Inversions

A physics enthusiast has publicly retracted a formula for the fine structure constant posted earlier, admitting it was a mistake, and is now presenting a replacement: a simple expression for the inverse constant written in terms of an approximate base value. The correction, shared openly with an apology, has drawn only minimal attention so far, with a couple of likes on the follow-up post in physics circles.

A radio and radar astronomer has weighed in on a puzzling question about measurement conventions, noting that his field habitually measures signals in energy per hertz of spectrum, using kHz, MHz and GHz units. He adds that infrared astronomers complicate matters further by insisting on inverse centimeters instead, a practice he admits he finds confusing.