http://astrotalkuk.org Not for profit, astronomy podcast based in the UK Thu, 17 May 2012 18:27:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Copyright © astrotalkuk publications gurbir@gurbir.co.uk (info@astrotalkuk.org) gurbir@gurbir.co.uk (info@astrotalkuk.org) astronomy 1440 http://astrotalkuk.org/wp-content/uploads/atuk144144.jpg http://astrotalkuk.org 144 144 Amateur Astronomy in the UK Hosted by an amateur astronomer, AstrotalkUK is podcast looking at the role, activities and achievements of amateur astronomers in the UK. Mostly a prerecorded mp3 audio file but occasionally accompanied by a video too. The internet being what it is, content will not be limited to the UK nor will the contributors always be amateur astronomers. Astronomy, Space, Solar, System, Cosmos, Universe, Moon, Earth, NASA, spaceflight, Gagarin, Rocket info@astrotalkuk.org info@astrotalkuk.org gurbir@gurbir.co.uk no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2012/02/18/bis-northern-meeting-york-19th-may-2012/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2012/02/18/bis-northern-meeting-york-19th-may-2012/#comments Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:17:06 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=1571 http://astrotalkuk.org/2012/02/18/bis-northern-meeting-york-19th-may-2012/feed/ 2 http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/07/10/episode-4610th-july-2011-yuri-gagarin-in-london-and-manchester-new-book-and-personal-recollections/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/07/10/episode-4610th-july-2011-yuri-gagarin-in-london-and-manchester-new-book-and-personal-recollections/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 10:38:07 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=1040 http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/07/10/episode-4610th-july-2011-yuri-gagarin-in-london-and-manchester-new-book-and-personal-recollections/feed/ 2 0:00:01 On his first visit outside the eastern bloc, Yuri Gagarin arrived in London for a 5 day visit on Tuesday July 11th 1961. He was greeted with a tumultuous and sincere warm welcome everywhere he went including his meetings with the Prime minister and [...] On his first visit outside the eastern bloc, Yuri Gagarin arrived in London for a 5 day visit on Tuesday July 11th 1961. He was greeted with a tumultuous and sincere warm welcome everywhere he went including his meetings with the Prime minister and the Queen. The British government juggled with acknowledging Gagarin personal courage and the Soviet Union’s historic technological achievement whilst assuring its allies, USA, France and West Germany that the visit would not be exploited exclusively as a communist propaganda opportunity. When the Manchester based Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers discovered that Gagarin had trained as a foundry worker, they invited him to join their union as a honorary member.  He came to Manchester on 12th July and visited the union office, the Metrovicks plant in Trafford Park and the city’s town hall before flying back to London six hours later. During the late seventies I had lived near this union office and only discovered in 2010 that Gagarin had actually been there. I looked but failed to find any books on the subject so I decide to write one. It is called “Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester” and attempts to fill in a small bit of the Gagarin story. The first and last chapters describe Gagarin’s flight, some of the key individuals involved, the air crash that claimed his life in 1968 and his personal impact as an advocate of peace during the Cold War.  In the remaining chapter – 2-7, I document the background to his invitation and details of where he went and who he met.  Some of those recollections are the subject of this episode. It includes clips from Captain Eric Brown and Reg Turnill, longer versions of which are available in episodes 40 and 41.  My thanks to those who contributed to this episode – Reg Turnill, Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, Brenda Knowles, Marjorie Rose, Stanley Nelson, Captain Eric Brown and Stanislava Sajawizc. Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester 185 Pages, 27 Illustrations ISBN 978-0-9569337-0-6 Paperback £10.00 (+postage) and eBook (iPad and Kindle) £2.50 available from publications@astrotalkuk.org Download a pdf   of  the page of contents, Chapter 2 “An Uneasy Invitation” and the text above or all three in a zip file.   Recollections of Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo. Education, Gagarin, History, Media, podcast, Rocket, video info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/07/04/episode-45-4th-july-2011-apollo-15-command-module-pilot-al-worden/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/07/04/episode-45-4th-july-2011-apollo-15-command-module-pilot-al-worden/#comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 05:00:10 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=1004 http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/07/04/episode-45-4th-july-2011-apollo-15-command-module-pilot-al-worden/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Probably the most scientifically demanding Apollo mission, Apollo 15 was launched on 26th July 1971 on a two week mission. Al Worden in the command module orbited the Moon for 75 orbits whilst Dave Scott and James Irwin explored the south eastern ed[...] Probably the most scientifically demanding Apollo mission, Apollo 15 was launched on 26th July 1971 on a two week mission. Al Worden in the command module orbited the Moon for 75 orbits whilst Dave Scott and James Irwin explored the south eastern edge of Mare Imbrium on the Moon’s surface.  