Mars, with its cold and barren landscape, may seem inhospitable to life as we know it, but it might once have been teeming with life. I mean, the Sahara desert wasn’t always a desert. Just 2,500 years ago, during the African Humid Period, it was lush green and covered in grass, trees, and lakes. Is it so hard to believe that 2,000,000 years ago the desert-like Mars might have also been teaming with life?
Astrobiologists, those involved in the study of the origin and evolution of off-world life, have in recent years attempted to answer this question with the help of technological and off-world scientific rovers that traverse and study the geological makeup of Mars. One of the key pieces of evidence supporting the idea of past life on Mars is the presence of huge craters — called bench-and-nose formations — which are thought to have once been habitable rivers. These were discovered by NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover and the scientists who analysed its data, using numerical models that simulated thousands of years of erosion.
In 2020, the continuing search for signs of past life on Mars led to the deployment of advanced robotic missions like NASA’s Perseverance rover (The image above is a photo of the surface taken by the rover. Its helicopter component can also be spotted in flight on the right of the shot). With its cutting-edge instruments, the goal of Perseverance is to explore and examine the ancient lake-bed of Jezero Crater, where scientists believe that the then-warm and wet conditions may have been conducive to life billions of years ago.
One of Perseverance’s primary objectives is to collect rock samples that may preserve traces of ancient microbial life. These samples will be stored and eventually returned to Earth, where the extraterrestrial rocks can be analysed in laboratories equipped with sophisticated instruments capable of detecting any such fossilised biomolecules.
In addition to these physical searches overground, in 2021 scientists (writing in the peer-reviewed journal Astro Biology), studied Martian meteorites and revealed that rocks below the planet’s surface could produce the same kinds of chemical energy that allow for subterranean life on Earth. Again, this was a fascinating but tentative conclusion, drawn from circumstantial evidence just like previous rover studies. So, while we can’t say definitively that there was once life on Mars, the case for it is getting much more compelling.
If you are interested in studying a Science as a subject, Oxford Open Learning offers you the chance to do so at a variety of levels, listed below. You can also Contact Us here.
On 31st March, in 1855, Charlotte Brontë, of the famous literary family, died. She was only 39 years old. The eldest of the Brontë sisters (there was Emily and Anne, as well as brother Branwell), even despite her own relatively young age, she had outlived her siblings. Charlotte was most well-known for her novel ‘Jane Eyre’, a classic of English literature which is loved and adored by readers the world over.
Back in the 19th Century, life was tough – and many people didn’t live into old age due to poor health and miserable living conditions. For the Brontës, though, they were relatively fortunate and lived at Haworth Parsonage, on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors in the north of England. Here, the four siblings invented imaginary worlds and had quite an idyllic childhood. They would also have had two other siblings, but sadly they died young. The four, who all wrote in later life, spent their days creating worlds that were quite different to their reality.
The siblings called their collected imaginary world ‘Glass Town’ – Charlotte Brontë was only 11 when this came to be and she also referred to it as her ‘world below’. Branwell was obsessed with battles and politics; Charlotte preferred grand, romantic settings, with passionate relationships; and younger sisters Emily and Anne had a desire to write about more homely, cosy themes. All in all, the siblings created a world which was an amalgamation of all of their ideas. They even published their own homemade magazine which included some of Charlotte’s poems (she wrote more than 200 in her lifetime and many of these featured in this family publication).
If you study English Literature at A-Level, you may well be asked to read ‘Jane Eyre’. It is, for many, a favourite novel – the Gothic setting and the madwoman in the attic are famous for good reason. But even if you are not a fan of such classic literature, you can’t help but be interested in the wonderful world of the Brontës and how they lived their lives. I, personally, find it fascinating that all four siblings were successful writers, to varying degrees.
So, on 31st March this year, if you are looking for your next good read, why don’t you pick up ‘Jane Eyre’. Maybe the writing of Charlotte Brontë will help you create your own imaginary world!
If you are interested in study English or English Literature as a subject, Oxford Open Learning offers a number of courses at various levels. They are listed below. You can also Contact Us via this link.
