Review of the Year 2009/10
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Stephen Hawking (1942–2018) World-Renowned Physicist Who Defied the Odds
COMMENT OBITUARY Stephen Hawking (1942–2018) World-renowned physicist who defied the odds. hen Stephen Hawking was speech synthesizer processed his words and diagnosed with motor-neuron generated the androidal accent that became disease at the age of 21, it wasn’t his trademark. In this way, he completed his Wclear that he would finish his PhD. Against best-selling book A Brief History of Time all expectations, he lived on for 55 years, (Bantam, 1988), which propelled him to becoming one of the world’s most celebrated celebrity status. IAN BERRY/MAGNUM scientists. Had Hawking achieved equal distinction Hawking, who died on 14 March 2018, was in any other branch of science besides cos- born in Oxford, UK, in 1942 to a medical- mology, it probably would not have had the researcher father and a philosophy-graduate same resonance with a worldwide public. As mother. After attending St Albans School I put it in The Telegraph newspaper in 2007, near London, he earned a first-class degree “the concept of an imprisoned mind roaming in physics from the University of Oxford. He the cosmos” grabbed people’s imagination. began his research career in 1962, enrolling In 1965, Stephen married Jane Wilde. as a graduate student in a group at the Uni- After 25 years of marriage, and three versity of Cambridge led by one of the fathers children, the strain of Stephen’s illness of modern cosmology, Dennis Sciama. and of sharing their home with a team of The general theory of relativity was at that nurses became too much and they sepa- time undergoing a renaissance, initiated in rated, divorcing in 1995. -
The Sky at Night
The Sky at Night Patrick Moore The Sky at Night Patrick Moore Farthings 39 West Street Selsey, West Sussex PO20 9AD UK ISBN 978-1-4419-6408-3 e-ISBN 978-1-4419-6409-0 DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-6409-0 Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London Library of Congress Control Number: 2010934379 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010 All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden. The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights. Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com) Foreword When I became the producer of the Sky at Night in 2002, I was given some friendly advice: “It’s a quiet little programme, not much happens in astronomy.” How wrong they were! It’s been a hectic and enthralling time ever since:, with missions arriving at distant planets; new discoveries in our Universe; and leaps in technology, which mean amateurs can take pictures as good as the Hubble Space Telescope. -
Mothers in Science
The aim of this book is to illustrate, graphically, that it is perfectly possible to combine a successful and fulfilling career in research science with motherhood, and that there are no rules about how to do this. On each page you will find a timeline showing on one side, the career path of a research group leader in academic science, and on the other side, important events in her family life. Each contributor has also provided a brief text about their research and about how they have combined their career and family commitments. This project was funded by a Rosalind Franklin Award from the Royal Society 1 Foreword It is well known that women are under-represented in careers in These rules are part of a much wider mythology among scientists of science. In academia, considerable attention has been focused on the both genders at the PhD and post-doctoral stages in their careers. paucity of women at lecturer level, and the even more lamentable The myths bubble up from the combination of two aspects of the state of affairs at more senior levels. The academic career path has academic science environment. First, a quick look at the numbers a long apprenticeship. Typically there is an undergraduate degree, immediately shows that there are far fewer lectureship positions followed by a PhD, then some post-doctoral research contracts and than qualified candidates to fill them. Second, the mentors of early research fellowships, and then finally a more stable lectureship or career researchers are academic scientists who have successfully permanent research leader position, with promotion on up the made the transition to lectureships and beyond. -
Stealth Coronal Mass Ejections from Active Regions
