JBK-Corridors-Addendum1: Discovery Science

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Twilight Science: Forrest Mims Unlocks the Secrets of Earth's Atmosphere

Many of us have enjoyed a colorful twilight or a stunning sunset. But how often do we think about the science behind these memorable conditions? Forrest Mims has been measuring the Earth’s atmosphere for more than 30 years. On this episode of ID The Future, Mims shares with host ‪@Andrew_McDiarmid‬ some of the secrets he’s learned from his long-term research.

Mims has forged a distinguished scientific career despite having no academic training in science. He is an instrument designer, science writer, and independent science consultant. Mims has published over 60 books, including his latest: Maverick Scientist: My Adventures as an Amateur Scientist.

Mims kicks off this discussion with a brief refresher about the five different layers of Earth’s atmosphere and what got him interested in twilight science. He goes on to explain how he built his own twilight photometer and how he uses it to detect aerosols, ozone, forest fire and volcano emissions, and even dust and smoke from meteors. He also recalls the story of how he corrected NASA’s own atmospheric measurements with homemade instruments, a fascinating chapter in his career that led to further opportunities to work for NASA. Mims concludes with some pointers on how to build your own homemade twilight photometer. Because as Mims reminds us, to be a scientist, you just have to do science!

#science #DIY #twilight

Monday, March 3, 2025

New Novel Invites Teens to Ponder Our Privileged Planet

Astrobiologist Guillermo Gonzalez and author Jonathan Witt sit down with host Andrew McDiarmid to discuss their new young adult novel The Farm at the Center of the Universe, now available from Discovery Institute Press.

Isaac is a young teen reeling from the untimely death of his father. His cousin Charlie is a science teacher and committed materialist, always eager to promote a Darwinian view of the world to those in his charge. Then there’s Isaac’s abuelos, his grandfather and grandmother. The story centers on a weekend visit to his grandparents’ farm, where Isaac will be caught in a battle of wits between two men, facing a choice that he alone can make.

Gonzalez and Witt discuss the experience of bringing the book to life and how it relates to Gonzalez’s popular 2004 book The Privileged Planet. And though the book is geared toward teens, adults will also be enriched by the story. Gonzalez hopes the book will inspire readers to "be open to evidences of design that may be right under their noses that they haven't really noticed before."