The subject of quantum computing remains largely confined to the realm of exclusive coffee table discussions among theoretical physicists like Fernando Brandao and Oskar Painter. This suggests that the topic of quantum computing may fly way over the average person’s head, fascinating as it is. One of the best ways to shed light on this esoteric subject is to compare it with classical computing, and then outline the underlying quantum principles in a more relatable, albeit cursory way.
For example, this Caltech article explains that both quantum and classical computers — yes the one you are currently using — tend to have microchips, circuits, and logic gates. Algorithms written by programmers, and increasingly by AI, control the operations using binary code and ones and zeros in both classical and quantum computing. Furthermore, both quantum and classical machines employ physical objects to encode binary data. However, this is where the similarities end.
While the computer you are reading this on encodes data in two states, either on or off (binary digits), Quantum computers have taken a significant quantum leap forward. They use quantum bits (or qubits) and process data differently. While today’s computers process using ones and zeros, a qubit can be a superposition of one and zero simultaneously until its state is measured. Also, these states of multiple qubits can be quantum mechanically entangled. Superposition and entanglement are what give quantum computers powerful capabilities extending beyond that of classical computing.
While the potential of quantum computing is indeed profound, the full extent of its impact on modern computing capabilities remains uncertain. Quantum computers have existed in a nascent and experimental form for roughly a decade and are not yet utilised in industry or for practical everyday tasks. For now, classical computing reigns supreme.
However, quantum computing made an important experimental breakthrough in 2019 when it completed a calculation in a fraction of the time a classical computer would have required. While this is considered proof of principle it will be years before quantum computers will be solving practical problems like this in the everyday, or grace the desks of everyday users!
If you are interested in studying Science or Physics, Oxford Open Learning offers you the chance to do so at a variety of levels. You can also Contact Us by clicking on the link here.
To mark British Science Week, from the 8th to the 17th of March, let’s shine a light on some of the greatest contemporary British minds in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (or STEM, for short).
Sue Black is a Professor of Computer Science at Durham University. An outspoken and active social media campaigner, Sue led a campaign to save Bletchley Park and is one of the most influential women in tech. An advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion, particularly for women in computing, she founded BSCWomen, an online network for women in tech, and #techmums, a social enterprise which empowers mothers and their families through technology. In the 2016 New Year Honours, Sue received an OBE for services to technology.
Timothy Berners-Lee is a computer scientist and software engineer who is most famous for inventing Hypertext Transfer Protocol, or HTTP, and the World Wide Web. He also created the first internet browser, the HTML language, and the URL system, and in 1991 was named one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century by Time Magazine. In 2004, Timothy was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his pioneering work, and he now works as Professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford. He is also a professor emeritus at the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Often referred to as MIT).
Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a space scientist, educator, and communicator. Throughout her career, she has worked on some of the most prestigious projects at some of the UK’s top universities and is currently an honorary research associate within the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University College London and Chancellor at the University of Leicester. She is also a presenter of the TV show The Sky at Night and does much outreach work to engage young people in science. Her academic work now focuses on building instruments and equipment to aid the fight against climate change. Maggie received an MBE for services to science education in 2009 – an honour that was upgraded to OBE in this year’s New Year Honours.
Donald Palmer is an Associate Professor of Immunology at the Royal Veterinary College where his current research interests focus on the ageing of the immune system. After completing his PhD at King’s College London, he took post-doctoral fellowship positions at Cancer Research UK and Imperial College where he carried out research on lymphocyte development. Donald is also a co-founder of the Reach Society – an initiative to inspire, encourage and motivate young people, particularly young Black men and boys, to achieve their full potential.
Roma Agrawal is a structural engineer who is most known for her work on The Shard in London. Born in Mumbai, she completed her undergraduate degree in physics at the University of Oxford and gained an MSc in structural engineering from Imperial College London. She has gained several awards for her work, including the Institute of Structural Engineers’ Structural Engineer of the Year’ award in 2011 and, more recently, the Royal Academy of Engineering’s ‘Rooke Award for Public Promotion of Engineering’. She is an active public speaker and advocate for diversity and inclusion within STEM.