Apollo 15 launched with the heaviest payload of all Apollo missions and included the first moon rover, a sub-satellite launched from Apollo 15 in to lunar orbit and a collection of science instruments including a high resolution camera to map the lunar surface. To coincide with the 40th anniversary, on July 26th 2011, writing with Francis French Al Worden is publishing his autobiography.  In this interview recorded in London on 22nd May, Al talks about his test pilot career before joining NASA, the Apollo 15 mission, the “Covers incident” (these were stamped postal covers franked on the day of launch and again the day of ret urn for subsequent public sale) his post NASA career and his autobiography Falling to Earth. In addition to bringing back 77kg of Lunar Material, high resolution images of the Moon from lunar orbit and images of the zodiacal light, solar corona and gegenschein, Al Worden conducted a 38 minute space walk a day after they fired the engine for their journey home from Lunar orbit. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Al during this interview. It is a reminder that space exploration is not only about cutting-edge technology and breathtaking adventure but it is above all a human endeavour. “The story of Apollo 15 is a story of betrayal by people and by the government” apollo, astronaut, Education, History, Moon, NASA, podcast, Rocket, space, Spaceflight, video info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/05/15/episode-44-15th-may-2011-first-orbit-and-manchester%e2%80%99s-yuri-gagarin-exhibition/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/05/15/episode-44-15th-may-2011-first-orbit-and-manchester%e2%80%99s-yuri-gagarin-exhibition/#comments Sun, 15 May 2011 14:22:24 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=886 http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/05/15/episode-44-15th-may-2011-first-orbit-and-manchester%e2%80%99s-yuri-gagarin-exhibition/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Another Yuri Gagarin episode, I know the anniversary of the world’s first spaceflight is over but there is still lots going on over the next few months. There are two contributors in this episode, Chris Riley and Richard Evans. One of the most succe[...] Another Yuri Gagarin episode, I know the anniversary of the world’s first spaceflight is over but there is still lots going on over the next few months. There are two contributors in this episode, Chris Riley and Richard Evans. One of the most successful projects to mark the anniversary is the film First Orbit. The only camera aboard Vostok 1 was on the inside, transmitting live pictures of Gagarin’s face to the nervous engineers who anxiously monitored mankind’s first experience of spaceflight. First Orbit is a remarkably accurate recreation of what Gagarin would have seen compiled from high definition video shot from the space station. Astonishingly, this undertaking of international proportions, was put together by numerous unpaid volunteers and almost three million who have seen it, saw it for free.  It is still available for viewing online and for download – still free. If you want to make a contribution and have a smart phone (Android or Iphone) the First Orbit app will set you back about 70 pence. First Orbit was produced and directed by Chris Riley along with many other volunteers. Chances are you have already seen the film. Also available from firstorbit.org website is a short but  facinating video about the making of First Orbit.  Chris Riley talks about his next project “Orbit” but begins with how the idea of First Orbit came about. Yuri Gagarin was in Britain for 5 days, he spent the second one, Wednesday 12th July 1961, in Manchester.  A major in the Soviet Air Force he started off his career as foundryman.  During his six hours in the city, he visited the head quarters of the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers in Old Trafford, the Metropolitan Vickers Engineering plant in Trafford Park and concluded with a civic reception in Manchester Town Hall. The only event in Manchester to mark the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s vist  is an exhibition at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale running through until 17th August 2011. The exhibition and program of events have been driven by the science fiction author Richard Evans. He talks about the exhibitiion but starts with his current writing project. