https://astrotalkuk.org/ Not for Profit podcast – Astronomy, Deep Space Exploration and International Collaboration Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:02:42 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 Blubrry PowerPress/11.15.17 Gurbir Singh no episodic Gurbir Singh Copyright © astrotalkuk publications Copyright © astrotalkuk publications podcast ac4ae83e-7b70-5482-9127-0d3285728378 Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,TelescopesWeekly audio podcast by and predominantly amateur astronomers.Amateur Astronomy ..Expert Opinion https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-132-space-elevator/ Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:90563b3d-4154-4781-a60f-fbf0f318872d https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-132-space-elevator/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-132-space-elevator/feed/ 0 Imagine a giant vertical railway stretching 100,000 km from the equator, somewhere in the Pacific, straight up into space. Instead of expensive, polluting rockets, the space elevator offers a smooth, slow electric ascent to Earth orbit. This "bridge to the stars" connects a floating Earth platform at 36,000 km to a massive counterweight located 64,000 km farther out. It is held taut by the Earth's rotation. Gurbir Singh full 1:12:46 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=10321-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noImagine a giant vertical railway stretching 100,000 km from the equator, somewhere in the Pacific, straight up into space. Instead of expensive, polluting rockets, the space elevator offers a smooth, slow electric ascent to Earth orbit. This "bridge to the stars" connects a floating Earth platform at 36,000 km to a massive counterweight located 64,000 km farther out. It is held taut by the Earth's rotation.Imagine a giant vertical railway stretching 100,000 km from the equator, somewhere in the Pacific, straight up into space. Instead of expensive, polluting rockets, the space elevator offers a smooth, slow electric ascent to Earth orbit. This "bridge to the stars" connects a floating Earth platform at 36,000 km to a massive counterweight located 64,000 km farther out. It is held taut by the Earth's rotation.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-131-space-weather/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:05:00 +0000 urn:uuid:e30a63aa-1748-44e3-ba46-bb676767901f https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-131-space-weather/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-131-space-weather/feed/ 0 We are increasingly aware of the impact of space weather on spacecraft in space and, occasionally, on electrical power transmission on Earth, but what about its impact on the Earth's atmosphere? That is exactly the research interest of Professor Pallam Raju, Dean of the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, India. Founded in 1947, the PRL is one of India's most prestigious scientific institutions, not least because it was founded by Dr Vikram Sarabhai. Gurbir Singh full 50:56 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=10206-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noWe are increasingly aware of the impact of space weather on spacecraft in space and, occasionally, on electrical power transmission on Earth, but what about its impact on the Earth's atmosphere? That is exactly the research interest of Professor Pallam Raju, Dean of the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, India. Founded in 1947, the PRL is one of India's most prestigious scientific institutions, not least because it was founded by Dr Vikram Sarabhai.We are increasingly aware of the impact of space weather on spacecraft in space and, occasionally, on electrical power transmission on Earth, but what about its impact on the Earth's atmosphere? That is exactly the research interest of Professor Pallam Raju, Dean of the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, India. Founded in 1947, the PRL is one of India's most prestigious scientific institutions, not least because it was founded by Dr Vikram Sarabhai.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-130-mobile-solar-powerbank-for-satellites-in-orbit/ Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:0f63750a-5c31-4d79-9130-e227866caf59 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-130-mobile-solar-powerbank-for-satellites-in-orbit/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-130-mobile-solar-powerbank-for-satellites-in-orbit/feed/ 0 Space Power Ltd, founded in 2019, is developing a novel solution for contactless power delivery using high-intensity lasers to extend the lifespans of ageing satellites in space. I spoke with its founder, Keval Dattani, in Nicosia during Cospar2025.org. Gurbir Singh full 37:42 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=10198-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noSpace Power Ltd, founded in 2019, is developing a novel solution for contactless power delivery using high-intensity lasers to extend the lifespans of ageing satellites in space. I spoke with its founder, Keval Dattani, in Nicosia during Cospar2025.org.Space Power Ltd, founded in 2019, is developing a novel solution for contactless power delivery using high-intensity lasers to extend the lifespans of ageing satellites in space. I spoke with its founder, Keval Dattani, in Nicosia during Cospar2025.org.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-129-space-law/ Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:acf273b3-f2c2-4c8b-b3ec-16229e8e6307 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-129-space-law/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-129-space-law/feed/ 0 Professor Kai-Uwe Schrogl is a space law expert with experience in many roles, including working with the European Space Agency ESA, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and as the Director of the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) in Vienna. In this interview, recorded in Nicosia during cospar2025.org in November 2025, he discusses concerns about increasing commercialisation of space and the lunar surface—specifically, the absence of a universally accepted framework for lunar governance. Gurbir Singh full 33:13 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=10015-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noProfessor Kai-Uwe Schrogl is a space law expert with experience in many roles, including working with the European Space Agency ESA, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and as the Director of the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) in Vienna. In this interview, recorded in Nicosia during cospar2025.org in November 2025, he discusses concerns about increasing commercialisation of space and the lunar surface—specifically, the absence of a universally accepted framework for lunar governance.Professor Kai-Uwe Schrogl is a space law expert with experience in many roles, including working with the European Space Agency ESA, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and as the Director of the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) in Vienna. In this interview, recorded in Nicosia during cospar2025.org in November 2025, he discusses concerns about increasing commercialisation of space and the lunar surface—specifically, the absence of a universally accepted framework for lunar governance.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/cyprusinspace/ Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:30:00 +0000 urn:uuid:93050adb-3e01-4cf0-b15b-c9c60510cff0 https://astrotalkuk.org/cyprusinspace/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/cyprusinspace/feed/ 0 Cyprus is a small country with a small population and a small economy. But it has big ambitions in space. In this episode, recorded at Cospar 2025 in Nicosia, George Danos, who has been championing this case for Cyprus for years and can be considered Cyprus's Carl Sagan, explains the rise of Cyprus's space activities in communication services, small satellites, and collaboration with ESA and more. Gurbir Singh full 48:50 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9987-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noCyprus is a small country with a small population and a small economy. But it has big ambitions in space. In this episode, recorded at Cospar 2025 in Nicosia, George Danos, who has been championing this case for Cyprus for years and can be considered Cyprus's Carl Sagan, explains the rise of Cyprus's space activities in communication services, small satellites, and collaboration with ESA and more.Cyprus is a small country with a small population and a small economy. But it has big ambitions in space. In this episode, recorded at Cospar 2025 in Nicosia, George Danos, who has been championing this case for Cyprus for years and can be considered Cyprus's Carl Sagan, explains the rise of Cyprus's space activities in communication services, small satellites, and collaboration with ESA and more.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-126-weaving-with-graphene-vivek-koncherry/ Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:12ba789b-f008-48e8-9d3e-535284ebde14 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-126-weaving-with-graphene-vivek-koncherry/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-126-weaving-with-graphene-vivek-koncherry/feed/ 0 From centruries of weaving in the state of Kerala in India to automated AI controlled machines weaving Graphene coated fibres in Manchester. A modern day Cottonopolis. Gurbir Singh full 38:12 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9974-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noFrom centruries of weaving in the state of Kerala in India to automated AI controlled machines weaving Graphene coated fibres in Manchester. A modern day Cottonopolis.From centruries of weaving in the state of Kerala in India to automated AI controlled machines weaving Graphene coated fibres in Manchester. A modern day Cottonopolis.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-126-graphene/ Fri, 31 Oct 2025 08:24:00 +0000 urn:uuid:2775be8a-a066-4e4b-8eab-d30d70ec9ea2 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-126-graphene/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-126-graphene/feed/ 0 rofessor James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, describes Manchester’s journey to commercialise the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of Graphene. Gurbir Singh full 1:11:52 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9946-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> norofessor James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, describes Manchester’s journey to commercialise the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of Graphene.rofessor James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, describes Manchester’s journey to commercialise the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of Graphene.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-125-britians-greatest-pilot-captain-eric-winkle-brown/ Thu, 04 Sep 2025 12:13:13 +0000 urn:uuid:387b82a5-0d43-4854-878d-515941381015 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-125-britians-greatest-pilot-captain-eric-winkle-brown/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-125-britians-greatest-pilot-captain-eric-winkle-brown/feed/ 0 You may have seen the BBC documentary Britain's Greatest Pilot. Yes, he was an outstanding pilot, but there was much more to him than just that. I published extracts from an interview with Captain Eric Brown in April 2011. Much of that interview was not published .. until now. Gurbir Singh full 1:08:22 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9892-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noYou may have seen the BBC documentary Britain's Greatest Pilot. Yes, he was an outstanding pilot, but there was much more to him than just that. I published extracts from an interview with Captain Eric Brown in April 2011. Much of that interview was not published .. until now.You may have seen the BBC documentary Britain's Greatest Pilot. Yes, he was an outstanding pilot, but there was much more to him than just that. I published extracts from an interview with Captain Eric Brown in April 2011. Much of that interview was not published .. until now.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-124-exploring-the-stellar-neighbourhood-the-toliman-space-telescope/ Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:30:00 +0000 urn:uuid:9b2bf5c4-7f4b-4b09-a1bf-42057b8aa167 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-124-exploring-the-stellar-neighbourhood-the-toliman-space-telescope/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-124-exploring-the-stellar-neighbourhood-the-toliman-space-telescope/feed/ 0 Just as the Moon was the first stepping stone for our interplanetary exploration, our nearest star, the Alpha Centauri System will inevitably become our stepping stone for our Interstellar Journey. That is in the distance. A new mission, The Toliman Space Telescope, is launching soon will target the Alpha-Centauri System from Earth orbit. Gurbir Singh full 1:07:08 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9779-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noJust as the Moon was the first stepping stone for our interplanetary exploration, our nearest star, the Alpha Centauri System will inevitably become our stepping stone for our Interstellar Journey. That is in the distance. A new mission, The Toliman Space Telescope, is launching soon will target the Alpha-Centauri System from Earth orbit.Just as the Moon was the first stepping stone for our interplanetary exploration, our nearest star, the Alpha Centauri System will inevitably become our stepping stone for our Interstellar Journey. That is in the distance. A new mission, The Toliman Space Telescope, is launching soon will target the Alpha-Centauri System from Earth orbit.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/nasa-dragonfly-mission/ Thu, 29 May 2025 13:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:89daa8de-1dd2-4521-9f14-f6a50c472f99 https://astrotalkuk.org/nasa-dragonfly-mission/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/nasa-dragonfly-mission/feed/ 0 It is December 2034. A spacecraft launched from Earth in July 2028, enters Titan's atmosphere at 5km/s. Around 2 hours later, it softly lands on the surface at less than 1m /s. Over the next three years, NASA's Dragonfly mission, a rotorcraft the size of a small car, will chemically analyse the Titan's atmosphere, ground and a little of its subsurface. It's called Dragonfly Gurbir Singh full 46:42 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9752-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIt is December 2034. A spacecraft launched from Earth in July 2028, enters Titan's atmosphere at 5km/s. Around 2 hours later, it softly lands on the surface at less than 1m /s. Over the next three years, NASA's Dragonfly mission, a rotorcraft the size of a small car, will chemically analyse the Titan's atmosphere, ground and a little of its subsurface. It's called DragonflyIt is December 2034. A spacecraft launched from Earth in July 2028, enters Titan's atmosphere at 5km/s. Around 2 hours later, it softly lands on the surface at less than 1m /s. Over the next three years, NASA's Dragonfly mission, a rotorcraft the size of a small car, will chemically analyse the Titan's atmosphere, ground and a little of its subsurface. It's called DragonflySpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/the-breakthrough-initiatives/ Tue, 29 Apr 2025 07:41:03 +0000 urn:uuid:98312050-f1f0-484a-be09-4bfa482930da https://astrotalkuk.org/the-breakthrough-initiatives/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/the-breakthrough-initiatives/feed/ 0 A two-day Breakthrough Discuss conference held on 23rd and 24th April 2025 in Oxford England, took stock of the latest developments through three main sessions: "Forms of Non-Terrestrial Life", "The Nature of Consciousness and Intelligence", and "Detecting Life As We Do Not Know It". Breakthough Discuss was overseen by the Chairman of the Breakthrough Foundation, in this interview Dr Pete Worden. A former Brigadier. General, astrophysicist, professor and director of NASA Ames Research Centre provides an update Gurbir Singh full 1:11:52 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9739-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noA two-day Breakthrough Discuss conference held on 23rd and 24th April 2025 in Oxford England, took stock of the latest developments through three main sessions: "Forms of Non-Terrestrial Life", "The Nature of Consciousness and Intelligence", and "Detecting Life As We Do Not Know It". Breakthough Discuss was overseen by the Chairman of the Breakthrough Foundation, in this interview Dr Pete Worden. A former Brigadier. General, astrophysicist, professor and director of NASA Ames Research Centre provides an updateA two-day Breakthrough Discuss conference held on 23rd and 24th April 2025 in Oxford England, took stock of the latest developments through three main sessions: "Forms of Non-Terrestrial Life", "The Nature of Consciousness and Intelligence", and "Detecting Life As We Do Not Know It". Breakthough Discuss was overseen by the Chairman of the Breakthrough Foundation, in this interview Dr Pete Worden. A former Brigadier. General, astrophysicist, professor and director of NASA Ames Research Centre provides an updateSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-121-failed-stars-or-successful-planets/ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 13:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:7bef648e-1daf-4ea8-a7ce-49ed343ab886 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-121-failed-stars-or-successful-planets/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-121-failed-stars-or-successful-planets/feed/ 0 The story of Teide-1 (the first brown dwarf to be observed) is the story at the other end of a star's life cycle. That early stage is when stars transition from a huge cloud of dust and gas (billions of km across). to the size of a large planet (150,000 km). This is way smaller than the size of the sun and only a little larger than Jupiter. Gurbir Singh full 1:06:17 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9686-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe story of Teide-1 (the first brown dwarf to be observed) is the story at the other end of a star's life cycle. That early stage is when stars transition from a huge cloud of dust and gas (billions of km across). to the size of a large planet (150,000 km). This is way smaller than the size of the sun and only a little larger than Jupiter.The story of Teide-1 (the first brown dwarf to be observed) is the story at the other end of a star's life cycle. That early stage is when stars transition from a huge cloud of dust and gas (billions of km across). to the size of a large planet (150,000 km). This is way smaller than the size of the sun and only a little larger than Jupiter.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-120-prof-gengxin-xie-a-greenhouse-on-the-moon/ Tue, 08 Apr 2025 15:18:45 +0000 urn:uuid:5912ce6e-b79f-4fd5-9022-e42637be8ff0 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-120-prof-gengxin-xie-a-greenhouse-on-the-moon/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-120-prof-gengxin-xie-a-greenhouse-on-the-moon/feed/ 0 On Thursday, 3rd January 2019, some water was added to some seeds in a tiny greenhouse. The seeds, cotton, potato, Rape and Arabidopsis sprouted. This was an experiment fonducted on the lunar surface Gurbir Singh full 41:31 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9680-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noOn Thursday, 3rd January 2019, some water was added to some seeds in a tiny greenhouse. The seeds, cotton, potato, Rape and Arabidopsis sprouted. This was an experiment fonducted on the lunar surfaceOn Thursday, 3rd January 2019, some water was added to some seeds in a tiny greenhouse. The seeds, cotton, potato, Rape and Arabidopsis sprouted. This was an experiment fonducted on the lunar surfaceSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-119-professor-ivan-almar/ Thu, 09 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:026dc874-6e97-4b76-aec7-64cd2a1050f4 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-119-professor-ivan-almar/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-119-professor-ivan-almar/feed/ 0 A brief but fascinating life and work of Professor Ivan Almar. he and his wife's contributions to asttronautics in Hungary during and after the Soviet era. Gurbir Singh full 46:41 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9505-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noA brief but fascinating life and work of Professor Ivan Almar. he and his wife's contributions to asttronautics in Hungary during and after the Soviet era.A brief but fascinating life and work of Professor Ivan Almar. he and his wife's contributions to asttronautics in Hungary during and after the Soviet era.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-118-galactic-magnetic-fields/ Thu, 26 Sep 2024 14:38:56 +0000 urn:uuid:6c1d080f-ccb4-4691-b81c-2d43149df489 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-118-galactic-magnetic-fields/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-118-galactic-magnetic-fields/feed/ 0 Did you know our galaxy (the Milky Way) has a magnetic field? News to me! Dr Vasu Shaw explains how astronomers go about understanding such phenomena. We also speak her fascinating international journey to becoming an astrophysicist. Gurbir Singh full 43:55 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9072-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noDid you know our galaxy (the Milky Way) has a magnetic field? News to me! Dr Vasu Shaw explains how astronomers go about understanding such phenomena. We also speak her fascinating international journey to becoming an astrophysicist.Did you know our galaxy (the Milky Way) has a magnetic field? News to me! Dr Vasu Shaw explains how astronomers go about understanding such phenomena. We also speak her fascinating international journey to becoming an astrophysicist.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-117-early-aviation-in-manchester/ Sun, 08 Sep 2024 14:32:24 +0000 urn:uuid:87ba3fdd-a3b6-4968-ad48-e96bff632962 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-117-early-aviation-in-manchester/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-117-early-aviation-in-manchester/feed/ 1 Its not just cotton, trains and computers that Manchester is known for its innovation but aviation too. Frank Pleszak shares his insights in to the role Manchester played in aviation more than 100 years ago. Gurbir Singh full 48:02 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9197-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIts not just cotton, trains and computers that Manchester is known for its innovation but aviation too. Frank Pleszak shares his insights in to the role Manchester played in aviation more than 100 years ago.Its not just cotton, trains and computers that Manchester is known for its innovation but aviation too. Frank Pleszak shares his insights in to the role Manchester played in aviation more than 100 years ago.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/cosmic-events/ Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:30:00 +0000 urn:uuid:95a393d2-ce62-4f73-b2bf-ed30a1412081 https://astrotalkuk.org/cosmic-events/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/cosmic-events/feed/ 0 In this episode, Professor Rene Breton, originally from Quebec, has been working at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics for over a decade. We discuss only a small part of his current research, including how Pulsars may one day be used as a GPS for interstellar travel. Gurbir Singh full 1:13:54 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9027-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIn this episode, Professor Rene Breton, originally from Quebec, has been working at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics for over a decade. We discuss only a small part of his current research, including how Pulsars may one day be used as a GPS for interstellar travel.In this episode, Professor Rene Breton, originally from Quebec, has been working at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics for over a decade. We discuss only a small part of his current research, including how Pulsars may one day be used as a GPS for interstellar travel.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-115-jbca/ Thu, 13 Jun 2024 14:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:2a5eab1a-af0e-4e41-9322-2fbde6ed4329 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-115-jbca/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-115-jbca/feed/ 0 In this episode, Professor Mike Garrett from @jodrellbank, discusses research activities at the #Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, including international collaborations, Dennis Walsh's work on #GravitationalLensing, and the increased #SETI activities through the #Breakthrough Listen Programme. Topics also include the Square Kilometer Array #SKA, Low-Frequency Array #LOFARtechnology, and the impact of #Brexit on Britain's international research participation. Gurbir Singh full 49:24 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=9009-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIn this episode, Professor Mike Garrett from @jodrellbank, discusses research activities at the #Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, including international collaborations, Dennis Walsh's work on #GravitationalLensing, and the increased #SETI activities through the #Breakthrough Listen Programme. Topics also include the Square Kilometer Array #SKA, Low-Frequency Array #LOFARtechnology, and the impact of #Brexit on Britain's international research participation.In this episode, Professor Mike Garrett from @jodrellbank, discusses research activities at the #Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, including international collaborations, Dennis Walsh's work on #GravitationalLensing, and the increased #SETI activities through the #Breakthrough Listen Programme. Topics also include the Square Kilometer Array #SKA, Low-Frequency Array #LOFARtechnology, and the impact of #Brexit on Britain's international research participation.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-114-chris-riley-and-the-moonwalkers-a-journey-with-tom-hanks/ Tue, 28 May 2024 14:30:00 +0000 urn:uuid:8b310de6-7178-4f8f-a1bf-09a76714e600 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-114-chris-riley-and-the-moonwalkers-a-journey-with-tom-hanks/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-114-chris-riley-and-the-moonwalkers-a-journey-with-tom-hanks/feed/ 0 Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks is an immersive audio-visual experience in a unique venue in the centre of London. Written by @alifeofriley and Tom Hanks. Available only in London and only until 13th October 2024 Gurbir Singh full 56:30 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=8963-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noMoonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks is an immersive audio-visual experience in a unique venue in the centre of London. Written by @alifeofriley and Tom Hanks. Available only in London and only until 13th October 2024Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks is an immersive audio-visual experience in a unique venue in the centre of London. Written by @alifeofriley and Tom Hanks. Available only in London and only until 13th October 2024Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode113_hermann_oberth/ Fri, 05 Apr 2024 15:00:05 +0000 urn:uuid:ddefca2b-bc25-4028-bf24-4b8afc575857 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode113_hermann_oberth/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode113_hermann_oberth/feed/ 0 If you want to learn about the life and work of rocket pioneer Hermann Oberth, there is only one place to visit. The Hermann Oberth Space Travel Museum in the German Town of Feucht, near Nurnberg. @OberthMuseum #Oberth Gurbir Singh full 1:05:53 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=8781-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIf you want to learn about the life and work of rocket pioneer Hermann Oberth, there is only one place to visit. The Hermann Oberth Space Travel Museum in the German Town of Feucht, near Nurnberg. @OberthMuseum #OberthIf you want to learn about the life and work of rocket pioneer Hermann Oberth, there is only one place to visit. The Hermann Oberth Space Travel Museum in the German Town of Feucht, near Nurnberg. @OberthMuseum #OberthSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-112-brown-dwarfs-dark-matter-and-dark-energy/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:7e4901a7-9711-414d-b84f-16b005181c13 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-112-brown-dwarfs-dark-matter-and-dark-energy/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-112-brown-dwarfs-dark-matter-and-dark-energy/feed/ 0 Euclid, a @esa science mission, will shed light on both dark matter and dark energy. It was launched in July 2023 and arrived in its L2 orbit a month later. It has just two instruments which will produce a high-resolution 3-D map of a third of the sky, stretching back 10 billion years during its initial 6-year operational lifetime. Gurbir Singh full 48:53 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=8708-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noEuclid, a @esa science mission, will shed light on both dark matter and dark energy. It was launched in July 2023 and arrived in its L2 orbit a month later. It has just two instruments which will produce a high-resolution 3-D map of a third of the sky, stretching back 10 billion years during its initial 6-year operational lifetime.Euclid, a @esa science mission, will shed light on both dark matter and dark energy. It was launched in July 2023 and arrived in its L2 orbit a month later. It has just two instruments which will produce a high-resolution 3-D map of a third of the sky, stretching back 10 billion years during its initial 6-year operational lifetime.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode111-chandrayaan-3/ Thu, 30 Nov 2023 15:15:00 +0000 urn:uuid:76caabfd-0659-4e08-84d3-10488ad9ebdb https://astrotalkuk.org/episode111-chandrayaan-3/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode111-chandrayaan-3/feed/ 1 Following the successful landing of @isro #Chandrayaan-3, Associate Project Director Kalpana Kalahasti was the first female to speak at the ISRO live stream event. As a seasoned engineer, Kalahasti contributed to numerous projects including SARAL in 2013. Here she talks about her journey with ISRO which began in 1999 as a radar engineer. Gurbir Singh full 36:14 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=8541-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noFollowing the successful landing of @isro #Chandrayaan-3, Associate Project Director Kalpana Kalahasti was the first female to speak at the ISRO live stream event. As a seasoned engineer, Kalahasti contributed to numerous projects including SARAL in 2013. Here she talks about her journey with ISRO which began in 1999 as a radar engineer.Following the successful landing of @isro #Chandrayaan-3, Associate Project Director Kalpana Kalahasti was the first female to speak at the ISRO live stream event. As a seasoned engineer, Kalahasti contributed to numerous projects including SARAL in 2013. Here she talks about her journey with ISRO which began in 1999 as a radar engineer.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/100-year-starship/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 12:02:12 +0000 urn:uuid:912c194b-5d1a-4593-93b7-66b82b2ddce1 https://astrotalkuk.org/100-year-starship/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/100-year-starship/feed/ 0 The 100 year starship project @100YSS aims to get humanity to develop the capability to travel to the stars in one hundred years time. It started in 2012 headed by Dr Mae Jemison the first woman of colour to fly in to space in STS 47 in 1992. Gurbir Singh full 34:08 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=8488-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe 100 year starship project @100YSS aims to get humanity to develop the capability to travel to the stars in one hundred years time. It started in 2012 headed by Dr Mae Jemison the first woman of colour to fly in to space in STS 47 in 1992.The 100 year starship project @100YSS aims to get humanity to develop the capability to travel to the stars in one hundred years time. It started in 2012 headed by Dr Mae Jemison the first woman of colour to fly in to space in STS 47 in 1992.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-109-antikythera-mechanism/ Fri, 16 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:1dfb7569-b2e8-4ef1-872f-10e4ea958540 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-109-antikythera-mechanism/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-109-antikythera-mechanism/feed/ 0 I first came across the Antikythera Mechanism just over a decade ago. It is still the most incredible artefact from history. It is as out of place in our time as William Shakespeare using an Iphone or Vasco De Gama travelling in a speedboat. The Antikythera Mechanism is a complex mechanical (clockwork) device that can determine the position of the planets and phases of the Moon and predict when solar and lunar eclipses will occur. Constructed about two thousand years ago, it was discovered in 1901. Gurbir Singh full 45:21 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=8085-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noI first came across the Antikythera Mechanism just over a decade ago. It is still the most incredible artefact from history. It is as out of place in our time as William Shakespeare using an Iphone or Vasco De Gama travelling in a speedboat. The Antikythera Mechanism is a complex mechanical (clockwork) device that can determine the position of the planets and phases of the Moon and predict when solar and lunar eclipses will occur. Constructed about two thousand years ago, it was discovered in 1901.I first came across the Antikythera Mechanism just over a decade ago. It is still the most incredible artefact from history. It is as out of place in our time as William Shakespeare using an Iphone or Vasco De Gama travelling in a speedboat. The Antikythera Mechanism is a complex mechanical (clockwork) device that can determine the position of the planets and phases of the Moon and predict when solar and lunar eclipses will occur. Constructed about two thousand years ago, it was discovered in 1901.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-108-europa-clipper-mission/ Fri, 25 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:2bb5e559-fbb4-4615-b8e2-ab7ed1e2c3a0 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-108-europa-clipper-mission/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-108-europa-clipper-mission/feed/ 0 The Clarke Exobelt is the name that Dr Hector Socas-Navarro has given to perhaps the largest structure humans have built. A collection of satellites in earth orbit (geosynchronous) 36,000 km radius. All circling the earth at the same speed in the same direction. The density of this orbit has been increasing since the 1960s but is not yet sufficiently dense for detection from interstellar distances. But in 200 years it may be. In the meantime, this concept works the other way around too. SETI researchers can search for these megastructures or Tecno Signatures to look for extraterrestrial intelligence Gurbir Singh full 25:49 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=8056-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe Clarke Exobelt is the name that Dr Hector Socas-Navarro has given to perhaps the largest structure humans have built. A collection of satellites in earth orbit (geosynchronous) 36,000 km radius. All circling the earth at the same speed in the same direction. The density of this orbit has been increasing since the 1960s but is not yet sufficiently dense for detection from interstellar distances. But in 200 years it may be. In the meantime, this concept works the other way around too. SETI researchers can search for these megastructures or Tecno Signatures to look for extraterrestrial intelligenceThe Clarke Exobelt is the name that Dr Hector Socas-Navarro has given to perhaps the largest structure humans have built. A collection of satellites in earth orbit (geosynchronous) 36,000 km radius. All circling the earth at the same speed in the same direction. The density of this orbit has been increasing since the 1960s but is not yet sufficiently dense for detection from interstellar distances. But in 200 years it may be. In the meantime, this concept works the other way around too. SETI researchers can search for these megastructures or Tecno Signatures to look for extraterrestrial intelligenceSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-107-seti-technosignatures/ Fri, 18 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:7afebc14-bf83-4c0e-9a78-1896993d3961 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-107-seti-technosignatures/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-107-seti-technosignatures/feed/ 0 The Clarke Exobelt is the name that Dr Hector Socas-Navarro has given to perhaps the largest structure humans have built. A collection of satellites in earth orbit (geosynchronous) 36,000 km radius. All circling the earth at the same speed in the same direction. The density of this orbit has been increasing since the 1960s but is not yet sufficiently dense for detection from interstellar distances. But in 200 years it may be. In the meantime, this concept works the other way around too. SETI researchers can search for these megastructures or Tecno Signatures to look for extraterrestrial intelligence Gurbir Singh full 40:25 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7993-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe Clarke Exobelt is the name that Dr Hector Socas-Navarro has given to perhaps the largest structure humans have built. A collection of satellites in earth orbit (geosynchronous) 36,000 km radius. All circling the earth at the same speed in the same direction. The density of this orbit has been increasing since the 1960s but is not yet sufficiently dense for detection from interstellar distances. But in 200 years it may be. In the meantime, this concept works the other way around too. SETI researchers can search for these megastructures or Tecno Signatures to look for extraterrestrial intelligenceThe Clarke Exobelt is the name that Dr Hector Socas-Navarro has given to perhaps the largest structure humans have built. A collection of satellites in earth orbit (geosynchronous) 36,000 km radius. All circling the earth at the same speed in the same direction. The density of this orbit has been increasing since the 1960s but is not yet sufficiently dense for detection from interstellar distances. But in 200 years it may be. In the meantime, this concept works the other way around too. SETI researchers can search for these megastructures or Tecno Signatures to look for extraterrestrial intelligenceSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/esa-new-science-missions/ Fri, 11 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:ad78bb5f-9df0-4f80-bdfc-5372adefb86b https://astrotalkuk.org/esa-new-science-missions/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/esa-new-science-missions/feed/ 0 European Space Agency's Dr Paul McNamara was studying low-frequency gravitational waves just before they were discovered in 2015. Now he is the astronomy and astrophysics coordinator for the European Space Agency. In this interview, recorded in Athens during Cospar2022, he speaks about some of the exciting science missions that ESA will be launching later this decade. Gurbir Singh full 43:00 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7974-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noEuropean Space Agency's Dr Paul McNamara was studying low-frequency gravitational waves just before they were discovered in 2015. Now he is the astronomy and astrophysics coordinator for the European Space Agency. In this interview, recorded in Athens during Cospar2022, he speaks about some of the exciting science missions that ESA will be launching later this decade.European Space Agency's Dr Paul McNamara was studying low-frequency gravitational waves just before they were discovered in 2015. Now he is the astronomy and astrophysics coordinator for the European Space Agency. In this interview, recorded in Athens during Cospar2022, he speaks about some of the exciting science missions that ESA will be launching later this decade.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-105-return-to-titan-dragonfly/ Fri, 04 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:57abb522-2240-4bda-ae4b-992d8af38d4c https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-105-return-to-titan-dragonfly/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-105-return-to-titan-dragonfly/feed/ 0 Dr Ralph Lorenz speaks about Dragonfly, a return mission to land on Titan. This mission, for which he is the mission architect, is like no other. It is not really a lander or rover but a quadcopter that will sample different regions near the landing site during its 3.3-year lifetime. Gurbir Singh full 44:04 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7928-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noDr Ralph Lorenz speaks about Dragonfly, a return mission to land on Titan. This mission, for which he is the mission architect, is like no other. It is not really a lander or rover but a quadcopter that will sample different regions near the landing site during its 3.3-year lifetime.Dr Ralph Lorenz speaks about Dragonfly, a return mission to land on Titan. This mission, for which he is the mission architect, is like no other. It is not really a lander or rover but a quadcopter that will sample different regions near the landing site during its 3.3-year lifetime.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-104-williamleitch/ Fri, 28 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:487bb374-87aa-40d6-98c4-d3c7febd111f https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-104-williamleitch/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-104-williamleitch/feed/ 0 When it comes to the pioneers of rocketry, tradition has it that it was Tsiolkovsky, Goddard and Oberth. in this episode, author Rob Godwin talks about William Leitch from Scotland. He was writing about rocketry from the 1850s Gurbir Singh full 1:09:01 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7918-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noWhen it comes to the pioneers of rocketry, tradition has it that it was Tsiolkovsky, Goddard and Oberth. in this episode, author Rob Godwin talks about William Leitch from Scotland. He was writing about rocketry from the 1850sWhen it comes to the pioneers of rocketry, tradition has it that it was Tsiolkovsky, Goddard and Oberth. in this episode, author Rob Godwin talks about William Leitch from Scotland. He was writing about rocketry from the 1850sSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-103-jwst/ Fri, 21 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:98b6e01d-ff27-4f3a-a630-8cbee745cebe https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-103-jwst/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-103-jwst/feed/ 0 Astronomer Dr Connor Nixon @shamrocketeer speaks about the @nasawebb program to observe solar system objects using the #JWST led by @hbhammel Gurbir Singh full 35:21 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7900-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAstronomer Dr Connor Nixon @shamrocketeer speaks about the @nasawebb program to observe solar system objects using the #JWST led by @hbhammelAstronomer Dr Connor Nixon @shamrocketeer speaks about the @nasawebb program to observe solar system objects using the #JWST led by @hbhammelSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-102-martian-geology/ Fri, 14 Oct 2022 13:10:00 +0000 urn:uuid:300c7e2a-ac9c-45eb-bbd2-8b032c018549 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-102-martian-geology/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-102-martian-geology/feed/ 0 In 1972, Harrison Schmitt became the first (and so far only), scientist to walk on the surface of the Moon. Since then many scientists have brought their scientific insights to understanding to the solar system and their moons. geologist @sanjeevgupta45 from @imperialcollege talks about Mars Gurbir Singh full 30:08 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7887-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIn 1972, Harrison Schmitt became the first (and so far only), scientist to walk on the surface of the Moon. Since then many scientists have brought their scientific insights to understanding to the solar system and their moons. geologist @sanjeevgupta45 from @imperialcollege talks about MarsIn 1972, Harrison Schmitt became the first (and so far only), scientist to walk on the surface of the Moon. Since then many scientists have brought their scientific insights to understanding to the solar system and their moons. geologist @sanjeevgupta45 from @imperialcollege talks about MarsSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-101-peacefuluses/ Fri, 07 Oct 2022 13:52:05 +0000 urn:uuid:36b7cdd8-681c-412f-9bfc-7a3baaaf3b50 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-101-peacefuluses/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-101-peacefuluses/feed/ 0 Niklas Hedman, the Acting Director of the @UN Office for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNOOSA) talks about @UNOOSA ongoing role in facilitating and promoting the peaceful uses of space in Low Earth orbit and beyond. Gurbir Singh full 30:26 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7861-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noNiklas Hedman, the Acting Director of the @UN Office for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNOOSA) talks about @UNOOSA ongoing role in facilitating and promoting the peaceful uses of space in Low Earth orbit and beyond.Niklas Hedman, the Acting Director of the @UN Office for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNOOSA) talks about @UNOOSA ongoing role in facilitating and promoting the peaceful uses of space in Low Earth orbit and beyond.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-100-sandra-benitez-herrera/ Sun, 18 Sep 2022 07:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:17b0a15f-b8cf-42c1-a0bf-7a993afd9bbc https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-100-sandra-benitez-herrera/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-100-sandra-benitez-herrera/feed/ 0 Sandra Benitez-Herrera talks about the opportunities for teachers and students made available by the European Space Agency 's CESAR (Cooperation through Education in Science and Astronomy Research) program. @esa Gurbir Singh full 27:08 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7803-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noSandra Benitez-Herrera talks about the opportunities for teachers and students made available by the European Space Agency 's CESAR (Cooperation through Education in Science and Astronomy Research) program. @esaSandra Benitez-Herrera talks about the opportunities for teachers and students made available by the European Space Agency 's CESAR (Cooperation through Education in Science and Astronomy Research) program. @esaSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-99-professor-stamatios-krimigis/ Fri, 09 Sep 2022 05:01:00 +0000 urn:uuid:fb0429b1-a6c6-424b-acfc-9f34d92cdad7 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-99-professor-stamatios-krimigis/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-99-professor-stamatios-krimigis/feed/ 0 A chance meeting with James van Allen led Stamatios Krimigis to build instruments for Mariner 3 and 4. Eventually became a Principle Investigator for the charged particle instrument on voyager which was initially known as Mariner Jupiter Saturn 77 program Gurbir Singh full 40:42 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7764-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noA chance meeting with James van Allen led Stamatios Krimigis to build instruments for Mariner 3 and 4. Eventually became a Principle Investigator for the charged particle instrument on voyager which was initially known as Mariner Jupiter Saturn 77 programA chance meeting with James van Allen led Stamatios Krimigis to build instruments for Mariner 3 and 4. Eventually became a Principle Investigator for the charged particle instrument on voyager which was initially known as Mariner Jupiter Saturn 77 programSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-98-astrophotography-with-nik-szymanek/ Mon, 18 Oct 2021 14:05:00 +0000 urn:uuid:ff345878-0258-4fa3-8d85-776202e9995b https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-98-astrophotography-with-nik-szymanek/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-98-astrophotography-with-nik-szymanek/feed/ 0 Astrophotographer Nik Szymanek shares his unique perspective on how astrophotography has evolved since the 1980s when he first started. We speak about software and robotic telescopes @telescopelivehq @APinSpain & @astronomynow get a mention. Gurbir Singh full 1:00:11 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7270-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAstrophotographer Nik Szymanek shares his unique perspective on how astrophotography has evolved since the 1980s when he first started. We speak about software and robotic telescopes @telescopelivehq @APinSpain & @astronomynow get a mention.Astrophotographer Nik Szymanek shares his unique perspective on how astrophotography has evolved since the 1980s when he first started. We speak about software and robotic telescopes @telescopelivehq @APinSpain & @astronomynow get a mention.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/bob-heil/ Fri, 08 Oct 2021 13:37:00 +0000 urn:uuid:396940ea-3a95-4255-a886-edd98a5b256f https://astrotalkuk.org/bob-heil/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/bob-heil/feed/ 0 Following an unexpected meeting with USA's first Astronaut, Alan Shepard in around 1962. In this episode he recounts a Moon-Bounce experiments with @Nasa. Gurbir Singh full 53:41 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7232-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noFollowing an unexpected meeting with USA's first Astronaut, Alan Shepard in around 1962. In this episode he recounts a Moon-Bounce experiments with @Nasa.Following an unexpected meeting with USA's first Astronaut, Alan Shepard in around 1962. In this episode he recounts a Moon-Bounce experiments with @Nasa.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-96-seti-the-search-so-far-with-jill-tarter/ Fri, 01 Oct 2021 13:21:00 +0000 urn:uuid:822e94a1-f83f-4546-b521-09a0b773a5cd https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-96-seti-the-search-so-far-with-jill-tarter/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-96-seti-the-search-so-far-with-jill-tarter/feed/ 0 Since the beginning of human civilisation, people have looked up at the night sky and wondered – are we alone? Science and technology of the 20th century has made it possible to try to address that question. So how is are we doing? With Jill Tarter from @SETIInstitute Gurbir Singh full 35:04 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7199-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noSince the beginning of human civilisation, people have looked up at the night sky and wondered – are we alone? Science and technology of the 20th century has made it possible to try to address that question. So how is are we doing? With Jill Tarter from @SETIInstituteSince the beginning of human civilisation, people have looked up at the night sky and wondered – are we alone? Science and technology of the 20th century has made it possible to try to address that question. So how is are we doing? With Jill Tarter from @SETIInstituteSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-95-european-space-cooperation-degaulle-to-exomars-with-brian-harvey/ Fri, 24 Sep 2021 13:02:00 +0000 urn:uuid:18e346db-a678-4a5d-a6fe-23f81dc74f5e https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-95-european-space-cooperation-degaulle-to-exomars-with-brian-harvey/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-95-european-space-cooperation-degaulle-to-exomars-with-brian-harvey/feed/ 0 The latest book from author Brian Harvey @BrianHarveyAut1, this is probably the first English language analysis of the individuals, institutions and early space projects that would eventually lead,  not just France, but Europe to its status as a leader in designing, building and operating complex space infrastructure.  