Author Archives: Stephen

Passing Time

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Stephen

At the weekend the clocks went forward. Time was shifted and the days suddenly seem longer. I realised that my stargazing will be pushed later and later into the spring and summer evenings. Oh well, I’ll just have to sit … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

The Age of Wonder, Thunder or Blunder?

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Stephen

I am reading The Age of Wonder, Richard Holmes’ award-winning romp through the romantic era of science which lasted, roughly speaking, from the middle of the eighteenth century to the middle of the nineteenth. I may one of these days … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Libel is not Funny

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Stephen

Sunday evening saw the Curry clan heading into central London for the Big Libel Gig in support of the ongoing campaign for Libel Reform. There was a great line-up of comedy talent in prospect, inter-mixed with more serious contributions about … Continue reading →

Posted in Libel Reform | 11 Comments

Bob Dylan at Imperial

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Stephen

It’s hard to believe, but Bob Dylan is at Imperial. Stranger than an eleven-dollar bill. But it’s true.  Not in person you understand, that would be ridiculous. But his words are there, as the sub-text to an exhibition of photographs … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 19 Comments

Mark this Day

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Stephen

Mark this day! Mark this day. Hang out the bunting And launch a clatter of fireworks from the grassy earth For its like may not be seen again. Today I ran for a full twenty-eight minutes Without stopping. I lapped … Continue reading →

Posted in Scientific Life | 23 Comments

The awesomeness of MT4

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Stephen
Posted in Uncategorized | 22 Comments

Not at all saturnine about Saturn

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Stephen

Returning home from Lablit this evening at about 11 pm I scanned the clear sky in the south-east and noticed a small bright speck to the left of and slightly higher than the glowing moon. A quick perusal of Starmap … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Scientia Pro Publica 22

Posted on March 1, 2010 by Stephen

Roll up! Roll up! Lay-deeeez and Genne-men! Step right in! We have here today for your delectation and amazement a veritable cornucopia of comeliness, a festival of fecundity, a very large bucket of sciency bits, in all their wondrous and … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Scientific Life | 28 Comments

Science in Court

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Stephen

Yesterday morning I made my way to the Royal Courts of Justice in London’s Strand to attend the Court of Appeal hearing in the libel case brought by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) against Simon Singh. I went partly to … Continue reading →

Posted in Libel Reform | 13 Comments

The Carnival Cometh

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Stephen

Grrlscientist and Bob caught me napping the other day and before I knew it, I had agreed to host the next Scientia Pro Publica, which will be published here on Monday 1st March.   So, if you’ve read or written … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments

New Moon

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Stephen

I have little to say this evening apart from reporting that I came home tonight and caught the new moon before it dipped behind the trees. Thought some of you might want to have a look. Moon over Kent And … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy | 40 Comments

From the pedestal – take 2

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Stephen

Updated at 10:30 am Following my brief and angry post last week about Simon Jenkins’ wayward accusations against scientists in The Guardian, Bill Hanage and I have written a more temperate but no less strongly felt response that has appeared … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 78 Comments