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Not for profit podcast. Astronomy, Deep Space Exploration and International Collaboration

Episode19:Astronomy Online

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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.

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Episode18: European Space Agency

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Since the days of Sputnik and Apollo, Space technology has matured to an extent that it is almost a routine commercial activity. China, India, and Japan are well-established players, along with the USA and Russia. Next year, Virgin Galactic will embark on space tourism. Since its establishment in 1975, the European Space Agency ( ESA) has come a long way. The original 10 founding member countries have now grown to 17 with a broad mission to “Explore Space”. All member countries are European, as you would expect – except one. With the same disregard for geography that allows Israel to join the Eurovision Song Contest, Canada also plays a role in the ESA.

ESA has many projects active or in the pipeline, and last month initiated an astronaut recruitment program. You have to be from one of the 17 member countries and you can even apply online. David Southwood is the ESA Director of Science. The following conversation with him was recorded at the Space conference.

Thanks to the guys at space.co.uk (Paul and Martyn) and Cy from speed-of-light.co.uk for the following video.

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Episode17:Gamma Ray Astronomy

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As the most energetic photons, gamma rays are rare, difficult to observe, require special telescopes & detectors, and not many of them make it to the surface of the earth anyway. So why is gamma ray astronomy important?

Its not an area of astronomy that amateurs usually dip even their big toe in and something entirely new for me. Talking jointly with a Dr Stella Bradbury and Dr Joachim Rose at the department of Physics was a little scary, but turned out to be extremely informative. They spoke about their work at many observatories, including Veritas Array. I spoke to them a couple of weeks ago and you will hear the reference to the launch of Gamma Ray Large Area Telescope (GLAST). That launch has been delayed to June 3rd.

For realtime GRB alerts see here.

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Episode16:Astronomy – A cultural perspective

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You can’t think of Darwin without Wallace, Laurel without Hardy. In UK astronomy, there is no more 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 Radio 4 called Cosmic Quest, and an associated book, History of Astronomy, which together chart the story of how human societies, throughout history and around the globe, have attempted to understand the universe and their place within it.

Nigel Henbest – Science Writer from gurbir on Vimeo.

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