David Schneider

1 month ago | spectrum.ieee.org | David Schneider

In the mid-1960s, the Nobel Prize–winning physicist Luis Alvarez had a wild idea. He proposed using muons, highly penetrating subatomic particles created when cosmic rays strike Earth’s atmosphere, to search for hidden chambers within one of the pyramids of Giza. These muon particles are heavyweight cousins of electrons that travel close to the speed of light. They can penetrate through many meters of solid rock, including the limestone and granite blocks used to build the pyramids.

Jan 2, 2025 | spectrum.ieee.org | David Schneider

In September of 2023, I wrote in these pages about using a Raspberry Pi–based seismometer—a Raspberry Shake—to record earthquakes. But as time went by, I found the results disappointing. In retrospect, I realize that my creation was struggling to overcome a fundamental hurdle. I live on the tectonically stable U.S. East Coast, so the only earthquakes I could hope to detect would be ones taking place far away.

Jul 4, 2024 | spectrum.ieee.org | David Schneider

Birding is booming. You may realize your local nature spots are especially busy during seasonal migrations, when birds move between their summer and winter grounds. Species that you had been noticing disappear may have been replaced by ones that hadn’t been there before. Or you may have seen migrating birds on the wing—say, a flock of geese flying in their famous V-formation. Even if you’re not a dedicated birder, you’ve probably made such observations throughout your life.

Apr 28, 2024 | spectrum.ieee.org | David Schneider

I hate the eye strain that often comes with peering through a telescope at the night sky—I’d rather let a camera capture the scene. But I’m too frugal to sink thousands of dollars into high-quality astrophotography gear. The Goldilocks solution for me is something that goes by the name of electronically assisted astronomy, or EAA.

Oct 7, 2023 | spectrum.ieee.org | David Schneider

Heat pumps are all the rage these days, particularly in Europe, where some countries are striving to the installation of fossil-fuel fired furnaces and boilers in favor of greener options, including energy-saving heat pumps.