Darren New <dne### [at] sanrrcom> wrote:
> scott wrote:
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_matter_halo

> "either the halo is composed of weakly-interacting elementary particles 
> known as WIMPs, or it is home to large numbers of small, dark bodies known 
> as MACHOs."

> I really think the scientists need to knock this sort of stuff off. 500 
> years from now, people will still be using these names.

  As far as I understand from his presentations, Neil deGrasse Tyson fully
embraces and promotes the use of descriptive, mundane and even funny names
in physics, especially compared to the cryptic and technical names used eg.
in chemistry and biology. Such names include things like "big bang", "black
hole" and "spaghettification" (all quite complex subjects of astrophysics).
I assume "WIMP" and "MACHO" are also right on the spot. :)

-- 
                                                          - Warp

Post a reply to this message