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Yuri Gagarin asserting his working class roots during his Manchester visit. “Although I am doing a different job now, I am still a foundry worker at heart” http://www.firstorbit.org/how-we-made-the-film astronaut, Education, ESA, Gagarin, Media, podcast, space, Spaceflight, Vostok info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/01/05/bbc-stargazing-live/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/01/05/bbc-stargazing-live/#comments Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:10:34 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=537 http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/01/05/bbc-stargazing-live/feed/ 0 http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/12/11/yuri-gagarin-in-manchester-university-of-salford-15th-december-2010/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/12/11/yuri-gagarin-in-manchester-university-of-salford-15th-december-2010/#comments Sat, 11 Dec 2010 14:51:55 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=523 http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/12/11/yuri-gagarin-in-manchester-university-of-salford-15th-december-2010/feed/ 1 http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/11/22/episode-37-november-21st-2010-progress-of-science-through-the-ages/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/11/22/episode-37-november-21st-2010-progress-of-science-through-the-ages/#comments Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:46:28 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=505 http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/11/22/episode-37-november-21st-2010-progress-of-science-through-the-ages/feed/ 3 0:19:17 Scroll to the bottom of this post to play the audio. On November 3rd this year, Professor Jim Al-khalili was to give three lectures in Liverpool on the same day (Quantum Physics, Advances in Mathematics in Medieval Islam and On the Shoulders of East[...] Scroll to the bottom of this post to play the audio. On November 3rd this year, Professor Jim Al-khalili was to give three lectures in Liverpool on the same day (Quantum Physics, Advances in Mathematics in Medieval Islam and On the Shoulders of Eastern Giants: the Forgotten Contribution of the Medieval Physicists). I did feel a bit of a stalker, I attended all three, but fortunately I was not alone. It is not often that I get to personally witness the scientific method in real life. The most illuminating part of the day of the three lectures was the the Q and A following the second lecture. A questioner put her hand up and stated clearly that she had a correction rather than a question. She had heard the professor talk about the concept and symbol for the number zero. During his lecture, the professor had recalled the contribution from the Babylonians, Mayans and Indian mathematicians. The questioner had been researching the substantial contribution from the Egyptians in this area which the professor had not mentioned. What happened next was an affirmation of the scientific method. The professor could have been defensive, confrontational or dismissive. Instead, he listened to her argument and asked her to stay behind to so he could learn details of her research. That is the power of the scientific idea. It stands only on the edifice of evidence and not the economic wealth, social position or academic reputation of those who hold it. The progress of scientific knowledge is not continuous and linear but evolves through a series of stops and starts. Thomas Kuhn, in his 1962 book “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” described the progress of science as periodic “paradigm shifts”. He was referring to the fundamental differences in thinking that have lead to leaps in scientific understanding. Could that stop and start concept describe how science develops through the ages too? Scientific discoveries are frequently lost, forgotten or deliberately suppressed. So the story of scientific discovery is frequently a story of rediscovery. William Harvey ‘s discovery in 1628 of the human heart and circulation of blood though the human body had much in common with that of Ibn al-Nafis 400 years earlier. Nicolas Copernicus is credited in the 16th century with introducing the heliocentric system (placing the Sun not the Earth, in the centre of the solar system) but this idea had been propounded by Aristarchus in the third century BC. The omissions are not just in science. One example of technological development lost for over a thousand years that sticks out like a sore thumb is the Antikythera mechanism, a device for calculating and displaying relative positions of the Sun, Moon and planets. The precision of the internal mechanism would not be repeated for over a thousand years. Why these omissions occur is unclear. History, like science is always a work in progress. Reflecting on why the ancient Greek tradition of scientific method stalled, Carl Sagan in his celebrated work, Cosmos, concluded that their society was elitist and self serving. Key figures like Plato were hostile to experiment and perpetuated the idea that human thought alone was sufficient to explain the physical world. This intellectually corrupt approach sustained their slave owning unjust society. Search for truth was not their goal. In his new book “Pathfinders” Professor Al-Khalili attempts to fill “a” gap in the history of science by revisiting the work done by the Arabic scholars during the period known in Europe as the dark ages. It is not a story of Islamic science but of science conducted in the Arabic language which has its roots in Islam. For around 600 years (from 9th to the 15th century), sandwiched between Greek and Latin, the international language of science was Arabic. A professor of theoretical nuclear physics in the University of Surrey, he was born in Baghdad to a Christian mother and a Muslim father. As an atheist , Jim Al-Khalili, emphasize[...] Education, God, History, Media, podcast, Ptolomy, Religion, Science