_ Paradigm shift... Many people would recognize the reclusive and mysterious genius shown above as he may be the most prominent personage in the history of science and perhaps mathematics as well. Now take a look at the individuals shown below. They may not be as recognized as Isaac Newton, nonetheless they helped introduce ideas to modern science that seemed at odds with conventional wisdom. Tell me who they are and I'll list your name on this page. I've included hints that might help...

1. The theory of this physicist and cleric did not impress Eddington or Einstein (shown talking with him in the above left photo). In fact Einstein clearly disliked it. Within a few years, most, including Einstein, came to believe that this mans theory was correct. Tell me his name and I'll post your name here. ___

2. While working on her Master's thesis, this woman (above center) suggested that the reigning paradigm of cosmology was inadequate to explain certain observations. Her analysis was ignored for two decades before it became apparent that she was right (and the paradigm had been wrong). Tell me her name and I'll post your name here. ___

3. This American physicist (above right) was the first to experimentally observe a previously suspected quantum effect, for which he won the Noble Prize. He later worked with several of America's most prominent physicists on a "big bang" project which had more to do with politics than cosmology. Tell me his name and I'll post your name here. ___

_ Perhaps you have never been particularly interested in cosmological theory or quantum mechanics, in which case those first three questions were too difficult (and uninteresting?). The next one is basic Newtonian physics and might be easier:

4. As you read this, the Earth is falling toward the Sun (and the moon is falling toward the Earth). This is not a true-or-false question, it is a true statement -- a simple matter of gravitational attraction -- and yet these bodies never do collide. In fact, the falling body never even seems to be moving toward its attractor [apart from those times when it moves toward orbital perigee]. The question is: why doesn't the Earth crash into the Sun? -- No need for a lengthy explanation or an equation, the answer can be stated in one word. Tell me that word and I'll post your name here. ___
| Peter Grutsky |

5. How is it that the night sky appears to be black? Don't tell me "because the sun is shining on the other side of the Earth." That answer isn't strictly wrong, but it is inadequate. Here's a couple of hints: the question addresses the appearance of the night sky from Earth, and the correct answer involves quantum effects and human physiology. Ooo, those are big hints. Send me a brief, correct answer and I'll post your name here. ___

6. Getting back to this 'blackness' thing: How about the images sent back to Earth from robotic probes passing through the outer solar system -- why do we see that 'space' IS generally black? Ah, this is a very different question, and the answer involves a combination of quantum effects, special relativity, and cosmological theory. Send me a brief, correct explanation and I'll post your name here. ___

_ OK, that's my little science quiz. If, per chance, you are familiar with San Diego County's 'back country', you might prefer this little photo quiz instead:

7. The telescope at the San Diego County observatory shown in the above left photograph was once the largest in the world. As you drive the road which leads to its site from Santa Ysabel you will look across a valley to the mountain in the photograph above right. A few miles north of this mountain is found the highest point in San Diego County, several hundred feet higher than the mountain you are looking at. Tell me the name of the mountain pictured and I'll post your name here. ___

8. The mountains of San Diego County are part of the same geological system as are the mountains of Baja California. These are called the Peninsular Range but are made up of various more localized fault block ranges. You might tell me the name of the county's highest elevation mountain, or even what that elevation is -- but that won't get your name posted here... Tell me the name of the specific range in which the mountain is found and I will post your name here. ___

9. The large rock arch shown in the above photographs stands atop a great granitic edifice in a fascinating, somewhat remote area within San Diego County. Perhaps only a small number of individuals [who seek wilderness experiences] know of this quiet "rock garden" of giant granite boulders and picturesque Coulter pines. Tell me where this rock formation is found and I will post your name here. ___