Professor Brian Cox demonstrates why atoms are empty

Did you watch "A Night With The Stars" on BBC2 last night?

Professor Brian Cox lectured a celebrity audience about some of the most challenging concepts in physics from the lecture theatre of the Royal Institution of Great Britain.

Here's a clip from the show:
The comedian Simon Pegg and physicist Jim Al-Khalili help him explain standing waves in a demonstration to show why atoms are so large and empty.




It was a brilliant show! If you missed it, be sure to catch in on iPlayer.

Wonders of the Solar System (BBC series)

Have you been watching Wonders of the Solar System, a (fabulous) series about the solar system? Part three - "The Thin Blue Line" - is on BBC 2 tonight 9:00pm - 10:00pm (If you missed the first two parts, you can watch the episodes via BBC iPlayer ).

The five-part series is presented by the very enthusiastic physicist, Professor Brian Cox. The programme is excellent mostly because Professor Cox explains scientific facts (the laws of physics) so that they are easily understood but not in a condescending way. It's an outstanding series, educational but also very entertaining.

Wonders of the Solar System - BBC Two



You can also follow Professor Cox on twitter

Competition from BBC Radio 4: So You Want To Be A Scientist?

This is a cool competition for budding scientists! Material World, Radio 4's weekly science show, is searching for the BBC's Amateur Scientist of the Year. If your idea is selected, you'll be doing the experiment in your spare time, from the kitchen table or the garden shed. Plus you'll have help from the country's top researchers. Application form - tell about an idea you want to put to the scientific test. This is open to anyone who isn't a professional scientist. So You Want To Be A Scientist? - Terms & Conditions Closing date: The online entry form will be available from 20 December 2009 to 28 February 2010 and entries must be received by 11.59pm on 28 February 2010. The BBC may extend the closing date if it wishes. Late entries will not be accepted.

Happy 200th birthday Charles Darwin

Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. Darwin Day in the UK Today is also the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of ­Species, Darwin's most famous work. (link via guardian.co.uk) Related Internet Links: Darwin 200: Celebrating Charles Darwin's bicentenary Darwin - Big Idea Big Exhibition - The biggest ever exhibition about Darwin at the Natural History Museum. Special Darwin stamps from Royal Mail - The Royal Mail is issuing ten new Darwin stamps to celebrate his life and work. The BBC is marking Darwin's birthday with several radio programmes The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online The Voyage of the Beagle "blog" and cdarwin Twitter and an interesting article from NPR (National Public Radio) in the USA: Darwin, Britain's Hero, Is Still Controversial In U.S. I have to say that I was shocked after reading this in the NPR article: "There are actually 34 states in the United States that have passed anti-evolution laws of one kind or another," says Krishtalka, "whether it's stickers in textbooks or warnings that 'Reading this book with be injurious to your mental health," ... I think this is outrageous! How can anyone dispute scientific evidence?! Frankly, I'm rather embarrassed that this backward thinking is encouraged (through laws, no less!) in the USA. And to end on a happy note: Send your birthday wishes to Charles Darwin Edited to add: Today is also Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday! Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. Lincoln's Birthday to be Celebrated Across D.C. (link via washingtonpost.com)

The science of a bullet-proof vest: video

This fascinating video explains the science behind the potential for designing a better bullet-proof vest by showing a simple experiment involving cornflour and water: Chris Smith, managing editor of The Naked Scientists, shows why cornflour and water could point the way forward for bullet-proof vests. (link via Telegraph TV) The Naked Scientists Science Radio and Naked Science Podcasts