Recent content by Charles Franc

Thanks for the welcome, and thanks also to Marcus. I do have a Ph.D. (maths, on quantum electrodynamics - a long way removed from this), but Erik has no degree, and I will say that I couldn't have done it without him. Actually there has been much more grind on far more difficult papers which we...

I am Charles Francis. There was a blip when I entered my name in physics forums. As far as I can tell there is no way to change it. The use of third person was because I posted text from a press release - sorry, it just seemed unnecessary work to rewrite it. I'm generally not at all shy, and I...

Indeed. The artist's impression shows a barred spiral. If you look at images of barred spirals you will find the bar can take a number of forms. The artists impression shows one of those forms.

Spiral galaxies are among the most beautiful and familiar objects in the heavens, but a working explanation as to why galaxies evolve into spirals has eluded astronomers for decades. Now, two independent researchers have published a compelling solution to this eighty year old problem, which...