All aboard the good ship (almost named) Boaty McBoatface

Hello, friends!

This week’s edition takes us to the bottom of the world, the far reaches of the Universe, and back to the kitchen. Let’s go!

🍿 online talks and events 🐧

All times are GMT.

Monday 18 November

Is recycling just a load of rubbish?, hybrid event by Cambridge Society for the Application of Research, 19.30, free: Sustainability and materials engineer Dr Claire Barlow talks about what happens to our rubbish after we throw it away, and the role end-of-life materials can play in creating a more sustainable economy.

Tuesday 19 November

The Fermi paradox – where are the aliens?, hybrid talk by the Royal Astronomical Society, 13.00 and 18.00, free: Planetary science and astrobiology professor Ian Crawford ponders the Fermi paradox (TL;DR: where are the aliens?), arguing that despite the vast number of planets we now know are out there, extraterrestrial technological civilisations are probably extremely rare in our galaxy.

Dark energy, online talk by the Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 19.30, free: The society’s resident astronomer James Fradgley gives this talk about dark energy, the mysterious – and abundant – form of energy that is causing the Universe to expand at an accelerating rate.

Wednesday 20 November

Pushing the new frontiers of marine science in Antarctica on the RRS Sir David Attenborough, hybrid event by the Royal Geographical Society, 18.00, free: Dr Angie Milne and Dr Simon Ussher talk about life and work aboard one of the world’s most advanced polar research vessels (the one that should have been christened Boaty McBoatface).

Thursday 21 November

How inequality affects mental health, hybrid event by Gresham College, 18.00, free: Royal College of Psychiatrists president Dr Lade Smith outlines how social disadvantage and discrimination are linked to an increased risk of mental illness, and how these societal factors can play a greater role than genetic predisposition or biological influences.

Friday 22 November

Discourse: Christmas Lecturer, hybrid event held by Royal Institution, 19.20, pay what you can (livestream): This year’s Christmas lecturer Chris van Tulleken, whose Ultra-Processed People became a bestseller last year, delivers the institution’s final Discourse of 2024. The listing doesn’t state exactly what the lecture will cover, but I expect ultra-processed foods will be on the menu. (NB: the link says “sold out” but tickets to the livestream are still available.)

🔭 in a sky near you… 🌖

Check in on Mars: The Moon and Mars will rise together in the northeastern sky at about half 8 on Wednesday (20 November), staying in a tight formation – though low in the sky – for the rest of the night and into the following morning.

👀 closer to Earth 🐦

Lead yourself to water: Head to your nearest pond, river or canal to observe the distinct characters of two closely related water birds: the moorhen and the coot.

Coots (white beak and ‘shield’ on the head, dinosaur feet) are a bit more confident, aggressive at times, spending more time on the water, while the moorhens (red beak with a yellow tip, chicken feet) appear more reserved, tending to stay on dry land.

💫 we need answers

Last week, I asked:

The answer is… they all ‘calve’ to form their ‘offspring’ (did you spot the clue?).

So, cattle and whales calve their offspring – which are in turn called calves – and the process by which icebergs (and glaciers) break up is also called calving.

🤔 until next week…

What popular toy, often made from galvanised steel, was born when an engineer was working on a solution to stabilise sensitive instruments on US warships?

Answer comes next week. See you then! x