I talked to Brian also, and I know the reputation of the person he refers to and that he can be trusted. Both are good eggs.
Thus, the excess heat is likely to be real, but that says nothing about the isotope analysis. But it does narrow the controversy down to the single issue. Brian’s suspicions are as strong as ever about the isotope analysis, maybe more so. The reality of excess heat make that deception even more important to understand. Jones From: Foks0904 Thanks for posting Jed -- I too appreciated Brian's efforts to add to our collective understanding on this matter. We need to get as many expert eyes on this as possible, and each of us drawing on our own network of experts is actually a big deal and necessary I think. John Jed Rothwell wrote: Brian Ahern just called me to say that he spoke with expert in thermal imaging. The expert went over the paper and said this was exactly the right kind of camera for these materials and this range of temperatures. The guy said surface roughness and various other factors come into play. He knows something about alumina and he said these are the instruments and wavelengths he would select. Brian said his own doubts have been resolved. Normally I would have jotted down more details, such as the expert's name, but I didn't because Brian promised to send me a note with the particulars. It occurs to me he is not a good correspondent. He is a busy bee . . . If he does not send me the info. I'll call him back and get it. This expert does things like measure the temperature of rocket plumes. I told Brian I have heard of people using IR cameras for volcanoes. They are good for uncontrolled, high-temperature phenomena. Details to follow. Brian is a good egg. - Jed
