What is airglow?
The science behind the phenomena that causes the sky to glow in a rainbow of colours (Image credit: European Southern Observatory) Airglow is a photochemical reaction in the Earth’s atmosphere caused by electronically excited...
Author: Ailsa Harvey
Why can we still see bright objects after shutting our eyes?
Question from Peter Reeves This is known as an afterimage, and is caused by the effects of the light on the cells in the back of your eye. Your eye detects light using specialised...
What did the Tudors eat?
Question from Kevin Watson Tudor England was generally selfsufficient, not needing to rely on imports. People ate a lot of fresh food because storing food was difficult. Even peasants had small pieces of land,...
Golf ball anatomy
Professional balls are specially engineered to maximise your game At their simplest, golf balls are made from a single layer of scratch-resistant resin. These basic balls are hard wearing and fly long distances through...
The Science of Social Media
Social media is one of the defining technologies of the 21st century, but what’s really going on behind the scenes?
Gut feeling: Exploring the gut-brain axis
How does the bacteria in your gut act like a ‘second brain’? Scientists are only just beginning to understand the impact your microbiome can have on your brain We all know that our mood...
How do double glazing and triple glazing compare?
Find out how glass insulation keeps homes warm throughout winter Modern double-glazed windows consist of two layers of glass bonded together in one frame, allowing for better insulation and fewer drafts, meaning cheaper heating...
How can we eat certain meats raw?
Question from Eduardo Raffaele Like us, animals carry microbes, most of which live on the skin or in the digestive system. Whole cuts of beef tend to be safe to eat rare because their...
Why is it easier to learn languages when we are young?
Question from Hannah King According to recent research, the best time to start learning a language is before the age of ten. There are three reasons for this. First, children have more time to...
Halloween History: The spellbinding tale of Essex’s ‘Witchfinder General’
English witch-hunter Matthew Hopkins Many are preparing their witch costumes for October 31st, but how were these characters viewed in the past? The profusion of pointy hats, cute costumes, sweets and, of course, pumpkins...
