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Author: Bryan Mendez




Dec
30
2020

The Diversity of STEM Characters in the Movies

Posted by Bryan Mendez
Bryan Mendez

Is that lack of diversity in real life STEM professions reflected in the movies? Dr. Mendez examined hundreds of movies to quantify the diversity of STEM characters in popular US films. 

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Dec
20
2019

The Astronomy of Christmas

Posted by Bryan Mendez
Bryan Mendez

Christmas is also totally an astronomical celebration. Christmas began as a celebration of the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. learn more...






Apr
01
2018

Easter and the Maya New Year

Posted by Bryan Mendez
Bryan Mendez

April 1st, 2018 is the Christian celebration of Easter in the Gregorian Calendar and it is also the start of a new year in the Maya Haab calendar. Next year they won’t occur on the same day. Both events are astronomical in origin. Let’s explore how these two calendars work. learn more...






Feb
16
2018

Chinese New Year

Posted by Bryan Mendez
Bryan Mendez

Examine the astronomical connections in the Chinese calendar. learn more...






Feb
01
2018

The Groundhog and the Candle

Posted by Bryan Mendez
Bryan Mendez

February 2nd is celebrated in the United States as both Groundhog’s Day and Candlemas, or Dia de la Candelaria in Spanish. Both celebrations have their roots in astronomical events.

Candlemas (Dia de la Candelaria) is a Christian celebration of the presentation of Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, commemorating Mary's ritual purification after her childbirth. Following ancient Hebrew tradition, this took place 40 days after Jesus was born. Therefore, Candlemas is now celebrated 40 days after Christmas (Dec 25) on February 2nd. Some people do not remove Christmas decorations until this date, as it marks the end of the Christmas season.

These dates are where the first astronomical connection comes into play.

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Oct
31
2017

Astronomia de los Muertos

Posted by Bryan Mendez
Bryan Mendez

October 31st - November 2nd is a festive time in the Americas, where we celebrate life by acknowledging the dead. The holidays of Halloween and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) have long and complex histories. However, as with many holidays, the roots of these celebrations have connections to astronomy. learn more...

astrodemuerto.jpg  altar.jpg  Cross-quater.jpg  zenith-nadir.jpg  15degrees.jpg  nadir-palenque.jpg  giant-kite.jpg 




Dec
18
2012

Solstice at Palenque, Chiapas

Posted by Bryan Mendez
Bryan Mendez

At Palenque, the famous Classic Maya site in the southern state of Chiapas, a poetic statement is replayed year after year in the written history as well as in the art and architecture of the site. learn more...






Dec
14
2012

Doomsday from Stellar Explosions

Posted by Bryan Mendez
Bryan Mendez

Perhaps the most violent of all the predictions for how the world could end in 2012 is the idea that one or more stars might explode on December 21 and wipe out all life on Earth.   learn more...






Dec
07
2012

Doomsday 2012: Here Comes the Sun

Posted by Bryan Mendez
Bryan Mendez

Solar storms are another common concern for those worried about Doomsday in December of 2012. But what are the real dangers from the Sun?

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Dec
04
2012

Doomsday from Pole Shift?

Posted by Bryan Mendez
Bryan Mendez

Another suggestion you sometimes hear for how doomsday will arrive on December 21st, 2012 is that the Earth’s poles will experience a drastic shift, leading to disaster.  
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