Peak Star Party 2012

My prolonged period of absence, from this blog, is probably due to my insane workload (and lack of interesting things to say). As I tend to avoid doing work at the weekend, I can't really complain about my lack of free time in the week. However, I think I have a good enough excuse for not completing any homework the other weekend (which was several months ago...) - PSP2012!

That's right folks, after spending the majority of the last star party - without sensation in my toes - I decided to go back for more. I think it was one of my better choices, as I have had the best weekend. 

After two lectures and an exercise class, I was most certainly ready for a fun-filled weekend. Before this could occur, I had to somehow travel to Chelmorton in about six hours – which was almost impossible on public transport, but I managed it in less than seven.

Upon arrival, I was finally reunited with the lovely Angela. She then proceeded to give me a hard hat, for protection after last year’s unfortunate occurrence (see my previous blog post). Missing the welcome talks was unfortunate, but it was already rather dark (and cloudy) by 20:00; so putting up my tiny two man tent had to be prioritised.

Eventually I was greeted by the welcoming sight of sta...more clouds. It was a tad frustrating, as I had travelled for hours. Luckily enough, everyone was in a fantastic mood, so several hours of socialising commenced, which was then followed by a relatively (midnight) early night. 

At about 1am, one of my fellow campers started trying to wake me up, as the stars were coming out. That was it; I threw on around 8 layers, in the space of 3 minutes, and left my tent. The sight that I was greeted by was immense. Orion, Jupiter and Taurus were the only visible areas, but I was not disappointed. I have never seen the belts of Jupiter so clearly through my own telescope before, and it was simply wonderful.  Once I had woken up several neighbouring tents, and my database of about 10 easy-to-find objects was exhausted, I started doing my usual thing. For those of you who haven't witnessed my behaviour at a star party, I tend to just find the nearest gathering of people, and ask what they're looking at. This often leads to me being shown brilliant objects, and this year was no exception. 

One of my observing highlights, of that night, was probably M81 & M82. If you're rubbish with Messier catalogue numbers, like myself, then a more familiar name would be Bode's Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy (I think). It was astounding to see such beautiful galaxies in the same field of view. Either those, or the Owl Cluster - which definitely looks more like E.T than an owl. I really can't decide, as I really did see a lot that night, including: the triplet in Auriga, the Crab Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, Caroline's Rose, the Double Cluster and so many more! I really am grateful for being shown such wonderful objects. 

Staying up until 4:20am was probably a bad idea, but it was difficult to drag myself away from the night sky. 

Apparently this is as far as I got with my blog post - which is embarrassing as Peak Star Party 2013 has already passed, and I am now looking forward to PSP14.

Some surprising news

It's that time of year again - exam results day. After obtaining an average of about 74% for my first semester, I didn't really expect to be able to improve on that. I was pleasantly surprised:

Electricity, Magnetism and Waves (20 credits) - 82%

Mathematical Methods for Physicists 2 (10 credits) - 80%

Computational Methods for Problem Solving - 89%

Planets and Exoplanets - 86%

Experimental Physics 2 - 76%

I don't really know what to make of them, but they do bring my average up to 78.3%.

When I managed to get into Cardiff University, I really didn't ever see myself getting above a 2:1, and I doubt anyone else did because my A level results were pretty average for a Physics course. I was genuinely worried about not being able to stay on the Masters course (55% average and above). I suppose it just shows what is possible when you set your mind to it.

APOD never fails to amaze me.

Mid-exam update

1 exam down, and 2 more to go. In all fairness, I have had a really easy exam period, as my exams are so spread out. One major disadvantage to this is the fact most people will finish before me, and will even torture me with social invitations, or just keep me awake all night. That is my main concern, as an average night in the ghetto is noisy enough, never mind after the majority of its occupants have finished their exams. I will call security if it gets too noisy, I really couldn't care less if it ruins anyones night - be considerate. 

In other news, it's my parents 17th wedding anniversary today. I believe my poor Mother is being dragged camping, as my Father enjoys fishing. It's just fantastic that they're still together, as divorce appears to be so common these days. My sister has also finished school - which is terrifying. She's still got at least 12 exams left, but she no longer has any lessons. She is going to pursue A levels in Chemistry, Biology, Maths and IT from September. 

