Monday, September 10, 2012
Attention Schools - New PULSE@Parkes Observing Slots Now Open
In my email, for schools information:
We now have six new observing slots open to schools for the PULSE@Parkes
project. The dates available are:
23 Oct 2012
19 Nov 2012
11 Dec 2012
08 Feb 2013
22 Mar 2013
25 Mar 2013
Applications must be submitted online at:
The program is free to schools. Observing sessions are usually restricted
to a maximum of 24 students from Years 10-12.
If you have a smaller class please indicate if you would be willing to
share a slot with another school.
Details about the program are available at:
We are keen to fill the October session as soon as possible.
Labels: education, science communicators
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
Things You Need To Do Before Announcing You have Found Niburu (or Planet X or Tyche)
Following yet another purported video of Niburu which is actually Aldebaran, (see Dave Greg's pictures here) may I suggest some things that people should do before releasing these videos/images.
1) Check to see that it s not a known object. There are lots of smartphone apps that can show you the sky from your location, with all the bright stars and planets shown.
If a smartphone app is not for you, there are a number of free planetarium programs which can show you the sky, and even simulate the field of view of you camera.
Stellarium, Sky Cafe and Cartes du Ciel are all good ones. Paper based charts are good for brighter objects.
This is the first step that comet and asteroid hunters do when they spot a possibly unknown object.
0) *Make sure you know the characteristics of your imaging system. Use a tripod for taking shots. Do some test shots of known astronomical objects (autofocus is notorious for turning stars into disks. If you can turn off autofocus and set focus to infinity, do so).
Check for hot pixels. Video cameras usually have less sensitivity than standard CCD cameras, so ostensibly bright objects may go missing in the video. Test for internal lens and camera reflections, even experienced comet hunters have been fooled (although briefly) by internal reflections of a bright star. Try masking out the bright object with a building or tree trunk to check for internal reflections. See this video for more explanation and examples, and here's another)
An unusual artefact in the STEREO H1A imager from 21-3-2011. This has been mistaken for a planet, but the object is transparent, real planets aren't transparent. It is visible only on a single frame. The
supposed illuminated crescent is on the side away from the sun, and the
object is roughly 2 degrees wide, 4 times the diameter of the sun and
moon. On 21/3/11 Venus was easily observable in the morning sky, we
would have noticed an object 4 times the size of the moon next to it.
If you are using STEREO/SOHO images, check the planets and artefacts pages (also see here where the optic assembly is explained.) to make sure it's not a known bright planet (like Mercury in this COR2B video) or artefact.
The same goes for images from Google Sky, Wiki Sky and the World Wide Telescope. These are all assembled from scans of 50+ year old Deep Sky Survey plates, and have a variety of artefacts on them.
Similarly images from Neumayer Station webcams have a variety of lens flare artefacts that are claimed to be planets (see this one where a star is shining through the "planet").
2) Get someone to independently verify your find. If someone can see the same thing from a different location you may be onto something (provided you have already eliminated Venus, Jupiter and various bright stars).
This is the second step that comet and asteroid hunters do when they spot a possibly unknown object.
3) Follow up. Is the object there the next night/morning? Has it moved? Watching an object (usually with the independent observers you recruited in step 2) over several days establishes what kind of object you are tracking. If it doesn't move with respect to known stars, then it is probably a misidentified star.
Again, follow up is an important part of comet and asteroid hunting, identification is not usually submitted until there is at least one days follow up.
These simple precautions will prevent you from the excruciating embarrassment of posting images of the Pleiades, Aldebaran and the like as "Nibiru" (see also here). As well, you will become more familiar with our beautiful sky and who knows, you might even discover an unknown comet or supernova!
* why isn't this number 1, because many people find things before they have a chance to check out the imaging system.
If a smartphone app is not for you, there are a number of free planetarium programs which can show you the sky, and even simulate the field of view of you camera.
Stellarium, Sky Cafe and Cartes du Ciel are all good ones. Paper based charts are good for brighter objects.
This is the first step that comet and asteroid hunters do when they spot a possibly unknown object.
