Forever Keele eZine Winter 2020-21 | Page 14

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Blog highlights

The Keele University Blog hosts a wide range of topical posts from Keele ' s academics . Here are a few highlight examples of articles that have recently been uploaded to blogs . keele . ac . uk .
Outdoor heaters are very inefficient — here ’ s how to keep warm outdoors more sustainably
Dr Sharon George from Keele ’ s School of Geography , Geology and the Environment *
Over the summer , eating outdoors was a pleasant way to socialise more safely at pubs , restaurants and in gardens . But as temperatures drop and Covid restrictions remain in place , socialising outdoors becomes more tricky ( even after lockdown ).
Regular patio heaters are hugely inefficient for use outdoors since so much of the heat they generate is simply lost as there are no walls and ceilings to hold it in . So how can we keep everyone warm outside — without generating a huge carbon footprint ?
Click here to read the full article .
Rogue planets : hunting the galaxy ' s most mysterious world
Dr Jacco van Loon , Director of the Keele Observatory *
Most known planets orbit a star . These planets , including Earth , benefit from the star ’ s warmth and light . And it is the light emitted from these stars which makes it possible for us to see them .
But there are also “ invisible ” planets , hidden from our gaze , which float , abandoned , through the cosmos . These dark , lonely worlds have no star to orbit , no light in which to bask , no warmth to be radiated by . They are the “ rogue ” planets — and astronomers have just found a new one , roughly the same size as Earth .
Click here to read the full article .
Reflections on Black History Month
Hinna Sheikh , Race Equality Officer at Keele University and Aysha Panter , Student Engagement Coordinator at Keele SU
As many of you know , October marks the celebration of Black History Month in the UK . It ’ s a month to reflect on the numerous achievements of Black communities in the UK and celebrate their undervalued contribution .
This year many of Keele ’ s Black History Month events have taken a different format due to the ongoing pandemic . Despite these challenges , Keele University , the Students ’ Union , the KPA and various student groups have made this one of Keele ’ s most vibrant Black History Months . We want to thank everyone who took the time to organise and take part in events !
Click here to read the full article to find out more about the range of events and activities that took place .
* Articles originally published in The Conversation