Stargazing Live

Techboy · Post by **Techboy** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:41 am

I'm a physics student and Cosmos makes my fucking life complete. Brian Cox is pretty cool, most people in my class drool from their parts over him.
Stargazing Live was awesome last year, my girlfriend and I watch it, I really want to get a telescope haha. The fact they used Boards of Canada tonight is also awesome.
Dara O Briain has a degree in physics! So it's probably something to do with that.

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rolypablo · Post by **rolypablo** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:57 pm

What Boards song did they play last night?

noshferatu · Post by **noshferatu** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:31 pm

you should check out the "infinite monkey cage" pod casts if you like brian cox

Numerator · Post by **Numerator** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:46 pm

noshferatu wrote:you should check out the "infinite monkey cage" pod casts if you like brian cox

oh my word yes definitely
they're hilarious and you actually learn things too

fujee · Post by **fujee** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:38 pm

Ah I'm annoyed this was only 3 nights long, I watched it all and it was great. Brian Cox is definitely our next national treasure. Also infinite monkey cage is awesome!

Mexicola · Post by **Mexicola** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:25 pm

fujee wrote:Ah I'm annoyed this was only 3 nights long, I watched it all and it was great. Brian Cox is definitely our next national treasure. Also infinite monkey cage is awesome!

How are you getting on with 'Everything That Can Happen, Does Happen'???

fujee · Post by **fujee** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:30 pm

Almost completed it.. student life eh!

Yeah, its fantastically written, obviously quite challenging as I am not particularly well read on the subject but they explain things in a clear way without being condescending. It's also challenging in the sense that the idea's put forward are completely mind bending. Really enjoyable though, Cox is just as good at writing as he is at presenting etc.. so much enthusiasm for his field.

How're you getting on?

Mexicola · Post by **Mexicola** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:40 pm

Only started it to be honest. Had a bit of a book-buying frenzy of late. The side-effect of 6 weeks off work after my knee op.

Loving it so far. Takes me back to my A-level Physics/Maths days 20 years ago! I was no good at maths then and I'm still not!! lol

fujee · Post by **fujee** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:57 pm

Oh don't worry mate, had it not been for my average mathematical brain I would of absolutely chosen a Physics career path instead of a creative one.

I buy way to many books, I have approaching 500 novels now and hundreds of non fiction, it's actually a habit for me. My wallet feels the pain lol

One good thing about this show is I got my telescope out again, i forgot how fun it is to look for things yourself, though now im considering buying some outrageous new piece of kit I can't possibily afford.

Hope your knee gets better though mate!

Mexicola · Post by **Mexicola** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:07 pm

Properly, properly gutted tonight....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-16679422

These photos were taken in Northumberland yesterday. The ones from St Marys Island are literally 2 miles from my parents home, where I was raised. I've never seen the Northern Lights and here I am living down in Dorset!!

fujee · Post by **fujee** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:10 pm

Yeah I've seen some snaps people took and posted on the Guardian, absolutely beautiful. How come it's come down so low this year? I swear it never reaches Scotland/England? extra solar activity?

Mexicola · Post by **Mexicola** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:16 pm

It does occasionally happen, although I don't recall it ever being THIS far South before. See here for more info.

fujee · Post by **fujee** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:20 pm

Nice one

portiss · Post by **portiss** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:49 pm

There might even be a chance we see it in The Netherlands tonight. Fingers crossed.

mucephei · Post by **mucephei** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:36 pm

Didn't see it last night from my back garden, and I'm an amateur astronomer.

I listen to BOC whilst observing with my binoculars and telescope.

The Friendly Stranger · Thu Mar 08, 2012 4:23 pm

Attention all Northern folk! The largest solar storm in 5 years is currently underway so like several months ago there's a very real possibility of seeing the Northern Lights further south than usual. Hope you all get a good show!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17295337

Mexicola · Post by **Mexicola** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 6:22 pm

The Friendly Stranger wrote:Attention all Northern folk! The largest solar storm in 5 years is currently underway so like several months ago there's a very real possibility of seeing the Northern Lights further south than usual. Hope you all get a good show!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17295337

Cool, I'm off 'home' to Northumberland for a week this Saturday. Hope springs eternal.

In other related news, I'm off to a local Astronomy meet for the first time when I get back in the New Forest. Looks like a good bunch, with lots of opportunity to check out scopes etc before I sell my soul to by one...

Integer · Post by **Integer** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 7:00 pm

The Northern Lights put on a quite a show here in Seattle two nights ago.

Heading up to The Cascades this evening with friends to catch them tonight. Perfectly clear skies are forecasted, as well, which is pretty rare in itself this time of year.

mucephei · Post by **mucephei** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:46 pm

Had a look outside earlier but down here (Wiltshire, SW England, 51°N) there was no aurora other than the light pollution from the local sports centre. It has to be a massive CME to be visible here.

Also a full Moon won't help.