There are three types of radiation: alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) radiation, which all have different properties due to their structure. Radiation is emitted from radioactive isotopes (isotopes are different versions of the same element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons, so they have the same atomic … Continue reading The Three Types of Radiation
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, it’s only fitting that we remember the work of the women who have contributed to the field of STEM throughout the years. Here are 5 women who have been invaluable in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and paved their way through a male-dominated system to become some of the greatest names in STEM history. Yvonne … Continue reading The Women of STEM: 5 Women Who Shaped The World of Science and Research
First off, let me start by introducing myself – I’m Alex, a 27-year-old journal editor and physics student studying part-time through the Open University. My journey into the realm of sciences has often been described as rather odd. The term I like to use, however, is unique. I was born in windy Cape Town, South … Continue reading Meet Alex
My name is Jen and I’m a trainee Medical Physicist in the Radiotherapy Department at St. James’ Hospital in Leeds. I’m currently training to become a qualified Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy Physics as part of the national Scientist Training Programme. Before I go into too much detail about my current role, I’ll just give you … Continue reading Meet Jen
The speed of light is as frustrating as it is fascinating. The speed of light in a vacuum is the fastest thing we can measure at 300,000km per second, although in a vast and ever expanding universe, it is painfully slow. The universe currently measures 45 billion light years in all directions of observation. So … Continue reading The Speed of Light – So Agonisingly Slow.
Last week I wrote about the WOW! Signal. The most likely candidate for a formal effort of contact from extra-terrestrials due to its irregular and almost artificial qualities. This does pose a thought, are radio waves the best way to establish contact? Although radio signals are received by radio telescopes every day, some are extremely … Continue reading Using Radio Waves and Other Means To Make Contact.
All over social media, there are articles discussing radio signals from other galaxies and stellar systems. The number one rule in astrophysics and cosmology is - IT IS NEVER ALIENS. A lot of radio signals can be interpreted and can have natural sources; rapidly rotating neutron stars, supermassive black holes and so on. So how … Continue reading Extraterrestrial Contact Series Part 1 – The Wow! Signal.
By Jude Morrow My latest two blog posts regarding surface water on Mars and Titan seem to have generated an influx of questions. When researching material for blog series’, the questions and comments seem to give inspiration for future posts. One such comment mentioned a large reservoir of water located at a proper distance of … Continue reading Cosmic Water Series Part 3 – Water in The Early Universe.
Of all the bodies in our own solar system, Titan is definitely my favourite. The reason being, it is one of the most likely candidates for life. I'm sure plenty of subscribers are rolling their eyes thinking; here he goes about Titan again. For this series it is quite relevant as Titan almost certainly contains … Continue reading Cosmic Water Series Part 2 – Saturn’s Moon Titan.
Time travel has been a key component of science fiction for literally hundreds of years. In our reality, or should I say interpretation of it, is time travel actually possible? Kip Thorne, the most recent Nobel Laureate for physics certainly seems to think so. Thorne theorises that interstellar travel is possible via a wormhole. Thorne … Continue reading Time Travel Using Wormholes.
