The Cosmic Shed

Symphonic Spectaculars and Sonic Screwdrivers

In this TARDIS-sized bonus episode, Andrew and Ben report back from the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular, and speak to Professor Bruce Drinkwater about the microscopic sonic screwdriver he has helped to develop.

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The Martian (book)

In this long-awaited (by us) episode, Andrew, Laura and Ben rove around the story and science of The Martian. We talk to Andy Weir, the book's author, and Michaela Musilova, an astrobiologist who was a crew scientist on a simulated Mars mission.

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Gravity

In this IMAX-size episode, Andrew, Laura and Ben try to articulate their love for Gravity, and hear from Commander Chris Hadfield about the books and films that inspired him to become an astronaut.

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Sci Fi Weekender

In this bonus episode, Ben reports back from the Sci Fi Weekender 6, at which he entered a cosplay competition, rocked out to Darth Elvis and The Imperials, and talked to people about their science fiction passions.

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Big Hero 6

In this robotics-themed episode, Andrew, Laura and Ben talk about Big Hero 6, and meet robots who talk, walk, fall over, sing, and play football.

Andrew and Laura were lucky enough to have a tour of Bristol Robotics Laboratory with Peter Gibbons and Corra Boushel. They learned about new developments in robotics, talked about the ethics of automated healthcare (and warfare), and chatted to the very talented RoboThespian.

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The Theory of Everything

In this ever-expanding episode, Andrew, Laura and Ben talk about the Oscar-nominated film The Theory of Everything.

We grapple with Stephen Hawking's concepts of time, the universe and everything, and ask whether the film finds a happy balance between relationship drama and science communication.

To help explain some of Hawking's theories, we hear from Achintya Rao and Subodh Patil who work at CERN, and know much more about theoretical physics than we ever will. They discuss the search for a unifying theory of physics, Hawking Radiation, Imaginary Time, and other mind-bending ideas.

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Apollo 13

In the interview-packed third episode of The Cosmic Shed, Andrew and Ben talk about the film Apollo 13, the NASA Moon missions, the Orion test flights, and lots of other things connected with human space flight.

We hear from Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise, Commander Chris Hadfield of International Space Station fame, and Paolo Attivissimo, who has created the film Moonscape. 

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Music for Apollo Astronauts

In a bite-sized bonus episode, Andrew and Ben suggest some music to play while travelling to the Moon.

This is a companion to episode three, which is based on Apollo 13 and other films inspired by the Apollo missions.

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The Imitation Game

In the 'difficult' second episode of The Cosmic Shed, Andrew, Laura and Ben talk about The Imitation Game and hear from Benedict Cumberbatch, who stars as Alan Turing in the film.

Andrew interviewed Benedict about preparing for the role, why he loves playing scientists, and the importance of creating a fascination for science through films. 

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Interstellar

In the first episode of The Cosmic Shed Andrew, Laura and Ben share their thoughts on Interstellar, and discuss the science that inspired the film and is embedded in it. 

We talk about how Christopher and Jonathan Nolan worked with theoretical physicist Kip Thorne on visualising black holes, and hear from Dr Erik Stengler on wormholes, dimensions, and the art of communicating science through films. 

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