Saiful Islam is Professor of Materials Modelling at the University of Oxford. He gained a chemistry degree and PhD from University College London and his research interests focus on gaining a deeper understanding of the processes that exist within energy materials, particularly batteries. As well as numerous academic awards and honours, Saiful holds a Guinness World Record for the highest voltage lemon battery (usually a low powered, simple battery used for the purposes of education).
To learn about more successful British scientists, visit the Inspiring Scientists website.
If you are interested in studying a Science or Maths, Oxford Open Learning offers the opportunity to do so at a variety of levels, listed below. You can also find advice via our Contact Us page here.
Fast Track Human Biology IGCSE
Every four years we have a Leap Year, which gifts us an extra day, the elusive February 29th, known as Leap Day – and the next is due in just a few days time. This anomaly in the calendar has inspired unique traditions and celebrations around the world.
In Ireland, Leap Day (known as Bachelor’s Day or Ladies’ Privilege Day) carries a tradition of empowering women to take charge of their romantic destinies. According to folklore, on February 29th, women have the right to propose to their partners (this may not mean quite so much now). This custom dates back to a 5th-century Irish nun, St. Brigid, who complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait too long for suitors to propose. St. Patrick then granted women the opportunity to propose every four years.
The self-proclaimed “Leap Year Capital of the World,” Anthony, Texas, hosts a festival to honour the Leap Day. The town embraces the uniqueness of this day and welcomes people born on February 29th (known as Leap Babies) from around the US and a few foreign countries too. The festival features parades, concerts, and a grand birthday celebration for Leap Babies of all ages. At last count, their leap year party club had over 400 members, allegedly.
In the Rhineland region of Germany, love-struck boys place a small birch tree adorned with ribbons, known as a Liebesmaie, on the doorstep of their crush on the eve of May Day, 30th April. In each leap year, girls can reciprocate this gesture. Additionally, on May Day itself, another unique tradition unfolds as only women partake in the maypole dance during these years, while in non-leap years, men also join in the festivities.
La Bougie du Sapeur is a French satirical newspaper that is only published on the 29th of February and has been honouring this Leap Day tradition for the last 43 years. It includes unusual articles, humorous anecdotes, fake advertisements, and absurd events and is meant to be an escape from daily life.
In conclusion, Leap Day, occurring every four years, sparks diverse traditions globally, from empowering marriage proposals to festive celebrations and generally embracing a lighter perspective on life.
Okay, so I am sat at my desk staring out of my window at the grey clouds on the horizon. Before I know it, time has passed. What have I achieved? Have I been lazy? Well, actually, no, I haven’t. In fact, I have been thinking, and having time to think is something we often feel guilty for. Our lives are busy, and we feel that we should fill every moment with action. But if you stop to think for a while, the benefits can be huge.
Now, you might be thinking (get it): this is weird. Why do I need time to think? Well, for nearly 100 years, World Thinking Day has been recognised on 22nd February each year. In fact, all across the world, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts organisations show their appreciation for others by thinking about global situations and how others can be helped. You might be wondering why it is specifically the 22nd of February? Well, it is the birthday of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the Scouting and Guiding founder. Coincidentally, his wife, Lady Olave Baden-Powell, shared the same birthday – so this day celebrates her life, too, and what she stood for.
World Thinking Day used to be just Thinking Day – right up until 1999 when at the 30th World Conference, held in Ireland, the word ‘World’ was added to give the day the much-needed global focus. Nowadays, many Scouting and Guiding groups around the world raise money for worthwhile causes – and all the while this annual day is celebrated with a special theme. Past examples included thinking about water and food. But this year the theme is Our World, Our Thriving Future: The environment and global poverty. It does not mean that this is only a theme for the 22nd of February, of course. Instead, it draws attention to the day and encourages people to spend time thinking about how others can be helped.
Different ways of recognising this special day take place around the world. An example in New Zealand involves rangers climbing Mount Eden before it gets light – and the people who attend spend time thinking about how they are going to help others in less fortunate positions than themselves. Some groups are twinned and they spend time thinking about helping each other. Others focus on writing each other postcards or letters.
