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Edinburgh, a city that celebrates the artists, philosophers and scientists
Edinburgh is a town that celebrates its humanists, its writers, and its scientists instead of his kings, dictators, or war heroes. While visiting together the town, a visitor of mine from Germany pointed to a neo-gothic moment on Princes street, the main...
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Edinburgh the museum town and Berlin the living town
I visited Berlin and Edinburgh recently and I kept comparing them to each other. I like them both with their own unique characters. I wanted to write something more personal about Berlin but I could not. Then I decided to go to one of the cafes in Edinburgh...
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Berlin?
Traveling to Santiago from Grenoble is not as tedious than travelling to Hawaii or Australia. On my way to Santiago, I had a stop-over in Berlin. If you do not believe me, I have photographic evidence. I shot a statue of the bear, the symbol of Berlin,...
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Scottish Astrophysics Departments
A rare coincidence occurs between two major astrophysical institutes in Scotland. The Royal Observatory Edinburgh (ROE) and the Department of Physics and Astronomy at St-Andrews University are located in the close vicinity of world-famous old Golf course...
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My first amateur astronomy photos
I have attended many workshops and conferences. But the one I am attending in Santiago at the moment is the first one where I have the opportunity to practice astrophotography. Although I have been observing with many telescopes in the world (and in space)...
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Berlin Golden Hat
At the dawn of human civilization astronomical knowledge brought a lot of prestige. I was in Berlin the last few days to celebrate the Saint-Silvestre and thought that a visit to a few museums was warranted. But even while on vacation I stumble on Astronomy-related...
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Edinburgh has a new hero in town
Edinburgh has found a new hero to celebrate. Peter Higgs, who received the Nobel price for his prediction of the particle that provide the mass to matter, has joined Maxwell (and other scientists) in the list of local famous scientists. A portrait of...
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Platform 9 ¾
Astronomers travel quite often, either for work or because of the two-body problem. Waiting hours at airports or train stations is pretty common. Most airports are utterly boring architecture-wise but a few old train stations are worth a visit. One day...
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What is the most "exclusive hotel” in the world?
My cousin works in luxurious hotels and once he showed me a book about what he thought should be the most exclusive hotels on Earth. Those hotels have incredible architectures, outstanding restaurants, and top-notch service. But still he changed in mind...
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St Andrew’s day and winter blues
Google has a cunning way to teach trivia to the world via his doodles. Today’s doodle celebrates St Andrew’s day, the national day of Scotland. The Scots have devised a genius scheme to beat the autumn-winter blues. Winter blues is particularly acute...
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A mood for poems
I am a scientist, not at all a skilled writer or poete. When I am in the mood, I still like to give it a try with an astrophysicist's twist, off-course. At the telescope Oh mirror, powerful mirror, what will you let me stare at tonight? The youth of the...
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ALMA and the most enviable way to become a professor at MIT
What means “ALMA” for you? If you are an astronomer, you immediately think of the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in Chile. But if you are not, it may be the tunnel in Paris where Lady Diana had her fatal accident. If you are an historian, you may recognize...
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The Architecture of scientific discovery
In his essay “The Architecture of Happiness”, Alain de Botton explores how humans shape their surroundings to incorporate their desire of beauty, which ultimately leads to happiness. This begs the question: what would be the best architecture for an astronomical...
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Why me? Experiencing discriminations
I am reviewing a book currently available in French only (“Pourquoi pas? L’expérience des discriminations” par François Dubet, Olivier Cousin, Eric Macé, et Sandrine Rui). It should not be too difficult for someone “trained” to review papers, observing...
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Scientific presentation and graphic design
Graphs are central in scientific communication but most scientists are not trained in graphic design. It is therefore not surprising to see a large scale in the quality of the figures and slides that are shown in papers and presentations. The same way...
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Rehearsal, critics, and presence
When we rehearse, either in preparation of an important scientific presentation or for a play, we have to leave our pride at home. Most critics are advices to get the best out of us. At our play rehearsal, a few fellow actors or actresses seem to have...
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Do we need to have a knowledge of philosophy of science to be a good scientist?
Things are never completely settled. I thought that after a PhD and a few articles I would be a seasoned researcher until I discussed with someone with a dual degree in astrophysics and philosophy. That troubled me. Did I miss something essential during...
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Science and non-science project funding
As mentioned already in a previous blog, being in an academic environment opens up the possibility to meet new people from different backgrounds and experience. A few month ago, a new researcher arrived at my institute in Grenoble. She has a dual philosophy-science...
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Learning to watch and to speak
I would have never predicted that I would like so much my creative hobbies. By devoting the same focus and determination that I had to learn mathematics, physics, chemistry, or doing research I endeavor to master creative photography or acting. I like...
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International Woman's Day
Last Saturday was the International Woman's Day. Having such a day is symptomatic that something has to change in our societies but that at the same time it means that we are aware of the problem. Everyday should be the day of the woman. Everyday we (the...
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Deadlines and procrastination
I recently changed my email signature with a quote from one of my favorite philosophers, Lucius Annaeus Seneca. The quote says “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.”. Having...
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Foreign language and living abroad
One of the keys for an enjoyable life in a foreign country is the mastery of the language. Many complain that economic migrants tend to stay within their community, do not interact much with the local population, or do not speak well the language of the...
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Thinking outside the box
Thinking inside the box is easy and brings a sense of security. Thinking outside the box is more challenging but it is the essence of progress. We praise innovations in technology, science, design, or art, but at the same time our societies tend to be...
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Writing nonfictions
A major aspect of my work as astrophysicists and leisure involves reading and writing. Reading and writing reports, scientific articles, press releases, emails, blogs. Like many I was struggling in putting in words my thoughts, especially in English,...
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Loneliness
The skeleton of an old woman has been found 7 years after her death, not in an isolated house in a small village. No, she was found in an apartment block in town. She died alone and isolated. Studies show that more and more people suffer from loneliness...
