On this blog, as well as on many other parts of the internet, I go by the pseudonym of Invader Xan. I’m a research fellow in Molecular Astrophysics working in Japan, and I’m a firm believer in the fact that science can and should be for everyone.
I don’t entirely know when I became interested in science. As far as I’m aware, I always have been. Understanding the way the world works and looking into the awesome machinery of nature has been a fascination for me since the earliest memories I have. For me, the romance of a sunset isn’t spoiled by understanding it – it’s enhanced. The world around us is exquisitely intricate and complex. If that isn’t beautiful, I don’t know what is.
When not being sciencey, you can usually find me gazing at the sky, mixing cocktails, playing my ukulele or my bass guitar, or spinning fire poi. Je voudrais voir le monde entier!
Supernova Condensate 
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Hello InvaderXan:
I am a high school teacher. I saw a picture related to the island of stability. Is it okay to use this in my lecture for the Chemistry class I teach at Indiana? I will provide credit with your pseudonym and a link for your page. It is great!!
Of course you may. In fact, please do! Thank you, I’m glad it’s helpful to you! :)
Hi,
I’m a physics undergrad at Cornell, interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in astrophysics. I’ve made some “outreach” brochures for middle schoolers on some physics topics, to be reproduced by the Society of Physics Students and the Depts. of Astronomy and Physics at Cornell to give to visiting 7th and 8th graders, and also possibly to use in middle school classrooms (free of charge). I saw an image on one of your blogs, for the Discovery News site, that I’d like to use. May I have your permission, and, if yes, how should I attribute the picture?
Thanks,
Sarah Marie Bruno
Cornell University (Physics), Class of 2016
The website/image can be found at:
http://news.discovery.com/space/astronomy/a-dizzying-dance-of-doom-with-a-black-hole-130422.htm
It’s the “cover” picture that I’d like to use.
Oh gosh, I’m so sorry I missed this comment until now. Yes, by all means, feel free to use that image. If you credit it to Invader Xan/supernovacondensate.net that would be just fine. Thank you, I’m glad you like my picture! :)
I love that Photo of Carl Sagan!
“We are all made of stars” – quotation from ‘The Crow Road’, no?
Great to see science getting the place it deserves. Inspiring blog Invader Xan!
Thank you very much! :)
I would like to use your illustration in the Wikipedia article “islands of stability” for my professional website. What are your terms of use?
You’re quite welcome to do so. Thank you for using it! :)
The image is licensed under Creative Commons. You’re free to use it provided you credit me as the author (if it wouldn’t be a problem, a link back here to supernovacondensate.net would be nice too). You’re also welcome to alter or adapt the image, provided you release your version under the same license.