0) *Make sure you know the characteristics of your imaging system. Use a tripod for taking shots. Do some test shots of known astronomical objects (autofocus is notorious for turning stars into disks. If you can turn off autofocus and set focus to infinity, do so).
Check for hot pixels. Video cameras usually have less sensitivity than standard CCD cameras, so ostensibly bright objects may go missing in the video. Test for internal lens and camera reflections, even experienced comet hunters have been fooled (although briefly) by internal reflections of a bright star. Try masking out the bright object with a building or tree trunk to check for internal reflections. See this video for more explanation and examples, and here's another)
If you are using STEREO/SOHO images, check the planets and artefacts pages (also see here where the optic assembly is explained.) to make sure it's not a known bright planet (like Mercury in this COR2B video) or artefact.
The same goes for images from Google Sky, Wiki Sky and the World Wide Telescope. These are all assembled from scans of 50+ year old Deep Sky Survey plates, and have a variety of artefacts on them.
Similarly images from Neumayer Station webcams have a variety of lens flare artefacts that are claimed to be planets (see this one where a star is shining through the "planet").
2) Get someone to independently verify your find. If someone can see the same thing from a different location you may be onto something (provided you have already eliminated Venus, Jupiter and various bright stars).
This is the second step that comet and asteroid hunters do when they spot a possibly unknown object.
3) Follow up. Is the object there the next night/morning? Has it moved? Watching an object (usually with the independent observers you recruited in step 2) over several days establishes what kind of object you are tracking. If it doesn't move with respect to known stars, then it is probably a misidentified star.
Again, follow up is an important part of comet and asteroid hunting, identification is not usually submitted until there is at least one days follow up.
These simple precautions will prevent you from the excruciating embarrassment of posting images of the Pleiades, Aldebaran and the like as "Nibiru" (see also here). As well, you will become more familiar with our beautiful sky and who knows, you might even discover an unknown comet or supernova!
* why isn't this number 1, because many people find things before they have a chance to check out the imaging system.
Labels: asteroids, astrophotography, comet, education, Google Sky, Pseudoscience, science communicators, Sun
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Death of Pluto and the Birth of the Drake Equation - Podcats from
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific has produced two podcasts that may be of interest to people coming here. I'll just repost their email to me.
The nonprofit Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP)
is pleased to announce two new resources for
educators, outreach professionals, journalists,
and astronomy enthusiasts:
1. Prof. Michael Brown (Caltech) explains "How I
Killed Pluto and Why It Had it Coming" in a free podcast
in the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series from
Jan. 19th, 2011:
http://www.astrosociety.org/education/podcast/index.html
In this wonderfully personal and humorous talk, Dr. Brown
explains exactly what happened and didn't happen when
astronomers reached the controversial new definition of
a planet.
(On that same page, you can find a podcast from November,
in which Natalie Batalha sets the background about the Kepler
mission and explains the search for other Earths in our
cosmic neighborhood.)
2. The latest issue of "The Universe in the Classroom" Newsletter
on Teaching Astronomy celebrates the 50th anniversary of the
Drake Equation -- the formula proposed by Frank Drake that
helps scientists estimate the likelihood of intelligent, communicative
life in the universe:
http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/77/77.html
In addition to a nice historical summary of the equation and
how it is used, the issues includes resources and classroom
activities on this topic.
Labels: education, Pluto, podcasts, science communicators
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Are we alone? - Astrostuff at RiAUS
The Royal Institute of Australia has a talk on that will be of interest to all us astronomy, science and science fiction buffs.
Are we alone in the Universe? A review of the Drake Equation
Wednesday 14 April, 6-7.30pm, The Science Exchange
From the publicity blurb
Also, from April 9 the RiAus is opening up the bar at the Science Exchange, Friday afternoons from 5pm, so if you're looking for somewhere a little bit different to relax and unwind after work, drop on by.
Are we alone in the Universe? A review of the Drake Equation
Wednesday 14 April, 6-7.30pm, The Science Exchange
From the publicity blurb
April marks the 50th anniversary of SETI, or the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. So what do we know today? Is there life in the cosmos, waiting to be found? Or is Earth the only harbour of life as we know it? And if life exists elsewhere, what about intelligence, technology and civilisation? Science journalist Wilson da Silva updates the Drake Equation, science's attempt to determine the number of extraterrestrial civilisations out there today.Free - booking essential. Book at http://arewealone.eventbrite.com
Also, from April 9 the RiAus is opening up the bar at the Science Exchange, Friday afternoons from 5pm, so if you're looking for somewhere a little bit different to relax and unwind after work, drop on by.
