Happy Coronation Day Richard II and may the physics be with you.

Today we say A great big "Happy Birthday Frits!" to one Professor Frits Zernike, Nobel Prize winner of 1953. Zerinke was one clever fella, but he is most widely renowned for his research into physical optics. He was the man behind the theory which allowed the first phase contrast microscope being built during World War II.

The microscope in question is the one that eventually won him the Nobel Prize. The reason being that this particular microscope allows you to see the structure of a cell without the need for dye, which means that we can see the structure and function of living cells, rather than having to stain them with dye (which kills them). Awesome.

http://www.nieuwsdossier.nl/wetenschap/frederik-zernike-overleden

Also on the cards today is the 635th anniversary of Richard II becoming King at the tender age of 10.