info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/10/12/episode-36-october-11th-2010-uk-space-policy-and-yuri-gagarins-visit-to-manchester-and-london-in-july-1961/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/10/12/episode-36-october-11th-2010-uk-space-policy-and-yuri-gagarins-visit-to-manchester-and-london-in-july-1961/#comments Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:10:09 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=477 http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/10/12/episode-36-october-11th-2010-uk-space-policy-and-yuri-gagarins-visit-to-manchester-and-london-in-july-1961/feed/ 7 0:00:01 Next year April 12th  2011 marks the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s,  mankind’s,  first steps  into space. It was a product of the accumulated technology of many countries over many years but particularly driven by the the political [...] Next year April 12th  2011 marks the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s,  mankind’s,  first steps  into space. It was a product of the accumulated technology of many countries over many years but particularly driven by the the political landscape resulting from the 2nd world war. Since then successful robotic missions have visited the planets, asteroids and comets. 24 men have gone to the moon and a dozen have even walked on its surface. Subsequent achievements have fallen short of the expectations raised in the wake of Gagarin’s flight. Gagarin himself  spoke openly about his desire to go to the moon and Mars. That sounds like a pipe dream now but back in 1961, he was absolutely serious and realistic. So what happened? Had the space race been won when Neil and Buzz landed on the Moon? Had the motivation borne out of political rivalries of the cold war finally been exhausted? Perhaps, the problems closer at home of poverty, population growth, environmental concerns  raced to the top of the political agenda and forced  governments into a pragmatic reconsideration on how they spent their cash? Big questions. Too big for this episode where Dr Chris Welch from Kingston University provides a brief outline of the current status of the Space policy here in the UK.   Dr Welch  also happens to be the chair of the of the recently launched YuriGagarin50 group which has amongst its aims: Stimulate celebration and recognition of the global significance of Gagarin and his flight – ‘the first person in space, the first person to see the Earth as a planet’. After his flight Yuri Gagarin embarked on a world tour which included a 4 day visit to the UK which surprisingly included a visit to Manchester on 12th July 1961. By chance, Gagarin’s first job was as a moulder in a foundry in Moscow.   He came to the UK and Manchester at the invitation of the Manchester based Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers. I will be producing another episode  focusing on Gagarin’s UK visit next year. Did you see Gagarin in July 1961? Do you know someone who did? Share your memories. Drop me a note at info@astrotalkuk.org. With many months to go to next year’s 50th anniversary, there are several events already being planned  to celebrate mankind’s first steps in to space. Keep an eye on the events calendar at  www.yurigagarin50.org ________________________________________________ The quote for this episode is from the Soviet government in 1961 following Gagarin’s success in Vostok 1. Perhaps they were deliberately winding up the Americans but there is something warm and reassuring to see a couple of familiar words in the quote  “all mankind” that are on the plaque left on the Moon by the Apollo 11 astronauts. A 1961 official Soviet Government and Communist Party announcement said. “We regard these victories in the conquest of outer space not only as the achievement of our people but as an achievement of all mankind” A video version of this podcast is available on Vimeo here. apollo, Education, podcast, Rocket, space, Spaceflight, Uncategorized, video, Vostok info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/07/11/wordcampuk-manchester-17-18-july-2010/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/07/11/wordcampuk-manchester-17-18-july-2010/#comments Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:32:46 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=416 http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/07/11/wordcampuk-manchester-17-18-july-2010/feed/ 0 http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/01/29/episode-33-january-27th-2010-ptolemy%e2%80%99s-almagest/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/01/29/episode-33-january-27th-2010-ptolemy%e2%80%99s-almagest/#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:15:33 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=256 http://astrotalkuk.org/2010/01/29/episode-33-january-27th-2010-ptolemy%e2%80%99s-almagest/feed/ 1 0:35:41 If you had the task of gathering all of humanity’s knowledge of cosmology in one place, how would you do it? Answers to questions such as, How big is the Earth? At what date and time will the Moon be full again? What makes the Sun shine? How old is [...] If you had the task of gathering all of humanity’s knowledge of cosmology in one place, how would you do it? Answers to questions such as, How big is the Earth? At what date and time will the Moon be full again? What makes the Sun shine? How old is the Universe? Today a good place to start the project would be to scour the sources online. In about 150AD Claudius