Gurbir Singh full 1:04:24 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7211-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe latest book from author Brian Harvey @BrianHarveyAut1, this is probably the first English language analysis of the individuals, institutions and early space projects that would eventually lead,  not just France, but Europe to its status as a leader in designing, building and operating complex space infrastructure. The latest book from author Brian Harvey @BrianHarveyAut1, this is probably the first English language analysis of the individuals, institutions and early space projects that would eventually lead,  not just France, but Europe to its status as a leader in designing, building and operating complex space infrastructure. Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-94-seti-techniques-and-technology-with-jill-tarter/ Fri, 17 Sep 2021 13:44:00 +0000 urn:uuid:9743014c-bec1-4786-9395-77c2775b942f https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-94-seti-techniques-and-technology-with-jill-tarter/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-94-seti-techniques-and-technology-with-jill-tarter/feed/ 0 How has the ¢SETI evolved over the last 6 decades and especially what can modern technology allow today that was not possible then? With Jill Tarter from @SETIInstitute Gurbir Singh full 31:04 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7076-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noHow has the ¢SETI evolved over the last 6 decades and especially what can modern technology allow today that was not possible then? With Jill Tarter from @SETIInstituteHow has the ¢SETI evolved over the last 6 decades and especially what can modern technology allow today that was not possible then? With Jill Tarter from @SETIInstituteSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-93-exploring-the-surface-of-titan/ Thu, 14 Jan 2021 12:30:00 +0000 urn:uuid:d5268705-cc68-46ea-92a7-c4ed0c12b6b8 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-93-exploring-the-surface-of-titan/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-93-exploring-the-surface-of-titan/feed/ 0 On 14th January 2005, the Huygens probe landed on Titan. Saturns and the solar systems largest Moon. This was a joint NAS/ESA mission called Cassini-Huygens. Whilst Huygens landed on Titan, Cassini continued to orbit Saturn. Professor John Zarnecki, the prinicpal investigator for the Surface Science Package, recalls the experience of that mission and what we learnt about Titan then and since. Gurbir Singh full 59:42 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=6765-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noOn 14th January 2005, the Huygens probe landed on Titan. Saturns and the solar systems largest Moon. This was a joint NAS/ESA mission called Cassini-Huygens. Whilst Huygens landed on Titan, Cassini continued to orbit Saturn. Professor John Zarnecki, the prinicpal investigator for the Surface Science Package, recalls the experience of that mission and what we learnt about Titan then and since.On 14th January 2005, the Huygens probe landed on Titan. Saturns and the solar systems largest Moon. This was a joint NAS/ESA mission called Cassini-Huygens. Whilst Huygens landed on Titan, Cassini continued to orbit Saturn. Professor John Zarnecki, the prinicpal investigator for the Surface Science Package, recalls the experience of that mission and what we learnt about Titan then and since.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-92-revisiting-panspermia-with-prof-wickramasinghe/ Fri, 01 Jan 2021 02:03:59 +0000 urn:uuid:db6a6361-633a-4b0f-a0fd-09890c938af3 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-92-revisiting-panspermia-with-prof-wickramasinghe/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-92-revisiting-panspermia-with-prof-wickramasinghe/feed/ 0 The idea of Panspermia, that life exists throughout the universe and spreads via asteroids, comets and cosmic dust, has been around for a long time. Two of the strongest advocates were Professor Fred Hoyle and Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe. Gurbir Singh full 1:15:03 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=6721-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe idea of Panspermia, that life exists throughout the universe and spreads via asteroids, comets and cosmic dust, has been around for a long time. Two of the strongest advocates were Professor Fred Hoyle and Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe.The idea of Panspermia, that life exists throughout the universe and spreads via asteroids, comets and cosmic dust, has been around for a long time. Two of the strongest advocates were Professor Fred Hoyle and Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-91-isro-and-the-spy-who-was-not/ Fri, 15 Nov 2019 06:00:54 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=5578 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-91-isro-and-the-spy-who-was-not/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-91-isro-and-the-spy-who-was-not/feed/ 0 In 1994, Narayan Nambi an ISRO aerospace engineer was falsely arrested by the Investigation Beuro on charges of espionage. He was accused of passing on confidential launch vehicle flight test data to foreign nationals. In 1996 he was cleared by the Central Investigations Bureau and India's Supreme Court found him not guilty in 1998. In 2019 he was presented with India's third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan. Gurbir Singh full 47:52 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=5578-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIn 1994, Narayan Nambi an ISRO aerospace engineer was falsely arrested by the Investigation Beuro on charges of espionage. He was accused of passing on confidential launch vehicle flight test data to foreign nationals. In 1996 he was cleared by the Central Investigations Bureau and India's Supreme Court found him not guilty in 1998. In 2019 he was presented with India's third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan.In 1994, Narayan Nambi an ISRO aerospace engineer was falsely arrested by the Investigation Beuro on charges of espionage. He was accused of passing on confidential launch vehicle flight test data to foreign nationals. In 1996 he was cleared by the Central Investigations Bureau and India's Supreme Court found him not guilty in 1998. In 2019 he was presented with India's third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-90-an-update-on-isros-activities-with-s-somanath-and-r-umamaheshwaran/ Mon, 28 Oct 2019 20:31:28 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=5703 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-90-an-update-on-isros-activities-with-s-somanath-and-r-umamaheshwaran/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-90-an-update-on-isros-activities-with-s-somanath-and-r-umamaheshwaran/feed/ 10 This interview with S Somanath (director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) and R Umamaheshwaran (Scientific Secretary) was recorded on 24th October 2019 during the International Astronautical Congress in Washington DC. It was not focused on a specific theme but rather an update on all things @ISRO - current and future activities. Gurbir Singh full 50:35 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=5703-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThis interview with S Somanath (director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) and R Umamaheshwaran (Scientific Secretary) was recorded on 24th October 2019 during the International Astronautical Congress in Washington DC. It was not focused on a specific theme but rather an update on all things @ISRO - current and future activities.This interview with S Somanath (director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) and R Umamaheshwaran (Scientific Secretary) was recorded on 24th October 2019 during the International Astronautical Congress in Washington DC. It was not focused on a specific theme but rather an update on all things @ISRO - current and future activities.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-89-carbon-nanotubes/ Fri, 25 Oct 2019 05:00:25 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=5547 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-89-carbon-nanotubes/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-89-carbon-nanotubes/feed/ 1 In his 1979 novel, Fountains of Paradise, Arthur C Clarke imagines a cable stretching from the Earth's equator to Geosynchronous orbit. He called it a "space elevator" and imagined it would be constructed from continuous pseudo-one-dimensional diamond crystals. Bangalore based NoPo Technologies is now commercially producing Carbon Nanotubes. Could this material, one day be used to construct Clarke's space elevator? Gurbir Singh full 42:58 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=5547-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIn his 1979 novel, Fountains of Paradise, Arthur C Clarke imagines a cable stretching from the Earth's equator to Geosynchronous orbit. He called it a "space elevator" and imagined it would be constructed from continuous pseudo-one-dimensional diamond crystals. Bangalore based NoPo Technologies is now commercially producing Carbon Nanotubes. Could this material, one day be used to construct Clarke's space elevator?In his 1979 novel, Fountains of Paradise, Arthur C Clarke imagines a cable stretching from the Earth's equator to Geosynchronous orbit. He called it a "space elevator" and imagined it would be constructed from continuous pseudo-one-dimensional diamond crystals. Bangalore based NoPo Technologies is now commercially producing Carbon Nanotubes. Could this material, one day be used to construct Clarke's space elevator?Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-88-indias-private-space-sector/ Fri, 11 Oct 2019 05:00:09 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/copy-of-episode-87-apollo-era-recollections-of-a-brit-working-in-nasa/ https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-88-indias-private-space-sector/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-88-indias-private-space-sector/feed/ 0 As in other nations, the private space sector is now emerging in India. One name that pops up when discussing private and commercial space in India is Narayanan Prasad Gurbir Singh full 1:25:03 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=5535-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAs in other nations, the private space sector is now emerging in India. One name that pops up when discussing private and commercial space in India is Narayanan PrasadAs in other nations, the private space sector is now emerging in India. One name that pops up when discussing private and commercial space in India is Narayanan PrasadSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-87-apollo-era-recollections-of-a-brit-working-in-nasa/ Fri, 12 Jul 2019 05:00:11 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=4764 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-87-apollo-era-recollections-of-a-brit-working-in-nasa/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-87-apollo-era-recollections-of-a-brit-working-in-nasa/feed/ 0 Episode 87 - Apollo Era recollections of a Brit working in @NASA Gurbir Singh full 52:44 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=4764-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noEpisode 87 - Apollo Era recollections of a Brit working in @NASAEpisode 87 - Apollo Era recollections of a Brit working in @NASASpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-86-moon-art-science-culture/ Fri, 28 Jun 2019 05:00:09 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=5253 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-86-moon-art-science-culture/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-86-moon-art-science-culture/feed/ 0 Moon: Art, Science, Culture The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing was a momentous event and expected to be marked by numerous publications. Most books cover the technologies, events, personal recollections and politics of the first human voyage to another world. One book jointly authored by an art historian and an astronomer has a fresh perspective. The guests in this episode are the authors of the book Moon: Art, Science, Culture - Dr Alexandra Loske Associate Tutor in Art History, University of Sussex and Dr Robert Massey Deputy Executive Director Royal Astronomical Society. The book is attracting an interesting eclectic mix of readers with an interest in science and art. Some of the topics we spoke about include Fritz Lang’s 1929 sci-fi movie (watch full-length movie on Youtube here) Frau im Mond.The book has a chapter about the Nebra Sky Disk and we also discussed the Antikythera Mechanism.One of the earliest books with a picture of the Moon, called The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite  (link offers free download) written in 1874 by James Nasmyth and James Carpenter. Here is an interesting review of it from Dr Stephanie O’Rourke from the University of St Andrews.The Bluedot Festival at Jodrell bank starts on Friday 19th July Embed video if there is one Gurbir Singh full 42:55 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=5253-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noMoon: Art, Science, Culture The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing was a momentous event and expected to be marked by numerous publications. Most books cover the technologies, events, personal recollections and politics of the first human voyage to another world. One book jointly authored by an art historian and an astronomer has a fresh perspective. The guests in this episode are the authors of the book Moon: Art, Science, Culture - Dr Alexandra Loske Associate Tutor in Art History, University of Sussex and Dr Robert Massey Deputy Executive Director Royal Astronomical Society. The book is attracting an interesting eclectic mix of readers with an interest in science and art. Some of the topics we spoke about include Fritz Lang’s 1929 sci-fi movie (watch full-length movie on Youtube here) Frau im Mond.The book has a chapter about the Nebra Sky Disk and we also discussed the Antikythera Mechanism.One of the earliest books with a picture of the Moon, called The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite  (link offers free download) written in 1874 by James Nasmyth and James Carpenter. Here is an interesting review of it from Dr Stephanie O’Rourke from the University of St Andrews.The Bluedot Festival at Jodrell bank starts on Friday 19th July Embed video if there is oneMoon: Art, Science, Culture The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing was a momentous event and expected to be marked by numerous publications. Most books cover the technologies, events, personal recollections and politics of the first human voyage to another world. One book jointly authored by an art historian and an astronomer has a fresh perspective. The guests in this episode are the authors of the book Moon: Art, Science, Culture - Dr Alexandra Loske Associate Tutor in Art History, University of Sussex and Dr Robert Massey Deputy Executive Director Royal Astronomical Society. The book is attracting an interesting eclectic mix of readers with an interest in science and art. Some of the topics we spoke about include Fritz Lang’s 1929 sci-fi movie (watch full-length movie on Youtube here) Frau im Mond.The book has a chapter about the Nebra Sky Disk and we also discussed the Antikythera Mechanism.One of the earliest books with a picture of the Moon, called The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite  (link offers free download) written in 1874 by James Nasmyth and James Carpenter. Here is an interesting review of it from Dr Stephanie O’Rourke from the University of St Andrews.The Bluedot Festival at Jodrell bank starts on Friday 19th July Embed video if there is oneSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-85-russias-space-programme-with-brian-harvey/ Fri, 19 Apr 2019 05:00:14 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=3366 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-85-russias-space-programme-with-brian-harvey/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-85-russias-space-programme-with-brian-harvey/feed/ 0 Brian Harvey is a Dublin based writer who has authored more than 14 books the space programmes of USSR/Russia, USA, India, Korea Japan and China. He has a deep understanding of the motivations and politics as well as the space technology that has emerged. Gurbir Singh full 43:50 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=3366-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noBrian Harvey is a Dublin based writer who has authored more than 14 books the space programmes of USSR/Russia, USA, India, Korea Japan and China. He has a deep understanding of the motivations and politics as well as the space technology that has emerged.Brian Harvey is a Dublin based writer who has authored more than 14 books the space programmes of USSR/Russia, USA, India, Korea Japan and China. He has a deep understanding of the motivations and politics as well as the space technology that has emerged.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-84-nasa-after-the-shuttle-sls-and-the-gateway/ Fri, 05 Apr 2019 05:00:25 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=4988 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-84-nasa-after-the-shuttle-sls-and-the-gateway/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-84-nasa-after-the-shuttle-sls-and-the-gateway/feed/ 0 Why has NASA not been able to launch American astronauts to space on American rockets since 2011? What is the SLS and the Gateway? Will China and US cooperate in space? Gurbir Singh full 30:55 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=4988-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noWhy has NASA not been able to launch American astronauts to space on American rockets since 2011? What is the SLS and the Gateway? Will China and US cooperate in space?Why has NASA not been able to launch American astronauts to space on American rockets since 2011? What is the SLS and the Gateway? Will China and US cooperate in space?Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-83-indias-human-spaceflight-programme-with-r-umamaheswaren/ Fri, 18 Jan 2019 06:00:18 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=4553 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-83-indias-human-spaceflight-programme-with-r-umamaheswaren/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-83-indias-human-spaceflight-programme-with-r-umamaheswaren/feed/ 0 Astrotalkuk.org - Episode 83 - India's Human Spaceflight Programme. R Umamaheswaren talks about @ISRO Human Space Flight Programme #gaganyaan and thinks the chances of a woman as a member of the first crew "highly likely". recorded at #IAC2018 Gurbir Singh full 18:32 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=4553-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAstrotalkuk.org - Episode 83 - India's Human Spaceflight Programme. R Umamaheswaren talks about @ISRO Human Space Flight Programme #gaganyaan and thinks the chances of a woman as a member of the first crew "highly likely". recorded at #IAC2018Astrotalkuk.org - Episode 83 - India's Human Spaceflight Programme. R Umamaheswaren talks about @ISRO Human Space Flight Programme #gaganyaan and thinks the chances of a woman as a member of the first crew "highly likely". recorded at #IAC2018Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-82-jaxa-and-international-collaboration-with-professor-fujimoto-masaki/ Fri, 04 Jan 2019 06:00:15 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=4534 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-82-jaxa-and-international-collaboration-with-professor-fujimoto-masaki/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-82-jaxa-and-international-collaboration-with-professor-fujimoto-masaki/feed/ 2 A conversation with Prof. Fujimoto Masaki about @JAXA current and future plans to explore the inner solar system and #samplereturn missions. Recorded in Bremen just after #IAC2018 Gurbir Singh full 22:35 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=4534-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noA conversation with Prof. Fujimoto Masaki about @JAXA current and future plans to explore the inner solar system and #samplereturn missions. Recorded in Bremen just after #IAC2018A conversation with Prof. Fujimoto Masaki about @JAXA current and future plans to explore the inner solar system and #samplereturn missions. Recorded in Bremen just after #IAC2018Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-81-united-nations-office-for-outer-space-affairs/ Fri, 14 Dec 2018 06:00:09 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=4519 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-81-united-nations-office-for-outer-space-affairs/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-81-united-nations-office-for-outer-space-affairs/feed/ 0 Astrotalkuk.org. Episode 81 - United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA# talks about some of UNOOSA's current projects. recorded during #IAC2018 Gurbir Singh full 25:12 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=4519-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAstrotalkuk.org. Episode 81 - United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA# talks about some of UNOOSA's current projects. recorded during #IAC2018Astrotalkuk.org. Episode 81 - United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA# talks about some of UNOOSA's current projects. recorded during #IAC2018Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-80-s-somnat-director-of-vikram-sarabhai-space-centre/ Fri, 30 Nov 2018 06:00:56 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=4514 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-80-s-somnat-director-of-vikram-sarabhai-space-centre/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-80-s-somnat-director-of-vikram-sarabhai-space-centre/feed/ 0 Astrotakuk.org Episode 80. S. Somnath joined the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala in 1985 and today he is its director. Recorded at #IAC2018 Gurbir Singh full 27:23 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=4514-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAstrotakuk.org Episode 80. S. Somnath joined the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala in 1985 and today he is its director. Recorded at #IAC2018Astrotakuk.org Episode 80. S. Somnath joined the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala in 1985 and today he is its director. Recorded at #IAC2018Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-79-satsearch-co-a-single-digital-marketplace-for-the-global-space-supply-chain/ Fri, 16 Nov 2018 06:00:52 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=4493 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-79-satsearch-co-a-single-digital-marketplace-for-the-global-space-supply-chain/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-79-satsearch-co-a-single-digital-marketplace-for-the-global-space-supply-chain/feed/ 0 Astrotalkuk.org - Episode 79 satsearch.co A digital marketplace for the global space supply chain? With @satsearchco. Recorded at #iac2018. Gurbir Singh full 27:36 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=4493-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAstrotalkuk.org - Episode 79 satsearch.co A digital marketplace for the global space supply chain? With @satsearchco. Recorded at #iac2018.Astrotalkuk.org - Episode 79 satsearch.co A digital marketplace for the global space supply chain? With @satsearchco. Recorded at #iac2018.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-78-isros-early-earth-observation-cameras-with-former-chairman-dr-kiran-kumar/ Fri, 28 Sep 2018 05:00:34 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=4397 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-78-isros-early-earth-observation-cameras-with-former-chairman-dr-kiran-kumar/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-78-isros-early-earth-observation-cameras-with-former-chairman-dr-kiran-kumar/feed/ 0 Dr Kiran Kumar. Credit ISRO Mr Kiran Kumar studied physics, physical engineering and electronics in educational institutions in India including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. He specialised in electro-optical imaging systems and, in 1975, was recruited by Dr Yash Pal (one of a few key individuals who played a pivotal role in the early days of India’s space programme) to ISRO’s Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad. During the 1970s, state-of-the-art imaging sensors consisted of photodiodes, vidicon tubes and photomultipliers. It was these analogue devices that he started working with before moving on to modern solid-state devices, such as Charged Coupled Devices (CCDs). He contributed to imaging systems for India’s first remote-sensing satellite (Bhaskara-1) and to deep-space missions to the Moon (Chandrayaan-1) and Mars (Mars Orbiter Mission). During the 1970s, state-of-the-art imaging sensors consisted of photodiodes, vidicon tubes and photomultipliers. It was these analogue devices that he started working with before moving on to modern solid-state devices, such as Charged Coupled Devices (CCDs). He contributed to imaging systems for India’s first remote-sensing satellite (Bhaskara-1) and to deep-space missions to the Moon (Chandrayaan-1) and Mars (Mars Orbiter Mission). A few highlights from the interview recorded on 22 September 2018 Had considered medicine as a career, but, by 22 days, not meeting the age criteria, and with National College in Bangalore initiating a new Physics Honours course in 1968, he chose Physics. Strongly influenced by physicist and ardent rationalist Dr H.Narasimhaiah, who later became the vice-chancellor of Bangalore University. Has a clear memory of Gagarin’s spaceflight in 1961 and Apollo 11 landing on the Moon in 1969. Graduated in 1971, the same year that Vikram Sarabhai died. He never saw or met him. In 1975, he was working on his M.Tech at the IISc when India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched. He worked on Bhaskara – initially known as Satellite for Earth Observation. In the mid-1970s, only four metropolitan areas in India had television reception. The SITE programme illustrated the benefits of satellite communication in delivering education to small rural communities across India. During 1995-1999 – ISRO had the highest spatial resolution imaging capability from space in the civilian domain. Using Commercial Off the Shelf products (or parts from COTS products) is not unusual for experimental space missions. Moving into the Chairman’s role was not onerous. Previous experience as director of an ISRO centre provided the required experience. Although Kiran Kumar stepped down from the chairman's role in January 2018, he remains active within ISRO. Gurbir Singh full 52:12 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=4397-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noDr Kiran Kumar. Credit ISRO Mr Kiran Kumar studied physics, physical engineering and electronics in educational institutions in India including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. He specialised in electro-optical imaging systems and, in 1975, was recruited by Dr Yash Pal (one of a few key individuals who played a pivotal role in the early days of India’s space programme) to ISRO’s Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad. During the 1970s, state-of-the-art imaging sensors consisted of photodiodes, vidicon tubes and photomultipliers. It was these analogue devices that he started working with before moving on to modern solid-state devices, such as Charged Coupled Devices (CCDs). He contributed to imaging systems for India’s first remote-sensing satellite (Bhaskara-1) and to deep-space missions to the Moon (Chandrayaan-1) and Mars (Mars Orbiter Mission). During the 1970s, state-of-the-art imaging sensors consisted of photodiodes, vidicon tubes and photomultipliers. It was these analogue devices that he started working with before moving on to modern solid-state devices, such as Charged Coupled Devices (CCDs). He contributed to imaging systems for India’s first remote-sensing satellite (Bhaskara-1) and to deep-space missions to the Moon (Chandrayaan-1) and Mars (Mars Orbiter Mission). A few highlights from the interview recorded on 22 September 2018 Had considered medicine as a career, but, by 22 days, not meeting the age criteria, and with National College in Bangalore initiating a new Physics Honours course in 1968, he chose Physics. Strongly influenced by physicist and ardent rationalist Dr H.Narasimhaiah, who later became the vice-chancellor of Bangalore University. Has a clear memory of Gagarin’s spaceflight in 1961 and Apollo 11 landing on the Moon in 1969. Graduated in 1971, the same year that Vikram Sarabhai died. He never saw or met him. In 1975, he was working on his M.Tech at the IISc when India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched. He worked on Bhaskara – initially known as Satellite for Earth Observation. In the mid-1970s, only four metropolitan areas in India had television reception. The SITE programme illustrated the benefits of satellite communication in delivering education to small rural communities across India. During 1995-1999 – ISRO had the highest spatial resolution imaging capability from space in the civilian domain. Using Commercial Off the Shelf products (or parts from COTS products) is not unusual for experimental space missions. Moving into the Chairman’s role was not onerous. Previous experience as director of an ISRO centre provided the required experience. Although Kiran Kumar stepped down from the chairman's role in January 2018, he remains active within ISRO.Dr Kiran Kumar. Credit ISRO Mr Kiran Kumar studied physics, physical engineering and electronics in educational institutions in India including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. He specialised in electro-optical imaging systems and, in 1975, was recruited by Dr Yash Pal (one of a few key individuals who played a pivotal role in the early days of India’s space programme) to ISRO’s Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad. During the 1970s, state-of-the-art imaging sensors consisted of photodiodes, vidicon tubes and photomultipliers. It was these analogue devices that he started working with before moving on to modern solid-state devices, such as Charged Coupled Devices (CCDs). He contributed to imaging systems for India’s first remote-sensing satellite (Bhaskara-1) and to deep-space missions to the Moon (Chandrayaan-1) and Mars (Mars Orbiter Mission). During the 1970s, state-of-the-art imaging sensors consisted of photodiodes, vidicon tubes and photomultipliers. It was these analogue devices that he started working with before moving on to modern solid-state devices, such as Charged Coupled Devices (CCDs). He contributed to imaging systems for India’s first remote-sensing satellite (Bhaskara-1) and to deep-space missions to the Moon (Chandrayaan-1) and Mars (Mars Orbiter Mission). A few highlights from the interview recorded on 22 September 2018 Had considered medicine as a career, but, by 22 days, not meeting the age criteria, and with National College in Bangalore initiating a new Physics Honours course in 1968, he chose Physics. Strongly influenced by physicist and ardent rationalist Dr H.Narasimhaiah, who later became the vice-chancellor of Bangalore University. Has a clear memory of Gagarin’s spaceflight in 1961 and Apollo 11 landing on the Moon in 1969. Graduated in 1971, the same year that Vikram Sarabhai died. He never saw or met him. In 1975, he was working on his M.Tech at the IISc when India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched. He worked on Bhaskara – initially known as Satellite for Earth Observation. In the mid-1970s, only four metropolitan areas in India had television reception. The SITE programme illustrated the benefits of satellite communication in delivering education to small rural communities across India. During 1995-1999 – ISRO had the highest spatial resolution imaging capability from space in the civilian domain. Using Commercial Off the Shelf products (or parts from COTS products) is not unusual for experimental space missions. Moving into the Chairman’s role was not onerous. Previous experience as director of an ISRO centre provided the required experience. Although Kiran Kumar stepped down from the chairman's role in January 2018, he remains active within ISRO.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-77-satellite-tracking-the-early-days/ Fri, 13 Jul 2018 05:00:16 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=4079 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-77-satellite-tracking-the-early-days/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-77-satellite-tracking-the-early-days/feed/ 0 Sven Grahn has been working in the space field in one way or another for over fifty years. Officially retired, he continues to work as a project leader of a student satellite at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. He is perhaps best known for his work in tracking satellites launched by the secretive Soviet Union during the 1960s and 1970s.In those pre-internet days, his work along with others helped to identify individual mission characteristics such as mission types, members of the crew, take off and landing times. He recorded over 1000 conversations from orbiting spacecraft as they flew over Sweden. In this interview, he speaks about The impact of the space race on his choice of career His work on sounding rockets and meteorology in Sweden and beyond Satellite tracking. What he tracked, heard and recorded using radio and tape recorders. How he came to research and write about the  satellite tracking conducted at Jodrell  Bank radio telescope in England As an 11-year-old, Sven had seen Sputnik in the sky over Sweden with his own eyes. I started by asking him how the onset of the space race had impacted his choice of career? Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=4079-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noSven Grahn has been working in the space field in one way or another for over fifty years. Officially retired, he continues to work as a project leader of a student satellite at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. He is perhaps best known for his work in tracking satellites launched by the secretive Soviet Union during the 1960s and 1970s.In those pre-internet days, his work along with others helped to identify individual mission characteristics such as mission types, members of the crew, take off and landing times. He recorded over 1000 conversations from orbiting spacecraft as they flew over Sweden. In this interview, he speaks about The impact of the space race on his choice of career His work on sounding rockets and meteorology in Sweden and beyond Satellite tracking. What he tracked, heard and recorded using radio and tape recorders. How he came to research and write about the  satellite tracking conducted at Jodrell  Bank radio telescope in England As an 11-year-old, Sven had seen Sputnik in the sky over Sweden with his own eyes. I started by asking him how the onset of the space race had impacted his choice of career?Sven Grahn has been working in the space field in one way or another for over fifty years. Officially retired, he continues to work as a project leader of a student satellite at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. He is perhaps best known for his work in tracking satellites launched by the secretive Soviet Union during the 1960s and 1970s.In those pre-internet days, his work along with others helped to identify individual mission characteristics such as mission types, members of the crew, take off and landing times. He recorded over 1000 conversations from orbiting spacecraft as they flew over Sweden. In this interview, he speaks about The impact of the space race on his choice of career His work on sounding rockets and meteorology in Sweden and beyond Satellite tracking. What he tracked, heard and recorded using radio and tape recorders. How he came to research and write about the  satellite tracking conducted at Jodrell  Bank radio telescope in England As an 11-year-old, Sven had seen Sputnik in the sky over Sweden with his own eyes. I started by asking him how the onset of the space race had impacted his choice of career?Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-76-space-law/ Sat, 23 Jun 2018 07:00:38 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=4068 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-76-space-law/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-76-space-law/feed/ 0 Bayar Goswami One of the earliest characteristics of human civilisation (large populations living together in organised cities) was the creation of rules or laws that everyone who lived there agreed to abide by. The 50th anniversary of first humans to visit the Moon is celebrated later this year. In 1968 it was pretty much just two countries and a few space missions per year. Today, over 70 countries have something in the way of a space programme and along with a blossoming private space sector, space is likely to become very busy in the next decade or so. This surge of space activity will determine how the laws in space will apply and begin to set the scene for human civilisation beyond Earth.   On earth, most nations follow international laws most of the time. International rules for operating in space were defined by the UN in five treaties established between 1967 - 1984. 1967 – The Outer Space Treaty: Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. 1968 - Rescue Agreement. Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space. 1972 - The Liability agreement. Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects. 1976 – The Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space. 1984 – The Moon Treaty. Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. How will these laws fair in space? For example, will all governments “authorise and supervise” their  “non-governmental entities” in space? comply with international liabilities for physical damages caused by their space objects? agree on who can build what and where on the Moon? establish mining and ownership rights to materials on the Moon and other celestial bodies? maintain the principles of human rights in space. These are some of the questions I discuss with  Bayar Goswami, a Doctoral student at the Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University (IASL) in Canada. A TedX speaker, Bayar has an interest in space as well as law and I started by asking him what came first. The distinction between terms, such as signed, ratified and accessioned, is described here. A status of which nations have signed which treaty is maintained by the UN here. A summary of the five treaties is available here. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=4068-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noBayar Goswami One of the earliest characteristics of human civilisation (large populations living together in organised cities) was the creation of rules or laws that everyone who lived there agreed to abide by. The 50th anniversary of first humans to visit the Moon is celebrated later this year. In 1968 it was pretty much just two countries and a few space missions per year. Today, over 70 countries have something in the way of a space programme and along with a blossoming private space sector, space is likely to become very busy in the next decade or so. This surge of space activity will determine how the laws in space will apply and begin to set the scene for human civilisation beyond Earth.   On earth, most nations follow international laws most of the time. International rules for operating in space were defined by the UN in five treaties established between 1967 - 1984. 1967 – The Outer Space Treaty: Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. 1968 - Rescue Agreement. Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space. 1972 - The Liability agreement. Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects. 1976 – The Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space. 1984 – The Moon Treaty. Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. How will these laws fair in space? For example, will all governments “authorise and supervise” their  “non-governmental entities” in space? comply with international liabilities for physical damages caused by their space objects? agree on who can build what and where on the Moon? establish mining and ownership rights to materials on the Moon and other celestial bodies? maintain the principles of human rights in space. These are some of the questions I discuss with  Bayar Goswami, a Doctoral student at the Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University (IASL) in Canada. A TedX speaker, Bayar has an interest in space as well as law and I started by asking him what came first. The distinction between terms, such as signed, ratified and accessioned, is described here. A status of which nations have signed which treaty is maintained by the UN here. A summary of the five treaties is available here.Bayar Goswami One of the earliest characteristics of human civilisation (large populations living together in organised cities) was the creation of rules or laws that everyone who lived there agreed to abide by. The 50th anniversary of first humans to visit the Moon is celebrated later this year. In 1968 it was pretty much just two countries and a few space missions per year. Today, over 70 countries have something in the way of a space programme and along with a blossoming private space sector, space is likely to become very busy in the next decade or so. This surge of space activity will determine how the laws in space will apply and begin to set the scene for human civilisation beyond Earth.   On earth, most nations follow international laws most of the time. International rules for operating in space were defined by the UN in five treaties established between 1967 - 1984. 1967 – The Outer Space Treaty: Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. 1968 - Rescue Agreement. Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space. 1972 - The Liability agreement. Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects. 1976 – The Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space. 1984 – The Moon Treaty. Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. How will these laws fair in space? For example, will all governments “authorise and supervise” their  “non-governmental entities” in space? comply with international liabilities for physical damages caused by their space objects? agree on who can build what and where on the Moon? establish mining and ownership rights to materials on the Moon and other celestial bodies? maintain the principles of human rights in space. These are some of the questions I discuss with  Bayar Goswami, a Doctoral student at the Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University (IASL) in Canada. A TedX speaker, Bayar has an interest in space as well as law and I started by asking him what came first. The distinction between terms, such as signed, ratified and accessioned, is described here. A status of which nations have signed which treaty is maintained by the UN here. A summary of the five treaties is available here.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-75-china-back-to-the-moon-with-chang-e-4/ Fri, 01 Jun 2018 04:00:38 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=3915 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-75-china-back-to-the-moon-with-chang-e-4/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-75-china-back-to-the-moon-with-chang-e-4/feed/ 0 One mission two spacecraft, China is going back to the Moon with Chang'E 4 mission that I think is the most exciting lunar mission since the 1970s. By the end of 2018, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) will launch Chang'E 4 that will explore the far side of the Moon with a lander and a rover. Since it is on the other side of the Moon, it will be totally out of sight from the Earth. To facilitate communication, a relay satellite will be launched in advance of the lander/rover's arrival at the Moon. In addition to engaging private sector companies in China, Chang’E 4 will include a significant level of international collaboration, with payloads from Germany, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden. Ye Quan-Zhi is a postdoc astronomer who specialises in small bodies in the solar system. Like me, he started off as an amateur astronomer but now uses telescopes with apertures measured in meters rather than inches!  In addition to his research, he writes about space in the Planetary Society's blog.   As a Chinese national, Quan-Zhi has an interest in and insight into the Chinese Space Programme, and in this episode, we spoke about the upcoming Chang'e E-4 mission and the prospects of collaboration between India and China in space. Change' E 4 Mission - An overview Relay Satellite Named as "Queqiao" or magpie bridge, it will be launched in May 2018 and placed in the Earth/Moon L2 orbit (also known as a halo orbit) about 60,000km from the Moon (450,000 km from the Earth) in the opposite direction of the Earth. From there, it will always have a line of sight to the far side of the Moon and Earth at the same time. Its primary purpose is to act as a relay providing all the communications from the Lander/Rover that will land on the Moon in late 2018 or early 2019. The two microsatellites from the Netherlands are called “Longjiang-1" and "Longjiang-2”. They will enter an elliptical lunar orbit and conduct low-frequency radio astronomy experiments. Lander & Rover Due for launch in December 2018 or early 2019 The lander and rover are backups to the highly successful 2013 Chang’E 3 mission. Whilst identical in most respects, lessons learnt from Chang’E 3 have been incorporated in modifications to Chang’E 4. Lander • Landing Camera (LCAM) • Terrain Camera (TCAM) • Low-Frequency Spectrometer (LFS) to investigate radiation bursts from the sun and cosmos. • Lunar Lander Neutrons and Dosimetry (LND), a neutron detector from the University of Kiel in Germany • A mini "lunar biosphere" experiment designed by 28 Chinese universities, consisting of a 0.8 litre capacity enclosure weighing 3 kilograms. The biosphere contains silkworm eggs and seeds for cress and potatoes. Once on the lunar surface, this mini biosphere will maintain a humidity and temperature (1 to 30 degrees centigrade) whilst the lunar surface temperature varies from +100 to -100 degrees centigrade. An HD camera will live-stream from the lunar surface, showing the hatching eggs and sprouting seeds during the first two weeks of the mission. Rover • Panoramic Camera (PCAM) • Ground penetrating radar (LPR) to investigate the lunar crust and mantle • Visible and Near-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (VNIS), for imaging spectroscopy • Advanced Small Analyser for Neutrals (ASAN), to investigate how solar particles interacts with the lunar surface. Gurbir Singh full 43:06 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=3915-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noOne mission two spacecraft, China is going back to the Moon with Chang'E 4 mission that I think is the most exciting lunar mission since the 1970s. By the end of 2018, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) will launch Chang'E 4 that will explore the far side of the Moon with a lander and a rover. Since it is on the other side of the Moon, it will be totally out of sight from the Earth. To facilitate communication, a relay satellite will be launched in advance of the lander/rover's arrival at the Moon. In addition to engaging private sector companies in China, Chang’E 4 will include a significant level of international collaboration, with payloads from Germany, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden. Ye Quan-Zhi is a postdoc astronomer who specialises in small bodies in the solar system. Like me, he started off as an amateur astronomer but now uses telescopes with apertures measured in meters rather than inches!  In addition to his research, he writes about space in the Planetary Society's blog.   As a Chinese national, Quan-Zhi has an interest in and insight into the Chinese Space Programme, and in this episode, we spoke about the upcoming Chang'e E-4 mission and the prospects of collaboration between India and China in space. Change' E 4 Mission - An overview Relay Satellite Named as "Queqiao" or magpie bridge, it will be launched in May 2018 and placed in the Earth/Moon L2 orbit (also known as a halo orbit) about 60,000km from the Moon (450,000 km from the Earth) in the opposite direction of the Earth. From there, it will always have a line of sight to the far side of the Moon and Earth at the same time. Its primary purpose is to act as a relay providing all the communications from the Lander/Rover that will land on the Moon in late 2018 or early 2019. The two microsatellites from the Netherlands are called “Longjiang-1" and "Longjiang-2”. They will enter an elliptical lunar orbit and conduct low-frequency radio astronomy experiments. Lander & Rover Due for launch in December 2018 or early 2019 The lander and rover are backups to the highly successful 2013 Chang’E 3 mission. Whilst identical in most respects, lessons learnt from Chang’E 3 have been incorporated in modifications to Chang’E 4. Lander • Landing Camera (LCAM) • Terrain Camera (TCAM) • Low-Frequency Spectrometer (LFS) to investigate radiation bursts from the sun and cosmos. • Lunar Lander Neutrons and Dosimetry (LND), a neutron detector from the University of Kiel in Germany • A mini "lunar biosphere" experiment designed by 28 Chinese universities, consisting of a 0.8 litre capacity enclosure weighing 3 kilograms. The biosphere contains silkworm eggs and seeds for cress and potatoes. Once on the lunar surface, this mini biosphere will maintain a humidity and temperature (1 to 30 degrees centigrade) whilst the lunar surface temperature varies from +100 to -100 degrees centigrade. An HD camera will live-stream from the lunar surface, showing the hatching eggs and sprouting seeds during the first two weeks of the mission. Rover • Panoramic Camera (PCAM) • Ground penetrating radar (LPR) to investigate the lunar crust and mantle • Visible and Near-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (VNIS), for imaging spectroscopy • Advanced Small Analyser for Neutrals (ASAN), to investigate how solar particles interacts with the lunar surface.One mission two spacecraft, China is going back to the Moon with Chang'E 4 mission that I think is the most exciting lunar mission since the 1970s. By the end of 2018, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) will launch Chang'E 4 that will explore the far side of the Moon with a lander and a rover. Since it is on the other side of the Moon, it will be totally out of sight from the Earth. To facilitate communication, a relay satellite will be launched in advance of the lander/rover's arrival at the Moon. In addition to engaging private sector companies in China, Chang’E 4 will include a significant level of international collaboration, with payloads from Germany, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden. Ye Quan-Zhi is a postdoc astronomer who specialises in small bodies in the solar system. Like me, he started off as an amateur astronomer but now uses telescopes with apertures measured in meters rather than inches!  In addition to his research, he writes about space in the Planetary Society's blog.   As a Chinese national, Quan-Zhi has an interest in and insight into the Chinese Space Programme, and in this episode, we spoke about the upcoming Chang'e E-4 mission and the prospects of collaboration between India and China in space. Change' E 4 Mission - An overview Relay Satellite Named as "Queqiao" or magpie bridge, it will be launched in May 2018 and placed in the Earth/Moon L2 orbit (also known as a halo orbit) about 60,000km from the Moon (450,000 km from the Earth) in the opposite direction of the Earth. From there, it will always have a line of sight to the far side of the Moon and Earth at the same time. Its primary purpose is to act as a relay providing all the communications from the Lander/Rover that will land on the Moon in late 2018 or early 2019. The two microsatellites from the Netherlands are called “Longjiang-1" and "Longjiang-2”. They will enter an elliptical lunar orbit and conduct low-frequency radio astronomy experiments. Lander & Rover Due for launch in December 2018 or early 2019 The lander and rover are backups to the highly successful 2013 Chang’E 3 mission. Whilst identical in most respects, lessons learnt from Chang’E 3 have been incorporated in modifications to Chang’E 4. Lander • Landing Camera (LCAM) • Terrain Camera (TCAM) • Low-Frequency Spectrometer (LFS) to investigate radiation bursts from the sun and cosmos. • Lunar Lander Neutrons and Dosimetry (LND), a neutron detector from the University of Kiel in Germany • A mini "lunar biosphere" experiment designed by 28 Chinese universities, consisting of a 0.8 litre capacity enclosure weighing 3 kilograms. The biosphere contains silkworm eggs and seeds for cress and potatoes. Once on the lunar surface, this mini biosphere will maintain a humidity and temperature (1 to 30 degrees centigrade) whilst the lunar surface temperature varies from +100 to -100 degrees centigrade. An HD camera will live-stream from the lunar surface, showing the hatching eggs and sprouting seeds during the first two weeks of the mission. Rover • Panoramic Camera (PCAM) • Ground penetrating radar (LPR) to investigate the lunar crust and mantle • Visible and Near-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (VNIS), for imaging spectroscopy • Advanced Small Analyser for Neutrals (ASAN), to investigate how solar particles interacts with the lunar surface.