So, even though World Thinking Day has its roots in the Guiding and Scouting movement, there is no reason why all of us couldn’t spend a bit more time thinking – not just on 22 February but every day. Who knows where a thought might take you?
Education usually requires a great deal of thinking. If you would like to apply some to the study of an academic subject, Oxford Open Learning offer a variety of courses for study at various levels. You can see which ones are available by going to our home page here. Our Contact page can also be found here.
142 years ago, Alan Alexander Milne, on January 18th, was born. Throughout his life, he got up to a fair bit and was both a playwright and poet. But he’s undoubtedly best remembered for creating that loveable yellow bear we call Winnie the Pooh. And while his honey-loving bear remains the highlight of his legacy, A.A. Milne’s influence stretches beyond the Hundred Acre Wood.
Naturally, in his younger years, A.A. Milne was gifted. Although he was brilliant at maths, his passion was always in writing and making people laugh. Despite attending Trinity College, Oxford and Cambridge University, it was his contributions to magazines that would set him up for future success. His breakthrough into the literary scene came when he served as assistant editor of Punch magazine. Milne had an almost uncanny knack for the whimsical which earned him popularity and this laid the foundation for his later success as a children’s author.
In 1920, Milne published his first children’s book, When We Were Very Young, a collection of poems that captivated young readers and set the stage for his success with Winnie just a few years later.
In 1926, along came the bear that would completely change A.A. Milne’s life, Winnie the Pooh, Inspired by his son and his cuddly toys, the book brought to the world the lovably unforgettable Pooh, as well as his cohort of plushy friends; Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and others. To say that it was a success would be a bit of an understatement, given the fact that these characters are still popular with children and adults alike almost a century later—kids may love Pooh, but once they hit a certain age, Eeyore becomes uncannily relatable. Milne’s blend of humour, insight and melancholy made Winnie the Pooh a timeless classic.
But Milne didn’t stop there. He continued to write novels, plays, and essays. His plays, in particular, were well-received on both sides of the Atlantic, but they never received quite the attention that Pooh did. That would soon become a problem.
A.A. Milne liked to be versatile, and in particular, he enjoyed being a playwright. But as Pooh only got more and more popular, there was a growing demand for more and more stories—and as a result, less and less time for him to focus on what he really wanted to do. So of course, he went and wrote essays and articles detailing his gripes and frustration with being primarily known as a children’s author. He wanted to be known for more than just that bear. Then things got worse.
World War II brought another dimension to Milne’s life. Despite his initial pacifist stance, he served in the British Army, which had a profound impact on him. The experience inspired his wartime writings, including the poignant play The Ivory Door (1941) and the essay collection War with Honour (1940).
In his later years, Milne retreated from the public eye, choosing to spend the last of his years in privacy, writing in his home on Crotchford Farm in Sussex. He passed away on January 31, 1956, leaving behind Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood to live on for him.
“I suppose that every one of us hopes secretly for immortality; to leave a name behind him which will live forever in this world, whatever he may be doing, himself, in the next.” –Milne on his legacy.
However, speaking of legacy, Milne’s original iteration of the bear entered the public domain recently. It didn’t take long for a new kind of Pooh to hit the mainstream. A.A. Milne isn’t the first author to have their works adapted and changed once they hit the public domain, but generally, intellectual properties, such as Sherlock Holmes, have been handled with the respect and reverence of their original creators, often simply reimagined for contemporary audiences. But in this case, 2023’s Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, upended Milne’s concept into a slasher horror film. When Christopher Robin heads to college, Pooh and Piglet set out on a bloody rampage as they look to eat something else other than honey. Panned by both critics and audiences, that didn’t stop it from earning millions at the box office on a shoestring budget.
It begs the question, with more and more intellectual properties from classic and beloved authors soon to come into the public domain – Disney’s Steamboat Willie is up next for the horror treatment – how will these beloved characters, stories and authors be remembered in the next hundred years? Blood and Honey’s director has recently commented on the potential legal problems for this burgeoning genre, though, so perhaps it will be short-lived.
For anyone interested in studying English or English Literature with Oxford Open Learning, you can do so at various levels, as shown below.
