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{{Short description|British astronomer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox scientist
{{Infobox scientist
| name = Nigel Henbest
| name = Nigel Henbest
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GB|FRAS|size=100%}}
| image = Nigel_Henbest.jpg
| image = Nigel_Henbest.jpg
| caption =
| alt = Prof Nigel Henbest, BSc, MSci (Cantab), DSc (Hon), FRAS
| caption = Prof Nigel Henbest, BSc, MSci (Cantab), DSc (Hon), FRAS
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1951|5|6}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1951|5|6}}
| birth_place = [[Manchester]], [[England]], [[United kingdom|UK]]
| birth_place = [[Manchester]], England
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| residence = [[United Kingdom]]
| nationality = [[British nationality|British]]
| fields = [[Astronomy]]
| fields = [[Astronomy]]
| thesis_title = High Resolution Radio Observations of Tycho's Supernova Remnant and Forty-Eight Extragalactic Sources
| thesis_title = High Resolution Radio Observations of Tycho's Supernova Remnant and Forty-Eight Extragalactic Sources
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| doctoral_students =
| doctoral_students =
| known_for = {{longitem|Promotion and popularisation of [[Science]] and [[Astronomy]]}}
| known_for = {{longitem|Promotion and popularisation of [[Science]] and [[Astronomy]]}}
| awards =
| website = {{ublist | [http://www.nigelhenbest.com nigelhenbest.com] | [https://www.youtube.com/user/PioneerProductionsUK Naked Science]}}
}}
}}


Prof '''Nigel Henbest''', [[Bachelor of Science|BSc]], [[Master of Science|MSci]] ([[University of Cambridge|Cantab]]), [[Doctor of Science|DSc]] (Hon), [[Royal Astronomical Society|FRAS]]<ref name="leic">{{cite web|title=Nigel Henbest biography at the University of Leicester|url=http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/for-journalists/graduation-ceremonies-1/january-2012/biographies/nigel-henbest|website=University of Leicester|accessdate=19 October 2015}}</ref> is a [[United Kingdom|British]] astronomer, born in [[Manchester]] and educated in [[Northern Ireland]] and at [[Leicester University]], where he studied [[physics]], [[chemistry]] and [[astronomy]]. He did postgraduate research at the [[University of Cambridge]] before becoming a freelance science writer. He has written more than 40 books, many in collaboration with [[Heather Couper]], and over 1,000 articles on [[astronomy]] and [[space]] which have been translated into 27 languages. Previously he has been Astronomy Consultant to ''[[New Scientist]]'' magazine, editor of the ''Journal of the [[British Astronomical Association]]'' and media consultant to the [[Royal Greenwich Observatory]]. Along with Couper and Stuart Carter, director of the Channel 4 series ''The Stars'', he set up [[Pioneer Productions]] where he produced award-winning television programmes and series. [[Asteroid]] [[3795 Nigel]] is named after him.<ref name="leic" /><ref>{{cite web|title=The Stars were out at Morley|url=http://www.morleycollege.ac.uk/news/2442_the_stars_were_out_at_morley|website=Learning for Life at Morley|accessdate=23 October 2015}}</ref>
'''Stuart Nigel Henbest''' {{post-nominals|country=GB|FRAS}}<ref name="leic">{{cite web|title=Nigel Henbest biography at the University of Leicester|url=http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/for-journalists/graduation-ceremonies-1/january-2012/biographies/nigel-henbest|website=University of Leicester|accessdate=19 October 2015}}</ref> (born 6 May 1951) is a British [[astronomer]] and [[science communication|science communicator]]. Born in [[Manchester]] and educated in [[Belfast]] and at [[Leicester University]], Henbest researched in [[radio astronomy]] at the [[University of Cambridge]] before becoming a freelance [[author]], [[television producer]] and astronomy [[lecturer]]. [[Asteroid]] [[3795 Nigel]] is named after him.<ref name="leic" /><ref>{{cite web|title=The Stars were out at Morley|url=http://www.morleycollege.ac.uk/news/2442_the_stars_were_out_at_morley|website=Learning for Life at Morley|accessdate=23 October 2015}}</ref>

Henbest has written around 50 books and over 1,000 articles on [[astronomy]] and [[space]] for the popular market, including ''The New Astronomy'' and ''The Guide to the Galaxy''.<ref name="men">{{cite web|title=Shooting stars, a blue moon and a partial eclipse Astronomer, author and broadcaster Nigel Henbest speaks to the MEN|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/shooting-stars-blue-moon-partial-21059926|website=Manchester Evening News|accessdate=11 September 2023}}</ref> Among his award-winning television productions are ''On Jupiter'', ''Black Holes'' and ''Journey to the Edge of the Universe''.<ref name="men" /> As well as lecturing on cruises, Henbest has given astronomy presentations on all seven continents (including Antarctica). He also leads tours to view total eclipses of the Sun.<ref name="australian">{{Citation
| last =Dayton
| first =Leigh
| year =2009
| title =Fun in the Egyptian Sun
| publisher =The Australian
| location =
| page =
| url =https://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/fun-with-the-egyptian-sun/news-story/b3910ee5bd921bc9363f53ba9213bf3d
| accessdate =13 September 2018
}}</ref>

Formerly Astronomy Consultant to ''[[New Scientist]]'' magazine, editor of the ''Journal of the [[British Astronomical Association]]'' and media consultant to the [[Royal Greenwich Observatory]], Henbest is now a Future [[Astronaut]] with [[Virgin Galactic]].<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news|author1=Philip Sherwell|title=Brits for blast off: tourists head to final frontier|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8843615/Brits-for-blast-off-tourists-head-to-final-frontier.html|newspaper=Telegraph|accessdate=21 October 2015|date=23 October 2011}}</ref>

Married with two stepdaughters, Henbest lives in [[Hampstead, North Carolina]] and [[Loosley Row]], [[Buckinghamshire]], [[UK]].<ref name="men" />
<ref name="bfp">{{cite news|author1=Stephanie Wareham|title=Astronomy professor Nigel Henbest to become an astronaut after buying ticket to space with Virgin Galactic|url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/11868450.astronomy-professor-nigel-henbest-to-become-an-astronaut-after-buying-ticket-to-space-with-virgin-galactic/|newspaper=Bucks Free Press|accessdate=30 November 2024|date=19 March 2015}}</ref>


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Nigel Henbest was born on 6 May 1951 in [[Didsbury|West Didsbury]], Manchester, where he lived for the first five years of his life. His father, Bernard Henbest, was an organic chemist and his mother, Rosalind (née James) a psychiatrist. In 1958, his father was appointed Professor of Organic Chemistry at Queen’s University, Belfast, and Henbest was educated at the [[Royal Belfast Academical Institution]] until the age of 18.
Nigel Henbest was born in [[Didsbury|West Didsbury]], Manchester, where he lived for the first five years of his life. His father, Bernard Henbest, was an organic chemist and his mother, Rosalind (née James) a psychiatrist. In 1958, his father was appointed Professor of Organic Chemistry at [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen's University]] in Belfast, and Henbest was educated at the [[Royal Belfast Academical Institution]] until the age of 18.