Ptolemaeus, better known as Ptolemy, a Greek national with Roman citizenship living in Egypt, attempted to do just that. He is best known for his encyclopaedic work written in ancient Greek “Syntaxis Mathematica”, perhaps better known as the Almagest from the Arabic Al magisti “the greatest”. He was an industrious author of many scientific and mathematical treaties but he also collected works going back hundreds of years. The Almagest was the premier source of knowledge for describing the cosmos for almost two thousand years. Nothing of the original survives, only hand written copies of hand written copies. Today’s episode is partially about one such copy, A seven hundred year old manuscript identified recently in the special collections of the Brotherton Library in the University of Leeds. Only parts of it is the Almagest. The manuscript was kept by Anthony Askew,   Joseph windham and then  lord Brotherton who donated it to the University of Leeds. This episode is also about how information is transmitted through history. The value that successive individuals, societies and civilisations put on them. The inevitable errors in the mishmash of translations over hundreds of years from one language (Ancient Greek, Syriac, Arabic, Latin and English) to another or the periodic attempts by one scribe to diligently copy the work of another. In early 2009 Dr Regine May and Professor Malcolm Heath came across a 14th century manuscript catalogued as a work of Astrology and discovered it contained elements of Ptolemy’s Almagest. The manuscript in three volumes has yet to receive detailed  scholarly scrutiny. In today’s episode there are 4 contributors.  Dr Regine May outlines how the almost accidental discovery of this manuscript came about and Dr Oliver Pickering, the keeper of the special collections describes how the library acquired the manuscript. A live recording of Professor Malcolm Heath, Dr Allan Chapman and Dr Oliver Pickering inspecting the manuscript in the Brotherton Library. ==================================== Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher of the late 19th century who read and wrote about the ancient Greek culture. Perhaps it was the writings from the ancient Greek civilisation which lead him to conclude The future influences the present just as much as the past. Cosmology, Education, History, podcast, Ptolomy info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2009/12/26/episode-30-december-27th-2009-prof-barrie-jones/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2009/12/26/episode-30-december-27th-2009-prof-barrie-jones/#comments Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:18:52 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=210 http://astrotalkuk.org/2009/12/26/episode-30-december-27th-2009-prof-barrie-jones/feed/ 0 0:18:27 Today’s episode is a special recording with Professor Barrie Jones of the Open University. Special because during the Eighties, I studied several of the courses which he helped to develop and presented on the the late night OU TV programs. Profes[...] Today’s episode is a special recording with Professor Barrie Jones of the Open University. Special because during the Eighties, I studied several of the courses which he helped to develop and presented on the the late night OU TV programs. Professor Jones joined the Open University in 1972 and since 2006 is the emeritus professor of astronomy. He recalls people he worked with at Cornell including Tom Gold, Frank Drake, Carl Sagan and the early days of Gamma Ray astronomy from balloons. Astrobiology, Education, podcast, seti info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2009/07/12/episode-27-astronomy-on-the-web/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2009/07/12/episode-27-astronomy-on-the-web/#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:36:42 +0000 admin http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=166 http://astrotalkuk.org/2009/07/12/episode-27-astronomy-on-the-web/feed/ 0 0:17:57 A different, interesting and at times a little silly episode this week.  Professor L Gay from the Southern University Edwardsville Illinois (SUEI) and Swinburne Astronomy Online but you will may be familiar with her voice on the probably most po[...] A different, interesting and at times a little silly episode this week.  Professor L Gay from the Southern University Edwardsville Illinois (SUEI) and Swinburne Astronomy Online but you will may be familiar with her voice on the probably most popular Astronomy podcast Astronomy Cast. This recording was made in Oxford during her visit in March this year. ==================================== This week’s quote is from Anne Morrow Lindberg “Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.” Education, Media, podcast info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/06/28/science-science-fiction-and-astrobiology/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/06/28/science-science-fiction-and-astrobiology/#comments Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:09:45 +0000 admin http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=35 http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/06/28/science-science-fiction-and-astrobiology/feed/ 0 0:19:11 Professor Mark Brake from the University of Glamorgan has an eclectic interest. An academic, broadcaster and author of science and popular science books, he is the organising chair for the the third