10 Matching Annotations
  1. Nov 2023
  2. Sep 2023
  3. Feb 2022
    1. We added a mechanism for the variable motion of the sun and an epicyclic mechanism for calculating the “nodes” of the moon—the points at which the moon’s orbit cuts through the plane of the ecliptic, making an eclipse possible. Eclipses happen only when the sun is close to one of these nodes during a full or new moon. Medieval and renaissance astronomers called a double-ended pointer for the nodes of the moon a “dragon hand.” The epicyclic gearing for this dragon hand also exactly explained a prominent bearing on one of the spokes that had previously appeared to have no function.

      The nodes of the moon are the points at which the moon's orbit cuts through the plane of the ecliptic. These nodes make an eclipse possible and they happen only when the sun is close to one of these nodes during either a full or a new moon.

      Medieval and renaissance astronomers called a double-ended pointer for the nodes of the moon a "dragon hand".

  4. Nov 2021
    1. Slaying the ‘rent dragon’ — by capturing more of the ‘rents’ extracted from communities and using them to eliminate the rents charged to communities — would enable a latent pile of ‘gold’, in the form of money and human energy, to go to productive activities that deliver community and social benefit.

      Trying out these existing rent dragon slaying models to see what works in the local context is really important to a thriving commons.

  5. Dec 2019
    1. St. George

      Best remembered for the tale "St. George and the Dragon," a legend told by Crusaders, George became the patron saint of England.

  6. Oct 2018
  7. Apr 2017
    1. We should’ve known that dragon blood would have healing properties. Rubeus Hagrid used it on his injuries after being attacked by giants, after all.

      Okay, ha ha, to the journalist that put this line in!

    2. a dark horse that may help to save the day against these seemingly invincible “superbugs”: the Komodo dragon. This rare animal’s blood contains antibiotics that may be useful in stopping diseases in humans.

      Wow, who would think to check this?