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-74-space-debris-and-sustainable-use-of-space/ Fri, 18 May 2018 04:00:08 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=3908 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-74-space-debris-and-sustainable-use-of-space/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-74-space-debris-and-sustainable-use-of-space/feed/ 0 Dr Brian Weeden Space, as the author Douglas Adams said, "is big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is". After 6 decades of launching spacecraft, some orbits are now congested with space debris from collisions and poor end-of-life mission management. This has now become a serious hazard and even a danger to operational spacecraft. With plans to launch thousands of additional satellites, the Mega Constellations, in the coming decade, the need for some sort of "traffic management" in orbit has never been greater. The Secure World Foundation was established in 2002 by philanthropists Marcell Arsenault and his wife Cynda Collins Arsenault. Its vision of "sustainable and peaceful uses of outer space contributing to global stability and benefits on Earth" is timely. In the last decade, the urgency to address the profound impact of climate change on Earth has finally been (almost) heeded,  the next decade will focus on space. The SWF is informing and leading this debate. Dr Brian Weeden is the Director of Program Planning for Secure World Foundation. In the past, his responsibilities included intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM) operations, working at Cheyenne Mountain and Vandenberg Air Force Base, and specialising in Space Situational Awareness in the US Air Force and Strategic Command's Joint Space Operations Centre (JSpOC).  In this episode, he talks about the key issues of space debris, preventing the militarisation of space, raising awareness of cyber threats to spacecraft, developing resources for the many nations now developing space programmes, and fostering standards and policies for commercial uses of space. The SWF produces some very interesting and readable resources. A selection below PDF - Weapons and Conflict in Space: History, Reality, and The Future. A really good primary from Brian Weeden and others PDF - Handbook for new actors in space PDF - Global Counterspace Capabilities: An Open Source Assessment PDF - Tomorrow's Battlefield: Emerging Areas of Military Competition - Space, PDF - Weapons and Conflict in Space: History, Reality, and The Future MP3 - Big Data, Big Space, Big Risk: Addressing Cyber Security Threats PDF - Preparing For a “Normalized” Space Domain - Secure World Foundation Gurbir Singh full 54:23 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=3908-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noDr Brian Weeden Space, as the author Douglas Adams said, "is big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is". After 6 decades of launching spacecraft, some orbits are now congested with space debris from collisions and poor end-of-life mission management. This has now become a serious hazard and even a danger to operational spacecraft. With plans to launch thousands of additional satellites, the Mega Constellations, in the coming decade, the need for some sort of "traffic management" in orbit has never been greater. The Secure World Foundation was established in 2002 by philanthropists Marcell Arsenault and his wife Cynda Collins Arsenault. Its vision of "sustainable and peaceful uses of outer space contributing to global stability and benefits on Earth" is timely. In the last decade, the urgency to address the profound impact of climate change on Earth has finally been (almost) heeded,  the next decade will focus on space. The SWF is informing and leading this debate. Dr Brian Weeden is the Director of Program Planning for Secure World Foundation. In the past, his responsibilities included intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM) operations, working at Cheyenne Mountain and Vandenberg Air Force Base, and specialising in Space Situational Awareness in the US Air Force and Strategic Command's Joint Space Operations Centre (JSpOC).  In this episode, he talks about the key issues of space debris, preventing the militarisation of space, raising awareness of cyber threats to spacecraft, developing resources for the many nations now developing space programmes, and fostering standards and policies for commercial uses of space. The SWF produces some very interesting and readable resources. A selection below PDF - Weapons and Conflict in Space: History, Reality, and The Future. A really good primary from Brian Weeden and others PDF - Handbook for new actors in space PDF - Global Counterspace Capabilities: An Open Source Assessment PDF - Tomorrow's Battlefield: Emerging Areas of Military Competition - Space, PDF - Weapons and Conflict in Space: History, Reality, and The Future MP3 - Big Data, Big Space, Big Risk: Addressing Cyber Security Threats PDF - Preparing For a “Normalized” Space Domain - Secure World FoundationDr Brian Weeden Space, as the author Douglas Adams said, "is big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is". After 6 decades of launching spacecraft, some orbits are now congested with space debris from collisions and poor end-of-life mission management. This has now become a serious hazard and even a danger to operational spacecraft. With plans to launch thousands of additional satellites, the Mega Constellations, in the coming decade, the need for some sort of "traffic management" in orbit has never been greater. The Secure World Foundation was established in 2002 by philanthropists Marcell Arsenault and his wife Cynda Collins Arsenault. Its vision of "sustainable and peaceful uses of outer space contributing to global stability and benefits on Earth" is timely. In the last decade, the urgency to address the profound impact of climate change on Earth has finally been (almost) heeded,  the next decade will focus on space. The SWF is informing and leading this debate. Dr Brian Weeden is the Director of Program Planning for Secure World Foundation. In the past, his responsibilities included intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM) operations, working at Cheyenne Mountain and Vandenberg Air Force Base, and specialising in Space Situational Awareness in the US Air Force and Strategic Command's Joint Space Operations Centre (JSpOC).  In this episode, he talks about the key issues of space debris, preventing the militarisation of space, raising awareness of cyber threats to spacecraft, developing resources for the many nations now developing space programmes, and fostering standards and policies for commercial uses of space. The SWF produces some very interesting and readable resources. A selection below PDF - Weapons and Conflict in Space: History, Reality, and The Future. A really good primary from Brian Weeden and others PDF - Handbook for new actors in space PDF - Global Counterspace Capabilities: An Open Source Assessment PDF - Tomorrow's Battlefield: Emerging Areas of Military Competition - Space, PDF - Weapons and Conflict in Space: History, Reality, and The Future MP3 - Big Data, Big Space, Big Risk: Addressing Cyber Security Threats PDF - Preparing For a “Normalized” Space Domain - Secure World FoundationSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-73-using-commercial-of-the-shelf-cots-components-to-build-spacecraft/ Tue, 01 May 2018 04:00:58 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=3869 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-73-using-commercial-of-the-shelf-cots-components-to-build-spacecraft/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-73-using-commercial-of-the-shelf-cots-components-to-build-spacecraft/feed/ 0 If you follow this podcast, you will notice a very long pause since the previous episode. I have been busy writing my second book, the Indian Space Programme which is now finally complete. So I am now back to my familiar but irregular podcasting mode. The growth in the space sector now widely estimated to be worth annually over 300 billion USD globally. It is primarily being driven by the commercial sector.  The bulk of the expenditure is in satellite television, communication services, Earth observation and businesses enabled by global navigation. In the past, it was technological development driven by the national space programmes that triggered the development of low-cost consumer products. Today it’s the other way round. Sophisticated manufacturing methods and high public demand for digital products have produced low-cost consumer devices which without too much modification can be qualified for use in space. This is particularly true in the sudden growth of the small satellite market. In this episode, I speak with Dr Rajan Bedi the founder and CEO of Spacechips, a UK based company offering CEO of Spacechips Ltd, which provides industrial R&D and space electronics design consultancy and training services to manufacturers of satellites and spacecraft around the world. I was intrigued by Rajan’s 2017 blog post entitled  “Using and selecting COTS components for space application”. In this episode, I want to understand to what extent spacecraft manufacturers can buy components for spacecraft from the high street.   Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=3869-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIf you follow this podcast, you will notice a very long pause since the previous episode. I have been busy writing my second book, the Indian Space Programme which is now finally complete. So I am now back to my familiar but irregular podcasting mode. The growth in the space sector now widely estimated to be worth annually over 300 billion USD globally. It is primarily being driven by the commercial sector.  The bulk of the expenditure is in satellite television, communication services, Earth observation and businesses enabled by global navigation. In the past, it was technological development driven by the national space programmes that triggered the development of low-cost consumer products. Today it’s the other way round. Sophisticated manufacturing methods and high public demand for digital products have produced low-cost consumer devices which without too much modification can be qualified for use in space. This is particularly true in the sudden growth of the small satellite market. In this episode, I speak with Dr Rajan Bedi the founder and CEO of Spacechips, a UK based company offering CEO of Spacechips Ltd, which provides industrial R&D and space electronics design consultancy and training services to manufacturers of satellites and spacecraft around the world. I was intrigued by Rajan’s 2017 blog post entitled  “Using and selecting COTS components for space application”. In this episode, I want to understand to what extent spacecraft manufacturers can buy components for spacecraft from the high street.  If you follow this podcast, you will notice a very long pause since the previous episode. I have been busy writing my second book, the Indian Space Programme which is now finally complete. So I am now back to my familiar but irregular podcasting mode. The growth in the space sector now widely estimated to be worth annually over 300 billion USD globally. It is primarily being driven by the commercial sector.  The bulk of the expenditure is in satellite television, communication services, Earth observation and businesses enabled by global navigation. In the past, it was technological development driven by the national space programmes that triggered the development of low-cost consumer products. Today it’s the other way round. Sophisticated manufacturing methods and high public demand for digital products have produced low-cost consumer devices which without too much modification can be qualified for use in space. This is particularly true in the sudden growth of the small satellite market. In this episode, I speak with Dr Rajan Bedi the founder and CEO of Spacechips, a UK based company offering CEO of Spacechips Ltd, which provides industrial R&D and space electronics design consultancy and training services to manufacturers of satellites and spacecraft around the world. I was intrigued by Rajan’s 2017 blog post entitled  “Using and selecting COTS components for space application”. In this episode, I want to understand to what extent spacecraft manufacturers can buy components for spacecraft from the high street.  Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/quick-update/ Sun, 29 Apr 2018 09:55:44 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=3901 https://astrotalkuk.org/quick-update/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/quick-update/feed/ 0 It's been a while since I posted episode 72.  Now that the book The Indian Space Programme has been published, I am resuming podcasting. You can see some Amazon Reviews and if you have one, add your own too. More about that book on this short BBC radio interview here. . If you want, you can subscribe to my monthly newsletter. The previous newsletter (March 2018) is available here. April's newsletter is coming out tomorrow! Scheduled episodes currently look like this Episode 73. Dr. Rajan Bedi - Using Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTs) Components to build spacecraft (1st May 2018) Episode 74. Dr Brian Weeden -  Space Debris and Sustainable use of Space (18th May 2018) Episode 75. Dr Quan-Zhi Ye.  China - Back to the Moon with Chang'e 4 (1 June 2018) Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=3901-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIt's been a while since I posted episode 72.  Now that the book The Indian Space Programme has been published, I am resuming podcasting. You can see some Amazon Reviews and if you have one, add your own too. More about that book on this short BBC radio interview here. . If you want, you can subscribe to my monthly newsletter. The previous newsletter (March 2018) is available here. April's newsletter is coming out tomorrow! Scheduled episodes currently look like this Episode 73. Dr. Rajan Bedi - Using Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTs) Components to build spacecraft (1st May 2018) Episode 74. Dr Brian Weeden -  Space Debris and Sustainable use of Space (18th May 2018) Episode 75. Dr Quan-Zhi Ye.  China - Back to the Moon with Chang'e 4 (1 June 2018)It's been a while since I posted episode 72.  Now that the book The Indian Space Programme has been published, I am resuming podcasting. You can see some Amazon Reviews and if you have one, add your own too. More about that book on this short BBC radio interview here. . If you want, you can subscribe to my monthly newsletter. The previous newsletter (March 2018) is available here. April's newsletter is coming out tomorrow! Scheduled episodes currently look like this Episode 73. Dr. Rajan Bedi - Using Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTs) Components to build spacecraft (1st May 2018) Episode 74. Dr Brian Weeden -  Space Debris and Sustainable use of Space (18th May 2018) Episode 75. Dr Quan-Zhi Ye.  China - Back to the Moon with Chang'e 4 (1 June 2018)Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-72-satish-dhawan-space-centre/ Mon, 01 Jun 2015 05:00:15 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=3123 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-72-satish-dhawan-space-centre/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-72-satish-dhawan-space-centre/feed/ 0 Located about 80km from Chennai on India's east coast, Satish Dhawan Space centre is used by ISRO to launch all of its satellites including those to the Moon and Mars. Also known as Sriharikota, it was established during the late 1960s but today it has a vehicle assembly building, two launch pads and a state of the art mission control centre Gurbir Singh full 51:56 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=3123-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noLocated about 80km from Chennai on India's east coast, Satish Dhawan Space centre is used by ISRO to launch all of its satellites including those to the Moon and Mars. Also known as Sriharikota, it was established during the late 1960s but today it has a vehicle assembly building, two launch pads and a state of the art mission control centreLocated about 80km from Chennai on India's east coast, Satish Dhawan Space centre is used by ISRO to launch all of its satellites including those to the Moon and Mars. Also known as Sriharikota, it was established during the late 1960s but today it has a vehicle assembly building, two launch pads and a state of the art mission control centreSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-71-tata-institute-for-fundamental-research/ Mon, 25 May 2015 12:17:35 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=3105 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-71-tata-institute-for-fundamental-research/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-71-tata-institute-for-fundamental-research/feed/ 0 The Indian Space Program was initiated by a brilliant nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha who pretty much immediately handed over the space program to Vikram Sarabhai. Bhabha himself pursued the goal of bringing institutionalised fundamental research to India. At the time he saw that as essential for the new emerging independent India. Gurbir Singh full 20:34 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=3105-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe Indian Space Program was initiated by a brilliant nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha who pretty much immediately handed over the space program to Vikram Sarabhai. Bhabha himself pursued the goal of bringing institutionalised fundamental research to India. At the time he saw that as essential for the new emerging independent India.The Indian Space Program was initiated by a brilliant nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha who pretty much immediately handed over the space program to Vikram Sarabhai. Bhabha himself pursued the goal of bringing institutionalised fundamental research to India. At the time he saw that as essential for the new emerging independent India.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-70-indias-deep-space-network-and-isro-satellite-centre/ Thu, 30 Apr 2015 20:15:32 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=3093 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-70-indias-deep-space-network-and-isro-satellite-centre/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-70-indias-deep-space-network-and-isro-satellite-centre/feed/ 0 India's space program is now over half a century old. During this time, its Infrastructure has evolved. This episode looks at the current communication capabilities used to support space vehicles during launch, in Earth orbit or on interplanetary missions. ISRO has an extensive network of ground stations on the Indian mainland, offshore, and in neighbouring countries (Mauritius and Fiji), and collaborates with Norway, Russia, the USA, and European countries for mission-specific needs. ISRO also has ship-borne resources it deploys to meet individual mission profiles. ISRO's flagship deep-space antenna is the 32m fully steerable dish at Byalalu, close to Bangalore. It was established for the 2008 Moon mission and has since been the primary means of communicating with the Mars Orbiter Mission. Byalalu is also the central site for India's Regional Navigation Satellite System IRNSS, due to come into full operation in 2016. This conversation was recorded in March 2014 with the then director of the ISRO Satellite Centre, SK Shivakumar, who had been the project leader who established the 32m antenna. https://youtu.be/i4Jtf1qKppo Gurbir Singh full 17:41 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=3093-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIndia's space program is now over half a century old. During this time, its Infrastructure has evolved. This episode looks at the current communication capabilities used to support space vehicles during launch, in Earth orbit or on interplanetary missions. ISRO has an extensive network of ground stations on the Indian mainland, offshore, and in neighbouring countries (Mauritius and Fiji), and collaborates with Norway, Russia, the USA, and European countries for mission-specific needs. ISRO also has ship-borne resources it deploys to meet individual mission profiles. ISRO's flagship deep-space antenna is the 32m fully steerable dish at Byalalu, close to Bangalore. It was established for the 2008 Moon mission and has since been the primary means of communicating with the Mars Orbiter Mission. Byalalu is also the central site for India's Regional Navigation Satellite System IRNSS, due to come into full operation in 2016. This conversation was recorded in March 2014 with the then director of the ISRO Satellite Centre, SK Shivakumar, who had been the project leader who established the 32m antenna. https://youtu.be/i4Jtf1qKppoIndia's space program is now over half a century old. During this time, its Infrastructure has evolved. This episode looks at the current communication capabilities used to support space vehicles during launch, in Earth orbit or on interplanetary missions. ISRO has an extensive network of ground stations on the Indian mainland, offshore, and in neighbouring countries (Mauritius and Fiji), and collaborates with Norway, Russia, the USA, and European countries for mission-specific needs. ISRO also has ship-borne resources it deploys to meet individual mission profiles. ISRO's flagship deep-space antenna is the 32m fully steerable dish at Byalalu, close to Bangalore. It was established for the 2008 Moon mission and has since been the primary means of communicating with the Mars Orbiter Mission. Byalalu is also the central site for India's Regional Navigation Satellite System IRNSS, due to come into full operation in 2016. This conversation was recorded in March 2014 with the then director of the ISRO Satellite Centre, SK Shivakumar, who had been the project leader who established the 32m antenna. https://youtu.be/i4Jtf1qKppoSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/mars-orbiter-mission-2/ Tue, 18 Nov 2014 04:00:54 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2980 https://astrotalkuk.org/mars-orbiter-mission-2/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/mars-orbiter-mission-2/feed/ 0 Interview recorded at ISRO's satellite Centre in Bangalore with Mars Orbiter Mission program director Dr Mylswamy Annadurai. This interview was recorded on 26th March 2014 after MOM was launched but before it arrived at Mars. Gurbir Singh full 15:48 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2980-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noInterview recorded at ISRO's satellite Centre in Bangalore with Mars Orbiter Mission program director Dr Mylswamy Annadurai. This interview was recorded on 26th March 2014 after MOM was launched but before it arrived at Mars.Interview recorded at ISRO's satellite Centre in Bangalore with Mars Orbiter Mission program director Dr Mylswamy Annadurai. This interview was recorded on 26th March 2014 after MOM was launched but before it arrived at Mars.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/indias-forgotten-rocketeer-2/ Tue, 06 May 2014 18:44:10 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2896 https://astrotalkuk.org/indias-forgotten-rocketeer-2/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/indias-forgotten-rocketeer-2/feed/ 2 Contribution of Stephen H Smith to development of rocketry and the Anglo Indian community in India of which he is a member. Gurbir Singh full 30:46 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2896-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noContribution of Stephen H Smith to development of rocketry and the Anglo Indian community in India of which he is a member.Contribution of Stephen H Smith to development of rocketry and the Anglo Indian community in India of which he is a member.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/speyer/ Mon, 03 Feb 2014 00:05:09 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2817 https://astrotalkuk.org/speyer/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/speyer/feed/ 0 This episode is a preview of some of the space-related exhibits in Europe's largest aerospace museum - Speyer Technik Museum, in Germany. If you ever go and the following may entice you to do so: four space exhibits to look out for include the following: Soyuz TM19 - The landing capsule Soyuz TM-19 was used by the German astronaut Ulf Merbold to return to Earth on 4th November 1994 following his launch in Soyuz TM-20 on 3rd October 1994. Buran - The Soviet Space shuttle Buran was a the Soviet response to the American Space Shuttle. Two complete working vehicles were made.  The Buran was unmanned and, although reusable, was never actually reused. One made a single flight to space and was later destroyed when the hangar housing it collapsed. The other made 25 test flights, also unmanned, but only in the Earth's atmosphere.  Following an unexpected find in the Persian Gulf by German journalists, it was brought to Speyer in 2008. Bor-5 - To assist the Soviets in designing the Buran, they built and flew BOR-5, a 1:8-scale model of the Buran. Bor-5  made five unmanned sub-orbital test flights between 1984 and 1988. Moon rock - One of the largest pieces of Moonrock I have seen on public display. It is from the Apollo 15 mission but was unveiled at the Museum in June 2013 by Apollo 17 astronaut Gene Cernan.  If you do go, it is a big place - one day is not enough! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwsj23qL-WI Gurbir Singh full 14:49 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2817-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThis episode is a preview of some of the space-related exhibits in Europe's largest aerospace museum - Speyer Technik Museum, in Germany. If you ever go and the following may entice you to do so: four space exhibits to look out for include the following: Soyuz TM19 - The landing capsule Soyuz TM-19 was used by the German astronaut Ulf Merbold to return to Earth on 4th November 1994 following his launch in Soyuz TM-20 on 3rd October 1994. Buran - The Soviet Space shuttle Buran was a the Soviet response to the American Space Shuttle. Two complete working vehicles were made.  The Buran was unmanned and, although reusable, was never actually reused. One made a single flight to space and was later destroyed when the hangar housing it collapsed. The other made 25 test flights, also unmanned, but only in the Earth's atmosphere.  Following an unexpected find in the Persian Gulf by German journalists, it was brought to Speyer in 2008. Bor-5 - To assist the Soviets in designing the Buran, they built and flew BOR-5, a 1:8-scale model of the Buran. Bor-5  made five unmanned sub-orbital test flights between 1984 and 1988. Moon rock - One of the largest pieces of Moonrock I have seen on public display. It is from the Apollo 15 mission but was unveiled at the Museum in June 2013 by Apollo 17 astronaut Gene Cernan.  If you do go, it is a big place - one day is not enough! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwsj23qL-WIThis episode is a preview of some of the space-related exhibits in Europe's largest aerospace museum - Speyer Technik Museum, in Germany. If you ever go and the following may entice you to do so: four space exhibits to look out for include the following: Soyuz TM19 - The landing capsule Soyuz TM-19 was used by the German astronaut Ulf Merbold to return to Earth on 4th November 1994 following his launch in Soyuz TM-20 on 3rd October 1994. Buran - The Soviet Space shuttle Buran was a the Soviet response to the American Space Shuttle. Two complete working vehicles were made.  The Buran was unmanned and, although reusable, was never actually reused. One made a single flight to space and was later destroyed when the hangar housing it collapsed. The other made 25 test flights, also unmanned, but only in the Earth's atmosphere.  Following an unexpected find in the Persian Gulf by German journalists, it was brought to Speyer in 2008. Bor-5 - To assist the Soviets in designing the Buran, they built and flew BOR-5, a 1:8-scale model of the Buran. Bor-5  made five unmanned sub-orbital test flights between 1984 and 1988. Moon rock - One of the largest pieces of Moonrock I have seen on public display. It is from the Apollo 15 mission but was unveiled at the Museum in June 2013 by Apollo 17 astronaut Gene Cernan.  If you do go, it is a big place - one day is not enough! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwsj23qL-WISpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/vikram-sarabhai-space-centre/ Thu, 05 Dec 2013 08:00:52 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2780 https://astrotalkuk.org/vikram-sarabhai-space-centre/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/vikram-sarabhai-space-centre/feed/ 0 November 21st 2013, was the 50th anniversary of a rocket launched from India into space. The launch itself was an all-Indian affair, but with significant international support. The rocket was American, carried a French Sodium Vapour payload, and was assisted by a computer and a helicopter from the Soviet Union. From this meagre beginning, India has become a key player not only in building and launching rockets but also in designing, building, and deploying satellites. This episode was recorded on the site of that first launch. Then  known as the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launch Station and is today known as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.  Sundaram Ramakrishnan, the current director of the  Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), talks about his 4-decade-long career with the Indian Space Research Organisation. He has played a central role throughout the development of India's most reliable launcher - the  Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). http://youtu.be/o8C0TvUXvOo Gurbir Singh full 29:28 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2780-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noNovember 21st 2013, was the 50th anniversary of a rocket launched from India into space. The launch itself was an all-Indian affair, but with significant international support. The rocket was American, carried a French Sodium Vapour payload, and was assisted by a computer and a helicopter from the Soviet Union. From this meagre beginning, India has become a key player not only in building and launching rockets but also in designing, building, and deploying satellites. This episode was recorded on the site of that first launch. Then  known as the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launch Station and is today known as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.  Sundaram Ramakrishnan, the current director of the  Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), talks about his 4-decade-long career with the Indian Space Research Organisation. He has played a central role throughout the development of India's most reliable launcher - the  Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). http://youtu.be/o8C0TvUXvOoNovember 21st 2013, was the 50th anniversary of a rocket launched from India into space. The launch itself was an all-Indian affair, but with significant international support. The rocket was American, carried a French Sodium Vapour payload, and was assisted by a computer and a helicopter from the Soviet Union. From this meagre beginning, India has become a key player not only in building and launching rockets but also in designing, building, and deploying satellites. This episode was recorded on the site of that first launch. Then  known as the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launch Station and is today known as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.  Sundaram Ramakrishnan, the current director of the  Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), talks about his 4-decade-long career with the Indian Space Research Organisation. He has played a central role throughout the development of India's most reliable launcher - the  Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). http://youtu.be/o8C0TvUXvOoSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/isro-the-early-years/ Thu, 05 Dec 2013 06:00:07 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2760 https://astrotalkuk.org/isro-the-early-years/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/isro-the-early-years/feed/ 1 Prof. UR Rao The Indian Space Research Organisation formally came in to being in 1972. By then, India had been developing its space program for almost a decade. The first launch to space from Indian soil was a two stage Nike-Apache rocket supplied by USA with a  sodium  payload from France. The rocket delivered a vertical trail of sodium vapour in space above the twilight sky of the south eastern coast of Kerala on 21st November 1963. In this episode, professor UR Rao talks about his rich and diverse career. Professor Rao completed his Phd under Dr Vikram Sarabhai, then went on to work for NASA at MIT and in Texas exploring the Solar System with instruments on NASA's Pioneer and Explorer spacecraft. He returned to India at Sarabhai's request and, after heading the Physical Research Laboratory, became the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation in 1984. He served in that role until 1994. During his 81 years, he has contributed to many significant areas of space and science exploration.  Several key individuals associated with space and science research, including CV Raman, Robert Millikan, Ed Stone, Arthur Clark,  James Van Allen , Abdus Salam and Vikram Sarabhai, were individuals he knew personally, and some were colleagues. http://youtu.be/fiJ1yRrNRO8 Gurbir Singh full 37:47 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2760-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noProf. UR Rao The Indian Space Research Organisation formally came in to being in 1972. By then, India had been developing its space program for almost a decade. The first launch to space from Indian soil was a two stage Nike-Apache rocket supplied by USA with a  sodium  payload from France. The rocket delivered a vertical trail of sodium vapour in space above the twilight sky of the south eastern coast of Kerala on 21st November 1963. In this episode, professor UR Rao talks about his rich and diverse career. Professor Rao completed his Phd under Dr Vikram Sarabhai, then went on to work for NASA at MIT and in Texas exploring the Solar System with instruments on NASA's Pioneer and Explorer spacecraft. He returned to India at Sarabhai's request and, after heading the Physical Research Laboratory, became the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation in 1984. He served in that role until 1994. During his 81 years, he has contributed to many significant areas of space and science exploration.  Several key individuals associated with space and science research, including CV Raman, Robert Millikan, Ed Stone, Arthur Clark,  James Van Allen , Abdus Salam and Vikram Sarabhai, were individuals he knew personally, and some were colleagues. http://youtu.be/fiJ1yRrNRO8Prof. UR Rao The Indian Space Research Organisation formally came in to being in 1972. By then, India had been developing its space program for almost a decade. The first launch to space from Indian soil was a two stage Nike-Apache rocket supplied by USA with a  sodium  payload from France. The rocket delivered a vertical trail of sodium vapour in space above the twilight sky of the south eastern coast of Kerala on 21st November 1963. In this episode, professor UR Rao talks about his rich and diverse career. Professor Rao completed his Phd under Dr Vikram Sarabhai, then went on to work for NASA at MIT and in Texas exploring the Solar System with instruments on NASA's Pioneer and Explorer spacecraft. He returned to India at Sarabhai's request and, after heading the Physical Research Laboratory, became the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation in 1984. He served in that role until 1994. During his 81 years, he has contributed to many significant areas of space and science exploration.  Several key individuals associated with space and science research, including CV Raman, Robert Millikan, Ed Stone, Arthur Clark,  James Van Allen , Abdus Salam and Vikram Sarabhai, were individuals he knew personally, and some were colleagues. http://youtu.be/fiJ1yRrNRO8Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/bangalore-astronomical-society/ Sun, 17 Nov 2013 00:27:51 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2751 https://astrotalkuk.org/bangalore-astronomical-society/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/bangalore-astronomical-society/feed/ 0 Coorg Star Party. Credit BAS Another episode in the current series about space and India. Bangalore Astronomical Society (BAS) is probably the most industrious astronomical societies in India. Founded in 2006, it has nearly 200 paid-up members based in and around Bangalore, but a huge number of national and international followers online. In this episode, BAS president Naveen Nanjundappa describes BAS's origins, achievements and future goals. I have added a few links below - if you have others worth sharing, please submit via a comment. Google Group is the primary online platform, but BAS has a presence on Events Announcement Group, Orkut Community, Facebook Group and of course Twitter. http://youtu.be/O5uWpZ5U5rE Gurbir Singh full 16:59 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2751-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noCoorg Star Party. Credit BAS Another episode in the current series about space and India. Bangalore Astronomical Society (BAS) is probably the most industrious astronomical societies in India. Founded in 2006, it has nearly 200 paid-up members based in and around Bangalore, but a huge number of national and international followers online. In this episode, BAS president Naveen Nanjundappa describes BAS's origins, achievements and future goals. I have added a few links below - if you have others worth sharing, please submit via a comment. Google Group is the primary online platform, but BAS has a presence on Events Announcement Group, Orkut Community, Facebook Group and of course Twitter. http://youtu.be/O5uWpZ5U5rECoorg Star Party. Credit BAS Another episode in the current series about space and India. Bangalore Astronomical Society (BAS) is probably the most industrious astronomical societies in India. Founded in 2006, it has nearly 200 paid-up members based in and around Bangalore, but a huge number of national and international followers online. In this episode, BAS president Naveen Nanjundappa describes BAS's origins, achievements and future goals. I have added a few links below - if you have others worth sharing, please submit via a comment. Google Group is the primary online platform, but BAS has a presence on Events Announcement Group, Orkut Community, Facebook Group and of course Twitter. http://youtu.be/O5uWpZ5U5rESpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/rakesh-sharma/ Sun, 03 Nov 2013 22:56:34 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2686 https://astrotalkuk.org/rakesh-sharma/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/rakesh-sharma/feed/ 8 With a population of 1.2 billion people, India has just one national with first hand experience of spaceflight. Rakesh Sharma, a now retired Indian Air Force wing commander, in 1984 spent eight days in space aboard the Soviet space station Salyut 7. This account of his spaceflight was recorded at his home in the Nilgris region of India in August 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up_ANSNTB-U Gurbir Singh full 35:52 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2686-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noWith a population of 1.2 billion people, India has just one national with first hand experience of spaceflight. Rakesh Sharma, a now retired Indian Air Force wing commander, in 1984 spent eight days in space aboard the Soviet space station Salyut 7. This account of his spaceflight was recorded at his home in the Nilgris region of India in August 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up_ANSNTB-UWith a population of 1.2 billion people, India has just one national with first hand experience of spaceflight. Rakesh Sharma, a now retired Indian Air Force wing commander, in 1984 spent eight days in space aboard the Soviet space station Salyut 7. This account of his spaceflight was recorded at his home in the Nilgris region of India in August 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up_ANSNTB-USpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-62-vikram-sarabhai/ Wed, 30 Oct 2013 11:35:35 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2702 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-62-vikram-sarabhai/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-62-vikram-sarabhai/feed/ 1 Amrita Shah Vikram Sarabhai  is unanimously accepted across India as the "father" of its space program. Not really known well outside India, he died suddenly and prematurely at age of 52 in 1971. He had studied cosmic ray physics and gained his PHD from Cambridge in 1947 the same year India became an independent nation.  He spent the rest of his life implementing a vision that the prosperity of India and all of its people lay in science. The scientific institutions he built still play key role in India today. Convincing the Indian population that they had the intellectual capacity to rebuild India with their own hands is perhaps his lasting legacy. The most scholarly biography on his eventful life is Vikram Sarabhai - A life by Amrita Shah. A review of the book is available here. This episode is a recording with Amrita Shah conducted fittingly at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, where Vikram Sarabhai studied physics under C V Raman who in 1930 had won the Nobel Prize for physics. http://youtu.be/5itIEpIQ_MM Gurbir Singh full 15:40 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2702-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAmrita Shah Vikram Sarabhai  is unanimously accepted across India as the "father" of its space program. Not really known well outside India, he died suddenly and prematurely at age of 52 in 1971. He had studied cosmic ray physics and gained his PHD from Cambridge in 1947 the same year India became an independent nation.  He spent the rest of his life implementing a vision that the prosperity of India and all of its people lay in science. The scientific institutions he built still play key role in India today. Convincing the Indian population that they had the intellectual capacity to rebuild India with their own hands is perhaps his lasting legacy. The most scholarly biography on his eventful life is Vikram Sarabhai - A life by Amrita Shah. A review of the book is available here. This episode is a recording with Amrita Shah conducted fittingly at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, where Vikram Sarabhai studied physics under C V Raman who in 1930 had won the Nobel Prize for physics. http://youtu.be/5itIEpIQ_MMAmrita Shah Vikram Sarabhai  is unanimously accepted across India as the "father" of its space program. Not really known well outside India, he died suddenly and prematurely at age of 52 in 1971. He had studied cosmic ray physics and gained his PHD from Cambridge in 1947 the same year India became an independent nation.  He spent the rest of his life implementing a vision that the prosperity of India and all of its people lay in science. The scientific institutions he built still play key role in India today. Convincing the Indian population that they had the intellectual capacity to rebuild India with their own hands is perhaps his lasting legacy. The most scholarly biography on his eventful life is Vikram Sarabhai - A life by Amrita Shah. A review of the book is available here. This episode is a recording with Amrita Shah conducted fittingly at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, where Vikram Sarabhai studied physics under C V Raman who in 1930 had won the Nobel Prize for physics. http://youtu.be/5itIEpIQ_MMSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/jim-reavis-cs/ Wed, 01 May 2013 12:35:00 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2587 https://astrotalkuk.org/jim-reavis-cs/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/jim-reavis-cs/feed/ 0 Jim Revis. Credit Jim Revis A short interview with Jim Revis recorded in London on 24th April during InfoSec 2013. In this interview, Jim talks about the evolving definition of Cloud Computing, the CSA's Star Registry, the CSA's Cloud Computing Security Knowledge certification, and his take on how Cloud Computing has evolved and is evolving. During the interview, Jim refers to a collaborative program between the CSA and (ISC)2 to create a new  professional certification in Cloud Security. More details here. For my earlier post on CCSK with a downloadable full text PDF - see here Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2587-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noJim Revis. Credit Jim Revis A short interview with Jim Revis recorded in London on 24th April during InfoSec 2013. In this interview, Jim talks about the evolving definition of Cloud Computing, the CSA's Star Registry, the CSA's Cloud Computing Security Knowledge certification, and his take on how Cloud Computing has evolved and is evolving. During the interview, Jim refers to a collaborative program between the CSA and (ISC)2 to create a new  professional certification in Cloud Security. More details here. For my earlier post on CCSK with a downloadable full text PDF - see hereJim Revis. Credit Jim Revis A short interview with Jim Revis recorded in London on 24th April during InfoSec 2013. In this interview, Jim talks about the evolving definition of Cloud Computing, the CSA's Star Registry, the CSA's Cloud Computing Security Knowledge certification, and his take on how Cloud Computing has evolved and is evolving. During the interview, Jim refers to a collaborative program between the CSA and (ISC)2 to create a new  professional certification in Cloud Security. More details here. For my earlier post on CCSK with a downloadable full text PDF - see hereSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-61-reg-turnill-on-wernher-von-braun/ Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:34:57 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2515 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-61-reg-turnill-on-wernher-von-braun/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-61-reg-turnill-on-wernher-von-braun/feed/ 2 Reg Turnill with Wernher von Braun 1977 Like so many in the “space community” I was saddened to hear of the passing of Reg Turnill. He was  the BBC’s aerospace correspondent but is  best known  for covering the American Space program  throughout the 60s and 70s that he documents so well in his book Moonlandings: An eye witness account. He was the BBC’s representative in Moscow at Gagarin’s post flight press conference and told me in episode 41 of his experience when I went to meet him in January 2011. Reg captures the ambiguity of the brilliant Wernher von Braun who he got to know so well that he called him a friend and yet believed that he was a war criminal and should have been hanged. In this 30 minute podcast , the first a six minutes is  telephone conversation recorded on 3rd November 2011 followed by extracts from his talk at the UK Space Conference 5th July 2011 “The von Braun that I knew”. Reg shares three of his audio interviews with von Braun, the audio quality of the 2nd and 3rd is better than the first. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2515-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noReg Turnill with Wernher von Braun 1977 Like so many in the “space community” I was saddened to hear of the passing of Reg Turnill. He was  the BBC’s aerospace correspondent but is  best known  for covering the American Space program  throughout the 60s and 70s that he documents so well in his book Moonlandings: An eye witness account. He was the BBC’s representative in Moscow at Gagarin’s post flight press conference and told me in episode 41 of his experience when I went to meet him in January 2011. Reg captures the ambiguity of the brilliant Wernher von Braun who he got to know so well that he called him a friend and yet believed that he was a war criminal and should have been hanged. In this 30 minute podcast , the first a six minutes is  telephone conversation recorded on 3rd November 2011 followed by extracts from his talk at the UK Space Conference 5th July 2011 “The von Braun that I knew”. Reg shares three of his audio interviews with von Braun, the audio quality of the 2nd and 3rd is better than the first.Reg Turnill with Wernher von Braun 1977 Like so many in the “space community” I was saddened to hear of the passing of Reg Turnill. He was  the BBC’s aerospace correspondent but is  best known  for covering the American Space program  throughout the 60s and 70s that he documents so well in his book Moonlandings: An eye witness account. He was the BBC’s representative in Moscow at Gagarin’s post flight press conference and told me in episode 41 of his experience when I went to meet him in January 2011. Reg captures the ambiguity of the brilliant Wernher von Braun who he got to know so well that he called him a friend and yet believed that he was a war criminal and should have been hanged. In this 30 minute podcast , the first a six minutes is  telephone conversation recorded on 3rd November 2011 followed by extracts from his talk at the UK Space Conference 5th July 2011 “The von Braun that I knew”. Reg shares three of his audio interviews with von Braun, the audio quality of the 2nd and 3rd is better than the first.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/ska/ Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:54:50 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2464 https://astrotalkuk.org/ska/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/ska/feed/ 1 Artist’s impression of the SKA-Mid dishes and MeerKAT dishes in South Africa.Credit: SKAO The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a global science and engineering project to build a revolutionary new radio telescope with extraordinary scientific ambitions. With funding from 10 nations, construction of the SKA will begin in 2016 and be fully operational in 2024. It will tackle some of the profoundest questions of cosmology, including organic molecules, gravitational waves, pulsars orbiting black holes, and light from the earliest stars that illuminated the universe. To do this, the SKA will require supercomputers, innovative new power stations, and high-speed communication links that do not currently exist. This interview with Professor Michael Kramer was recorded in March 2012 at the National Astronomy Meeting in the University of Manchester, two months before the announcement that the Square Kilometre Array will be built in South Africa, along with  Australia & New Zealand. Professor Kramer from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Germany, which manages the 100m Effelsberg Radio Telescope, is a former associate director at Jodrell Bank and still a professor there, talks about the technical, political and economic concerns associated with the SKA project.     Gurbir Singh full 22:28 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2464-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noArtist’s impression of the SKA-Mid dishes and MeerKAT dishes in South Africa.Credit: SKAO The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a global science and engineering project to build a revolutionary new radio telescope with extraordinary scientific ambitions. With funding from 10 nations, construction of the SKA will begin in 2016 and be fully operational in 2024. It will tackle some of the profoundest questions of cosmology, including organic molecules, gravitational waves, pulsars orbiting black holes, and light from the earliest stars that illuminated the universe. To do this, the SKA will require supercomputers, innovative new power stations, and high-speed communication links that do not currently exist. This interview with Professor Michael Kramer was recorded in March 2012 at the National Astronomy Meeting in the University of Manchester, two months before the announcement that the Square Kilometre Array will be built in South Africa, along with  Australia & New Zealand. Professor Kramer from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Germany, which manages the 100m Effelsberg Radio Telescope, is a former associate director at Jodrell Bank and still a professor there, talks about the technical, political and economic concerns associated with the SKA project.    