Henbest graduated from the [[University of Leicester]] in 1972, gaining a First Class honours BSc in [[astrophysics]]<ref name="leic" />. Here, he met fellow astronomy student [[Heather Couper]]; they formed a working partnership - Hencoup Enterprises - that focuses on astronomy popularisation<ref>{{Citation
Henbest graduated from the [[University of Leicester]] in 1972, gaining a First Class honours BSc in [[astrophysics]].<ref name="leic" /> Here, he met fellow astronomy student [[Heather Couper]]; they formed a working partnership - Hencoup Enterprises - that focused on astronomy popularisation.<ref>{{Citation
| last =Singh
| last =Singh
| first =Gurbir
| first =Gurbir
| year =2008
| year =2008
| title =Astronomy – A cultural perspective
| title =Astronomy – A cultural perspective
| publisher =
| location =
| publication-place =
| page =
| page =
| url =http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/05/20/astronomy-a-cultural-perspective
| url =http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/05/20/astronomy-a-cultural-perspective
| accessdate =13 September 2018
| accessdate =13 September 2018
}}</ref>.
}}</ref>



== Research ==
== Research ==
Moving to [[St John's College, Cambridge|St John’s College, Cambridge]], Henbest researched at the [[Cavendish Laboratory]], under the then [[Astronomer Royal]], [[Martin Ryle|Sir Martin Ryle]]. During 1972-73 Henbest made pioneering observations of the remnant of [[SN 1572|Tycho’s Supernova]] (observed by [[Tycho Brahe]] in 1572).<ref>{{cite web|author1=Nigel Henbest|title=The structure of Tycho's supernova remnant|url=http://mnras.oxfordjournals.org/content/190/4/833.full.pdf+html|website=Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society|accessdate=27 October 2015|date=13 August 1979}}</ref> Then in 1974 he published the first comprehensive observations of quasars and galaxies made with the newly opened Five Kilometre Telescope, now named the [[Ryle Telescope]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Nigel Henbest|title=Observations of 48 Extragalactic Radio Sources with the Cambridge 5-km Telescope at 5 GHz|url=http://mnras.oxfordjournals.org/content/169/3/477.full.pdf+html|website=Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society|publisher=Oxford University Press|accessdate=27 October 2015|date=30 July 1974}}</ref>
Moving to [[St John's College, Cambridge]], Henbest researched at the [[Cavendish Laboratory]], under the then [[Astronomer Royal]], [[Martin Ryle|Sir Martin Ryle]]. During 1972-73 Henbest made pioneering observations of the remnant of [[SN 1572|Tycho's Supernova]] (observed by [[Tycho Brahe]] in 1572).<ref>{{cite web|author1=Nigel Henbest|title=The structure of Tycho's supernova remnant|url=http://mnras.oxfordjournals.org/content/190/4/833.full.pdf+html|website=Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society|accessdate=27 October 2015|date=13 August 1979}}{{dead link|date=May 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Then in 1974 he published the first comprehensive observations of quasars and galaxies made with the newly opened Five Kilometre Telescope, now named the [[Ryle Telescope]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Nigel Henbest|title=Observations of 48 Extragalactic Radio Sources with the Cambridge 5-km Telescope at 5 GHz|url=http://mnras.oxfordjournals.org/content/169/3/477.full.pdf+html|website=Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society|publisher=Oxford University Press|accessdate=27 October 2015|date=30 July 1974}}{{dead link|date=May 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>


Henbest also researched the [[Visible spectrum|optical spectra]] of [[quasar]]s at the Royal Greenwich Observatory,<ref>{{cite web|author1=Nigel Henbest|title=Spectroscopic and Photometric Observations of the Quasar 4C 31.63|url=http://mnras.oxfordjournals.org/content/162/1/31P.full.pdf+html|website=Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society|publisher=Oxford University Press|accessdate=27 October 2015|date=29 March 1973}}</ref> before returning to the Department of Geology at Leicester University, to develop and install [[tiltmeter]]s and a recording [[seismometer]] on the active volcano [[Mount Etna]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Two tiltmeters and an integrating seismometer for the monitoring of volcanic activity, and the results of some trials on Mount Etna|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0377027378900331|website=Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research|publisher=Elsevier|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=An optical tilt gauge - IOPscience|url=http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0022-3735/11/7/003/meta|website=Journal of Physics E: Scientific Instruments|publisher=IOP Publishing|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref>
Henbest also researched the [[Visible spectrum|optical spectra]] of [[quasar]]s at the Royal Greenwich Observatory,<ref>{{cite web|author1=Nigel Henbest|title=Spectroscopic and Photometric Observations of the Quasar 4C 31.63|url=http://mnras.oxfordjournals.org/content/162/1/31P.full.pdf+html|website=Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society|publisher=Oxford University Press|accessdate=27 October 2015|date=29 March 1973}}{{dead link|date=May 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> before returning to the Department of Geology at Leicester University, to develop and install [[tiltmeter]]s and a recording [[seismometer]] on the active volcano [[Mount Etna]]<ref>{{cite journal|title=Two tiltmeters and an integrating seismometer for the monitoring of volcanic activity, and the results of some trials on Mount Etna|url=|doi=10.1016/0377-0273(78)90033-1|journal=Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research|year=1978|last1=Henbest|first1=S.N.|last2=Mills|first2=A.A.|last3=Ottey|first3=P.|volume=4|issue=1–2|pages=133–149|bibcode=1978JVGR....4..133H}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=An optical tilt gauge|year=1978|doi=10.1088/0022-3735/11/7/003|last1=Mills|first1=A. A.|last2=Aspin|first2=C.|last3=Henbest|first3=S. N.|journal=Journal of Physics E: Scientific Instruments|volume=11|issue=7|pages=614–615|bibcode=1978JPhE...11..614M}}</ref>


He has also presented research on ancient astronomical observations to the [[European Association of Archaeologists]] <ref>{{cite journal|last1=Henbest|first1=Nigel|title=Urania's Mirror: Archaeology as an inspiration for Astronomy.|journal=BAR INTERNATIONAL SERIES |volume=999 |year=2001 |pages=81–86}}</ref>
He has presented research on ancient astronomical observations to the [[European Association of Archaeologists]],<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Henbest|first1=Nigel|title=Urania's Mirror: Archaeology as an inspiration for Astronomy.|journal=Bar International Series |volume=999 |year=2001 |pages=81–86}}</ref> and has been an Honorary Professor in the [[Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design]], [[University of Dundee]].<ref>{{Citation

Henbest is now an Honorary Professor in the [[Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design]], [[University of Dundee]]<ref>{{Citation
| last =
| last =
| first =
| first =
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| title =Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design
| title =Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design
| publisher =University of Dundee
| publisher =University of Dundee
| location =
| publication-place =
| page =
| page =
| url =https://www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad/
| url =https://www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad/
| accessdate =13 September 2018
| accessdate =13 September 2018
}}</ref>.
}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Books and magazines ===
=== Books and magazines ===
Henbest has written over 40 books, many written jointly with Heather Couper. Henbest and Couper are ‘unsung heroes of astronomy, great storytellers years ahead of their time and with an eye for a colourful character’<ref>{{cite web|author1=Andy Sawers|title=The Secret Life of Space|url=https://astronomynow.com/2015/07/08/the-secret-life-of-space/|website=Astronomy Now|accessdate=21 October 2015|date=8 July 2015}}</ref>
Henbest has written around 50 books, many jointly authored with Heather Couper, including ''Big Bang'' (Dorling Kindersley) which won the Times Educational Supplement Senior Book Award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Before the beginning; TES Book Awards|url=https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/beginningtes-book-awardsbooks|website=Times Literary Supplement|accessdate=11 September 2023}}</ref>


As well his contributions to major encyclopedias, Henbest has had over 1000 articles published in international magazines.<ref name="leic" />
As well his contributions to major encyclopedias, Henbest has had over 1,000 articles published in international magazines.<ref name="leic" />


In 1982, Henbest was appointed Astronomy Consultant to ''New Scientist''<ref>{{cite web|title=Search for Nigel Henbest|url=https://www.newscientist.com/search/?s=Nigel+Henbest|website=New Scientist magazine|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref>, a post he held for ten years. He has also been a columnist for [[BBC Focus]] magazine<ref>{{cite web|title=Focus at 20: Blast from the past|url=http://www.sciencefocus.com/news/focus-20-blast-past|publisher=BBC Focus magazine|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref> and [[The Independent]] newspaper<ref>{{cite web|title=Authors: Nigel Henbest|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/author/nigel-henbest|website=The Independent|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref>.
In 1982, Henbest was appointed Astronomy Consultant to ''New Scientist'',<ref name="Search for Nigel Henbest">{{cite web|title=Search for Nigel Henbest|url=https://www.newscientist.com/search/?s=Nigel+Henbest|website=New Scientist magazine|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref> a post he held for ten years. Having been a columnist for ''[[BBC Focus]]'' magazine for many years,<ref name="Focus at 20: Blast from the past">{{cite web|title=Focus at 20: Blast from the past|url=http://www.sciencefocus.com/news/focus-20-blast-past|publisher=BBC Focus magazine|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref> he now contributes a regular column to ''[[The Independent]]'' newspaper.<ref name="Authors: Nigel Henbest">{{cite web|title=Authors: Nigel Henbest|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/author/nigel-henbest|website=The Independent|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref>

=== Plays ===
In 1989, [[Bernard Miles|Lord Bernard and Lady Josephine Miles]] invited Henbest to write a play for the Molecule Theatre of Science. Co-authored by [[Mike Bennett]], ''It’s All in the Stars!'' was staged at the [[Bloomsbury Theatre|Bloomsbury]] and [[Mermaid Theatre|Mermaid Theatres]] in London, and toured nationally<ref>{{cite news|author1=Ben Gribbin|title=Science takes to the stage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tZ554ehDvSgC&lpg=RA1-PA70&ots=mDl9KhIQJm&dq=it's%20all%20in%20the%20stars%20gribbin%20henbest&pg=RA1-PA70#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=1 November 2015|work=New Scientist|date=4 November 1989|page=70}}</ref>.

