Updated 21 November 2025 In 1.3 million years’ time the star Gliese 710 is forecast to pass within 0.166 light years of the Solar System, 25 times closer than Proxima Centauri which is our current nearest star (excluding the Sun of course). The close approach of Gliese 710 will be the strongest disrupting encounter known… Continue reading Gliese 710: The Closest Future Star Encounter
Tag: Science
September 22 2024 – the equinox
In 2024 September 22 is the date of the September equinox and is also the first day of autumn (or the first day of spring if you're one of my readers in the Southern Hemisphere). In this post I’ll talk about the equinoxes and discus the commonly held, but not quite correct, view that they… Continue reading September 22 2024 – the equinox
The Space Shuttle 10 years on
Ten years ago, on 8 July 2011 Atlantis took off for the final mission of a Space Shuttle, bringing to close a programme which had lasted nearly 40 years and had cost the equivalent of $220 billion in 2021 dollars. In this post I'll review this fascinating and unique piece of technology. The landing of… Continue reading The Space Shuttle 10 years on
The evenings are drawing out already
Updated 13 December 2025 ------------------------------ As I complete this post, it's completely dark outside and it's only 5 o'clock in the afternoon; most people I come across think that it will continue to get dark earlier and earlier in the afternoons until the date of the winter solstice which for the UK in 2025 falls… Continue reading The evenings are drawing out already
The Science Geek is now Explaining Science
When I started my Science Geek blog back in April 2014, I never expected it still to be up and running five years later. Over these five years its popularity has gradually increased, and I now have around 2,300 followers. However, after five years of blogging I feel now that it is time for… Continue reading The Science Geek is now Explaining Science
Explaining Science 