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| NASA Invents Tricorder That Looks Nothing Like Tricorder |
| 2005-08-06 |
| NUGGET (Neutron/Gamma Ray Geologic Tomography), an instrument containing a neutron generator, a neutron lens and a gamma-ray detector, could be used to investigate important biological indicators of life on distant worlds - just like Star Trek's tricorder. The system provides a three-dimensional scanning instrument that focuses a beam of neutrons into an object. When the nucleus of an atom inside the rock captures the neutrons, it produces a gamma-ray signal for that element, which the gamma-ray detector then analyzes. The location of the elements can also be plotted; nformation can then be turned into an image of the elements within the rock. Scientists could then tell whether a certain type of bacteria had become fossilized inside the rock... Or, what happens when science writers have to write a story about some rather dull technical thingy. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #3 Because they ideas were invernted or made more public by Star Trek. It puts it in a frame of refernce for the non techie. I don't know what the hell is up with the "Star Wars" references unless they are talking about a species like Wookies or Endorians. Not much "new" ideas exposed by any of those movies. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet 0’ Doom 2005-08-06 20:17 |
| #2 We are real Mark, but it's a different universe. It's the one on the lower LeftNorth -2. BTW I killed StarTrek personally. I didn't realize there were so many dorks there, else I would have cancelled Seasame St. too. |
| Posted by: Samantha 2005-08-06 20:12 |
| #1 Why does every tech nerd feel compelled to reference everything to Star Trek or Star Wars? I just shake my head when I hear stuff like that.... reminds me of an ex-gfriend who talked about tv characters like they were real... |
| Posted by: Mark E. 2005-08-06 20:01 |