Marking our 500th video

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.

Well done Pete

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...

Comet ISON

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.

Movember and Men's Health

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!?)

DONATE

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)