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Find as fast as you can (just to make this easy problem harder!) what type of number sqrt(H+1)-sqrt(H-1) is, where H is a positive infinite hyperreal number. Supply your proof. Have fun!

Given is the function: f(x) = e^{(pi/2)i[(e^lnx)+1]} where e is the base of the natural logarithm e=2.718 i=sqrt(-1) and pi=3.14 Find the antiderivative(s) of f(x)...I found two different forms using two different methods.Prove your results.Have fun!

Since we have a lot of intelligent people here, I thought someone might know where to find pdfs for college textbooks. I already tried all the BT and RS search sites (if you don't know, don't ask :P). Chances are, if you can find it on google, I would have found it already. I'm asking if anyone knows a more...secret place.

In my studies I covered time travel but as it was heavily simplified I would like some clarifications. First of all I learnt that there are no physical laws preventing time travel. Also given relativity we can concieve of methods that would allow us to "travel through time", like travelling at relativistic speeds etc. I can think of ways to slow time down for an individual so that they would could say for example leave earth for 2 years but 10 years would have passed back on earth but I cannot concieve of how you could actually go back in time, suggestions? (Some crazy worm whole were one end is moving at close to the speed of light while the other end is stationary, well relative to the other end) Also whats you guys views on the grandfather and information paradox's? Also another post reminded me of the interesting debate between presentism and eternalism, what are you? (There's other options like growing/shrinking block theory etc)