=== Consultancy and editorships ===
In 1982, Henbest was appointed Media Consultant to the Royal Greenwich Observatory, with special responsibility for publicising the new [[Roque de los Muchachos Observatory]] on [[La Palma]] and the opening of the 4.2 m [[William Herschel Telescope]]<ref name="leic" />.

The [[Open University]] invited Henbest to serve as External Assessor on its new Astronomy module, ''Matter in the Universe'' (S256), in 1984<ref name="leic" />.

As well as editing books and magazine supplements, Henbest was appointed as Editor of the ''Journal of the British Astronomical Association'' in 1985, redesigning and revitalising the publication<ref>{{cite web|last1=McGee|first1=Hazel|title=Reflecting the candle: 124 years of the Journal of the BAA|url=https://britastro.org/jbaa/pdf_cut/jbaa_6177.pdf|publisher=Journal of the British Astronomical Association|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Henbest|first1=Nigel|title=What Happened When I was Editor|journal=Journal of the British Astronomical Association|volume= 125|pages=122|url=https://britastro.org/jbaa/pdf_cut/jbaa_6336.pdf|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref>.

Henbest was Chairman of [[National Astronomy Week]] in 1990, which spearheaded the first national campaign against light pollution in the UK<ref>{{cite web|title=JBAA 1999 August: Letters|url=https://www.britastro.org/journal_old/archive/au99ltrs.htm|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref>.


=== Eclipses ===
=== Eclipses ===
As guest astronomer, Henbest has led eight expeditions to view total eclipses of the Sun: Sumatra (1988), Hawaii (1991), Aruba (1998), Alderney (1999), Egypt (2006), China (2009), Tahiti (2010) and Idaho, USA (2017)<ref>{{Citation
As guest astronomer, Henbest has led 10 expeditions to view total eclipses of the Sun: Sumatra (1988), Hawaii (1991), Aruba (1998), Alderney (1999), Egypt (2006), China (2009), Tahiti (2010), Idaho, USA (2017), Chile (2019) and Arkansas, USA (2024).<ref name="australian" /><ref>{{Citation
| last =Henbest
| last =Henbest
| first =Nigel
| first =Nigel
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| title =Followed by a moonshadow
| title =Followed by a moonshadow
| publisher =New Scientist
| publisher =New Scientist
| location =
| publication-place =
| page =
| page =
| url =https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13117815-700-forum-followed-by-a-moonshadow-nigel-henbest-joins-the-eclipsed-scientists-in-hawaii/
| url =https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13117815-700-forum-followed-by-a-moonshadow-nigel-henbest-joins-the-eclipsed-scientists-in-hawaii/
| accessdate =13 September 2018
| accessdate =13 September 2018
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
<ref>{{Citation
| last =Dayton
| first =Leigh
| year =2009
| title =Fun in the Egyptian Sun
| publisher =The Australian
| publication-place =
| page =
| url =https://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/fun-with-the-egyptian-sun/news-story/b3910ee5bd921bc9363f53ba9213bf3d
| accessdate =13 September 2018
}}</ref>.


=== Personal appearances ===
=== Lectures and presentations===
Henbest has given presentations around the world, from Australia to Colombia and China, as well as on cruise liners including the Queen Mary 2. He has also led tours of major space centres, from the Apollo Mission Control in Houston to the futurist Spaceport America in New Mexico<ref>{{Citation
A former lecturer at the Greenwich Planetarium, Henbest has given public presentations on astronomy and space around the world, from Australia to Colombia and Antarctica. He lectures on cruises, including giving planetarium presentations on the Queen Mary 2.<ref name="men" />
He has also led tours of major space centres, from the Apollo Mission Control in Houston to the futurist [[Spaceport America]] in New Mexico.<ref>{{Citation
| last =
| last =
| first =
| first =
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| title =Nigel Henbest
| title =Nigel Henbest
| publisher =Speakers Den
| publisher =Speakers Den
| location =
| publication-place =
| page =
| page =
| url =http://www.speakersden.co.uk/speakers/nigel-henbest-312/
| url =http://www.speakersden.co.uk/speakers/nigel-henbest-312/
| accessdate =13 September 2018
| accessdate =13 September 2018
}}</ref>.
}}</ref>

=== Online ===
Henbest presents the regular strand ''Nigel goes to Space!'' on the YouTube channel ''Naked Science''<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigel Goes to Space|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nfwrZeV8zk|website=YouTube|accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref>.



=== Radio and television appearances ===
=== Radio and television appearances ===
As an astronomy and space expert, Henbest has appeared on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4, Radio 5Live, Radio Scotland, Radio Wales, British Forces Broadcasting Service and many local UK radio stations. For the BBC World Service, he has filed location reports on solar eclipses, the repair of Hubble Space Telescope and spacecraft encounters with planets and comets<ref name="leic" />.
As an astronomy and space expert, Henbest has appeared on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4, Radio 5Live, Radio Scotland, Radio Wales, British Forces Broadcasting Service and many local UK radio stations. For the BBC World Service, he has filed location reports on solar eclipses, the repair of Hubble Space Telescope and spacecraft encounters with planets and comets.<ref name="leic" />


He has also been:
He has also been:
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* ''The 80's Greatest Tragedies'', National Geographic Channel, 2014
* ''The 80's Greatest Tragedies'', National Geographic Channel, 2014
* ''Meteor Strike, Fireball from Space'', Channel 4, 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Meteor Strike: Fireball from Space|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/meteor-strike-fireball-from-space|website=Channel 4|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref>
* ''Meteor Strike, Fireball from Space'', Channel 4, 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Meteor Strike: Fireball from Space|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/meteor-strike-fireball-from-space|website=Channel 4|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref>
* ''UFO Europe Untold Stories'', National Geographic Channel<ref>{{cite web|title=UFO's The Untold Stories|url=http://natgeotv.com/uk/ufos-the-untold-stories|website=National Geographic Channel|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=National Geographic UFO Europe Untold Stories - Documentary|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGEFlhITQfE|website=YouTube|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref>
* ''UFO Europe Untold Stories'', National Geographic Channel<ref>{{cite web|title=UFO's The Untold Stories|url=https://www.natgeotv.com/uk/shows/natgeo/ufos-the-untold-stories|website=National Geographic Channel|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=National Geographic UFO Europe Untold Stories - Documentary|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGEFlhITQfE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311063517/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGEFlhITQfE |archive-date=2016-03-11 |url-status=dead|website=YouTube|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref>


