If people don’t have an understanding of what science is and what scientists do, then they can tend to think that global warming, for example, is just a matter of opinion.

At every stage of understanding the universe better, the benefits to civilisation have been immeasurable. None of those big leaps were made with us knowing what was going to happen.

We are the cosmos made conscious and life is the means by which the universe understands itself.

What scientists are attached to is journeys into the unknown and discovering things that are completely unexpected and baffling and surprising.

Deeper understanding confers that most precious thing - wonder.

If people don’t have an understanding of what science is and what scientists do, then they can tend to think that global warming, for example, is just a matter of opinion.

Every carbon atom in every living thing on the planet was produced in the heart of a dying star.