Draft version July 31, 2019 Typeset using LATEX twocolumn style in AASTeX62 Stealth Coronal Mass Ejections from Active Regions Jennifer O'Kane,1 Lucie Green,1 David M. Long,1 and Hamish Reid2 | 1Mullard Space Science Laboratory, UCL, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6NT, UK 2SUPA School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK ABSTRACT Stealth coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are eruptions from the Sun that have no obvious low coro- nal signature. These CMEs are characteristically slower events, but can still be geoeffective and affect space weather at Earth. Therefore, understanding the science underpinning these eruptions will greatly improve our ability to detect and, eventually, forecast them. We present a study of two stealth CMEs analysed using advanced image processing techniques that reveal their faint signatures in observations from the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) imagers onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), and Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) space- craft. The different viewpoints given by these spacecraft provide the opportunity to study each eruption from above and the side contemporaneously. For each event, EUV and magnetogram observations were combined to reveal the coronal structure that erupted. For one event, the observations indicate the presence of a magnetic flux rope before the CME's fast rise phase. We found that both events orig- inated in active regions and are likely to be sympathetic CMEs triggered by a nearby eruption. We discuss the physical processes that occurred in the time leading up to the onset of each stealth CME and conclude that these eruptions are part of the low-energy and velocity tail of a distribution of CME events, and are not a distinct phenomenon. -
AHMED H. ZEWAIL 26 February 1946 . 2 August 2016
AHMED H. ZEWAIL 26 february 1946 . 2 august 2016 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY VOL. 162, NO. 2, JUNE 2018 biographical memoirs t is often proclaimed that a stylist is someone who does and says things in memorable ways. From an analysis of his experimental Iprowess, his written contributions, his lectures, and even from the details of the illustrations he used in his published papers or during his lectures to scientific and other audiences, Ahmed Zewail, by this or any other definition, was a stylist par excellence. For more than a quarter of a century, I interacted with Ahmed (and members of his family) very regularly. Sometimes he and I spoke several times a week during long-distance calls. Despite our totally different backgrounds we became the strongest of friends, and we got on with one another like the proverbial house on fire. We collaborated scientifi- cally and we adjudicated one another’s work, as well as that of others. We frequently exchanged culturally interesting stories. We each relished the challenge of delivering popular lectures. In common with very many others, I deem him to be unforgettable, for a variety of different reasons. He was one of the intellectually ablest persons that I have ever met. He possessed elemental energy. He executed a succession of brilliant experiments. And, almost single-handedly, he created the subject of femtochemistry, with all its magnificent manifestations and ramifications. From the time we first began to exchange ideas, I felt a growing affinity for his personality and attitude. This was reinforced when I told him that, ever since I was a teenager, I had developed a deep interest in Egyptology and a love for modern Egypt. -
Beyond the Boson Graphene's 3D Counterparts Superconductivity
Autumn 2014, Number 5 Department of Physics Newsletter Beyond the boson The next steps for particle physics Superconductivity: Strike while the iron is hot Oxford researchers synthesise new iron based high temperature superconductor Graphene’s 3D counterparts Oxford researchers have discovered a new series of materials that are a 3D version of graphene ALUMNI STORIES EVENTS MOSELEY & X-RAYS PEOPLE Jean Chu (Holmes) reflects Alumni day at the Clarendon Part II of Prof Derek Stacey’s Five minutes with David Lloyd; on life as a female physics Laboratory; Bonn in Oxford; remarkable story celebrating Comings, Goings and Awards student at St Hugh’s, 1956–59 Alumni experience the LHC Henry Moseley’s work www.physics.ox.ac.uk SCIENCE NEWS SCIENCE NEWS www.physics.ox.ac.uk/research www.physics.ox.ac.uk/research in research labs, to steering oxides were shown to exhibit superconductivity the beams around particle at temperatures well above 100 Kelvin (a accelerators (such as the phenomenon which is still far from understood). SUPERCONDUCTIVITY: Large Hadron Collider at CERN) and confining the EXPLORING NEW PHYSICS STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT plasma in a fusion reactor. But perhaps their most Here in Oxford our current focus is on the newly important application has A little over a century after the discovery of quantum coherent state, a concept also applicable to discovered materials that contain iron. Some been in magnetic resonance superconductivity we are still missing some vital superfluids and Bose-Einstein condensates of cold of these have transition temperatures above imaging (MRI), the clues in understanding how and why the effect atoms. -
The Past Decade and the Future of Cosmology and Astrophysics
