To the moon and back

Take a look at these astonishing images from the Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year Award. From a picture of the “Super Moon” to a stunning capture of the Northern Lights, they have everything an astronomy boffin could hope for from a photography exhibition. On the 14th September, the winners will not only be announced, but their images will also be displayed at the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Centre – for free. And who knows? You might even see a shooting star.

The future of architecture is near

The London’s Design Museum has shortlisted some of 2016’s best examples of avant-garde architecture. Here you’ll find some marvellously innovative buildings with futuristic and environmentally conscious designs. The Port House in Antwerp is one of them. On top of a heritage-listed fire station, a “boat” of glass and metal was designed by the late-great architect Zaha Hadid, and while the structure of the original building had to be preserved, there is now an energy system in place. This circulates around the building through pumped water sourced from 80m below sea level – a perfect example of the convergence of past and future.

Obamazine

Rarely have political leaders received quite as much fanfare as Barack Obama. The former President of the United States inspired and ostracised the many in a way that few could, resulting in his face appearing on the covers of countless magazines and publications over the years. British author Ben Arogundade in fact decided to catalogue this in a book, bringing together 9 years of graphic design and photography. What is striking is the sheer contrast in the ways in which Obama was portrayed. The “diverse array of characterisations reflected both a sense of confusion about what Obama actually stood for, and the impossibility of the scope of expectations heaped upon him.”

A place under the sun

We’re constantly hearing about things affecting the quality of our sleep, and Ario have clearly taken notice by bringing their Smart Lamp to market. Seeing as we spend most of our time in artificial environments, we could all do with a little help to perform at maximum capacity. Ario seek to provide this by producing levels of light that match your sleeping pattern, improve the quality of your sleep, and ultimately benefit your health. The lamp imitates the sun by giving off a sharp blue light in the morning and eventually, a warm orange light in the evening. Just like falling asleep under the sun - in the comfort of your own home.

TRON Tunnel

Rather like something straight out of a sci-fi flick, Seoul based artist Yang Minha has just unveiled ‘Accumulation’, a psychedelic tunnel of neon light patterns. The structure functions using a number of ‘rotating square panels’ to ‘display an ongoing sequence of 6 geometric patterns’. We’re enchanted just by the video! Thanks to colossal for the neat explainer. Read more here ...

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2017/09/accumulation-a-dramatic-concentric-tunnel-of-light-patterns-by-yang-minha/