Explore Rosetta and comet 67P in my new VR app!

So, I posted a while ago that I was playing around with a Virtual Reality smartphone app that would allow you to explore the Rosetta mission and comet 67P. Well, after several months I've finally finished it! It's up and live on the Google Play Store and you can get it for free here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.UKAstroNutProductions.Rosetta

There's some really cool features in the app. You can explore a realistic model of comet 67P and the Rosetta satellite, looking around the comet and seeing it in 3D. There's a model solar system which shows the journey Rosetta had taken since it's launch. There's also a virtual tour of Rosetta journey! All of these are ways of showing off how cool the Rosetta satellite and comet 67P look in 3D.

There's already a couple of things I want to add to the app to make it even better, which will be added in the near future. I'm also hoping that the European Space Agency will provide some support and maybe even some cool resources I can add to the app. But, in the meantime I hope you all enjoy the app. Feel free to leave any comments or feedback as I'd love to hear it!

Get out there and explore!

The latest John Lewis Christmas advert has gone astronomical!

So, if you live in the UK, you know there are two things that indicate Christmas is here: the Coca-Cola lorry and the John Lewis Christmas advert. It's odd to think that the second one has only been going for a few years, yet every year most of us can't wait to see what kind of moving video and brilliant cover song they have done this year.

This year's advert, titled #ManOnTheMoon, is up to the same tear-jerking, inspiring standard as previous years. But to me it's a little bit more special than previous years as it has an astronomical theme to it. The advert follows a young girl who spots an elderly man living on the moon. She tries desperately to get a card and present to him, but nothing seems to do the job. Then, just as you think everything has failed, a helium balloon carried Christmas present starts bobbling along the surface of the moon. Hooray!

Throughout the advert there's some really interesting science and astronomy, which I can't help but look at and wonder how much of it is possible. Could you see a man on the moon? Do helium balloons work on the lunar surface? I've made a video for my YouTube channel going through the science behind the advert, if you're interested in finding out more!

But despite some of the science being a bit suspicious, it's a beautiful advert and it seems to be inspiring people in lot's of different ways. Some people note that the advert is telling us to think of the older, often vulnerable and lonely, generation at Christmas. Others see it as an inspiration for people to get in to astronomy and to get outside this winter and enjoy the night sky. Hopefully it has inspired you in some small way!

I won an award!

Wahooo!! I won an award!

A couple of months ago I was nominated for an award for early career researchers (PhD students and postdocs typically) for their contribution to science outreach and communication. This was for the blog stuff I do, my Youtube channel, by VR apps project and other things. The award ceremony, which happens every 2 years, is hosted by the organisation Elsevier. Information on the award is at https://www.elsevier.com/awards/europe/early-career-researcher-uk-awards-2015

This year was the first time an award for outreach has been given out, alongside the usual awards for science research. As you can imagine, I am a very happy man! Not only did I get the lovely engraved glass award you can see me holding above, but I also got awarded money to help me do even more cool outreach.

If they read this, I want to thank everyone on the judging panel and those involved with the awards. It's great to be recognised for the extra work I put in to outreach and I know it will encourage me to keep on doing it!