How to Convert Hex to Binary and Binary to Hexadecimal

© Eugene Brennan

The Hexadecimal Numbering System

The base 16, also known as hexadecimal (abbreviated to hex) numbering system is regularly used in computer coding for conveniently representing a byte or word of data. This guide shows you how to convert from hex to binary and binary to hexadecimal.

The Andromeda Galaxy: "It's Big, And Also Faaarrr Away"

The apparent size of the Andromeda Galaxy, compared to that of the Moon. AI image created by Grok.

At a distance of 2.5 million light-years, or 24 million trillion km, the Andromeda Galaxy is the most distant object visible to the naked eye. We can see it because space is mostly empty, and light from the stellar object reaches us relatively unchanged, unlike what happens when we view distant objects on the horizon on Earth.

Loading Data for the Kilcullen 38 kV Substation.

Loading data for the Kilcullen 38 kV Substation, courtesy ESB Networks.

From the ESB Networks document 38 kV & 110 kV Station Special Load Readings. 

The table shows summer and winter loads in megawatt (MW) for transformers T41, T42 and T424.

It Came From Outer Space....

Nostoc commune (Latin name), also known as "jelly fungus". © Eugene Brennan

 Well not quite. This is probably Nostoc commune (Latin name), also known as "jelly fungus", "star jelly" or "witch's butter". It's not actually a fungus, but a colony of bacteria. There's loads of it in a patch on my yard, but it sometimes grows on lawns. It's extremely slippery on a lawn. Apparently it's eaten as a salad in the Philippines when dried out. I'm a fussy eater so I won't be trying it anytime soon.

More information on jelly fungus here on Wikipedia.

Off-Road Lanes for Cycling in Kildare and Wicklow

Lane from Barretstown to Bishopshill Commons. © Eugene Brennan

I'm always on the lookout for new trails and farm lanes for cycling on. Some are marked with a cul-de-sac sign, and just end up at farmhouses. However, others actually link two roads. Usually, there’s no sign at the junction where they meet a main road, or even a road number, so it can be a mystery where they go.