Have you ever wondered what the universe looks like? Geocentrism, the belief that the Earth is at the center of the universe, was a prevailing theory until the 16th century. However, as astronomers made more observations, they realized that the simple geocentric model couldn't explain everything they saw. Polish astronomer Copernicus published his model of the universe, which put the Sun at the center, and for the first time, mainstream science took note. Today, we know that even heliocentrism doesn't tell the full story. Learning about the evolution of scientific theories can help you understand how our understanding of the universe has changed over time. Studying academic concepts like geocentrism and heliocentrism can help you develop critical thinking skills and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the world around us.

Warren de la Rue's pioneering astrophotography settled a debate about solar eclipses in the mid-1800s, paving the way for modern astronomy. Learn how he designed a telescope-camera hybrid to capture stunning photos of celestial objects and discovered the true nature of solar eclipses. Explore the celestial dance of the sun, Earth, and moon, and discover how to calculate when the next solar eclipse will occur in your hometown.

Did you know that crossing your fingers for good luck has been a practice for centuries? The ancient Pagan custom believed that crossing fingers with someone would keep their wishes safe until they came true. The idea of capturing good fortune also explains the practice of tying string around a finger. Crossing fingers also has roots within Christianity, where early Christians would cross their fingers to invoke the power of Christ's crucifixion. Even today, we cross our fingers behind our back when making a promise we don't intend to keep. But did you know that crossing fingers can also reduce painful sensations? A recent study found that crossing fingers confuses the way our brains process pain signals. Learning about the origins and beliefs behind this common practice can expand your cultural knowledge and understanding of different beliefs and practices.

The Moon is a fascinating subject that has influenced many aspects of our culture, thought and being. It is present in design, art, music, science, technology, religion, and more. Learning about the Moon can help us understand its impact on our bodies, minds, and environment. For example, the Moon affects the tides and may even affect crime rates. Additionally, the Moon has been personified as both male and female throughout history and has been the subject of many artistic works. By exploring the Moon's mysteries, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the natural world. Whether you see the Moon as a life support system, a bringer of death, or a symbol of peace, it embodies all the light and shade of human experience. So let's embrace the mystery and discover what the Moon has to offer!

Have you ever thought about why we use the number system we do? Did you know that there are other systems out there, like base 12, that could make math easier and more enjoyable? In a dozenal world, numbers are represented using 12 symbols instead of 10, which makes it easier to divide numbers into whole numbers. This makes it easier to use currency and measure things like fractions. Plus, some times tables work more nicely in base 12. It might seem confusing to switch to a new system, but civilizations have switched between bases throughout history. By exploring different number systems, you can expand your understanding of math and challenge yourself to think outside the box. Who knows, maybe you'll discover a new way of thinking about numbers that will make math more enjoyable for you!

Have you ever wondered what makes a book a book? Is it just the information it contains or is it something more? This video clip explores the history of the book and its evolution over time. From the earliest form of the book, the codex, to Johannes Gutenberg's printing press, the invention of paper, ink, and font, and the development of book covers and spines, the book has undergone many changes. Learning about the history of the book not only gives us insight into its evolution but also helps us appreciate the value of the written word. By exploring the elements that make up a book, we can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of communication and the role it plays in our lives. So, whether you prefer the feel of a printed book or the convenience of an e-reader, understanding the history of the book can broaden your perspective and enrich your reading experience.

Enheduanna, the first known author in history, was a high priestess who lived in ancient Sumer 4,300 years ago. She wrote 42 hymns and three epic poems, unifying the older Sumerian culture with the newer Akkadian civilization. Enheduanna's most valuable literary contribution was the poetry she wrote to Inanna, goddess of war and desire, which marked the first time an author writes using the pronoun "I," and the first time writing is used to explore deep, private emotions. Her legacy still exists on clay tablets that have stood the test of time. By learning about Enheduanna's writing, students can explore the power of language and creativity to transcend time and culture. Enheduanna's work shows how writing can be used to explore deep emotions and to bridge cultural gaps. Studying Enheduanna's work can inspire students to use writing to express themselves and their ideas, and to connect with others across time and space.

