Xan Indigo
School
University Of Nottingham
Expertise
Astronomy And Astrophysics, Ancient History, Earth And The Environment
- Xan has given several research presentations about the chemistry of interstellar space, including at a castle in Bavaria, an observatory in Hawaii, and a hot spring in Japan.
- At several public science events, Xan has given talks about astrobiology and the science behind the search for alien life.
- An amateur botanist, Xan once built a terrarium for carnivorous plants, keeping a healthy collection of them from around the world.
Experience
Xan has written articles covering topics from sci-fi movies to subatomic physics, published by a variety of media outlets including Seeker, io9, and ScreenRant. They have a strong background in science as a former professional astrophysicist and quantum chemist, and they're perfectly happy to dive into both academic papers and Netflix shows alike to pick apart interesting ideas. As a mixed race non-binary immigrant who's lived in four different countries across Eurasia, Xan can give a distinctive cultural perspective on a variety of topics. Insatiably curious, they place great value on empathy, optimism, and the idea that a brighter world is always possible. When not writing, they have a love of plants and all things botanical, with a not-so-secret ambition to turn their apartment into a tiny rainforest.
Education
Xan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry of Materials and a PhD in Molecular Astrophysics — both interdisciplinary fields which involve finding connections between seemingly disparate concepts and bodies of knowledge.
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Stories By Xan Indigo
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Particularly in recent history, floral imagery has taken root in several parts of LGBTQ+ history. This is the symbolism behind flowers in LGBTQ+ history.
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The Milky Way galaxy might be sprinkled with planets like Tatooine and, surprisingly, their lack of water might be exactly what helps them to remain habitable.
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In February 2017, NASA unveiled one of the most fascinating astronomical discoveries ever made: a planetary system dubbed TRAPPIST-1.
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Perfumes are a beloved accessory to any night out, but their origins are different than one might expect. Here's the history of perfume, explained.
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In the wake of the 2020 Nobel Prize for Physics, scientists have finally imaged Sagittarius A*. This is everything we know about the Milky Way's black hole.
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Though many associate diamonds with wealth and glamour, the dark secrets of the diamond industry include ongoing human rights abuses and violence.
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Like many ancient cultures, the Ancient Egyptians had an expansive pantheon of gods, and one of the most interesting among them is Khonsu, the god of the moon.
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In the 35 years since they first started making music together, Radiohead has come a long way. Let's take a look at their humble beginnings and rise to fame.
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Those humble but ubiquitous dandelions are overlooked and underrated jewels, as beautiful as they are helpful. This is the untold truth of dandelions.
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The idea of multiple worlds is a trope in many movies and television shows. But, believe it or not, it is based on science and philosophy.
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Saturn's moon Titan is similar to Earth, with weather, rainfall, and open seas. Kraken Mare is the largest of them on this moon.
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Heart symbols are everywhere. And it's no surprise their meaning is steeped in history. But also botany.
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The Aztecs were a sophisticated society, with a culture of philosophy, religions, poetry and more. Here's what pre-colonized Mexico was like for the Aztecs.
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The true rulers of Earth are not humans but plants. And some plant ancestors were involved in Earth's mass extinctions. Imagine if some were around today.
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The most hardy lifeforms on Earth are known as extremophiles, usually tiny and single-celled. But animals have quite a few survival tricks of their own.