astrophysics

Edwin Hubble Present and Past

Realm of the Nebulae cover

Prior to the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope that has recently delivered to us so many awe-inspiring images of the universe, it was the Hubble Space Telescope, named for astronomer Edwin Hubble and launched in 1990, that set the standard for what we could see from a space-based observational platform. Indeed, both technological developments that went into the creation of, as well as of course images from, Hubble continue to provide new information not only to astronomers and astrophysicists but to a wide range of scientists around the world.

Reaching the Stars

What Stars Are Made Of cover

When I think about all the people I know presently involved in science – either actively working in one of the many disciplines from biology to astronomy, studying to one day do so, or working in an occupation supporting the dissemination of discoveries therein or for the greater widespread understanding thereof – the majority who […]

For All Who Look Up

Our Universe cover

The scene: a very nicely appointed high-rise hotel room in 1953. Two figures – “the Actress” (who looks remarkably like Marylin Monroe, played by Theresa Russell) and “the Professor” (looking every bit the spitting image of Albert Einstein, played by Michael Emil) – are gazing out a large window into the night. Professor: I prefer […]

Astrophysics; A Very Short Introduction

Astrophysics VSI cover

Not so very long ago, a colleague of mine, during a conversation between us about astronomy, took issue with the fact that I had conflated it with astrophysics. “The two are very different,” he insisted. He having studied the latter at university, and not being particularly learned in either subject myself, I was confused regarding the distinctions between the two – and, to be perfectly honest, have been ever since.

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