Maps are a fundamental tool for navigation and education, but did you know that every map humans have ever made is wrong? That's because it's impossible to make a 100% accurate flat map of a spherical planet. Despite this, maps are still widely used today, including the Mercator projection, which distorts the size of land masses and bodies of water. However, maps are not just about navigation - they also shape our perception of the world. Simple changes in map design can completely shift our point of view. Learning about the different types of maps and their limitations can expand your understanding of geography and the world around you. By exploring this topic through reading, reflection, and self-directed projects, you can become an expert in cartography and gain a deeper appreciation for the power of maps.

Medieval texts, ice core, and tree ring data reveal how volcanic eruptions triggered the Little Ice Age. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Geneva examined hundreds of annals and chronicles from across Europe and the Middle East, in search of references to total lunar eclipses and their coloration. They found that the darkest lunar eclipses all occurred within a year or so of major volcanic eruptions, leading to cooling and other climate anomalies. Find out how the monks' records of the brightness and colour of the eclipsed moon helped narrow down when the eruptions must have happened.

Have you ever wondered how inventions come about? Sometimes it takes the willingness to question long-accepted ideas, like the belief that a vacuum couldn't exist. Aristotle and other ancient philosophers thought that a true vacuum, a space devoid of matter, couldn't exist because the surrounding matter would immediately fill it. But in the early 17th century, Gasparo Berti conducted a simple but brilliant experiment to demonstrate that a vacuum was possible. This led to Evangelista Torricelli's invention of the barometer, a key tool for measuring air pressure and predicting extreme weather events. Torricelli's willingness to think outside the box and question long-accepted dogmas about vacuums and the weight of air led to his invention, which remained one of the most common ways to measure atmospheric pressure until 2007. Learning about the history of scientific discoveries can inspire us to question long-accepted ideas and come up with our own innovative solutions.

The video clip discusses the importance of curiosity and exploration in academia. It highlights the stories of Richard Feynman, Eratosthenes, and Armand Fizeau, who made significant contributions to science by asking simple questions and investigating them further. Feynman's father's explanation of inertia sparked his interest in physics, leading him to earn degrees at MIT and Princeton, solve the Challenger disaster, and win the Nobel Prize in Physics. Eratosthenes calculated the Earth's circumference by measuring the shadows cast by the sun, and Fizeau confirmed Galileo's experiments on the speed of light. These stories demonstrate the value of asking questions and pursuing knowledge, even if the answers are not immediately clear. By exploring academic topics through reading, reflection, writing, and self-directed projects, students can develop their critical thinking skills and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Lovecraftian horror is a unique type of terror that responds to the rapid scientific progress of our era, using scientific elements to lend eerie plausibility. Rather than recognizable monsters or graphic violence, the terror in Lovecraft's fiction lies in what's not directly portrayed, but left instead to the dark depths of our imagination. Lovecraft's protagonists often stumble onto hints of the existence of the Great Old Ones, beings that exist beyond our conceptions of reality, whose true forms are as inscrutable as their motives. Even indirect glimpses of them are enough to drive them insane. The Cthulhu Mythos, named after Lovecraft's infamous blend of dragon and octopus, is a shared universe adopted by a wide variety of authors, often reimagining them from diverse perspectives that transcend the author's prejudices. Learning about Lovecraftian horror will inspire you to independently explore academic topics through reading, reflection, writing, and self-directed projects.

Did you know that the origin of the word 'algorithm' dates back to the late 17th century? It comes from the name of a Persian mathematician, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, who was born around 780 AD. His innovative contributions to mathematics, astronomy, geography, and cartography revolutionized the field. He wrote an influential book called “On the calculation with Hindu Numerals" which introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals to the West, the system we use today. His books showed how complex problems could be broken down into simpler parts and solved, which eventually gave birth to the computer age. Today, algorithms are everywhere, helping us get from A to B, driving internet searches, making recommendations of things for us to buy, watch or share, and even predicting how we vote or who we fall in love with. Learning about algorithms can give you a better understanding of how the world around you works, and it can even inspire you to create something new that could change the world.