Artist’s impression of the SKA-Mid dishes and MeerKAT dishes in South Africa.Credit: SKAO The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a global science and engineering project to build a revolutionary new radio telescope with extraordinary scientific ambitions. With funding from 10 nations, construction of the SKA will begin in 2016 and be fully operational in 2024. It will tackle some of the profoundest questions of cosmology, including organic molecules, gravitational waves, pulsars orbiting black holes, and light from the earliest stars that illuminated the universe. To do this, the SKA will require supercomputers, innovative new power stations, and high-speed communication links that do not currently exist. This interview with Professor Michael Kramer was recorded in March 2012 at the National Astronomy Meeting in the University of Manchester, two months before the announcement that the Square Kilometre Array will be built in South Africa, along with  Australia & New Zealand. Professor Kramer from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Germany, which manages the 100m Effelsberg Radio Telescope, is a former associate director at Jodrell Bank and still a professor there, talks about the technical, political and economic concerns associated with the SKA project.    Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-59-astrophotograpy/ Mon, 31 Dec 2012 17:54:43 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2452 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-59-astrophotograpy/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-59-astrophotograpy/feed/ 0 Nik Szymanek presenting at the National Astronomy Meeting 2012 If you have ever been to London and used the underground Tube service, it may well have been driven by the speaker in this episode. That is his day job, but Nik Szymanek  is one of Britain’s best-known astrophotographers. This interview was recorded during National Astronomy Meeting at the University of Manchester in 2012. Nik collaborates with Ian King and, in this episode, discusses how he got started, issues to consider for those moving into astrophotography, and how things have changed in this developing field. He also talks about another growing area of interest to amateur astronomers  - a personal remote telescope. David Ratledge, another accomplished astrophotographer based in the north west of England, has some very useful links for astrophotography on his website http://www.deep-sky.co.uk/links.htm. Gurbir Singh full 17:09 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2452-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noNik Szymanek presenting at the National Astronomy Meeting 2012 If you have ever been to London and used the underground Tube service, it may well have been driven by the speaker in this episode. That is his day job, but Nik Szymanek  is one of Britain’s best-known astrophotographers. This interview was recorded during National Astronomy Meeting at the University of Manchester in 2012. Nik collaborates with Ian King and, in this episode, discusses how he got started, issues to consider for those moving into astrophotography, and how things have changed in this developing field. He also talks about another growing area of interest to amateur astronomers  - a personal remote telescope. David Ratledge, another accomplished astrophotographer based in the north west of England, has some very useful links for astrophotography on his website http://www.deep-sky.co.uk/links.htm.Nik Szymanek presenting at the National Astronomy Meeting 2012 If you have ever been to London and used the underground Tube service, it may well have been driven by the speaker in this episode. That is his day job, but Nik Szymanek  is one of Britain’s best-known astrophotographers. This interview was recorded during National Astronomy Meeting at the University of Manchester in 2012. Nik collaborates with Ian King and, in this episode, discusses how he got started, issues to consider for those moving into astrophotography, and how things have changed in this developing field. He also talks about another growing area of interest to amateur astronomers  - a personal remote telescope. David Ratledge, another accomplished astrophotographer based in the north west of England, has some very useful links for astrophotography on his website http://www.deep-sky.co.uk/links.htm.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-58-astronaut-joe-engle-and-ron-garan/ Sat, 20 Oct 2012 13:05:28 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2433 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-58-astronaut-joe-engle-and-ron-garan/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-58-astronaut-joe-engle-and-ron-garan/feed/ 0 The first  interview in this episode is with astronaut Joe Engle was recorded during his visit to the UK in 2008.   Joe Engle was at the front of the queue  to go to the Moon when NASA cut its Apollo program. His place was taken by the geologist Harrison Schmitt on Apollo 17 – the last manned mission to the Moon. In this interview Joe talk about his work before and after Apollo - on the X-15 and Space Shuttle programs. The second short interview with astronaut Ron Garan was recorded at TedXSalford in January 2012 (unfortunately the recording stopped prematurely).  You can see more about the online community offering a “unique orbital perspective of men and women who live and work in Space” online at Fragile Oasis.   You can see the video of his talk  on this link http://youtu.be/lJNbjSLvtpI Gurbir Singh full 12:14 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2433-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe first  interview in this episode is with astronaut Joe Engle was recorded during his visit to the UK in 2008.   Joe Engle was at the front of the queue  to go to the Moon when NASA cut its Apollo program. His place was taken by the geologist Harrison Schmitt on Apollo 17 – the last manned mission to the Moon. In this interview Joe talk about his work before and after Apollo - on the X-15 and Space Shuttle programs. The second short interview with astronaut Ron Garan was recorded at TedXSalford in January 2012 (unfortunately the recording stopped prematurely).  You can see more about the online community offering a “unique orbital perspective of men and women who live and work in Space” online at Fragile Oasis.   You can see the video of his talk  on this link http://youtu.be/lJNbjSLvtpIThe first  interview in this episode is with astronaut Joe Engle was recorded during his visit to the UK in 2008.   Joe Engle was at the front of the queue  to go to the Moon when NASA cut its Apollo program. His place was taken by the geologist Harrison Schmitt on Apollo 17 – the last manned mission to the Moon. In this interview Joe talk about his work before and after Apollo - on the X-15 and Space Shuttle programs. The second short interview with astronaut Ron Garan was recorded at TedXSalford in January 2012 (unfortunately the recording stopped prematurely).  You can see more about the online community offering a “unique orbital perspective of men and women who live and work in Space” online at Fragile Oasis.   You can see the video of his talk  on this link http://youtu.be/lJNbjSLvtpISpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/cassini-hugens-mission/ Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:01:49 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2416 https://astrotalkuk.org/cassini-hugens-mission/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/cassini-hugens-mission/feed/ 0 Launched 15 years ago today, the Cassini-Huygens mission has been one of the outstanding successes of solar system exploration and a model of NASA-ESA collaboration. Professor Carl Murray. Credit QMC London In episode 14 Professor John Zarnecki spoke about the science conducted from the surface of Titan by the Huygens lander in January 2005. The European Space Agency’s Huygens probe had hitched a lift to Saturn aboard the Cassini orbiter. Six years after its arrival at Saturn, Cassini is still making spectacular discoveries about Saturn, its majestic rings and its many moons. In this episode, Professor Carl Murray from Queen Mary University of London talks about some of those discoveries and how the mission will eventually come to an end. This interview was recorded during the National Astronomy Meeting in Manchester in March 2012. Gurbir Singh full 21:16 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2416-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noLaunched 15 years ago today, the Cassini-Huygens mission has been one of the outstanding successes of solar system exploration and a model of NASA-ESA collaboration. Professor Carl Murray. Credit QMC London In episode 14 Professor John Zarnecki spoke about the science conducted from the surface of Titan by the Huygens lander in January 2005. The European Space Agency’s Huygens probe had hitched a lift to Saturn aboard the Cassini orbiter. Six years after its arrival at Saturn, Cassini is still making spectacular discoveries about Saturn, its majestic rings and its many moons. In this episode, Professor Carl Murray from Queen Mary University of London talks about some of those discoveries and how the mission will eventually come to an end. This interview was recorded during the National Astronomy Meeting in Manchester in March 2012.Launched 15 years ago today, the Cassini-Huygens mission has been one of the outstanding successes of solar system exploration and a model of NASA-ESA collaboration. Professor Carl Murray. Credit QMC London In episode 14 Professor John Zarnecki spoke about the science conducted from the surface of Titan by the Huygens lander in January 2005. The European Space Agency’s Huygens probe had hitched a lift to Saturn aboard the Cassini orbiter. Six years after its arrival at Saturn, Cassini is still making spectacular discoveries about Saturn, its majestic rings and its many moons. In this episode, Professor Carl Murray from Queen Mary University of London talks about some of those discoveries and how the mission will eventually come to an end. This interview was recorded during the National Astronomy Meeting in Manchester in March 2012.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/spaceguarduk/ Sat, 06 Oct 2012 19:06:20 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2391 https://astrotalkuk.org/spaceguarduk/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/spaceguarduk/feed/ 0 As the dinosaurs on the Earth 64 million years ago discovered, comets and asteroids have the potential for unexpected arrival with devastating consequences. SpaceguardUK. Credit SpaceguardUK The spectacular collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter in July 1994 dramatically raised awareness and, no doubt, a little concern amongst the heads of government across the planet. Since then, the British government has not really engaged, and so it is left to a handful of skilled and dedicated individuals through Spaceguarduk to provide the UK with its only organisation to address the hazards of Near Earth Objects. The fireball over Europe in September 2012, demonstrated the risks are with us today. The Spaceguard Centre was established by Jay Tate in 1997. Gurbir Singh full 5:56 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2391-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAs the dinosaurs on the Earth 64 million years ago discovered, comets and asteroids have the potential for unexpected arrival with devastating consequences. SpaceguardUK. Credit SpaceguardUK The spectacular collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter in July 1994 dramatically raised awareness and, no doubt, a little concern amongst the heads of government across the planet. Since then, the British government has not really engaged, and so it is left to a handful of skilled and dedicated individuals through Spaceguarduk to provide the UK with its only organisation to address the hazards of Near Earth Objects. The fireball over Europe in September 2012, demonstrated the risks are with us today. The Spaceguard Centre was established by Jay Tate in 1997.As the dinosaurs on the Earth 64 million years ago discovered, comets and asteroids have the potential for unexpected arrival with devastating consequences. SpaceguardUK. Credit SpaceguardUK The spectacular collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter in July 1994 dramatically raised awareness and, no doubt, a little concern amongst the heads of government across the planet. Since then, the British government has not really engaged, and so it is left to a handful of skilled and dedicated individuals through Spaceguarduk to provide the UK with its only organisation to address the hazards of Near Earth Objects. The fireball over Europe in September 2012, demonstrated the risks are with us today. The Spaceguard Centre was established by Jay Tate in 1997.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/ben-kepes-future-of-cloud-computing/ Wed, 26 Sep 2012 23:01:49 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2338 https://astrotalkuk.org/ben-kepes-future-of-cloud-computing/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/ben-kepes-future-of-cloud-computing/feed/ 0 Ben Kepes When I speak to anyone in a time zone with a 12 hours difference and in opposite hemispheres it implies we are about as far as two people on the planet can be. You can play or download the recording at the bottom of this page. Ben is known for, amongst other things, being the curator of CloudU. He has been speaking about Cloud Computing from a business perspective long before it became trendy to do so. We spoke about CloudU,  CSA's CCSK and the future of Cloud Computing and its relationship with Open Source. Links to some of the topics we discussed include. CloudU Ben's Blog Future of Cloud Computing video from Oscon Cloud Security Alliance - Cloud Computing Security Knowledge and my blog post  discussing the pros and cons of CCSK. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2338-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noBen Kepes When I speak to anyone in a time zone with a 12 hours difference and in opposite hemispheres it implies we are about as far as two people on the planet can be. You can play or download the recording at the bottom of this page. Ben is known for, amongst other things, being the curator of CloudU. He has been speaking about Cloud Computing from a business perspective long before it became trendy to do so. We spoke about CloudU,  CSA's CCSK and the future of Cloud Computing and its relationship with Open Source. Links to some of the topics we discussed include. CloudU Ben's Blog Future of Cloud Computing video from Oscon Cloud Security Alliance - Cloud Computing Security Knowledge and my blog post  discussing the pros and cons of CCSK.Ben Kepes When I speak to anyone in a time zone with a 12 hours difference and in opposite hemispheres it implies we are about as far as two people on the planet can be. You can play or download the recording at the bottom of this page. Ben is known for, amongst other things, being the curator of CloudU. He has been speaking about Cloud Computing from a business perspective long before it became trendy to do so. We spoke about CloudU,  CSA's CCSK and the future of Cloud Computing and its relationship with Open Source. Links to some of the topics we discussed include. CloudU Ben's Blog Future of Cloud Computing video from Oscon Cloud Security Alliance - Cloud Computing Security Knowledge and my blog post  discussing the pros and cons of CCSK.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-55-4-august-2012-mars-curiosity/ Sat, 04 Aug 2012 16:22:50 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2298 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-55-4-august-2012-mars-curiosity/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-55-4-august-2012-mars-curiosity/feed/ 0 Since the mid 1970s six spacecraft (Viking 1 & 2, Sojourner, Opportunity, Spirit and Phoenix)  have successfully landed on the surface of Mars. In probably the most audacious, breathtaking and risky space missions, in less than two days, another  Mars Curiosity Rover will arrive on Mars. Using a technique never used before, NASA has described the Entry Decent Landing as the seven minutes of terror. Launched in November 2011, the arrival of Mars Curiosity will for the first time make a high precision landing which is so crucial to its primary scientific goal of finding evidence of earlier Martian environment that may have been suitable for life. Also known as the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) it will be supported by a pair of NASA satellites (Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) already in Martian orbit. Mars has never been under so much human scrutiny. In addition to the still functioning Opportunity, a rover on the surface of Mars (launched in 2004) and the two NASA satellites, there is also the European Space Agency’s Mars Express is also in Martian orbit. Dr Anita Sengupta is a member of the Entry Decent Landing and Advanced Technologies group at Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In this interview recorded on August 2nd via telephone from her office in JPL she captures the sheer exhilaration of the dramatic entry decent and landing phase  and describes her role in the Mars Curiosity rover mission.   Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2298-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noSince the mid 1970s six spacecraft (Viking 1 & 2, Sojourner, Opportunity, Spirit and Phoenix)  have successfully landed on the surface of Mars. In probably the most audacious, breathtaking and risky space missions, in less than two days, another  Mars Curiosity Rover will arrive on Mars. Using a technique never used before, NASA has described the Entry Decent Landing as the seven minutes of terror. Launched in November 2011, the arrival of Mars Curiosity will for the first time make a high precision landing which is so crucial to its primary scientific goal of finding evidence of earlier Martian environment that may have been suitable for life. Also known as the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) it will be supported by a pair of NASA satellites (Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) already in Martian orbit. Mars has never been under so much human scrutiny. In addition to the still functioning Opportunity, a rover on the surface of Mars (launched in 2004) and the two NASA satellites, there is also the European Space Agency’s Mars Express is also in Martian orbit. Dr Anita Sengupta is a member of the Entry Decent Landing and Advanced Technologies group at Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In this interview recorded on August 2nd via telephone from her office in JPL she captures the sheer exhilaration of the dramatic entry decent and landing phase  and describes her role in the Mars Curiosity rover mission.  Since the mid 1970s six spacecraft (Viking 1 & 2, Sojourner, Opportunity, Spirit and Phoenix)  have successfully landed on the surface of Mars. In probably the most audacious, breathtaking and risky space missions, in less than two days, another  Mars Curiosity Rover will arrive on Mars. Using a technique never used before, NASA has described the Entry Decent Landing as the seven minutes of terror. Launched in November 2011, the arrival of Mars Curiosity will for the first time make a high precision landing which is so crucial to its primary scientific goal of finding evidence of earlier Martian environment that may have been suitable for life. Also known as the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) it will be supported by a pair of NASA satellites (Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) already in Martian orbit. Mars has never been under so much human scrutiny. In addition to the still functioning Opportunity, a rover on the surface of Mars (launched in 2004) and the two NASA satellites, there is also the European Space Agency’s Mars Express is also in Martian orbit. Dr Anita Sengupta is a member of the Entry Decent Landing and Advanced Technologies group at Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In this interview recorded on August 2nd via telephone from her office in JPL she captures the sheer exhilaration of the dramatic entry decent and landing phase  and describes her role in the Mars Curiosity rover mission.  Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/mars-curiositys-seven-minutes-of-terror-in-less-than-3-minutes/ Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:58:31 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2287 https://astrotalkuk.org/mars-curiositys-seven-minutes-of-terror-in-less-than-3-minutes/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/mars-curiositys-seven-minutes-of-terror-in-less-than-3-minutes/feed/ 1 Mars Curiosity landing in a nutshell (less than 3 minutes audio below)  by Dr Anita Sengupta from the Entry Decent & Landing and Advanced Technologies group at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Full interview in Episode 55 - tomorrow. https://youtu.be/Ki_Af_o9Q9s?si=UjIKy2ZfpPEflZOJ Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2287-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noMars Curiosity landing in a nutshell (less than 3 minutes audio below)  by Dr Anita Sengupta from the Entry Decent & Landing and Advanced Technologies group at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Full interview in Episode 55 - tomorrow. https://youtu.be/Ki_Af_o9Q9s?si=UjIKy2ZfpPEflZOJMars Curiosity landing in a nutshell (less than 3 minutes audio below)  by Dr Anita Sengupta from the Entry Decent & Landing and Advanced Technologies group at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Full interview in Episode 55 - tomorrow. https://youtu.be/Ki_Af_o9Q9s?si=UjIKy2ZfpPEflZOJSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-54-23-july-2012-manchester-interplanetary-society-and-stanley-davis/ Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:43:20 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2272 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-54-23-july-2012-manchester-interplanetary-society-and-stanley-davis/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-54-23-july-2012-manchester-interplanetary-society-and-stanley-davis/feed/ 1 Stanley Davis The August 2012 edition of Spaceflight, the monthly magazine of the British Interplanetary Society, carried an article in which I discuss the Northwest of England’s contribution to Rocketry during the 1930s. An extended version of that article is available for free download on Astrotalkuk.org - here. So on to today’s episode. In 1937, two teenagers, Harry and Stanley, with an outrageous ambition to design and build rockets for space travel, joined a newly formed group with a name to match – the Manchester Interplanetary Society. Soon, each met a girl, fell in love, exchanged wedding rings and got married. They went off on their separate ways but pledged to stay in touch. In addition to his interest in rockets, he was also strongly interested in science. In the late 1930, he went by train to London to hear a talk from H.G. Wells. Had he not died prematurely, he, like Harry, would have immersed himself in the sci-fi fandom movement that was blossoming in Britain from the early 1930s. Wooden Statue of Abraham Lincoln. Carved by Stanley Davis Members of the Manchester Interplanetary Society. Harry Turner is 1st on the left Two years later, the ferocious and violent events of World War II began that would shatter their dreams and lives, along with those of millions of others around the world. Harry Turner spent much of the War in India and, following his return, enjoyed a successful career as an artist. Stanley Davies died in August 1941 from injuries he had sustained at Dunkirk. Recently, this shared story brought together Harry’s son, Philip, and Stanley’s daughter, Ann.  In episode 50, Philip recalls his father's memories, and in this episode, Ann Sutcliffe remembers her father, Stanley Davies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UV37Bnbo0Q Gurbir Singh full 7:11 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2272-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noStanley Davis The August 2012 edition of Spaceflight, the monthly magazine of the British Interplanetary Society, carried an article in which I discuss the Northwest of England’s contribution to Rocketry during the 1930s. An extended version of that article is available for free download on Astrotalkuk.org - here. So on to today’s episode. In 1937, two teenagers, Harry and Stanley, with an outrageous ambition to design and build rockets for space travel, joined a newly formed group with a name to match – the Manchester Interplanetary Society. Soon, each met a girl, fell in love, exchanged wedding rings and got married. They went off on their separate ways but pledged to stay in touch. In addition to his interest in rockets, he was also strongly interested in science. In the late 1930, he went by train to London to hear a talk from H.G. Wells. Had he not died prematurely, he, like Harry, would have immersed himself in the sci-fi fandom movement that was blossoming in Britain from the early 1930s. Wooden Statue of Abraham Lincoln. Carved by Stanley Davis Members of the Manchester Interplanetary Society. Harry Turner is 1st on the left Two years later, the ferocious and violent events of World War II began that would shatter their dreams and lives, along with those of millions of others around the world. Harry Turner spent much of the War in India and, following his return, enjoyed a successful career as an artist. Stanley Davies died in August 1941 from injuries he had sustained at Dunkirk. Recently, this shared story brought together Harry’s son, Philip, and Stanley’s daughter, Ann.  In episode 50, Philip recalls his father's memories, and in this episode, Ann Sutcliffe remembers her father, Stanley Davies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UV37Bnbo0QStanley Davis The August 2012 edition of Spaceflight, the monthly magazine of the British Interplanetary Society, carried an article in which I discuss the Northwest of England’s contribution to Rocketry during the 1930s. An extended version of that article is available for free download on Astrotalkuk.org - here. So on to today’s episode. In 1937, two teenagers, Harry and Stanley, with an outrageous ambition to design and build rockets for space travel, joined a newly formed group with a name to match – the Manchester Interplanetary Society. Soon, each met a girl, fell in love, exchanged wedding rings and got married. They went off on their separate ways but pledged to stay in touch. In addition to his interest in rockets, he was also strongly interested in science. In the late 1930, he went by train to London to hear a talk from H.G. Wells. Had he not died prematurely, he, like Harry, would have immersed himself in the sci-fi fandom movement that was blossoming in Britain from the early 1930s. Wooden Statue of Abraham Lincoln. Carved by Stanley Davis Members of the Manchester Interplanetary Society. Harry Turner is 1st on the left Two years later, the ferocious and violent events of World War II began that would shatter their dreams and lives, along with those of millions of others around the world. Harry Turner spent much of the War in India and, following his return, enjoyed a successful career as an artist. Stanley Davies died in August 1941 from injuries he had sustained at Dunkirk. Recently, this shared story brought together Harry’s son, Philip, and Stanley’s daughter, Ann.  In episode 50, Philip recalls his father's memories, and in this episode, Ann Sutcliffe remembers her father, Stanley Davies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UV37Bnbo0QSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-53-28th-june-2012-the-chinese-space-program/ Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:40:35 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2231 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-53-28th-june-2012-the-chinese-space-program/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-53-28th-june-2012-the-chinese-space-program/feed/ 0 Brian Harvey is a Dublin based writer, author, broadcaster and probably the most informed specialist on Chinese and Soviet/Russian space program in Ireland today. This conversation recorded during the Shenzhou-9 / Tiangong-1 mission orbiting the Earth with the three crew including the first Chinese female astronaut on-board. At the end of the interview Brian Harvey talks about the Space Cooperation Memorandum signed last week. Gurbir Singh full 34:06 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2231-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noBrian Harvey is a Dublin based writer, author, broadcaster and probably the most informed specialist on Chinese and Soviet/Russian space program in Ireland today. This conversation recorded during the Shenzhou-9 / Tiangong-1 mission orbiting the Earth with the three crew including the first Chinese female astronaut on-board. At the end of the interview Brian Harvey talks about the Space Cooperation Memorandum signed last week.Brian Harvey is a Dublin based writer, author, broadcaster and probably the most informed specialist on Chinese and Soviet/Russian space program in Ireland today. This conversation recorded during the Shenzhou-9 / Tiangong-1 mission orbiting the Earth with the three crew including the first Chinese female astronaut on-board. At the end of the interview Brian Harvey talks about the Space Cooperation Memorandum signed last week.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/michael-wood-historian-and-gagarins-visit-to-manchester/ Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:21:11 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2124 https://astrotalkuk.org/michael-wood-historian-and-gagarins-visit-to-manchester/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/michael-wood-historian-and-gagarins-visit-to-manchester/feed/ 1 Historian Michael Wood's documentary, The Great British Story - A People's History, is currently being screened in the UK. Michael is from Manchester and was visiting Liverpool last weekend where he made time for this recording. Gurbir Singh full 17:51 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2124-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noHistorian Michael Wood's documentary, The Great British Story - A People's History, is currently being screened in the UK. Michael is from Manchester and was visiting Liverpool last weekend where he made time for this recording.Historian Michael Wood's documentary, The Great British Story - A People's History, is currently being screened in the UK. Michael is from Manchester and was visiting Liverpool last weekend where he made time for this recording.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/david-shayler/ Tue, 05 Jun 2012 11:23:43 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2098 https://astrotalkuk.org/david-shayler/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/david-shayler/feed/ 0 You know what it is like, you buy a book on a subject of interest and enjoy it. Later you see a book on a similar subject that you probably were not going to buy but do so because it is from that same author. Gradually, you end up with several books from that author in your collection. David Shayler is one such author for me. During the Space Day event in Droitwich earlier this year organised by British Interplanetary Society West Midlands branch, I finally got to meet David. This is a short recording of our conversation I recorded then. Gurbir Singh full 8:24 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2098-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noYou know what it is like, you buy a book on a subject of interest and enjoy it. Later you see a book on a similar subject that you probably were not going to buy but do so because it is from that same author. Gradually, you end up with several books from that author in your collection. David Shayler is one such author for me. During the Space Day event in Droitwich earlier this year organised by British Interplanetary Society West Midlands branch, I finally got to meet David. This is a short recording of our conversation I recorded then.You know what it is like, you buy a book on a subject of interest and enjoy it. Later you see a book on a similar subject that you probably were not going to buy but do so because it is from that same author. Gradually, you end up with several books from that author in your collection. David Shayler is one such author for me. During the Space Day event in Droitwich earlier this year organised by British Interplanetary Society West Midlands branch, I finally got to meet David. This is a short recording of our conversation I recorded then.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/transit-of-venus-and-the-great-british-story/ Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:00:41 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=2077 https://astrotalkuk.org/transit-of-venus-and-the-great-british-story/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/transit-of-venus-and-the-great-british-story/feed/ 1 The last hour of so of the transit of Venus on 6th June 2012 will be visible during sunrise from northwest of England. The following links should answer most if not all your queries. Listen to a short interview above on Radio Merseyside with Roger Phillips today. For details of the Yuri Gagarin talk download this flyer. Liverpool Astronomical Society Venus transit event see bottom of page and details about the Great British Story event at Liverpool Museum where Roger Phillips and Michael Wood will be present. I hope to attend too. Details about the transit of Venus from Royal Astronomical Society This animation illustrates how the transit would look if you you could see it from your location. Want to see it from the comfort of your armchair - NASA will carry a live coverage here. Carl Barry and Lillian Fletcher from Salford talk about their research in episode 9 on William Crabtree's observation in 1639  of the transit of Venus from.. Salford. If you are wondering what the Transit of Venus looks like - see below. My video from 2004.   Free public event in Liverpool - yes it really does say 4.30am! Contact Name: Gerard Gilligan Liverpool Astronomical Society Liverpool Astronomical Society Time: 04:30:00 Date: 06/06/2012 Location: Holt Playing Field, nr. Sudley House Art Gallery Town: Liverpool Post Code: L18 8BX Public observing event Email: ggastro@liverpool.ac.uk Website: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/sudley/visit/getting-here.asp Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=2077-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe last hour of so of the transit of Venus on 6th June 2012 will be visible during sunrise from northwest of England. The following links should answer most if not all your queries. Listen to a short interview above on Radio Merseyside with Roger Phillips today. For details of the Yuri Gagarin talk download this flyer. Liverpool Astronomical Society Venus transit event see bottom of page and details about the Great British Story event at Liverpool Museum where Roger Phillips and Michael Wood will be present. I hope to attend too. Details about the transit of Venus from Royal Astronomical Society This animation illustrates how the transit would look if you you could see it from your location. Want to see it from the comfort of your armchair - NASA will carry a live coverage here. Carl Barry and Lillian Fletcher from Salford talk about their research in episode 9 on William Crabtree's observation in 1639  of the transit of Venus from.. Salford. If you are wondering what the Transit of Venus looks like - see below. My video from 2004.   Free public event in Liverpool - yes it really does say 4.30am! Contact Name: Gerard Gilligan Liverpool Astronomical Society Liverpool Astronomical Society Time: 04:30:00 Date: 06/06/2012 Location: Holt Playing Field, nr. Sudley House Art Gallery Town: Liverpool Post Code: L18 8BX Public observing event Email: ggastro@liverpool.ac.uk Website: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/sudley/visit/getting-here.aspThe last hour of so of the transit of Venus on 6th June 2012 will be visible during sunrise from northwest of England. The following links should answer most if not all your queries. Listen to a short interview above on Radio Merseyside with Roger Phillips today. For details of the Yuri Gagarin talk download this flyer. Liverpool Astronomical Society Venus transit event see bottom of page and details about the Great British Story event at Liverpool Museum where Roger Phillips and Michael Wood will be present. I hope to attend too. Details about the transit of Venus from Royal Astronomical Society This animation illustrates how the transit would look if you you could see it from your location. Want to see it from the comfort of your armchair - NASA will carry a live coverage here. Carl Barry and Lillian Fletcher from Salford talk about their research in episode 9 on William Crabtree's observation in 1639  of the transit of Venus from.. Salford. If you are wondering what the Transit of Venus looks like - see below. My video from 2004.   Free public event in Liverpool - yes it really does say 4.30am! Contact Name: Gerard Gilligan Liverpool Astronomical Society Liverpool Astronomical Society Time: 04:30:00 Date: 06/06/2012 Location: Holt Playing Field, nr. Sudley House Art Gallery Town: Liverpool Post Code: L18 8BX Public observing event Email: ggastro@liverpool.ac.uk Website: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/sudley/visit/getting-here.aspSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-50-26th-march-2012-manchester-first-rocket-scientists/ Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:17:08 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=1740 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-50-26th-march-2012-manchester-first-rocket-scientists/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-50-26th-march-2012-manchester-first-rocket-scientists/feed/ 1 27th March 1937 - Foreground (left to right): Eric Burgess, Bill Heeley, Trevor Cusack, Harry Turner (Picture – Philip Turner) Robert Goddard in America , Sergei Korolev in the Soviet Union and Herman Oberth in Germany are three names credit with the development of rocket propulsion during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Each led a very small group with more dedication then resources working on a shoestring budget usually in their own time after work. Their collective work eventually lead to Sputnik, the space race and one of mankind’s greatest technological achievement - Apollo 11 mission to the Moon in 1969. During the inter war years, the northwest of England gave rise to organisations that nurtured the science of rockets and space travel. In 1933, Philip Cleater in Liverpool founded the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) to promote spaceflight, an institution which continues to exist to this day. A little known group established in 1936, called the Manchester Interplanetary Society (MIS) shared the lofty idea of space travel and had the ambition and talent to design, build and test rockets that could help to realise it. The MIS founded by an ambitious and gifted sixteen year old Mancunian Eric Burgess in 1936.  Initially, Burgess used his own home, 683 Aston New Road as the headquarters but  moved to a founder member, Harry Turner’s house in Lonsdale Place not far Manchester City centre in the following year. Arthur C Clarke a member of both the science and sci-fi communities visited Harry in Manchester several times and promoted both. Clayton Vale, a stone’s throw from the velodrome in East Manchester, is now a small picturesque park with the river Medlock running through its length.  On Saturday 27th March 1937 it was more of a slag heap for the nearby coal mine and local industry and a site used by the Manchester Interplanetary Society (MIS) to test launch rockets made by its members. Following five largely unsuccessful cardboard rocket launch attempts the sixth constructed from aluminium exploded injuring three, one requiring hospital attention.  The event was heavily featured in local and national press. Malcolm Wade, the MIS secretary said in the 29th March 1937 edition of the Daily Herald “If only the crowds had remained at a proper distance during Saturday's trials instead of hustling around us, there would have been no accident.” Most of the active members of the MIS received a summons to appear at the City Police Court on May 14. The charge against Harry Turner was that he "unlawfully did manufacture a certain explosive you not being allowed by section 4 and 39 of the Explosives Act, 1875 to do so". Harry like most of the members was not eighteen so his father Henry is also named on the summons.  In the event, Eric Burgess successfully argued that they were not manufacturing explosives but conducting rocket propulsion experiments.  No one was found guilty. They agreed not to use Clayton Vale but another site in Glossop instead. Pioneer 10 Plaque - the original idea from Eric Burgess After the war Eric Burgess emigrated to America and worked for NASA and the space industry. He wrote many books including one of the earliest dedicated to rocket propulsion. Perhaps Burgess’s most remarkable achievement is the least well known. Over dinner in November 1971 with Carl Sagan Burgess proposed that a message from humanity should accompany the Pioneer 10 destined for Jupiter in the following spring. Pioneer 10 would be the first man-made object to achieve solar system escape velocity and head in to interstellar space.  The plaque was designed by Carl Sagan and Frank Drake and successfully incorporated in to the mission in a very short time.  Although Burgess was informed about the plaque prior to launch, the image of a naked man and woman was so controversial in the 1970’s conservative America that NASA insisted on a news embargo until after launch. Philip Turner A plaque on display at the Smithsonian Institute in America recognises Eric Burgess's contribution to space travel. In Manchester there is nothing to mark the unique achievements of Eric Burgess, Harry Turner, Malcolm Wade and others who were Manchester's very first rocket scientists. In this interview Philip Turner's son, Philip talks about Harry but fist, Harry’s widow Marion on how she first met Harry.     Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=1740-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> no27th March 1937 - Foreground (left to right): Eric Burgess, Bill Heeley, Trevor Cusack, Harry Turner (Picture – Philip Turner) Robert Goddard in America , Sergei Korolev in the Soviet Union and Herman Oberth in Germany are three names credit with the development of rocket propulsion during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Each led a very small group with more dedication then resources working on a shoestring budget usually in their own time after work. Their collective work eventually lead to Sputnik, the space race and one of mankind’s greatest technological achievement - Apollo 11 mission to the Moon in 1969. During the inter war years, the northwest of England gave rise to organisations that nurtured the science of rockets and space travel. In 1933, Philip Cleater in Liverpool founded the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) to promote spaceflight, an institution which continues to exist to this day. A little known group established in 1936, called the Manchester Interplanetary Society (MIS) shared the lofty idea of space travel and had the ambition and talent to design, build and test rockets that could help to realise it. The MIS founded by an ambitious and gifted sixteen year old Mancunian Eric Burgess in 1936.  Initially, Burgess used his own home, 683 Aston New Road as the headquarters but  moved to a founder member, Harry Turner’s house in Lonsdale Place not far Manchester City centre in the following year. Arthur C Clarke a member of both the science and sci-fi communities visited Harry in Manchester several times and promoted both. Clayton Vale, a stone’s throw from the velodrome in East Manchester, is now a small picturesque park with the river Medlock running through its length.  On Saturday 27th March 1937 it was more of a slag heap for the nearby coal mine and local industry and a site used by the Manchester Interplanetary Society (MIS) to test launch rockets made by its members. Following five largely unsuccessful cardboard rocket launch attempts the sixth constructed from aluminium exploded injuring three, one requiring hospital attention.  The event was heavily featured in local and national press. Malcolm Wade, the MIS secretary said in the 29th March 1937 edition of the Daily Herald “If only the crowds had remained at a proper distance during Saturday's trials instead of hustling around us, there would have been no accident.” Most of the active members of the MIS received a summons to appear at the City Police Court on May 14. The charge against Harry Turner was that he "unlawfully did manufacture a certain explosive you not being allowed by section 4 and 39 of the Explosives Act, 1875 to do so". Harry like most of the members was not eighteen so his father Henry is also named on the summons.  In the event, Eric Burgess successfully argued that they were not manufacturing explosives but conducting rocket propulsion experiments.  No one was found guilty. They agreed not to use Clayton Vale but another site in Glossop instead. Pioneer 10 Plaque - the original idea from Eric Burgess After the war Eric Burgess emigrated to America and worked for NASA and the space industry. He wrote many books including one of the earliest dedicated to rocket propulsion. Perhaps Burgess’s most remarkable achievement is the least well known. Over dinner in November 1971 with Carl Sagan Burgess proposed that a message from humanity should accompany the Pioneer 10 destined for Jupiter in the following spring. Pioneer 10 would be the first man-made object to achieve solar system escape velocity and head in to interstellar space.  The plaque was designed by Carl Sagan and Frank Drake and successfully incorporated in to the mission in a very short time.  Although Burgess was informed about the plaque prior to launch, the image of a naked man and woman was so controversial in the 1970’s conservative America that NASA insisted on a news embargo until after launch. Philip Turner A plaque on display at the Smithsonian Institute in America recognises Eric Burgess's contribution to space travel. In Manchester there is nothing to mark the unique achievements of Eric Burgess, Harry Turner, Malcolm Wade and others who were Manchester's very first rocket scientists. In this interview Philip Turner's son, Philip talks about Harry but fist, Harry’s widow Marion on how she first met Harry.    27th March 1937 - Foreground (left to right): Eric Burgess, Bill Heeley, Trevor Cusack, Harry Turner (Picture – Philip Turner) Robert Goddard in America , Sergei Korolev in the Soviet Union and Herman Oberth in Germany are three names credit with the development of rocket propulsion during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Each led a very small group with more dedication then resources working on a shoestring budget usually in their own time after work. Their collective work eventually lead to Sputnik, the space race and one of mankind’s greatest technological achievement - Apollo 11 mission to the Moon in 1969. During the inter war years, the northwest of England gave rise to organisations that nurtured the science of rockets and space travel. In 1933, Philip Cleater in Liverpool founded the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) to promote spaceflight, an institution which continues to exist to this day. A little known group established in 1936, called the Manchester Interplanetary Society (MIS) shared the lofty idea of space travel and had the ambition and talent to design, build and test rockets that could help to realise it. The MIS founded by an ambitious and gifted sixteen year old Mancunian Eric Burgess in 1936.  Initially, Burgess used his own home, 683 Aston New Road as the headquarters but  moved to a founder member, Harry Turner’s house in Lonsdale Place not far Manchester City centre in the following year. Arthur C Clarke a member of both the science and sci-fi communities visited Harry in Manchester several times and promoted both. Clayton Vale, a stone’s throw from the velodrome in East Manchester, is now a small picturesque park with the river Medlock running through its length.  On Saturday 27th March 1937 it was more of a slag heap for the nearby coal mine and local industry and a site used by the Manchester Interplanetary Society (MIS) to test launch rockets made by its members. Following five largely unsuccessful cardboard rocket launch attempts the sixth constructed from aluminium exploded injuring three, one requiring hospital attention.  The event was heavily featured in local and national press. Malcolm Wade, the MIS secretary said in the 29th March 1937 edition of the Daily Herald “If only the crowds had remained at a proper distance during Saturday's trials instead of hustling around us, there would have been no accident.” Most of the active members of the MIS received a summons to appear at the City Police Court on May 14. The charge against Harry Turner was that he "unlawfully did manufacture a certain explosive you not being allowed by section 4 and 39 of the Explosives Act, 1875 to do so". Harry like most of the members was not eighteen so his father Henry is also named on the summons.  In the event, Eric Burgess successfully argued that they were not manufacturing explosives but conducting rocket propulsion experiments.  No one was found guilty. They agreed not to use Clayton Vale but another site in Glossop instead. Pioneer 10 Plaque - the original idea from Eric Burgess After the war Eric Burgess emigrated to America and worked for NASA and the space industry. He wrote many books including one of the earliest dedicated to rocket propulsion. Perhaps Burgess’s most remarkable achievement is the least well known. Over dinner in November 1971 with Carl Sagan Burgess proposed that a message from humanity should accompany the Pioneer 10 destined for Jupiter in the following spring. Pioneer 10 would be the first man-made object to achieve solar system escape velocity and head in to interstellar space.  The plaque was designed by Carl Sagan and Frank Drake and successfully incorporated in to the mission in a very short time.  Although Burgess was informed about the plaque prior to launch, the image of a naked man and woman was so controversial in the 1970’s conservative America that NASA insisted on a news embargo until after launch. Philip Turner A plaque on display at the Smithsonian Institute in America recognises Eric Burgess's contribution to space travel. In Manchester there is nothing to mark the unique achievements of Eric Burgess, Harry Turner, Malcolm Wade and others who were Manchester's very first rocket scientists. In this interview Philip Turner's son, Philip talks about Harry but fist, Harry’s widow Marion on how she first met Harry.    Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-49-nam2012/ Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:34:23 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=1677 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-49-nam2012/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-49-nam2012/feed/ 0 This episode has no specific astronomical topic but draws attention to a very special astronomy meeting later this month. The Royal Astronomical Society’s annual National Astronomy Meeting last year was held in Wales, next year it will be in Scotland but this year it is in Manchester. National Astronomy Meeting 2012 or NAM2012 will be hosted by the University of Manchester in partnership with Germany’s equivalent to the RAS, the Astronomische Gesellschaft in the last week of March 2012. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=1677-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThis episode has no specific astronomical topic but draws attention to a very special astronomy meeting later this month. The Royal Astronomical Society’s annual National Astronomy Meeting last year was held in Wales, next year it will be in Scotland but this year it is in Manchester. National Astronomy Meeting 2012 or NAM2012 will be hosted by the University of Manchester in partnership with Germany’s equivalent to the RAS, the Astronomische Gesellschaft in the last week of March 2012.This episode has no specific astronomical topic but draws attention to a very special astronomy meeting later this month. The Royal Astronomical Society’s annual National Astronomy Meeting last year was held in Wales, next year it will be in Scotland but this year it is in Manchester. National Astronomy Meeting 2012 or NAM2012 will be hosted by the University of Manchester in partnership with Germany’s equivalent to the RAS, the Astronomische Gesellschaft in the last week of March 2012.