Quantcast
Channel: Local – NBC10 Philadelphia
Viewing all 60435 articles
Browse latest View live

Car Crash at NJ Transit Station Slows Travel

0
0

A car crashed into a crossing gate at a NJ Transit rail crossing Monday afternoon, causing delays on the Montclair Boonton line. 

It's not clear what caused the car to crash at the Upper Montclair station. Photos from the scene shows the SUV smashed against the gate, and the rail crossing sign knocked down. 

A train was also stopped at the crossing, though it's not clear if the car crashed into the train. 

A NJ Transit spokeswoman says no one on the train was hurt and there was no derailment. 

The crash was causing delays of up to 45 minutes in both directions on the Montclair-Boonton line. 

It was the second crash involving a commuter rail train and a car in the tri-state area Monday: earlier, a LIRR train hit a car, suspending service on the West Hempstead branch for hours. 



Photo Credit: NBC 4 NY

Pi Day 2017: 3.14 Things to Know About Pi

0
0

Tuesday is Pi Day, a national celebration of the mathematical concept, which is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter and equals 3.14... Two years ago, 3-14-15, was the only day this century that matched pi, commonly approximated as 3.14159. 

Schools and museums often plan events to celebrate the concept, which has fascinated humans for centuries.

In the spirit of the holiday, here are 3.14 things you may not know about pi:

1. No one is certain who discovered pi as we know it today

But we do have some ideas. It seems that the Egyptians used pi in the construction of the Great Pyramid because when the perimeter is divided by its height, one gets a close approximation to 2π. It’s the same result if one divides the circumference of a circle by its radius.

But the most significant pi research might have come from the astronomer, Archimedes, around 250 B.C.

His mathematical calculation showed that pi was "between three and one seventh and three and 10 seventy firsts,” Steven Strogatz, an applied mathematics professor at Cornell University, told NBC in a 2015 interview. “He approached that putting a six sided figure into a circle, then made it 12 sided, and went all the way up to a 96-sided polygon.”

He proved that pi was found somewhere between these two numbers, which applied to all circles.

2. You can find your identity in pi

One myth is that since pi is a continuation of numbers, people’s identities can be found in the pattern: like social security numbers or birthdays.

This theory, which had circulated around Reddit for years before getting a popularity jolt from a George Takei Facebook post (that post appears to have been taken down), posits that all number combinations can be found within the digits of pi. 

A version of this theory posted on Reddit says of pi: "Converted into a bitmap, somewhere in that infinite string of digits is a pixel-perfect representation of the first thing you saw on this earth, the last thing you will see before your life leaves you, and all the moments, momentous and mundane, that will occur between those two points."

But Professor Strogatz stressed that the meme is misleading.  Even if it is true (which is not yet known), the digits in pi would tell us nothing about a person's life or identity, because along with correct social security numbers and birthdays, there will also be wrong social security numbers and birthdays.

3. Proving pi with matches

You can prove pi exists with matches, toothpicks, a pen, or anything else that is the same length, explained Johnny Ball, the author of “Why Pi? (Big Questions).”

“There’s a wonderful way to find pi for yourself. You find a floor with parallel lines; you find matches, pins, pens, exactly the same length. If you drop a hundred of them at random on the floor, the points touching a line will equal pi,” Ball said.

The matches' length must be equal to the distance of the two parallel lines. After the matches are dropped, you multiply the number of matches thrown down by two and divide it by the total number of matches that touched a line, which will equal pi.

This problem was discovered in the 18th century by French mathematician Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon.

Check out this video on Dr. Tony Padilla's YouTube channel Numberphile where he demonstrates Buffon's Needle Problem:

3.14...Legislating against pi

In 1897, Indiana state legislators tried passing a Pi Bill that legally defined pi as 3.2. Edward J. Goodwin, a physician, convinced a well-known mathematical monthly newspaper that he had solved what mathematicians had tried to do for generations: squaring the circle. Simply put, squaring the circle is the impossible task of finding the area of a circle by finding the area of a square around it. Goodwin claimed that pi was 3.2 instead of a continuous number. The bill never became a law thanks to Professor C. A. Waldo who convinced the Indiana Senate that Goodwin’s discovery was not possible.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Winter Weather Closes Philly-Area Attractions

0
0

As a winter storm brought snow, ice and rain to the Philadelphia region, some attractions, including Independence Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, closed for the day.

Stay Safe on Icy Sidewalks: Walk Like a Penguin

0
0

The trick to balancing on slick sidewalks is to "walk like a penguin."

Instinct tells us to do the opposite and center our weight mid-stride, which works on dry walkways.

