NCS News

More Ancient Treasure Recovered

Mark_Toner — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:40:02 +0000

It doesn’t seem so long ago that we were reporting on the find of the biggest Anglo-Saxon treasure horde to date. Now a beginner with a metal detector has unearthed £1,000,000 worth of iron age golden torques. Under Scottish law, the four torques, estimated to be worth around £350,000 each, can be claimed by the Crown as archaeological objects. However, the finder is likely to be compensated with their monetary value.

You can read more at the BBC News site and investigate Archaeology further with our course Introducing Archaeology. You can find out more about the people of the Iron Age at BBC Wales.

Crash On The Moon

Mark_Toner — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:00:33 +0000

In the small hours of tomorrow morning, NASA’s LCROSS spacecraft will crash land on the moon. The craft will be deliberately hard-landed in two sections providing data about the composition of the lunar surface. NASA TV will provide live coverage and you can find out more on the Spaceweather site.

images courtesy of NASA

BBC Writing Competition

Mark_Toner — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:29:44 +0000

The BBC is running a competition called My Story in which the winning stories will be made into a TV series. The top five will be published in a book and most of the entries will make their way onto the BBC web site.

NCS tutor, Joanna Howard, may be able to give you some help in crafting a winning entry. Have a look at her course, Your Story - Writing a Life, which can guide you in writing your unique personal story. A few lessons with Jo and you could be writing a BBC TV episode.

Anglo Saxon Treasure Horde found in Staffordshire

Mark_Toner — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:37:43 +0000

Anglo Saxon gold (BBC)

The biggest ever horde of anglo saxon gold has been found in a field in Staffordshire. Metal detectorist Terry Herbert discovered the 5kg of gold and 2.5kg of silver. The find is treasure trove and will now be valued. Mr Herbert and the land owner can expect a substantial reward.

Leslie Webster, former keeper at the British Museum’s Department of Prehistory and Europe, said, “This is going to alter our perceptions of Anglo-Saxon England as radically, if not more so, as the Sutton Hoo discoveries.” It is a wonderful new source of evidence for archaeologists studying this hidden period of British history.

Water on Moon Confirmed

Mark_Toner — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:53:24 +0000

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter ©NASA/JPL

Tomorrow’s edition of Science will reveal confirmation of the recent detections of water molecules on the moon as well as possible mechanisms by which water ice could be gathering in polar craters. Water had been detected in the lunar samples brought back by the Apollo astronauts but this was thought to be due to contamination after return to earth. However, this may have been genuine lunar water. Read more at Space.com, the Guardian and BBC News.

Universities Play Catch-up to the OU at 40

Mark_Toner — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:25:32 +0000

The Open University is forty years old this year and is still the world leader for distance learning. That the OU has been moving in the correct direction all this time is borne out by the number of online and distance learning courses offered by the traditional institutions as they learn how to do things the OU way.

At the New Curiosity Shop, we couldn’t agree more. Why travel to a bricks and mortar institution when you can learn in the comfort of your own home?

Space Probe Photographs Apollo Sites

Mark_Toner — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:39:27 +0000

What a way to celebrate 40 years since Apollo 11 landed on the Moon! The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has been passing over the old Apollo landing sites and has sent back images in which you can just make out the descent stages of the old lunar modules.

The Apollo 11 Lunar Module Descent Stage

Activity at the Apollo 14 landing site

For full details about these images and higher resolution pictures, visit the LRO site.

Neil Armstrong Took His Step …

Mark_Toner — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:22:36 +0000

… today, forty years ago. On 20th July 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human being to set foot on another planet. How will you celebrate today?

Neil Armstrong (courtesy of NASA, Andrew Chaikin)

New Scientist has compiled a top ten of Apollo music for your 40th anniversary party. Or why not delve into the history with the NCS course The Story Of Apollo?

After 40 years the achievement is still staggering and seems to be nearly impossible. Let’s celebrate Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins and all of the NASA support team who made the trip possible.

Apollo 11 40th Anniversary Begins

Mark_Toner — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:00:35 +0000

40 years ago, today, the Saturn V rocket carrying Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins was launched. This event marked the beginning of mankind’s greatest journey and would see John F Kennedy’s pledge completed and a man landed on the Moon and returned safely to Earth.

At 9.32 (local time) on the morning of 16th July 1969, the huge Saturn V rocket lifted clear of the launch pad and Apollo 11 was safely on its way. In twelve minutes the third stage of the rocket, with the Apollo spacecraft attached, was in orbit around the Earth. After one and a half orbits, the third stage rockets fired and Apollo 11 was on its way to the Moon.

Follow The Story Of Apollo with the New Curiosity Shop.Thank you to NASA for the images.

New Season for Genealogy Show

Mark_Toner — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:17:46 +0000

The BBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are” begins a new series tonight, with an investigation into the family history of presenter Davina McCall. This series will guide celebrities through their family trees, delving into history as we go.

If it puts you in the mood for finding some ancestors, why not try our History and Genealogy courses like Family History Begins At Home?