Ken Perrott

Dr Ken Perrott trained as a chemist and his research background is in surface chemistry, soil science and fertiliser chemistry. After working in the DSIR (Chemistry Division and Soil Bureau), MAF, MAFTech and AgResearch he is now retired. Ken enjoys discussion of the wider social and philosophical issue surrounding science. Unfortunately these issues are often misrepresented in our society and he believe scientists have a responsibility to counter unscientific thinking and movements. This is one of the reasons Ken got into blogging, starting up Open Parachute in the middle of 2007.

Great photo of the Solar Corona - Open Parachute

Mar 10, 2010 •

This photograph of the sun’s corona is a real beauty. it was captured by Miloslav Druckmüller and colleagues from Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic, during an eclipse on July 22, 2009. They were located on Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands. For further image details, equipment used and a spectacular high-resolution photograph, visit Miloslav Druckmüller’s [...]

Clear science communication - Open Parachute

Mar 08, 2010 •

Book review: Am I Making Myself Clear?: A Scientist’s Guide to Talking to the Public by Cornelia Dean Price US$13.57 Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Harvard University Press; 1 edition (October 30, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 0674036352 ISBN-13: 978-0674036352 I bet you can name some good science communicators. People like Carl Sagan, Richard Dawkins, Carolyn Porco, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Lawrence Krauss among [...]

Institute of Physics in hot seat - Open Parachute

Mar 05, 2010 •

The UK Institute of Physiscs (IOP) is currently the darling of the climate change deniers, but has upset its own members. The Guardian has found their submission to the UK Parliamentary “Climategate” Hearing was prepared by a small clique, including a well known climate change denier. Now members are protesting. Some may even resign. The [...]