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-48-13th-february-2012-mat-irvine-early-bbc-special-effects-department-and-sky-at-night-episode-from-1963/ Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:30:50 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=1545 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-48-13th-february-2012-mat-irvine-early-bbc-special-effects-department-and-sky-at-night-episode-from-1963/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-48-13th-february-2012-mat-irvine-early-bbc-special-effects-department-and-sky-at-night-episode-from-1963/feed/ 0 Matt Irvine. Credit Mattirvine.com The same year that the first woman made it into space in 1963, a quaint children’s sci-fi series called Dr Who started on BBC television in the UK.  Eventually, it became popular worldwide and has enjoyed success once more since it restarted in 2005. Mat Irvine worked in the special effects department of the BBC and made the original model of K9 for Dr Who, but he also worked on other programs, including The Sky at Night. One of the memorable characters from Dr Who was Davros. The horribly scarred, evil-looking megalomaniac creator of the Daleks and arch-enemy of the Doctor. Listen out for my faux pas when I refer to Davros as Stavros. In this episode, Mat talks about the special effects department in those early days at the BBC and about the recently resurfaced 1963 episode of Sky at Night featuring Arthur C Clark. A clip from the missing episode was shown in the November 2011 edition of Sky at Night. You can see the full episode here. Gurbir Singh full 15:18 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=1545-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noMatt Irvine. Credit Mattirvine.com The same year that the first woman made it into space in 1963, a quaint children’s sci-fi series called Dr Who started on BBC television in the UK.  Eventually, it became popular worldwide and has enjoyed success once more since it restarted in 2005. Mat Irvine worked in the special effects department of the BBC and made the original model of K9 for Dr Who, but he also worked on other programs, including The Sky at Night. One of the memorable characters from Dr Who was Davros. The horribly scarred, evil-looking megalomaniac creator of the Daleks and arch-enemy of the Doctor. Listen out for my faux pas when I refer to Davros as Stavros. In this episode, Mat talks about the special effects department in those early days at the BBC and about the recently resurfaced 1963 episode of Sky at Night featuring Arthur C Clark. A clip from the missing episode was shown in the November 2011 edition of Sky at Night. You can see the full episode here.Matt Irvine. Credit Mattirvine.com The same year that the first woman made it into space in 1963, a quaint children’s sci-fi series called Dr Who started on BBC television in the UK.  Eventually, it became popular worldwide and has enjoyed success once more since it restarted in 2005. Mat Irvine worked in the special effects department of the BBC and made the original model of K9 for Dr Who, but he also worked on other programs, including The Sky at Night. One of the memorable characters from Dr Who was Davros. The horribly scarred, evil-looking megalomaniac creator of the Daleks and arch-enemy of the Doctor. Listen out for my faux pas when I refer to Davros as Stavros. In this episode, Mat talks about the special effects department in those early days at the BBC and about the recently resurfaced 1963 episode of Sky at Night featuring Arthur C Clark. A clip from the missing episode was shown in the November 2011 edition of Sky at Night. You can see the full episode here.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/gagarin-statue-in-manchester-current-status/ Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:48:54 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=1411 https://astrotalkuk.org/gagarin-statue-in-manchester-current-status/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/gagarin-statue-in-manchester-current-status/feed/ 0 It appears that the public support for the statue to come to Manchester is not an issue once people get to know about the campaign. Halfway target of 500 was met on Thursday last week. My thanks to all of you. Another name, Professor Carl Murray  a scientist working on the Cassini probe currently orbiting Saturn, was added to the open letter this weekend. The campaign has sufficient public support what it now requires is a sponsor to make it happen. It was clear from the beginning that public funds would not be appropriate in the current economic climate. Despite this, Manchester City Council continues with its essential engagement even though it cannot assist financially. In his comment, Barrie D. Eckford  says “I too would wish to sign the appeal & should a public subscription be declared, then I would gladly add a small monitory amount.” This is very welcome Barrie and it may come to that.. but not yet.  As one of the now 500+ strong supporters, what do you think? Scroll down and read Barrie’s comment in full and add yours here. Another Radio Interview, thanks to Andy Crane of BBC Radio Manchester is helping to publicise the campaign. Now that we are in December, this is the home run. If all goes to plan, we should know one way or another before the end of the month. I’ll keep you posted.   Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=1411-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIt appears that the public support for the statue to come to Manchester is not an issue once people get to know about the campaign. Halfway target of 500 was met on Thursday last week. My thanks to all of you. Another name, Professor Carl Murray  a scientist working on the Cassini probe currently orbiting Saturn, was added to the open letter this weekend. The campaign has sufficient public support what it now requires is a sponsor to make it happen. It was clear from the beginning that public funds would not be appropriate in the current economic climate. Despite this, Manchester City Council continues with its essential engagement even though it cannot assist financially. In his comment, Barrie D. Eckford  says “I too would wish to sign the appeal & should a public subscription be declared, then I would gladly add a small monitory amount.” This is very welcome Barrie and it may come to that.. but not yet.  As one of the now 500+ strong supporters, what do you think? Scroll down and read Barrie’s comment in full and add yours here. Another Radio Interview, thanks to Andy Crane of BBC Radio Manchester is helping to publicise the campaign. Now that we are in December, this is the home run. If all goes to plan, we should know one way or another before the end of the month. I’ll keep you posted.  It appears that the public support for the statue to come to Manchester is not an issue once people get to know about the campaign. Halfway target of 500 was met on Thursday last week. My thanks to all of you. Another name, Professor Carl Murray  a scientist working on the Cassini probe currently orbiting Saturn, was added to the open letter this weekend. The campaign has sufficient public support what it now requires is a sponsor to make it happen. It was clear from the beginning that public funds would not be appropriate in the current economic climate. Despite this, Manchester City Council continues with its essential engagement even though it cannot assist financially. In his comment, Barrie D. Eckford  says “I too would wish to sign the appeal & should a public subscription be declared, then I would gladly add a small monitory amount.” This is very welcome Barrie and it may come to that.. but not yet.  As one of the now 500+ strong supporters, what do you think? Scroll down and read Barrie’s comment in full and add yours here. Another Radio Interview, thanks to Andy Crane of BBC Radio Manchester is helping to publicise the campaign. Now that we are in December, this is the home run. If all goes to plan, we should know one way or another before the end of the month. I’ll keep you posted.  Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/yuri-gagarin-statue-in-london/ Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:00:32 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=1106 https://astrotalkuk.org/yuri-gagarin-statue-in-london/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/yuri-gagarin-statue-in-london/feed/ 3 The 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s UK visit was marked by the unveiling of an aluminium statue of Gagarin, an exact copy of the one outside Lyubertsy Technical School number 10, where Gagarin started his training as a foundryman. The statue, a gift from the Russian federal space agency Roscosmos to the British Council, is located outside the British Council Offices in London but only for one year. This episode is a collection of some of the speeches and my short interviews during the three events on 14th July. They were the unveiling of the statue in the morning, the lunchtime reception at the Russian Embassy and the evening reception back at the British Council.  So, in order of appearance, here is a list of all the contributors in this episode The unveiling of the statue ceremony was opened by Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council Vladimir Popovkin, Head of Roscosmos (speaking in Russian but with a translator) Yuri Gagarin’s oldest daughter, Elena Gagarina unveiled the statue Derek Pullen who provides a brief description of how the statue came from Moscow to London. Two recordings during the lunchtime Reception at the Russian Embassy, where incidentally, Gagarin spent each of his four nights in the UK The Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko, Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, who holds the record for the longest time spent in space British Council Evening reception Nataliya Koroleva. Chief Designer Sergei Korolev’s daughter. Who gave me a gentle rebuke whilst looking through my book “Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester” and seeing a photograph of Wernher von Braun and Herman Oberth but not of her father! The episode ends with Ambassador Yakovenko briefly recalling his recent meeting with the queen. Korolev's daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter Gurbir Singh full 19:08 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=1106-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s UK visit was marked by the unveiling of an aluminium statue of Gagarin, an exact copy of the one outside Lyubertsy Technical School number 10, where Gagarin started his training as a foundryman. The statue, a gift from the Russian federal space agency Roscosmos to the British Council, is located outside the British Council Offices in London but only for one year. This episode is a collection of some of the speeches and my short interviews during the three events on 14th July. They were the unveiling of the statue in the morning, the lunchtime reception at the Russian Embassy and the evening reception back at the British Council.  So, in order of appearance, here is a list of all the contributors in this episode The unveiling of the statue ceremony was opened by Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council Vladimir Popovkin, Head of Roscosmos (speaking in Russian but with a translator) Yuri Gagarin’s oldest daughter, Elena Gagarina unveiled the statue Derek Pullen who provides a brief description of how the statue came from Moscow to London. Two recordings during the lunchtime Reception at the Russian Embassy, where incidentally, Gagarin spent each of his four nights in the UK The Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko, Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, who holds the record for the longest time spent in space British Council Evening reception Nataliya Koroleva. Chief Designer Sergei Korolev’s daughter. Who gave me a gentle rebuke whilst looking through my book “Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester” and seeing a photograph of Wernher von Braun and Herman Oberth but not of her father! The episode ends with Ambassador Yakovenko briefly recalling his recent meeting with the queen. Korolev's daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughterThe 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s UK visit was marked by the unveiling of an aluminium statue of Gagarin, an exact copy of the one outside Lyubertsy Technical School number 10, where Gagarin started his training as a foundryman. The statue, a gift from the Russian federal space agency Roscosmos to the British Council, is located outside the British Council Offices in London but only for one year. This episode is a collection of some of the speeches and my short interviews during the three events on 14th July. They were the unveiling of the statue in the morning, the lunchtime reception at the Russian Embassy and the evening reception back at the British Council.  So, in order of appearance, here is a list of all the contributors in this episode The unveiling of the statue ceremony was opened by Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council Vladimir Popovkin, Head of Roscosmos (speaking in Russian but with a translator) Yuri Gagarin’s oldest daughter, Elena Gagarina unveiled the statue Derek Pullen who provides a brief description of how the statue came from Moscow to London. Two recordings during the lunchtime Reception at the Russian Embassy, where incidentally, Gagarin spent each of his four nights in the UK The Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko, Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, who holds the record for the longest time spent in space British Council Evening reception Nataliya Koroleva. Chief Designer Sergei Korolev’s daughter. Who gave me a gentle rebuke whilst looking through my book “Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester” and seeing a photograph of Wernher von Braun and Herman Oberth but not of her father! The episode ends with Ambassador Yakovenko briefly recalling his recent meeting with the queen. Korolev's daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughterSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-4610th-july-2011-yuri-gagarin-in-london-and-manchester-new-book-and-personal-recollections/ Sun, 10 Jul 2011 10:38:07 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=1040 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-4610th-july-2011-yuri-gagarin-in-london-and-manchester-new-book-and-personal-recollections/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-4610th-july-2011-yuri-gagarin-in-london-and-manchester-new-book-and-personal-recollections/feed/ 2 On his first visit outside the eastern bloc, Yuri Gagarin arrived in London for a 5 day visit on Tuesday July 11th 1961. He was greeted with a tumultuous and sincere warm welcome everywhere he went, including his meetings with the Prime Minister and the Queen. The British government juggled with acknowledging Gagarin's personal courage and the Soviet Union’s historic technological achievement whilst assuring its allies, the USA, France and West Germany that the visit would not be exploited exclusively as a communist propaganda opportunity. When the Manchester-based Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers discovered that Gagarin had trained as a foundry worker, they invited him to join their union as a honorary member.  He came to Manchester on 12th July and visited the union office, the Metrovicks plant in Trafford Park and the city’s town hall before flying back to London six hours later. During the late seventies, I had lived near this union office and only discovered in 2010 that Gagarin had actually been there. I looked but failed to find any books on the subject, so I decided to write one. It is called “Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester” and attempts to fill in a small bit of the Gagarin story. The first and last chapters describe Gagarin’s flight, some of the key individuals involved, the air crash that claimed his life in 1968 and his personal impact as an advocate of peace during the Cold War.  In the remaining chapter – 2-7, I document the background to his invitation and details of where he went and who he met.  Some of those recollections are the subject of this episode. It includes clips from Captain Eric Brown and Reg Turnill, which are available in episodes 40 and 41.  My thanks to those who contributed to this episode - Reg Turnill, Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, Brenda Knowles, Marjorie Rose, Stanley Nelson, Captain Eric Brown and Stanislava Sajawicz. Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester 185 Pages, 27 Illustrations ISBN 978-0-9569337-0-6 Paperback £10.00 (+postage) and eBook (iPad and Kindle) £2.50 available from publications@astrotalkuk.org Download a PDF of the page of contents, Chapter 2 “An Uneasy Invitation” and the text above or all three in a zip file. Recollections of Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo. Gurbir Singh full 15:29 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=1040-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noOn his first visit outside the eastern bloc, Yuri Gagarin arrived in London for a 5 day visit on Tuesday July 11th 1961. He was greeted with a tumultuous and sincere warm welcome everywhere he went, including his meetings with the Prime Minister and the Queen. The British government juggled with acknowledging Gagarin's personal courage and the Soviet Union’s historic technological achievement whilst assuring its allies, the USA, France and West Germany that the visit would not be exploited exclusively as a communist propaganda opportunity. When the Manchester-based Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers discovered that Gagarin had trained as a foundry worker, they invited him to join their union as a honorary member.  He came to Manchester on 12th July and visited the union office, the Metrovicks plant in Trafford Park and the city’s town hall before flying back to London six hours later. During the late seventies, I had lived near this union office and only discovered in 2010 that Gagarin had actually been there. I looked but failed to find any books on the subject, so I decided to write one. It is called “Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester” and attempts to fill in a small bit of the Gagarin story. The first and last chapters describe Gagarin’s flight, some of the key individuals involved, the air crash that claimed his life in 1968 and his personal impact as an advocate of peace during the Cold War.  In the remaining chapter – 2-7, I document the background to his invitation and details of where he went and who he met.  Some of those recollections are the subject of this episode. It includes clips from Captain Eric Brown and Reg Turnill, which are available in episodes 40 and 41.  My thanks to those who contributed to this episode - Reg Turnill, Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, Brenda Knowles, Marjorie Rose, Stanley Nelson, Captain Eric Brown and Stanislava Sajawicz. Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester 185 Pages, 27 Illustrations ISBN 978-0-9569337-0-6 Paperback £10.00 (+postage) and eBook (iPad and Kindle) £2.50 available from publications@astrotalkuk.org Download a PDF of the page of contents, Chapter 2 “An Uneasy Invitation” and the text above or all three in a zip file. Recollections of Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.On his first visit outside the eastern bloc, Yuri Gagarin arrived in London for a 5 day visit on Tuesday July 11th 1961. He was greeted with a tumultuous and sincere warm welcome everywhere he went, including his meetings with the Prime Minister and the Queen. The British government juggled with acknowledging Gagarin's personal courage and the Soviet Union’s historic technological achievement whilst assuring its allies, the USA, France and West Germany that the visit would not be exploited exclusively as a communist propaganda opportunity. When the Manchester-based Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers discovered that Gagarin had trained as a foundry worker, they invited him to join their union as a honorary member.  He came to Manchester on 12th July and visited the union office, the Metrovicks plant in Trafford Park and the city’s town hall before flying back to London six hours later. During the late seventies, I had lived near this union office and only discovered in 2010 that Gagarin had actually been there. I looked but failed to find any books on the subject, so I decided to write one. It is called “Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester” and attempts to fill in a small bit of the Gagarin story. The first and last chapters describe Gagarin’s flight, some of the key individuals involved, the air crash that claimed his life in 1968 and his personal impact as an advocate of peace during the Cold War.  In the remaining chapter – 2-7, I document the background to his invitation and details of where he went and who he met.  Some of those recollections are the subject of this episode. It includes clips from Captain Eric Brown and Reg Turnill, which are available in episodes 40 and 41.  My thanks to those who contributed to this episode - Reg Turnill, Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, Brenda Knowles, Marjorie Rose, Stanley Nelson, Captain Eric Brown and Stanislava Sajawicz. Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester 185 Pages, 27 Illustrations ISBN 978-0-9569337-0-6 Paperback £10.00 (+postage) and eBook (iPad and Kindle) £2.50 available from publications@astrotalkuk.org Download a PDF of the page of contents, Chapter 2 “An Uneasy Invitation” and the text above or all three in a zip file. Recollections of Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-45-4th-july-2011-apollo-15-command-module-pilot-al-worden/ Mon, 04 Jul 2011 05:00:10 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=1004 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-45-4th-july-2011-apollo-15-command-module-pilot-al-worden/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-45-4th-july-2011-apollo-15-command-module-pilot-al-worden/feed/ 0 Probably the most scientifically demanding Apollo mission, Apollo 15 was launched on 26th July 1971 on a two week mission. Al Worden in the command module orbited the Moon for 75 orbits whilst Dave Scott and James Irwin explored the south eastern edge of Mare Imbrium on the Moon’s surface.  Apollo 15 launched with the heaviest payload of all Apollo missions and included the first moon rover, a sub-satellite launched from Apollo 15 in to lunar orbit and a collection of science instruments including a high resolution camera to map the lunar surface. To coincide with the 40th anniversary, on July 26th 2011, writing with Francis French Al Worden is publishing his autobiography.  In this interview recorded in London on 22nd May, Al talks about his test pilot career before joining NASA, the Apollo 15 mission, the “Covers incident” (these were stamped postal covers franked on the day of launch and again the day of ret urn for subsequent public sale) his post NASA career and his autobiography Falling to Earth. In addition to bringing back 77kg of Lunar Material, high resolution images of the Moon from lunar orbit and images of the zodiacal light, solar corona and gegenschein, Al Worden conducted a 38 minute space walk a day after they fired the engine for their journey home from Lunar orbit. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Al during this interview. It is a reminder that space exploration is not only about cutting-edge technology and breathtaking adventure but it is above all a human endeavour. “The story of Apollo 15 is a story of betrayal by people and by the government” Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=1004-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noProbably the most scientifically demanding Apollo mission, Apollo 15 was launched on 26th July 1971 on a two week mission. Al Worden in the command module orbited the Moon for 75 orbits whilst Dave Scott and James Irwin explored the south eastern edge of Mare Imbrium on the Moon’s surface.  Apollo 15 launched with the heaviest payload of all Apollo missions and included the first moon rover, a sub-satellite launched from Apollo 15 in to lunar orbit and a collection of science instruments including a high resolution camera to map the lunar surface. To coincide with the 40th anniversary, on July 26th 2011, writing with Francis French Al Worden is publishing his autobiography.  In this interview recorded in London on 22nd May, Al talks about his test pilot career before joining NASA, the Apollo 15 mission, the “Covers incident” (these were stamped postal covers franked on the day of launch and again the day of ret urn for subsequent public sale) his post NASA career and his autobiography Falling to Earth. In addition to bringing back 77kg of Lunar Material, high resolution images of the Moon from lunar orbit and images of the zodiacal light, solar corona and gegenschein, Al Worden conducted a 38 minute space walk a day after they fired the engine for their journey home from Lunar orbit. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Al during this interview. It is a reminder that space exploration is not only about cutting-edge technology and breathtaking adventure but it is above all a human endeavour. “The story of Apollo 15 is a story of betrayal by people and by the government”Probably the most scientifically demanding Apollo mission, Apollo 15 was launched on 26th July 1971 on a two week mission. Al Worden in the command module orbited the Moon for 75 orbits whilst Dave Scott and James Irwin explored the south eastern edge of Mare Imbrium on the Moon’s surface.  Apollo 15 launched with the heaviest payload of all Apollo missions and included the first moon rover, a sub-satellite launched from Apollo 15 in to lunar orbit and a collection of science instruments including a high resolution camera to map the lunar surface. To coincide with the 40th anniversary, on July 26th 2011, writing with Francis French Al Worden is publishing his autobiography.  In this interview recorded in London on 22nd May, Al talks about his test pilot career before joining NASA, the Apollo 15 mission, the “Covers incident” (these were stamped postal covers franked on the day of launch and again the day of ret urn for subsequent public sale) his post NASA career and his autobiography Falling to Earth. In addition to bringing back 77kg of Lunar Material, high resolution images of the Moon from lunar orbit and images of the zodiacal light, solar corona and gegenschein, Al Worden conducted a 38 minute space walk a day after they fired the engine for their journey home from Lunar orbit. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Al during this interview. It is a reminder that space exploration is not only about cutting-edge technology and breathtaking adventure but it is above all a human endeavour. “The story of Apollo 15 is a story of betrayal by people and by the government”Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-44-15th-may-2011-first-orbit-and-manchesters-yuri-gagarin-exhibition/ Sun, 15 May 2011 14:22:24 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=886 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-44-15th-may-2011-first-orbit-and-manchesters-yuri-gagarin-exhibition/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-44-15th-may-2011-first-orbit-and-manchesters-yuri-gagarin-exhibition/feed/ 0 Another Yuri Gagarin episode, I know the anniversary of the world’s first spaceflight is over but there is still lots going on over the next few months. There are two contributors in this episode, Chris Riley and Richard Evans. One of the most successful projects to mark the anniversary is the film First Orbit. The only camera aboard Vostok 1 was on the inside, transmitting live pictures of Gagarin’s face to the nervous engineers who anxiously monitored mankind’s first experience of spaceflight. First Orbit is a remarkably accurate recreation of what Gagarin would have seen compiled from high definition video shot from the space station. Astonishingly, this undertaking of international proportions, was put together by numerous unpaid volunteers and almost three million who have seen it, saw it for free.  It is still available for viewing online and for download – still free. If you want to make a contribution and have a smart phone (Android or Iphone) the First Orbit app will set you back about 70 pence. First Orbit was produced and directed by Chris Riley along with many other volunteers. Chances are you have already seen the film. Also available from firstorbit.org website is a short but  facinating video about the making of First Orbit.  Chris Riley talks about his next project “Orbit” but begins with how the idea of First Orbit came about. Yuri Gagarin was in Britain for 5 days; he spent the second one, Wednesday 12th July 1961, in Manchester.  A major in the Soviet Air Force, he started off his career as a foundryman.  During his six hours in the city, he visited the headquarters of the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers in Old Trafford, the Metropolitan Vickers Engineering plant in Trafford Park and concluded with a civic reception in Manchester Town Hall. The only event in Manchester to mark the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's visit is an exhibition at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale running through until 17th August 2011. The exhibition and program of events have been driven by the science fiction author Richard Evans. He talks about the exhibition but starts with his current writing project. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Yuri Gagarin asserting his working class roots during his Manchester visit. “Although I am doing a different job now, I am still a foundry worker at heart” http://www.firstorbit.org/how-we-made-the-film Gurbir Singh full 18:08 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=886-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAnother Yuri Gagarin episode, I know the anniversary of the world’s first spaceflight is over but there is still lots going on over the next few months. There are two contributors in this episode, Chris Riley and Richard Evans. One of the most successful projects to mark the anniversary is the film First Orbit. The only camera aboard Vostok 1 was on the inside, transmitting live pictures of Gagarin’s face to the nervous engineers who anxiously monitored mankind’s first experience of spaceflight. First Orbit is a remarkably accurate recreation of what Gagarin would have seen compiled from high definition video shot from the space station. Astonishingly, this undertaking of international proportions, was put together by numerous unpaid volunteers and almost three million who have seen it, saw it for free.  It is still available for viewing online and for download – still free. If you want to make a contribution and have a smart phone (Android or Iphone) the First Orbit app will set you back about 70 pence. First Orbit was produced and directed by Chris Riley along with many other volunteers. Chances are you have already seen the film. Also available from firstorbit.org website is a short but  facinating video about the making of First Orbit.  Chris Riley talks about his next project “Orbit” but begins with how the idea of First Orbit came about. Yuri Gagarin was in Britain for 5 days; he spent the second one, Wednesday 12th July 1961, in Manchester.  A major in the Soviet Air Force, he started off his career as a foundryman.  During his six hours in the city, he visited the headquarters of the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers in Old Trafford, the Metropolitan Vickers Engineering plant in Trafford Park and concluded with a civic reception in Manchester Town Hall. The only event in Manchester to mark the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's visit is an exhibition at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale running through until 17th August 2011. The exhibition and program of events have been driven by the science fiction author Richard Evans. He talks about the exhibition but starts with his current writing project. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Yuri Gagarin asserting his working class roots during his Manchester visit. “Although I am doing a different job now, I am still a foundry worker at heart” http://www.firstorbit.org/how-we-made-the-filmAnother Yuri Gagarin episode, I know the anniversary of the world’s first spaceflight is over but there is still lots going on over the next few months. There are two contributors in this episode, Chris Riley and Richard Evans. One of the most successful projects to mark the anniversary is the film First Orbit. The only camera aboard Vostok 1 was on the inside, transmitting live pictures of Gagarin’s face to the nervous engineers who anxiously monitored mankind’s first experience of spaceflight. First Orbit is a remarkably accurate recreation of what Gagarin would have seen compiled from high definition video shot from the space station. Astonishingly, this undertaking of international proportions, was put together by numerous unpaid volunteers and almost three million who have seen it, saw it for free.  It is still available for viewing online and for download – still free. If you want to make a contribution and have a smart phone (Android or Iphone) the First Orbit app will set you back about 70 pence. First Orbit was produced and directed by Chris Riley along with many other volunteers. Chances are you have already seen the film. Also available from firstorbit.org website is a short but  facinating video about the making of First Orbit.  Chris Riley talks about his next project “Orbit” but begins with how the idea of First Orbit came about. Yuri Gagarin was in Britain for 5 days; he spent the second one, Wednesday 12th July 1961, in Manchester.  A major in the Soviet Air Force, he started off his career as a foundryman.  During his six hours in the city, he visited the headquarters of the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers in Old Trafford, the Metropolitan Vickers Engineering plant in Trafford Park and concluded with a civic reception in Manchester Town Hall. The only event in Manchester to mark the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's visit is an exhibition at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale running through until 17th August 2011. The exhibition and program of events have been driven by the science fiction author Richard Evans. He talks about the exhibition but starts with his current writing project. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Yuri Gagarin asserting his working class roots during his Manchester visit. “Although I am doing a different job now, I am still a foundry worker at heart” http://www.firstorbit.org/how-we-made-the-filmSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-43-april-18th-2011-apollo-12-and-captain-richard-gordon-2/ Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:00:07 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=819 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-43-april-18th-2011-apollo-12-and-captain-richard-gordon-2/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-43-april-18th-2011-apollo-12-and-captain-richard-gordon-2/feed/ 0 1969 is remembered for the unique event in history, Apollo 11 and the first men, Neil and Buzz on the surface of the Moon. Before the year was out, another three men headed the same way. On November 19th, Pete Conrad and Alan Bean precision landed Apollo 12 in the Ocean of Storms within walking distance of Surveyor 3, which had arrived two years earlier. The command module pilot Richard Gordon waited in lunar orbit while Conrad and Bean made two lunar EVAs during the thirty-one hours they were on the lunar surface. In April, Capt. Dick Gordon came to Pontefract in England. Gordon is one of several astronauts who have made that particular journey under the auspices of Ken Willoughby. This episode is a video recording of my short interview, followed by the Q&A at the end of his public presentation, hence the ambient noise. Ken MacTaggart from The Scotsman was also present in Pontefract, just off-screen. His article is available here. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Apollo 12 commander, Pete Conrad, as he stepped onto the surface of the Moon. "Whoopee! Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but it's a long one for me!" Apollo 12 Dick Gordon Episode 43 www.astrotalkuk.org from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo. Gurbir Singh full 12:06 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=819-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> no1969 is remembered for the unique event in history, Apollo 11 and the first men, Neil and Buzz on the surface of the Moon. Before the year was out, another three men headed the same way. On November 19th, Pete Conrad and Alan Bean precision landed Apollo 12 in the Ocean of Storms within walking distance of Surveyor 3, which had arrived two years earlier. The command module pilot Richard Gordon waited in lunar orbit while Conrad and Bean made two lunar EVAs during the thirty-one hours they were on the lunar surface. In April, Capt. Dick Gordon came to Pontefract in England. Gordon is one of several astronauts who have made that particular journey under the auspices of Ken Willoughby. This episode is a video recording of my short interview, followed by the Q&A at the end of his public presentation, hence the ambient noise. Ken MacTaggart from The Scotsman was also present in Pontefract, just off-screen. His article is available here. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Apollo 12 commander, Pete Conrad, as he stepped onto the surface of the Moon. "Whoopee! Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but it's a long one for me!" Apollo 12 Dick Gordon Episode 43 www.astrotalkuk.org from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.1969 is remembered for the unique event in history, Apollo 11 and the first men, Neil and Buzz on the surface of the Moon. Before the year was out, another three men headed the same way. On November 19th, Pete Conrad and Alan Bean precision landed Apollo 12 in the Ocean of Storms within walking distance of Surveyor 3, which had arrived two years earlier. The command module pilot Richard Gordon waited in lunar orbit while Conrad and Bean made two lunar EVAs during the thirty-one hours they were on the lunar surface. In April, Capt. Dick Gordon came to Pontefract in England. Gordon is one of several astronauts who have made that particular journey under the auspices of Ken Willoughby. This episode is a video recording of my short interview, followed by the Q&A at the end of his public presentation, hence the ambient noise. Ken MacTaggart from The Scotsman was also present in Pontefract, just off-screen. His article is available here. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Apollo 12 commander, Pete Conrad, as he stepped onto the surface of the Moon. "Whoopee! Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but it's a long one for me!" Apollo 12 Dick Gordon Episode 43 www.astrotalkuk.org from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-42-april-12th-2011-rare-video-of-yuri-gagarin-in-manchester/ Tue, 12 Apr 2011 01:00:45 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=792 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-42-april-12th-2011-rare-video-of-yuri-gagarin-in-manchester/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-42-april-12th-2011-rare-video-of-yuri-gagarin-in-manchester/feed/ 2 Scroll down for the audio and video. On a cold, bright Wednesday morning, fifty years ago, in the Soviet town of  Turatam, a rocket launched a man into space. A critical initial step for any civilisation that eventually travels to the stars. Any first is both special and trivial. Special because, by definition, it only happens once and arises from a complex set of circumstances that come together at that point in time.  It is trivial in the sense that there is nothing inherently unique about the individuals involved. They, too, are chosen by circumstance largely beyond their control. Driven perhaps by a desire for personal glory, an overwhelming sense of duty or an innate curiosity to explore, the early space travellers and those who facilitated it overcame personal challenges, exhaustive training and exposure to unrivalled grave danger to bring a new experience to mankind. Less than a month after his 27th birthday, Yuri Gagarin was launched into space aboard Vostok 1. Fifty years on, there are now around 550 human beings to have experienced spaceflight in Earth orbit. Of all the orbital spaceflights, Gagarin’s 108-minute flight is the shortest. It was his only spaceflight. He died in an air crash in 1968 whilst training to return to spaceflight. In the immediate aftermath of his flight, Gagarin embarked on what turned out to be pretty much a world tour. In July 1961, he came to Britain at the invitation of the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers because, prior to joining the Soviet Air Force, Gagarin had trained and worked as a foundryman. He ended up meeting the British Prime Minister in London and the Queen invited him for lunch at Buckingham Palace, but he came to Manchester first because that is where the union was based. Gagarin visited the union headquarters where he was made their first honorary member and awarded a gold medal inscribed with the word “together moulding a better world”. He went on to visit a foundry in Trafford Park (the world’s first purpose-built and largest industrial estate) and then Manchester Town Hall for a civic reception where he met Sir Bernard Lovell, director of Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, who had assisted in the tracking of Soviet satellites and spaceships. This week’s episode is the story of a short, originally 16mm cine film, partially with audio recorded during Gagarin’s visit to Manchester on 12th July 1961.  The film shows Gagarin’s arrival at Manchester Ringway Airport, the presentation ceremony at the union office in Old Trafford, his visits to the foundry workers in Trafford Park and the Manchester Town Hall. The roll of film was discovered unlabelled in a cupboard in 1986 as the union prepared to move out of the building that Gagarin visited to another.  The discovery was made by Alf Lloyd, a Union Regional Officer and colleague. It had no label and was almost discarded.  Alf Lloyd presented the film to the Manchester-based North West Film Archive in 1987. In early 2011, by chance, I had been in contact with space historian Francis French, who is from Manchester but is now the Director of Education at the San Diego Air and Space Museum in California. In 1987 he was researching Gagarin’s visit to Manchester when he was shown a cine film in a Manchester union office on a cine projector. During the screening, a part of the film broke off, and he was given the broken segment as a gift.  Fortunately, Francis kept that segment safe and recognised that his segment was part of the same roll of film. Almost a quarter of a century later, the two sections have been once again digitally reunited, and an edited version is available online at Astrotalkuk.org.  The original film resides with the Northwest Film Archive. Not least because of his humble family origins but also because of his deep communist principles, the empathy and warmth Gagarin experienced during his meeting with the foundry workers in Trafford Park was genuine and sincere. On 12th April 1962, the first anniversary of his flight, Gagarin sent a message to the Foundry Workers in Manchester via Moscow Radio’s English service. The message starts with the words “Dear Brothers”, and goes on to recall his experience of his visit to Manchester and includes the moving statement “The firm handshakes of my fellow workers in the moulding workshops were dearer to me than many awards”. The original recording had audio on only two sections. The first audio section is a record of the presentation of the honorary membership at the union office by the AUFW president, Fred Hollingsworth. In the second audio section, Gagarin fields questions at the reception in Manchester Town Hall. Gagarin did not speak English; his translator was Boris Biletsky. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Yuri Gagarin himself. When you read the text of his speeches, reports in newspapers and his formal messages, one reoccurring topic is about peace and friendship. Much is, no doubt, simple rhetoric, a response to the prevailing Cold War uncertainties, and even political propaganda. On reflection, however, I think much of it was honest, heartfelt and a genuine expression of his personal desire for peace and friendship. In a New Year’s greeting message of 1962, he states “May this year be a year of peace on Earth and may the friendship between the British and Soviet peoples develop and grow stronger”. Gurbir Singh full 11:33 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=792-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noScroll down for the audio and video. On a cold, bright Wednesday morning, fifty years ago, in the Soviet town of  Turatam, a rocket launched a man into space. A critical initial step for any civilisation that eventually travels to the stars. Any first is both special and trivial. Special because, by definition, it only happens once and arises from a complex set of circumstances that come together at that point in time.  It is trivial in the sense that there is nothing inherently unique about the individuals involved. They, too, are chosen by circumstance largely beyond their control. Driven perhaps by a desire for personal glory, an overwhelming sense of duty or an innate curiosity to explore, the early space travellers and those who facilitated it overcame personal challenges, exhaustive training and exposure to unrivalled grave danger to bring a new experience to mankind. Less than a month after his 27th birthday, Yuri Gagarin was launched into space aboard Vostok 1. Fifty years on, there are now around 550 human beings to have experienced spaceflight in Earth orbit. Of all the orbital spaceflights, Gagarin’s 108-minute flight is the shortest. It was his only spaceflight. He died in an air crash in 1968 whilst training to return to spaceflight. In the immediate aftermath of his flight, Gagarin embarked on what turned out to be pretty much a world tour. In July 1961, he came to Britain at the invitation of the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers because, prior to joining the Soviet Air Force, Gagarin had trained and worked as a foundryman. He ended up meeting the British Prime Minister in London and the Queen invited him for lunch at Buckingham Palace, but he came to Manchester first because that is where the union was based. Gagarin visited the union headquarters where he was made their first honorary member and awarded a gold medal inscribed with the word “together moulding a better world”. He went on to visit a foundry in Trafford Park (the world’s first purpose-built and largest industrial estate) and then Manchester Town Hall for a civic reception where he met Sir Bernard Lovell, director of Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, who had assisted in the tracking of Soviet satellites and spaceships. This week’s episode is the story of a short, originally 16mm cine film, partially with audio recorded during Gagarin’s visit to Manchester on 12th July 1961.  The film shows Gagarin’s arrival at Manchester Ringway Airport, the presentation ceremony at the union office in Old Trafford, his visits to the foundry workers in Trafford Park and the Manchester Town Hall. The roll of film was discovered unlabelled in a cupboard in 1986 as the union prepared to move out of the building that Gagarin visited to another.  The discovery was made by Alf Lloyd, a Union Regional Officer and colleague. It had no label and was almost discarded.  Alf Lloyd presented the film to the Manchester-based North West Film Archive in 1987. In early 2011, by chance, I had been in contact with space historian Francis French, who is from Manchester but is now the Director of Education at the San Diego Air and Space Museum in California. In 1987 he was researching Gagarin’s visit to Manchester when he was shown a cine film in a Manchester union office on a cine projector. During the screening, a part of the film broke off, and he was given the broken segment as a gift.  Fortunately, Francis kept that segment safe and recognised that his segment was part of the same roll of film. Almost a quarter of a century later, the two sections have been once again digitally reunited, and an edited version is available online at Astrotalkuk.org.  The original film resides with the Northwest Film Archive. Not least because of his humble family origins but also because of his deep communist principles, the empathy and warmth Gagarin experienced during his meeting with the foundry workers in Trafford Park was genuine and sincere. On 12th April 1962, the first anniversary of his flight, Gagarin sent a message to the Foundry Workers in Manchester via Moscow Radio’s English service. The message starts with the words “Dear Brothers”, and goes on to recall his experience of his visit to Manchester and includes the moving statement “The firm handshakes of my fellow workers in the moulding workshops were dearer to me than many awards”. The original recording had audio on only two sections. The first audio section is a record of the presentation of the honorary membership at the union office by the AUFW president, Fred Hollingsworth. In the second audio section, Gagarin fields questions at the reception in Manchester Town Hall. Gagarin did not speak English; his translator was Boris Biletsky. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Yuri Gagarin himself. When you read the text of his speeches, reports in newspapers and his formal messages, one reoccurring topic is about peace and friendship. Much is, no doubt, simple rhetoric, a response to the prevailing Cold War uncertainties, and even political propaganda. On reflection, however, I think much of it was honest, heartfelt and a genuine expression of his personal desire for peace and friendship. In a New Year’s greeting message of 1962, he states “May this year be a year of peace on Earth and may the friendship between the British and Soviet peoples develop and grow stronger”.Scroll down for the audio and video. On a cold, bright Wednesday morning, fifty years ago, in the Soviet town of  Turatam, a rocket launched a man into space. A critical initial step for any civilisation that eventually travels to the stars. Any first is both special and trivial. Special because, by definition, it only happens once and arises from a complex set of circumstances that come together at that point in time.  It is trivial in the sense that there is nothing inherently unique about the individuals involved. They, too, are chosen by circumstance largely beyond their control. Driven perhaps by a desire for personal glory, an overwhelming sense of duty or an innate curiosity to explore, the early space travellers and those who facilitated it overcame personal challenges, exhaustive training and exposure to unrivalled grave danger to bring a new experience to mankind. Less than a month after his 27th birthday, Yuri Gagarin was launched into space aboard Vostok 1. Fifty years on, there are now around 550 human beings to have experienced spaceflight in Earth orbit. Of all the orbital spaceflights, Gagarin’s 108-minute flight is the shortest. It was his only spaceflight. He died in an air crash in 1968 whilst training to return to spaceflight. In the immediate aftermath of his flight, Gagarin embarked on what turned out to be pretty much a world tour. In July 1961, he came to Britain at the invitation of the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers because, prior to joining the Soviet Air Force, Gagarin had trained and worked as a foundryman. He ended up meeting the British Prime Minister in London and the Queen invited him for lunch at Buckingham Palace, but he came to Manchester first because that is where the union was based. Gagarin visited the union headquarters where he was made their first honorary member and awarded a gold medal inscribed with the word “together moulding a better world”. He went on to visit a foundry in Trafford Park (the world’s first purpose-built and largest industrial estate) and then Manchester Town Hall for a civic reception where he met Sir Bernard Lovell, director of Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, who had assisted in the tracking of Soviet satellites and spaceships. This week’s episode is the story of a short, originally 16mm cine film, partially with audio recorded during Gagarin’s visit to Manchester on 12th July 1961.  The film shows Gagarin’s arrival at Manchester Ringway Airport, the presentation ceremony at the union office in Old Trafford, his visits to the foundry workers in Trafford Park and the Manchester Town Hall. The roll of film was discovered unlabelled in a cupboard in 1986 as the union prepared to move out of the building that Gagarin visited to another.  The discovery was made by Alf Lloyd, a Union Regional Officer and colleague. It had no label and was almost discarded.  