The Big Short
A magician’s hat can’t really turn lead into gold
The Great Recession was a product of willful ignorance. There is a lot to be learned from the few who won big by allowing themselves to see what others would not.
Methane Ahoy!
The Fun Physics of Aliso Canyon
The Aliso Canyon methane leak is a major disaster. It is also a showcase for some really fun physics! Including, among other things, the fun physics behind global warming.
Big Meets Small
The Ouroboros of today’s physics
The Cosmos itself is the ultimate high energy particle physics experiment.
This article originally appeared in my Astronomy Magazine column, For Your Consideration.
Impostor Syndrome
Sometimes competence comes with a price
Impostor Syndrome is real and it’s no fun. But if you come at it properly, it can also be a starting point for a better future.
Fahrenheit 105
From astrophysicist to health guru!
It’s a strange world. I’ve been published in a lot of places, but I never thought that I’d show up in the California Healthy Living Magazine talking about yoga!
The Tao of Innovation
Making creativity work in the cold hard light of day
Innovation seldom leads where you think that it will, and doesn’t work to a manager’s schedule. But if you know how to listen, the world will tell you where to look for the next big idea.
The Lesson of Lost Value
A study of over 1000 companies that experienced major setbacks reveals a fundamental fact, as true for individuals as it is for corporations.
Failure doesn’t happen to us, it is something that we do to ourselves. The difference between success and failure lies in our approach to knowledge.
Postmodernist Airplanes
Science is not just another world view
It’s easy to tell this airplane wasn’t designed by a postmodernist; it flies! Science: When it really matters, nothing even comes close.
This article originally appeared in my Astronomy Magazine column, For Your Consideration.
Welcome to Reality Straight Up!
With 2016 coming up I am launching a new website, and a new newsletter to go with it. Welcome to Reality Straight Up: Thoughts & Observations of a Free Range Astrophysicist.
Season’s Greetings 2016!
The shortest day of the year has come and gone! Whether you wish your fellows a Merry Christmas, Happy Festivus, or just peace, joy, and happiness in their lives, the changing of the seasons marks a time of both celebration and new commitment. My wish for you is to see that new commitment translate into the real change you want in your life. Season’s Greetings!
Over his 30 year career as an internationally known astrophysicist, Dr. Jeff Hester was a key member of the team that repaired the Hubble Space Telescope. With one foot always on the frontiers of knowledge, he has been mentor, coach, team leader, award-winning teacher, administrator and speaker, to name a few of the hats he has worn. His Hubble image, the Pillars of Creation, was chosen by Time Magazine as among the 100 most influential photographs in history.