Science days
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When the sky falls
On the night of November 12, 1833, the stars began to fall. Not metaphorically. Not in some poetic sense. They actually fell, or appeared to, by the tens of thousands, streaking across the sky in every direction, so many that people stopped counting and started praying. Some thought it was the end of the world.…
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The forgotten killer
Here’s a number that should keep you awake at night: 700,000. That’s how many children die from pneumonia every year. Not in some distant historical era, but right now. In 2025. While we carry supercomputers in our pockets and send robots to Mars. For context, that’s more deaths than malaria, measles, and HIV/AIDS combined. And…
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The unlikely peace treaty
Here’s a question that doesn’t get asked often enough: What do nuclear physicists and subsistence farmers in Bangladesh have in common? The answer, as of November 10, 2001, is a holiday. World Science Day for Peace and Development. And if that sounds like bureaucratic window dressing, another UNESCO initiative designed to make us feel good…
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The glow that changed everything
Here’s what you need to know about Wilhelm Röntgen: he wasn’t looking for it. It’s November 8, 1895, in Würzburg, Germany. Röntgen is alone in his laboratory, doing what physicists do, playing with cathode rays in vacuum tubes, expecting nothing remarkable. The room is dark. He’s covered his tube with thick black cardboard. And then,…
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The launch of Sputnik 1: first steps into Space
Science Days: 4th of October On the 4th of October, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth. This historic event marked the dawn of the Space Age, ignited a fierce space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, and forever transformed humanity’s relationship with the cosmos.…
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Discovering Penicillin: A Game Changer in Medicine
Science Days: the 28th of September On the 28th of September, 1928, Alexander Fleming made a serendipitous discovery that would change the course of medicine forever: penicillin. This groundbreaking antibiotic became the first widely used treatment for bacterial infections, saving millions of lives and ushering in the modern era of antibiotics. The accidental discovery Fleming,…
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September Equinox: nature’s balanced transition
Science Days: 22nd of September The September Equinox, occurring annually around the 22nd or 23rd of September, marks a significant moment in Earth’s journey around the Sun. This astronomical event signifies the transition between seasons and offers a fascinating opportunity to observe the harmonious interplay of Earth, Sun, and time. What is the September equinox?…
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Montreal Protocol saved the Ozone layer
Science Days: 16th of September On the 16th of September, the world commemorates the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of the ozone layer and the global efforts to protect it. Established by the United Nations in 1994, this day marks the signing…
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HeLa cells – the legacy of Henrietta Lacks
Science Days: 30th of August The discovery of HeLa cells marked a pivotal moment in medical science. This event revolutionized research and treatment. It continues to shape healthcare today. The cells themselves were not identified in 1871. Their correct discovery timeline is 1951. Their origin story begins with Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman. Her…
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Must see: Perseids meteor shower peak
Science Days: 12th–13th of August The Perseids meteor shower is one of the most anticipated celestial events of the year. It reaches its peak on the nights of 12th–13th of August. This annual spectacle is renowned for its high frequency of bright meteors. It features long-lasting streaks. Stargazers worldwide are drawn to this event for…