by Colin Stuart | Dec 20, 2017 | Explainer, solar system, Thoughts
Something has been bugging me for a while. In recent years astronomers have realised there might be another planet in our solar system. For now it is called Planet Nine and we think it is there because we can see its gravity lining up smaller solar system objects. It...
by Colin Stuart | Nov 6, 2017 | Astronomy, Explainer
Most of us have a very limited vocal range. The average human singing voice encompasses just three octaves, where an octave spans eight ascending musical notes in such a way that the last note is twice the frequency of the first. Sometimes well trained singers can...
by Colin Stuart | Oct 31, 2017 | Explainer, Inspiration, solar system
No humans have left Low Earth Orbit since 1972, an achingly long time given the fervour of excitement surrounding the Apollo program that saw twelve men walk on the Moon. That said, eyes are starting to focus on Mars as a credible target for people to explore. The US...
by Colin Stuart | Oct 31, 2017 | Astronomy, Explainer, solar system
Of all the stories we pass on from generation to generation, one of the most persistent is that the Moon is made of cheese. The idea is a very old one, dating back at least as far as 1546 to The Proverbs of John Heywood which carries the line “the moon is made of a...
by Colin Stuart | Oct 9, 2017 | Astronomy, Explainer, solar system
I was delighted and stunned to learn that, in recognition of my work to popularise astronomy, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has renamed the asteroid formerly known as (15347) 1994 UD. It is now called (15347) Colinstuart. A main belt asteroid, it sits...
by Colin Stuart | Jun 21, 2017 | Astronomy, Explainer, Thoughts
Do you ever get the sense that you’re being lied to? That those around you have fed you untruths your entire life and no-one else seems to question it? I’m not talking about the latest twists in the current crazy political landscape or any half-baked...
