Monday, March 21, 2005

Thirteen things that do not make sense

New Scientist has an article on thirteen things that do not make sense in science. Historically, such paradoxes have provided the impetus for new discoveries. The most notable examples are the Michelson-Morley null experiment (leading to special relativity), the unexpected blackbody radiation spectrum (leading to the quantum hypothesis), and the anomalous precession of the perihelion of Mercury (leading to general relativity).

1. The placebo effect
2. The cosmological horizon problem
3. Ultra-energetic cosmic rays
4. Belfast homeopathy results
5. Dark matter
6. Viking's discovery methane on Mars
7. Tetraneutrons
8. The Pioneer anomaly
9. Dark energy
10. The Kuiper cliff
11. The "Wow" signal
12. Not-so-constant constants
13. Cold fusion

[Thanks to DVD for the link]

1 comment:

UnknownVariable said...

You'd figure that the Methane on Mars one would be easiest to (dis)prove. Send another probe!


Somewhat OT
Here's an interesting article about harvesting frozen methane from the depth of the ocean.

http://www.physorg.com/news3367.html

If technology can be developed to harvest it efficently, the world would be changed.