For sections I-IV go here: http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/alternate-science-society Section V -- Human brains and catfood Everywhere one goes, all these annoying ads for cellphone and wireless radiation and their damages towards human brains are unavoidable. However, the wiser ones of the wireless age may ask these questions. How does cellphone usage cause brain cancer? Can I still freely use my cellphone and somehow block this harmful radiation? In this chapter, you will see these two questions as well as other questions pertaining to this matter, answered. We shall start by examining the human brain. Some speculate that this brain is composed solely of gray matter, other believe it is made of cheese. Regardless, it is known that electrical signals are able to pass through it freely. Now, cellphones typically use a frequency of 10^7 Hz. Their wave length is just under 30 meters. Now, as some of our biologists know, cancer is caused by cell multiplication faster than America's national debt is rising. This, is caused by short telomeres. Now, how does someone go about obtaining these short telomeres? Simple. Wait. As cells multiply, DNA pieces are cut off and the DNA gets shorter. As this happens, if the DNA strand gets too small, the cell is unable to sustain life and dies. So, you're thinking, "Simple. Just wait for the DNA to get small and all the cancer cells die." Well, there's one minor problem. See, we have this chemical in our bodies called telomerase. It pretty much adds stuff to the end of the DNA piece. So it doesn't get shortened. And cancer continues to kill you. So now you ask, what does this have to do with cellphones?" Well, apparently, some scientist who looked at cell phone radiation and DNA got the idea that radiation from a cellphone could knock out some DNA pieces and shorten them to cause cancer. But it's pretty obvious that the wavelength is much too high for a photon to knock out a DNA piece. Well there's a small chance. But you'd first die from texting while driving or get hit at a crosswalk while not paying attention to traffic. No, cell phone usage does not cause cancer. Hooray, cell phone usage has nothing to do with cancer! Hallelujah! I can use two cell phones at once and not get cancer. Hell, I'll sit in the center of a circle of 10 laptop computers with a wireless router on my head! Actually, although you won't get cancer from it, those who abuse radiation and come in contact with it too much will suffer a fate far worse than cancer. As these foot long wavelength waves bombard your brain, they are spaced too far apart to affect something on such a small scale as a brain. What it does effect, is the folds on your brain. See, the foot long wave creates a sine wave that causes vibrations in the brain. This causes more folds to develop. At first, because of more surface area, the person this affects becomes smarter. This is commonly known as the computer nerd syndrome. This person surrounds their self with a plethora of wireless devices. Their brain's surface area is vastly multiplied and this person will temporarily have a superhuman brain. But lets look later on. For some reason we never see a computer nerd of age greater than 35. Why is this? Well, first the obvious reason, God foresaw that if a computer nerd became president, then America's military and economy would surpass all other nations causing the world to end. This wouldn't do, so God decided to make it a law that no computer nerd would live to the age required to become American president. Now, the second reason is a bit trickier. This is the scientific process that God used to kill off all computer nerds. There exists a limit at which the brain is unable to continue folding. This is because as the brain gains surface area, more neurons become active. This relies on a constant supply of electrolytes found in many "computer nerd drinks" such as soda and coffee. To maintain the brain, one must drink 30 cans a day of these beverages at this point. After the brain reaches maximum working capacity, it can no longer fold and gain surface area. Electromagnetic radiation will still be attacking the brain. Now what happens when you try to wind up a rubber band band that won't go further? Simple, it snaps. A similar process occurs in the brain. However, instead of snapping, it merely implodes and collapses upon itself. Still bombarded by radiation, it shrivels up into a piece of broccoli. This may be bad, but the process is still reversible and curable. Recall that over half of the brain is composed of fats and other lipids. It is the lack of it that caused the brain to collapse into a vegetable. In order to return it to its proper form, one will need to find a surgeon and a capable chef. The surgeon must open up the skull and remove the broccoli. Note, that when exposed to the air for too long, it will lose neurons and go bad quickly. The chef must immediately immerse the broccoli in boiling water. As it softens, the chef will then transfer it into a pot and add butter, canola oil, glucose, molasses, vegetable oil, fish oil, soy sauce, more oil, and lastly peanut buttered chocolate. As the sugars and fats are absorbed into the broccoli, it will begin to devegitize. Return the stir fried broccoli to the skull and seal it in. After a few days, the oils and fats will seep through the broccoli and rejuvenate the brain. It is imperative that the patient be kept away from any radiation*, as the brain is very fragile for the next few weeks. Thus, the patient is cured. * Author's note: This includes visible light and and stray gamma rays. Oh, it also includes infrared light if you didn't have enough to deal with already. I don't care if it's impossible. Go get 5 meter thick lead shielding and hope for the best luck. Store the patient in an absolute zero temperature room. You don't know where to get one? Not my problem. Wait until the patient sues you for inadequate medical equipment. You call yourself a hospital... Now, what happens when the broccoli brained victim fails to seek treatment? Without neurons to regulate electricity, more of the body is vegetated. Turning into a plant isn't so bad, except the human body is incapable of producing enough cellulose for this process. As resources are moved towards the head to create cell walls, the rest of the body's cells lose all support and essentially become mush. After the last of the cellulose reserves are drained, the victim finally succumbs to the worst possible fate. They inevitably become... catfood. Such is the fate the befalls anyone bold enough to play with radiation. As the pet cat feasts on it's new meal, unwary that it is devouring it's former owner, the computer nerd syndrome has claimed yet another life. But, even worse is that when the cat progresses to eating the former head, it accidentally consumes a vegetable, which most cats hate, especially broccoli. Animal suffering like this should not be allowed to happen. Section VS -- Math and Physics of Section V The purpose of this section is to go over the mathematics and physics behind radiation's effects on the human brain. Don't read this unless you like to be bored. You have been warned. The energy carried by one particle of radiation is E=hv, where h is the Planck's constant and v is the length of the plank, or the frequency. So the energy carried by one photon of radio wave frequency is E=6.5x10^-34x10^7=6.5 E -27. The human brain weights about 1.35 kg, so it will take about 1.35 J to shift the brain into a broccoli shape. However, the shifting of the brain is random, so it is more likely to take about 100J to shape it correctly. Then we must find the amount of energy required to morph the cells into plant cells. The specific heat of the brain is 3.76, and each cell must individually be boiled to set forth the mutation. Assuming there is no Newton's Cooling Factor, the total amount of Joules of energy the brain must be exposed to is 5176 J. Dividing by the amount of energy carried by each radio wave gives 7.96*10^29 photons the brain must be exposed to. Of course, some cells in the brain cool down before boiling, so it will take a little more energy than this. Sitting in front of a wireless computer each day will not produce enough concentrated energy to turn even one cell into a plant cell, unless extremely unlucky, let alone the whole brain. Nor will standing in front of a microwave everyday do this. Talking on a cellphone a half hour a day will neither. However, for those who talk on two cellphones 5 hours a day will find their cells vegitized, as well as those who sit surrounded by a circle of wireless laptops and a router on their head. Note, 5176 J is an extremely high amount of energy, enough to accelerate a Nissan Altima 2 meters per second in one second. This is the amount of energy it took to finally kill someone. Good riddance. Can anyone notice errors in my math or theories here? Apologies for the sadistic last sentence. Couldn't resist.

