Readers may have noticed that I have a bit of a thing for science communication. When its done well its beautiful to watch. Some scientists have a real flair for presentation (admittedly some don't- being an educator is hard.) But I haven't met a scientist yet who hasn't enjoyed talking to people about the research they do and why they do it.

Its ( Read more... )

Steampunk hits Auntie!

Anyone fancy a trip to Oxford?

Although the fact they warned us that "The gun in the video is fictional and should not be copied"is a little excessive, Its a steam-powered pistol that shoots cubes at aliens. Everyone knows the best bullets for aliens are hexagonal!

So I might as well mention that I was nominated for an award, didn't win, but was a runner up.

In case you didn't know it was National Volunteers Week this week. I was a runner-up in the "Long Service" award (and by extension the "Best Team Contribution" category as I've just started as a Learning Volunteer), and got to go to HMS Belfast, receive a ( Read more... )

...be sure to bring your humongous mecha. Because the squid are invading.

Click to view

Did we mention the sky-fortress?

Click to view

Or the space cannon that makes Torchwood look like a peashooter?

H/T to Pharyngula and Pink Tentacle

Was really very good, but it did confirm my personal dislike for Ricky Gervais. However the host, Robin Ince was very, very good, with his Hannah-Barbera Feynman impressions, and humorous rants about Anne Coulter, Stephen Green and all the other people who provide a reason for the "New Atheists" to be so vocal. Plus he gave a shout-out to Tycho ( Read more... )

Just off the coast of Tonga, a new volcanic island has appeared. Discovered by the crew of the Maiken, which has its own blog.

Yesterday we saw the birth of an island, most likely we were the first humans to see the new creation. We have some pictures, but they will have to wait until we have a chance to upload them. So you might have heard about ( Read more... )