Higgs boson scientists win Nobel prize

Peter Higgs, from the UK, and Francois Englert from Belgium, share the prize.

Peter Higgs

In the 1960s, they were among several physicists who proposed a mechanism to explain why the most basic building blocks of the Universe have mass.

The mechanism predicts a particle - the Higgs boson - which was finally discovered in 2012 at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at Cern, in Switzerland.

The boson explains why other elementary particles - the basic building blocks of the Universe - have mass.

"This year's prize is about something small that makes all the difference," said Staffan Normark, permanent secretary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

More at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24436781



Meteor Alert

Nasa plans 3D printer space launch

3D printer

US space agency Nasa is planning to launch a 3D printer into space next year to help astronauts manufacture spare parts and tools in zero gravity.

It will be the first time a 3D printer has been used in space and could help reduce the costs of future missions.

The device will have to withstand lift-off vibrations and operate safely in an enclosed space station environment.

Nasa has chosen technology start-up Made in Space to make the microwave oven-sized printer.

 

Apollo 13 improvised carbon dioxide scrub

"Imagine an astronaut needing to make a life-or-death repair on the International Space Station," said Aaron Kemmer, the company's chief executive.

"Rather than hoping that the necessary parts and tools are on the station already, what if the parts could be 3D printed when they needed them?"

In 1970, Apollo 13 astronauts had to cobble together a home-made carbon dioxide filter using a plastic bag, a manual cover and gaffer tape. A 3D printer might have solved the problem in minutes.

Thanks to the BBC at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24329296

Happy Birthday NASA

Space Design Competition 2014

After reaching the national finals in the competition in 2013, Nonsuch girls are preparing to submit their latest proposal. All students are welcome to join.

View the winning 2013 entry: http://youtu.be/0Rhlf1rZ_fs

Introducing the Karen Baldwyn-Fishwick Tropy for Astronomy

The inaugural presentation of the Karen Baldwyn-Fishwick Tropy for Astronomy will be awarded for outstanding contribution in GCSE Astronomy at Nonsuch High School for girls.

The trophy will be presented on Thursday 14th November 2013 at Epsom Racecourse.

UK team designs human mission to Mars

Scientists at Imperial College London have designed a concept mission to land astronauts on Mars.

 

 

The plan envisages a three-person crew journeying to Mars aboard a small two-part craft.  The craft would rotate to generate artificial gravity and use a heat shield to protect itself against solar flares.

The crew would then return to Martian orbit in a pre-sent craft fuelled using ice from beneath the planet's surface.

The concept, developed in conjunction with the BBC, is intended to spark further debate about the technical obstacles and risks that would have to be overcome in order to put humans on Mars.

 

Find out more at the link below:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23349496