Jani Macari Pallis, PhD
Dr. Jani Macari Pallis is the founder of Cislunar Aerospace, Inc. She is also the creator of two excellent educational sites, The K-8 Aeronautics Internet Textbook, a multi-level interactive learning website, and Wright Again, a chronological history of the Wright Brothers.
Science Facts Written by Jani Macari Pallis, PhD
The Night Orville Wright Had Too Many Cups Of Coffee
Whenever Wilbur and Orville Wright's colleague, George Spratt, visited their Kitty Hawk glider test camp, lively discussions and arguments on flight persisted until late in the evening. On this ... Continue reading
Get the Point?
The discus and javelin first appeared in ancient game competitions in 708 B.C. Javelin events included both target throwing and distance throwing using a sling. By 1780, the javelin was adopted as an ... Continue reading
Can You Drink Too Much Water?
Body fluids account for over 70% of an average adult's body. Our body fluids are composed of water and substances called electrolytes. Dissolved in water, these materials develop tiny electrical ... Continue reading
Barn Yard Aeronauts
The word aeronaut is derived from the Greek terms 'aero' meaning air or atmosphere and 'nautes' meaning sailor. Originally, individuals who piloted balloons or airships (blimps or dirigibles) were ... Continue reading
Why Does A Golf Ball Have Dimples?
A golf ball can be driven great distances down the fairway. How is this possible? The answer to this question can be found by looking at the aerodynamic drag on a sphere without dimples (while it's ... Continue reading
It's A Bird, It's A Plane -- No, It's A Clam!
Not all animals glide or fly in the air. Many marine animals are masters of 'flight' and speed under the water. The ocean environment brings its own set of adaptations and specializations for the ... Continue reading
How Many Cows Does It Take To String A Tennis Racquet?
How many cows does it take to string a tennis racquet? According to Professor Rod Cross of the University of Sydney, an expert on the physics and technology of tennis, the answer is 3. Many top ... Continue reading
Many Happy Returns!
The boomerang is a bent or angular throwing club with the characteristics of a multi-winged airfoil. When properly launched, the boomerang returns to the thrower. Although the boomerang is often ... Continue reading
What Makes a Frisbee Fly?
If you have ever been to the park or the beach, you've probably seen one of these plastic discs flying through the air. We're not talking about a UFO, we're talking about the Frisbee, more commonly ... Continue reading