Labels: education, Public Lecture, science communicators
Saturday, April 10, 2010
It's World Homeopathy Awaness Week!
It's World Homoeopathy Awareness Week from 10-16 April. You could go to the homoepaths site and be told that distilled water will cure what ails you, or you could visit Science-Based Pharmacy, the Australian Skeptics, Orac, White Coat Underground, or Science-Based Medicine for the real lowdown on these over-priced placebos.
Labels: education, Pseudoscience, scepticism
Friday, April 09, 2010
Control the Virtual Telescope Yourself!
During Global Astronomy Month, the folks at the Virtual Telescope as letting people control it themselves, day or night, until April 30th. Naturally, as a freebie there will be a lot of interest, so they are restricting people to 30 minutes time on the scope, and between 5 -10 users from any given country a night (so everyone gets a go). No previous astronomical experience is necessary.
Educators, this would be a great chance to get your students exposed to astronomy in a way they will be unlikely to experience easily (Australian Educators have the best opportunity, our daytime is early morning at the scope, when most Europeans will be in bed).
I've applied for time to see a rare alignment of Saturn's satellites. If this works out I can set up something for my kids primary school hopefully).
My previous Virtual Telescope adventures are here and here
Educators, this would be a great chance to get your students exposed to astronomy in a way they will be unlikely to experience easily (Australian Educators have the best opportunity, our daytime is early morning at the scope, when most Europeans will be in bed).
I've applied for time to see a rare alignment of Saturn's satellites. If this works out I can set up something for my kids primary school hopefully).
My previous Virtual Telescope adventures are here and here
Labels: education, International Year of Astronomy, telescope
Thursday, March 25, 2010
A Tour of the Exoplanets in Celestia
Sol as seen from 47 Ursae Majoris bAs mentioned in the Advertiser article in EducationNow, I'm a fan of using the freeware programs Celestia and Stellarium in astronomy education.
To demonstrate this, I've made a Celestia script that takes you on a trip to three exoplanets (Epsilon Eriadanus b, Super Earth Gliese 851 d, and 47 Ursae Majoris b) showing what the Sun and the constellations Scorpius and the Southern Cross. Like these posts.
The script (download ExoplanetSkies.cel and put it in your Celestia folder, then use File | Open Script to run it.) will take you on this tour while showing some basic information. At the moment, the descriptions are somewhat terse (and I haven't included music), and I really should put together a teachers guide so teachers can get students asking questions and develop some points that would be too wordy to include in the script. But this gives you a flavor of the power of scripts.
If you have Celestia Versions 1.3-1.5 you will have to download the file Wolf_562.ssc (the alternate name for Gliese 581) and put it in your Celestia extras folder. You then have to comment out Gleise 581b which is in these versions. Celestia 1.6 has the full Gliese planet set.
Anyway, download the script, give it a whirl and tell me what you think (ho to improve it for teaching etc.).
Labels: celestia, education, exoplanet, extrasolar planet
Friday, January 15, 2010
My New Project
This diorama is a clue to my new project (click to embiggen). If you can guess a) where the diorama is set, b) who the dude without the spacesuit is and c) what the overall theme of the project is, you will win a cartoon featuring yourself and spacesuits.You can make your own diorama by downloading this PDF file. Print it and glue it to a sheet of card (DON'T use old Pizza boxes for backing, like I did). Cut out, assemble and colour your diorama, and send me a photo. The best diorama will be featured on the blog and you will also win a umm, err, ahhh.
A prize of some sort anyway. Go to it!
Friday, September 11, 2009
NASA Images
Here's something you all (especially educators) might find very useful. NASA Images
is a repository of NASA media that would be very useful to educators, scientists, researchers, and space enthusiasts of all stripes. It is the largest collection of NASA media (still images, video & audio) available from a single, searchable site.