Henbest was a member of the University of Leicester’s winning team on ''Christmas University Challenge'', BBC2, 30 December 2013<ref>{{cite news|author1=Tim Healey|title=Former University of Leicester graduates to appear on Christmas celebrity edition of BBC show|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/University-Leicester-graduates-Sue-Cook-Natalie/story-20312254-detail/story.html|accessdate=1 November 2015|work=Leicester Mercury|date=12 December 2012}}</ref>.
Henbest was a member of the University of Leicester's winning team on ''Christmas University Challenge'', BBC2, 30 December 2013.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Tim Healey|title=Former University of Leicester graduates to appear on Christmas celebrity edition of BBC show|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/University-Leicester-graduates-Sue-Cook-Natalie/story-20312254-detail/story.html|accessdate=1 November 2015|work=Leicester Mercury|date=12 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215024949/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/University-Leicester-graduates-Sue-Cook-Natalie/story-20312254-detail/story.html|archive-date=15 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Plays ===
In 1989, [[Bernard Miles|Lord Bernard]] and [[Josephine Wilson|Lady Josephine Miles]] invited Henbest to write a play for the Molecule Theatre of Science. Co-authored by [[Mike Bennett (writer)|Mike Bennett]], ''It’s All in the Stars!'' was staged at the [[Bloomsbury Theatre|Bloomsbury]] and [[Mermaid Theatre]]s in London, and toured nationally.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Ben Gribbin|title=Science takes to the stage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tZ554ehDvSgC&q=it's%20all%20in%20the%20stars%20gribbin%20henbest&pg=RA1-PA70|accessdate=1 November 2015|work=New Scientist|date=4 November 1989|page=70}}</ref>

=== Consultancy and editorships ===
In 1982, Henbest was appointed Media Consultant to the Royal Greenwich Observatory, with special responsibility for publicising the new [[Roque de los Muchachos Observatory]] on [[La Palma]] and the opening of the 4.2 m [[William Herschel Telescope]].<ref name="leic" />

The [[Open University]] invited Henbest to serve as External Assessor on its new Astronomy module, ''Matter in the Universe'' (S256), in 1984.<ref name="leic" />

As well as editing books and magazine supplements, Henbest was appointed as Editor of the ''Journal of the British Astronomical Association'' in 1985, redesigning and revitalising the publication.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McGee|first1=Hazel|title=Reflecting the candle: 124 years of the Journal of the BAA|url=https://britastro.org/jbaa/pdf_cut/jbaa_6177.pdf|publisher=Journal of the British Astronomical Association|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Henbest|first1=Nigel|title=What Happened When I was Editor|journal=Journal of the British Astronomical Association|volume= 125|pages=122|url=https://britastro.org/jbaa/pdf_cut/jbaa_6336.pdf|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref>

Henbest was Chairman of [[National Astronomy Week]] in 1990, which spearheaded the first national campaign against light pollution in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|title=JBAA 1999 August: Letters|url=https://www.britastro.org/journal_old/archive/au99ltrs.htm|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref>

=== Online ===
Henbest has presented the regular strand ''Nigel goes to Space!'' on the YouTube channel ''Naked Science''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigel Goes to Space|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nfwrZeV8zk|website=YouTube|accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref>


=== Television production and scriptwriting ===
=== Television production and scriptwriting ===
In 1983, Henbest conceived a TV documentary on the pioneering [[Infrared Astronomical Satellite]], which was filmed by Quanta production company<ref> http://www.quantafilms.com/index.php</ref> and screened in the BBC television [[Horizon (UK TV series)|Horizon]] strand<ref name="leic" />.
In 1983, Henbest conceived a TV documentary on the pioneering [[Infrared Astronomical Satellite]], which was filmed by Quanta production company<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quantafilms.com/index.php |title=Quantafilms, Bringing you quality TV on DVD and download |website=www.quantafilms.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230220623/http://www.quantafilms.com/index.php |archive-date=2006-12-30}}</ref> and screened in the BBC television [[Horizon (UK TV series)|Horizon]] strand.<ref name="leic" /> He delivers presentations on Astronomy and Television at international conferences.<ref>{{Cite journal|author1=Nigel Henbest|title=Science or Nonsense? - The Role of TV Graphics|journal=Communicating Astronomy|pages=165|bibcode=2005coas.conf..165H|year=2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Astronomy Communication|date=2003|publisher=Springer Science Business Media BV|isbn=9789048163076|pages=55–66|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gvz1CAAAQBAJ&q=%E2%80%9CAstronomy+on+Television%E2%80%9D+in+Astronomy+Communication&pg=PA55}}</ref>
Henbest was consultant on the television series ''The Planets'' and ''The Stars'', presented by Heather Couper in 1985 and 1988 on Channel 4. With Couper and the director of ''The Stars'' series, Stuart Carter, Henbest set up Pioneer Productions later in 1988. Here Henbest wrote and produced TV programmes and series for both British and American broadcasters. They garnered many documentary awards, including four Gold Medals and a Grand Award at the New York Festivals. For ''Universe: Beyond the Millennium'', Henbest won the Glaxo-Wellcome/ABSW Science Writers Award for 1999<ref name="absw">{{Citation
Henbest was consultant on the television series ''The Planets'' and ''The Stars'', presented by Heather Couper in 1985 and 1988 on Channel 4. With Couper and the director of ''The Stars'' series, Stuart Carter, Henbest set up Pioneer Productions later in 1988. Here Henbest wrote and produced TV programmes and series for both British and American broadcasters. They garnered many documentary awards, including four gold medals and a Grand Award at the New York Festivals. For ''Universe: Beyond the Millennium'', Henbest won the Glaxo-Wellcome/ABSW Science Writers Award for 1999.<ref name="absw">{{Citation
| last =
| last =
| first =
| first =
Line 146: Line 147:
| title =Previous winners
| title =Previous winners
| publisher =ABSW
| publisher =ABSW
| location =
| publication-place =
| page =
| page =
| url =https://www.absw.org.uk/absw-awards/previous-winners/back-in-the-20th-century.html#1999
| url =https://www.absw.org.uk/absw-awards/previous-winners/back-in-the-20th-century.html#1999
| accessdate =13 September 2018
| accessdate =13 September 2018
}}</ref>.
}}</ref>
He also delivers presentations on Astronomy and Television at international conferences<ref>{{Cite journal|author1=Nigel Henbest|title=Science or Nonsense? - The Role of TV Graphics|url=http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/2005coas.conf..165H|bibcode=2005coas.conf..165H|website=SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Astronomy Communication|date=2003|publisher=Springer Science Business Media BV|isbn=9789048163076|pages=55–66|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gvz1CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA55&lpg=PA55&dq=%E2%80%9CAstronomy+on+Television%E2%80%9D+in+Astronomy+Communication&source=bl&ots=SflIrb29XQ&sig=QMEukHzHDRfFK0ZL8yuKHTbIMQI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCEQ6AEwAGoVChMIoNHhtoHjyAIViHI-Ch0jbAiC#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9CAstronomy%20on%20Television%E2%80%9D%20in%20Astronomy%20Communication&f=false}}</ref>.



==Astronaut==
==Astronaut==
In 2009, Henbest signed up with [[Virgin Galactic]] for a suborbital flight into space, launching in [[SpaceShipTwo]] from the world’s first purpose-built commercial [[spaceport]] [[Spaceport America]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Philip Sherwell|title=Brits for blast off: tourists head to final frontier|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8843615/Brits-for-blast-off-tourists-head-to-final-frontier.html|publisher=Telegraph|accessdate=21 October 2015|date=23 October 2011}}</ref>
In 2009, Henbest signed up with [[Virgin Galactic]] for a suborbital flight into space, launching in [[SpaceShipTwo]] from the world's first purpose-built commercial [[spaceport]] Spaceport America.<ref name="telegraph" /><ref name="bfp" />


As an ambassador for private [[human spaceflight]], Henbest has appeared in [[Forbes|Forbes magazine]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Branson's Next-Generation SS2 Headlines Virgin Galactic Explorers Club Gathering|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimclash/2015/09/19/bransons-next-generation-ss2-headlines-virgin-galactic-explorers-club-gathering/|website=Forbes|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref> and presents ''Nigel Goes to Space!'' on YouTube<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigel Goes to Space|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nfwrZeV8zk|website=YouTube|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vomit Comet - Nigel Defies Gravity|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhumyAEdMSw|website=YouTube|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref>
As an ambassador for private [[human spaceflight]], Henbest has appeared in ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine<ref>{{cite web|title=Branson's Next-Generation SS2 Headlines Virgin Galactic Explorers Club Gathering|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimclash/2015/09/19/bransons-next-generation-ss2-headlines-virgin-galactic-explorers-club-gathering/|website=Forbes|accessdate=27 October 2015}}</ref> and presents ''Nigel Goes to Space!'' on YouTube<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigel Goes to Space|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nfwrZeV8zk|website=YouTube|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vomit Comet - Nigel Defies Gravity|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhumyAEdMSw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/EhumyAEdMSw |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|website=YouTube|accessdate=21 October 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==

