A Geek and Freelancer Writing About the Awesomeness of Science
Between 1 July, 1957, and December 31, 1958, scientists from 67 different countries took part in the International Geophysical Year (IGY). The worldwide study focused on the Earth’s physical properties and processes, covering scientific fields such as meteorology, seismology, oceanography, glaciology and others. Not only did it lead to some of the most important discoveries... Continue Reading →
The first exoplanet was discovered in 1992 and it opened up a new era of planetary science. Eight years later, a group of astronomers at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) took a series of infrared images of a brown dwarf. What they didn’t know at the time was they had also taken the first ever... Continue Reading →
Sir Douglas Mawson is one of Australia’s all-time greatest explorers. He’s best known for his trips to Antarctica and work in geology. From 1984–1996, his image was on the front of the $100 paper banknote. But how and why was he chosen for it? Sir Douglas Mawson Born on 5 May, 1882, Mawson and his... Continue Reading →
From humble beginnings, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth in Vostok 1 on 12 April, 1961. The flight lasted a short 108 minutes and he would become a world hero afterwards. Sadly, his life was cut short in the years that followed. Gagarin was born on 9 March, 1934, and was... Continue Reading →
It was described as a great grey ghost coming out of the mist by the Fire Island coast guard on duty as the RMS Queen Elizabeth came into view. It was March 7, 1940, and no one in New York was expecting the arrival of the world’s largest ocean liner, which meant everything had gone... Continue Reading →
Before being reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006, Pluto was considered the ninth and final planet of the Solar System. It was discovered in 1930 but it wasn’t until 1978 when astronomers discovered a second object. Named Charon, the moon was nearly half the diameter of Pluto and defied all expectations. While working at... Continue Reading →
Former astronaut Andy Thomas turned 70 years old today (December 18). Besides having a distinguished career with NASA, he has achieved much as an Australian in space. Even now, Thomas continues to champion the development of the space sector in our country. Thomas grew up in Adelaide and was fascinated with space from a young... Continue Reading →
On October 16, 2021, the Australian Antarctic Division’s (AAD) brand-new icebreaker RSV Nuyina arrived in its homeport of Hobart for the very first time. The ship will carry expeditioners to and from the bottom of the world, resupply Australia’s sub-Antarctic and polar stations and will be crucial in future scientific discoveries. Nuyina builds upon a... Continue Reading →
The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) was the first vehicle designed for another world. It was a staple of the later Apollo missions and helped astronauts travel further afield on the Moon than ever before. Though it resembled a dune buggy, with its nickname affectionately being “Moon buggy”, it was actually very different from a car... Continue Reading →
Antarctica has fascinated the public since it was first discovered centuries ago. It’s the driest desert on the planet and its ice-covered landscape is as beautiful as it is deadly. While the early polar explorations led to the first permanent science stations, tourism is something a lot newer. Visiting Antarctica has only been happening for... Continue Reading →