Emerging Scholars Blog

InterVarsity's Emerging Scholars Network

Astronomy

Science Corner: Seeing Infrared

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Telescopes have been troublemakers for centuries. They've revealed that the Earth is not the center of the universe, not even the center of the solar system. They showed us our sun was just one of many stars in our galaxy, then showed us our galaxy is just one of many in the universe. They provided the evidence that the universe is expanding, which in turn implied the beginning of the universe in the Big Bang. Now the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is adding wrinkles to our understanding of how those galaxies formed … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Seeing Infrared

Practicing Faithful Presence as an Astronomer

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Early in my academic career, I spent several months intensively studying Scripture to determine how I would view my vocation as professional scientist.  The conclusions I drew from this process have stayed with me and have helped shaped my career for decades.  I recommend this process for anyone regardless of their particular vocation.  The earlier in their career they undertake this exercise, the better—but it is never too late. As a result of my reflections on Scripture, I have settled on four … [Read more...] about Practicing Faithful Presence as an Astronomer

Science Corner: Thanks for Swinging By!

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I promised some science of a less immediately relevant nature, so here we go. You may recall the story of ‘Oumuamua (more formally, 1I/2017 U1), an object which briefly visited our solar system in October of 2017. It was the first time we observed something from outside the solar system pass by, an exciting development all by itself. Even more remarkably, it had an unexpected shape and some surprising moves. Where most objects in space tend towards the spherical, ‘Oumuamua was oblong. And where gravity generally … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Thanks for Swinging By!

Science Corner: Sunrise Service

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If you want to read about some science that has nothing to do with our current situation, may I suggest a story about vocal cooperation among dolphins or some fruit fly research revealing just how versatile proteins can be. Meanwhile, many Christians around the world face the prospect of celebrating Easter in isolation in one of the more practical and large scale intersections of science and religion I can recall. That seems to merit some comment. (And I promise, next week nothing virus-related.) … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Sunrise Service