===Books===
===Books===
* ''Space Frontiers'', 1978, Woodpecker, {{ISBN|0856853399}}
* ''Space Frontiers'', 1978, Woodpecker, {{ISBN|0856853399}}
Line 174: Line 172:
* ''The Planets'', 1985, Pan, {{ISBN|0330290827}}
* ''The Planets'', 1985, Pan, {{ISBN|0330290827}}
* ''Halley's Comet'' (ed.), 1985, New Science Publications, {{ISBN|978-0-67107607-8}}
* ''Halley's Comet'' (ed.), 1985, New Science Publications, {{ISBN|978-0-67107607-8}}
* ''The Sun'' (Space Scientist), 1986/7, Franklin Watts, {{ISBN|0863132693}} UK; {{ISBN|0-531-10055-3}} US
* ''The Sun'' (Space Scientist), 1986, Franklin Watts, {{ISBN|0863132693}} UK; {{ISBN|0-531-10055-3}} US
* ''The Moon'' (Space Scientist), 1986/7, Franklin Watts, {{ISBN|0863134726}} UK; {{ISBN|0-531-10266-1}} US
* ''The Moon'' (Space Scientist), 1986, Franklin Watts, {{ISBN|0863134726}} UK; {{ISBN|0-531-10266-1}} US
* ''Galaxies and Quasars'' (Space Scientist), 1986/7, Franklin Watts, {{ISBN|0863134734}} UK; {{ISBN|0-531-10265-3}} US
* ''Galaxies and Quasars'' (Space Scientist), 1986, Franklin Watts, {{ISBN|0863134734}} UK; {{ISBN|0-531-10265-3}} US
* ''Telescopes and Observatories'' (Space Scientist), 1986/7, Franklin Watts, {{ISBN|0863135277}} UK; {{ISBN|0-531-10361-7}} US
* ''Telescopes and Observatories'' (Space Scientist), 1987, Franklin Watts, {{ISBN|0863135277}} UK; {{ISBN|0-531-10361-7}} US
* ''Spaceprobes and Satellites'' (Space Scientist), 1986/7, Franklin Watts, {{ISBN|0863135285}} UK; {{ISBN|0-531-10360-9}} US
* ''Spaceprobes and Satellites'' (Space Scientist), 1987, Franklin Watts, {{ISBN|0863135285}} UK; {{ISBN|0-531-10360-9}} US
* ''The Stars'', 1988, Pan, {{ISBN|033030352X}}
* ''The Stars'', 1988, Pan, {{ISBN|033030352X}}
* ''The Planets'', 1992, Viking, {{ISBN|0-670-83384-3}}
* ''The Planets'', 1992, Viking, {{ISBN|0-670-83384-3}}
Line 190: Line 188:
* ''The New Astronomy'' - completely revised second edition, 1996, Cambridge University Press, {{ISBN|0521403243}} hardback; {{ISBN|0521408717}} paperback
* ''The New Astronomy'' - completely revised second edition, 1996, Cambridge University Press, {{ISBN|0521403243}} hardback; {{ISBN|0521408717}} paperback
* ''Black Holes'', 1997, Channel 4 Books, {{ISBN|1851442006}}
* ''Black Holes'', 1997, Channel 4 Books, {{ISBN|1851442006}}
* ''Big Bang'', 1997, Dorling Kindersley, {{ISBN|978-0789414847}}
* ''Is Anybody Out There?'', 1998, Dorling Kindersley, {{ISBN|978-0751356663}}
* ''Is Anybody Out There?'', 1998, Dorling Kindersley, {{ISBN|978-0751356663}}
* ''To the Ends of the Universe'', 1998, Dorling Kindersley, {{ISBN|978-0751358254}}
* ''To the Ends of the Universe'', 1998, Dorling Kindersley, {{ISBN|978-0751358254}}
* ''Universe'', 1999, Channel 4 Books, {{ISBN|0752217127}} hardback; {{ISBN|0752272551}} paperback
* ''Universe'', 1999, Channel 4 Books, {{ISBN|0752217127}} hardback; {{ISBN|0752272551}} paperback
* ''Planets'', 1999, Ladybird, {{ISBN|978-0721418230}}
* ''Space Encyclopedia'', 1999, Dorling Kindersley, {{ISBN|978-0789447081}}
* ''Space Encyclopedia'', 1999, Dorling Kindersley, {{ISBN|978-0789447081}}
* ''Space Hopping'': The Planets as You've Never Seen Them Before!, 1999, Egmont, {{ISBN|978-0749739973}}
* ''Space Hopping'': The Planets as You've Never Seen Them Before!, 1999, Egmont, {{ISBN|978-0749739973}}
Line 203: Line 203:
* ''The Secret Life of Space'', 2015, Aurum, {{ISBN|978-1781313930}}
* ''The Secret Life of Space'', 2015, Aurum, {{ISBN|978-1781313930}}
* ''Space Visual Encyclopaedia'', 2016, Dorling Kindersley, {{ISBN|978-0241228432}}
* ''Space Visual Encyclopaedia'', 2016, Dorling Kindersley, {{ISBN|978-0241228432}}
* ''2019 Stargazing'', 2018, Philip's, {{ISBN|978-1849074803}}
* ''The Universe Explained: A Cosmic Q&A'', 2018, Firefly, {{ISBN|978-0228100829}}
* ''The Universe Explained: A Cosmic Q&A'', 2018, Firefly, {{ISBN|978-0228100829}}
* ''Star Gazing - A Card Deck'', 2023, Pyramid, {{ISBN| 978-0753735305}}
* ''The Night Sky: An astronomer's guide to the night sky and the universe'', 2023, Cassell, {{ISBN|978-1788404532}}
* ''The Colossal Book of Incredible Facts for Curious Minds'', 2023, Cassell, {{ISBN|978-1788404693}}
* ''2025 Stargazing'', 2024, Philip's, {{ISBN|978-1849076524}}


=== Contributor ===
=== Contributor ===
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* ''Encyclopedia of Space Travel and Astronomy'', 1979, ed. John Man, Octopus {{ISBN|0706409922}}
* ''Encyclopedia of Space Travel and Astronomy'', 1979, ed. John Man, Octopus {{ISBN|0706409922}}
* ''Longman New Universal Dictionary'', 1982, ed. Paul Procter, Longman {{ISBN|9780582555426}}
* ''Longman New Universal Dictionary'', 1982, ed. Paul Procter, Longman {{ISBN|9780582555426}}
* ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', 1985 [[History of the Encyclopædia Britannica#Second version .281985.E2.80.932010.29|Fifteenth Edition]], second version, (1985) <ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopædia Britannica|date=1985|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.|isbn=9780852294000|edition=Fifteenth Edition, second version}}</ref>
* ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', 1985 [[History of the Encyclopædia Britannica#Second version .281985.E2.80.932010.29|Fifteenth Edition]], second version, (1985)<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopædia Britannica|date=1985|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.|isbn=9780852294000|edition=Fifteenth Edition, second version|url=https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia09chic_1}}</ref>
* ''How is it Done?'', 1990, Reader's Digest {{ISBN|9780276420085}}
* ''How is it Done?'', 1990, Reader's Digest {{ISBN|9780276420085}}
* ''Images of the Universe'', 1991, ed. Carole Stott, Cambridge University Press {{ISBN|0521391784}}
* ''Images of the Universe'', 1991, ed. Carole Stott, Cambridge University Press {{ISBN|0521391784}}
Line 219: Line 222:
* ''The Reducatarian Solution'', 2017, ed. Brian Kateman, TarcherPerigee {{ISBN|9780143129714}}
* ''The Reducatarian Solution'', 2017, ed. Brian Kateman, TarcherPerigee {{ISBN|9780143129714}}


