Jim Virkler

Seasonal Trivia

By Jim Virkler / March 12, 2019

Published 3-12-2019 One of the well-known questions in meteorology is “What is the cause of seasons?” Many related secondary questions occur. Are any facts about the motions of Planet Earth,…

Meteorolgical or Astronomical Spring?

By Jim Virkler / March 6, 2019

Published 3-6-2019 “Happy Spring!” Our household thermometer recorded an overnight low temperature of -5ºF on March 3. The median temperature on that day was thirty degrees below normal. “Take heart,”…

Biomes and Ecosystens

By Jim Virkler / February 25, 2019

Published 2-25-2019 After the late January North American intrusion of the stratospheric polar vortex, we continue to hear many references to the polar vortex each time a significant winter event…

Vortex Redux

By Jim Virkler / February 16, 2019

Published 2-16-2019 As the frenzy concerning the January stratospheric polar vortex abates, we could not resist treating the subject in at least one more post. The polar vortex has become…

Vanishing Vortex

By Jim Virkler / February 7, 2019

Published 2-7-2019 Our post title is meant to be humorous and provocative. There are two types of polar vortexes: tropospheric and stratospheric. Both vortexes consist of air circulating west to…

Winter’s Statistical Wonders

By Jim Virkler / January 30, 2019

Published 1-30-2019 As we write, the midwest is being struck by another polar vortex event. We highlight this anomaly and several other annual weather and astronomical phenomena most residents may…

Confessionalism in the Book of Job

By Jim Virkler / January 22, 2019

Published 1-22-2019 Our current post title could be a source of some confusion or misunderstanding. In the context of our blog we will attempt to clarify how confessionalism relates to…

Science in the Book of Job

By Jim Virkler / January 14, 2019

Published 1-14-2019 The Book of Job is a masterpiece of literary excellence. Coming from a Israelite author, it expresses a monotheistic worldview. The epic story of righteous Job seemingly unjustly…

Well-Ordered Systems

By Jim Virkler / January 8, 2019

Published on 1-8-2019 Successful human activities are said to be well-ordered and systematic. Our post title may imply there are systems which are not well-ordered. Generally, however, systems are ordered…

Truth Transmission

By Jim Virkler / December 26, 2018

Published on 12-26-2018 What seems like a simple matter of discovering correct knowledge may be a subject of disagreement. The root word of science comes from knowledge. “True belief” is…

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