@jimkakalios.bsky.social
Your Friendly Neighborhood Physics Professor. Condensed Matter Experimentalist and author of THE PHYSICS OF SUPERHEROES, THE AMAZING STORY OF QUANTUM MECHANICS and THE PHYSICS OF EVERYDAY THINGS.
Pinned
The Physics of Superheroes Goes Hollywood | James Kakalios
What if science-fiction was actually science-fact? My first book The Physics of Superheroes, was published in 2005, three years before Iron Man and The Dark Knight lit the match that ignited the super...
kakalios.com
MY NEW BOOK IS NOW OUT! WITH COVER AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY GENIAL GENE HA! @geneha.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
kakalios.com/books/the-ph...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
kakalios.com/books/the-ph...
Not only are the faculty sharing their aurora photos - but the explanations of what we saw!
"The reason that the red line is seen at high altitudes is that it has a long lifetime (the order of 100 s), so it is collisionally de-excited at low altitudes where the atmosphere is more dense. 1/2
"The reason that the red line is seen at high altitudes is that it has a long lifetime (the order of 100 s), so it is collisionally de-excited at low altitudes where the atmosphere is more dense. 1/2
November 12, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Not only are the faculty sharing their aurora photos - but the explanations of what we saw!
"The reason that the red line is seen at high altitudes is that it has a long lifetime (the order of 100 s), so it is collisionally de-excited at low altitudes where the atmosphere is more dense. 1/2
"The reason that the red line is seen at high altitudes is that it has a long lifetime (the order of 100 s), so it is collisionally de-excited at low altitudes where the atmosphere is more dense. 1/2
It's not a rogue planet. Just misunderstood.
A rogue planet accidentally intercepts the zeta-beam in Mystery in Space #55 (1959) #dccomics #exoplanets
November 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
It's not a rogue planet. Just misunderstood.
Reposted
In an age where we have fewer and fewer collective cultural experiences that everyone is in on, it’s so special to come online and just scream, “omg omg omg” with strangers from across the country.
November 12, 2025 at 3:56 AM
In an age where we have fewer and fewer collective cultural experiences that everyone is in on, it’s so special to come online and just scream, “omg omg omg” with strangers from across the country.
This. If you want an efficient, effective way to travel using pedal power, choose a recumbent, laid-back bicycle. The standard, conventional bicycle form is best if you want a mechanical horse.
I'm not sure the bipedal robots are a "carny gimmick," as much as a lack of imagination.
I'm not sure the bipedal robots are a "carny gimmick," as much as a lack of imagination.
The insistence on making these robots bipedal is probably the most obvious giveaway that it's all a big carny gimmick
November 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
This. If you want an efficient, effective way to travel using pedal power, choose a recumbent, laid-back bicycle. The standard, conventional bicycle form is best if you want a mechanical horse.
I'm not sure the bipedal robots are a "carny gimmick," as much as a lack of imagination.
I'm not sure the bipedal robots are a "carny gimmick," as much as a lack of imagination.
The atmosphere of Jupiter has a temperature of 700K. Based on solar illumination, temp should be 150K. The heating of Jupiter's atmosphere is due to impacting charged particles deflected by its large magnetic field.
Jupiter's aurora keeps it warm day and night!
Jupiter's aurora keeps it warm day and night!
Seeing some beautiful photos of aurorae tonight, so here's a reminder that other planets get them, too!
This is Saturn, with aurorae visible at both poles in this UV image from Hubble's Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, taken in October 1997 when the planet was 1.3 billion km away.
This is Saturn, with aurorae visible at both poles in this UV image from Hubble's Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, taken in October 1997 when the planet was 1.3 billion km away.
November 12, 2025 at 3:49 AM
The atmosphere of Jupiter has a temperature of 700K. Based on solar illumination, temp should be 150K. The heating of Jupiter's atmosphere is due to impacting charged particles deflected by its large magnetic field.
Jupiter's aurora keeps it warm day and night!
Jupiter's aurora keeps it warm day and night!
Received this email from a faculty member and I must share it:
Warning! This email is only for people who appreciate beautiful colors in the sky!
Solar activity is REALLY high, with many recent X class flares, including an X5 today that is among the largest flares of this solar cycle so far. 1/N
Warning! This email is only for people who appreciate beautiful colors in the sky!
Solar activity is REALLY high, with many recent X class flares, including an X5 today that is among the largest flares of this solar cycle so far. 1/N
Homepage | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center
www.swpc.noaa.gov
November 11, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Received this email from a faculty member and I must share it:
Warning! This email is only for people who appreciate beautiful colors in the sky!