Did you know that ancient civilizations had a sophisticated understanding of math? The Babylonians, for example, knew about Pythagorean triples - a concept that we attribute to the Greeks. They used this knowledge for surveying land accurately, which was essential for people who owned private property. Plimpton 322, a clay tablet discovered in modern-day Iraq, is a testament to the Babylonians' understanding of mathematics. By delving into ancient math concepts, you can broaden your perspective and gain a deeper understanding of the world. Not only does this improve your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, but it also allows you to appreciate the rich history of human achievement. So, grab a book on ancient math, start reading, and be prepared to be amazed!

Discover the fascinating life of Humphry Davy, a self-taught chemist who rose to become a leading figure in British science and literature. From his explosive lectures to his groundbreaking experiments with gases, his influence on popular culture and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, explore the legacy of this forgotten genius. Thanks to the Davy Notebooks Project, you can now access the first digital edition of his 83 manuscript notebooks and gain invaluable insights into his mind and work. Join us on a journey of discovery into the intertwined history of the arts and sciences in British history.

Marine archaeologists and explorers embark on a daring mission to locate Sir Ernest Shackleton's lost ship, Endurance, trapped in the treacherous Antarctic sea-ice for over 100 years. Despite failed attempts, the fascination with Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition and the legendary escape of his men fuels the search for this elusive shipwreck. With new technology and tactics, the Endurance22 project sets out to make history and answer the question: what would it mean to find the Endurance?

The future is unpredictable and exciting, and everyone from world leaders to industry experts wants to know what's in store. Futurists use trend analysis to make predictions, but there are always surprises that no one could have foreseen. Science fiction has been a useful tool for imagining the unimaginable and thinking outside of the box. The best science fiction invites us to consider the consequences of radical shifts in familiar institutions, and can even fulfill the words of philosopher Michel Foucault by making windows where there were once walls. By reading science fiction, we can prepare for a future that will be as magical to us as our present would be to someone from the 19th century. Science fiction can inspire us to work towards making the possibilities it presents a reality.

The history of gunpowder is not just about explosions and destruction, but also about invention and innovation. The ancient Chinese alchemists who created the flammable powder that would later become gunpowder were actually trying to create a potion for immortality. While they never found the secret to eternal life, they did discover something that would shape all of civilization. Gunpowder has been used for both good and bad, from creating fireworks to defend against invaders. Learning about the history of gunpowder can inspire us to explore the science behind it and the ways it has impacted our world. By understanding the properties of gunpowder, we can appreciate the beauty of fireworks and the power of scientific discovery.

Have you ever wondered what lies beyond the pages of a closed book? Imagine being able to see the words on the pages without ever opening the cover. This is the exciting concept behind the technology developed by a group at MIT. Using terahertz waves, they can now read through closed books and uncover the hidden information inside. To do this, they had to overcome a series of challenges including the need for a radiation source that can penetrate the paper, the ability to distinguish between different pages, and the recognition of characters that are partially hidden. Learning about these academic concepts not only expands your knowledge of science and technology but also opens up new possibilities for studying antique documents and other important materials. Take the first step towards exploring the unseen world and discover the thrill of uncovering hidden information.

The story of Nicolas Bourbaki, an imaginary mathematician, reveals the power of a systematic approach to abstract principles. In the 1930s, a group of French mathematicians, frustrated by the lack of a shared mathematical language, set out to create a consistent logical framework unifying every branch of mathematics. Their treatise, the "Éléments de mathématique," began with a set of simple axioms and derived more and more complex theorems that corresponded with work being done across the field. They defined functions by how they mapped elements across domains, establishing logic that could be translated in both directions. Despite their unconventional approach, Bourbaki's publications became standard references, and their influence informs much current research. By learning about systematic approaches to abstract principles, students can develop rigorous methods and expand their understanding of complex mathematical concepts.