Alf Lloyd presented the film to the Manchester-based North West Film Archive in 1987. In early 2011, by chance, I had been in contact with space historian Francis French, who is from Manchester but is now the Director of Education at the San Diego Air and Space Museum in California. In 1987 he was researching Gagarin’s visit to Manchester when he was shown a cine film in a Manchester union office on a cine projector. During the screening, a part of the film broke off, and he was given the broken segment as a gift.  Fortunately, Francis kept that segment safe and recognised that his segment was part of the same roll of film. Almost a quarter of a century later, the two sections have been once again digitally reunited, and an edited version is available online at Astrotalkuk.org.  The original film resides with the Northwest Film Archive. Not least because of his humble family origins but also because of his deep communist principles, the empathy and warmth Gagarin experienced during his meeting with the foundry workers in Trafford Park was genuine and sincere. On 12th April 1962, the first anniversary of his flight, Gagarin sent a message to the Foundry Workers in Manchester via Moscow Radio’s English service. The message starts with the words “Dear Brothers”, and goes on to recall his experience of his visit to Manchester and includes the moving statement “The firm handshakes of my fellow workers in the moulding workshops were dearer to me than many awards”. The original recording had audio on only two sections. The first audio section is a record of the presentation of the honorary membership at the union office by the AUFW president, Fred Hollingsworth. In the second audio section, Gagarin fields questions at the reception in Manchester Town Hall. Gagarin did not speak English; his translator was Boris Biletsky. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Yuri Gagarin himself. When you read the text of his speeches, reports in newspapers and his formal messages, one reoccurring topic is about peace and friendship. Much is, no doubt, simple rhetoric, a response to the prevailing Cold War uncertainties, and even political propaganda. On reflection, however, I think much of it was honest, heartfelt and a genuine expression of his personal desire for peace and friendship. In a New Year’s greeting message of 1962, he states “May this year be a year of peace on Earth and may the friendship between the British and Soviet peoples develop and grow stronger”.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-41-april-9th-2011-yuri-gagarin-and-reg-turnill/ Fri, 08 Apr 2011 23:26:21 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=760 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-41-april-9th-2011-yuri-gagarin-and-reg-turnill/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-41-april-9th-2011-yuri-gagarin-and-reg-turnill/feed/ 5 Scroll down for the audio and video. Reg Turnill joined the BBC in 1956 with the remit to cover aviation and defence. The launch of Sputnik 1 in the following year expanded his remit to include space. He is particularly well known for his coverage of the American Apollo program. In the UK, his name and face, along with that of Patrick Moore and James Burke, is associated with the commentators who covered live the Apollo Moon landings on the BBC. In April 1961, Reg was sent to Moscow for Gagarin's first post-flight international news conference. It turned out to be a fascinating story of Cold War politics and leading-edge space technology. In his own words, Reg describes this as “ a phoney press conference, an entirely choreographed event designed to humiliate the West” and he summarised the whole press conference as “good humoured evasion”. Interacting through an interpreter and restricted to pre-submitted written questions, he had to put aside his usual analytical approach. However, he recognises that this was “a great achievement”. This interview was recorded on January 19th 2011, at his home on the south coast of England. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Reg Turnill's book “The Moon Landings: An Eyewitness Account”. Following John Glen’s second spaceflight in October 1998, Reg at 83 the oldest working space correspondent, asked John Glen, the oldest man in space, a question. In part, Glen answered "Old folk have ambitions and dreams too, like everybody else. So why don't they work for them? Don’t sit on the couch. Go for it" Reg Turnill talks about Yuri Gagarin's first press conference from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo. Gurbir Singh full 21:38 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=760-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noScroll down for the audio and video. Reg Turnill joined the BBC in 1956 with the remit to cover aviation and defence. The launch of Sputnik 1 in the following year expanded his remit to include space. He is particularly well known for his coverage of the American Apollo program. In the UK, his name and face, along with that of Patrick Moore and James Burke, is associated with the commentators who covered live the Apollo Moon landings on the BBC. In April 1961, Reg was sent to Moscow for Gagarin's first post-flight international news conference. It turned out to be a fascinating story of Cold War politics and leading-edge space technology. In his own words, Reg describes this as “ a phoney press conference, an entirely choreographed event designed to humiliate the West” and he summarised the whole press conference as “good humoured evasion”. Interacting through an interpreter and restricted to pre-submitted written questions, he had to put aside his usual analytical approach. However, he recognises that this was “a great achievement”. This interview was recorded on January 19th 2011, at his home on the south coast of England. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Reg Turnill's book “The Moon Landings: An Eyewitness Account”. Following John Glen’s second spaceflight in October 1998, Reg at 83 the oldest working space correspondent, asked John Glen, the oldest man in space, a question. In part, Glen answered "Old folk have ambitions and dreams too, like everybody else. So why don't they work for them? Don’t sit on the couch. Go for it" Reg Turnill talks about Yuri Gagarin's first press conference from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.Scroll down for the audio and video. Reg Turnill joined the BBC in 1956 with the remit to cover aviation and defence. The launch of Sputnik 1 in the following year expanded his remit to include space. He is particularly well known for his coverage of the American Apollo program. In the UK, his name and face, along with that of Patrick Moore and James Burke, is associated with the commentators who covered live the Apollo Moon landings on the BBC. In April 1961, Reg was sent to Moscow for Gagarin's first post-flight international news conference. It turned out to be a fascinating story of Cold War politics and leading-edge space technology. In his own words, Reg describes this as “ a phoney press conference, an entirely choreographed event designed to humiliate the West” and he summarised the whole press conference as “good humoured evasion”. Interacting through an interpreter and restricted to pre-submitted written questions, he had to put aside his usual analytical approach. However, he recognises that this was “a great achievement”. This interview was recorded on January 19th 2011, at his home on the south coast of England. ________________________ Today’s quote is from Reg Turnill's book “The Moon Landings: An Eyewitness Account”. Following John Glen’s second spaceflight in October 1998, Reg at 83 the oldest working space correspondent, asked John Glen, the oldest man in space, a question. In part, Glen answered "Old folk have ambitions and dreams too, like everybody else. So why don't they work for them? Don’t sit on the couch. Go for it" Reg Turnill talks about Yuri Gagarin's first press conference from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-40-april-2nd-2011-gagarin-in-london-captain-eric-brown/ Sat, 02 Apr 2011 22:00:00 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=685 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-40-april-2nd-2011-gagarin-in-london-captain-eric-brown/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-40-april-2nd-2011-gagarin-in-london-captain-eric-brown/feed/ 2 Scroll down for the options to play audio and video. On the third of Gagarin’s five days in Britain, immediately following his meeting with Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, on Thursday, 13th July 1961, he had the only private meeting of his visit with Captain Eric Brown, where the press was not invited, no photographs were taken, and no official record was kept.  During this “test pilot” to “test pilot” meeting, Gagarin clearly told Brown that he had ejected from his spacecraft. Although not in the same league as Brown, Brown considered Gagarin to be a test pilot. The Soviets consistently maintained that he had not, but eventually, a decade later, they conceded officially that Gagarin had bailed out and landed by parachute. When I asked Captain Brown why he had never published the details of his private meeting before, “no one asked me before” replied. At the time, Captain Brown was the deputy director of Naval Air Warfare, and the meeting took place between him, his deputy and a colleague from the Admiralty who could speak Russian, but that was kept secret from Gagarin and Belitsky. Brown sought additional confidence that the translator was translating sincerely. Captain Brown has had a unique career as a test pilot. He had met many of the key players in aviation and rocket design. Hanna Reitsch, Hermann Göring und Wernher von Braun. Brown’s achievements as a test pilot were well established and it is probably with the knowledge of his accomplishments that the Soviets agreed to such a meeting. Brown still holds the world record in deck landings (2407) and the number of aircraft types flown (487). He also has several firsts (the first deck landing of a twin-engine aircraft and the first deck landing of a jet engine), of which the Russians and Gagarin would have been aware. By 1960, many of his books were available in translation in technical colleges, which young aviators like Gagarin would have come across. It is likely that Gagarin knew of Brown and wanted to meet Brown just as much as Brown wanted to meet Gagarin. Immediately following the war, Brown was inevitably involved in supersonic flight testing, reaching speeds up to Mach 0.9. He was testing a secret high-performance aircraft designated as the Miles M52, which was suddenly and suspiciously dropped in 1946. Had it not been, it was very likely that Brown would have added first supersonic flight to his collections of firsts. In the event, Chuck Jaeger in the USA claimed that achievement in 1947. He is considered by some in the aviation industry to be the greatest test pilot ever. An extensive interview, recorded in his home on 19th January two days before his 92nd birthday, is edited specifically for his recollections about Yuri Gagarin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIvHDMRlVe4 Gurbir Singh full 25:25 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=685-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noScroll down for the options to play audio and video. On the third of Gagarin’s five days in Britain, immediately following his meeting with Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, on Thursday, 13th July 1961, he had the only private meeting of his visit with Captain Eric Brown, where the press was not invited, no photographs were taken, and no official record was kept.  During this “test pilot” to “test pilot” meeting, Gagarin clearly told Brown that he had ejected from his spacecraft. Although not in the same league as Brown, Brown considered Gagarin to be a test pilot. The Soviets consistently maintained that he had not, but eventually, a decade later, they conceded officially that Gagarin had bailed out and landed by parachute. When I asked Captain Brown why he had never published the details of his private meeting before, “no one asked me before” replied. At the time, Captain Brown was the deputy director of Naval Air Warfare, and the meeting took place between him, his deputy and a colleague from the Admiralty who could speak Russian, but that was kept secret from Gagarin and Belitsky. Brown sought additional confidence that the translator was translating sincerely. Captain Brown has had a unique career as a test pilot. He had met many of the key players in aviation and rocket design. Hanna Reitsch, Hermann Göring und Wernher von Braun. Brown’s achievements as a test pilot were well established and it is probably with the knowledge of his accomplishments that the Soviets agreed to such a meeting. Brown still holds the world record in deck landings (2407) and the number of aircraft types flown (487). He also has several firsts (the first deck landing of a twin-engine aircraft and the first deck landing of a jet engine), of which the Russians and Gagarin would have been aware. By 1960, many of his books were available in translation in technical colleges, which young aviators like Gagarin would have come across. It is likely that Gagarin knew of Brown and wanted to meet Brown just as much as Brown wanted to meet Gagarin. Immediately following the war, Brown was inevitably involved in supersonic flight testing, reaching speeds up to Mach 0.9. He was testing a secret high-performance aircraft designated as the Miles M52, which was suddenly and suspiciously dropped in 1946. Had it not been, it was very likely that Brown would have added first supersonic flight to his collections of firsts. In the event, Chuck Jaeger in the USA claimed that achievement in 1947. He is considered by some in the aviation industry to be the greatest test pilot ever. An extensive interview, recorded in his home on 19th January two days before his 92nd birthday, is edited specifically for his recollections about Yuri Gagarin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIvHDMRlVe4Scroll down for the options to play audio and video. On the third of Gagarin’s five days in Britain, immediately following his meeting with Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, on Thursday, 13th July 1961, he had the only private meeting of his visit with Captain Eric Brown, where the press was not invited, no photographs were taken, and no official record was kept.  During this “test pilot” to “test pilot” meeting, Gagarin clearly told Brown that he had ejected from his spacecraft. Although not in the same league as Brown, Brown considered Gagarin to be a test pilot. The Soviets consistently maintained that he had not, but eventually, a decade later, they conceded officially that Gagarin had bailed out and landed by parachute. When I asked Captain Brown why he had never published the details of his private meeting before, “no one asked me before” replied. At the time, Captain Brown was the deputy director of Naval Air Warfare, and the meeting took place between him, his deputy and a colleague from the Admiralty who could speak Russian, but that was kept secret from Gagarin and Belitsky. Brown sought additional confidence that the translator was translating sincerely. Captain Brown has had a unique career as a test pilot. He had met many of the key players in aviation and rocket design. Hanna Reitsch, Hermann Göring und Wernher von Braun. Brown’s achievements as a test pilot were well established and it is probably with the knowledge of his accomplishments that the Soviets agreed to such a meeting. Brown still holds the world record in deck landings (2407) and the number of aircraft types flown (487). He also has several firsts (the first deck landing of a twin-engine aircraft and the first deck landing of a jet engine), of which the Russians and Gagarin would have been aware. By 1960, many of his books were available in translation in technical colleges, which young aviators like Gagarin would have come across. It is likely that Gagarin knew of Brown and wanted to meet Brown just as much as Brown wanted to meet Gagarin. Immediately following the war, Brown was inevitably involved in supersonic flight testing, reaching speeds up to Mach 0.9. He was testing a secret high-performance aircraft designated as the Miles M52, which was suddenly and suspiciously dropped in 1946. Had it not been, it was very likely that Brown would have added first supersonic flight to his collections of firsts. In the event, Chuck Jaeger in the USA claimed that achievement in 1947. He is considered by some in the aviation industry to be the greatest test pilot ever. An extensive interview, recorded in his home on 19th January two days before his 92nd birthday, is edited specifically for his recollections about Yuri Gagarin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIvHDMRlVe4Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-39-march-19th-2011-spacecraft-operations/ Sat, 19 Mar 2011 17:24:00 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=647 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-39-march-19th-2011-spacecraft-operations/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-39-march-19th-2011-spacecraft-operations/feed/ 0 Scroll to the bottom for the audio and video. Since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, thousands of unmanned spacecraft have been launched, mostly to Earth orbit, but many have gone to the inner and outer planets, and four of them have pretty much left the Solar System altogether. European Space Agency’s Mars Express spacecraft arrived at Mars in 2003 and is still operating almost a decade later. It is operated by people in a profession initiated by the space age itself. Spacecraft Operations Engineers are the individuals who quietly take over the responsibility of spacecraft after the nerve wrenching excitement of the launch is over. Thomas Ormston, a Spacecraft Operations Engineer for VEGA Space GmbH, working at the European Space Operations Centre on the European Space agency's Mars Express mission describes in this episode the steps involved in controlling Mars Express from over one hundred million miles from Earth. The Hubble Space Telescope is the single instrument that has probably contributed more to science in the last decade than any other. Its success is not the size of its 2.4m mirror, there are many larger telescopes on Earth but its location. Many amateur astronomers have captured images of Mars using a webcam. Such images are usually tiny but with integration techniques a surprising amount of surface details is visible. What would it be like if you could put that webcam in Martian orbit? Thomas and his colleagues have done just that. Several ESA spacecraft have an attached Visual Monitoring Cameras (VMC),  usually installed for a very specific purpose. Mars Express had one to monitor the release of Beagle 2, after that it was switched off. Thomas describes the details behind the project that reactivated the camera in a paper published online and the fascinating video compiled from 600 images taken by the VMC webcam during the 7 hour Martian orbit on 27th May 2010. It continues to take images which are posted here. _________________________ Today’s quote from John Lennon is about the critical importance of the role of human understanding in interpreting the real world, even when you have all the evidence that you could possible desire. Reality leaves a lot to the imagination _________________________ Audio   Episode 39: March 19th 2011 - Spacecraft Operations from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=647-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noScroll to the bottom for the audio and video. Since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, thousands of unmanned spacecraft have been launched, mostly to Earth orbit, but many have gone to the inner and outer planets, and four of them have pretty much left the Solar System altogether. European Space Agency’s Mars Express spacecraft arrived at Mars in 2003 and is still operating almost a decade later. It is operated by people in a profession initiated by the space age itself. Spacecraft Operations Engineers are the individuals who quietly take over the responsibility of spacecraft after the nerve wrenching excitement of the launch is over. Thomas Ormston, a Spacecraft Operations Engineer for VEGA Space GmbH, working at the European Space Operations Centre on the European Space agency's Mars Express mission describes in this episode the steps involved in controlling Mars Express from over one hundred million miles from Earth. The Hubble Space Telescope is the single instrument that has probably contributed more to science in the last decade than any other. Its success is not the size of its 2.4m mirror, there are many larger telescopes on Earth but its location. Many amateur astronomers have captured images of Mars using a webcam. Such images are usually tiny but with integration techniques a surprising amount of surface details is visible. What would it be like if you could put that webcam in Martian orbit? Thomas and his colleagues have done just that. Several ESA spacecraft have an attached Visual Monitoring Cameras (VMC),  usually installed for a very specific purpose. Mars Express had one to monitor the release of Beagle 2, after that it was switched off. Thomas describes the details behind the project that reactivated the camera in a paper published online and the fascinating video compiled from 600 images taken by the VMC webcam during the 7 hour Martian orbit on 27th May 2010. It continues to take images which are posted here. _________________________ Today’s quote from John Lennon is about the critical importance of the role of human understanding in interpreting the real world, even when you have all the evidence that you could possible desire. Reality leaves a lot to the imagination _________________________ Audio   Episode 39: March 19th 2011 - Spacecraft Operations from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.Scroll to the bottom for the audio and video. Since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, thousands of unmanned spacecraft have been launched, mostly to Earth orbit, but many have gone to the inner and outer planets, and four of them have pretty much left the Solar System altogether. European Space Agency’s Mars Express spacecraft arrived at Mars in 2003 and is still operating almost a decade later. It is operated by people in a profession initiated by the space age itself. Spacecraft Operations Engineers are the individuals who quietly take over the responsibility of spacecraft after the nerve wrenching excitement of the launch is over. Thomas Ormston, a Spacecraft Operations Engineer for VEGA Space GmbH, working at the European Space Operations Centre on the European Space agency's Mars Express mission describes in this episode the steps involved in controlling Mars Express from over one hundred million miles from Earth. The Hubble Space Telescope is the single instrument that has probably contributed more to science in the last decade than any other. Its success is not the size of its 2.4m mirror, there are many larger telescopes on Earth but its location. Many amateur astronomers have captured images of Mars using a webcam. Such images are usually tiny but with integration techniques a surprising amount of surface details is visible. What would it be like if you could put that webcam in Martian orbit? Thomas and his colleagues have done just that. Several ESA spacecraft have an attached Visual Monitoring Cameras (VMC),  usually installed for a very specific purpose. Mars Express had one to monitor the release of Beagle 2, after that it was switched off. Thomas describes the details behind the project that reactivated the camera in a paper published online and the fascinating video compiled from 600 images taken by the VMC webcam during the 7 hour Martian orbit on 27th May 2010. It continues to take images which are posted here. _________________________ Today’s quote from John Lennon is about the critical importance of the role of human understanding in interpreting the real world, even when you have all the evidence that you could possible desire. Reality leaves a lot to the imagination _________________________ Audio   Episode 39: March 19th 2011 - Spacecraft Operations from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-38-january-23rd-2011-want-to-be-an-astronaut-book-a-ticket-online/ Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:30:07 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=542 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-38-january-23rd-2011-want-to-be-an-astronaut-book-a-ticket-online/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-38-january-23rd-2011-want-to-be-an-astronaut-book-a-ticket-online/feed/ 2 Scroll to the bottom of this post to play the audio or watch the video. Going in to space was nothing more than a dream for many of us for such a long time. But things are changing profoundly and fast. Once, human spaceflight was only possible as part of a national government project. Then, a decade ago, Denis Tito (on 28th April 2001) became the first self-funding astronaut by signing a cheque for $20 million. Now in 2011, Spaceflight has never been easier or cheaper. Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has now brought the price down to $200,000 for a brief suborbital flight. Imagine spaceflight for a price less than that of a small house in London. In the year that marks the 50th anniversary of human spaceflight, it is about time, isn’t it? A familiar name in the astronomical community, Nigel Henbest, a writer, broadcaster and television producer, took a not-too-deep breath and signed on the dotted line and is now on the road to his space experience in the next year or two. As the private sector develops, perhaps the commercial spaceflight market will experience the same rapid innovation and price reduction we saw in the personal computer market. Is it too speculative to imagine that within a few years the price of a suborbital flight will come down, perhaps to that of a family car? In this episode Nigel, talks about why he wants to go in to space and the steps involved in the process of getting there.  Nigel has written about his flight here. To see a high-resolution image of the huge Virgin Galactic brochure, click the image. _________________________ This episode's quote You see things and say why? But I dream things that never were and say why not? George Bernard Shaw Gurbir Singh full 31:59 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=542-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noScroll to the bottom of this post to play the audio or watch the video. Going in to space was nothing more than a dream for many of us for such a long time. But things are changing profoundly and fast. Once, human spaceflight was only possible as part of a national government project. Then, a decade ago, Denis Tito (on 28th April 2001) became the first self-funding astronaut by signing a cheque for $20 million. Now in 2011, Spaceflight has never been easier or cheaper. Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has now brought the price down to $200,000 for a brief suborbital flight. Imagine spaceflight for a price less than that of a small house in London. In the year that marks the 50th anniversary of human spaceflight, it is about time, isn’t it? A familiar name in the astronomical community, Nigel Henbest, a writer, broadcaster and television producer, took a not-too-deep breath and signed on the dotted line and is now on the road to his space experience in the next year or two. As the private sector develops, perhaps the commercial spaceflight market will experience the same rapid innovation and price reduction we saw in the personal computer market. Is it too speculative to imagine that within a few years the price of a suborbital flight will come down, perhaps to that of a family car? In this episode Nigel, talks about why he wants to go in to space and the steps involved in the process of getting there.  Nigel has written about his flight here. To see a high-resolution image of the huge Virgin Galactic brochure, click the image. _________________________ This episode's quote You see things and say why? But I dream things that never were and say why not? George Bernard ShawScroll to the bottom of this post to play the audio or watch the video. Going in to space was nothing more than a dream for many of us for such a long time. But things are changing profoundly and fast. Once, human spaceflight was only possible as part of a national government project. Then, a decade ago, Denis Tito (on 28th April 2001) became the first self-funding astronaut by signing a cheque for $20 million. Now in 2011, Spaceflight has never been easier or cheaper. Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has now brought the price down to $200,000 for a brief suborbital flight. Imagine spaceflight for a price less than that of a small house in London. In the year that marks the 50th anniversary of human spaceflight, it is about time, isn’t it? A familiar name in the astronomical community, Nigel Henbest, a writer, broadcaster and television producer, took a not-too-deep breath and signed on the dotted line and is now on the road to his space experience in the next year or two. As the private sector develops, perhaps the commercial spaceflight market will experience the same rapid innovation and price reduction we saw in the personal computer market. Is it too speculative to imagine that within a few years the price of a suborbital flight will come down, perhaps to that of a family car? In this episode Nigel, talks about why he wants to go in to space and the steps involved in the process of getting there.  Nigel has written about his flight here. To see a high-resolution image of the huge Virgin Galactic brochure, click the image. _________________________ This episode's quote You see things and say why? But I dream things that never were and say why not? George Bernard ShawSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-37-november-21st-2010-progress-of-science-through-the-ages/ Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:46:28 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=505 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-37-november-21st-2010-progress-of-science-through-the-ages/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-37-november-21st-2010-progress-of-science-through-the-ages/feed/ 3 On November 3rd this year, Professor Jim Al-khalili was to give three lectures in Liverpool on the same day (Quantum Physics, Advances in Mathematics in Medieval Islam and On the Shoulders of Eastern Giants: the Forgotten Contribution of the Medieval Physicists). I did feel a bit of a stalker, I attended all three, but fortunately I was not alone. It is not often that I get to witness the scientific method in real life personally. The most illuminating part of the day of the three lectures was the Q&A following the second lecture. A questioner put her hand up and stated clearly that she had a correction, not a question. She had heard the professor discuss the concept and symbol of the number zero. During his lecture, the professor had recalled the contributions from the Babylonians, Mayans and Indian mathematicians. The questioner had been researching the substantial Egyptian contribution to this area, which the professor had not mentioned. What happened next was an affirmation of the scientific method. The professor could have been defensive, confrontational or dismissive. Instead, he listened to her argument and asked her to stay behind to so he could learn details of her research. That is the power of the scientific idea. It stands only on the edifice of evidence and not the economic wealth, social position or academic reputation of those who hold it. The progress of scientific knowledge is not continuous and linear but evolves through a series of stops and starts. Thomas Kuhn, in his 1962 book “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” described the progress of science as periodic “paradigm shifts”. He was referring to the fundamental differences in thinking that have led to leaps in scientific understanding. Could that stop-and-start concept describe how science develops through the ages, too? Scientific discoveries are frequently lost, forgotten or deliberately suppressed. So the story of scientific discovery is frequently a story of rediscovery. William Harvey 's discovery in 1628 of the human heart and circulation of blood though the human body had much in common with that of Ibn al-Nafis 400 years earlier. Nicolas Copernicus is credited in the 16th century with introducing the heliocentric system (placing the Sun not the Earth, in the centre of the solar system) but this idea had been propounded by Aristarchus in the third century BC. The omissions are not just in science. One example of technological development lost for over a thousand years that sticks out like a sore thumb is the Antikythera mechanism, a device for calculating and displaying relative positions of the Sun, Moon and planets. The precision of the internal mechanism would not be repeated for over a thousand years. Why these omissions occur is unclear. History, like science, is always a work in progress. Reflecting on why the ancient Greek tradition of scientific method stalled, Carl Sagan, in his celebrated work, Cosmos, concluded that their society was elitist and self-serving. Key figures like Plato were hostile to experiment and perpetuated the idea that human thought alone was sufficient to explain the physical world. This intellectually corrupt approach sustained their slave, unjust society. Search for truth was not their goal. In his new book “Pathfinders” Professor Al-Khalili attempts to fill “a” gap in the history of science by revisiting the work done by the Arabic scholars during the period known in Europe as the dark ages. It is not a story of Islamic science but of science conducted in the Arabic language which has its roots in Islam. For around 600 years (from 9th to the 15th century), sandwiched between Greek and Latin, the international language of science was Arabic. A professor of theoretical nuclear physics in the University of Surrey, he was born in Baghdad to a Christian mother and a Muslim father. As an atheist, Jim Al-Khalili emphasises the role of Islamic, Persian, Christian and Jewish scholars who not only translated the work of the ancient Greeks but also enhanced and developed it. Just as the ancient Greeks took the concept of an alphabet from the earlier Phoenician civilisation and developed the written language, the scientific (re)discoveries we traditionally associate with the European Renaissance were built in turn on the progress during this golden age of Arabic science. Professor Jim Al-Khalili has his own podcast, but here is a recording we made for this one just prior to the start of his three-lecture session. To start off with, I asked about his personal interest in astronomy. _________________________ The quote for this episode is from the Prophet Mohammed and is in chapter 2 of Pathfinders. “The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr” Gurbir Singh full 19:20 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=505-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noOn November 3rd this year, Professor Jim Al-khalili was to give three lectures in Liverpool on the same day (Quantum Physics, Advances in Mathematics in Medieval Islam and On the Shoulders of Eastern Giants: the Forgotten Contribution of the Medieval Physicists). I did feel a bit of a stalker, I attended all three, but fortunately I was not alone. It is not often that I get to witness the scientific method in real life personally. The most illuminating part of the day of the three lectures was the Q&A following the second lecture. A questioner put her hand up and stated clearly that she had a correction, not a question. She had heard the professor discuss the concept and symbol of the number zero. During his lecture, the professor had recalled the contributions from the Babylonians, Mayans and Indian mathematicians. The questioner had been researching the substantial Egyptian contribution to this area, which the professor had not mentioned. What happened next was an affirmation of the scientific method. The professor could have been defensive, confrontational or dismissive. Instead, he listened to her argument and asked her to stay behind to so he could learn details of her research. That is the power of the scientific idea. It stands only on the edifice of evidence and not the economic wealth, social position or academic reputation of those who hold it. The progress of scientific knowledge is not continuous and linear but evolves through a series of stops and starts. Thomas Kuhn, in his 1962 book “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” described the progress of science as periodic “paradigm shifts”. He was referring to the fundamental differences in thinking that have led to leaps in scientific understanding. Could that stop-and-start concept describe how science develops through the ages, too? Scientific discoveries are frequently lost, forgotten or deliberately suppressed. So the story of scientific discovery is frequently a story of rediscovery. William Harvey 's discovery in 1628 of the human heart and circulation of blood though the human body had much in common with that of Ibn al-Nafis 400 years earlier. Nicolas Copernicus is credited in the 16th century with introducing the heliocentric system (placing the Sun not the Earth, in the centre of the solar system) but this idea had been propounded by Aristarchus in the third century BC. The omissions are not just in science. One example of technological development lost for over a thousand years that sticks out like a sore thumb is the Antikythera mechanism, a device for calculating and displaying relative positions of the Sun, Moon and planets. The precision of the internal mechanism would not be repeated for over a thousand years. Why these omissions occur is unclear. History, like science, is always a work in progress. Reflecting on why the ancient Greek tradition of scientific method stalled, Carl Sagan, in his celebrated work, Cosmos, concluded that their society was elitist and self-serving. Key figures like Plato were hostile to experiment and perpetuated the idea that human thought alone was sufficient to explain the physical world. This intellectually corrupt approach sustained their slave, unjust society. Search for truth was not their goal. In his new book “Pathfinders” Professor Al-Khalili attempts to fill “a” gap in the history of science by revisiting the work done by the Arabic scholars during the period known in Europe as the dark ages. It is not a story of Islamic science but of science conducted in the Arabic language which has its roots in Islam. For around 600 years (from 9th to the 15th century), sandwiched between Greek and Latin, the international language of science was Arabic. A professor of theoretical nuclear physics in the University of Surrey, he was born in Baghdad to a Christian mother and a Muslim father. As an atheist, Jim Al-Khalili emphasises the role of Islamic, Persian, Christian and Jewish scholars who not only translated the work of the ancient Greeks but also enhanced and developed it. Just as the ancient Greeks took the concept of an alphabet from the earlier Phoenician civilisation and developed the written language, the scientific (re)discoveries we traditionally associate with the European Renaissance were built in turn on the progress during this golden age of Arabic science. Professor Jim Al-Khalili has his own podcast, but here is a recording we made for this one just prior to the start of his three-lecture session. To start off with, I asked about his personal interest in astronomy. _________________________ The quote for this episode is from the Prophet Mohammed and is in chapter 2 of Pathfinders. “The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr”On November 3rd this year, Professor Jim Al-khalili was to give three lectures in Liverpool on the same day (Quantum Physics, Advances in Mathematics in Medieval Islam and On the Shoulders of Eastern Giants: the Forgotten Contribution of the Medieval Physicists). I did feel a bit of a stalker, I attended all three, but fortunately I was not alone. It is not often that I get to witness the scientific method in real life personally. The most illuminating part of the day of the three lectures was the Q&A following the second lecture. A questioner put her hand up and stated clearly that she had a correction, not a question. She had heard the professor discuss the concept and symbol of the number zero. During his lecture, the professor had recalled the contributions from the Babylonians, Mayans and Indian mathematicians. The questioner had been researching the substantial Egyptian contribution to this area, which the professor had not mentioned. What happened next was an affirmation of the scientific method. The professor could have been defensive, confrontational or dismissive. Instead, he listened to her argument and asked her to stay behind to so he could learn details of her research. That is the power of the scientific idea. It stands only on the edifice of evidence and not the economic wealth, social position or academic reputation of those who hold it. The progress of scientific knowledge is not continuous and linear but evolves through a series of stops and starts. Thomas Kuhn, in his 1962 book “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” described the progress of science as periodic “paradigm shifts”. He was referring to the fundamental differences in thinking that have led to leaps in scientific understanding. Could that stop-and-start concept describe how science develops through the ages, too? Scientific discoveries are frequently lost, forgotten or deliberately suppressed. So the story of scientific discovery is frequently a story of rediscovery. William Harvey 's discovery in 1628 of the human heart and circulation of blood though the human body had much in common with that of Ibn al-Nafis 400 years earlier. Nicolas Copernicus is credited in the 16th century with introducing the heliocentric system (placing the Sun not the Earth, in the centre of the solar system) but this idea had been propounded by Aristarchus in the third century BC. The omissions are not just in science. One example of technological development lost for over a thousand years that sticks out like a sore thumb is the Antikythera mechanism, a device for calculating and displaying relative positions of the Sun, Moon and planets. The precision of the internal mechanism would not be repeated for over a thousand years. Why these omissions occur is unclear. History, like science, is always a work in progress. Reflecting on why the ancient Greek tradition of scientific method stalled, Carl Sagan, in his celebrated work, Cosmos, concluded that their society was elitist and self-serving. Key figures like Plato were hostile to experiment and perpetuated the idea that human thought alone was sufficient to explain the physical world. This intellectually corrupt approach sustained their slave, unjust society. Search for truth was not their goal. In his new book “Pathfinders” Professor Al-Khalili attempts to fill “a” gap in the history of science by revisiting the work done by the Arabic scholars during the period known in Europe as the dark ages. It is not a story of Islamic science but of science conducted in the Arabic language which has its roots in Islam. For around 600 years (from 9th to the 15th century), sandwiched between Greek and Latin, the international language of science was Arabic. A professor of theoretical nuclear physics in the University of Surrey, he was born in Baghdad to a Christian mother and a Muslim father. As an atheist, Jim Al-Khalili emphasises the role of Islamic, Persian, Christian and Jewish scholars who not only translated the work of the ancient Greeks but also enhanced and developed it. Just as the ancient Greeks took the concept of an alphabet from the earlier Phoenician civilisation and developed the written language, the scientific (re)discoveries we traditionally associate with the European Renaissance were built in turn on the progress during this golden age of Arabic science. Professor Jim Al-Khalili has his own podcast, but here is a recording we made for this one just prior to the start of his three-lecture session. To start off with, I asked about his personal interest in astronomy. _________________________ The quote for this episode is from the Prophet Mohammed and is in chapter 2 of Pathfinders. “The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr”Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-36-october-11th-2010-uk-space-policy-and-yuri-gagarins-visit-to-manchester-and-london-in-july-1961/ Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:10:09 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=477 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-36-october-11th-2010-uk-space-policy-and-yuri-gagarins-visit-to-manchester-and-london-in-july-1961/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-36-october-11th-2010-uk-space-policy-and-yuri-gagarins-visit-to-manchester-and-london-in-july-1961/feed/ 7 Next year, April 12th  2011, marks the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's,  mankind's,  first steps into space. It was a product of the accumulated technology of many countries over many years, but particularly driven by the political landscape resulting from the 2nd world War. Since then, successful robotic missions have visited the planets, asteroids and comets. 24 men have gone to the moon and a dozen have even walked on its surface. Subsequent achievements have fallen short of the expectations raised by Gagarin's flight. Gagarin himself openly spoke of his desire to go to the moon and Mars. That sounds like a pipe dream now but back in 1961, he was absolutely serious and realistic. So what happened? Had the space race been won when Neil and Buzz landed on the Moon? Had the motivation borne out of political rivalries of the Cold War finally been exhausted? Perhaps, the problems closer at home of poverty, population growth, and environmental concerns raced to the top of the political agenda and forced governments into a pragmatic reconsideration of how they spent their cash? Big questions. Too big for this episode, where Dr Chris Welch from Kingston University provides a brief outline of the current status of the Space policy here in the UK.   Dr Welch  also happens to be the chair of the of recently launched YuriGagarin50 group which has amongst its aims: Stimulate celebration and recognition of the global significance of Gagarin and his flight - 'the first person in space, the first person to see the Earth as a planet'. After his flight, Yuri Gagarin embarked on a world tour that included a 4-day visit to the UK, during which he surprisingly visited Manchester on 12th July 1961. By chance, Gagarin's first job was as a moulder in a foundry in Moscow.   He came to the UK and Manchester at the invitation of the Manchester-based Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers. I will be producing another episode focusing on Gagarin's UK visit next year. Did you see Gagarin in July 1961? Do you know someone who did? Share your memories. Drop me a note at info@astrotalkuk.org. With many months to go to next year's 50th anniversary, there are several events already being planned  to celebrate mankind's first steps into space. Keep an eye on the events calendar at  www.yurigagarin50.org ________________________________________________ The quote for this episode is from the Soviet government in 1961 following Gagarin's success in Vostok 1. Perhaps they were deliberately winding up the Americans but there is something warm and reassuring to see a couple of familiar words in the quote  “all mankind” that are on the plaque left on the Moon by the Apollo 11 astronauts. A 1961 official Soviet Government and Communist Party announcement said. “We regard these victories in the conquest of outer space not only as the achievement of our people but as an achievement of all mankind” A video version of this podcast is available on Vimeo here. Gurbir Singh full 16:51 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=477-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noNext year, April 12th  2011, marks the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's,  mankind's,  first steps into space. It was a product of the accumulated technology of many countries over many years, but particularly driven by the political landscape resulting from the 2nd world War. Since then, successful robotic missions have visited the planets, asteroids and comets. 24 men have gone to the moon and a dozen have even walked on its surface. Subsequent achievements have fallen short of the expectations raised by Gagarin's flight. Gagarin himself openly spoke of his desire to go to the moon and Mars. That sounds like a pipe dream now but back in 1961, he was absolutely serious and realistic. So what happened? Had the space race been won when Neil and Buzz landed on the Moon? Had the motivation borne out of political rivalries of the Cold War finally been exhausted? Perhaps, the problems closer at home of poverty, population growth, and environmental concerns raced to the top of the political agenda and forced governments into a pragmatic reconsideration of how they spent their cash? Big questions. Too big for this episode, where Dr Chris Welch from Kingston University provides a brief outline of the current status of the Space policy here in the UK.   Dr Welch  also happens to be the chair of the of recently launched YuriGagarin50 group which has amongst its aims: Stimulate celebration and recognition of the global significance of Gagarin and his flight - 'the first person in space, the first person to see the Earth as a planet'. After his flight, Yuri Gagarin embarked on a world tour that included a 4-day visit to the UK, during which he surprisingly visited Manchester on 12th July 1961. By chance, Gagarin's first job was as a moulder in a foundry in Moscow.   He came to the UK and Manchester at the invitation of the Manchester-based Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers. I will be producing another episode focusing on Gagarin's UK visit next year. Did you see Gagarin in July 1961? Do you know someone who did? Share your memories. Drop me a note at info@astrotalkuk.org. With many months to go to next year's 50th anniversary, there are several events already being planned  to celebrate mankind's first steps into space. Keep an eye on the events calendar at  www.yurigagarin50.org ________________________________________________ The quote for this episode is from the Soviet government in 1961 following Gagarin's success in Vostok 1. Perhaps they were deliberately winding up the Americans but there is something warm and reassuring to see a couple of familiar words in the quote  “all mankind” that are on the plaque left on the Moon by the Apollo 11 astronauts. A 1961 official Soviet Government and Communist Party announcement said. “We regard these victories in the conquest of outer space not only as the achievement of our people but as an achievement of all mankind” A video version of this podcast is available on Vimeo here.Next year, April 12th  2011, marks the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's,  mankind's,  first steps into space. It was a product of the accumulated technology of many countries over many years, but particularly driven by the political landscape resulting from the 2nd world War. Since then, successful robotic missions have visited the planets, asteroids and comets. 24 men have gone to the moon and a dozen have even walked on its surface. Subsequent achievements have fallen short of the expectations raised by Gagarin's flight. Gagarin himself openly spoke of his desire to go to the moon and Mars. That sounds like a pipe dream now but back in 1961, he was absolutely serious and realistic. So what happened? Had the space race been won when Neil and Buzz landed on the Moon? Had the motivation borne out of political rivalries of the Cold War finally been exhausted? Perhaps, the problems closer at home of poverty, population growth, and environmental concerns raced to the top of the political agenda and forced governments into a pragmatic reconsideration of how they spent their cash? Big questions. Too big for this episode, where Dr Chris Welch from Kingston University provides a brief outline of the current status of the Space policy here in the UK.   Dr Welch  also happens to be the chair of the of recently launched YuriGagarin50 group which has amongst its aims: Stimulate celebration and recognition of the global significance of Gagarin and his flight - 'the first person in space, the first person to see the Earth as a planet'. After his flight, Yuri Gagarin embarked on a world tour that included a 4-day visit to the UK, during which he surprisingly visited Manchester on 12th July 1961. By chance, Gagarin's first job was as a moulder in a foundry in Moscow.   