Solar activity is REALLY high, with many recent X class flares, including an X5 today that is among the largest flares of this solar cycle so far. 1/N
Warning! This email is only for people who appreciate beautiful colors in the sky!
Solar activity is REALLY high, with many recent X class flares, including an X5 today that is among the largest flares of this solar cycle so far. 1/N
Circulatory System in the Kitchen.
YES, CHEF!
YES, CHEF!
Happy There Is A Circulatory System Walking Through The Kitchen Day to all who celebrate.
November 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Circulatory System in the Kitchen.
YES, CHEF!
YES, CHEF!
Someone at US Consumer Product Safety is a Jon Osterman fan.
I notice she's wearing her watch.
I notice she's wearing her watch.
November 10, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Someone at US Consumer Product Safety is a Jon Osterman fan.
I notice she's wearing her watch.
I notice she's wearing her watch.
Reposted
Special congrats to my microwave who has been wrong for six months but is now back to actually telling the time
November 3, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Special congrats to my microwave who has been wrong for six months but is now back to actually telling the time
"who cheated the devil & was trapped between 2 worlds"
That's the face you make when you realize that the Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics is the correct one.
That's the face you make when you realize that the Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics is the correct one.
A reminder that the original Hallowe'en jack o' lanterns date back to 18th century Ireland if not earlier, were based on a shady boozy blacksmith called Stingy Jack who cheated the devil & was trapped between 2 worlds, were carved from turnips and looked like this:
October 31, 2025 at 10:25 AM
"who cheated the devil & was trapped between 2 worlds"
That's the face you make when you realize that the Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics is the correct one.
That's the face you make when you realize that the Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics is the correct one.
Last night I saw the Misel lecture at the Univ. of MN by Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne, who gave a beautiful talk about black holes, warped spacetime, and gravitational waves.
I'm reminded of an old piece I wrote about LIGO and what happens after we die.
kakalios.com/black-holes-...
I'm reminded of an old piece I wrote about LIGO and what happens after we die.
kakalios.com/black-holes-...
Black Holes and Exits | James Kakalios
This past October I attended the Twin Cities Book Festival, an annual convention that brings together readers and authors with recently published books. I was invited for The Physics of Everyday Thing...
kakalios.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Last night I saw the Misel lecture at the Univ. of MN by Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne, who gave a beautiful talk about black holes, warped spacetime, and gravitational waves.
I'm reminded of an old piece I wrote about LIGO and what happens after we die.
kakalios.com/black-holes-...
I'm reminded of an old piece I wrote about LIGO and what happens after we die.
kakalios.com/black-holes-...
Reposted
This has to be one of the greatest gags in schism history
Mar Awa III, patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, also born in Chicago, gave Pope Leo a Cubs jersey.
October 28, 2025 at 2:41 AM
This has to be one of the greatest gags in schism history
Reposted
October 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Crocodile Dundee voice: That's not a giant computer. THIS is a giant computer.
October 22, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Crocodile Dundee voice: That's not a giant computer. THIS is a giant computer.
Reposted
Define “Perfect Ending”?
October 19, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Define “Perfect Ending”?
At the St. Louis Park, MN rally, where there are > 1000 Americans. And two T-Rexs, a Portland Frog, a Tweety Bird, a squirrel and raccoon. And #CaptainAmerica. I had to ask:
me: What would Captain America do?
Cap: He would hold the line.
me: And he'd say - no, you move!
me: What would Captain America do?
Cap: He would hold the line.
me: And he'd say - no, you move!
October 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
At the St. Louis Park, MN rally, where there are > 1000 Americans. And two T-Rexs, a Portland Frog, a Tweety Bird, a squirrel and raccoon. And #CaptainAmerica. I had to ask:
me: What would Captain America do?
Cap: He would hold the line.
me: And he'd say - no, you move!
me: What would Captain America do?
Cap: He would hold the line.
me: And he'd say - no, you move!
Reposted
Shared courtesy of my Penn History colleague, Ben Nathans
October 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Shared courtesy of my Penn History colleague, Ben Nathans
A lot of folks here at the Bakken. My panel on Science in Pop Culture starts in 30 min. If you're around, swing by. (No Spider-Pun intended).
This Sunday I'll be at the MN STEM Book Festival at the Bakken Museum in Minneapolis on a panel discussing - what else - science and pop culture. Just saw that @mtosterholm.bsky.social and Ben Orlin will also be there. Should be fun.
www.thethinkingspot.us/event-detail...
www.thethinkingspot.us/event-detail...
