BLAST on the BBC

BLAST on the BBC

Jan 07

BLAST will be on the BBC tonight. It has an interesting story behind it and luckily the brother of the head investigator is a film maker. He followed the international science team literally around the world as they tried to map star-forming regions and to find the origins of the galaxies.

Detox Supernova in 3D (Part 2)

Detox Supernova in 3D (Part 2)

Jan 07

Many products in the shops use scientific language to promote their products. At this time of year, following a period of festive excess, many detox products are popular. Detoxing herbal teas, shampoos, facial washes, foot pads and more can be purchased at a premium in Boots, Superdrug and miscellany other shops and pharmacies. Do they work? Well no, not really.

Detox Supernova in 3D (Part 1)

Detox Supernova in 3D (Part 1)

Jan 06

Using X-Ray images, and infrared data, a team of astronomers led by Dr Tracey DeLaney of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and including Dr. Gomez from Cardiff, created a 3D visualisation of the Cassiopeia A supernova to get a more complete understanding of how the explosion happened.

I Am Really Bored Today

I Am Really Bored Today

Nov 06

Sometimes the thrill of uncovering the true nature of the Universe doesn't quite last all day. Today... well it's really boring and slow. I tried to work - I really did. I stared at a paper I am writing for at least an hour but nothing came out of my head and into the document. Wait, I lied; there was a spelling correction I think.

Astronomy in a Paperless Universe

Astronomy in a Paperless Universe

Nov 03

What is the best time of day to submit to astro-ph? Do astro-ph and ADS harm publishers? I'll be trying to answer these questions and others as I discuss the effect of the Internet on scientific papers.

Cardiff’s New Telescope Opens

Cardiff’s New Telescope Opens

Oct 24

The Cardiff HAlf metre Newise Telescope (CHaNT) officially opens today with a public event. The new, half-metre telescope is big enough to see Andromeda's companion galaxies, to study the red spot on Jupiter and to see stars which, frankly, I never thought I'd see from Cardiff!