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Mathematics in Film

2010-01-26T20:38:00.011-05:00

I've ventured into two mathematical films recently - Proof (2005) and Dark Matter (2007).

Proof is the story of Catherine (Gwyneth Paltrow), a daughter of a schizophrenic (?) mathematician Robert (Anthony Hopkins), who allegedly writes a brilliant paradigm-shifting proof then hides it away out of fear of... success? Becoming her father? It's based on David Auburn's play, and I did a side-by-side analysis of the movie vs. play for English class. It's about 90% on target with the play, and the dialogue is almost word-for-word. The question of, did she really write the proof or was it her father, is presented in both. Auburn has stated the true outcome of the story, but if you want to decide for yourself, I suggest first reading the play then watching the movie before reading his commentary.

Dark Matter, based on a actual events, follows Liu Xing (Ye Liu), a Chinese student in America who is studying cosmology at Valley State University and has a passion for dark matter. He is Carl Sagan reminiscent in the way he describes the Universe and how the mystery substance fits in. But this movie isn't about a dreamer who grabs the Nobel Prize or some other honor for a great discovery. It's about a passion that is betrayed, and in the end, "dark matter" takes on an very different connotation. Subtle symbolism in the background of a few scenes along the way helps to reinforce dialogue and events. It's important to understand the true story and how the movie shaped it differently. That side and other opinions can be read at Peter Woit's Not Even Wrong blog. Woit is a mathematical physicist at Columbia University. Here is an interview with him at Big Think.

For math-themed stories in print, check out Mathematical Fiction.

Here are several links to mathematical movie lists:

Mathematics in the Movies
Math in the Movies
Math and the Movies Resource List
My Math Movie Picks
Mathematics Goes to the Movies

I'd be interested in mathematical movies that have flown under the radar, so if anyone has some suggestions, please post them.

Carl Sagan - "Cosmos" Remixed

2009-11-23T15:24:00.005-05:00

As an aspiring professional musician, one of my musical interests lie in the creation of science music. That is, music to inspire and educate about the sciences and their history, in much the same way science fiction does through print and film media. So when I came across Symphony of Science's, "A Glorious Dawn" featuring Stephen Hawking, I was elated. Carl Sagan fans will be delighted, science buffs should find this interesting in the least, and hopefully it will spark interest in other people. I must watch this at least ten times a week now, and judging from comments and those I've shared with, it seems to inspire and move to tears. With now over 2,000,000 views, I hope that at least one person out there may be motivated to carry on Sagan's work, for I think our time is in need of a renewed bridge between the external Universe and the internal human mind. But yeah, I think, this. track. is. awesome.

Watch larger in higher quality on YouTube.

The Coolest Exoplanet Book This Year

2009-10-01T00:49:00.004-04:00

Just found this over at the Exoplanetology blog. A new children's book of exoplanet poetry! I'm a big fan of youth books, especially in love with the DK youth and DK Eyewitness series. The local library has in Jack Prelutsky's The Swamps of Sleethe, and after I get over this cold I'm heading straight for it! In the Exoresources section on this site, a list of recommended young people's astronomy books is listed, to which Swamps will surely be added. The only thing that disappoints me as an aspiring author is, why didn't I think of this?

The Rocky Planet Picture Show?

2009-09-29T22:58:00.015-04:00

It's rainin' rocks! Hallelujah it's rainin' rocks!

Credit: ESO/L. Calcada

At least that's how it is on COROT-7b, a little rocky planet with bigger climate problems than our own.

Forecast for tomorrow: 100% chance of rock storms.

It's suggested to pack a light jacket.

Galileo's Telescope

2009-08-25T21:10:00.007-04:00

Google's sporting a telescopic logo today in honor of the 400th anniversary of Galileo's telescope. Astronomical science as we know it would not exist without the simple tool of capturing light.

Here's a blog from several months back about telescopes, and a trailer from the Eyes on the Skies film about the past 400 years in curved lenses and focused beams.

Powers of Ten. Your Body. The Universe.