conference of the Astrobiology Society of Britain:[...] Professor Mark Brake from the University of Glamorgan has an eclectic interest. An academic, broadcaster and author of science and popular science books, he is the organising chair for the the third conference of the Astrobiology Society of Britain: ASB3: The Living Universe, will take place in Cardiff between July 1-4, 2008. We spoke about the relationship between science & science fiction and astrobiology. Astrobiology, Education, History, podcast, seti info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/06/17/european-city-of-culture-astronomy-in-liverpool/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/06/17/european-city-of-culture-astronomy-in-liverpool/#comments Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:43:37 +0000 admin http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=34 http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/06/17/european-city-of-culture-astronomy-in-liverpool/feed/ 0 0:33:06 As the European city of Culture, Liverpool has more than its fair share of activities this year. Many have an astronomy connection. In today’s episode Andy Newsam from Liverpool John Moores University, Joanne Coleman from the British Associati[...] As the European city of Culture, Liverpool has more than its fair share of activities this year. Many have an astronomy connection. In today’s episode Andy Newsam from Liverpool John Moores University, Joanne Coleman from the British Association for the Advancement of Science talks about the Science Festival between 6th and 11th of September and Gary Evans from the sciencephoto library on a unique exhibition of astronomical images called Earth to the Universe which is already underway. All of these take place in Liverpool as it celebrates its role as the 2008 European City of Culture. Infact, if you do see this in time and are close enough to Liverpool there is in interesting lecture this Thursday 17th June 18:30, Chadwick Lecture Theatre, University of Liverpool. Robert Fosbury, is talking about How Astronomers Image the Sky. Cosmology, Education, Media, podcast info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/06/08/episode19astronomy-online/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/06/08/episode19astronomy-online/#comments Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:17:16 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=33 http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/06/08/episode19astronomy-online/feed/ 0 0:27:41 There are many ways to participate in and learn about astronomy online. In today’s episode, three examples of how the web is being used to share resources and build communities around Science http://www.sciencefile.org Space http://www.space.co.uk[...] There are many ways to participate in and learn about astronomy online. In today’s episode, three examples of how the web is being used to share resources and build communities around Science http://www.sciencefile.org Space http://www.space.co.uk and Astronomy http://www.fedastro.org.uk . Many astronomical societies are preparing or have already completed a program of speakers for the 2008/9 season. If you are a member I would encourage you exploit one or better still all three resources featured in today’s episode to advertise you societies events. You will be surprised at the visitors who may turn up. Education, Media, podcast info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/05/20/astronomy-a-cultural-perspective/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/05/20/astronomy-a-cultural-perspective/#comments Tue, 20 May 2008 22:56:52 +0000 admin http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=29 http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/05/20/astronomy-a-cultural-perspective/feed/ 0 0:31:00 You can’t think of Darwin without Wallace, Laurel without Hardy. In UK astronomy there is no more an enduring and familiar partnership than Henbest and Couper. Nigel and Heather have been writing, broadcasting, supporting and publicising astronomy f[...] You can’t think of Darwin without Wallace, Laurel without Hardy. In UK astronomy there is no more an enduring and familiar partnership than Henbest and Couper. Nigel and Heather have been writing, broadcasting, supporting and publicising astronomy for decades. Their most recent project is a series of daily radio programs for BBC Radio4 called Cosmic Quest and an associated book History of Astronomy which together chart the story of how human societies through history and around the globe have attempted to understand the universe and their place within it. Nigel Henbest – Science Writer from gurbir on Vimeo. Cosmology, Education, History, Media, Moon, podcast info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/04/27/episode13rockets/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/04/27/episode13rockets/#comments Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:59:48 +0000 admin http://localhost/wp25/?p=34 http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/04/27/episode13rockets/feed/ 1 0:27:44 You may have seen the report from the British UK Space Exploration Working Group suggesting that Britain can get two British Astronauts to the Space station costing less than £75m over 5 years by commercially engaging the Russian Soyuz program rat[...] You may have seen the report from the British UK Space Exploration Working Group