National Geographic Magazine - UK March 2018

The singer-songwriter behind many of the Beatles’ greatest hits, Paul McCartney, 75, is still selling out arena concerts. He’s also leading the Meat Free Monday campaign, asking people to skip meat once a week to “help slow climate change, preserve precious natural resources, and improve their health.” We met in London recently for an interview. Susan Goldberg: Should I call you Paul or Sir Paul or … ? Paul McCartney: Paul. SG: OK. I wasn’t sure. I’m American, so I don’t know about these things. One thing I find so interesting about your Meat Free Monday campaign is that you’re just asking for one day a week. Why did you decide to ask for only that? PM: I think if you say to people, “I’m a vegetarian. I think it’s…

From the surface, Earth feels limitless and permanent, which is perhaps why it took so long to accept that it is not immobile at the center of the universe. From space, our world appears finite and fragile, a tumbling grain of dust. Astronauts are not delicate individuals by nature; author Norman Mailer described Buzz Aldrin as all meat and stone, dependable as a tractor, yet with a hint of unpredictability. But, as exemplified by “Beyond the Blue Marble” in this issue, a shift in perspective of just a few hundred miles turns astronauts into poets. “This planet is not terra firma. It is a delicate flower and it must be cared for. It’s lonely. It’s small. It’s isolated, and there is no resupply. And we are mistreating it. Clearly the…

WHAT DRIVES HIM: CHARLIE HAMILTON JAMES National Geographic photographer and television presenter Charlie Hamilton James is about as demanding as drivers come. Whether exploring the rugged landscape around his former home on Skye in the depths of winter, or working on assignments across the globe from Africa to the Amazon in searing heat, he regularly encounters extremes of climate and terrain the average UK motorist couldn’t possibly imagine. ‘‘ MANY OF THE ROADS I COME ACROSS IN MY WORK AREN’T REALLY ROADS AT ALL IN THE CONVENTIONAL SENSE,’ HE SAYS. ‘A CAR LIKE THE NEW SUBARU XV WITH ALWAYS-ON FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE AND GOOD GROUND CLEARANCE IS ESSENTIAL, AS IS PLENTY OF LUGGAGE SPACE FOR MY EQUIPMENT. ’’ But reliability is the most valued strength of all. ‘‘ A BREAKDOWN IN…

Is SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s proposal to launch humans to Mars by 2024 realistic? I’ve talked to Musk about this and I think hisplansareambitious.Havingsaidthat, SpaceX continually confounds expectations;theynowflyreusablerocketstothe International Space Station and aim to carry astronauts next year. My guess is there will be a crewed Mars mission in the 2030s, a collaboration involving commercial launch companies with NASA, the European Space Agency, or others. When can we expect a colony on Mars and then humans spreading throughout the universe? Regarding a Mars colony, first you send the base there and make sure it’s working. Then you send the astronauts. Once you’ve gone to Mars, and you have the rockets, it’s all about building bigger habitation modules on the spacecraft so you can travel farther. I can imagine that by…

EASY TO HANDLE REFLECTOR TELESCOPE FOR BEGINNERS With its 114-mm aperture, this telescope collects three times more light than a 76-mm telescope. Therefore, fainter objects become visible, and you can see more details of the moon and planets. Nevertheless, the telescope is very compact and sets up quickly, with no assembly required, so it can be transported to your favourite night-sky-observation location easily. Use is very intuitive, without compromising stability. The built-in accessory tray keeps the eyepieces handy, and the red-dot finder makes locating objects simple. SPECIFICATION Magnification: 25 up to 167 Mirror diameter: 114 mm Focal length: 500 mm Finderscope: LED-Red Dot Mount: Alt-azimuth Dobson table mount. Length: 28 cm Width: 28 cm Height: 52 cm Weight: 3.75 kg DELIVERY Telescope, 2 eyepieces (6 mm and 20 mm), moon…

Experience the romance and timelessness of the world’s great waterways on an all-inclusive National Geographic River Cruise. Operated in partnership with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, these voyages link grand cities, medieval villages, and endless countryside along historic waterways like the Danube and the Rhine. With a world-class ship as your base, choose from a wide range of guided excursions every day: from hikes and bike rides to in-depth experiences that focus on culture, history, and the natural world. A National Geographic expert travels with you, to give talks on board and share insights on daily outings; a National Geographic photographer joins all European sailings to share tips on technique and artistry. Along the way, enjoy the utmost in all-inclusive service and amenities: your own butler, delectable meals served in…