October 2010 Extra: Have a nice day!

Comments

• Comment by Jen Gupta on Oct 21 2010:

  Sorry for the late release of this show. As always, comments, clarifications and corrections go in here please :-)

• Comment by Andy on Oct 24 2010:

  Geat extra show! Thanks for the advice on the book. Its a shame the interviews have come to an end they were very interesting but I'm sure lots more interviews are to come.

• Comment by hmw on Oct 25 2010:

  Dear Jodcast team,

  this was a great show (as usual one might append). I would like to thank you for all the effort you put into the podcast. So even if I don't rise to speak so often, be assured, that I appreciate the show.

  Enough adulation for now ;), let's talk about the show. Some listeners mentioned that you as a speaker talk too fast sometimes and it is hard to follow for nonnative English speakers. That might be true, but even if I miss a word here and there I'm not bothered. It's fascinating to hear the different dialects or prononciations. And it is a good way to strengthen ones English language skills.

  Another point is, that I'm interested in, hm, let's say meta information. How about a series like 'A day in the life of Jen Gupta' or 'A day in the life of Dr Tim O'Brien' or more general 'A day in the life of an astrophysicist'? I haven't browsed the archives to look if there is something like this available. But if not, maybe it is an idea for the future ;).

  Regards
  hmw

• Comment by Jen Gupta on Oct 25 2010:

  @hmw Thanks for your comments, it's always nice to know that we're appreciated! The problem with an "a day in the life of" is that our typical days are actually quite boring ;-) We mostly sit in front of a computer analysing data or running models/code which won't make for very interesting podcast content!

  However, this is something that we've thought about but in the context of an "observer's diary". In fact, when Dave Jones went to the ING earlier this year and recorded the interviews for the Feb 2010 show, we had originally given him the recording equipment to record a diary. Unfortunately bad weather meant that he didn't get to do much observing. We'd still like to get someone to record an observing diary for us one day, we just need to find someone who's going observing first :-)

• Comment by hmw on Oct 25 2010:

  Hello,

  hey, I, too, sit in front of the terminal and do boring stuff all day ;). OK, analysing data is not part of my job description. But in those geeky moments it's fun to play with data and find patterns et cetera ;). I find that the process of developing a model from the basic idea to the code, thinking about parameters and their possible influence on the behaviour of the system, is gripping. But if the model gives 'wrong' results after dozens of runs the spark of enthusiasm is waning I guess ;).

  It should be easy to find someone for observing, now that it becomes winter in the northern hemisphere. It's dark outside and it's clear and cold. OK, maybe it's foggy and rainy. But what are the alternatives? Sitting at the fireplace, drinking hot tea and reading a book? Nooo. Ah, just kidding.

  Regards
  hmw

• Comment by EarthUnit on Oct 25 2010:

  Another great show,
  Dave's interviews finished with a couple of cracking ones, well, they were all great, but my favourite had to be the one from SNO.
  And another great Dr Tim segment, love those in depth answers.
  Like the new web page too, Stuart :-)

  PS just out of curiosity, what the spcescape background picture of ?

• Comment by Stuart Lowe on Oct 26 2010:

  @EarthUnit, the new website background is adapted from an ESO image of the region around the star WR22. I converted the colours to fit with the Jodcast blue. You can find the original at http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1031/

• Comment by EarthUnit on Oct 26 2010:

  Thanks for the web address Stuart, and once again 'nice work'

• Comment by Solar_Crescent on Oct 27 2010:

  Hi, further to your extra show I'd like to pick up on Gliese 581's 'Goldilocks' planet.

  Here's what we know:

  20 light years away
  37 day orbit
  Gravity twice of earth's
  4 1/2 billion years old

  I hope you'll forgive any inaccuracy re above because I'd like to speculate on something.

  Time evolution needs to discover fire massively reduced.
  Stength and speed of any beings that have discovered fire superiour to ourselves.
  Distance makes the planet a theoretical threat to the Earth.

  If you think the above is far fetched then please let me know. I have ruled out a faster evolution process based on the planets short year orbit as its faces are constant (one far, one near to Gliese 581) and therefore irrelevent.

  If you have an alternative view please let me know, if not please pass upwards.

  Kind regards

  Unimportant.

• Comment by Solar_Crescent on Oct 27 2010:

  Sorry, re last post, I meant to say, 'alternative view contradictory (to my general assessment)...'.

