Archives for 2017

The TRAPPIST-1 Chord

Update: Since the original announcement, astronomers have obtained more accurate estimates of the planets’ orbital periods, including the period of a seventh planet. This post has been updated with the new data. In February, 2017, astronomers announced that the nearby star TRAPPIST-1 has seven Earth-like planets.… Read the rest

After Burning Man 2017

Well, that was quite an adventure! After nine days in the desert running the theme camp “Cupcake Cafe” at Burning Man, I returned to the house exhausted but satisfied. I need to say that having excellent campmates makes it easier to run things.… Read the rest

Retro Pedicab

I’d like to bring an art car to Burning Man that looks like a 1950s diner and that will let me transport people on the playa while listening to popular 1950s songs. However, having an art car at Burning Man requires dealing with the Burning Man Department of Mutant Vehicles.… Read the rest

Dusty Diner Progress

Many thanks to Stacy who suggested the project name “Dusty Diner”! Platform Trike Options. The Worksman Cycles Model STPT front-loading Platform Trike has several options. I’m considering these: Parking Brake — to prevent it from rolling downwind Kevlar-Belted Tires and Puncture-Resistant Tubes – to avoid changing tires Extra Wide Saddle – for added comfort 28-Tooth Front Sprocket – to make it easier to get home after the battery dies Worksman is determining which of their three STPT frames will best fit a 135-mm rear hub motor.… Read the rest

Dusty Diner’s Juke-O-Matic

The Dusty Diner needs music! Diners of the 1950s had juke boxes filled with single-play records. “Wallboxes” on the tables of each booth let you play any of the songs by inserting a coin into a wallbox and pressing a pair of buttons corresponding to the song that you wanted to hear.… Read the rest