The SCIENCE thread

[imnot]

I would love ot lear nabout qauntum physics or whatever it's name is, but I tryed once and my head hurt for weeks.

 

[Torrasque]

1: What specific field of science do you find most interesting?I find most fields of science interesting to be honest. I am currently working towards a BA Science in the field of Geology, because rocks and minerals are cool. I also find biology (especially genetics) fascinating, but the "proper" education for that is mind-meltingly boring.
2: Why is that field specifically interesting to you?I suppose for me, it should be "why do you find all of these fields interesting?". Well, physics is interesting because it deals with extremely large masses like planets and stars, as well as very tiny masses like hydrogen and anti-hydrogen molecules. The fact that physics can accidentally a bit of data and the whole science community freaking out, is very interesting. Geology is interesting because I like to know things, and what has more things to know about than Earth? Geology can deal with earthquakes, mountain formation, erosion, weathering, cones of depression, etc.
I just find all science to be very interesting, so this question is moot for me, lol.
3: Why is this field important?Well, physics is important because it has the potential for more efficient travel (both on the Earth and out of the Earth). Geology is important because understanding the Earth is the most important aspect of science. Climatology is important because we need to understand weather better so we don't accidentally the Earth. And on and on.
4: Where is this field used practically? I'm going to assume you mean "where do professionals in this field, use this?". It really depends. Since I am no professional, I just learn more and more and use it to win arguments on the net or convince people they are stupid. Professionals use this out in the field or in labs so they can better society... or build giant undersea castles as they complete their doomsday device.
5: What are the most important basics of this field of science? I'd say the most important basic of any field of science is knowing the rudimentary stuff, like how to find the hardness and fracture of a mineral, or how to figure out if a trait is dominant or recessive. You have to know all of the terminology in your field of science and how they can/may apply in order to be able to carry out tests. Hell, you need to know the terminology and how it applies in order to know what questions you want answered
6: Give some interesting, likely unknown facts about the field. I'll give one about Geology since that is my specialization at the moment: An Amethyst has 6 sides when the crystal comes to a point. The 6th side may be hiding because if fractured unevenly, but it is there. Also, the different colours of Amethyst/Citrine/etc. can be changed manually if you have an oxyacetylene torch, a steady hand, and a lot of patience. However, the colours cannot be changed back and they can only be changed in one direction (ex: yellow -> blue -> red)
7: Clear up some misconceptions people have about it. Geologists have only the foggiest about what is below the crust. They think they know whats up, and they suspect certain things, but they don't really know anything for sure. Also, if a geologist tells you that a volcano has a very high chance of erupting, put down your shit and run. These guys know what they are doing, and you don't.

Geologists are usually left alone to do their work and are not attacked by the media unless some volcano is about to erupt next to a big town, or earthquakes are about to fuck up half of the western seaboard. Well, if everyone listened to the geologists, then California would be deserted and/or the structures there would be hella earthquake proof. Hmm... I wish that movies with pseudo-geologists in it would stop trying to be legit. For example, in the movie 2012, none of that would happen. The entire movie would literally not happen even if every other thing in the movie happened. If the sun blasted the earth with molecules that somehow rose the temperature of the core, nothing would happen. If the core suddenly caused mega volcanoes, all life would die and the movie would end. Giant tsunamis would not happen as a result of giant mega volcanoes. If a giant man-made ship slammed into a mountain like Everest, it would fold in half. Etc. etc.

Also, here is a picture of my FAVORITE scientists
http://axolotlburg.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/fullmetal-alchemist.jpg

 

[Jonluw]

But light itself takes, as from your example, 2 million years to travel to where we are. Why can we reach, doing slightly less speed, the same space in significantly less time.

I don't know if this was clarified when you checked wikipedia, but in any case: The astronauts in the ship will certainly reach the Andromeda galaxy in a relatively short time (30 years, if they are accelerating at 1g and I remember the example correctly), however, 2 million years will pass on earth before they reach Andromeda.
Time is relative and all that.
So while you may say that you can travel to a different galaxy in a couple of years, it is entirely possible that humanity is extinct by the time you reach your destination.

To put it like this: From the perspective of the photon, light doesn't take 2 million years to travel between the galaxies.
Time is relative and all that junk.