Contact
Professor John C. Brown
School of Physics and Astronomy
Kelvin Building
University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ
Scotland, UK

email Margaret Brown mgtbrown@yahoo.co.uk



Secretary
Tel.  +44 (0) 141 330 4152
Fax. +44 (0) 141 330 8600

Key Links

Astronomy and Astrophysics Group

School of Physics and Astronomy

Glasgow University

Other Links

Observatories and Professors of Astronomy at GU

Regius Professors of Astronomy at GU

Some Historical Astronomical Posts in Britain and Ireland

NEWS

NEW BOOK PUBLISHED (Luath Press May 10th 2019)

Oor Big Braw Cosmos – A Cocktail of Cosmic Science, Imagery and Poetry
By John C Brown and Rab Wilson

Hardback full colour pp 256 200x170 mm RRP £25

THE STARS

That big braw yin’s oors,

Thae wee yin’s skinkle at nicht;

But oot there, oot there

Rab Wilson

May 2019 sees the culmination of my long passion for cross-cultural sci-art projects in publication of my book with Scots poet Rab Wilson. It celebrates the beauty of the cosmos and its workings in a multidimensional way through science, imagery and poetry. It aims to bring this multifaceted beauty of our vast universe, and the fun of studying it, to the widest possible audience, and to help break down false cross-cultural barriers. Forewords by Professors Andy Lawrence (Edinburgh) and Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (Oxford).

BOOK PREVIEW COMMENTS
Dava Sobel (author of Longitude): Because the universe is too big to traverse on foot, or via any vehicle yet devised, humans have to probe it mentally. Some describe its majesty with mathematical formulae. Others encompass it through verse. This delightfully audacious new book does both. Here, astronomer John Brown and poet Rab Wilson not only unite their cosmic visions, but also vivify them with images captured by space probes [or by amateurs] or conjured by their favorite space artists. The result is positively four-dimensional
Chris Lintott (Sky at Night): John Brown has always had a unique way of talking about astronomy, bringing cutting edge ideas to the widest possible audience. This exciting collection promises to be a brand new way for all of us to catch up with the latest in cosmic thinking, with a Scottish twist.
The National: Rab Wilson is one of Scotland’s most accomplished poets … his work in Scots is distinguished by its oral quality and technical assurance.

PURCHASING OPTIONS

For copies direct from author: email webmaster@johncbrown.org
Retail:  Luath Press, Retail outlets, Amazon etc RRP £25

Readings of the poems by Rab Wilson at

https://www.luath.co.uk/nature/oor-big-braw-cosmos

Contents of Book (pdf)

Illustrations of Content

 

Selection of Previous Events/News:

June 2016: Queen's Birthday Honours: Professor John C Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland and former Regius and now Emeritus Professor of the University, becomes an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for his promotion of astronomy and science education.

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DESTRUCTION AND OBSERVATIONAL SIGNATURES OF SUN-IMPACTING COMETSJohn C. Brown, Robert W. Carlson, and Mark P. TonerThe Astrophysical Journal, 807:165 (12pp), 2015 July 10 (pdf of paper)

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"Science & Magic of Light, the Universe and Everything"

A very successful day of FREE talks & discussion by eminent experts, for the

general public (ages 8 and up) was held on SATURDAY MARCH 28th, 2015 in Edinburgh

http://www.johncbrown.org/Science&Magic.html

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'LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE':

A very successful day of FREE talks & discussion by eminent experts, for the

general public (ages 8 and up) was held on SATURDAY MARCH 9th, 2013 in Edinburgh

http://www.johncbrown.org/LifeintheUniverse.html

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20th October 2012: Glenelg, Scotland twins with Glenelg on Mars!

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May 2012: Professor John Brown awarded Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship

January 2012: Professor John Brown awarded RAS Gold Medal :

Presentation: 28th March 2012

Roger Davies (President of the RAS) presenting the RAS Gold Medal