Nationality British Name Nigel Henbest Doctoral advisor Martin Ryle | Role Astronomer Residence United Kingdom | |
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Born May 6, 1951Manchester, England, UK ( 1951-05-06 ) Institutions Pioneer ProductionsBritish Astronomical Association Alma mater University of CambridgeLeicester University Theses The structure of Tycho's supernova remnant (1974)Observations of 48 Extragalactic Observations of the Quasar 4C 31.63 (1973) Books The History of Astronomy, Secret Life of Space, Encyclopedia of Space, Philip's Stargazing 2007, The Astronomy Bible | ||
Nigel henbest honorary degree university of leicester
Prof Nigel Henbest, BSc, MSci (Cantab), DSc (Hon), FRAS is a British astronomer, born in Manchester and educated in Northern Ireland and at Leicester University, where he studied physics, chemistry and astronomy. He did postgraduate research at the University of Cambridge before becoming a freelance science writer. He has written over 50 books and over 1,000 articles on astronomy and space and these have been translated into 27 languages, many of them in collaboration with Heather Couper. Previously he has been Astronomy Consultant to New Scientist magazine, editor of the Journal of the British Astronomical Association and media consultant to the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Along with Couper and Stuart Carter, director of the Channel 4 series The Stars, he set up Pioneer Productions where he produced award-winning television programmes and series. Asteroid 3795 Nigel is named after him.
Contents
- Nigel henbest honorary degree university of leicester
- Nigel henbest on my way to space
- Early life and education
- Research
- Astronaut
- Public appearances
- Internet
- Radio appearances
- Television appearances
- Appointments and awards
- References
Nigel henbest on my way to space
Early life and education
Nigel Henbest was born in West Didsbury, Manchester, where he lived for the first five years of his life. His father, Bernard Henbest, was an organic chemist and his mother, Rosalind (née James) a psychiatrist. In 1958, his father was appointed Professor of Organic Chemistry at Queen’s University, Belfast, and Henbest was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution until the age of 18.
Henbest graduated from the University of Leicester in 1972, gaining a First class honours BSc in astrophysics. Here, he met fellow astronomy student Heather Couper; they formed a working partnership - Hencoup Enterprises - that focuses on astronomy popularisation.
Research
Moving to St John’s College, Cambridge, Henbest researched at the Cavendish Laboratory, under the then Astronomer Royal, Sir Martin Ryle. During 1972-73 Henbest made pioneering observations of the remnant of Tycho’s Supernova (observed by Tycho Brahe in 1572). Then in 1974 he published the first comprehensive observations of quasars and galaxies made with the newly opened Five Kilometre Telescope, now named the Ryle Telescope.
Henbest also researched the optical spectra of quasars at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, before returning to the Department of Geology at Leicester University, to develop and install tiltmeters and a recording seismometer on the active volcano Mount Etna
He has also presented research on ancient astronomical observations to the European Association of Archaeologists
Henbest is now an Honorary Professor in the School of Duncan of Jordanstone Art & Design, University of Dundee.
Astronaut
In 2009, Henbest signed up with Virgin Galactic for a suborbital flight into space, launching in SpaceShipTwo from the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport Spaceport America.
As an ambassador for private human spaceflight, Henbest has appeared in Forbes magazine and presents Nigel Goes to Space! on YouTube
Public appearances
In the 1980s, Henbest began to appear regularly on BBC radio, and was consultant on the television series The Planets and The Stars, presented by Heather Couper in 1985 and 1988 on Channel 4. With Couper and the director of The Stars series, Stuart Carter, Henbest set up Pioneer Productions later in 1988. Here Henbest produced many award-winning programmes and series for both British and American television broadcasters.
He also delivers presentations on Astronomy and Television at international conferences.
Henbest is interviewed regularly on television as an astronomy expert, as well as presenting on the YouTube channel Naked Science.
Internet
Radio appearances
Regular personal appearances on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4, Radio 5Live, Radio Scotland, Radio Wales, British Forces Broadcasting Service and most local UK radio stations