I was wondering if anyone here had any opinions about Occam's Razor and a multiverse scenario. I have seen several arguments that Occam's Razor is pro-multiverse. A piece from Victor Stenger (http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/vstenger/Cosmo/ant_encyc.pdf): "Several commentators have argued that a multiverse cosmology violates Occam's razor. 24 This is wrong. The entities that Occam's law of parsimony forbids us from "multiplying beyond necessity" are theoretical hypotheses, not universes. Although the atomic theory of matter multiplied the number of bodies we must consider in solving a thermodynamic problem by 10 24 or so per gram, it did not violate Occam's razor. Instead, it provided for a simpler, more powerful, more economic exposition of the rules that were obeyed by thermodynamic systems." Also, I've seen Max Tegmark argue on similar lines before. Any thoughts?

who was the one who really created the idea of time? Like, who was the first person to come up with the 24 hour period, the sun-dial to record the 24 hour period, etc.?

Have any of you ever tried http://www.galaxyzoo.org/? So far I've done a little over 2000 clasifications....

Hi everybody.I would like to hear your oppinion about an idea of mine wich I think is a good one but it's hard to put in practice. I was thinking about the possibility to create an on-line community, like this team, but having our own website and focusing on scientific articles,videos,forums etc...something like the freeinfosociety combined with youtube,an evergrowing group of smart guys for sharing free information on the internet and things like that. I already talked to strangequark about this and we concluded that it is nice and good but it is too difficult to actually do it. Just tell me what do you think about this.

Does anyone here have an Erdos number? If so, what is it?

Ehmm... I watched http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQEaX3MiDow and stumbled upon GTCA. I've tried to wikipidize it, no result... Can anyone explain what exactly GTCA is? Something you need to start polymer chain reactions...

Having read and heard a little bit about Causal Dynamical Triangulations, I was wondering if anyone here has also even heard of it or knows more about it than I do (which is very likely if so!). Links to movies about this: http://loops05.aei.mpg.de/index_files/abstract_loll.html http://loops05.aei.mpg.de/index_files/abstract_baez.html One homepage (the other link was broken) http://www.phys.uu.nl/~loll/Web/research/research.html And http://xstructure.inr.ac.ru/x-bin/theme3.py?level=2&index1=-24548 Thanks in advance!

