Planets and their moons. Credit: CactiStaccingCrane (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license)
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You’re invited to join two special science sessions to mark Science Week, 10-18 August, at U3A Nunawading.
National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. Running each year in August, it features more than 1000 events around Australia, including those delivered by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres.
At U3A Nunawading, to get a very different perspective on the place of our Earth in the solar system and discover why a ‘correct’ scale image is impossible to show on a sheet of paper, come along to 24SCI016 Planets and Moons. Then to appreciate the impact of weather on success or failure in war, come to 24SCI018 Operation Overlord. Bookings are essential for both sessions.
National Science Week 2024
For National Science Week 2024, the ABC is exploring the dark night sky and the impact of light pollution on science, creatures and culture.
But many of us don’t see the same night sky that our ancestors did, with the Milky Way no longer visible to an estimated third of humanity.
The good news: Light pollution is reversible, and we don’t need to go back to the dark ages – it’s about using appropriate types and levels of lighting.
24SCI016 Planets and Moons
What’s wrong with the feature picture of our solar system?
Nearly everyone has seen a picture like this of our solar system; perhaps there was even a copy displayed in the science lab at school. But do you know what is wrong with it? Come along and get a very different perspective on the place of our Earth in the solar system and discover why a ‘correct’ scale image is impossible to show on a sheet of paper.
Register your attendance at 24SCI016 Planets and Moons. Studio 6, Wednesday 14 August 1.45 pm to 2.45 pm.
24SCI018 Operation Overlord
The role of the weather and the weather forecast in the D-Day landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944.
Operation Overlord, the largest seaborne invasion in history, marked a turning point during the Second World War, but its success was by no means assured beforehand and hinged on the right meteorological conditions. An accurate forecast was essential and in the days before satellites and computers that was a huge challenge.
This story is presented by Meteorologist and historian of meteorology, Richard Whitaker, accompanied by a video that documents the planning for the D-Day landings and the vital role played by the weather.
Richard’s career in the weather bureau spanned 30 years, after which he began his own consultancy. He was chief Meteorologist with Sky News weather until 2016, has appeared regularly on radio and television, and has authored several books including ‘The Complete Book of Australian Weather’.
Register your attendance at 24SCI018 Operation Overlord. Meeting Room 5, Thursday 15 August 1.15 pm to 2.30 pm.