He came to the UK and Manchester at the invitation of the Manchester-based Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers. I will be producing another episode focusing on Gagarin's UK visit next year. Did you see Gagarin in July 1961? Do you know someone who did? Share your memories. Drop me a note at info@astrotalkuk.org. With many months to go to next year's 50th anniversary, there are several events already being planned  to celebrate mankind's first steps into space. Keep an eye on the events calendar at  www.yurigagarin50.org ________________________________________________ The quote for this episode is from the Soviet government in 1961 following Gagarin's success in Vostok 1. Perhaps they were deliberately winding up the Americans but there is something warm and reassuring to see a couple of familiar words in the quote  “all mankind” that are on the plaque left on the Moon by the Apollo 11 astronauts. A 1961 official Soviet Government and Communist Party announcement said. “We regard these victories in the conquest of outer space not only as the achievement of our people but as an achievement of all mankind” A video version of this podcast is available on Vimeo here.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/dr-edgar-mitchell-apollo-14/ Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:04:26 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=432 https://astrotalkuk.org/dr-edgar-mitchell-apollo-14/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/dr-edgar-mitchell-apollo-14/feed/ 4 A man playing golf on the moon is one of the images permanently etched into the collective memory of humanity's first exploration of the moon. The so called “golf player” was Alan Shepard the guy with him was Dr Edgar Mitchell whilst Stuart Roosa orbited the moon in the command module. Today, Ed Mitchell, two months away from his 80th birthday is the only remaining member of the Apollo 14 crew. On a recent visit to Pontefract, organised once again by Ken Willoughby, he describes his personal journey to the moon. Amongst other things he highlights his javelin throw which, by a narrow margin, beat the golf ball, as a picture in his presentation illustrates. He spent nine hours on the surface of the moon during two EVAs on February 5th and 6th 1971. Apollo 14 was his only space flight and he left NASA in the following year. Ed Mitchell is perhaps best known for his epiphany moment on the return journey to Earth when he experienced a unique spiritual sensation which has dominated his professional and personal life ever since. To help understand it, he left NASA and establish the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Over the last few years he has frequently spoken publicly about his interest in the paranormal, ESP and UFOs. He asserts that the Roswell incident was real, aliens have landed on the Earth and the US military is responsible for a cover-up. It is strange that someone (a navy pilot and an Apollo astronaut) with a professional life dominated by leading edge science and technology can hold such an unscientific position. He appears oblivious to the contradiction in referring to himself as an astrophysicist and yet accepting Fred Hoyle's Steady State explanation of cosmology, for which there is little evidence, over the Big Bang. I wonder how he explains Hubble's law and the expansion of space, Cosmic microwave background radiation and the relative abundance of primordial elements. I really should have asked him. I did not in part out of deference. Despite his age and unusual views, he remains a member of a unique group of individuals with a special contribution to human history. Who knows, he may well turn out to be right. In the meantime, the main road of science, directed by the sign posts of  observational evidence, is probably still the  best path to a more accurate understanding of the cosmos. Dr Mitchell was kind enough to share his power point slides which I have incorporated into the hour long video presentation. Links to that presentation and a video version of this episode below. ==================================== An increasingly familiar quote from someone else who made a huge contribution to how we should go about understanding the cosmos. Carl Sagan. “I believe that the extraordinary should be pursued. But extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” . Episode 35 - Video (10 minutes) Dr Edgar Mitchell 2nd July 2010 from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=432-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noA man playing golf on the moon is one of the images permanently etched into the collective memory of humanity's first exploration of the moon. The so called “golf player” was Alan Shepard the guy with him was Dr Edgar Mitchell whilst Stuart Roosa orbited the moon in the command module. Today, Ed Mitchell, two months away from his 80th birthday is the only remaining member of the Apollo 14 crew. On a recent visit to Pontefract, organised once again by Ken Willoughby, he describes his personal journey to the moon. Amongst other things he highlights his javelin throw which, by a narrow margin, beat the golf ball, as a picture in his presentation illustrates. He spent nine hours on the surface of the moon during two EVAs on February 5th and 6th 1971. Apollo 14 was his only space flight and he left NASA in the following year. Ed Mitchell is perhaps best known for his epiphany moment on the return journey to Earth when he experienced a unique spiritual sensation which has dominated his professional and personal life ever since. To help understand it, he left NASA and establish the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Over the last few years he has frequently spoken publicly about his interest in the paranormal, ESP and UFOs. He asserts that the Roswell incident was real, aliens have landed on the Earth and the US military is responsible for a cover-up. It is strange that someone (a navy pilot and an Apollo astronaut) with a professional life dominated by leading edge science and technology can hold such an unscientific position. He appears oblivious to the contradiction in referring to himself as an astrophysicist and yet accepting Fred Hoyle's Steady State explanation of cosmology, for which there is little evidence, over the Big Bang. I wonder how he explains Hubble's law and the expansion of space, Cosmic microwave background radiation and the relative abundance of primordial elements. I really should have asked him. I did not in part out of deference. Despite his age and unusual views, he remains a member of a unique group of individuals with a special contribution to human history. Who knows, he may well turn out to be right. In the meantime, the main road of science, directed by the sign posts of  observational evidence, is probably still the  best path to a more accurate understanding of the cosmos. Dr Mitchell was kind enough to share his power point slides which I have incorporated into the hour long video presentation. Links to that presentation and a video version of this episode below. ==================================== An increasingly familiar quote from someone else who made a huge contribution to how we should go about understanding the cosmos. Carl Sagan. “I believe that the extraordinary should be pursued. But extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” . Episode 35 - Video (10 minutes) Dr Edgar Mitchell 2nd July 2010 from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.A man playing golf on the moon is one of the images permanently etched into the collective memory of humanity's first exploration of the moon. The so called “golf player” was Alan Shepard the guy with him was Dr Edgar Mitchell whilst Stuart Roosa orbited the moon in the command module. Today, Ed Mitchell, two months away from his 80th birthday is the only remaining member of the Apollo 14 crew. On a recent visit to Pontefract, organised once again by Ken Willoughby, he describes his personal journey to the moon. Amongst other things he highlights his javelin throw which, by a narrow margin, beat the golf ball, as a picture in his presentation illustrates. He spent nine hours on the surface of the moon during two EVAs on February 5th and 6th 1971. Apollo 14 was his only space flight and he left NASA in the following year. Ed Mitchell is perhaps best known for his epiphany moment on the return journey to Earth when he experienced a unique spiritual sensation which has dominated his professional and personal life ever since. To help understand it, he left NASA and establish the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Over the last few years he has frequently spoken publicly about his interest in the paranormal, ESP and UFOs. He asserts that the Roswell incident was real, aliens have landed on the Earth and the US military is responsible for a cover-up. It is strange that someone (a navy pilot and an Apollo astronaut) with a professional life dominated by leading edge science and technology can hold such an unscientific position. He appears oblivious to the contradiction in referring to himself as an astrophysicist and yet accepting Fred Hoyle's Steady State explanation of cosmology, for which there is little evidence, over the Big Bang. I wonder how he explains Hubble's law and the expansion of space, Cosmic microwave background radiation and the relative abundance of primordial elements. I really should have asked him. I did not in part out of deference. Despite his age and unusual views, he remains a member of a unique group of individuals with a special contribution to human history. Who knows, he may well turn out to be right. In the meantime, the main road of science, directed by the sign posts of  observational evidence, is probably still the  best path to a more accurate understanding of the cosmos. Dr Mitchell was kind enough to share his power point slides which I have incorporated into the hour long video presentation. Links to that presentation and a video version of this episode below. ==================================== An increasingly familiar quote from someone else who made a huge contribution to how we should go about understanding the cosmos. Carl Sagan. “I believe that the extraordinary should be pursued. But extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” . Episode 35 - Video (10 minutes) Dr Edgar Mitchell 2nd July 2010 from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-34-may-31st-2010-effelsberg-radio-telescope/ Sat, 05 Jun 2010 23:12:26 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=357 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-34-may-31st-2010-effelsberg-radio-telescope/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-34-may-31st-2010-effelsberg-radio-telescope/feed/ 1 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. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=357-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noNestling 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.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.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-33-january-27th-2010-ptolemy%e2%80%99s-almagest/ Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:15:33 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=256 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-33-january-27th-2010-ptolemy%e2%80%99s-almagest/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-33-january-27th-2010-ptolemy%e2%80%99s-almagest/feed/ 1 If you had the task of gathering all of humanity’s knowledge of cosmology in one place, how would you do it? Answers to questions such as, How big is the Earth? At what date and time will the Moon be full again? What makes the Sun shine? How old is the Universe? Today a good place to start the project would be to scour the sources online. In about 150AD Claudius Ptolemaeus, better known as Ptolemy, a Greek national with Roman citizenship living in Egypt, attempted to do just that. He is best known for his encyclopaedic work written in ancient Greek “Syntaxis Mathematica”, perhaps better known as the Almagest from the Arabic Al magisti “the greatest”. He was an industrious author of many scientific and mathematical treaties but he also collected works going back hundreds of years. The Almagest was the premier source of knowledge for describing the cosmos for almost two thousand years. Nothing of the original survives, only hand written copies of hand written copies. Today's episode is partially about one such copy, A seven hundred year old manuscript identified recently in the special collections of the Brotherton Library in the University of Leeds. Only parts of it is the Almagest. The manuscript was kept by Anthony Askew,   Joseph windham and then  lord Brotherton who donated it to the University of Leeds. This episode is also about how information is transmitted through history. The value that successive individuals, societies and civilisations put on them. The inevitable errors in the mishmash of translations over hundreds of years from one language (Ancient Greek, Syriac, Arabic, Latin and English) to another or the periodic attempts by one scribe to diligently copy the work of another. In early 2009 Dr Regine May and Professor Malcolm Heath came across a 14th century manuscript catalogued as a work of Astrology and discovered it contained elements of Ptolemy's Almagest. The manuscript in three volumes has yet to receive detailed  scholarly scrutiny. In today's episode there are 4 contributors.  Dr Regine May outlines how the almost accidental discovery of this manuscript came about and Dr Oliver Pickering, the keeper of the special collections describes how the library acquired the manuscript. A live recording of Professor Malcolm Heath, Dr Allan Chapman and Dr Oliver Pickering inspecting the manuscript in the Brotherton Library. ==================================== Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher of the late 19th century who read and wrote about the ancient Greek culture. Perhaps it was the writings from the ancient Greek civilisation which lead him to conclude The future influences the present just as much as the past. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=256-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIf you had the task of gathering all of humanity’s knowledge of cosmology in one place, how would you do it? Answers to questions such as, How big is the Earth? At what date and time will the Moon be full again? What makes the Sun shine? How old is the Universe? Today a good place to start the project would be to scour the sources online. In about 150AD Claudius Ptolemaeus, better known as Ptolemy, a Greek national with Roman citizenship living in Egypt, attempted to do just that. He is best known for his encyclopaedic work written in ancient Greek “Syntaxis Mathematica”, perhaps better known as the Almagest from the Arabic Al magisti “the greatest”. He was an industrious author of many scientific and mathematical treaties but he also collected works going back hundreds of years. The Almagest was the premier source of knowledge for describing the cosmos for almost two thousand years. Nothing of the original survives, only hand written copies of hand written copies. Today's episode is partially about one such copy, A seven hundred year old manuscript identified recently in the special collections of the Brotherton Library in the University of Leeds. Only parts of it is the Almagest. The manuscript was kept by Anthony Askew,   Joseph windham and then  lord Brotherton who donated it to the University of Leeds. This episode is also about how information is transmitted through history. The value that successive individuals, societies and civilisations put on them. The inevitable errors in the mishmash of translations over hundreds of years from one language (Ancient Greek, Syriac, Arabic, Latin and English) to another or the periodic attempts by one scribe to diligently copy the work of another. In early 2009 Dr Regine May and Professor Malcolm Heath came across a 14th century manuscript catalogued as a work of Astrology and discovered it contained elements of Ptolemy's Almagest. The manuscript in three volumes has yet to receive detailed  scholarly scrutiny. In today's episode there are 4 contributors.  Dr Regine May outlines how the almost accidental discovery of this manuscript came about and Dr Oliver Pickering, the keeper of the special collections describes how the library acquired the manuscript. A live recording of Professor Malcolm Heath, Dr Allan Chapman and Dr Oliver Pickering inspecting the manuscript in the Brotherton Library. ==================================== Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher of the late 19th century who read and wrote about the ancient Greek culture. Perhaps it was the writings from the ancient Greek civilisation which lead him to conclude The future influences the present just as much as the past.If you had the task of gathering all of humanity’s knowledge of cosmology in one place, how would you do it? Answers to questions such as, How big is the Earth? At what date and time will the Moon be full again? What makes the Sun shine? How old is the Universe? Today a good place to start the project would be to scour the sources online. In about 150AD Claudius Ptolemaeus, better known as Ptolemy, a Greek national with Roman citizenship living in Egypt, attempted to do just that. He is best known for his encyclopaedic work written in ancient Greek “Syntaxis Mathematica”, perhaps better known as the Almagest from the Arabic Al magisti “the greatest”. He was an industrious author of many scientific and mathematical treaties but he also collected works going back hundreds of years. The Almagest was the premier source of knowledge for describing the cosmos for almost two thousand years. Nothing of the original survives, only hand written copies of hand written copies. Today's episode is partially about one such copy, A seven hundred year old manuscript identified recently in the special collections of the Brotherton Library in the University of Leeds. Only parts of it is the Almagest. The manuscript was kept by Anthony Askew,   Joseph windham and then  lord Brotherton who donated it to the University of Leeds. This episode is also about how information is transmitted through history. The value that successive individuals, societies and civilisations put on them. The inevitable errors in the mishmash of translations over hundreds of years from one language (Ancient Greek, Syriac, Arabic, Latin and English) to another or the periodic attempts by one scribe to diligently copy the work of another. In early 2009 Dr Regine May and Professor Malcolm Heath came across a 14th century manuscript catalogued as a work of Astrology and discovered it contained elements of Ptolemy's Almagest. The manuscript in three volumes has yet to receive detailed  scholarly scrutiny. In today's episode there are 4 contributors.  Dr Regine May outlines how the almost accidental discovery of this manuscript came about and Dr Oliver Pickering, the keeper of the special collections describes how the library acquired the manuscript. A live recording of Professor Malcolm Heath, Dr Allan Chapman and Dr Oliver Pickering inspecting the manuscript in the Brotherton Library. ==================================== Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher of the late 19th century who read and wrote about the ancient Greek culture. Perhaps it was the writings from the ancient Greek civilisation which lead him to conclude The future influences the present just as much as the past.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-32-january-1st-2010-sir-patrick-moore/ Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:23:06 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=238 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-32-january-1st-2010-sir-patrick-moore/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-32-january-1st-2010-sir-patrick-moore/feed/ 0 Sir Patrick Moore is primarily known for his work on the long running TV series, The Sky at Night but he is an author, musician and an observational astronomer, too. He is also a former director of the Armagh Planetarium, a co-founder of the Society for Popular Astronomyand a former president of the British Astronomical Association. His autobiography was published when he was Eighty in 2003. It is upfront, strongly opinionated, potentially uncomfortable in places for some and remarkably honest. He writes unapologetically with the political correctness of an earlier generation. He recounts his meetings with many of the key contributors in science and astronomy of the late twentieth century. It is a unique personal account of the development of astronomy and science during a fascinating period humanity's exploration of space. An absolute “must read” for those of us who grew up with Sky at Night. I met  Sir Patrick Moore at his home in Selsey, called Farthings, on 20th of August 2009. He was an extremely hospitable host. We discussed several themes of his autobiography Eighty Not Out, and we started with cricket. ===================== Today's quote, reflecting his tongue-in-cheek and humorous approach to to life, is from Patrick Moore himself. At my age I do what Mark Twain did. I get my daily paper, look at the obituary and if I am not in there I carry on as usual. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqjRO6iIfA4&feature=share&list=UUD8qCroIOMtm-kgKSvWg1Gw Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=238-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noSir Patrick Moore is primarily known for his work on the long running TV series, The Sky at Night but he is an author, musician and an observational astronomer, too. He is also a former director of the Armagh Planetarium, a co-founder of the Society for Popular Astronomyand a former president of the British Astronomical Association. His autobiography was published when he was Eighty in 2003. It is upfront, strongly opinionated, potentially uncomfortable in places for some and remarkably honest. He writes unapologetically with the political correctness of an earlier generation. He recounts his meetings with many of the key contributors in science and astronomy of the late twentieth century. It is a unique personal account of the development of astronomy and science during a fascinating period humanity's exploration of space. An absolute “must read” for those of us who grew up with Sky at Night. I met  Sir Patrick Moore at his home in Selsey, called Farthings, on 20th of August 2009. He was an extremely hospitable host. We discussed several themes of his autobiography Eighty Not Out, and we started with cricket. ===================== Today's quote, reflecting his tongue-in-cheek and humorous approach to to life, is from Patrick Moore himself. At my age I do what Mark Twain did. I get my daily paper, look at the obituary and if I am not in there I carry on as usual. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqjRO6iIfA4&feature=share&list=UUD8qCroIOMtm-kgKSvWg1GwSir Patrick Moore is primarily known for his work on the long running TV series, The Sky at Night but he is an author, musician and an observational astronomer, too. He is also a former director of the Armagh Planetarium, a co-founder of the Society for Popular Astronomyand a former president of the British Astronomical Association. His autobiography was published when he was Eighty in 2003. It is upfront, strongly opinionated, potentially uncomfortable in places for some and remarkably honest. He writes unapologetically with the political correctness of an earlier generation. He recounts his meetings with many of the key contributors in science and astronomy of the late twentieth century. It is a unique personal account of the development of astronomy and science during a fascinating period humanity's exploration of space. An absolute “must read” for those of us who grew up with Sky at Night. I met  Sir Patrick Moore at his home in Selsey, called Farthings, on 20th of August 2009. He was an extremely hospitable host. We discussed several themes of his autobiography Eighty Not Out, and we started with cricket. ===================== Today's quote, reflecting his tongue-in-cheek and humorous approach to to life, is from Patrick Moore himself. At my age I do what Mark Twain did. I get my daily paper, look at the obituary and if I am not in there I carry on as usual. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqjRO6iIfA4&feature=share&list=UUD8qCroIOMtm-kgKSvWg1GwSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-30-december-27th-2009-prof-barrie-jones/ Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:18:52 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=210 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-30-december-27th-2009-prof-barrie-jones/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-30-december-27th-2009-prof-barrie-jones/feed/ 0 Today’s episode is a special recording with Professor Barrie Jones of the Open University. Special because during the Eighties, I studied several of the courses which he helped to develop and presented on the the late night OU TV programs. Professor Jones joined the Open University in 1972 and since 2006 is the emeritus professor of astronomy. He recalls people he worked with at Cornell including Tom Gold, Frank Drake, Carl Sagan and the early days of Gamma Ray astronomy from balloons. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=210-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noToday’s episode is a special recording with Professor Barrie Jones of the Open University. Special because during the Eighties, I studied several of the courses which he helped to develop and presented on the the late night OU TV programs. Professor Jones joined the Open University in 1972 and since 2006 is the emeritus professor of astronomy. He recalls people he worked with at Cornell including Tom Gold, Frank Drake, Carl Sagan and the early days of Gamma Ray astronomy from balloons.Today’s episode is a special recording with Professor Barrie Jones of the Open University. Special because during the Eighties, I studied several of the courses which he helped to develop and presented on the the late night OU TV programs. Professor Jones joined the Open University in 1972 and since 2006 is the emeritus professor of astronomy. He recalls people he worked with at Cornell including Tom Gold, Frank Drake, Carl Sagan and the early days of Gamma Ray astronomy from balloons.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-29-venus/ Sun, 16 Aug 2009 09:46:44 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=182 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-29-venus/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-29-venus/feed/ 0 In size, mass and orbit Venus is the nearest Earth has to a twin in the Solar System. It is the brightest object in the sky after the sun and moon, hottest planet in the solar system, has a day longer than its year, is named after the Roman goddess of love and yet it has a deadly atmosphere and its the one planet that gets closer to the Earth than any other. In this episode, recorded in late 2008, Professor Fred Taylor, Jesus College Oxford, talks about the Venus Express mission. ==================================== This week’s quote is my rather obtuse reference to the runaway greenhouse effect on the planet Venus. Its from Will Rogers and its what he says to his niece on  seeing Venus de Milo in the Louvre in Paris. “See what will happen if you don't stop biting your fingernails?” Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=182-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIn size, mass and orbit Venus is the nearest Earth has to a twin in the Solar System. It is the brightest object in the sky after the sun and moon, hottest planet in the solar system, has a day longer than its year, is named after the Roman goddess of love and yet it has a deadly atmosphere and its the one planet that gets closer to the Earth than any other. In this episode, recorded in late 2008, Professor Fred Taylor, Jesus College Oxford, talks about the Venus Express mission. ==================================== This week’s quote is my rather obtuse reference to the runaway greenhouse effect on the planet Venus. Its from Will Rogers and its what he says to his niece on  seeing Venus de Milo in the Louvre in Paris. “See what will happen if you don't stop biting your fingernails?”In size, mass and orbit Venus is the nearest Earth has to a twin in the Solar System. It is the brightest object in the sky after the sun and moon, hottest planet in the solar system, has a day longer than its year, is named after the Roman goddess of love and yet it has a deadly atmosphere and its the one planet that gets closer to the Earth than any other. In this episode, recorded in late 2008, Professor Fred Taylor, Jesus College Oxford, talks about the Venus Express mission. ==================================== This week’s quote is my rather obtuse reference to the runaway greenhouse effect on the planet Venus. Its from Will Rogers and its what he says to his niece on  seeing Venus de Milo in the Louvre in Paris. “See what will happen if you don't stop biting your fingernails?”Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-28-july-21st-2009-apollo-13/ Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:56:11 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=171 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-28-july-21st-2009-apollo-13/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-28-july-21st-2009-apollo-13/feed/ 0 On this day 40 years ago the crew of Apollo 11 fulfilled one of mankind’s longest held dreams and walked on the surface of the Moon. One of them Buzz Aldrin in episode 12 of ATUK, recalled a little of that experience. Today’s episode is a short recording with Fred Haise when he visited Pontefract as arranged by Ken Willoughby. Incidentally, Jim Lovell is also visiting Pontefract in Yorkshire on October the 2nd 2009. If you are close to northern England on that date consider stopping by. Of the twelve men who walked on the Moon only nine remain. Apollo 13 astronauts Fred Haise along with Jim Lovell and Jack Swigert were arguably the subject of the 20th century’s most dramatic events and the subject of the film Apollo 13. Fred Haise never made it to the surface of the Moon. He served on the back-up crew for the Apollo 8, Apollo 11, Apollo 16 moon missions and was also scheduled as commander for the cancelled Apollo 19 mission. As a backup he could have been on the first mission to the moon (Apollo 8), first moon landing (Apollo 11) and of course commanded his own mission on Apollo 19 but the Apollo program was cancelled after Apollo 17. Remember the first Shuttle – Enterprise, on the back of a modified 747? Between February and October of 1977 it flew 16 times to perform the approach and landing test of what would become the Shuttle Transport System which is due to conclude next year 2010. Fred Haise was involved in 5 of those. Three of which involved the Enterprise in free flight. When I spoke to Fred during the dinner on the day before this recording, he came across as an ordinary guy who did not consider himself to be “special” but just around in the right place at the right time. During the course of the evening he spoke to many who were present but most of the evening had gone by and I had not had a chance to say hello. Then suddenly he approached from a corner of the room and said “Hello, I’m Fred Haise, I don’t think we’ve met”. In the short conversation that followed he indicated that fishing was his primary hobby and although his trip aboard Apollo 13 was dramatic he had an eventful life before and after it too. Sure, it is impossible to have a deep insight from a couple of short meetings. Perhaps, it was the ease with which he used my first name (which some people find heavy going) and conversed as if I had always known him. There was something special about the ordinary way he conducted himself. He had accepted the extreme high and low experiences in his life as nothing more than an occupational hazard. Apollo 13 as the only space flight he ever made. ==================================== This week’s quote is from Carl Sagan There are many worlds we have never seen before. Only one generation in the history of the human species is privileged to live during the time those great discoveries are first made; that generation is ours. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=171-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noOn this day 40 years ago the crew of Apollo 11 fulfilled one of mankind’s longest held dreams and walked on the surface of the Moon. One of them Buzz Aldrin in episode 12 of ATUK, recalled a little of that experience. Today’s episode is a short recording with Fred Haise when he visited Pontefract as arranged by Ken Willoughby. Incidentally, Jim Lovell is also visiting Pontefract in Yorkshire on October the 2nd 2009. If you are close to northern England on that date consider stopping by. Of the twelve men who walked on the Moon only nine remain. Apollo 13 astronauts Fred Haise along with Jim Lovell and Jack Swigert were arguably the subject of the 20th century’s most dramatic events and the subject of the film Apollo 13. Fred Haise never made it to the surface of the Moon. He served on the back-up crew for the Apollo 8, Apollo 11, Apollo 16 moon missions and was also scheduled as commander for the cancelled Apollo 19 mission. As a backup he could have been on the first mission to the moon (Apollo 8), first moon landing (Apollo 11) and of course commanded his own mission on Apollo 19 but the Apollo program was cancelled after Apollo 17. Remember the first Shuttle – Enterprise, on the back of a modified 747? Between February and October of 1977 it flew 16 times to perform the approach and landing test of what would become the Shuttle Transport System which is due to conclude next year 2010. Fred Haise was involved in 5 of those. Three of which involved the Enterprise in free flight. When I spoke to Fred during the dinner on the day before this recording, he came across as an ordinary guy who did not consider himself to be “special” but just around in the right place at the right time. During the course of the evening he spoke to many who were present but most of the evening had gone by and I had not had a chance to say hello. Then suddenly he approached from a corner of the room and said “Hello, I’m Fred Haise, I don’t think we’ve met”. In the short conversation that followed he indicated that fishing was his primary hobby and although his trip aboard Apollo 13 was dramatic he had an eventful life before and after it too. Sure, it is impossible to have a deep insight from a couple of short meetings. Perhaps, it was the ease with which he used my first name (which some people find heavy going) and conversed as if I had always known him. There was something special about the ordinary way he conducted himself. He had accepted the extreme high and low experiences in his life as nothing more than an occupational hazard. Apollo 13 as the only space flight he ever made. ==================================== This week’s quote is from Carl Sagan There are many worlds we have never seen before. Only one generation in the history of the human species is privileged to live during the time those great discoveries are first made; that generation is ours.On this day 40 years ago the crew of Apollo 11 fulfilled one of mankind’s longest held dreams and walked on the surface of the Moon. One of them Buzz Aldrin in episode 12 of ATUK, recalled a little of that experience. Today’s episode is a short recording with Fred Haise when he visited Pontefract as arranged by Ken Willoughby. Incidentally, Jim Lovell is also visiting Pontefract in Yorkshire on October the 2nd 2009. If you are close to northern England on that date consider stopping by. Of the twelve men who walked on the Moon only nine remain. Apollo 13 astronauts Fred Haise along with Jim Lovell and Jack Swigert were arguably the subject of the 20th century’s most dramatic events and the subject of the film Apollo 13. Fred Haise never made it to the surface of the Moon. He served on the back-up crew for the Apollo 8, Apollo 11, Apollo 16 moon missions and was also scheduled as commander for the cancelled Apollo 19 mission. As a backup he could have been on the first mission to the moon (Apollo 8), first moon landing (Apollo 11) and of course commanded his own mission on Apollo 19 but the Apollo program was cancelled after Apollo 17. Remember the first Shuttle – Enterprise, on the back of a modified 747? Between February and October of 1977 it flew 16 times to perform the approach and landing test of what would become the Shuttle Transport System which is due to conclude next year 2010. Fred Haise was involved in 5 of those. Three of which involved the Enterprise in free flight. When I spoke to Fred during the dinner on the day before this recording, he came across as an ordinary guy who did not consider himself to be “special” but just around in the right place at the right time. During the course of the evening he spoke to many who were present but most of the evening had gone by and I had not had a chance to say hello. Then suddenly he approached from a corner of the room and said “Hello, I’m Fred Haise, I don’t think we’ve met”. In the short conversation that followed he indicated that fishing was his primary hobby and although his trip aboard Apollo 13 was dramatic he had an eventful life before and after it too. Sure, it is impossible to have a deep insight from a couple of short meetings. Perhaps, it was the ease with which he used my first name (which some people find heavy going) and conversed as if I had always known him. There was something special about the ordinary way he conducted himself. He had accepted the extreme high and low experiences in his life as nothing more than an occupational hazard. Apollo 13 as the only space flight he ever made. ==================================== This week’s quote is from Carl Sagan There are many worlds we have never seen before. Only one generation in the history of the human species is privileged to live during the time those great discoveries are first made; that generation is ours.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-27-astronomy-on-the-web/ Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:36:42 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=166 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-27-astronomy-on-the-web/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-27-astronomy-on-the-web/feed/ 0 A different, interesting and at times a little silly episode this week. Professor Pamela L Gay from the Southern University Edwardsville Illinois (SUEI) and Swinburne Astronomy Online but you will may be familiar with her voice on the probably most popular Astronomy podcast Astronomy Cast. This recording was made in Oxford during her visit in March this year. ==================================== This week’s quote is from Anne Morrow Lindberg “Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.” Gurbir Singh full 17:57 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=166-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noA different, interesting and at times a little silly episode this week. Professor Pamela L Gay from the Southern University Edwardsville Illinois (SUEI) and Swinburne Astronomy Online but you will may be familiar with her voice on the probably most popular Astronomy podcast Astronomy Cast. This recording was made in Oxford during her visit in March this year. ==================================== This week’s quote is from Anne Morrow Lindberg “Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.”A different, interesting and at times a little silly episode this week. Professor Pamela L Gay from the Southern University Edwardsville Illinois (SUEI) and Swinburne Astronomy Online but you will may be familiar with her voice on the probably most popular Astronomy podcast Astronomy Cast. This recording was made in Oxford during her visit in March this year. ==================================== This week’s quote is from Anne Morrow Lindberg “Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.”Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-26-antikythera-mechanism/ Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:01:55 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=148 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-26-antikythera-mechanism/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-26-antikythera-mechanism/feed/ 2 Antikythera mechanism Everyone who comes across the Antikythera mechanism goes through an initial phase of disbelief, then the awe-inspiring realisation that something almost from another world actually exists in ours. Imagine William Shakespeare writing Hamlet using a laptop. Surely a ridiculous proposition, he was about 300 years too early for that. He didn’t but today’s topic is just as incredible but thanks to the presence of physical evidence- true. The bronze department of the Museum in Athens has a small device slightly bigger than a pocket dictionary which has spent 2000 years under the Mediterranean Sea. It's a handmade, hand-operated mechanical mechanism which may have looked like a multi-handed clock. This remarkably compact device can display the calendar, predict eclipses, illustrate the phase of the moon, indicate the position of most of the planets and even takes account of the precession of the lunar orbit. The mechanism is driven by a collection of precision gear wheels made in Greece about 100 BC and nothing like it would be made again for at least another 1000 years. My thanks to members of the Manchester Astronomical Society who arranged this visit for Tony Freeth to come and talk to them, and Conway Mothobi of the Manchester Metropolitan University hosting the event where this recording was made.My thanks, of course, to Tony Freeth for making the time on the day.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik5qgd4kPCI Other videos on Youtube Michael Wrights’ working model Nature Video: Antikythera Mechanism Part 1 Nature Video: Antikythera Mechanism Part 2 X-Ray images of the Antikythera   An excellent version of the Antikythera Mechanism made with Lego. Gurbir Singh full 25:37 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=148-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAntikythera mechanism Everyone who comes across the Antikythera mechanism goes through an initial phase of disbelief, then the awe-inspiring realisation that something almost from another world actually exists in ours. Imagine William Shakespeare writing Hamlet using a laptop. Surely a ridiculous proposition, he was about 300 years too early for that. He didn’t but today’s topic is just as incredible but thanks to the presence of physical evidence- true. The bronze department of the Museum in Athens has a small device slightly bigger than a pocket dictionary which has spent 2000 years under the Mediterranean Sea. It's a handmade, hand-operated mechanical mechanism which may have looked like a multi-handed clock. This remarkably compact device can display the calendar, predict eclipses, illustrate the phase of the moon, indicate the position of most of the planets and even takes account of the precession of the lunar orbit. The mechanism is driven by a collection of precision gear wheels made in Greece about 100 BC and nothing like it would be made again for at least another 1000 years. My thanks to members of the Manchester Astronomical Society who arranged this visit for Tony Freeth to come and talk to them, and Conway Mothobi of the Manchester Metropolitan University hosting the event where this recording was made.My thanks, of course, to Tony Freeth for making the time on the day.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik5qgd4kPCI Other videos on Youtube Michael Wrights’ working model Nature Video: Antikythera Mechanism Part 1 Nature Video: Antikythera Mechanism Part 2 X-Ray images of the Antikythera   An excellent version of the Antikythera Mechanism made with Lego.Antikythera mechanism Everyone who comes across the Antikythera mechanism goes through an initial phase of disbelief, then the awe-inspiring realisation that something almost from another world actually exists in ours. Imagine William Shakespeare writing Hamlet using a laptop. Surely a ridiculous proposition, he was about 300 years too early for that. He didn’t but today’s topic is just as incredible but thanks to the presence of physical evidence- true. The bronze department of the Museum in Athens has a small device slightly bigger than a pocket dictionary which has spent 2000 years under the Mediterranean Sea. It's a handmade, hand-operated mechanical mechanism which may have looked like a multi-handed clock. This remarkably compact device can display the calendar, predict eclipses, illustrate the phase of the moon, indicate the position of most of the planets and even takes account of the precession of the lunar orbit. The mechanism is driven by a collection of precision gear wheels made in Greece about 100 BC and nothing like it would be made again for at least another 1000 years. My thanks to members of the Manchester Astronomical Society who arranged this visit for Tony Freeth to come and talk to them, and Conway Mothobi of the Manchester Metropolitan University hosting the event where this recording was made.My thanks, of course, to Tony Freeth for making the time on the day.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik5qgd4kPCI Other videos on Youtube Michael Wrights’ working model Nature Video: Antikythera Mechanism Part 1 Nature Video: Antikythera Mechanism Part 2 X-Ray images of the Antikythera   An excellent version of the Antikythera Mechanism made with Lego.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode25science-and-religion/ Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:09:30 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=120 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode25science-and-religion/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode25science-and-religion/feed/ 3 Science is the product of human intellect, creativity and imagination. It helps answers the profoundest of all questions. Where did life come from? How old is the Earth? What is the structure of the universe? How did humans come to be? As the history of science shows, as it progresses so does the nature, accuracy and reliability the answers to such questions. The scientific picture of the physical world is a provisional and an ever changing one. Science is not the only way to understand the world and our place within it.  Majority of the time humans have existed most of them have been equally content and secure with different answers to the same fundamental questions. For them ancient holly texts provide unambiguous solutions. Science is not needed because it is not required. The debate between science and religion is as intriguing and contentious today in the 21st century as it has always been. Science progresses by actively challenging its core tenants through the rational exercise of reason. On the other hand religious beliefs have divine origins, don’t require changing and are thus inherently stronger. There are surprising large number of high profile scientist who are also committed to a particular faith. Perhaps they can shed some light on how they reconcile this apparent contradiction. Dr Allan Chapman who is not a scientist but a historian of science and a practising Christian with a particular interest in the history of astronomy talks about science and religion.  He is the author of several books including biographies on Mary Summerville and Robert Hook. Perhaps he is better known  for  “Gods in the Sky”  and as the presenter the  of the three part series of the same name on channel4. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=120-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noScience is the product of human intellect, creativity and imagination. It helps answers the profoundest of all questions. Where did life come from? How old is the Earth? What is the structure of the universe? How did humans come to be? As the history of science shows, as it progresses so does the nature, accuracy and reliability the answers to such questions. The scientific picture of the physical world is a provisional and an ever changing one. Science is not the only way to understand the world and our place within it.  Majority of the time humans have existed most of them have been equally content and secure with different answers to the same fundamental questions. For them ancient holly texts provide unambiguous solutions. Science is not needed because it is not required. The debate between science and religion is as intriguing and contentious today in the 21st century as it has always been. Science progresses by actively challenging its core tenants through the rational exercise of reason. On the other hand religious beliefs have divine origins, don’t require changing and are thus inherently stronger. There are surprising large number of high profile scientist who are also committed to a particular faith. Perhaps they can shed some light on how they reconcile this apparent contradiction. Dr Allan Chapman who is not a scientist but a historian of science and a practising Christian with a particular interest in the history of astronomy talks about science and religion.  He is the author of several books including biographies on Mary Summerville and Robert Hook. Perhaps he is better known  for  “Gods in the Sky”  and as the presenter the  of the three part series of the same name on channel4.Science is the product of human intellect, creativity and imagination. It helps answers the profoundest of all questions. Where did life come from? How old is the Earth? What is the structure of the universe? How did humans come to be? As the history of science shows, as it progresses so does the nature, accuracy and reliability the answers to such questions. The scientific picture of the physical world is a provisional and an ever changing one. Science is not the only way to understand the world and our place within it.  Majority of the time humans have existed most of them have been equally content and secure with different answers to the same fundamental questions. For them ancient holly texts provide unambiguous solutions. Science is not needed because it is not required. The debate between science and religion is as intriguing and contentious today in the 21st century as it has always been. Science progresses by actively challenging its core tenants through the rational exercise of reason. On the other hand religious beliefs have divine origins, don’t require changing and are thus inherently stronger. There are surprising large number of high profile scientist who are also committed to a particular faith. Perhaps they can shed some light on how they reconcile this apparent contradiction. Dr Allan Chapman who is not a scientist but a historian of science and a practising Christian with a particular interest in the history of astronomy talks about science and religion.  He is the author of several books including biographies on Mary Summerville and Robert Hook. Perhaps he is better known  for  “Gods in the Sky”  and as the presenter the  of the three part series of the same name on channel4.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/telescopes-before-galileo-part-2/ Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:58:57 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=70 https://astrotalkuk.org/telescopes-before-galileo-part-2/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/telescopes-before-galileo-part-2/feed/ 2 Chris Lord  of Blackpool & District Astronomical Society continues the story of the telescope leading up to its use by Galileo for astronomical observations. Ibn Sahl and Ibn al-Haythem were two scholars who during the 10th and 11th century developed the fundemental mathematical principles of refraction, reflection and dispersion and kick started the science of optics. Chris concludes this 2nd part at that point in history which marks the beginning of the telescope - Galileo's profound astronomical discoveries in 1609. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=70-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noChris Lord  of Blackpool & District Astronomical Society continues the story of the telescope leading up to its use by Galileo for astronomical observations. Ibn Sahl and Ibn al-Haythem were two scholars who during the 10th and 11th century developed the fundemental mathematical principles of refraction, reflection and dispersion and kick started the science of optics. Chris concludes this 2nd part at that point in history which marks the beginning of the telescope - Galileo's profound astronomical discoveries in 1609.Chris Lord  of Blackpool & District Astronomical Society continues the story of the telescope leading up to its use by Galileo for astronomical observations. Ibn Sahl and Ibn al-Haythem were two scholars who during the 10th and 11th century developed the fundemental mathematical principles of refraction, reflection and dispersion and kick started the science of optics. Chris concludes this 2nd part at that point in history which marks the beginning of the telescope - Galileo's profound astronomical discoveries in 1609.