But this tactic forces legs to split your body weight in half and rely on both feet to maintain balance — not the best idea for icy streets.

A couple years ago, Little Baby’s Ice Cream in Philadelphia's Northern Liberties neighborhood shared a simple infographic on their blog to remind everyone to think of gravity and mimic penguins. Shifting one’s weight onto the front leg keeps people – and penguins – from slipping.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention backs up the penguin waddle claim, reminding people to also spread feet slightly to fortify the center of gravity.

With sidewalks freezing over, remember to stay smart and give yourself extra time to waddle to and fro.

One more tip, keep your hands out of your pockets and wear a puffy coat…so if you do fall, at least you can catch yourself and cushion your buns.



Photo Credit: Curtis Whaley/Tablet Infographics

Grab the Ice Scraper in Delaware

0
0

Time Furlong is in Newark, Delaware where his NBC10 ice scraper is coming in handy.

Snow Totals in Your Neighborhood

0
0



Photo Credit: User Submitted

Flood Threat at Jersey Shore

0
0

NBC10's Matt DeLucia is in Longport, New Jersey tracking the conditions along the shore as the Atlantic Ocean churns nearby.

Wind, Freezing Rain in Chester County

0
0

NBC10's Harry Hairston is checking in with people at a Wawa in Thorndale, Pennsylvania seeing how they are dealing with Tuesday's storm.


Beware of Potential Snow Shoveling Schemes

0
0

With winter storms come potential schemers offering to remove your snow. NBC10 Responds reporter Harry Hairston is in Chester County with some warning signs of a possible scheme.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Want to Track That Snowplow?

0
0

Gov. Tom Wolf declared a state of emergency for Pennsylvania and officials advised drivers to stay indoors during a nor'easter that left more than a foot of snow on parts of the greater Philadelphia region.

While the snow and ice fall, you can sit in the comfort of your home seeing where PennDOT snowplows are clearing roads.

PennDOT deployed hundreds snowplows to clear 40,000 miles worth of state roads and 25,000 bridges statewide. The agency warned that PennDOT crews are treating roadways to keep them passable.

The 511 Pennsylvania snowplow tracker system gives users access to road conditions via live traffic cameras. It also shows the locations of plow trucks and allows users to track its past routes. The plow icons do not move in real time, but refreshing the page will update their current location.

The tracker, also available via an app for smartphones, allows users to zoom in into their neighborhood and out for a broader view of the entire state's conditions. [[366068131, C]]



Photo Credit: 511PA.com

Flooding at Jersey Shore

0
0

NBC10's Ted Greenberg is in Ventnor looking at the effects of Tuesday's winter storm down the shore.

Pa. Resort Features America's Biggest Indoor Water Park

0
0

Kalahari Resorts in the Pocono Mountains now features America's largest indoor water Park with new slides, wave pool, lazy river and adult swim bars. The expansion at the resort also includes an additional 520 rooms, new dining options and fitness gyms. The resort broke ground in April 2015 and was completed in 18 months. “My family and I had always dreamed of expanding Kalahari to the East Coast, and we’ve had a great experience in the Pocono Mountains,” said Todd Nelson, owner of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions.

Chestnut Hill Seeing Icy Conditions

0
0

Winds picked up in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill neighborhood as snow and sleet fell late Tuesday morning. NBC10’s Rosemary Connors shows us the icy conditions.

Here's What Causes Those Massive Snowflakes

0
0

The late-season snowstorm pummeling the Northeast Tuesday brought some eye-catching snow.

New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut saw big, puffy white stuff that almost looked like ticker tape Tuesday morning. But they aren't giant individual snowflakes, but a phenomenon caused by warming temperature and mid-air clumping.

[[416131084, C]]

Snowflakes can only form in below-freezing temperatures, of course, but when they fall into warmer air lower down, they can start to melt, according to NBC New York meteorologist Erica Grow. That makes them sticky enough to clump together when caught in updrafts, which is fast-rising air typical of thunderstorms.

"When you see those huge snowflakes, don't be surprised if you also hear a clap of thunder or see a flash of lightning!" Grow said.

Those clumps can, very rarely, grow as big as a dinner plate in very calm conditions, according to a website run by Caltech snowflake expert Kenneth G. Libbrecht.

[[401886035, C]]

The biggest individual snow crystal ever photographed was only 10.1 mm, or 0.4 inches, across he says.

The mega-snowflakes caught plenty of attention throughout the Northeast on social media Tuesday.

[[416129103, C]]



Photo Credit: NBC
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Winter Storm Causing Road Closures

0
0

Downed trees and wires forced drivers to find alternate routes in South Jersey Tuesday morning.