=== Magazines ===
* Columnist for ''The Independent'' newspaper <ref>{{cite web|title=Authors: Nigel Henbest|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/author/nigel-henbest|website=The Independent|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref>
* ''BBC Focus'' magazine<ref>{{cite web|title=Focus at 20: Blast from the past|url=http://www.sciencefocus.com/news/focus-20-blast-past|publisher=BBC Focus magazine|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref>
* ''New Scientist'' magazine<ref>{{cite web|title=Search for Nigel Henbest|url=https://www.newscientist.com/search/?s=Nigel+Henbest|website=New Scientist magazine|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref>


=== Magazines ===
* Columnist for ''The Independent'' newspaper<ref name="Authors: Nigel Henbest"/>
* ''BBC Focus'' magazine<ref name="Focus at 20: Blast from the past"/>
* ''New Scientist'' magazine<ref name="Search for Nigel Henbest"/>


== Television productions ==
== Television productions ==
Line 262: Line 265:
| 1995
| 1995
| On Jupiter
| On Jupiter
| for [[Discovery Channel|Discovery]] - GOLD MEDAL & GRAND AWARD, NEW YORK FESTIVALS<ref>{{cite web|title=On Jupiter|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvx1R9Ac1oY&list=PLpWCFDSTg8dvlTlz7GrJVzRkN37SIrbgC&index=1|website=YouTube|accessdate=24 October 2015}}</ref>
| for [[Discovery Channel|Discovery]] - GOLD MEDAL & GRAND AWARD, NEW YORK FESTIVALS<ref>{{cite web|title=On Jupiter|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvx1R9Ac1oY&list=PLpWCFDSTg8dvlTlz7GrJVzRkN37SIrbgC&index=1 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jvx1R9Ac1oY |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|website=YouTube|accessdate=24 October 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 1997
| 1997
| Spaceplanes
| Spaceplanes
| for The Learning Channel<ref>{{cite web|title=Spaceplanes|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7s8c4aQQSg&list=PLpWCFDSTg8dtaMNcR5Ea7JV9HfOebXYiH&index=5|website=YouTube|accessdate=24 October 2015}}</ref>
| for The Learning Channel<ref>{{cite web|title=Spaceplanes|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7s8c4aQQSg&list=PLpWCFDSTg8dtaMNcR5Ea7JV9HfOebXYiH&index=5 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/I7s8c4aQQSg |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|website=YouTube|accessdate=24 October 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 1997
| 1997
Line 298: Line 301:
| 2007
| 2007
| Hindenburg
| Hindenburg
| for [[Smithsonian Channel|Smithsonian Networks]]/Channel 4/ZDF<ref>{{cite web|title=Hindenburg|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CamkAonyprk&index=4&list=PLpWCFDSTg8dsME5hxGQDqSG9l6oB5_WI-|website=YouTube|accessdate=24 October 2015}}</ref>
| for [[Smithsonian Channel|Smithsonian Networks]]/Channel 4/ZDF<ref>{{cite web|title=Hindenburg|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CamkAonyprk&index=4&list=PLpWCFDSTg8dsME5hxGQDqSG9l6oB5_WI- |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/CamkAonyprk |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|website=YouTube|accessdate=24 October 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2008-9
| 2008-9
Line 318: Line 321:


== Honours and awards ==
== Honours and awards ==
* DSc (Hon) University of Leicester<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigel Henbest Honorary degree|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfP4YsGRu20|website=Youtube|publisher=University of Leicester|accessdate=19 October 2015}}</ref>
* DSc (Hon) University of Leicester<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigel Henbest Honorary degree|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfP4YsGRu20 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/kfP4YsGRu20 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|website=YouTube|publisher=University of Leicester|accessdate=19 October 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Fellow of the [[Royal Astronomical Society]]
* Fellow of the [[Royal Astronomical Society]]
* Winner of the Glaxo-Wellcome/ABSW Science Writers Award, 1999<ref name="absw" />.
* Winner of the Glaxo-Wellcome/ABSW Science Writers Award, 1999.<ref name="absw" />
* Minor planet [[3795 Nigel]], discovered by [[Eleanor Helin]], is named in his honor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=3795 |title=(3795) Nigel = 1957 QM = 1975 JD = 1986 GV1 |publisher=Minor Planet Center |access-date=September 23, 2019}}</ref>



==References==
==References==
Line 327: Line 330:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.nigelhenbest.com/ Nigel Henbest's website]
*[http://www.ngcipressroom.com/releases.aspx?id=273 National Geographic Channel press release for "The Human Ape"]
*[http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/05/20/astronomy-a-cultural-perspective/ A podcast on astrotalkuk.org talking about his new book '''History of Astronomy''']
*[http://astrotalkuk.org/2008/05/20/astronomy-a-cultural-perspective/ A podcast on astrotalkuk.org talking about his new book '''History of Astronomy''']
*[https://www.youtube.com/user/PioneerProductionsUK Naked Science YouTube channel]
*[https://www.youtube.com/user/PioneerProductionsUK Naked Science YouTube channel]
Line 342: Line 343:
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Leicester]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Leicester]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British astronomers]]
[[Category:20th-century British astronomers]]
[[Category:21st-century British astronomers]]
[[Category:Fellows of St John's College, Cambridge]]

Latest revision as of 15:38, 30 November 2024

Nigel Henbest
Born (1951-05-06) 6 May 1951 (age 73)
Manchester, England
Alma mater
Known for
Promotion and popularisation of Science and Astronomy
Scientific career
FieldsAstronomy
Institutions
Thesis High Resolution Radio Observations of Tycho's Supernova Remnant and Forty-Eight Extragalactic Sources  (1976)
Doctoral advisorSir Martin Ryle

Stuart Nigel Henbest FRAS[1] (born 6 May 1951) is a British astronomer and science communicator. Born in Manchester and educated in Belfast and at Leicester University, Henbest researched in radio astronomy at the University of Cambridge before becoming a freelance author, television producer and astronomy lecturer. Asteroid 3795 Nigel is named after him.[1][2]

Henbest has written around 50 books and over 1,000 articles on astronomy and space for the popular market, including The New Astronomy and The Guide to the Galaxy.[3] Among his award-winning television productions are On Jupiter, Black Holes and Journey to the Edge of the Universe.[3] As well as lecturing on cruises, Henbest has given astronomy presentations on all seven continents (including Antarctica). He also leads tours to view total eclipses of the Sun.[4]

Formerly Astronomy Consultant to New Scientist magazine, editor of the Journal of the British Astronomical Association and media consultant to the Royal Greenwich Observatory, Henbest is now a Future Astronaut with Virgin Galactic.[5]

Married with two stepdaughters, Henbest lives in Hampstead, North Carolina and Loosley Row, Buckinghamshire, UK.[3] [6]

Early life and education

[edit]

Nigel Henbest was born in West Didsbury, Manchester, where he lived for the first five years of his life. His father, Bernard Henbest, was an organic chemist and his mother, Rosalind (née James) a psychiatrist. In 1958, his father was appointed Professor of Organic Chemistry at Queen's University in Belfast, and Henbest was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution until the age of 18.

