The National Research Foundation, which falls under the Department of Science and Technology  recently suspended Professor Phil Charles, Director of the South African Astronomical Observatory, in what seems to be a collision between the secretive bureaucratic government thinking of the DST and the open, free-exchange mindset of the academic community at large.  While official statements only refer to “The leaking of confidential information”, unofficial sources say that he had discussed the potential location of the SKA (Square Kilometer Array) head … Continue reading →

Last night, following a tip from SkyandTelescope.com, I pointed my binoculars to Gamma Leonis and found Vesta, the second largest asteroid in our solar system.  Vesta is currently so bright, that under dark enough skies it can be seen with the naked eye.  In the city, though, binoculars or a telescope are required.  If you’re keen, you can join me watching it move from night to night by following the diagrams below, which were generated in Stellarium. Note that these … Continue reading →

An interesting experiment has been running for the last eighteen months on the ISS (International Space Station).  Three sample trays containing various forms of life (plants, bacteria, lichens, fungi, and so on), have been bolted to the outside of one of the space station’s labs.  One tray is sealed, and in the shade, one is exposed to the full, unshielded fury of the Sun’s radiation, and one is both unshielded and open to the vacuum of space.  Standing tall amongst … Continue reading →