One weird update is that I decided to e-mail my primary school head teacher. It's well known that she is retiring from August, therefore I wanted to just say hello before she did. I genuinely received such a lovely response, and it's nice to know that she remembers me. Which isn't too hard, considering my name is on the big trophy that is in the school somewhere. I can't actually remember what I received the trophy for, but I remember that it was the big award every year, and that it was something I had wished for since year 1. 

I have a CUROP update also - I didn't get the placement. I am rather lucky though, as I think that I was the only first year to get an interview this year. I have always had a back up plan, and I think that it's actually going to work out. I will be spending my summer in the academic environment that I wanted to, and I will be making some money. 

I think this summer has the potential to be one of the best ever. 

I was cute a very long time ago. 

Oops!

I'm genuinely rubbish at updating my blog. 

One day it's Monday and I'm attempting to be a pro-coder; then before I know it, I am rushing to finish off two pieces of homework for Thursday. I don't know where my time goes. That's a bit of a lie, as I am genuinely busy doing really odd things. Such as:

• attending the Big Bang Fair and working on the Herschel Stand
• talking to potential applicants about Physics at Cardiff
• applying for a CUROP placement
• trying to not fail my modules
• finding asteroids

Mix in a bit of a social life, and I don't get much free time to myself. Not that this is a problem, because I am currently dreading summer. I have no desire to spend 12 (or however many it is) weeks in Nottingham. This is one of the reasons I applied for CUROP - I really don't want to waste my summer. 

For anyone who hasn't heard of the program, it provides undergraduates an opportunity to get involved with research that is taking place at Cardiff. It's obviously a fantastic opportunity, but there are only 8 places, so it appears to be rather competitive. I'm currently waiting for an e-mail, as it'll hopefully inform me that I have an  interview on Friday - so fingers crossed! 

Apart from all of that crazy nonsense, I haven't really got much to tell. I did manage to complete a rather fun assignment for computing, that involved finding asteroids, but so did the majority of people who attempted to. Between that and talking about Herschel in London, I have recently started to feel like a bit of an Astrophysicist. It's brilliant.

I also visited the bay again. It was not sunny.

Maybe I can do this whole Physics thing after all...

I am ridiculously happy with my exam results. Just for anyone who is interested, here they are:

Mechanics and Matter (20 credits) - 72%
Mathematical Methods for Physicists 1 (10 credits) - 66%
Mathematical Practise for Physical Sciences (10 credits) - 87%
The Universe from Particles to Galaxies (10 credits) - 85%
Experimental Physics (10 credits) - 62%. 

I'm still surprised by my lab mark, as I really did find it a challenge. However I must leave, as it's time to go (back) to the Taf (pub).

I can't wait for Astrofest tomorrow :)

Goodbye exams, hello new modules!

Exams are finally over, and my new modules begin today. I'm really looking forward to my modules this term, as they sound a lot better than the Autumn ones. The 60 credits worth of modules that I get to study this term are:

• Electromagnetism & Waves
• Planets & Exoplanets
• Computational Skills for Problem Solving
• Mathematical Methods for Physicists II
• Experimental Physics II

It's safe to say that I really don't fancy another term of labs, but at least I don't have to do it next year (it gets replaced by Observational Techniques in Astronomy!!!).

Enough of the boring timetable discussion, I have a bit of an exciting announcement. In a previous blog post, the STEM ambassadors programme was mentioned, and I now have the date of my first activity. I'm going into a primary school to help out with an astronomy evening. This does involve talking about myself (eek) & about my studies, but I then have the opportunity to talk about the night sky and help the pupils find constellations. As exciting as the prospect of finally getting involved in outreach is, I am absolutely terrified. I'm not entirely sure how to prepare for this evening, but I do need to gather together fun space facts (if anyone fancies contributing). 

I would like to mention that I do receive (unofficially) my module marks early in February, so if they're not dreadful I will post an update. However as my first lecture of the Spring semester starts in 10 hours, I am going to have to try to sleep.

Goodnight.

I miss George :(