September 10, 2012

Gamma-Ray Flashes

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This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

Image of the Week #59, September 10th, 2012:

From:The Evolution of a Scientific American Information Graphic: Gamma-Ray Flashes by Jen Christiansen at @ScientificAmerican .

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Source:Joseph R. Dwyer, for Thunderclouds Make Gamma Rays and Shoot Out Antimatter, Too by Joseph R. Dwyer and David M. Smith

How many times have you grabbed a pencil and paper when trying to explain something to someone? Perhaps it comes as no surprise, then, that clear thinking goes hand in hand with clear graphics, and vice versa. This sketch by Scientific American author Joseph R. Dwyer accompanied his written explanation of the phenomenon known as gamma-ray flashes (August 2012 print issue ( Deadly Rays from Clouds by By Joseph R. Dwyer and David M. Smith). It’s a great example of clear thinking in a visual form — and proof that you don’t need to be a professional illustrator to convey ideas clearly on paper. See the final version, rendered by illustrator Brian Despain, at Jen Christiansen’s post titled The Evolution of a Scientific American Information Graphic: Gamma-Ray Flashes.

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