You can call me an Alternate Science Society Hole for posting this, but after reading todays xkcd, I worked up the courage to post it, so here goes: Section I -- Friction From the earliest age of humanity, to the exhilarating study of Magnetic Physics, we have always wondered at the theory of friction. Guillaume Amontons is commonly credited for declaring the laws of friction. We have been taught that friction originates between two masses when rough microscopic surfaces bump against each other and slow each other down. This is correct as far as we can tell, as we can easily gaze upon any surface and with a powerful enough scope, roughness will become visible. However, based on evidence that has recently been found, this theory has been refuted and replaced. Faustus, an esteemed scientist has found evidence of small demons, not to be confused with devils, which push against any objects that move in their presence. For a long time, Faustus has studied these demons under the guise of a Tau particle. "The demons are invisible to us humans, but when in the form of a Tau particle, the demons are visibly having a fuss. As I like to call it, a Tau Fuss." Known by few, Leonardo DaVinci was the first to propose the laws of friction. For the observant, his name is an anagram of O' Draconian Devil. Devils are usually confused with demons, and share many qualities. Perhaps DaVinci thought these microscopic entities were evil in some ways, but the truth remains that something was there. Amontons had observed this anagram and suspected the existence of demons to relate to the theory of friction. Devising his own microscope comparable, exceeding the power of electron microscopes of the modern day by 5-fold, Amontons attempted to confirm his beliefs of demon existence. He focused his scope very carefully, but to his dismay, no demons were visible. Preparing to dismiss the theory of demons, he then noticed faint movements that displaced portions of the rough surface viewed under the microscope. Further investigation showed that by placing two transparent slips atop each other, one would stay a fair distance from the other instead of making contact. This led him to believe something (or some force) existed on the surface of the slips. Amontons carefully applied various dyes; one of them produced shocking results. Demons, winged beasts capable of immense power under proper conditions became visible everywhere. However, after explaining his theory to his fellow colleagues, they rejected and shunned him and thus the demon theory became lost in time. Furthermore, they overran and burned his lab in detest destroying the advanced technology contained within as well as the scientific notes. Later, on fearing the demons would be discovered, they would repay Amontons for the damages and in return, he would erase all evidence of the demons' existence and publish papers explaining that friction was caused by rough surfaces bumping against each other. Although today's technology is nowhere near as high as that of Amontons' time, Faustus secretly managed to morph into a Tau particle and witness in awe the vast number of demons in existence. However, as the transformation could only occur once, he found himself with inadequate proof concerning the existence of demons. By methods only privy to close friends, Faustus was able to reconstruct the notes of Amontons and thus he was able to confirm the scene he had witnessed while in the form of a Tau. The truth slowly leaked out, and other scientists feared that Faustus would rise to a level of fame far beyond themselves. Forming a temporary coalition, they spread propaganda to suppress Faustus's theory and again, the public rejected the demons. Recently, in 2008, a magnet student by the pseudonym of Garner Ebb Rend who was looking up random scientific documents, came across Faustus's theories. Slowly, he wrote a paper describing the history of demons which is shown above. Now finished, the true origin of friction is ready to be made known to the world. Section II -- Gravity Gravity is known to us as the force that pushes us down, or to those of higher intelligence, the force acting upon two objects that pulls them towards each other. One theory of how gravity came to be is that matter, also known as rotational energy, pulls in linear motion energy, also known as dark energy similar to how low pressure air in the center of a hurricane pulls in high pressure air from the outside. As this dark energy flows towards the mass, as do other masses existing in the vicinity of this object. Another theory is that small subatomic particles are moving in every direction. When a body of mass is present, the ones coming in from the left get stuck as they go through the mass. Fewer emerge to the right side than the number that come in directly from the right. The unbalance of moving particles creates a force towards the body of mass. The more mass it has, the more particles get stuck and the greater the gravitational field. These two theories are very similar in that they both involve moving particles or energy waves that make other objects move as well. However, there is one major fault. The origins of these wandering particles is unknown. By the conservation of matter, they cannot simply "appear out of nowhere". There must be a limited number of them, which will eventually go on to the outer limits of the universe. This will cause gravity