a new visual for precision and accuracy that doesn't use a target!! I'm looking forward to introducing these concepts alongside uncertainty in a way that is a little more authentic to scientific measurements đ§Ș #iteachphysics
and it takes a licking and keeps on ticking! youtu.be/7_fKppH8B0g?...
I miss the old brand #CDC
The Physics Classroom turned this into an interactive with an activity sheet and teacher guide that anyone can access for free : www.physicsclassroom.com/interactive/... #ITeachPhysics
This vintage Physics chart is outstanding đ So much detail đđđđđ Full version here: www.flickr.com/photos/llnl/... #ITeachPhysics
#ITeachPhysics
Have you brought them to @ncnaapt.bsky.social show and tell?
Are you looking to implement research-based teaching practices in your classroom? Check out PhysPort! The resources are based on physics education research (PER) to help support teaching. Visit ow.ly/AlCj50MTKB3 #Physicseducation #Physicsteachers #Physics #Physicsresource #ITeachPhysics
Then why did he say it would be a problem?
We are booking up fast for this fall, and this week, a few reservations have come in already for Spring 2026, so if you're thinking of planning a trip to Fairbanks, now is a good time to start and secure a tour with Maia. Learn more and book here: theauroraguy.com/pages/maias-...
The aurora last night in Fairbanks! Look at what Maia got last night with some of our guests! This was the first tour that ran this season (first couple in mid-August were canceled due to clouds), but wow did the aurora deliver!
My tour left in the middle of a substorm last October. They wouldnât stop looking at their screens so they didnât see the aurora well. Fortunately I found a good spot to watch the rest of the show at our hotel outside Vik Iceland. They missed this! youtu.be/Jr4sdrZqf8Y?...
From Aer Lingus âïž : Which would win an Indy 500 race, an Indy car or an Airbus A321XLR? This would make for a very fun uniform circular motion problem! đą #aviation www.instagram.com/reel/DJJhDEz...
Interesting but he is wrong about the problem with the glass of Chianti. It would stay level as the plane banked. I was in the cockpit of a 747 when it did a 180 degree turn. A plumb bob stayed vertical from our reference frame: youtu.be/P6yN6xUtZhE?... #ITeachPhysics
Hereâs another capture from Maia on her Monday night aurora tour. Autumn aurora chasing season is in full swing! Thinking of coming to Alaska to see the aurora? Check out the tours on my site and Fairbanks visitorâs guide! theauroraguy.com/pages/alaska... theauroraguy.com/pages/fairba...
The #HelpingHand #nebula in #Cassiopeia, consisting of #LDN1355, #LDN1357 and #LDN1358. 19 hour exposure with #Astro-Physics 130GTX refractor at f/5, #ZWO ASI2600MC camera, from Tellin, #Belgium. Large version: www.flickr.com/photos/dodi-... #astronomy #astrophotography #space #deepsky
Nice, my next target! Thanks
These look good for #ITeachPhysics sciplus.com/box-of-glass...
Hey physics teachers, we do a pretty good hybrid meeting here in the Chesapeake Section! Consider joining us in a few weeks in Richmond, VA. We have (limited) funds to provide lodging support to high school teachers, up to $180/night at the event hotel - details in the link below! #iteachphysics
This is the first time I set my biggest âmegabundleâ to 25% off during a TPT storewide sale. I hope this is a safe space to acknowledge a twinge of regret because somebody just notched a steal. Iâd be lying if I didnât say I was happy for them. Cheers! lessonsofphyz.blogspot.com/2025/08/btsb...
Coastline Similarity xkcd.com/3132/
![Comic. (1) [Teacher points to world map that highlights the edges of South Americaâs eastern coastline and Africaâs western coastline.] TEACHER: People had long noticed that South America and Africa had similarly-shaped coastlines. (2) TEACHER: In the 20th century, geologists finally found the explanation. (3) STUDENT: *Plagiaris*â TEACHER: Continental drift. STUDENT: Oh.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreida5trxp2ydhx435gmulqrv4xdysw4du35etqmbdrdhgknqhxe6mm@jpeg "Click to view full size")
Or learn how to do it well but a year later forget and use the old way.