• Comment by Solar_Crescent on Oct 27 2010:

  Sorry, miners can also build upwards, assessment ends.

• Comment by Jodatheoak on Nov 09 2010:

  Wonderful show Joders.
  I laughed at the last part on the Nobel and IgNobel prize and is the a gargantuan HB pencil floating in space.
  Was that a number 10 asteroid?
  And I'm still upset at missing cake and not drinking in a pub - Jodpub that is

• Comment by Stuart Lowe on Nov 09 2010:

  Jodatheoak, Reesiepie's cake was very good. Shame on you all for missing it ;-)

• Comment by Solar_Crescent on Nov 09 2010:

  Right, I've given my origional dumb (emotional) observation some further thought (,'Oh G...') thanks for the vote(s) of confidence, it rotates once every 37 days so the horizon at the edge will allow it's Sun to rise and set in some fashion ('My g** he's a retard.') so the threat from fire discovering super fast dinosaurs remains potential but quite high risk as to fight for supremacy on the edges you'd need to keep one step ahead or be dominated by inferiour beings who might want you to keep trees alive so they can listen to stories when it's light or stay warm and keep herbivores away at night. I suggest we nuke it now because <Removed>

• Comment by Jodatheoak on Nov 10 2010:

  Not sure we could send Nukes that far...what about a lazer that has the light speed, but the scatter would make is useless, we could blink them to death(Toy Story:Ref)
  Nope Solar_Crescent, I don't think they are going to attack us anytime soon...

• Comment by Jen Gupta on Nov 12 2010:

  @Jodatheoak I think we're having another JodPub in January :-D

• Comment by Solar_Crescent on Nov 13 2010:

  @Jodatheoak Thanks firstly for agreeing with my assessment that the planet poses a risk to humanity, you're military expertise on this subect seems, like your lazer, a little poorly focused but, as Jodrell Bank has a duty to report such issues (and, I suspect) is the first mover, I'd say Bolly will be the order of the day in January which is fitting, such a shame David Camoron won't be there. Please visit:

  http://www.ukrevolution.hexat.com

  http://www.conspiracy.hexat.com

  Now can we all sing my favourite safety song, 'Oh by the light (Oh by the light), Of the red dwarf sun (of the red dwarf sun), I opened my eyes (I opened my eyes), I hoped to see no one (I hoped to see no one), I systems checked (I systems checked), And I thought 'oh well' (and I thought 'oh well'), I'll take a few pics (I'll take a few pics), And send them back as well (and send them back as well), So here I wait (it did as it was told), In orbit around a gas giant sun (Gliese 581), If I'm fired upon (or sees a welcome craft), Hello kingdom come (Gliese 581), It's far too easy to say it comes down to you or me, but that's the way it could be can I wait and see? (we have no idea)...' (lyrical Nathan Eakins 2010) The full song could be released donate money now to Children In Need to holt ('dreadful, truely dreadful.') such a possibility.

  (Views of revolutionarys do not necessarily relect the views of Jodrell Bank)

• Comment by Jodatheoak on Nov 15 2010:

  Jen,
  I can't wait, I should have a new camera of Santa, I am sure I've been a good boy.
  Should we bring Christmas cake and turkey sandwich's...
  I will have to think of questions to ask the joders...I wonder if there are any astronomical events during that month
  Hey, we could see what Solar_Cresent's stratagem is to save humanity!!

• Comment by Solar_Crescent on Nov 15 2010:

  I actually visited to add the word 'theoretical' (prior to the word 'risk') in my last post (Edit, and hibernation) however my strategies are quite transparent but my personal views on the horse and cart (trade off with air travel) is obviously the most controversial, still with freight on water and people on trains I see only self interest and fear as obsticles (strange no one is affraid of the suffocation, hotter and wetter planet, at the hands of our own activities). I always laugh when I press global warming deniers as they end up blaming China for something they are adoment doesn't exist, perhaps they 'blame' China for air) also humans being at the top of the food chain (our mastery of fire the reason) can't take their status for granted so vigilance, and ensuring penguins never get to see the second Batman movie, is the order of the day. I'm going to try to find a window and see if I can get a lump of coal and a bottle of bolly, I propose we just gaze into space and celebrate again (if concensus can be reached).

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