Henbest graduated from the University of Leicester in 1972, gaining a First Class honours BSc in astrophysics.[1] Here, he met fellow astronomy student Heather Couper; they formed a working partnership - Hencoup Enterprises - that focused on astronomy popularisation.[7]

Research

[edit]

Moving to St John's College, Cambridge, Henbest researched at the Cavendish Laboratory, under the then Astronomer Royal, Sir Martin Ryle. During 1972-73 Henbest made pioneering observations of the remnant of Tycho's Supernova (observed by Tycho Brahe in 1572).[8] Then in 1974 he published the first comprehensive observations of quasars and galaxies made with the newly opened Five Kilometre Telescope, now named the Ryle Telescope.[9]

Henbest also researched the optical spectra of quasars at the Royal Greenwich Observatory,[10] before returning to the Department of Geology at Leicester University, to develop and install tiltmeters and a recording seismometer on the active volcano Mount Etna[11][12]

He has presented research on ancient astronomical observations to the European Association of Archaeologists,[13] and has been an Honorary Professor in the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee.[14]

Career

[edit]

With the publication of his first major book, The Exploding Universe, in 1979 Henbest began a lifelong career as a science communicator - specialising in astronomy and space - across media platforms ranging from magazines and newspapers to radio, television and online.[1]

Books and magazines

[edit]

Henbest has written around 50 books, many jointly authored with Heather Couper, including Big Bang (Dorling Kindersley) which won the Times Educational Supplement Senior Book Award.[15]

As well his contributions to major encyclopedias, Henbest has had over 1,000 articles published in international magazines.[1]

In 1982, Henbest was appointed Astronomy Consultant to New Scientist,[16] a post he held for ten years. Having been a columnist for BBC Focus magazine for many years,[17] he now contributes a regular column to The Independent newspaper.[18]

Eclipses

[edit]

As guest astronomer, Henbest has led 10 expeditions to view total eclipses of the Sun: Sumatra (1988), Hawaii (1991), Aruba (1998), Alderney (1999), Egypt (2006), China (2009), Tahiti (2010), Idaho, USA (2017), Chile (2019) and Arkansas, USA (2024).[4][19]

Lectures and presentations

[edit]

A former lecturer at the Greenwich Planetarium, Henbest has given public presentations on astronomy and space around the world, from Australia to Colombia and Antarctica. He lectures on cruises, including giving planetarium presentations on the Queen Mary 2.[3]

He has also led tours of major space centres, from the Apollo Mission Control in Houston to the futurist Spaceport America in New Mexico.[20]

Radio and television appearances

[edit]

As an astronomy and space expert, Henbest has appeared on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4, Radio 5Live, Radio Scotland, Radio Wales, British Forces Broadcasting Service and many local UK radio stations. For the BBC World Service, he has filed location reports on solar eclipses, the repair of Hubble Space Telescope and spacecraft encounters with planets and comets.[1]

He has also been:

  • Chairman of The Litmus Test, BBC Radio 4, 1991-93[21][22]
  • Presenter (with Heather Couper) of Seeing Stars, BBC World Service, 1989-2001[23]

As well as being interviewed about breaking news stories on British television channels, Henbest has featured on several major international TV documentary series:

  • 2000's Greatest Tragedies, National Geographic Channel, 2015
  • The 80's Greatest Tragedies, National Geographic Channel, 2014
  • Meteor Strike, Fireball from Space, Channel 4, 2013[24]
  • UFO Europe Untold Stories, National Geographic Channel[25][26]

Henbest was a member of the University of Leicester's winning team on Christmas University Challenge, BBC2, 30 December 2013.[27]

Plays

[edit]

In 1989, Lord Bernard and Lady Josephine Miles invited Henbest to write a play for the Molecule Theatre of Science. Co-authored by Mike Bennett, It’s All in the Stars! was staged at the Bloomsbury and Mermaid Theatres in London, and toured nationally.[28]

Consultancy and editorships

[edit]

In 1982, Henbest was appointed Media Consultant to the Royal Greenwich Observatory, with special responsibility for publicising the new Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma and the opening of the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope.[1]

The Open University invited Henbest to serve as External Assessor on its new Astronomy module, Matter in the Universe (S256), in 1984.[1]

As well as editing books and magazine supplements, Henbest was appointed as Editor of the Journal of the British Astronomical Association in 1985, redesigning and revitalising the publication.[29][30]

Henbest was Chairman of National Astronomy Week in 1990, which spearheaded the first national campaign against light pollution in the UK.[31]

Online

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Henbest has presented the regular strand Nigel goes to Space! on the YouTube channel Naked Science.[32]

Television production and scriptwriting

[edit]

In 1983, Henbest conceived a TV documentary on the pioneering Infrared Astronomical Satellite, which was filmed by Quanta production company[33] and screened in the BBC television Horizon strand.[1] He delivers presentations on Astronomy and Television at international conferences.[34][35]

Henbest was consultant on the television series The Planets and The Stars, presented by Heather Couper in 1985 and 1988 on Channel 4. With Couper and the director of The Stars series, Stuart Carter, Henbest set up Pioneer Productions later in 1988. Here Henbest wrote and produced TV programmes and series for both British and American broadcasters. They garnered many documentary awards, including four gold medals and a Grand Award at the New York Festivals. For Universe: Beyond the Millennium, Henbest won the Glaxo-Wellcome/ABSW Science Writers Award for 1999.[36]

Astronaut

[edit]

In 2009, Henbest signed up with Virgin Galactic for a suborbital flight into space, launching in SpaceShipTwo from the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport Spaceport America.[5][6]

As an ambassador for private human spaceflight, Henbest has appeared in Forbes magazine[37] and presents Nigel Goes to Space! on YouTube[38][39]

Bibliography

[edit]

Books

[edit]
  • Space Frontiers, 1978, Woodpecker, ISBN 0856853399
  • Exploding Universe, 1979, Marshall Cavendish, ISBN 978-0856855092
  • Spotter's Guide to the Night Sky, 1979, Usborne, ISBN 0-86020-284-4
  • The Mysterious Universe, 1981, Ebury, ISBN 978-0856859380
  • The Restless Universe, 1982, George Philip, ISBN 978-0540010691
  • The New Astronomy, 1983, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0521256834
  • Astronomy, 1983, Franklin Watts, ISBN 978-0531046517
  • Physics, 1983, Franklin Watts, ISBN 978-0531046524
  • Observing the Universe (ed.), 1984, Blackwell/New Scientist, ISBN 0-85520-727-2; hardback ISBN 0-85520-726-4 paperback
  • Comets, Stars and Planets, 1985, Bookthrift, ISBN 0671076078
  • The Planets, 1985, Pan, ISBN 0330290827
  • Halley's Comet (ed.), 1985, New Science Publications, ISBN 978-0-67107607-8
  • The Sun (Space Scientist), 1986, Franklin Watts, ISBN 0863132693 UK; ISBN 0-531-10055-3 US
  • The Moon (Space Scientist), 1986, Franklin Watts, ISBN 0863134726 UK; ISBN 0-531-10266-1 US
  • Galaxies and Quasars (Space Scientist), 1986, Franklin Watts, ISBN 0863134734 UK; ISBN 0-531-10265-3 US
  • Telescopes and Observatories (Space Scientist), 1987, Franklin Watts, ISBN 0863135277 UK; ISBN 0-531-10361-7 US
  • Spaceprobes and Satellites (Space Scientist), 1987, Franklin Watts, ISBN 0863135285 UK; ISBN 0-531-10360-9 US
  • The Stars, 1988, Pan, ISBN 033030352X
  • The Planets, 1992, Viking, ISBN 0-670-83384-3
  • The Space Atlas, 1992, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 978-0863188299
  • The Universe, 1992, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ISBN 0297831100
  • Space Shuttle Discovery, 1993, Channel 4 Books, ISBN 185144081X
  • How the Universe Works, 1994, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 0751300802
  • Guide to the Galaxy, 1994, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0521458825
  • The Planets: Portraits of New Worlds, 1994, Penguin, ISBN 978-0140134148
  • Black Holes, 1996, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 0-7513-5371-X
  • The New Astronomy - completely revised second edition, 1996, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0521403243 hardback; ISBN 0521408717 paperback
  • Black Holes, 1997, Channel 4 Books, ISBN 1851442006
  • Big Bang, 1997, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 978-0789414847
  • Is Anybody Out There?, 1998, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 978-0751356663
  • To the Ends of the Universe, 1998, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 978-0751358254
  • Universe, 1999, Channel 4 Books, ISBN 0752217127 hardback; ISBN 0752272551 paperback
  • Planets, 1999, Ladybird, ISBN 978-0721418230
  • Space Encyclopedia, 1999, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 978-0789447081
  • Space Hopping: The Planets as You've Never Seen Them Before!, 1999, Egmont, ISBN 978-0749739973
  • Extreme Universe, 2001, Channel 4 Books, ISBN 978-0752261638
  • Mars: The Inside Story of the Red Planet, 2001, Headline, ISBN 978-0747235439
  • Encyclopedia of Space, 2003, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 978-1405301091
  • The History of Astronomy, 2009, Cassell Illustrated (UK), ISBN 978-1844035700; Firefly (US), ISBN 978-1554075379
  • The Story of Astronomy, 2011, Cassell, ISBN 978-1844037117
  • The Astronomy Bible: The Definitive Guide to the Night Sky and the Universe, 2015, Firefly (US), ISBN 978-1770854826; Philip's (UK), ISBN 978-1844038084
  • The Secret Life of Space, 2015, Aurum, ISBN 978-1781313930
  • Space Visual Encyclopaedia, 2016, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 978-0241228432
  • The Universe Explained: A Cosmic Q&A, 2018, Firefly, ISBN 978-0228100829
  • Star Gazing - A Card Deck, 2023, Pyramid, ISBN 978-0753735305
  • The Night Sky: An astronomer's guide to the night sky and the universe, 2023, Cassell, ISBN 978-1788404532
  • The Colossal Book of Incredible Facts for Curious Minds, 2023, Cassell, ISBN 978-1788404693
  • 2025 Stargazing, 2024, Philip's, ISBN 978-1849076524

