Climbing Nui Dat

Nui Dat was the main headquarters for the Australian forces in the Vietnam War.

I've heard the name many times because my dad was based there for his two tours of duty.

But it became more than just a name when I finally visited, and Dad took me to the top of "Nui Dat" itself!

While the Australian forces were mainly spread under the shade of a surrounding rubber plantation, Nui Dat actually means "small hill" or "clay hill" or "small dirt hill" (depending on who you ask).

The hill itself was at the centre of the Australian base, but was only really used by SAS troops.

And by dad for training his tracking dog, Caesar!

Nui Dat's SAS Hill in 1971 (image: Australian War Memorial)

Nui Dat's SAS Hill in 1971 (image: Australian War Memorial)

Atop Nui Dat with dad

Atop Nui Dat with dad

I'm a bit biased, but I really recommend my dad's book Trackers.

And more videos with dad are here, including this one:

Epic Circles Brown Paper

Perhaps the most famous and beautiful brown paper created during Numberphile is the Epic Circles masterpiece.

Simon Pampena created it during the filming of his 26-minute opus.

I have kept it for a long time, thinking I may have it framed in my office!

But today I have listed it for auction on ebay.

HERE IT IS ON EBAY with more pictures

I really think it is gorgeous and, if you enjoy Numberphile, it would look superb framed on the wall!

Some people may be aware I recently lost my father-in-law David to cancer.

The care he received in his final weeks was very special and, in some small way, I want to ensure it remains available to all.

Half the proceeds raised from the paper sale will go to the Cransley Hospice in Northamptonshire. (you can also just make a small donation through this Numberphile page)

The other half will go to Macmillan Nurses via a fundraising venture my niece is undertaking. 

(Special thanks to Simon who has supported this auction also)

What does Pluto look like?

The text comes from a 1965 printing of a book called 1001 Questions About Astronomy.

The pictures come from the recent New Horizons fly-by of Pluto.

The surface of Pluto

The surface of Pluto

More of Pluto's surafce

More of Pluto's surafce

Pluto and Charon

Pluto and Charon

Pluto's moon Charon

Pluto's moon Charon

More at Sixty Symbols, including some good old-fashioned pot stirring!

Tim Peake Interview

Great pleasure to meet and interview astronaut Tim Peake at the Johnson Space Center, in Houston.

Interview part one:

British Tim is due to fly to the International Space Station in December, on his Principia Mission.

Pics from the interview by Destin Sandlin.

Elliptical Pool Table

Some fun stuff on Numberphile...

YOUTUBE

YOUTUBE

YOUTUBE

Improvised filming

Improvised filming

Pluto Encounter

Two videos to mark the New Horizons probe passing (and snapping) Pluto.

From Periodic Videos, a look at the role of Plutonium.

And some fun chat from the crew at Sixty Symbols (grain of salt recommended).

And here are some other related videos from the archive.