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Well, you probably weren’t expecting that as the title of my “Science this week” post, were you?!  As those of you who are astronomically minded will realize, this is actually a mnemonic: “Oh be a fine girl, kiss me” is a way of remembering the correct order of stellar spectral classes, from hottest to coldest.  Whilst looking up some information about the Hertzprung-Russel diagram, I started to wonder if anyone had written a song about it, as those lyrics would make a pretty good chorus… so I went looking, and found this song by Dr. H. Paul Shuch from the SETI Institute [lyrics and music here].  Can anyone think of any more songs about the spectral classes? Would anyone like to write one? If so, let me know!
Stars as grains of sand
It’s often said that there are as many stars in the galaxy as there are grains of sand on Earth.  A couple of weeks ago, physicist and author of the XKCD comic series, Randall Munroe tackled a bit of an extension to this analogy in his “What if” series – answering the question
“If you made a beach using grains the proportionate size of the stars in the Milky Way, what would that beach look like?”
Click the question above to find out his answer!
Radioactivity Workshop
Most of the kit has now arrived (even if some of it might look a little bizarre!), so we’re all good to go on Saturday!  The session times are confirmed as:
11.15 for 11.30 GENERAL INTEREST
13.00 for 13.30 GCSE / IGCSE (1 hour) / A LEVEL (1.5 hours)
If you still want to come, and haven’t yet signed up, email me at richard@mallard-days.com as soon as you can!
Institute of Physics events
You’ve only got two weeks to sign up if you want to go to Cragside, or to the Chair’s Dinner, where I will be giving a talk entitled “Scientists can’t communicate”.  More information at the links above.
And finally…
If you’ve been watching the Winter Olympics in the last couple of weeks, you might be interested in catching up with a series of short web videos made by Youtube team ASAPScience (along with CBC) covering a lot of aspects of Science related to the games.  This one looks at the interesting effects of teamwork.

Firstly, I’m sorry that there was no Science this week last week, due to my being ill.  I am still recovering, but hopefully it won’t be too long until I’m fully back on my feet.
Last Chance for Radioactivity Workshops
This week is your last chance to sign up to the Radioactivity Workshops!  There are currently very few attendees, however the workshops will be happening as the equipment has now been ordered! So if you’re interested in what is likely to be very personalised tuition, sign up now at https://mallard-days.com/radioactivity-spring-2014/.
Institute of Physics Events
There are three upcoming events within the North-East IOP.  Firstly, this Wednesday, 19th February 2014, Dr. Chris Stokes from Durham University will be giving a talk entitled “Glaciers & climate change: the view from space“.  This will be in the Institute’s usual room, A003 in the Ellison Building, and will start at 7pm.
Two big events next month are also open for booking: on Saturday 15th March 2014, the Branch will be visiting Cragside, Rothbury, Northumberland.  This visit is open to all, and includes a private tour, called “Turning Water into Light” of Armstrong’s hydroelectric generator. The cost of the event, including bus travel, is £20 per person.  For more details, and to book, please visit http://iopcragside.eventbrite.co.uk.
Also, on the 21st March 2014, will be the Branch’s Chair’s Dinner at Lumley Castle.  This event also costs £20, and features a two-course black tie dinner.  More information and booking details at http://iopnedinner.eventbrite.co.uk.
A year isn’t 365 days.
Those of you studying Astronomy modules will have heard me mention different lengths of year.  Here’s (most of) the story, thanks to MinutePhysics and CGP Grey.

More science
For those of you who missed Science this week last week, and would like some more in-depth science news, head over to the British Science Association’s News Digest for more reading!