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15 Science Nerd Tattoos You Need a PhD To Appreciate
People express their love of science, reason, and exploration in a multitude of ways. Some watch Bill Nye or Neil deGrasse Tyson on TV. Some actually get out there and perform experiments and conduct research. But others get science tattoos with funny meanings. Nerdy science tattoos are a great way to express your personality and show off your IQ at the same time. Sure, there are nerd tattoos you need a PhD to get, but that just makes them more fun.
Despite their heady topics, tattoos for science nerds don't need to be boring. Equations written out in flowing script make beautiful patterns, and pulsar maps are simply stunning. And then there's Schrödinger's cat - the infamous thought experiment makes for some pretty funny ink .
Science is having a cool moment. That could be because those once-obscure topics are now more accessible than ever, thanks to the Internet. Or perhaps that's due to the rising counterculture seeking to protect knowledge from government interference. Whatever the reason, rocking a nerdy science tattoo these days feels downright revolutionary.
Change Over Time
Sometimes, the simplest designs are the most evocative. This one definitely hits the mark, with the symbols for change over time .
Darwin's Tattoo Of Evolution
During Charles Darwin ’s voyage to the Galapagos, he put together his theory of natural selection based mainly on observation of birds. This recreation of his sketches of various finches is both aesthetically pleasing and scientifically impactful.
We Are All Made Of Stars (And Acid)
This scientific tattoo is a two-in-one. It’s an amino acid sequence, but it also spells out “ IAMSTARSTUFF ,” a reference to a famous and inspiring quote by science hero Carl Sagan.
Drake's Extraterrestrial Equation
The Drake Equation might look boring at first, but it’s actually a mathematical formula that calculates the odds of finding life beyond Earth. Pretty cool.
Pulsing Pulsar Map
This pulsar map was designed by Carl Sagan , engraved on a disc, and shot into space as part of the Voyager program. It’s meant to be a universal way of providing “directions” to Earth for any aliens who might encounter the probe.
Planetary Symbols
This tattoo might look like a mysterious code, but it’s actually the planetary symbols for all of the planets in the solar system. Including Pluto, of course.
Schrödinger's Cattoo
Even the most novice science students have probably heard of Schrödinger's cat , but it can be a tricky concept to grasp. This tattoo manages to do so, visually.
Phylogenetic Tree
Phylogenetic trees show how organisms evolved from each other. This tattoo beautifully illustrates one such chart.
Bicycling Motion In Motion
One enterprising physicist figured out a mathematical formula that represented the forces behind bicycling, and had it printed on the very same leg muscles he uses to put that theory into motion.
Downward Spiral
Spirals are often associated with bad decisions. But in this case, this swirling tattoo is a lovely depiction of Earth moving through space (although that particular corkscrew path is hotly debated).
Cross Sections
Sometimes, nerdy science tattoos are worn by actual scientists. This geological cross section tattoo belongs to geologist Helen Malendas .
High-Tech Hip Tat
Even if you don’t know what an isotope ratio mass spectrometer is, you can still appreciate how cool this tattoo on chemist Paula Zelanko ’s hip is.
Science And Religion
This tattoo is worn by a woman who teaches high school physics, but also studies world religion. She harmonized her two passions by combining a delta symbol with a series of mathematical formulas. The formulas include the Mandelbrot Set, the equation for hydrostatic equilibrium, and the formula for entropy.
This tattoo takes a visual approach to a big topic: it’s the universe, observing itself .
Planetary Projection
Sometimes, science is all about perspective. One person appreciated this particular Afrocentric projection of Earth so much that they got it inked on their back.
Psst! Hey, kid: wanna see something cool? Check out these lists of neato facts, pics, and vids of science working around you, all day in every way.
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