Tag Archives: Outreach

Podcast #15: Dylan O’Donnell and National Science Week

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Here we are, another week, and it’s time to release episode 15 of the Urban Astronomer Podcast.  This week’s episode features an interview with Australian astrophotographer and science defender Dylan O’Donnell, who landed on my radar after he released a video of an interview with a man who believes that the world is flat.  Since flat-earthism seems to be growing in popularity in what is probably the most baffling display of intellectual laziness I’ve ever seen, and since so many … Continue reading →

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Podcast #13: Mars, ICON CGC and more Mars

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Here it is!  Episode #13 of the Urban Astronomer podcast!  This week we turn our steely gaze upon the red planet Mars, but we haven’t forgotten our promise to share some highlights from our time at the ICON Comics and Games Convention.  We even indulge in a little hoax busting, picking a fight with an old scam that just won’t die.

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Podcast #9: Interview with Sibusiso Biyela

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Welcome to the ninth episode of the Urban Astronomer Podcast, featuring South African science communicator and journalist Sibusiso Biyela.  I am on holiday with my family at the moment, so in order to find a quiet spot away from chattering kiddies, this episode was recorded next to an icy mountain stream in the Central Drakensberg mountain range. Sadly, despite the time of year, it’s been consistently overcast so no astronomical observing for me! I was at least able to put together … Continue reading →

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Picking fights with a flat-earther

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They tell us we’re living in a post-truth world, whatever that’s supposed to mean.  All I know is that there’s a growing number of people who look at the vast store of human knowledge, and reject it.  People who hear experts speak on science, politics, medicine, and say “Nope! I saw a YouTube about this, and I know better!”.  And there’s no starker demonstration of this than the modern flat-earther. How does this happen? What makes sane adults, with an education … Continue reading →

What we’ve been up to: Light Pollution, Solar Eclipse, Lunar Eclipse

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If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you’ll know that Urban Astronomer has been doing a fair bit of astronomy outreach over recent months.  In July, I gave a presentation on Light Pollution for the Rhenosterspruit Conservancy, and in September I filmed the partial solar eclipse, and streamed it live for Slooh.com.  And without even realising it, we became a major source of news on a surprising superstition regarding the recent Lunar Eclipse! Light Pollution Talk On 19 July, … Continue reading →