Beaches particle hunt kit ‘modified’

Posted on by

12 June 2013 Last updated at 19:24 ET

Equipment used to find radioactive particles on beaches near a nuclear power site has been modified so it can better detect the fragments.

The tiny particles were discharged from Dounreay in Caithness into the sea in the 1970s.

For several years surrounding beaches have been monitored and more than 200 particles removed.

Following the discovery of a particle with an unusual radioactive signal, the kit has been made more "sensitive".

Fragments with gamma radiation have made up the majority of finds on the beaches.

But in February last year one dominated by beta radiation, which is less easily detected, was found.

Following discussion with independent experts, regulators and monitoring contractor Nuvia, the plastic covering that protects the detection sensors has been replaced with a carbon fibre covering.

Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL), which is leading the demolition of Dounreay and commissioned the monitoring, said the change would improve the work.

A spokesperson said: "Carbon fibre is less dense than plastic, improving the capability of the equipment to detect other such particles that may be present."

Continued here:

Beaches particle hunt kit 'modified'

Astronomy needs to be ‘enriched’ with ancient science, says APJ Kalam

Posted on by

Former President APJ Abdul Kalam said here today that modern astronomy needs to be linked with ancient science to "enrich" it.

"Astronomy is a subject of inquisitiveness, whose attraction will continue unabated and it should be linked with ancient science for enriching it," he said, after inaugurating the first modern planetarium in the temple city at Dongla.

Kalam said that the planetarium would help students understand astronomy.

Referring to the history of astronomy in India, he made a special mention of Aryabhatta, Bhaskaracharya and Varahamihira's contributions.

Kalam said that he obtained a lot of important information on astronomy from Jayant Narlikar's Pune-based lab called "Ayuka".

The former President urged the youth to make science the mission of their lives, since only science could solve crises of water, power and waste management.

Addressing the function, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced plans to establish a 3-D Imax movie theatre within the planetarium complex and sanctioned Rs 5 crore for it.

He directed the science and technology department to select global-level scholars for the observatory and planetarium.

He also announced setting up of a research foundation in Madhya Pradesh Council for science and technology.

Continued here:

Astronomy needs to be 'enriched' with ancient science, says APJ Kalam

Link astronomy to ancient science, says A P J Abdul Kalam

Posted on by

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam said here today that modern astronomy needs to be linked with ancient science to "enrich" it.

"Astronomy is a subject of inquisitiveness, whose attraction will continue unabated and it should be linked with ancient science for enriching it," he said, after inaugurating the first modern planetarium in the temple city at Dongla.

Kalam said that the planetarium would help students understand astronomy.

Referring to the history of astronomy in India, he made a special mention of Aryabhatta, Bhaskaracharya and Varahamihira's contributions.

Kalam said that he obtained a lot of important information on astronomy from Jayant Narlikar's Pune-based lab called "Ayuka".

The former President urged the youth to make science the mission of their lives, since only science could solve crises of water, power and waste management.

Addressing the function, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced plans to establish a 3-D Imax movie theatre within the planetarium complex and sanctioned Rs 5 crore for it.

He directed the science and technology department to select global-level scholars for the observatory and planetarium.

He also announced setting up of a research foundation in Madhya Pradesh Council for science and technology.

TERMS OF USE: The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any person (s) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).

Continued here:

Link astronomy to ancient science, says A P J Abdul Kalam

Modern astronomy should be linked with ancient science: Kalam

Posted on by

Bhopal, Jun 12 : Observing that astronomy is a subject of inquisitiveness, whose attraction will continue unabated, former President APJ Abdul Kalam today said that modern astronomy needs to be linked with ancient science for enriching it.

Dr Kalam was inaugurating the first modern planetarium in Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh today. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Science and Technology Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya were also present on the occasion, an official release said.

He said this planetarium will help students understand secrets of astronomy. Referring to history of astronomy in India, he made a special mention of Aryabhatta, Bhaskaracharya and Varahamihira's contribution.

Referring to Pune-based laboratory 'Ayuka' of noted scientist Dr Jayant Narlikar, Dr Kalam said that he obtained a number of pieces of important information pertaining to astronomy from it.

He said setting up of the planetarium is a unique event in the history of astronomy in Madhya Pradesh. He urged youths to make science their life's mission. Crisis of water and power can be solved and challenge of waste management can be tackled through science. On the occasion, Dr Kalam administered pledge to schools students to promote science.

See the article here:

Modern astronomy should be linked with ancient science: Kalam