Astronomy Workshop
by morgan on Jul.15, 2009, under Robert J. Sawyer
Hey Rob, that Launch Pad Astronomy Workshop sounds intriguing. Can you share with us in what ways attending the event helps as a writer? Is it about stimulating ideas, the debates or is it more about the research and exposure to NASA?
Regarding bad astronomy, does Journey to the Center of the Earth count? Is it unfair to pick on a classic?
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July 16th, 2009 on 4:47 pm
The Launch Pad Astronomy Workshop has been a great experience so far; I’m logging on from the classroom we’re using at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. We just finished comparing the way they simulated gravity in the movie Armageddon, with the way it was done (much better!) in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The point of the workshop, as far as NASA is concerned is for us communicate accurate science to the public through our writings. As to how we’re going to accomplish that end — well, that’s what we’ve been discussing during the breaks and over dinner. It’s a challenge — but we all take it seriously; we all want to get the astronomy right.
Edward Lerner (who co-authors novels with Larry Niven) were just discussing whether there’s any latitude: can you bend the science for the sake of the story?
It’s a great workshop, and I’m having a blast!
September 7th, 2009 on 8:24 am
Great posting you have, can’t wait for the next
April 12th, 2010 on 5:10 am
Hey, wow, this is top notch stuff, keep up the good work.Bye Bye