Prof. Brian Cox – Journey into deep space

[mjfitzhenry]

Just got back from the great talk by Prof. Brian Cox (https://lateralevents.com/public-events/brian-cox-journey-into-deep-space/).
It was great from an amateur astronomer's perspective. He spoke about how a planets distance can be calculated using parallax. He got one of his amateur mates to image Neptune every night for a month (in Manchester they only got 4 good nights) to demonstrate. He also explained how an amateur can calculate Hubble's constant from redshift via spectroscopy. I learnt a lot that I didn't know about cosmological inflation.

[Somnium]

That is cool, I am going tonight, looking forward to it

[jjjnettie]

:) He's an excellent science communicator with a genuine interest in what he talks about.
Plus he's super dreamy. :) swoon

[xelasnave]

I bet he could be talking about chopped liver and you would still be happy.:)
He is a very nice man.
Alex

[jjjnettie]

I'm sure if the topic of chopped liver came up he'd manage to relate it to something sciencey. LOL
He also has a wicked sense of humour and has still retained the ability to take boyish delight in any new experience.
When he first met Apollo astronauts Gene Cernan, Fred Haise, Dave Scott and Jim McDivet, he almost burst with excitement and couldn't take that big cheesy grin off his face for ages. :D

[xelasnave]

Reminds me of a younger me...the happy attitude I refer to.
Now I am old and grumpy.
Alex

[jjjnettie]

I'm sure you'd still have retained your boyish delight if you were paid outrageous sums of money to do what you love. :)

[xelasnave]

Well happy again just worked out how to moterize my walking frame and it could be a million dollar item.It so cool you can stand or sit with a huge boot .
I am going to paint it red.
But honestly this is the best idea I have had for a long time and I need exactly what I will build.
Over another life changing moment today that is fixed.
Being happy is all you got ...
Alex

[Somnium]

I watched the show last night and it was great, amazing to see 2500 people come out and look at the friedmann equation.

[Kunama]

I don't know about super dreamy but he is a very enthusiastic nice fellow, I just got home after meeting Brian and Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths. Spent 4 hours watching and assisting the filming of an upcoming episode of 'Catalyst' .

Depending on what ends up on the editing floor, you might see both Brian and Naomi using my "Guinevere" 18" scope while discussing various topics.

I also had a chance to discuss his recent telescope acquisition, a Tak TOA130 :thumbsup:

My dear wife now also has a scope signed by both Brian and Naomi..... Might be worth a fortune in years to come....:question:

[jjjnettie]

:) I'm super happy for you. He is indeed such a nice fellow. What a wonderful experience for you too.
(I got him to sign my sonic screwdriver, to commemorate his bit part in Dr Who)

[Atmos]

May have to keep my eye out for that, Guinevere could become world famous!