MN STEM Book Festival | The Thinking Spot
Minnesota's First Annual STEM Book Festival!
www.thethinkingspot.us
October 12, 2025 at 7:05 PM
A lot of folks here at the Bakken. My panel on Science in Pop Culture starts in 30 min. If you're around, swing by. (No Spider-Pun intended).
Reposted
Do you live in Minnesota? Are you a fan of horror? Are you a fan of physical media? Do you love intergenerational trauma and gothic folklore monsters?
If so, check out the new indie horror film, DEAD MEDIA, on Oct 20th at The Parkway Theater: deadmediamoviempls102025.eventbrite.com
If so, check out the new indie horror film, DEAD MEDIA, on Oct 20th at The Parkway Theater: deadmediamoviempls102025.eventbrite.com
October 12, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Do you live in Minnesota? Are you a fan of horror? Are you a fan of physical media? Do you love intergenerational trauma and gothic folklore monsters?
If so, check out the new indie horror film, DEAD MEDIA, on Oct 20th at The Parkway Theater: deadmediamoviempls102025.eventbrite.com
If so, check out the new indie horror film, DEAD MEDIA, on Oct 20th at The Parkway Theater: deadmediamoviempls102025.eventbrite.com
For those who prefer to read books with their ears, the audio version of my new book THE PHYSICS OF SUPERHEROES GOES HOLLYWOOD is also available. Here's a preview. Warning - contains Kakalios voice!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFdE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFdE...
The Physics of Superheroes Goes Hollywood: An… by James Kakalios · Audiobook preview
YouTube video by Google Play Books
www.youtube.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:55 PM
For those who prefer to read books with their ears, the audio version of my new book THE PHYSICS OF SUPERHEROES GOES HOLLYWOOD is also available. Here's a preview. Warning - contains Kakalios voice!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFdE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFdE...
This Sunday I'll be at the MN STEM Book Festival at the Bakken Museum in Minneapolis on a panel discussing - what else - science and pop culture. Just saw that @mtosterholm.bsky.social and Ben Orlin will also be there. Should be fun.
www.thethinkingspot.us/event-detail...
www.thethinkingspot.us/event-detail...
MN STEM Book Festival | The Thinking Spot
Minnesota's First Annual STEM Book Festival!
www.thethinkingspot.us
October 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
This Sunday I'll be at the MN STEM Book Festival at the Bakken Museum in Minneapolis on a panel discussing - what else - science and pop culture. Just saw that @mtosterholm.bsky.social and Ben Orlin will also be there. Should be fun.
www.thethinkingspot.us/event-detail...
www.thethinkingspot.us/event-detail...
Jacob Kurtzberg, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Spotted a member of Antifa out in public. If you see something, say something
October 8, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Jacob Kurtzberg, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
a good list. However, if were toI bet you a cocktail, I would say
Allan MacDonald, Pablo Jarillo-Herrero for Twisted BiLayer Graphene
Allan MacDonald, Pablo Jarillo-Herrero for Twisted BiLayer Graphene
Since last year Physics swallowed Computer Science whole and the Nobel was given for machine learning, my list of plausible prizes remains unaltered.
Physics Nobels I would be pleased by:
Quantum info (Bennett, Shor...)
CMB anisotropy measurements (not sure who)
LHC/Higgs discovery (Evans, Giannotti...)
Systems biophysics (West, Bialek...)
Not predictions! And of course many other areas I don't know enough about to guess.
Quantum info (Bennett, Shor...)
CMB anisotropy measurements (not sure who)
LHC/Higgs discovery (Evans, Giannotti...)
Systems biophysics (West, Bialek...)
Not predictions! And of course many other areas I don't know enough about to guess.
October 6, 2025 at 2:17 PM
a good list. However, if were toI bet you a cocktail, I would say
Allan MacDonald, Pablo Jarillo-Herrero for Twisted BiLayer Graphene
Allan MacDonald, Pablo Jarillo-Herrero for Twisted BiLayer Graphene
chef's kiss. No notes.
Here are three conservative ideas that MIT can promote:
1. conservation of energy
2. conservation of momentum
3. conservation of charge
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
1. conservation of energy
2. conservation of momentum
3. conservation of charge
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump offers top universities funds if they boost conservative ideas
Brown and MIT among nine schools told to back conservative views or risk losing federal support, sparking free speech fears
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:04 PM
chef's kiss. No notes.