There are days when fatigue sets in early as the repetitive nature of certain tasks drains away any enthusiasm I might have had for studying or teaching or experimenting with new ways to present ideas or organize information. On the days when my patience is very short, I am ready to give up by the… Continue reading December 11: Annie Jump Cannon
Category: History
December 10: Newton’s Proof of Kepler’s Laws
In November of 1684, Edmund Halley received a letter from Isaac Newton in answer to a question he had asked earlier that year. The question (based on Halley’s account some years later) asked for a description of the “Curve that would be described by the Planets supposing the force of attraction towards the Sun to… Continue reading December 10: Newton’s Proof of Kepler’s Laws
December 6: The Nihon shoki
On this day in A. D. 735, Prince Toneri, son of Emperor Tenmu, died without ever ruling, but since his son Junnin did come to the throne, Toneri was posthumously granted an imperial title, Emperor Sudoujinkei. Although he did exercise some political influence as a member of the imperial family, Toneri’s great contribution to Japanese… Continue reading December 6: The Nihon shoki