If you are a student under 18 you can also study English at Key Stage 3 level with Oxford Home Schooling.
To Contact Oxford Open Learning, follow the link here.
Amid the history of space travel, one space probe has achieved the status of human-made-object to have ventured furthest from Earth. Indeed, Voyager 1, launched by NASA in 1977, still continues its awe-inspiring journey beyond our solar system, carrying with it a golden record containing sounds and images representing the diversity of life on our planet. In this article, we embark on our own voyage of discovery, as we explore the remarkable achievements and ongoing odyssey of Voyager 1.
Voyager 1’s primary mission was to conduct close-up studies of Jupiter and Saturn, two gas giants that had fascinated astronomers for centuries. During its flybys of these giant planets, Voyager 1 captured stunning images and collected invaluable scientific data, revealing the intricate details of their atmospheres, moons, and rings. These discoveries revolutionised our understanding of these distant worlds, unravelling their mysteries and further igniting our curiosity about the wonders of our own cosmic environment.
However, Voyager 1’s journey didn’t end with the exploration of Jupiter and Saturn. Propelled by gravity-assist manoeuvres, it then embarked onward on an epic trajectory known as the Voyager Interstellar Mission. Recently, it actually left the confines of our solar system, fulfilling its objective. Hence, Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to enter interstellar space, where the influence of our Sun gives way to the vastness of the Milky Way galaxy. In around 40, 000 years, if it has not met with any accident, it will pass another star, Gilese 445 (photographed and ringed in red above), albeit at a distance of 1.6 light years.
As Voyager 1 ventures deeper into interstellar space, it continues to communicate with Earth, transmitting valuable data about its surroundings. This data provides scientists with insights into the interstellar medium, the space between stars, and offers glimpses into the conditions and dynamics of the cosmic environment that surrounds us. The probe carries instruments that measure cosmic rays, magnetic fields, and plasma, helping us to better understand the nature of our galactic neighbourhood.
One of the most captivating aspects of Voyager 1’s mission is on the Golden Record it carries. This record is a time capsule, curated by a team led by astrophysicist Carl Sagan, that contains sounds and images that portray the diversity of life on Earth. The intention behind the Golden Record is to serve as a message from humanity to any potential extraterrestrial civilisations that may encounter the spacecraft. It encapsulates the essence of our planet and our shared human experiences, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of life here.
Voyager 1’s journey is a testament to human ingenuity, perseverance, and the insatiable desire to explore the unknown. It has withstood the test of time, surpassing all expectations and continuing to push the boundaries of our understanding. While its instruments will eventually cease operating, it will still continue on its trajectory through the vastness of space, carrying with it a symbol of our curiosity, our aspirations, and our yearning for connection with the wider cosmos.
From its groundbreaking flybys of Jupiter and Saturn to its current foray into interstellar space, this intrepid spacecraft has forever changed our understanding of the cosmos. It reminds us that the wonders of the universe are within our reach and that our human spirit will continue to explore and reach for the stars, even when our physical presence can no longer accompany these extraordinary machines.
In an age where our real-world existence seamlessly intertwines with our digital lives, understanding the psychology of cyberspace has become more crucial than ever. The virtual realm, or cyberspace, is a labyrinthine landscape where our online identities take shape, thrive, and often diverge from our offline personas. This duality of existence in both the physical and digital world raises questions about the human psyche, the creation of online identities, and the impact they have on our well-being. The online realm has now become a hub for people to craft alternative personas. The concept of having multiple digital identities is not new, but its surge in public profligacy is. So what drives this phenomenon?
One key psychological factor is the ability to curate the image we present online. We are drawn to the allure of reinvention, allowing us to project the best versions of ourselves or even explore facets of our personality that might be suppressed offline.
The pursuit of likes, shares, and viral fame also plays a significant role. The online world rewards attention and validation, and individuals may experiment with personas to appeal to a broader audience. This desire for affirmation can blur the lines between authenticity and fabrication, prompting a person to portray idealised versions of themselves which might be far from reality.
