Cardiff Scientific Society

Many moons ago, ( in fact about 450 of them!) I was studying science A levels in a Cardiff school. One of our teachers at the time encouraged us to join the Cardiff Scientific Society. It was aimed at the general public and gave fortnightly lectures, during term time, in one of Cardiff University's chemistry lecture theatres, on a wide variety of scientific subjects. I left school, went away to Uni & didn't think about it again. I can't remember what brought it to mind but I recently Googled it and found the society still existing, in the same format and with lectures held at the same venue! LB and I are now members for the bargain price of £8 each for the year.

We missed the first lecture, as we were in France, but went this week to hear about the Herschel and Planck satellites, which are due to be launched next year by the European Space Agency. One will be looking back for evidence of events milliseconds after the "Big Bang" and the other at the creation of the galaxies. It was all explained simply and with humour so that I understood every word, at the time, although I couldn't quite manage to explain it all just now! The basic principle though is that the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation varies according to temperature. As it was very hot at the time of the Big Bang and is now considerable cooler, they have equipped the satellites with sensors to pick up the radiation existing, at the temperatures existing, at the time of the events they want to study. I think!

It was really interesting and an enjoyable evening out. I think we have got in a bit of a rut when considering evening entertainment. We tend to potter at home but otherwise, like many others, it's meals out, the cinema or occasional visits to the theatre or concerts. We need to broaden our ideas a bit and look at what else is available out there.

Elvie..