Should NJ Public Workers Get Pay Raises Without Contract?

0
0

New Jersey's highest court is hearing a case over whether public workers should receive incremental pay raises for reaching milestones in years of service even after a contract expires.

NJ.com reports the state Supreme Court listened to arguments on Monday.

Atlantic County, Bridgewater Township and the Public Employment Relations Commission want the court to reverse an appeals court ruling that said the commission overstepped its authority when it overturned a longstanding doctrine that allowed step increases to outlive the term of a contract.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 34 and Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 77 accused Atlantic County of unfair labor practices.

A representative for the unions says a union win would impact every state and local public worker in New Jersey.



Photo Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Stay Off the Roads so Crews Can Clear Montco Roads

0
0

There are more than a dozen disabled vehicles in Montgomery County and officials have been getting several emergency calls. NBC10’s Deanna Durante is in King of Prussia showing us the conditions that has officials urging people to stay off the road.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Tips for Driving Safely in the Snow

0
0

A late winter nor'easter is threatening to drop a foot or more of snow on much of the Northeast through Tuesday, with New York City, parts of northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut under a blizzard warning from the National Weather Service. A travel ban will be in effect in Connecticut from 5 a.m. on Tuesday until further notice. Elsewhere, speed will be restricted on highways, HOV highways lane will not open in some areas and some commercial traffic will be prohibited. Officials are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel.

"Extremely fast snow fall rates will create dangerous roadway conditions, and we urge everyone to be prepared to stay off the roads, take public transit if necessary and work from home if possible," Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement.

Winter travel can be dangerous. Winter storms contribute to more than 2,000 road deaths every winter and nearly half a million crashes, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to keep roads clear for snowplows and first responders. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, "if you must drive, please plan ahead, be careful, and stay safe."

So if you do find yourself driving in treacherous conditions, here are some tips for remaining safe on the road from the AAA and transportation officials.

BEFORE THE SNOW

  • Be prepared: Have an emergency kit in your car that includes a bag of cat litter, sand or other abrasive materials to get traction on ice, a shovel, flashlight and extra batteries, gloves or mittens, boots, ice scraper and snow brush, jumper cables, blanket, warning flares or triangles, food and water, first-aid items, extra windshield-washer fluid and antifreeze and a piece of bright cloth.
  • Take your cell: Charge your mobile phone and bring a charger with you. If you do charge your phone in the car, make sure your tailpipe is clear to avoid the danger from carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Fill it up: Fill your gas tank and check wiper blades, windshield-washer fluid, oil and antifreeze.

DURING THE SNOW

  • Drive slowly: Accelerate and stop slowly to avoid skids.
  • Hang back: Increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. The extra space will provide the longer distance you will need if you have to stop.
  • Easy on the brake: Brake early by applying firm, steady pressure on the pedal. Don’t stop if you can avoid it. If you can roll slowly until a traffic light changes, do it. It is much easier to get moving while rolling than from a full stop.
  • Taking hills: Don’t power up hills  — your wheels may just begin to spin. Instead get momentum before you reach the hill, and slow down when you reach the top.
  • Careful on the bridge: Be especially cautious on bridges, which freeze first, and on highway exit ramps, which might have gotten less anti-icing material.
  • Avoid cruise control: Don’t use cruise control in wintry conditions because even roads that appear clear can have slippery spots. The slightest tap on your brakes to deactivate the cruise control could cause you to lose control.
  • If you get stranded: Stay in your vehicle, avoid over-exertion, let fresh air in, run the engine every 10 minutes, but make sure your exhaust pipe is free of snow. Turn on the dome light at night when the engine is running. Change your position often, move your hands and legs, rub your hands together or put them under your armpits or between your legs and remove your shoes occasionally and rub your feet.

AFTER THE SNOW

  • Clear your car: If clearing the snow and ice is too difficult for you, ask for help.
  • Shovel with care: Pace yourself, shovel for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and be aware of the warning signs of hear attacks. 


Photo Credit: Getty Images

There's a Farm Inside This Shipping Container in South Jersey

0
0

You can grow quality food anywhere. This shipping container farm proves it. Hoping to bring fresh food to communities who need them the most, a trio of Millennials from South Jersey formed Homegrown Farms. The controlled environment allows them to grow greens quickly and efficiently.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Spinning Tires in the Lehigh Valley

0
0

NBC10's Randy Gyllenhaal tried to lend a hand to some guys trying to get a car off a snowy road in Allentown, Pennsylvania Tuesday.



Photo Credit: NBC10
Viewing all 60435 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images