The images are tagged, come with descriptions and can be viewed and zoomed on screen or downloaded for later use. Goand have a play, then use the site to get someone excited about space and astronomy.
is a repository of NASA media that would be very useful to educators, scientists, researchers, and space enthusiasts of all stripes. It is the largest collection of NASA media (still images, video & audio) available from a single, searchable site.
The images are tagged, come with descriptions and can be viewed and zoomed on screen or downloaded for later use. Goand have a play, then use the site to get someone excited about space and astronomy.
Labels: astrophotography, education
Sunday, June 07, 2009
At Conjecture 2009
EldestOne, MiddleOne and Myself are at Conjecture 2009, the 48th Australian SF convention. My main interest was the workshop by Canadian writer and academic Julie Czerneda, facilitated by Helen Merrick. "The Universe is Made of Stories" was a science educators workshop that looked at how to engage studenst in science using scienc fiction. This was very exciting and engaging, and I learned a lot that I can take back for my own teaching practice (Interestingly, pointing out plot holes in SF movies can disengage people form understanding science) .They boys have been building all sorts of things, including Ornitopters, I've also been to presentations on the Academic as Hero (I liked that one of course :-), Future cites and the author of a book EldestOne has, D M Cornish. Writer and illustrator, he had interesting stories to tell accompanied by his own detailed illustrations.
The Boys are now confirmed SF con fans, were' going back today for more SF goodness.
Labels: education, home life, science matters
Friday, February 13, 2009
Speaking of Education
The Astronomy Education Review, a web-based journal/magazine about astronomy education and outreach, has announced the on-line publication of its 14th issue at http://aer.noao.edu. Access to this journal is free. In light of recent discussions here, this article How Do Preservice Teachers' Religious Beliefs Affect Their Understanding of Astronomy? may be of interest. As well as Virtual Field Trips: Using Google Maps to Support Online Learning and Teaching of the History of Astronomy.
Also, the latest issue of Evolution: Education and Outreach is now online. In line with celebrating the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, it is a ‘Darwin’ issue. One paper of interest in light of my recent rant is Don’t Call it “Darwinism” by Eugenie C. Scott and Glenn Branch.
Nature also has a Darwin Day Special edition, with a lot of the content free. There is an interview with David Attenbrough, a special Nature Podcast and lots more.
Also, the latest issue of Evolution: Education and Outreach is now online. In line with celebrating the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, it is a ‘Darwin’ issue. One paper of interest in light of my recent rant is Don’t Call it “Darwinism” by Eugenie C. Scott and Glenn Branch.
Nature also has a Darwin Day Special edition, with a lot of the content free. There is an interview with David Attenbrough, a special Nature Podcast and lots more.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
The Origin of Life at the Museum of Science
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase ribozyme, an example of the RNA-based catalysts that may have preceded protein enzymmes during the origin of life.The Museum of Science at Boston has a fantastic interactive web resource on the origins of life. Exploring Lifes Origins has a timeline of lifes evolution (with sliders), and pages on understanding the RNA world and building protocells, with a nice animation of protocell replication. The pages have been made in collaboration with ribozyme guru Jack Szostak and his laboratory, and there is a handy resources page for educators.
If you are interested in our current understanding of the origin of life, this is a very handy starting off point. You can explore ribozymes in more detail with proteopedia.
(Hat tip to Sandra Porter, biology educators should not miss her blog)
Labels: education, evolution, origin of life, prebiotic chemistry
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Some Great Astronomy Podcasts.
The nonprofit Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) has made available audio recordings of twelve public lectures by noted astronomers as free MP3 downloads. You can get them from:
Dr. Jill Tarter (SETI Institute): "Better Searches for Signals from Extra-terrestrial Civilizations"
Dr. Geoff Marcy (U. of California, Berkeley): "Hunting for Earth-like Planets Among the Stars"
pop over there and have a listen.
These lectures include:
Dr. Jill Tarter (SETI Institute): "Better Searches for Signals from Extra-terrestrial Civilizations"
Dr. Geoff Marcy (U. of California, Berkeley): "Hunting for Earth-like Planets Among the Stars"
pop over there and have a listen.
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