to cease after a certain amount of time. This, as everyone knows, is an outrageous fact, and therefore can not be true. If this counter-evidence is not plausible enough, note that if there exists a hypothetical object with infinite mass, for there to be infinite gravity, an infinite amount of dark energy or gravitons must exist, which too is impossible. Furthermore, suppose there is a thin film of mass. Gravitons travelling perpendicular to it will be less likely to be halted. Those moving parallel to it will be stopped, creating a stronger gravitational force along the edges, which we know it not true. Thus, there must be a different cause for the existance of gravity. This is the introduction of the boomerang theory of gravity, proposed by none other than the aforementioned magnet student going by Garner Ebb Rend. Similar to how boomerangs work, particles are emitted by objects of mass and after some time, slow down and return. When one object is isolated from all else, this means nothing. However, when two objects are near each other and they both emit "boomerang particles", on the return trip, a portion of these particles belonging to either object collides with the other, pulling both objects towards each other. The boomerang theory remains constant with every observation of gravity. It does not assume creation of matter. The closer two objects are of each other, the more particles hit each other on return trips, and acceleration towards each other is increased. Heavier objects resist particle bombardment, as well as emit more particles. Section II.V -- Anatomy of a Boomerang Particle As we know, a boomerang particle travels in a reverse parabolic motion, leaving the planet and returning. Collisions of boomerangs with other objects causes them to move towards each other, making gravity. However, there are a few important questions concerning these particles. For instance, what causes them to suddenly jump off bodies of mass, and what causes them to return to the exact same mass they left from? Boomerang particles are hypothesized to have a massive amount of spin. This spinning is fast enough to drag the spacetime around it, similar to a black hole. The spacetime that is a fair distance resists movement. This causes the particle to curve in the direction of spin, and create the reverse parabolic path. However, this does not explain why they return to their original masses even after the mass moved out of its way. To explain this, we must delve deep into the origins of a force that attracts opposite particles with an unimaginable force. This force is known as true magnetism, and this is also the force that produces surface magnetism. The workings of magnetism will be discussed in a later section. This magnetism pulls two boomerang particles together. All particles have an exactly similar counterpart, which it is attracted to by a force called hidden magnetism. This magnetic force is very powerful, but it is minuscule when compared to the force generated by two boomerangs spinning in the same direction and very near each other. The fast spinning creates a force that explodes outwards and propels the two particles at lightning velocities and in opposite directions. Thus, one is thrown into space, while the other is shot into the body of mass. The spacial particle will spin back, and even if the mass moves out of the initial parabolic path, the hidden magnetism will attract it back towards the mass where the other particle lies. The boomerang particle returns, and is again propelled into space where it will create gravity again. Section III -- Magnetism Magnetism is a very important force. It plays a substantial role in gravity, and it regulates electron flow, as well as make north attract to south. The supposed reason for this is that electrons somehow attract to protons because they have opposite charges. A proton is made up of quarks each having charges, but what gives electrons the -1 charges, and why do quarks have charges? These different charges are due to an unnamed particle that possesses no mass and is the most basic subatomic particle. For simplicity, it will be called the charge particle. Each charge particle has a very faint charge. Notably, these can take up complex charges, which may be separated into real and imaginary. The real portion of it is the superficial charge which is attractable and repel-able by other particles with real charge such as electrons ad protons. It is the imaginary or hidden charge that is most important here. Whenever a charge particle of certain hidden magnetism exists, there will exist a different charge particle with the exact negative hidden value. The familiar law opposites attract makes these two "alter-egos" attract each other. A vital key to this is that if two particles have two different hidden charges, one positive, one negative, they will have no effect upon each other no matter how close each is to the other.But what gives these particles their charges? An investigation led by Minus Plus, showed that small pixies enchants these particles and the fairy magic has two classifications. One is known to most as blue magic. This is the same magic used by dragons and people holding staves atop mountains in the rain and yelling at the top of their lungs. It creates a force known as electricity, caused by electrons racing, as seen in movies, which as we all know, are the best source of factual