Contributor

[edit]


Magazines

[edit]
  • Columnist for The Independent newspaper[18]
  • BBC Focus magazine[17]
  • New Scientist magazine[16]

Television productions

[edit]
Year Title Notes
1983 IRAS: The Infrared Eye for BBC
1985 The Planets 7-part series for Channel 4
1988 The Stars 6-part series for Channel 4
1992 ET: Please Phone Earth for Channel 4 & ABC - GOLD MEDAL, NEW YORK FESTIVALS
1993 Space Shuttle Discovery for Channel 4
1994 Electric Skies for Channel 4 - BANFF ROCKIE AWARD FOR POPULAR SCIENCE PROGRAMS - GOLD MEDAL, NEW YORK FESTIVALS
1994 Body Atlas 13-part series for The Learning Channel
1995 On Jupiter for Discovery - GOLD MEDAL & GRAND AWARD, NEW YORK FESTIVALS[41]
1997 Spaceplanes for The Learning Channel[42]
1997 Rockets for The Learning Channel
1997 Black Holes for Channel 4, Discovery & ABC (Australia) - GOLD MEDAL, BEST SCIENCE DOCUMENTARY, NEW YORK FESTIVALS
1999 Universe:Beyond the Millennium 4-part series for Channel 4 & The Learning Channel - BEST TELEVISION PRODUCTION, GLAXO-WELLCOME/ABSW SCIENCE WRITER AWARD Stars Creation Planets Alien Life
2002 The Day the Earth was Born for Channel4/WGBH
2002 Edge of the Universe 3-part series for Channel 4 - GOLD SPECIAL JURY AWARD, WORLDFEST HOUSTON
2003 Space Shuttle: Human Time Bomb? for Channel 4
2006 Challenger: Countdown to Disaster for National Geographic/Channel 4
2007 Hindenburg for Smithsonian Networks/Channel 4/ZDF[43]
2008-9 Journey to the Edge of the Universe for National Geographic (US)/ Discovery Canada/ France 5
2010-14 How the Universe Works 1, 2 & 3 two 8-part series for Discovery
2011 Story of Earth for National Geographic
2015 How the Universe Works 4 8-part series for Science Channel

Honours and awards

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nigel Henbest biography at the University of Leicester". University of Leicester. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  2. ^ "The Stars were out at Morley". Learning for Life at Morley. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d "Shooting stars, a blue moon and a partial eclipse Astronomer, author and broadcaster Nigel Henbest speaks to the MEN". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b Dayton, Leigh (2009), Fun in the Egyptian Sun, The Australian, retrieved 13 September 2018
  5. ^ a b Philip Sherwell (23 October 2011). "Brits for blast off: tourists head to final frontier". Telegraph. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  6. ^ a b Stephanie Wareham (19 March 2015). "Astronomy professor Nigel Henbest to become an astronaut after buying ticket to space with Virgin Galactic". Bucks Free Press. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  7. ^ Singh, Gurbir (2008), Astronomy – A cultural perspective, retrieved 13 September 2018
  8. ^ Nigel Henbest (13 August 1979). "The structure of Tycho's supernova remnant". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Retrieved 27 October 2015.[dead link]
  9. ^ Nigel Henbest (30 July 1974). "Observations of 48 Extragalactic Radio Sources with the Cambridge 5-km Telescope at 5 GHz". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 27 October 2015.[dead link]
  10. ^ Nigel Henbest (29 March 1973). "Spectroscopic and Photometric Observations of the Quasar 4C 31.63". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 27 October 2015.[dead link]
  11. ^ Henbest, S.N.; Mills, A.A.; Ottey, P. (1978). "Two tiltmeters and an integrating seismometer for the monitoring of volcanic activity, and the results of some trials on Mount Etna". Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. 4 (1–2): 133–149. Bibcode:1978JVGR....4..133H. doi:10.1016/0377-0273(78)90033-1.
  12. ^ Mills, A. A.; Aspin, C.; Henbest, S. N. (1978). "An optical tilt gauge". Journal of Physics E: Scientific Instruments. 11 (7): 614–615. Bibcode:1978JPhE...11..614M. doi:10.1088/0022-3735/11/7/003.
  13. ^ Henbest, Nigel (2001). "Urania's Mirror: Archaeology as an inspiration for Astronomy". Bar International Series. 999: 81–86.
  14. ^ Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee, retrieved 13 September 2018
  15. ^ "Before the beginning; TES Book Awards". Times Literary Supplement. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Search for Nigel Henbest". New Scientist magazine. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Focus at 20: Blast from the past". BBC Focus magazine. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  18. ^ a b "Authors: Nigel Henbest". The Independent. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  19. ^ Henbest, Nigel (1991), Followed by a moonshadow, New Scientist, retrieved 13 September 2018
  20. ^ Nigel Henbest, Speakers Den, 2018, retrieved 13 September 2018
  21. ^ "The Litmus Test". Radio Listings. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  22. ^ "The Litmus Test". BBC Genome. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  23. ^ "Seeing Stars episodes". BBC World Service. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  24. ^ "Meteor Strike: Fireball from Space". Channel 4. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  25. ^ "UFO's The Untold Stories". National Geographic Channel. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  26. ^ "National Geographic UFO Europe Untold Stories - Documentary". YouTube. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  27. ^ Tim Healey (12 December 2012). "Former University of Leicester graduates to appear on Christmas celebrity edition of BBC show". Leicester Mercury. Archived from the original on 15 February 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  28. ^ Ben Gribbin (4 November 1989). "Science takes to the stage". New Scientist. p. 70. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  29. ^ McGee, Hazel. "Reflecting the candle: 124 years of the Journal of the BAA" (PDF). Journal of the British Astronomical Association. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  30. ^ Henbest, Nigel. "What Happened When I was Editor" (PDF). Journal of the British Astronomical Association. 125: 122. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  31. ^ "JBAA 1999 August: Letters". Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  32. ^ "Nigel Goes to Space". YouTube. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  33. ^ "Quantafilms, Bringing you quality TV on DVD and download". www.quantafilms.com. Archived from the original on 30 December 2006.
  34. ^ Nigel Henbest (2005). "Science or Nonsense? - The Role of TV Graphics". Communicating Astronomy: 165. Bibcode:2005coas.conf..165H.
  35. ^ Astronomy Communication. Springer Science Business Media BV. 2003. pp. 55–66. ISBN 9789048163076.
  36. ^ a b Previous winners, ABSW, retrieved 13 September 2018
  37. ^ "Branson's Next-Generation SS2 Headlines Virgin Galactic Explorers Club Gathering". Forbes. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  38. ^ "Nigel Goes to Space". YouTube. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  39. ^ "Vomit Comet - Nigel Defies Gravity". YouTube. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  40. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica (Fifteenth Edition, second version ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 1985. ISBN 9780852294000.
  41. ^ "On Jupiter". YouTube. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  42. ^ "Spaceplanes". YouTube. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  43. ^ "Hindenburg". YouTube. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  44. ^ "Nigel Henbest Honorary degree". YouTube. University of Leicester. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  45. ^ "(3795) Nigel = 1957 QM = 1975 JD = 1986 GV1". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
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