Jim Virkler

Universal Perfection

By Jim Virkler / September 22, 2017

Published 9-22-2017 “In a perfect world there would be no hurricanes.” Does this pithy aphorism involve a universal truth? Depending on how we define perfection and, in particular, what a…

Hurricane Genesis

By Jim Virkler / September 17, 2017

Published 9-17-2017 Genesis: the origin or mode of formation. In the context of hurricanes, two of which devastated the Caribbean region and the US mainland in late summer 2017, we…

Pondering Hurricanes

By Jim Virkler / September 12, 2017

Published 9-12-2017 The onset of two deadly hurricanes in late August and early September 2017 broke a twelve year stretch of relative calm with respect to the most destructive Category…

Galveston or Houston?

By Jim Virkler / September 6, 2017

Published 9-6-2017 In three weeks we have transitioned from the summit of natural wonder, a total solar eclipse visible over a 70-mile swath of the US from coast to coast,…

Eclipse “Everest” Experience

By Jim Virkler / August 23, 2017

Published 8-23-2017 What is the “Everest” event to which we refer? My wife and I experienced the “Great American (total solar) Eclipse of August 21, 2017 at Marion, Illinois. The…

Reality Of Shadows

By Jim Virkler / August 18, 2017

Published 8-18-2017 In our final post prior to the Great American total solar Eclipse, we examine additional science related to the physical eclipse. As we anticipate this experience with excitement,…

Accidental Moon?

By Jim Virkler / August 14, 2017

Published 8-14-2017 We live at the exact moment in Earth’s extensive history when perfect solar eclipses, such as the event of August 21, 2017, are possible. These eclipses occur because…

The Total Solar Eclipse: Reflections

By Jim Virkler / August 12, 2017

Published 8-12-2017 As we approach the total solar eclipse “zero hour” on August 21, we have a few days to reflect concerning Earth’s Moon—our planet’s constant companion in space. The…

Exceptional Total Solar Eclipse

By Jim Virkler / August 6, 2017

Published 8-6-2017 An eclipse is defined as the partial or total blocking of the light from one celestial body to another celestial body by an intervening body. This definition fits…

Total Eclipse Geometry

By Jim Virkler / July 31, 2017

Published 7-31-2017 As we write on July 30, 2017 our daily newspaper weather almanac page proclaims the moon on this date to be in first quarter phase. Careful observers watch…

MOST POPULAR
RECENT ARTICLES