information. This blue magic can be harnessed easily, even by the inexperienced. All one must do, is examine a wall for a cat-face-like opening. Then, proceed by finding a metallic utensil, usually a fork. Then, wash the fork, but don't dry it. Place it in the cat-face opening and hold for 10 seconds*. If this encounter with the element of blue magic is survived, one will be able to craft a staff out of holy wood and this will discharge blue magic at will. Blue magic is commonly called magnetism or electricity.The less commonly known magic is white magic. This is used by experienced mages and allows magic bolts to hone in on their target. (this monitor has been sabotaged) <--- The author will take 5 minutes to terminate the monitor saboteur using blue magic. Please hold. Thank you. Unlike blue magic, which relies on superficial magnetism, this white magic takes advantage of infusing particles with temporary imaginary charges that guide nearby objects towards the target. Upon impact, the temporary charges fade. Few have mastered the white magic, and their names are not well known. It is a proven fact though, that Merlin had mastered both types of magics. By channeling ones chi into a staff, the holy wood conducts it and emits particles of imaginary charge. The more control one has over their chi, the better they can control the imaginary charges allotted to the particles. This is why those who meditate often are able to jump 10 feet into the air, shake the ground, and behead people with scarves. White magic has a few nicknames, such as "The Force" and "Telekinesis".* The author is not held responsible for any deaths ensuing in the quest to harness the blue magic. Section IV -- Ghosts Occasionally a lucky person with a keen eyesight may spot what appears to be a transparent entity. This is usually complementary with a tingling sensation and spine chills. Immediately, this person will scream for help and beg mercy and/or direct a light towards it. Then this "ghost" will disappear. But upon reporting this encounter to another sane person, they will without doubt, recommend a psychiatrist. Later, this event will be treated as if it never occurred. However, this ghost appearance is not fiction. Ghosts do exist and there is reason for their behaviors. Each aspect will be examined individually, starting with the properties of ghosts. Ghosts are known to make people feel insecure or anxious. Scientists have determined that this is due to subconsciously hearing sounds of 17Hz or lower. When humans are exposed to sound frequencies of lower than 20Hz, they receive feelings of fear. This is also why animals are able to sense tsunamis and other natural disasters before they hit; because they emit low frequency sound which makes animals feel uneasy. This scientific evidence has caused people to lose belief in ghosts, but in actuality it supports the existence of them. These sounds are not naturally caused, with the exception of natural disasters. Thus, something must be creating these sounds. How the ghosts are able to create these sounds will be explained later. They are known to very translucent. This implies they have a low density. This is supported by the fact that ghosts are able to move through solid obstructions. They usually take up the same volume as a human being, 0.08 cubic meters. To pass through walls, their molecules must be with a neutral charge to pass through without being pushed back due to electromagnetic forces. Thus, they must be composed of solely neutrons. When a human, or for that matter, an animal, dies, it loses its conscience. Its "soul" exits the body and drifts mindlessly, similar to how one acts before born. It loses all protons and electrons, so it becomes nearly hollow, due to neutrons no longer held together by the strong force. The neutrons still hold the humanoid shape due to gravity and the white magic. Thus, they appear to be a human under a white veil.No ghosts have been captured, so their weight is not directly known. However, they do have very little mass. This is shown easily as a result of their interactions with a light source. Ghosts, when hit by an excess of photons, will be flung at high velocities, away from the light due to transfer of momentum. Unlike normal objects, ghosts are composed of only neutrons, having no electrons. Therefore, they reflect no light and absorb it all entirely when photons are pulled into the neutrons by gravity. However, the neutrons gravitational force is not strong enough to detain the photons for eternity. When a photon breaks away, it will slowly propel the ghost in one direction and emit light. This is why ghosts are able to slowly drift and why they are phosphorescent.In addition, while a photon is held within a ghost, it will quickly revolve about it. This revolution speed is very high, about 3 Gigahertz. When the photons collide with molecules of air, it transfers its momentum. This gives the air around it a speed of 30Hz to 5Hz. Note that vibrating air is known as sound. Humans can hear as low as 20Hz, so at the highest pitch, a ghost will produce a very low sound. At lower than 20Hz, the sound is still detected by humans, but with different results. It invokes fear and anxiousness, which is why many people fear ghosts. So, yeah. That's it. Well, it's still in progress, but if you have any comments, or you just want to kill me for posting such nonsense, shoot away. :)

