ParallaxNick

ParallaxNick is a small independent channel about science, history and the wider universe. Its presenter looks back at how discoveries were made so that today’s understanding makes more sense.

Most videos are long and narrated in a calm, essay-like style. They cover cosmology, exoplanets, the history of astronomy and the lives of scientists such as Johannes Kepler and Hypatia. There are also yearly round-ups of major astronomical discoveries. Newer videos link space science to topics in the news, such as the supply of helium.

Some highlights include:

A detailed look at the current debate in cosmology over how fast the universe is expanding, and how the question arose.

The first part of a biography of Johannes Kepler explains how he worked out the laws of planetary motion.

A guided tour of the stars and planets nearest to the Sun shows where the Sun sits in the galaxy.

The channel has around 41,000 subscribers.

This channel suits anyone drawn to space science or aerospace engineering. Understanding orbits, distances and how astronomers measure the universe underpins work on telescopes and spacecraft. The historical approach also shows how careful observation and maths change what people believe, which is a useful lesson for any engineer. The long format rewards patience, and the videos make good listening for anyone who likes a story alongside the science.