I spent many hours looking through their quirky catalogs. đ„Č
Katherine Johnson passed away in 2020, at the age of 101. Editorial cartoonist Steve Breenâs lovely tribute perfectly captured Johnsonâs contributions to the US space program. (11/11) Credit: Steve Breen Source: @sandiegouniontribune.com
Excelsior!
I made a video based on my experiences grading graphs at my first AP reading in June. It's called "What Line Is That Anyway?", because, wow, students have a very difficult time drawing on graphs. Enjoy! youtu.be/r5JwelKCbq8 #APPhysics #ExamPrep #ExamHelp #iTeachPhysics
AAPT offers professional development for K12 physics and physical science teachers through its Physics Teaching Resource Agents (PTRA). Visit: ow.ly/x6Rq50WLBRI to learn more. #AAPTPTRA #PhysicsEducation #ITeachPhysics #AAPTK12
My 4-panel mosaic of the Veil Nebula. The HSO palette showed where the hydrogen (red), sulfur (green), and oxygen (blue) were alone or mixed. The white regions are where they are roughly equal. Looks like I will have more clear nights this week to add panels! Details in ALT #astrophotography
"All the leaves are brown And the sky is gray I've been for a walk On a winter's day I'd be safe and warm If I was in LA California dreamin' On such a winter's day" - John Phillips / Michelle Phillips
The green in fast-moving Perseid trails is from oxygen in the Earth's upper atmosphere. The same process produces the green in aurora. There is green from the meteor's Mg, but it combines with sodium's yellow of Na to look whitish. See spectra at the end of this post www.popastro.com/meteor/meteo...
Saw this young bobcat on the way to Malakoff Diggins State Park today. It was not shy.
I donât have enough money to pay my bills so I just put my shop on sale! 20% off everything! No code needed. Lots of mugs and handmade jewelry. Have a look! Surly.etsy.com Just listed this mug with cats and seagulls. Itâs like a cat went to the beach! #handmade #art #ceramics
The spectrum of school year start dates ranges from July to September across the country. So Teachers Pay Teachers holds two Back to School sales each year. One at the beginning of August, and one at the end. The BTSBONUS25 sale will be August 26-27. www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-le...
Great shot!
I liked his sequel, âGet Off My Lawnâ
3rd image for my 4 panel mosaic of the Veil Nebula. I might have to add a 5th and 6th. Hopefully the weather will cooperate this week. I am liking the HSO palette for this. H-alpha is red, SII green, and OIII blue. The resulting complementary colors are spectacular. Details in ALT #astrophotgraphy
There are remakes and parodies. This is my favorite, "Wow" indeed. More Science on the Simpsons clips on my website: the-physics-well.net/science-on-t...
There was a precursor to Powers of Ten by the Eames' released the same year as Cosmic Zoom. Both were based on the same book, Cosmic View. youtu.be/7f5x_dRKIF4?...
Wow! #astrophotography
You can learn more about what a "CME" is in my free aurora-chasing e-book: go.theauroraguy.com/ebook or on my website blog about CME modeling: go.theauroraguy.com/huxtmodel
I have for 30 years
But watch out for those seagulls!
Arizona locals interested in learning to photograph the night skyâthereâs a little something happening in Flagstaff, Friday, September 19th. Iâll be leading a night photography workshop at the Astrogeology Science Center, with a field session in Buffalo Park right after. Link below: bit.ly/3UDqpWh
Makes a good crÚme brûlée too!
Completed another image for my 4-panel mosaic of the Veil Nebula. This has the lower portion of the Western Veil and Fleming's Triangular Wisp. Tried the HSO palette, makes it looks like cotton candy. I have 1.5 panels to go, hope to finish before moon intrudes. Details in ALT #astrophotography
He gets a certificate of participation in the initial round. He will get more if he does well and goes on. You might get a certificate too! Hard for a senior to make the team for the 1st time. There are many online courses. I did a course on MIT's system. This looks good: ocw.mit.edu/courses/8-03...