However, the psychological impact of this online identity creation is not without consequence. Online identity confusion can lead to feelings of detachment, anxiety, and even identity crises. The stark contrast between the curated online self and the authentic offline self can create a sense of disconnection. This phenomenon has prompted researchers to explore the concept of “impression management,” where individuals actively control and manipulate their digital image to influence how others perceive them.
The virtual realm’s ability to offer anonymity, on the other hand, has led to a surge in online disinhibition. Some individuals are more inclined to exhibit behaviours they might otherwise restrain from in face-to-face interactions. The absence of physical consequences allows for greater expression, but it also opens the door to cyberbullying, trolling, and the spread of hate speech.
The psychology of cyberspace also extends to how we interact with AI and potentially, humanoid robots. The Uncanny Valley theory suggests that as a robot’s appearance and behaviour become more human-like, our emotional response shifts from empathy to discomfort. This eerie feeling has significant implications for AI developers and designers, who must navigate the delicate balance between creating robots that are both relatable and non-threatening.
In conclusion, the psychology of cyberspace is a labyrinth of complexities, where the creation of online identities intersects with the desire for validation, reinvention, and self-expression. The pursuit of digital fame and the consequences of online disinhibition are critical areas of study in understanding our digital behaviour. As technology continues to advance, so too will the intricacies of our relationship with cyberspace. Exploring the impact of online identities and the intersection of real and virtual selves provides a fascinating journey into the depths of human psychology in the digital age.
St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the UK’s most iconic buildings. The present-day cathedral was consecrated on the 2nd of December 1697, and declared officially complete on Christmas day 1711, but in fact there has been a religious building on the site since around 604 CE, and so the cathedral has born witness to a long and rather interesting history. Let’s explore some of the numerous events it has housed over the centuries.
St Paul’s hosts only a very small number of weddings each year and, as it is not a parish church, there are specific conditions which must be met before one can take place at the cathedral. The cathedral will only marry members of the Order of the British Empire, the Order of St Michael and St George, the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, or the Cathedral Community (which includes staff and volunteers). The children of any of the above may also be married at St Paul’s. All wedding applications must go through the Archbishop of Canterbury. There have been two particularly notable weddings hosted by St Paul’s. The first was the wedding of Prince Arther, the eldest son of Henry VII, to Catherine of Aragon in 1501. Catherine would later and more perhaps more famously become Henry VIII’s first wife after Arthur died. The second was the marriage of then Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
St Paul’s has hosted three state funerals. The first was for Admiral Horatio Nelson who was killed at the battle of Trafalgar on the 21st October 1805. Though the battle had led to his death, Nelson had won what was a crucial naval engagement with France, and subsequently became a national hero. His body was preserved in a barrel of rum as it was transported to London for his funeral on the 9th January 1806. Afterwards, Nelson was buried in the Cathedral Crypt.
Another Napoleonic War hero, Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, was also given a state funeral at St Paul’s after his death in 1852. An estimated 1.5 million people gathered to watch the funeral procession from Chelsea Hospital to St Paul’s, and around 15,000 people congregated inside the cathedral for the funeral. He too is buried in the Crypt.
The most recent state funeral to have been held at St Paul’s was that of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965. Whilst Churchill is buried in Oxfordshire, St Paul’s hosted a huge funeral ceremony which was attended by political leaders and royalty from across the globe. As well as these three notable state funerals, the Cathedral Crypt is the burial site of a number of important public figures including King Aethelred the Unready, Scottish microbiologist Alexander Fleming, artist Joseph Turner, and Sir Christopher Wren, the architect who designed the present-day cathedral.
The Cathedral has been the venue for a number of Royal Jubilee services, the being for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, held there in 1897. Since then, St Paul’s has celebrated the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935 and the Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, 2002, 2012 and 2022 respectively.
As well as these more celebratory and memorial events, it has also hosted a number of grim executions, most notably the hanging, in 1606, of five men who had conspired to blow up Parliament as part of the Gunpowder Plot.
One of the more recent national events hosted by St Paul’s was the National Memorial Service for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in west London in 2017. More than 1500 people attended the event to pay tribute to the 72 people who died.
To learn more about the history of this iconic building and the numerous events that took place here visit St Paul’s official website or The Founding of St.Paul’s Cathedral web page at The History of London website.