EDINBURGH SCIENCE FESTIVAL
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from pollutants such as, the by now notorious, chlorolluorocarbons (CFCs) has grabbed the attention ol world governments and the media. The sudden rise to tame ol the ozone layer and the swift action on the part of many countries to deal with the problem might give you the impression, and it would be a lalse one, that the w-hole allair has come as something ol a suprise to the world.
The sad fact is, though, that the alarm bells have been ringing in the scientific community for over a decade warning of the potential hazards of dumping certain pollutants into the atmosphere. In what promises to be a fascinating talk entitled “The Holes in the Sky’ (Fri 7 April, see listings next issue), Dr John Gribben will be discussing the plight ol the ozone layer, explaining why, during the Antarctic spring, it has
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At last, the damage to the ozone layer
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a hole in it the size ol the USA and how pollutants are helping to make this even larger.
Environmental issues will again be taking the stage two days belore this, at a one-day event, ‘Dur Environment Global and Local' (Wed 5 April, see
listings). There will be exhibitions, books and a number of talks: the names or the speakers are, unlortunately, unavailable until nearer the time but all, lam assured, are outstanding in their field. For details call the Science Festival Hotline on 031 228 4756.
The SEAD‘three day conference ‘Chasing the Dragon’ (4—6 April, see listings) also addresses numerous environmental issues particularly in the context of Third World Development, such as the destruction of the rainlorests by commercial interests.
of Edinburgh. Main University Library (venue 42). 3—7. 10—12 Apr. 2—4.3()pm. Free. Computer map-cataloguing exhibition with a chance to use the machines and witness a variety ofmodern computer-based methods of communicating information. such as maps.
I Science at the Seaside Portobello Library (venue 47). 3—12 April. Radiation Display by Jewel and Esk Valley College. See Events below for details of talks and demonstrations.
I Scottish Women Scientists Scottish Library (venue 29). 3—12 Apr. Mon—Fri ‘)am—8.3()pm; Sat 9am— 1 pm. Free. The often overlooked contribution ofwomen to science is celebrated by the Edinburgh Women‘s Science Forum. The exhibition has two main themes — women learning science and women practising science. It includes a look at two well known Edinburgh women front the world of medicine. Sophia Jex Blake and Flsie Maud Inglis. both founders of hospitals in the city.
I Apollo to the Moon, and the Universe Beyond Royal Observatory. 3 April—end Oct. Mon—Fri 10am—4pm; Sat noon—5pm. 20 years ago. man made his first giant leap of planetary exploration. This exhibition commemorating the manned tnoon missions will be opened by the first American in space. Allan Shepard. See also Geology in Action. above. and feature.
I Drawn from Britain Royal Museum of Scotland (venue 23). Until 16 Apr. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm: Sun 2—5pm. Free. Design Council show of the best ofBritish product design.
I The Soft Machine Printmakcrs Workshop (venue 20). 1—29 Apr. Mon—Sat mam—5.30pm. (‘losed Sun.
Free. Six Scottish printmakers look at how
technology protects us feeble humans from a hostile environment. .I AScEnT: Association at Sculpture and Engineering Merlot-Watt University. Riccarton (‘ampus (venue l3). L'ntil5 Apr.
I Again the Sun: Poetry Related to Science Scottish Poetry Library (venue 3| ). L'ntil 12 Apr. A literary Exhibition with readings ofn poems with a scientific connection at lunchtime on the h and 8 April.
I Art in Scottish Industry The Scottish Gallery (venue 33). 3 Apr—3 May. Mon—Fri 10am—6pm; Sat 10am—1pm. (.‘losed Sun. Free. Exhibition ofprints from 1770—1900 showing the development ofcommunication in Scotland.
