periodicvideos-ABC-News

Our periodicvideos chemistry channel has now uploaded 500 videos.

To mark this milestone (in base 10, at least) we've posted a few videos.

The main one is this music montage of highlights from the last five-and-a-half years.



Thanks to Alan Stewart for the great track, written specially for the occasion.

We also posted two Q&A videos, with Professor Martyn Polikaoff answer questions from our viewers (posted via Twitter and Facebook).

Here's the first:



And the second:



Periodicvideos stars various chemists from the School of Chemistry and the University of Nottingham.

Just a quick shout-out for periodicvideos star Pete Licence.



Earlier this year he was promoted to the role of professor.

And now he has been appointed director of the University of Nottingham's soon-to-be built Carbon Neutral Laboratory.

Pete is so busy it's hard to get him in videos - but he's promised to be back soon (and will also tell us about this new lab!)

Here's a couple of my favourite videos with Pete...

So Comet ISON is in our neighbourhood.

Will it be a classic, lighting up the skies? Or will it fizzle to nothing as it grazes the sun?

Here's a main video from Sixty Symbols and some bonus footage posted on our extras channel.





The videos feature Dr Meghan Gray from The University of Nottingham.

And special thanks to Pete Lawrence - our good friend who often helps out with astronomical images in times of need.

See Pete's recent APOD of Comet ISON at this link.

I remember back in Adelaide, Australia, a friend grew a ridiculous moustache and talked about something called "Movember".

Of course, Movember has now become a world-wide sensation.

But only today, reading on Wikipedia, did I realise I was witnessing the birth of Movember back in my home town!

In 2013 I've decided to take part (perhaps only now am I capable of such a hirsute feat!?)

Movember (the growing of moustaches in the month of November) has become an annual fundraiser for men's health.

In particular, it raises fund for two issues extremely important issues - cancer (*) and mental illness.

Not only do these affect countless men - they cause tremendous hurt and sadness to those around them.

I am more than happy to be ridiculed (a little more than usual) if a few people make a donation!

I know not everyone can afford to make donations - but thanks for reading and maybe there are other ways you can show support for the causes.

And to all of those who are experiencing the cruel effects of cancer or metal illness - stay strong and hopefully help is on the way.

DONATE THROUGH BRADY'S MOVEMBER PAGE

THE GENERAL MOVEMBER PAGE

(* The cause focuses on prostate and testicular cancer for obvious reasons)

Captured these pics of the Moon and Sun recently (not in the UK, where objects like the Sun are rarely sighted these days!!!)

I think the Sun picture nicely shows how the inside of a rainbow is darker, as discussed recently by Professor Merrifield on Sixty Symbols.

Here is seven-year-old Samuel, from Alabama, dressed as Professor Poliakoff.

His mother told us Samuel "loves your videos and was inspired to be Martyn for Halloween... Keep up the great work of inspiring the next generation of scientists".

The Professor described Samuel's outfit as "brilliant".

It has become bit of a tradition for us to post videos very quickly on the day of the physics and chemistry Nobel Prizes.

It's normally a crazy day for me - rushing to post detailed videos within a few hours of the announcements.

In fact I think one of Professor Poliakoff's favourite days of the year is me filming him as he watches online and reacts immediately.

Unfortunately this was not possible this year - I have flown to San Francisco for a conference at YouTube.

We will try to catch up when I get back, although it might take a little while due to other commitments.

Of course, this year's physics prize was awarded for the Higgs Boson, which we have covered in great detail on Sixty Symbols... Here are just some of our videos already:







The chemistry prize looks like largely unchartered territory for periodicvideos, but Professor Poliakoff has already been in touch and promised to speak about it. Other members of the team may also contribute.

Finally, here are our Nobel Prize videos from previous years to keep you occupied.

2012





2011





2010





2009





2008



OTHER NOBEL VIDS