science Archives • Page 216 of 237 • Skeptical Science

Astronomers discover 10 more free-floating planets in the milky way

November 25, 2019May 18, 2011 by Dave

Planets, found by an international group of researchers, do not orbit any star!!! … fascinating.

Astronomers have found a clutch of planets that wander alone through interstellar space. The discovery of the objects, which do not orbit any star, will help scientists better understand how planetary systems form and evolve.

The 10 free-floating planets are thousands of light years in the direction of the central bulge of the Milky Way, towards the constellation of Sagittarius. Their masses and compositions are thought to be equivalent to Jupiter and Saturn – mainly hydrogen and helium with trace amounts of heavier elements.

Vehicle levitates without magnets

June 17, 2018May 18, 2011 by Dave

Now this is interesting, its a report from New Scientist (here) today.

How YouTube is popularising science

December 15, 2018May 18, 2011 by Dave

[Cut and pasted from a Guardian article here]

Brian Cox is brilliant for science popularity, but TV is not the only means to communicate science. James Grime explains how small videos are making a big difference to the reach of science.

I have been recognised four times now. Four times! I knew you would be impressed. And what has brought me such notoriety? Is it my fancy suits, my outrageous tabloid lifestyle, or is it my world famous impression of a teapot? No. I make videos about maths on YouTube.

I am one of a growing number of science communicators on YouTube, and I know many readers could be doing the same. If there is a subject you’re passionate about, whatever it is, I want to invite you to join us. In the meantime, here is a favourite video of mine about a surprising mathematical game called non-transitive dice.

Stephen Hawking: ‘There is no heaven; it’s a fairy story’

May 13, 2016May 16, 2011 by Dave

There is an article in yesterday’s Guardian in which the Stephen Hawking shares his thoughts on death, M-theory, human purpose and our chance existence. I guess most are now familiar with his views and the trouble it stirred up from the believers last time (more on that it a moment). First here is an extract … Read more

UK Science funding drastically cut back

February 21, 2022May 15, 2011 by Dave

UK Science is in deep trouble, a report from science and technology committee says that UK astronomy will have 50% less funding by 2014/15 than in 2005 …

MPs have warned that major cuts in research budgets and withdrawal from several major scientific facilities will endanger the UK’s international standing in astronomy and particle physics and its ability to inspire the next generation of scientists.

Read more

Fermi gamma-ray image updates ‘extreme Universe’ view

June 17, 2018May 13, 2011 by Dave

The Fermi space telescope has yielded the most detailed gamma ray map of the sky – representing the Universe’s most violent and extreme processes.

The telescope’s newest results, as well as the map, were described at the Third Fermi Symposium in Rome this week.