spectral
Latest
Scientists chart Mach 7 winds on a Jupiter-sized exoplanet
When scientists discovered a Jupiter-sized exoplanet in the Vulpecula constellation, they knew the weather there wasn't great. That's because HD 189733b orbits its star every 2.2 days at a speed of 341,000 mph and has an average surface temperature of around 2,240 F. A team from the University of Warwick in the UK has now made a rough weather map of the body -- the first ever for a planet outside our solar system -- and that news ain't great, either. Using the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) instrument located in Chile, the team calculated that winds on HD 189733b rage at 5,400 mph, or seven times the speed of sound.
Researchers turn a DSLR into hyperspectral camera using PVC and duct tape, MacGyver green with envy
Hyperspectral imaging is a method that captures a far greater amount of the electromagnetic spectrum than a regular photograph. This makes it ideal for a variety of uses, from night vision to identifying mineral deposits from afar, but the problem is that hyperspectral sensors don't come cheap. However, some intrepid imaging scientists have come up with a way to turn your DSLR into a hyperspectral camera using stock SLR glass, a gel diffraction filter, PVC pipe, duct tape, some serious ingenuity and plenty of elbow grease. Thusly did they build a (relatively) cheap-as-chips imaging spectrometer that can deliver spectral resolution equal to that of commercial solutions at a far lower cost. The result of their labor is a computed tomography image spectrometer (CTIS), which takes hyperspectral images by splitting light into spectral bands with a diffuser and recording them using a Canon EOS 5D Mark I in HDR mode. As constructed, the prototype takes a spectral resolution of up to 4.89nm in a 120 x 120 pixel area, though at a longer exposure time than dedicated devices. Having proven their concept, the plan is to build another lens extension using custom tubes and lenses that'll both reduce weight and increase the aperture to shorten the exposure time -- all for less than a grand. You can see both the camera's construction and some sample images in the gallery below, plus you can dig deep into the nitty gritty behind this bit of imaging black magic at the source link. %Gallery-141944%
Patch 4.3: New spectral windrider and gryphon mounts
Two new mounts have appeared on the Korean version of the World of Warcraft community site that appear to be spectral versions of the windrider and gryphon flying mounts that already carry players across Azeroth. We have no idea where they will be available or when, but if I had to take an educated guess, I would think they are patch 4.3 Darkmoon Island rewards of some kind. Take a look at the screenshots in our gallery. %Gallery-134776% Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Look at what's ahead: new item storage options, cross-realm raiding, cosmetic armor skinning and your chance to battle the mighty Deathwing -- from astride his back!
Enter to win a Spectral Tiger Mount from WoW Insider!
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/World_of_Warcraft_Spectral_Tiger_Mount_Giveaway'; I think this is the most awesome thing we've ever given away. WoW Insider and Upper Deck have hooked up to provide you with the friggin' coolest ground mount in game: The Spectral Tiger Mount. It's one of the three loot cards from the WoW TCG expansion just announced for the new Fires of Outland booster packs (coming to a store near you on August 22nd). Usually it's only available from the special foil card in these packs, but this time, you can win a code for it just by leaving a comment on this post. Yup, put a comment on this post in the next 48 hours (the loot is so good we had to go twice the normal contest length), so before Friday, July 27, at 7pm EST-- and please use an email that you check often, so we can get back to you when you win!-- and one person from the comments will be randomly selected to win a code that gives them this mount on the in game character of their choice!Just a note: in game, you will need to pay the regular mount gold and have the skill for it, just like any other mount (you can buy it either regular or epic, 10g or 100g). But that's a small price to pay to be riding around on a rare mount from a loot card that isn't even available in stores yet. And if you don't win the mount in this contest, don't worry, because you will have a chance to get it by checking out the Fires of Outland sneak preview tournament, run by Upper Deck all around the country, and happening August 11-12.So put down a comment and hope for the mount. Oh, and one more thing-- while most of our contests are US only, this one works on both US and EU realms, so for this one, you're in, you crazy EU players! We love you too! Good luck!Update: Time's up. Check your email!
