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Wired-Up Date: 22nd October 2004 Issue: 8
Thank Planet Science for that Wired-Up FRIDAY feeling! Here’s what’s coming up in our Orionid Special:
  1. THE WIRE – Did you see Thursday’s meteor shower?
  2. YOU WHAT? – Meteor facts to get you in the mood for more sky-gazing.
  3. GEAR FOR GRABS – Complete the puzzle and you could win a telescope!
  4. SPOTLIGHT ON... – Anton Vamplew. The television astronomer pops in for a chat!
  5. PLANET PICKS – Sounds like a good idea to visit Planet Science...
1. THE WIRE – Science news delivered to your inbox...

Did you set your alarm clocks to watch the Orionid meteor shower in the small hours of Thursday morning? If so you’ll know that, like other meteor showers, the Orionids are named after the constellation in which they appear – Orion. Orion is a well-known constellation so even if you didn’t see the Orionids you’re probably familiar with it. It is said to show a man called Orion who, according to Greek mythology, claimed to be the greatest hunter in the world.

The story goes that Hera, the wife of Zeus (leader of the gods), overheard Orion’s claims so she sent a scorpion after him. The scorpion stung Orion to death. Zeus was saddened by his death so he placed Orion in the sky, along with the scorpion (which became the constellation, Scorpius).

If you’re interested in learning other star constellations and the myths behind them then click on this link:
http://www.dustbunny.com/afk/constellations/
2. YOU WHAT? – Science facts that might make you go “Hmm?”
  • A comet is a ball of dust and ice, smaller than a planet. It travels round (orbits) the Sun.
  • The Sun heats the comet and pieces of the comet are left behind. A meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through the path of a comet. The pieces of comet (debris) create streaks of light in the sky as they burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.
  • When the pieces of debris enter the Earth’s atmosphere they are called meteors.
  • On any night several small meteors can be seen, but during a meteor shower, tens to hundreds of meteors can be seen each hour.
  • A shooting star is just a name people use to describe meteors because when a meteor appears, it seems to ‘shoot’ quickly across the sky. Its small size and brightness also makes some people think it’s a star.
Of course, YOU know it’s a meteor, but do you know enough about space to enter the competition below?
3. GEAR FOR GRABS – You’ve got to be in it to win it...

An astronomy special of Wired-Up wouldn’t be complete without a competition to win some start-spotting kit. So, always happy to oblige, here’s how you can win a Young Scientist telescope or the runner-up prize of an Usborne astronomy book. First, answer the following questions:

  1. The constellation of Taurus resembles this animal.
  2. The third planet from the Sun.
  3. This is the name for the scientific study of the planets, stars, galaxies and the Universe.
  4. Another name for the planet Mars (clue: it has something to do with the colour of the planet)

Secondly, put the first letter of each answer together to spell an animal that also features in a constellation.

Then send the name of this animal, along with your name and address, to: randomised.news@nesta.org.uk with ‘I’M A STAR’ as the subject. The draw will take place next Thursday and the winner will receive the telescope and two runners-up will each receive a book of astronomy and space.

I wonder if BBC astronomer, Anton Vamplew, started out with a telescope and some books. Find out as we interview him in the next section and discover just how easy (or difficult!) it is to become an astronomer...
4. SPOTLIGHT ON – BBC and Blue Peter Astronomer, Anton Vamplew!

Hello Anton! How long have you been interested in astronomy?

I have always been interested in astronomy even before I can remember! It sounds strange, I know, but the night sky has always been so fascinating. I would often gaze out of my bedroom window wondering about life, the Universe and everything!

How did you get involved with Blue Peter?

I’d already worked for the BBC as Captain Cosmos, the hero of the Universe! In fact, on my first Blue Peter show I was introduced as the good Captain himself!

Can anyone become an astronomer and how difficult is it?

Of course anyone can become an amateur astronomer. It's the easiest hobby in the world because it's all outside on any clear night. But to be a professional astronomer you need to study very hard.

What advice would you give to anyone who would like to be an astronomer?

Learn a bit about the night sky first. Knowledge of the constellations is so useful before you go and do anything crazy like buying a telescope. By the way, I'd start with binoculars and then eventually buy a telescope.

If you’re looking at a career in astronomy then why not pay Anton a visit for some more tips? http://www.captaincosmos.clara.co.uk/indexs.html
5. PLANET PICKS – News from the world of Planet Science...

Finally, there’s just enough time to mention a new addition to the Planet Science website. It sounds pretty good and if you click on the following link then hear how good it sounds too:
http://www.planet-science.com/outthere/sound_check/

When you get there, you’ll find everything you ever wanted to know about the science of noise – from classical music, to thumping rock, to that racket your sister makes on her karaoke machine! You’ll also find the ‘PS100x’ – a unique online sound sampler and recorder you can use to record your own sounds. You can even help yourself to the pre-recorded sounds in the library. So until next Friday keep your ear to the ground and listen out for the sound of Wired-Up arriving in your inbox!

Nearly forgot – next week is a spooky science special so if you have any experiments, facts or jokes you want to see in Friday’s Wired-Up then send an email to: randomised.news@nesta.org.uk with ‘SPOOKED’ in the subject box.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW

Got Wired-Up? Got clued up!

See you in seven...

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