AstrotalkUK

Not for profit website/blog on astronomy, space and my writing

Wordcampuk – Manchester 17-18 July 2010

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Not very astronomical but may be of interest, especially if you are in Northwest England and express geeky tendencies. You may be aware that Astrotalkuk.org uses an extremely popular blogging platform called WordPress. No? No matter.

WordPress users and developers around the world have annual get-togethers to talk about the latest developments in WordPress through something called “Wordcamp”. The first UK Wordcamp was in Birmingham in 2008, in Cardiff last year and next weekend it comes to Manchester. More here.

I recorded this interview with Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little WordPress founding developers last year. Here is another minute and a half of “silliness” not included in the original recording.

Matt turned up at Cardiff wearing a hat. He posted a picture on his blog displaying the odd haircut which triggered the hat but I cannot find it now. Matt – next time you attend a wordcamp in the UK wearing a hat, make it a stetson, we won’t let you in otherwise:) You are a Texan!

Ed Mitchell – Apollo 14 Astronaut in Pontefract

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As per my post in April and thanks to a co-operative volcano, Dr Ed Mitchell, Lunar Module pilot for Apollo 14 will be in Pontefract tomorrow evening at 19:30 on Friday 2nd July 2010. Tickets at £30 are available at the door, for all the details download this one page word document.

He is actually arriving early this morning. If you are in or can get to Pontefract (West Yorkshire, UK)  today, you can even have dinner and have your photograph taken with Ed Mitchell this evening. Contact Ken Willoughby  on 01977 795535 or   07561085440.

Episode 34: May 31st 2010 Effelsberg Radio Telescope

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Effelsberg Nestling in a valley amongst the rolling green hills of the Eifel region of western Germany is the 100m Effelsberg steerable radio telescope. Similar to the Lovell telescope at Jodrell Bank which is on the plains of Cheshire in northwest England which can be seen from miles away. The  Effelsberg telescope  is situated in a valley so it easy to pass close by and not see it.

It is an international facility. Participating in Very Long Base Interferometry (VLBI) where physical links are necessary with other countries it also hosts astronomers from many other countries  and participates in global research projects. Although its website may appear a littel dated, Effelsberg has a surprisingly rich online presence including the current schedule and of course the now mandatory webcam.

Effelsberg is a leading player in a new international project called LOw Frequency ARray or LOFAR.  Lofar targets the low frequency range between 10MHZ and 250MHZ. However, for many years commercial FM radio stations, the local emergency services and the aviation industry have been using frequencies between 90MHZ and 108MHZ so Lofar range is split in to two bands. Low (10-90MHZ) and high (108 – 250MHZ). Thus there are in fact three telescopes at Effelsberg.

On a recent visit, Dr Norbert Junkes talked about the previous, current and new activities taking place at Effelsberg.

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Ideas Worth Spreading – Ted.com

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Have you come across a non profit website TED? It’s primary goal to share ideas in Technology, Entertainment and Design, ideas it deems as worthy of sharing.

I bumped in to a video on TED about dictionaries. Interesting in its own right but it caught my attention because the presenter, Erin Mckean an American lexicographer, referred to Micheal Oates’ descovery of comets without the use of a telescope as an example  of fresh thinking. In her 2007 video, she was challenging the traditional definition of a dictionary.

Mike has many talents, amateur astronomy is just one. He is a member of Manchester Astronomical Society.

It is worth browsing TED.COM, packed full of interesting short (typically 20 minute) videos. Here are  couple of my favourites

Michael Specter Defending Science

Clifford Stoll –  Astronomy, computers and education.