Explores perfect numbers, defined as positive integers equal to the sum of their proper divisors. Examples include 6, 28, and 496, with only 52 known today. It discusses mathematical properties, unsolved questions about odd perfect numbers, historical significance, and the connection to Mersenne primes, highlighting their allure across centuries.
The author shares a curated list of five recommended science books, emphasizing that they are well-reviewed and written by experts in their fields. The selection includes titles from prominent scientists including Neil Degrasse Tyson and David Deutsch, targeting a general audience interested in science.
Updated 7 December 2025 The ashen light is a faint glow, which many people claim to have seen on the night side of Venus. The Italian astronomer Giovanni Riccioli (1598 -1671) first reported it back in 1643, 33 years after Galileo had made the first observations of Venus with a telescope and discovered the planet… Continue reading The Mystery of the Ashen Light of Venus
Updated 30 November 2025 A lot has happened since I wrote a post back in June 2025 about the Artemis programme. At the time it looked like America would be landing astronauts on the Moon in mid-2027. However in October, concerned by delays in SpaceX’s Starship HLS, the NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy revealed that… Continue reading NASA’s Artemis Moon Missions Update
At 0100 UTC (2 AM local time) on Sunday 26 October, the UK like most of Europe will put it clocks back by one hour at is comes to an end of Daylight Saving Time. Most of the USA will follow a week later. In this post I'll give an overview of DST and why… Continue reading The Clocks go Back 26 October 2025
Explaining Science 