The dark side of the universe
The emergence of cosmic structure is an outcome that has been studied by peering back through the mists of time to the remote depths of the universe as well as by deciphering the fossil structure of nearby galaxies. One of the greatest mysteries in t....
More details | Watch nowThe Development of Molecular Radio Astronomy and IR Techniques
The development of molecular radio astronomy and infra red techniques and the information they yield on the composition of the interstellar medium: interstellar clouds, stellar envelopes etc.
More details | Watch nowThe eerie silence – are we alone in the universe?
Fifty years ago, a young astronomer named Frank Drake pointed a radio telescope at nearby stars in the hope of picking up a signal from an alien civilization. Thus began one of the boldest scientific projects in history: the Search for Extraterrestri....
More details | Watch nowThe end of the world in 2012? Science communication and science scares
21st December 2012 marks an ending of the Mayan calendar and is asserted by some to mark the end of the world. This scare is examined from an astronomical point of view, followed by some reflections on what the scare tells us about the communication ....
More details | Watch nowThe Exploration of Mars
After looking at Mars through telescopes for hundreds of years and seeing irrigation channels and it was believed that there could have been life on Mars. Many superstitions and movies made about life on Mars, including Orson Wells' War of the Worlds....
More details | Watch nowThe Impact of Big Science on Astrophysics
The Chandra and Hubble Telescopes are in space and each costs (through operations) several billion dollars. VLT is on the ground but over 20 years of operations will also cost in excess of a billion. They all fall therefore in the category of what ....
More details | Watch nowThe Large Hadron Collider and the Super World
In the period 1990 to 2001 many powerful new astronomical observational facilities have become operational. Hubble Space telescope was launched in 1990; it was followed by the construction of Keck I in 1992 and Keck II in 1996, by the completion of....
More details | Watch nowThe Mathematician Who Can’t Add Up
Emma was a post-graduate student at the University of Nottingham, completing a PhD in the field of theoretical cosmology. As an undergraduate at the University of Sussex she made history when she became the first woman to win the top prize at the Sci....
More details | Watch nowThe Square Kilometre Array
Rosie Bolton describes the importance of this huge project and some of the interesting problems which needed to be solved in its planning and implementation.
More details | Watch nowThe State of the Universe
Our Universe was created in 'The Big Bang' and has been expanding ever since. Brian Schmidt describe the vital statistics of the Universe, including its size, weight, shape, age, and composition. He also tries to make sense of the Universe's past, pr....
More details | Watch nowThe Status of Pluto as a Planet – or not
Nowrin Alam presents on the past, debate, and present status of Pluto as a planet and now as a dwarf planet.
More details | Watch nowTick, Tick Pulsating Star: How we wonder what you are?
The discovery of pulsars, neutron stars which form when massive stars explode (supernovae), took astronomers by surprise. Their discovery is described and the way in which these bizarre objects have led to an understanding of matter under extreme con....
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