2009-08-07T12:10:00.002-04:00

If you've taken an astronomy class you've probably seen this awesome 1977 vintage video using really cool graphics and editing for the time (even still) to convey a sense of what powers of ten looks like.

Music is Gas - Microscopic, was edited in, and is available as a free download.

Happy Moonday on Monday

2009-07-21T01:54:00.006-04:00

I'm a few hours late since it is now Tuesday, but yesterday we were talking about how the original NASA Moon Landing footage had been lost, and copies are being sought to recompile and digitize. Will be exciting to see a new documentary.

Here is an inspiring CNN article about Neil Armstrong's hometown of Wapakoneta, Ohio.
Commentary: A Giant Leap From Ohio

For those out there who question the legitimacy of the Landing, these sites should help. Both sites are also great technical and historical references for those interested.
Did We Land On The Moon?
Moon Base Clavius

Les Peltier - The World's Greatest "Amateur" Astronomer

2009-06-16T05:31:00.007-04:00

There are many interesting science and mathematical topics out there, so I am expanding beyond exoplanets as the focus in this blog. In addition to Web development, I am also a history major who enjoys finding the unheard tales. Lately I have been reading the book Strange Tales From Ohio. In it is a story about Les Peltier, an "amateur" astronomer who did some extremely detailed and vast work. Using leftover junk to build a shack to house his telescope, he also built a movable dome for the building out of roller skate wheels. Diligently, Les sent in his nightly data to Harvard, and after many years they sent him one of their old telescopes. He then became the only astronomer in the world to discover a particular comet, now known as Comet Peltier. Then Les went on to discover more comets and novae. I suppose he wrote during the day as he went on to author five books.

According to the book, a reconstruction of his improvised observatory, hosted by the Miami Valley Astronomical Society, can be seen at John Bryan State Park in Yellow Springs.

Telescopes

2009-05-11T03:25:00.020-04:00

Things are a little quiet on the exoplanet front. Either that or I'm too busy with school to really delve. So here are some telescope videos with heavenly epic inspirational space music, or something thereabouts.

http://www.eyesontheskies.org/
Beginning of the Eyes On The Skies movie.
400 years of Telescopes.
Go here for the rest.

Spitzer

Some Hubble Inspiration

Gliese 581 d & e

2009-04-22T22:40:00.010-04:00

The lightest exoplanet yet known is now Gliese e.
Gliese d has been reevaluated and is thought to be within the habitable zone. Find out more at Astronomy.com and Wired Science.

Based on a diagram by Franck Selsis, University of Bordeaux. ESO

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T08:52:00.008-04:00

"It's your birthday! It's on Earth Day!
Eat your beets, recycle...recycle...
Don't eat your beets, recycle...recycle..."
|| Devin Townsend - "Earth Day" from the album Terria

If you're not familiar with Devin Townsend, he's a Canadian progressive metal musician who incorporates science and space in song themes and lyrics.

While this site is about exoplanets, let's not forget the most important planet to us! Happy Earth Day!

Alan P. Boss - The Crowded Universe

2009-04-07T22:05:00.004-04:00

Alan Boss is an astrophysicist and one of the main members behind the Kepler Mission, which launched in 03.09. His book The Crowded Universe: The Search for Living Planets was published 02.09. Here he is presented by the Commonwealth Club, also in 03.09, explaining the history of the exoplanet search and the techniques used.

Hidden Planet Found in Old Hubble Data

2009-04-02T05:58:00.003-04:00

The planet itself is not a new discovery, but finding it in Hubble's old data is.

Are Earth's signals detectable on other planets?

2009-03-27T06:45:00.004-04:00

Have you ever wondered if Earth's signals would be detectable by life on other planets? Find out more in this BBC article.

Welcome to the Exoworld.Info Blog

2009-03-27T06:01:00.016-04:00

First post! I'm happy to finally get the blog rolling. Lots of stuff happening with exoplanet research to post about. And after all, it is the International Year of Astronomy. In the meantime, I always talk about the benefits of space exploration on everyday technology we use, but odor-free underwear is a bit surprising. How about odor-free shoes?