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/telescopes-before-galileo/ Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:45:28 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=52 https://astrotalkuk.org/telescopes-before-galileo/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/telescopes-before-galileo/feed/ 1 Hans Lipperhey's patent application in the Netherlands for a telescope was formally denied on 2nd October 1608. Nonetheless, it is that individual, that place and that date which history associates with the invention of the telescope. Most of us are aware of the fundamental astronomical discoveries Galileo went on to make with it in the following year but could they have been made earlier? Three thousand years ago, in what today is  Iraq , the  Nimrud lens now in the British Museum is clearly recognised as a lens. It probably could not have been used as part of an astronomical telescope but it is evidence that strongly indicates that lenses were in use long before Lipperhey and Galileo. The Pharos lighthouse in Alexandria is another illlustration of the advance understanding of optics in ancient times. Chris Lord is an accomplished amateur astronomer and member of Blackpool & District Astronomical Society. He has recently completed a major piece of research in telescopes and optics to mark the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. In this Episode, Chris talks about at the theory of vision, optics and the making and use of lenses during the almost two centuries from Euclid to Galileo. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=52-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noHans Lipperhey's patent application in the Netherlands for a telescope was formally denied on 2nd October 1608. Nonetheless, it is that individual, that place and that date which history associates with the invention of the telescope. Most of us are aware of the fundamental astronomical discoveries Galileo went on to make with it in the following year but could they have been made earlier? Three thousand years ago, in what today is  Iraq , the  Nimrud lens now in the British Museum is clearly recognised as a lens. It probably could not have been used as part of an astronomical telescope but it is evidence that strongly indicates that lenses were in use long before Lipperhey and Galileo. The Pharos lighthouse in Alexandria is another illlustration of the advance understanding of optics in ancient times. Chris Lord is an accomplished amateur astronomer and member of Blackpool & District Astronomical Society. He has recently completed a major piece of research in telescopes and optics to mark the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. In this Episode, Chris talks about at the theory of vision, optics and the making and use of lenses during the almost two centuries from Euclid to Galileo.Hans Lipperhey's patent application in the Netherlands for a telescope was formally denied on 2nd October 1608. Nonetheless, it is that individual, that place and that date which history associates with the invention of the telescope. Most of us are aware of the fundamental astronomical discoveries Galileo went on to make with it in the following year but could they have been made earlier? Three thousand years ago, in what today is  Iraq , the  Nimrud lens now in the British Museum is clearly recognised as a lens. It probably could not have been used as part of an astronomical telescope but it is evidence that strongly indicates that lenses were in use long before Lipperhey and Galileo. The Pharos lighthouse in Alexandria is another illlustration of the advance understanding of optics in ancient times. Chris Lord is an accomplished amateur astronomer and member of Blackpool & District Astronomical Society. He has recently completed a major piece of research in telescopes and optics to mark the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. In this Episode, Chris talks about at the theory of vision, optics and the making and use of lenses during the almost two centuries from Euclid to Galileo.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-22interstellar-dust/ Sun, 13 Jul 2008 10:26:52 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=37 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-22interstellar-dust/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-22interstellar-dust/feed/ 0 As episode 21 indicated, the power of science fiction to motivate the imagination is perhaps as strong as science itself. 1957 is known for the launch of Sputnik but it was also the year that the scientist Fred Hoyle published a science fiction novel called The Black Cloud. One of its readers in Italy would be inspired by it to  become an astronomer and embark on a career which involves the scientific study such clouds. Professor Paola Caselli was that reader and since the autumn of 2007 has been the professor of Astronomy at the University of Leeds where Fred Hoyle had been a student. Her area of interest is the study of those regions of space of dust and gas (“dark clouds”) from which stars and planet eventually form. Dust comes in many forms – cosmic, cometery and interplanetary dust which is responsible for the zodiacal dust we can see from Earth. Professor Caselli investigates cosmic dust grains (atoms or molecules of Silicon, Magnesium, Carbon and others) which act like magnets and help suck out the volatiles from a dust cloud in the early stages of star formation. Some of these process are probably taking place right now in the recently announced discovery of HL Tau and its associated proto planet HL Tau b. She will be speaking on "From Interstellar Clouds to Planets: the Universal Factory"at the now famous, Leeds Astromeet on Saturday 15th November at the University of Leeds. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=37-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAs episode 21 indicated, the power of science fiction to motivate the imagination is perhaps as strong as science itself. 1957 is known for the launch of Sputnik but it was also the year that the scientist Fred Hoyle published a science fiction novel called The Black Cloud. One of its readers in Italy would be inspired by it to  become an astronomer and embark on a career which involves the scientific study such clouds. Professor Paola Caselli was that reader and since the autumn of 2007 has been the professor of Astronomy at the University of Leeds where Fred Hoyle had been a student. Her area of interest is the study of those regions of space of dust and gas (“dark clouds”) from which stars and planet eventually form. Dust comes in many forms – cosmic, cometery and interplanetary dust which is responsible for the zodiacal dust we can see from Earth. Professor Caselli investigates cosmic dust grains (atoms or molecules of Silicon, Magnesium, Carbon and others) which act like magnets and help suck out the volatiles from a dust cloud in the early stages of star formation. Some of these process are probably taking place right now in the recently announced discovery of HL Tau and its associated proto planet HL Tau b. She will be speaking on "From Interstellar Clouds to Planets: the Universal Factory"at the now famous, Leeds Astromeet on Saturday 15th November at the University of Leeds.As episode 21 indicated, the power of science fiction to motivate the imagination is perhaps as strong as science itself. 1957 is known for the launch of Sputnik but it was also the year that the scientist Fred Hoyle published a science fiction novel called The Black Cloud. One of its readers in Italy would be inspired by it to  become an astronomer and embark on a career which involves the scientific study such clouds. Professor Paola Caselli was that reader and since the autumn of 2007 has been the professor of Astronomy at the University of Leeds where Fred Hoyle had been a student. Her area of interest is the study of those regions of space of dust and gas (“dark clouds”) from which stars and planet eventually form. Dust comes in many forms – cosmic, cometery and interplanetary dust which is responsible for the zodiacal dust we can see from Earth. Professor Caselli investigates cosmic dust grains (atoms or molecules of Silicon, Magnesium, Carbon and others) which act like magnets and help suck out the volatiles from a dust cloud in the early stages of star formation. Some of these process are probably taking place right now in the recently announced discovery of HL Tau and its associated proto planet HL Tau b. She will be speaking on "From Interstellar Clouds to Planets: the Universal Factory"at the now famous, Leeds Astromeet on Saturday 15th November at the University of Leeds.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/science-science-fiction-and-astrobiology/ Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:09:45 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=35 https://astrotalkuk.org/science-science-fiction-and-astrobiology/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/science-science-fiction-and-astrobiology/feed/ 0 Professor Mark Brake from the University of Glamorgan has an eclectic interest. An academic, broadcaster and author of science and popular science books, he is the organising chair for the the third conference of the Astrobiology Society of Britain: ASB3: The Living Universe, will take place in Cardiff between July 1-4, 2008. We spoke about the relationship between science & science fiction and astrobiology. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=35-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noProfessor Mark Brake from the University of Glamorgan has an eclectic interest. An academic, broadcaster and author of science and popular science books, he is the organising chair for the the third conference of the Astrobiology Society of Britain: ASB3: The Living Universe, will take place in Cardiff between July 1-4, 2008. We spoke about the relationship between science & science fiction and astrobiology.Professor Mark Brake from the University of Glamorgan has an eclectic interest. An academic, broadcaster and author of science and popular science books, he is the organising chair for the the third conference of the Astrobiology Society of Britain: ASB3: The Living Universe, will take place in Cardiff between July 1-4, 2008. We spoke about the relationship between science & science fiction and astrobiology.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/european-city-of-culture-astronomy-in-liverpool/ Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:43:37 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=34 https://astrotalkuk.org/european-city-of-culture-astronomy-in-liverpool/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/european-city-of-culture-astronomy-in-liverpool/feed/ 0 As the European city of Culture, Liverpool has more than its fair share of activities this year. Many have an astronomy connection. In today's episode Andy Newsam from Liverpool John Moores University, Joanne Coleman from the British Association for the Advancement of Science talks about the Science Festival between 6th and 11th of September and Gary Evans from the sciencephoto library on a unique exhibition of astronomical images called Earth to the Universe which is already underway. All of these take place in Liverpool as it celebrates its role as the 2008 European City of Culture. Infact, if you do see this in time and are close enough to Liverpool there is in interesting lecture this Thursday 17th June 18:30, Chadwick Lecture Theatre, University of Liverpool. Robert Fosbury, is talking about How Astronomers Image the Sky. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=34-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAs the European city of Culture, Liverpool has more than its fair share of activities this year. Many have an astronomy connection. In today's episode Andy Newsam from Liverpool John Moores University, Joanne Coleman from the British Association for the Advancement of Science talks about the Science Festival between 6th and 11th of September and Gary Evans from the sciencephoto library on a unique exhibition of astronomical images called Earth to the Universe which is already underway. All of these take place in Liverpool as it celebrates its role as the 2008 European City of Culture. Infact, if you do see this in time and are close enough to Liverpool there is in interesting lecture this Thursday 17th June 18:30, Chadwick Lecture Theatre, University of Liverpool. Robert Fosbury, is talking about How Astronomers Image the Sky.As the European city of Culture, Liverpool has more than its fair share of activities this year. Many have an astronomy connection. In today's episode Andy Newsam from Liverpool John Moores University, Joanne Coleman from the British Association for the Advancement of Science talks about the Science Festival between 6th and 11th of September and Gary Evans from the sciencephoto library on a unique exhibition of astronomical images called Earth to the Universe which is already underway. All of these take place in Liverpool as it celebrates its role as the 2008 European City of Culture. Infact, if you do see this in time and are close enough to Liverpool there is in interesting lecture this Thursday 17th June 18:30, Chadwick Lecture Theatre, University of Liverpool. Robert Fosbury, is talking about How Astronomers Image the Sky.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode19astronomy-online/ Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:17:16 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=33 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode19astronomy-online/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode19astronomy-online/feed/ 0 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. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=33-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThere 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.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.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-18-sunday-june-1st-2008-european-space-agency/ Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:50:40 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=31 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-18-sunday-june-1st-2008-european-space-agency/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-18-sunday-june-1st-2008-european-space-agency/feed/ 0 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. http://youtu.be/Q3uIl7MU9QM Gurbir Singh full 16:36 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=31-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noSince 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. http://youtu.be/Q3uIl7MU9QMSince 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. http://youtu.be/Q3uIl7MU9QMSpace,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode17gamma-ray-astronomy/ Mon, 26 May 2008 07:51:05 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=30 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode17gamma-ray-astronomy/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode17gamma-ray-astronomy/feed/ 1 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. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=30-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAs 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.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.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/astronomy-a-cultural-perspective/ Tue, 20 May 2008 22:56:52 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=29 https://astrotalkuk.org/astronomy-a-cultural-perspective/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/astronomy-a-cultural-perspective/feed/ 0 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. Gurbir Singh full 31:00 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=29-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noYou 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.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.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/astrobiology-how-did-life-start-on-earth/ Sun, 11 May 2008 05:55:20 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=27 https://astrotalkuk.org/astrobiology-how-did-life-start-on-earth/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/astrobiology-how-did-life-start-on-earth/feed/ 0 Astrobiology is the study of life outside the earth. Paradoxically, it is advanced by understanding how life started here on earth. More about Astrobiology in the UK at the Astrobiology Society's website. In the famous Miller Urey experiment to discover the origin of life, the experiment did not result in primitive life but succeeded in creating organic molecules from inorganic constituents. The starting point of the Miller and Urey experiments was the chemical composition of the early Earth’s atmosphere. Could meteorites also have given life a helping hand? In today's episode, Dr Terry Kee from the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds talks about the key processes involving Phosphorus that may have been critical in kick-starting life on earth. The type of Phosphorus required for these processes is not found on the surface of the Earth today but is found in Iron meteorites. In a new collaborative project funded by £500,000 grant University of Leeds will investigate the beginning of life on Earth 3.8 billion years ago. Sorry about the quality of the audio - the recording was made in Dr Kee's office which apparently was much noisier than I remember:( Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=27-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAstrobiology is the study of life outside the earth. Paradoxically, it is advanced by understanding how life started here on earth. More about Astrobiology in the UK at the Astrobiology Society's website. In the famous Miller Urey experiment to discover the origin of life, the experiment did not result in primitive life but succeeded in creating organic molecules from inorganic constituents. The starting point of the Miller and Urey experiments was the chemical composition of the early Earth’s atmosphere. Could meteorites also have given life a helping hand? In today's episode, Dr Terry Kee from the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds talks about the key processes involving Phosphorus that may have been critical in kick-starting life on earth. The type of Phosphorus required for these processes is not found on the surface of the Earth today but is found in Iron meteorites. In a new collaborative project funded by £500,000 grant University of Leeds will investigate the beginning of life on Earth 3.8 billion years ago. Sorry about the quality of the audio - the recording was made in Dr Kee's office which apparently was much noisier than I remember:(Astrobiology is the study of life outside the earth. Paradoxically, it is advanced by understanding how life started here on earth. More about Astrobiology in the UK at the Astrobiology Society's website. In the famous Miller Urey experiment to discover the origin of life, the experiment did not result in primitive life but succeeded in creating organic molecules from inorganic constituents. The starting point of the Miller and Urey experiments was the chemical composition of the early Earth’s atmosphere. Could meteorites also have given life a helping hand? In today's episode, Dr Terry Kee from the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds talks about the key processes involving Phosphorus that may have been critical in kick-starting life on earth. The type of Phosphorus required for these processes is not found on the surface of the Earth today but is found in Iron meteorites. In a new collaborative project funded by £500,000 grant University of Leeds will investigate the beginning of life on Earth 3.8 billion years ago. Sorry about the quality of the audio - the recording was made in Dr Kee's office which apparently was much noisier than I remember:(Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-14titan/ Tue, 06 May 2008 03:57:07 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=26 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-14titan/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-14titan/feed/ 2 After a 7 year journey, Cassini/ Huygens arrived at Saturn in 2004 and Huygens landed on the surface of Titan on January 14th 2005. The only moon within the solar system known to have a substantial atmosphere. On Monday 3rd of July 1989 it was possible to study the atmosphere of Titan from here on Earth when it occulted a 5.8mag star 28 Sagittarius. Ken Irving from Salford Astronomical Society describes the observation he made and video recording of the unexpected central flash. Available below. Using data from the onboard Acoustic Sensor Unit, the Planetary Society compressed Huygens two and half hour descent into a 10 second audio clip. After landing, Huygens continued to transmit data including those incredible pictures of the surface for another 70 minutes until the communication link to Earth - Cassini disappeared over the horizon. It would not come in range again for 40 days by when Huygens’ batteries were dead. There in its dark cold -180C deep freeze it remains. Probably intact. Professor John Zarnecki from the Open University who lead the Surface Science Package team talk a little about the achievements f the Cassini/Huygens mission. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=26-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAfter a 7 year journey, Cassini/ Huygens arrived at Saturn in 2004 and Huygens landed on the surface of Titan on January 14th 2005. The only moon within the solar system known to have a substantial atmosphere. On Monday 3rd of July 1989 it was possible to study the atmosphere of Titan from here on Earth when it occulted a 5.8mag star 28 Sagittarius. Ken Irving from Salford Astronomical Society describes the observation he made and video recording of the unexpected central flash. Available below. Using data from the onboard Acoustic Sensor Unit, the Planetary Society compressed Huygens two and half hour descent into a 10 second audio clip. After landing, Huygens continued to transmit data including those incredible pictures of the surface for another 70 minutes until the communication link to Earth - Cassini disappeared over the horizon. It would not come in range again for 40 days by when Huygens’ batteries were dead. There in its dark cold -180C deep freeze it remains. Probably intact. Professor John Zarnecki from the Open University who lead the Surface Science Package team talk a little about the achievements f the Cassini/Huygens mission.After a 7 year journey, Cassini/ Huygens arrived at Saturn in 2004 and Huygens landed on the surface of Titan on January 14th 2005. The only moon within the solar system known to have a substantial atmosphere. On Monday 3rd of July 1989 it was possible to study the atmosphere of Titan from here on Earth when it occulted a 5.8mag star 28 Sagittarius. Ken Irving from Salford Astronomical Society describes the observation he made and video recording of the unexpected central flash. Available below. Using data from the onboard Acoustic Sensor Unit, the Planetary Society compressed Huygens two and half hour descent into a 10 second audio clip. After landing, Huygens continued to transmit data including those incredible pictures of the surface for another 70 minutes until the communication link to Earth - Cassini disappeared over the horizon. It would not come in range again for 40 days by when Huygens’ batteries were dead. There in its dark cold -180C deep freeze it remains. Probably intact. Professor John Zarnecki from the Open University who lead the Surface Science Package team talk a little about the achievements f the Cassini/Huygens mission.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode13rockets/ Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:59:48 +0000 http://localhost/wp25/?p=34 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode13rockets/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode13rockets/feed/ 1 You may have seen the report from the British UK Space Exploration Working Group suggesting that Britain can get two British Astronauts to the Space station costing less than £75m over 5 years by commercially engaging the Russian Soyuz program rather than the annual £60m cost of going with ESA, or indeed developing a British launch capability. The Astronomer Royal on the other hand insists that unmanned space research is the way to go. You get a heck of a lot more science for your money Dave and Leslie Wright from the British Rocketry Oral History program (BROHP) reminisce about the early days when Britain had its own launch capability and the UK Space conference that they host each year. Want to be a rocket Scientist? Well a new book from a rocket scientist Lucy Rogers may be a good start. Lucy is also the chairman of the Vectis Astronomical Society on the isle of Wight. Their website must be one of the most elaborate. Check it out but .. turn down the volume on your PC first. Gurbir Singh full 27:44 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=24-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noYou may have seen the report from the British UK Space Exploration Working Group suggesting that Britain can get two British Astronauts to the Space station costing less than £75m over 5 years by commercially engaging the Russian Soyuz program rather than the annual £60m cost of going with ESA, or indeed developing a British launch capability. The Astronomer Royal on the other hand insists that unmanned space research is the way to go. You get a heck of a lot more science for your money Dave and Leslie Wright from the British Rocketry Oral History program (BROHP) reminisce about the early days when Britain had its own launch capability and the UK Space conference that they host each year. Want to be a rocket Scientist? Well a new book from a rocket scientist Lucy Rogers may be a good start. Lucy is also the chairman of the Vectis Astronomical Society on the isle of Wight. Their website must be one of the most elaborate. Check it out but .. turn down the volume on your PC first.You may have seen the report from the British UK Space Exploration Working Group suggesting that Britain can get two British Astronauts to the Space station costing less than £75m over 5 years by commercially engaging the Russian Soyuz program rather than the annual £60m cost of going with ESA, or indeed developing a British launch capability. The Astronomer Royal on the other hand insists that unmanned space research is the way to go. You get a heck of a lot more science for your money Dave and Leslie Wright from the British Rocketry Oral History program (BROHP) reminisce about the early days when Britain had its own launch capability and the UK Space conference that they host each year. Want to be a rocket Scientist? Well a new book from a rocket scientist Lucy Rogers may be a good start. Lucy is also the chairman of the Vectis Astronomical Society on the isle of Wight. Their website must be one of the most elaborate. Check it out but .. turn down the volume on your PC first.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode12journey-to-the-moon/ Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:16:06 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=21 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode12journey-to-the-moon/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode12journey-to-the-moon/feed/ 2 July 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing in the Sea of Tranquillity on the moon. In today’s episode – assistant director & co-producer Chris Riley talks about the recent film “In the Shadow of the Moon” which recounts that period and someone who was a part of it - astronaut Buzz Aldrin on his interest in Astronomy. A short written account of his visit, including a lunch with him and his wife, is here. https://youtu.be/8JDqbqhmixs Buzz Aldrin from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo. Gurbir Singh full 28:40 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=21-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noJuly 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing in the Sea of Tranquillity on the moon. In today’s episode – assistant director & co-producer Chris Riley talks about the recent film “In the Shadow of the Moon” which recounts that period and someone who was a part of it - astronaut Buzz Aldrin on his interest in Astronomy. A short written account of his visit, including a lunch with him and his wife, is here. https://youtu.be/8JDqbqhmixs Buzz Aldrin from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.July 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing in the Sea of Tranquillity on the moon. In today’s episode – assistant director & co-producer Chris Riley talks about the recent film “In the Shadow of the Moon” which recounts that period and someone who was a part of it - astronaut Buzz Aldrin on his interest in Astronomy. A short written account of his visit, including a lunch with him and his wife, is here. https://youtu.be/8JDqbqhmixs Buzz Aldrin from AstrotalkUK on Vimeo.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode11profile2/ Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:48:53 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=47 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode11profile2/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode11profile2/feed/ 0 Its that time of year. Summer time has arrived but not yet.. the summer. Local astronomical societies all over the country are winding down from the previous season and preparing for the next. In today’s episode a little more about two individuals who have been on the speaker list for many astronomical societies. Martin Lunn from Aurora Books and Andy Lound from Odyssey Class Dramatic lectures. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=4-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noIts that time of year. Summer time has arrived but not yet.. the summer. Local astronomical societies all over the country are winding down from the previous season and preparing for the next. In today’s episode a little more about two individuals who have been on the speaker list for many astronomical societies. Martin Lunn from Aurora Books and Andy Lound from Odyssey Class Dramatic lectures.Its that time of year. Summer time has arrived but not yet.. the summer. Local astronomical societies all over the country are winding down from the previous season and preparing for the next. In today’s episode a little more about two individuals who have been on the speaker list for many astronomical societies. Martin Lunn from Aurora Books and Andy Lound from Odyssey Class Dramatic lectures.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/astronomy-and-space-broadcasters/ Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:14:31 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=45 https://astrotalkuk.org/astronomy-and-space-broadcasters/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/astronomy-and-space-broadcasters/feed/ 0 The veteran BBC aerospace correspondent Reg Turnill recalls some of the key moments that he personally covered during the height of the space race. Reg has recorded his eye witness account in his book The Moonlandings. Chris Lintott one of the authors of Bang! and a co-presenters on Sky at Night far too young to have experienced the Apollo program personally, looks forward to the next manned mission to the moon. You have probably heard of Galaxy Zoo but did you know Galaxy Zoo 2 is in the pipeline too. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=18-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe veteran BBC aerospace correspondent Reg Turnill recalls some of the key moments that he personally covered during the height of the space race. Reg has recorded his eye witness account in his book The Moonlandings. Chris Lintott one of the authors of Bang! and a co-presenters on Sky at Night far too young to have experienced the Apollo program personally, looks forward to the next manned mission to the moon. You have probably heard of Galaxy Zoo but did you know Galaxy Zoo 2 is in the pipeline too.The veteran BBC aerospace correspondent Reg Turnill recalls some of the key moments that he personally covered during the height of the space race. Reg has recorded his eye witness account in his book The Moonlandings. Chris Lintott one of the authors of Bang! and a co-presenters on Sky at Night far too young to have experienced the Apollo program personally, looks forward to the next manned mission to the moon. You have probably heard of Galaxy Zoo but did you know Galaxy Zoo 2 is in the pipeline too.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode9early-astronomers/ Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:11:30 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=117 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode9early-astronomers/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/episode9early-astronomers/feed/ 2 About 20 years after Galileo used the telescope for astronomy, William Crabtree and Jeremiah Horrocks used it to observe a transit of Venus in 1639. Carl Barry and Lilian Fletcher researched documented this unique event. If you missed it a 19mb video here. Former executive Paul Allen (Allen Telescope Array) from Microsoft and Wayne Rosing (LSST Observatory) from Google are modern examples of private investors in space research. Emerging from the the industrial revolution in the 19th century Lancashire were two similar individuals who contributed to making large mirrors and large telescopes. James Naysmith and William Lassell. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=117-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAbout 20 years after Galileo used the telescope for astronomy, William Crabtree and Jeremiah Horrocks used it to observe a transit of Venus in 1639. Carl Barry and Lilian Fletcher researched documented this unique event. If you missed it a 19mb video here. Former executive Paul Allen (Allen Telescope Array) from Microsoft and Wayne Rosing (LSST Observatory) from Google are modern examples of private investors in space research. Emerging from the the industrial revolution in the 19th century Lancashire were two similar individuals who contributed to making large mirrors and large telescopes. James Naysmith and William Lassell.About 20 years after Galileo used the telescope for astronomy, William Crabtree and Jeremiah Horrocks used it to observe a transit of Venus in 1639. Carl Barry and Lilian Fletcher researched documented this unique event. If you missed it a 19mb video here. Former executive Paul Allen (Allen Telescope Array) from Microsoft and Wayne Rosing (LSST Observatory) from Google are modern examples of private investors in space research. Emerging from the the industrial revolution in the 19th century Lancashire were two similar individuals who contributed to making large mirrors and large telescopes. James Naysmith and William Lassell.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode8the-astronomy-centre/ Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:08:23 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=115 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode8the-astronomy-centre/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode8the-astronomy-centre/feed/ 0 The Astronomy Centre: If you head east out of the Lancashire town of Bacup along the A681 towards the Yorkshire town of Todmorden, a couple of miles up a snaking undulating road, nestled amongst the green hills, wild flowers and the sheep you see on your left two large astronomical domes. This is the home of the Astronomy Centre. Founded by Peter Drew, it is the largest dedicated resource for the amatuer astronomers in the country. A not for profit venture, the astronomy centre has been developed and maintained by a diverse team of skilled, dedicated and industrious volunteers. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=115-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noThe Astronomy Centre: If you head east out of the Lancashire town of Bacup along the A681 towards the Yorkshire town of Todmorden, a couple of miles up a snaking undulating road, nestled amongst the green hills, wild flowers and the sheep you see on your left two large astronomical domes. This is the home of the Astronomy Centre. Founded by Peter Drew, it is the largest dedicated resource for the amatuer astronomers in the country. A not for profit venture, the astronomy centre has been developed and maintained by a diverse team of skilled, dedicated and industrious volunteers.The Astronomy Centre: If you head east out of the Lancashire town of Bacup along the A681 towards the Yorkshire town of Todmorden, a couple of miles up a snaking undulating road, nestled amongst the green hills, wild flowers and the sheep you see on your left two large astronomical domes. This is the home of the Astronomy Centre. Founded by Peter Drew, it is the largest dedicated resource for the amatuer astronomers in the country. A not for profit venture, the astronomy centre has been developed and maintained by a diverse team of skilled, dedicated and industrious volunteers.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode7profile-1/ Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:00:23 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=32 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode7profile-1/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode7profile-1/feed/ 0 Profile #1: First of occasional episodes profiling individuals who have made a unique contribution in amateur astronomy. In this episode three diverse individuals. Ken Willoughby from West Yorkshire Astronomical Society bringing Apollo astronauts to Pontefract. Astronomy Now's Mark Armstrong supernova discoverer and Chris Marriott of Skymap. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=14-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noProfile #1: First of occasional episodes profiling individuals who have made a unique contribution in amateur astronomy. In this episode three diverse individuals. Ken Willoughby from West Yorkshire Astronomical Society bringing Apollo astronauts to Pontefract. Astronomy Now's Mark Armstrong supernova discoverer and Chris Marriott of Skymap.Profile #1: First of occasional episodes profiling individuals who have made a unique contribution in amateur astronomy. In this episode three diverse individuals. Ken Willoughby from West Yorkshire Astronomical Society bringing Apollo astronauts to Pontefract. Astronomy Now's Mark Armstrong supernova discoverer and Chris Marriott of Skymap.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode6amateur-astronomy-the-next-generation/ Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:00:32 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=114 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode6amateur-astronomy-the-next-generation/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode6amateur-astronomy-the-next-generation/feed/ 0 Amateur Astronomy - the next generation? In the 1960s and 70s astronomy did not have the competition from computer games, internet and TV. That apparently is what is keeping the young people away from participating in astronomy. Guy Fennimore, secretary of the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA), suggests that astronomy is not the only victim and describes the SPA’s “young stargazers initiative”. Roger Pickard, the president of the British Astronomical Association, recounts the days of committed amateurs who made the telescopes they used and asserts the ongoing strong relationship between amateur and professional astronomers. This recording took place at Astrofest 2008, apologies for the occasional noisy background. Gurbir Singh full <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=114-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noAmateur Astronomy - the next generation? In the 1960s and 70s astronomy did not have the competition from computer games, internet and TV. That apparently is what is keeping the young people away from participating in astronomy. Guy Fennimore, secretary of the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA), suggests that astronomy is not the only victim and describes the SPA’s “young stargazers initiative”. Roger Pickard, the president of the British Astronomical Association, recounts the days of committed amateurs who made the telescopes they used and asserts the ongoing strong relationship between amateur and professional astronomers. This recording took place at Astrofest 2008, apologies for the occasional noisy background.Amateur Astronomy - the next generation? In the 1960s and 70s astronomy did not have the competition from computer games, internet and TV. That apparently is what is keeping the young people away from participating in astronomy. Guy Fennimore, secretary of the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA), suggests that astronomy is not the only victim and describes the SPA’s “young stargazers initiative”. Roger Pickard, the president of the British Astronomical Association, recounts the days of committed amateurs who made the telescopes they used and asserts the ongoing strong relationship between amateur and professional astronomers. This recording took place at Astrofest 2008, apologies for the occasional noisy background.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode5studying-astronomy/ Sun, 02 Mar 2008 14:00:41 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/?p=112 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode5studying-astronomy/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode5studying-astronomy/feed/ 0 University of Central Lancashire Studying Astronomy :Peter Thomas from the the University of London Observatory, Stewart Eyres from the University of Central Lancashire @UCLan and Ulrich Kolb from the Open University discuss some of the options available to amateur astronomers who want a little more structured approach in learning about their hobby. Gurbir Singh full 22:50 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=112-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noUniversity of Central Lancashire Studying Astronomy :Peter Thomas from the the University of London Observatory, Stewart Eyres from the University of Central Lancashire @UCLan and Ulrich Kolb from the Open University discuss some of the options available to amateur astronomers who want a little more structured approach in learning about their hobby.University of Central Lancashire Studying Astronomy :Peter Thomas from the the University of London Observatory, Stewart Eyres from the University of Central Lancashire @UCLan and Ulrich Kolb from the Open University discuss some of the options available to amateur astronomers who want a little more structured approach in learning about their hobby.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode4-february-24th-2008-astrophotography/ Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:00:47 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/wp/?p=28 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode4-february-24th-2008-astrophotography/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode4-february-24th-2008-astrophotography/feed/ 0 Image- Starlight Express Astrophotography: Terry Platt from Starlight Express talks about his early days of vidicon and photo multiplier tubes. Terry describes how his passion in astronomy in the 60s resulted in Starlight Express.About 6 years ago, Steve Chambers came up with a nifty way to rewire a Phillips Toucam webcam so that it could be used by astronomers. Something that cost well under £100 and it could still be used for non Astro purposes as well. Details of the postings were available and still are on the web. It was a mini revolution in low cost astrophotography. Steve has now moved on to bigger and better things with ArtemisCCD Jonathan Maron in his role as the marketing manager for astronomy cameras at The Imaging Source, describes some of the features of this relatively new source of cameras for astrophotography. David Ratledge has been observing for decades and is one of the most experienced astrophotographers in the country. He is also the chairman of Bolton Astronomical Society and the editor of Digital Astrophotography - The State of the Art . I spoke to him, via the telephone so excuse the audio quality as he prepared retreat for quiet break .. and no doubt some astrophotraphy. Gurbir Singh full 34:15 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=8-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noImage- Starlight Express Astrophotography: Terry Platt from Starlight Express talks about his early days of vidicon and photo multiplier tubes. Terry describes how his passion in astronomy in the 60s resulted in Starlight Express.About 6 years ago, Steve Chambers came up with a nifty way to rewire a Phillips Toucam webcam so that it could be used by astronomers. Something that cost well under £100 and it could still be used for non Astro purposes as well. Details of the postings were available and still are on the web. It was a mini revolution in low cost astrophotography. Steve has now moved on to bigger and better things with ArtemisCCD Jonathan Maron in his role as the marketing manager for astronomy cameras at The Imaging Source, describes some of the features of this relatively new source of cameras for astrophotography. David Ratledge has been observing for decades and is one of the most experienced astrophotographers in the country. He is also the chairman of Bolton Astronomical Society and the editor of Digital Astrophotography - The State of the Art . I spoke to him, via the telephone so excuse the audio quality as he prepared retreat for quiet break .. and no doubt some astrophotraphy.Image- Starlight Express Astrophotography: Terry Platt from Starlight Express talks about his early days of vidicon and photo multiplier tubes. Terry describes how his passion in astronomy in the 60s resulted in Starlight Express.About 6 years ago, Steve Chambers came up with a nifty way to rewire a Phillips Toucam webcam so that it could be used by astronomers. Something that cost well under £100 and it could still be used for non Astro purposes as well. Details of the postings were available and still are on the web. It was a mini revolution in low cost astrophotography. Steve has now moved on to bigger and better things with ArtemisCCD Jonathan Maron in his role as the marketing manager for astronomy cameras at The Imaging Source, describes some of the features of this relatively new source of cameras for astrophotography. David Ratledge has been observing for decades and is one of the most experienced astrophotographers in the country. He is also the chairman of Bolton Astronomical Society and the editor of Digital Astrophotography - The State of the Art . I spoke to him, via the telephone so excuse the audio quality as he prepared retreat for quiet break .. and no doubt some astrophotraphy.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/astrofest-2008-part-2/ Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:00:47 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/wp/?p=9 https://astrotalkuk.org/astrofest-2008-part-2/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/astrofest-2008-part-2/feed/ 0 David Levy This episode - contributions from David Levy, Campaign for dark skies and @UKSEDS David Levy recounts the momentous event of July 1994 and talks about his current preoccupations. Did you know he has his own podcast called letstalkstars.  David Paul talks about the Campaign for Dark Skies which was established in 1989, what progress has been made and how the amateur astronomy community can still contribute. Alison Gibbings describes what students do when not attending lectures, no they're not in the pub. They have got themselves organised take a look at UKSEDS. The website does require an update though. Gurbir Singh full 28:25 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=7-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noDavid Levy This episode - contributions from David Levy, Campaign for dark skies and @UKSEDS David Levy recounts the momentous event of July 1994 and talks about his current preoccupations. Did you know he has his own podcast called letstalkstars.  David Paul talks about the Campaign for Dark Skies which was established in 1989, what progress has been made and how the amateur astronomy community can still contribute. Alison Gibbings describes what students do when not attending lectures, no they're not in the pub. They have got themselves organised take a look at UKSEDS. The website does require an update though.David Levy This episode - contributions from David Levy, Campaign for dark skies and @UKSEDS David Levy recounts the momentous event of July 1994 and talks about his current preoccupations. Did you know he has his own podcast called letstalkstars.  David Paul talks about the Campaign for Dark Skies which was established in 1989, what progress has been made and how the amateur astronomy community can still contribute. Alison Gibbings describes what students do when not attending lectures, no they're not in the pub. They have got themselves organised take a look at UKSEDS. The website does require an update though.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/astrofest-2008/ Sun, 10 Feb 2008 12:00:46 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/wp/?p=8 https://astrotalkuk.org/astrofest-2008/#comments https://astrotalkuk.org/astrofest-2008/feed/ 1 Nik Szymanek Astrofest is a unique event for amateur astronomers for the UK and Europe. Keith Cooper, Astronomy Now's editor provides some background to how and when it started. @AstronomyNow Nik Szymanek an accomplished astrophotographer shares his experiences of capturing some spectacular images. See some of them on his website. Dr Allan Chapman talks about the tradition of amateur astronomy. He identifies some of the key figures from the past and speculates on its future. Read more about Allan on Wikipedia. Gurbir Singh full 28:35 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=6-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noNik Szymanek Astrofest is a unique event for amateur astronomers for the UK and Europe. Keith Cooper, Astronomy Now's editor provides some background to how and when it started. @AstronomyNow Nik Szymanek an accomplished astrophotographer shares his experiences of capturing some spectacular images. See some of them on his website. Dr Allan Chapman talks about the tradition of amateur astronomy. He identifies some of the key figures from the past and speculates on its future. Read more about Allan on Wikipedia.Nik Szymanek Astrofest is a unique event for amateur astronomers for the UK and Europe. Keith Cooper, Astronomy Now's editor provides some background to how and when it started. @AstronomyNow Nik Szymanek an accomplished astrophotographer shares his experiences of capturing some spectacular images. See some of them on his website. Dr Allan Chapman talks about the tradition of amateur astronomy. He identifies some of the key figures from the past and speculates on its future. Read more about Allan on Wikipedia.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes https://astrotalkuk.org/episode1-january-20th-2008-download-105mb/ Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:00:19 +0000 https://astrotalkuk.org/wp/?p=7 https://astrotalkuk.org/episode1-january-20th-2008-download-105mb/#respond https://astrotalkuk.org/episode1-january-20th-2008-download-105mb/feed/ 0 NASA Messenger Amateur Astronomy in the 21st Century: Will Comet 17P Holmes brighten again? Is an asteroid heading for an impact on a Mars? Who was the founder of amateur astronomy? How amateur are amateur astronomers these days? The very first episode of AstrotalkUK. A discussion between Tony O'Sullivan, Ken Irving, from Salford Astronomical Society and Chris Lord on the state of Amateur Astronomy in the 21st Century. More about Chris on his website at Brayebrook Observatory. Links Asteroid WD5 2007 heading for Mars? MESSENGER's revealing view of Mercury. Gurbir Singh full 33:36 <iframe width="320" height="30" src="https://astrotalkuk.org/?powerpress_embed=5-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" title="Blubrry Podcast Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> noNASA Messenger Amateur Astronomy in the 21st Century: Will Comet 17P Holmes brighten again? Is an asteroid heading for an impact on a Mars? Who was the founder of amateur astronomy? How amateur are amateur astronomers these days? The very first episode of AstrotalkUK. A discussion between Tony O'Sullivan, Ken Irving, from Salford Astronomical Society and Chris Lord on the state of Amateur Astronomy in the 21st Century. More about Chris on his website at Brayebrook Observatory. Links Asteroid WD5 2007 heading for Mars? MESSENGER's revealing view of Mercury.NASA Messenger Amateur Astronomy in the 21st Century: Will Comet 17P Holmes brighten again? Is an asteroid heading for an impact on a Mars? Who was the founder of amateur astronomy? How amateur are amateur astronomers these days? The very first episode of AstrotalkUK. A discussion between Tony O'Sullivan, Ken Irving, from Salford Astronomical Society and Chris Lord on the state of Amateur Astronomy in the 21st Century. More about Chris on his website at Brayebrook Observatory. Links Asteroid WD5 2007 heading for Mars? MESSENGER's revealing view of Mercury.Space,Rockets,Solar,System,Planets,Astronomy,Telescopes