suggesting that Britain can get two British Astronauts to the Space station costing less than £75m over 5 years by commercially engaging the Russian Soyuz program rather than the annual £60m cost of going with ESA, or indeed developing a British launch capability. The Astronomer Royal on the other hand insists that unmanned space research is the way to go. You get a heck of a lot more science for your money Dave and Leslie Wright from the British Rocketry Oral History program (BROHP) reminisce about the early days when Britain had its own launch capability and the UK Space conference that they host each year. Want to be a rocket Scientist? Well a new book from a rocket scientist Lucy Rogers may be a good start. Lucy is also the chairman of the Vectis Astronomical Society on the isle of Wight. Their website must be one of the most elaborate. Check it out but .. turn down the volume on your PC first. Education, History, podcast, Rocket info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/04/20/episode12journey-to-the-moon/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/04/20/episode12journey-to-the-moon/#comments Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:16:06 +0000 Gurbir http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=21 http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/04/20/episode12journey-to-the-moon/feed/ 0 0:28:40 Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing in the Sea of Tranquillity on the moon. In today’s episode – assistant director & co-producer Chris Riley talks about the recent film “In the Shadow of the Moon” which recounts that perio[...] Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing in the Sea of Tranquillity on the moon. In today’s episode – assistant director & co-producer Chris Riley talks about the recent film “In the Shadow of the Moon” which recounts that period and someone who was a part of it – astronaut Buzz Aldrin on his interest in Astronomy. A short written account of his visit including a lunch with him and his wife is here. Buzz Aldrin from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo. apollo, astronaut, Education, History, Media, Moon, podcast, video info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/04/14/episode11profile2/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/04/14/episode11profile2/#comments Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:48:53 +0000 admin http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=47 http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/04/14/episode11profile2/feed/ 0 0:27:55 Its that time of year. Summer time has arrived but not yet.. the summer. Local astronomical societies all over the country are winding down from the previous season and preparing for the next. In today’s episode a little more about two individuals w[...] Its that time of year. Summer time has arrived but not yet.. the summer. Local astronomical societies all over the country are winding down from the previous season and preparing for the next. In today’s episode a little more about two individuals who have been on the speaker list for many astronomical societies. Martin Lunn from Aurora Books and Andy Lound from Odyssey Class Dramatic lectures. Education, podcast info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/03/02/episode5studying-astronomy/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/03/02/episode5studying-astronomy/#comments Sun, 02 Mar 2008 14:00:41 +0000 admin http://astrotalkuk.org/?p=112 http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/03/02/episode5studying-astronomy/feed/ 0 0:22:50 Studying Astronomy :Peter Thomas from the the University of London Observatory, Stewart Eyres from the University of Central Lancashire and Ulrich Kolb from the Open University discuss some of the options available to amateur astronomers who want a [...] Studying Astronomy :Peter Thomas from the the University of London Observatory, Stewart Eyres from the University of Central Lancashire and Ulrich Kolb from the Open University discuss some of the options available to amateur astronomers who want a little more structured approach in learning about their hobby. Education, podcast info@astrotalkuk.org no no http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/02/17/astrofest-2008-part-2/ http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/02/17/astrofest-2008-part-2/#comments Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:00:47 +0000 admin http://astrotalkuk.org/wp/?p=9 http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/02/17/astrofest-2008-part-2/feed/ 0 0:28:25 David Levy recounts the momentous event of July 1994 and talks about his current preoccupations. Did you know he has his own pod cast called letstalkstars. David Paul talks about the Campaign for Dark Skies which was established in 1989, what progre[...] David Levy recounts the momentous event of July 1994 and talks about his current preoccupations. Did you know he has his own pod cast called letstalkstars. David Paul talks about the Campaign for Dark Skies which was established in 1989, what progress has been made and how the amateur astronomy community can still contribute. Alison Gibbings describes what students do when not attending lectures, no they’re not in the pub. They have got themselves organised take a look at UKSEDS. The website does require an update though. Astrofest, Education, podcast info@astrotalkuk.org no no