I Early Scottish Photography. Dld Closes and Streets of Glasgow by Thomas Annan Scottish National Portrait Gallery (venue 30). 3 April-7 July. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun 2—5pm. Free. Thomas Annan was commissioned between 1868 and 1871 to record an area of the old city ofGIasgow around the High Street and Saltmarket before a programme of slum clearance destroyed it. The result was a remarkable record of the life of the over crowded and disease ridden tenements. Also on show will be W. S. Rhind‘s marble bust ofSir James Young Simpson, inventor of chloroform. complete with memorabilia of the man and his work. See lecture at the Royal Museum of Scotland on 8 April.
I Interaction Science Arts The Step Gallery (venue 36). 3—12 Apr. Mon—Sat 1()am—5.3()pm. Closed Sun. Paintings by Ken Palmer. music by John Geddes and poems by Ewan McVicar. An exhibition exploring the relationship between different artistic disciplines.
I Painting and Conservation National Galleries of Scotland (venue 18). 3—12 Apr. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun 2-5pm. Free. Display and discussion of the conservation work that has gone into Raphael‘s Holy Family with a Palm Tree. (The restored painting is now back on view.)
I Dioclimatic Architecture University of Edinburgh. L'pper Library Old College (venue 4] ). 4—15 Apr. Exhibition examining different theories of building design.
I Technology Transler Royal College of Physicians (venue 22). 2—5pm. 5 April only. Advice to businesses on utilisingthe training facilities ofthe country‘s higher education institutions.
I Dutlook Tower and Camera Dbscura The ()utlook Tower (venue 19). Open all year. Mon—Fri ‘).3(latn—5pm; Sat Sttn 1(iam~5pm. £1.90; Student £1.45;(‘hild ()AP Dilp. Long established (it opened in l853) Fdinburgh favourite. and still a verv ingenious use ofoptics. '
EVENTS
Science Forum events, which are restricted to invited guests only are not listed here. For details at these and other events contactthe Science Festival Hotline on 031 228 4756. Tickets to public events available from The Ticket Centre. 31/33 Waverley Bridge. Edinburgh. 031 225 8616.
SUNDAY 2
I Kite Carnival and Workshop i lolyrood Park (venue 14). 11am—5pm weather permitting. Let‘s hope fora wind . . .All manner of kites and kite flyingactivitics including man lifting and an attempt to fly 800 kites on one string.
I Sunday altemoon walkabout: Rear-Admiral Alan Shepard Walk starts from the Royal Observatory (venue 24). in 1%] Alan Shepard dipped his Mercury space capsule into space becoming the first American to leave earth’s atmosphere. A matter of days later. President Kennedy made it his country’s goal. before the decade was over. to land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth. Alan Shepard. who hitnsclf set foot on the tnoon ten years later. will address this walkabout science festival session. See also tomorrow‘s lecture.
MONDAY 3
I Grand Opening Parliament Square. lllam. Friendly robots and street theatre to set the festival in action.
I Setting Foot on the Moon The Signet Library (venue 35). l 1am. Alan Shepard talks about his lunar landing.
I East-West Business Opportunities Royal Museum of Scotland (venue 23). 2.30pm. Lecture by Dr Robert Pry organised by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. Austria.
I Science Technology and Language Teaching: Satellites and Education University of Edinburgh. David llume Tower (Language Learning (‘entre Lecture Theatre) (venue 42). Brian (.‘hampness with the first in a series of four lectures for language teaching and learning professionals.
I Science Technology and Communications. Animal Communication University of Edinburgh. Kings Buildings (James (‘lerk Maxwell Building. Lecture Theatre A). 6.3(lam—9.3()pm. Free. Two short talks by Professor Aubrey Manning. the first on the senses used by animals to communicate. attd the second on what they say to each other; includes video footage of baboons in the wild. Exhibition with slides running concurently.
I Royal Scottish Society of Arts. Science and Technology Royal Scots Club (venue 25). 7.30pm. Annual General Meeting followed by the presentation ofthe Keith Medal for worthwhile endeavours in the field of Science and Technology.
I The Caledonlan Drogeny and its Relation with Other Palaeozoic Drogenies University of Edinburgh. Kings Buildings (Dept of
28 The List 24 March—6 April 1989