I was listening on a conversation in school and this kid had an interesting argument. I want to know what you guys think: He said that history is only what you believe, since many things are only written down, and none of it is proven by word of mouth. His example was the Declaration of Independence; in school you are taught that Thomas Jefferson wrote it and one of the people that signed it was John Hancock, but he says that there is no solid proof that some guy named John Hancock signed it, nor is there solid proof that Thomas Jefferson wrote it, just we are told that. Sort of like the telephone game. One person says something to someone, who changes it slightly and tells another guy, and so on, till it's completely different from the beginning saying. He says for all we know this "telephone effect" happened with things in history.

I care about happy and active members! So I would like to hear any suggestions for improvement you may have, as well as a rating of our current activities. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being best), which activities do you like the most? 1. Forums 2. Vote Chess 3. Team Matches 4. Movies of the Week Also, how many alerts do you keep turned on? Thanks!

Story found here: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2764647/Spiral-UFO-puts-Norway-in-a-spin.html ----------------------------------- A MYSTERIOUS giant spiral of light that dominated the sky over Norway this morning has stunned experts — who believe the space spectacle is an entirely new astral phenomenon. Thousands of awe-struck Norwegians bombarded the Meteorological Institute to ask what the incredible light — that could be seen in the pre-dawn sky for hundreds of miles — could possibly be. The phenomenon has been dubbed 'Star-Gate' — as the world's top scientists and the military lined up to admit they were baffled. publish.vx.roo.com/thesun/articlesun/article_2009/sun_article.swf&vxSiteId=878e87c5-73c7-4778-ad5a-ad4dbf28965f&vxClickToPlay=true&vxChannel=Sun Exclusive&vxClipId=1347_SUN40801&vxBaseURL=http%3A//publish.vx.roo.com/thesun/articlesun/article_2009/&vxEmbedMode=fullsize&vxSearch=&vxBitrate=&vxFormat=&vxServerBase=&vxIMU=&vxTint=&vxFullscreen=imuCompatibility&vxSecure=false&vxBD=&vxHBX=&vxExternalIMU=&vxRowCount=&vxStartMode=normal&vxCore=&vxPreviewId=&vxDebug=&vxFilmStrip=&vxDynChannel=&vxHBXClipIdVar=&vxHBXClientType=Flash Player&customBanner=&vxGeoBlock=" wmode="opaque" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" name="vxFlashPlayerEmbed"> Theories ranging from a misfired Russian missile, meteor fireball, never-before-seen type of northern light, 'black hole' and even alien activity were all proposed. Witnesses across Norway, who first glimpsed the space show at 8.45am, all described seeing a spinning 'Catherine wheel-style' spiral of white light, centred around a bright moon-like star. A blue "streaming tail" appeared to anchor the spiral to earth, before the light "exploded" into a rotating ring of white fire. Phenomenon ... unexplained sighting Jan Petter Jørgensen / Rex Features The spiral spectacle — which lasted for two minutes — was seen by vast swathes of the Scandinavian country's almost five million population, with sightings as far north as Finnmark to Trondelag in the south. Totto Eriksen, from Tromso, in northern Norway, was one of the thousands who bombarded Norwegian newspapers with sightings — after nearly crashing his car on spotting the spiral overhead. He said: "I was driving my daughter to school when this light spun and exploded in the sky. "We saw it from the Inner Harbour in Tromso. It looked like a rocket that spun around and around - and then went diagonally across the heavens. "It looked like the moon was coming over the mountain - but then turned into something totally different. Blue tail ... stunned Norwegians Jan Petter Jørgensen / Rex Features "People just stopped and stared on the pier - it was like something from a Hollywood movie." Axel Berg, from Alta, also in the north of the country, added: "It was like a giant spiral - a shooting star that spun around and around. "I initially thought it was a projector but then the 'tail light' left and the spiral remained spinning still." Norway's most celebrated astronomer, Knut Jorgen Roed Odegaard, said he had never seen anything like the spiral before. Mystery ... missile theory Jan Petter Jørgensen / Rex Features He said: "This was seen over an exceptionally large area of the country - in all of north Norway and the Trondelag. "My first thought was that it was a fireball meteor - but it lasted far too long. "It may have been a missile from Russia - but I can't guarantee that is the answer. "I rang the Air Traffic Control tower in Tromse. They said it was over in two minutes. To me, that is far too long for this to be an astronomical phenomenon. "This spiral shape is unique. It is definitely not a variation of the aurora borealis - northern lights." Astonishing ... spinning UFO Chief Scientist Erik Tandberg, at the Norwegian Space Centre, said that he too was "totally amazed" by the spiral. He agreed with many other experts that the spiral pattern could have been caused by a missile from Russia — something the Russian military have strongly denied. Advertisement Dr Tandberg said: "I agree with everyone in the science community that this light was the weirdest thing. I have never seen anything like this ever. "It may have been anything from an exploding missile whose launch went wrong - to a comet or other celestial object that for some reason has been behaving strangely. "If it was a missile - most likely from the launch base in Pletsevsk in Russia or one of the Russian submarines or even from the European Space Agency base in Kiruna - then we are talking about a rocket launch that has gone wrong. "The spiral suggests the object came off course and balance and entered the spiral movement. Leaking rocket fuel could account for the blue light. "But I know that the military have denied this explanation. So we could be looking at an entirely new natural phenomenon." Meanwhile, Nick Pope, former UFO analyst for the Ministry of Defence, yesterday added that the Norwegian sighting was a "real mystery". He said: "My first thought was this was a meteor, a fireball, or debris from an old satellite burning up in the earth's atmosphere. "But the spiral motion makes this unlikely. This is truly bizarre. It's a real mystery. "A meteor or a fireball would simply travel in a straight line but for something to spiral in this way appears to go against the laws of physics. "Some may think it is the Northern Lights but they illuminate the sky with a green glow. "This is completely different from any image of the Northern Lights that I have ever seen. "It's ironic that something like this should happen the very week after the MoD terminated its UFO project. It just goes to show how wrong that decision was." ---------------------- So, ideas anyone?

