A couple more pretty pictures of the apparatus, to pass the time: This is the plasma discharge source that we use to make metastable atoms. We excite the gas using a RF coil (under the tinfoil) with a couple of watts of power at 145 MHz (local ham radio people must love me…), which creates… Continue reading Lab Porn: Plasma!
Category: Pictures
Lab Porn: Doomsday!
Behold, the end of the world is at hand! They said I was mad– mad!– but now they’ll pay… Well, ok, it’s not actually a doomsday weapon. It’s a shot of the main experiment chamber in my lab, taken in very low light in an attempt to capture the orange glow of the ion gauge… Continue reading Lab Porn: Doomsday!
Young and Photogenic
Ladies and gentemen, one of the three worst pictures ever taken of me: There is, of course, a story behind this. It’s not a particularly good story, but there is one…
Nice Beaver!
Yet another picture taken by Kate at the National Zoo. When we arrived at the beaver pen, a bunch of keepers were inside, posing for a picture. This little guy clearly thought that humans being in his enclosure indicated that it was feeding time, and was doing his best pathetic begging. It really just begs… Continue reading Nice Beaver!
Panda!
Here’s another picture Kate took at the National Zoo, showing one of their pandas (the male, I think, but I’m not sure) chowing down on a big branch of bamboo. As noted previously, they’re deeply improbable creatures, but really cute. Just don’t try to hug them.
Sloth-in-a-Box
A picture from the Small Mammal House at the National Zoo. This is a two-toed sloth (according to the sign on the cage, anyway) that has wedged itelf into a box mounted near the ceiling to take a nap. Tbey had two sloths, actually– the other had also stuffed itself into a box to sleep.… Continue reading Sloth-in-a-Box
Imperturbable Ducks
Mandarin ducks at the National Zoo’s bird house. These guys were perched on a railing in the fligt area, and didn’t move, even though people were passing no more than a few feet from them, taking pictures. (Picture by Kate.)
Vacation Dog Blogging #4
Today is the last day of our trip, so here’s a shot of Her Majesty showing off her regal side. Of course, the snow on her muzzle kind of undercuts the dignified affect…
Vacation Dog Blogging #3
Day three of our vacation, and another Action Dog! shot: Here, Emmy demonstrates that among her other superlative qualities, she is exceptionally strong and stubborn. This is a good shot of the Kong Wubba, as well.
Vacation Dog Blogging #2
Another dog picture for you to admire while I’m out of town: It’s a little tough to tell what she’s doing here, but this is a play-bow– she’s stretched her paws out in front of her and brought the front part of her body down, but her butt is still up in the air. One… Continue reading Vacation Dog Blogging #2