Towards a New Enlightenment? A Transcendent Decade The Past Decade and the Future of Cosmology and Astrophysics Martin Rees Martin Rees is a cosmologist and space scientist. After studying at Cambridge University, he held various posts in the UK and elsewhere, before returning to Cambridge, where he has been a professor, Head of the Institute of Astronomy, and Master of Trinity College. He has contributed to our understanding of galaxy formation, black holes, high-energy phenomena in the cosmos, and the concept of the multiverse. He has received substantial international recognition for his research. He has been much involved in science-related policy, being a member of the UK’s House of Lords and (during 2005–10) President of the Royal Society, the independent scientific academy of the UK Martin Rees and the Commonwealth. Apart from his research publications, he writes and University of Cambridge lectures widely for general audiences, and is the author of eight books, the most recent being On the Future (2018). Recommended books: Universe, Martin Rees, Dorling Kindersley, 2012; On the Future, Martin Rees, Princeton University Press, 2018. In the last decade, there has been dramatic progress in exploring the cosmos. Highlights include close-up studies of the planets and moons of our Solar System; and (even more dramatic) the realization that most stars are orbited by planets, and that there may be millions of Earth-like planets in our Galaxy. On a still larger scale, we have achieved a better understanding of how galaxies have developed, over 13.8 billion years of cosmic history, from primordial fluctuations. -
Classroom Physics June 2021
Classroom June 2021 | Issue 57 physics The magazine for IOP affiliated schools The Sun and Solar System Credit: Shutterstock Credit: Addressing student misconceptions A solar scientist talks about her job The toilet roll solar system iop.org Editorial Classroom physics | June 2021 Draw the Sun: this image is one of a This issue selection from the Science Museum’s collection. It was used as an example in a News recent online workshop chaired by Imperial College artist and physicist Geraldine Cox 3 Addressing misconceptions to encourage young people to make solar in physics artwork greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk/ explore/families/draw-sun 4 Postcards from Space Astronomical Diagram Transparent Solar 5 IOP book recommendation System, circa 1860 Feature Credit: Science Museum / Science & Society Picture Library -- All rights reserved. 6 Up close and personal with the Sun 7 A solar scientist Bring some sunshine Resources 8 Knowing and explaining into the classroom in the context of Earth As we approach the end of a second The Sun is central to our lives from the and space disrupted academic year, we are very beginning, so it’s not surprising that beginning to see rays of sunshine by the time they reach secondary school, 9 - 12 The Sun and emerging. Like you, we sincerely hope many students have confused ideas about Solar System pull-out that this is the last time teachers will our star. Our new set of Earth and Space misconceptions (page 3) will help you 13 Stories from physics have to end the school year with the pressure of assessing students who have untangle this thinking. -
Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
Thursday Volume 566 18 July 2013 No. 39 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Thursday 18 July 2013 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2013 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 1295 18 JULY 2013 1296 Vince Cable: The hon. Gentleman is correct to say House of Commons that our overall export performance would improve considerably if more British companies were exporting. The big contrast with Germany is that roughly twice as Thursday 18 July 2013 many of its small and medium-sized enterprises are involved in exporting. UKTI has been substantially The House met at half-past Nine o’clock reformed in the past couple of years, and it now has a much more small and medium-sized company focus. It has activities around the country, and we have a lot of PRAYERS evidence that its outreach is substantially improving. I hope that it will reach the companies in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency too. [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): At the last Business, Innovation and Skills questions, the Secretary of State Oral Answers to Questions admitted: “The figures on exports are not great”.—[Official Report, 13 June 2013; Vol. 564, c. 470.] Since then, the UK trade deficit has widened to the BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS point at which it is now the largest trade gap in the European Union, and the widest it has been since 1989. Following on from the question from my hon. -
University College Record October 2018