1) In this formula, find the Sum of the first 104 digits (n+2)^2, where n represents the term number. Good luck :P 2) Show how 2+2 could equal 5 if scientists who were calculating data ignored something crucial in calculating data in science....

Would you describe your philosophy about mathematics as a: 1. Platonist (6 votes) 2. Logicist (7 votes) 3. Empiricist (3 votes) 4. Formalist (2 votes) 5. Intuitionist and/or Constructivist (1 vote)

Theorem: A cat has nine tails. Proof: No cat has eight tails. A cat has one moretail than no cat. Therefore a cat has nine tails.

1: So you don't believe that circles exist physically, do you? 2: Why not? 1: There are no physical representations of a decimal expansion that goes beyond the Planck scale; it becomes physically meaningless. 2: OK.... 1: So pi is ordinarily defined in terms of parts of a physically non-existent entity, right? 2: Yes, you may say so 1: Of course there are plenty of other identities with pi but I cannot deal with all of them in this conversation. I was trying to get at a point. Pi is used in so many physical theories and equations, right? 2: Yes. 1: So these theories are not really "physical" in a sense, right? 2: You could say so I guess. To me, mathematics is descriptive. 1: So we cannot really say all physical theories (or most even for that matter) are actually explanative, can we? 2: [Thinking hard] Well...mathematics is just descriptive for me...but I guess...descriptions are valid tools to make scientific explanations from for me. I think that's what I believe.... Your turn to continue the dialogue. Is it resolved here in your opinion or are there more avenues to explore?