It is not a course but they could consider preparing to try out for the US Physics Team. There are a lot of posted problems that would keep them busy! www.aapt.org/physicsteam/... #ITeachPhysics
Want to play a bigger role in the physics community and enhance your career? Become a member of AAPT. Membership includes journal subscriptions and discounts on meetings, teaching resources and more. Join AAPT Today! aapt.org/Membership/ #PhysicsEducation #ITeachPhysics
Follow for more space weather updates and get subscribed to my email list for aurora alerts whenever strong auroral activity is forecasted in the days ahead: go.theauroraguy.com/alerts
Maybe you caught one of the rare bolts: www.colorado.edu/today/2023/1...
Some #spaceart I've done over the years. Please repost for me. #SciArt
Hard to turn down one with the others standing there. I only turned down students that cheated in my class. That would have been awkward. You would think they wouldnât even ask, they did!
When my students had browser problems my suggestion was âuse Firefoxâ. It always worked.
Join us for an AAPT Virtual Coffee Hour on "Teaching Physics for the First Time" with presenter Jan Mader, AAPT/PTRA on September 23rd at 7:30 pm ET. This event is open to the public. ow.ly/fg2i50WJRbR #AAPTCoffeeHour #PhysicsEducation #ITeachPhysics
Live Tomorrow (Webinar): Don't miss #Inquiry and Engagement with Activity Sheets. Learn about PhETâs recommendations for how to create and modify #activities, focusing on instructional context, #learning goals, pre-labs, open play, and data collection. Sign up vz.to/4ht1YnG
skepchick.org/2016/01/the-...
1st part of a 4-panel mosaic that will cover (hopefully) the entire Veil Nebula. Fleming's Triangular Wisp is at left and most of the Eastern Veil to right. The Veil is a great narrow band target because the O III and S II signals are almost as strong as H-alpha. Details in ALT #astrophotography
This looks good: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
But Rinoâs MVP year was 1984
Ready to transform your classroom? With #PhETStudio, you can design the perfect interactive experience for your students. Set up the sim exactly how you want it, save your #uniqueconfiguration, and share a #customlink. It's as easy as Set. Save. Send. #edusky phet.colorado.edu/en/studio/ov...
May it be a Ryne Sandburg and Michael Jordan year for you!
Thatâs the man reason I have opinions, so I can rethink them!
It is a nice image but you don't have to go to space, they bombarded my images of the Perseid meteors. This is a time lapse where each frame is 4s. They are glinting the reflected light from the day side of the Earth back at us. The favorable spot moves to the right.
I am going to give it a try in November: skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...
Do you teach physics and need support? Consider applying to the Bauder fund for assistance with special physics teaching activities. Apply by December 1st for consideration at the 2026 AAPT Winter Meeting. Learn more at ow.ly/7y4x50VRp8Q #AAPTFunding #AAPTGrants
Want to teach magnetic fields in a fun, interactive way? Check out our "Magnets and Electromagnets" sim! Students can experiment with bar #magnets, build #electromagnets with a battery, and explore #oscillatingFields with an AC source. #iTeachPhysics #edusky phet.colorado.edu/en/simulatio...
Had fun helping lead a #Vernier Webinar on making the most of a limited (or nonexistent) budget and still providing students with hands on sensor labs: youtu.be/wVB7ijW9MB8?... #iteachphysics
AAPT is now accepting presentations for #AAPTWM26! Learn more and submit a presentation today! Submission deadline is September 12, 2025. ow.ly/6Mf250WHfOe #AAPTConference #AAPTMeeting #CallforPresentations #ITeachPhysics #research #teaching
NEW VIDEO! - Stumbling Blocks for Unit 1: Kinematics - AP Physics 1 Check it out, eh! youtu.be/c-Zpnz0e4go #APPhysics1 #Unit1 #Kinematics #iTeacherPhysics
You know eventually you will reach the same level of content knowledge and expertise in your new area, and probably a higher level. The fun is in getting there. And no matter how tempting, stay off that lily pad
Perseid meteor composite of the nights of 8/12-13 and 8/13-14. A few sporadics spoil the symmetry. Used a base image with radiant centered. Cut and pasted 25 meteor trails in same position relative to the stars. @naztronomy.com's tutorial was very helpful: youtu.be/Gy5Wl2pg2ck?... #astrophotography