University College Record October 2018 a ©Philip Mynott Professor Stephen Hawking (8 January 1942 – 14 March 2018) Honorary Fellow and Old Member of this College (matric. 1959) University College Record October 2018 The Record Volume XVIII Number 1 October 2018 Contents Editor’s Notes 1 Master’s Notes 2 Fellows and Staff 5 The Governing Body 6 Honorary Fellows 11 Foundation Fellows 12 Newly Elected Fellows 12 Fellows’ News 14 Leaving Fellows and Staff 19 Academic Results, Awards and Achievements 24 Academic Results and Distinctions 26 University Prizes and Other Awards 30 Scholarships and Exhibitions 33 Travel Scholarships 38 2017-18 in Review 39 From the Chaplain 40 From the Librarian 43 From the Director of Music 45 From the Development Director 48 The Chalet 54 Junior Common Room 55 Weir Common Room 56 Obituaries 57 Honorary Fellows 58 Fellows and Visiting Fellows 64 Old Members 65 Univ Lost List 94 Univ Lost List 96 Univ Benefactors 2017-18 105 The 1249 Society 106 Major Benefactors 110 Principal Benefactors 112 The William of Durham Club 113 Roll of Donors 116 College Information 142 Degree Ceremonies 144 College Contact Details 145 iv Editor’s Notes Inside this issue of the University College Record, you will find a factual account of the year – Fellows’ news, academic results, College reports and news of departing Fellows and staff. We were deeply saddened to report the deaths of three of our Honorary Fellows this year: Professor Stephen Hawking (1959, Physics), Sir Maurice Shock – Univ’s Politics Fellow from 1956-77, and Estates Bursar from 1958-73, and Sir V S Naipaul (1950, English). -
Sir Hans Kornberg, FRS
Sir Hans Kornberg, FRS Hans Kornberg was born in Germany in 1928 to Jewish parents. Following the advent of Hitler, the life of the family became increasingly dangerous and in 1939 Hans was sent to live with an uncle in England. Hans was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield and left at 17 to work as a laboratory assistant at the University of Sheffield under the supervision of Hans Krebs. The latter encouraged him to study further, which led to a degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Biochemistry at Sheffield where Hans carried out ground-breaking work on urea metabolism. Postdoctoral work encompassed a period in America on a Harkness Fellowship, followed by a very productive few years at the MRC Metabolism Research Unit at Oxford during which he and Krebs (by now Sir Hans Krebs and a Nobel Laureate) elucidated the glyoxylate cycle, an important process in bacterial metabolism. In 1960 Hans was appointed to a Chair at the University of Leicester with the remit to set up a new Department of Biochemistry. In July 1961 Hans and several colleagues set off from Oxford to visit the Department for the first time. Having lunched well en route, it was late afternoon by the time they arrived in Leicester. As it was during the long vacation the University was closed and they were forced to enter the Department, which in those days was located in the Fielding Johnson Building, via an open toilet window. Hans’ first year as Professor was largely taken up with appointing staff and converting the old chemistry teaching laboratories into accommodation suitable for biochemistry research and teaching. -
John Rodney Quayle 1 University of Bath Archives
John Rodney Quayle 1 University of Bath Archives Catalogue of the papers of John Rodney Quayle FRS (1926-2006) Title: Catalogue of the papers of John Rodney Quayle FRS (1926-2006) Compiled by: Clare Bannister & Lizzie Richmond Description level: Fonds Date of material: 1951-2015 Extent of material: 2 boxes, c 114 items Deposited in: University of Bath Library Reference code: GB 1128 John Rodney Quayle Collection 2019 Library, University of Bath. John Rodney Quayle 2 John Rodney Quayle 3 University of Bath Archives University of Bath Archives LIST OF CONTENTS Items Page GENERAL INTRODUCTION 4 SECTION A BIOGRAPHICAL A.1-A.10 6 SECTION B WRITINGS B.1-B.104 8 NOT ALL THE MATERIAL IN THIS COLLECTION MAY YET BE AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION. ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO: THE ARCHIVIST THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF BATH CLAVERTON DOWN BATH BA2 7AY John Rodney Quayle 4 John Rodney Quayle 5 University of Bath Archives University of Bath Archives GENERAL INTRODUCTION and was President of the Society for General Microbiology from 1990 to 1993. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1978. In the same year, for his outstanding contribution to biochemistry, he PROVENANCE received the Biochemical Society’s CIBA Medal. He was awarded honorary degrees by the universities of Göttingen, (1989), Sheffield (1992) and Bath (1992). The material was donated by Professor Quayle in 2003. DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE CAREER OF JOHN RODNEY QUAYLE The material is presented in the order given in the contents list. It covers the period from 1951 to John Rodney Quayle (known as Rod) was born in Hoylake, Merseyside, UK, in 1927.