1. PLANET PICKS – News from the world of Planet Science

First, a reminder about Wired-Up’s very own Mini-Me. Yes, we’re talking about Hay-Wire – the new e-zine for primary school Planet Science fans.

Do you have a brother, sister, niece, nephew, cousin or friend who would like to join the Hay-Wire Club. If so then tell them that signing up for Hay-Wire couldn’t be simpler. Just get them to visit this link and to follow the online instructions:

http://www.planet-science.com/wired/Hay-Wire/

Hay-Wire Club members receive their very own newsletter every week – full of Planet Science fun, facts and freebies AND the first 500 subscribers will also receive a fantastic free Frisbee in the post!

2. THE WIRE – Science news straight to your inbox 

Mysterious signals from light years away, reported in the news this week, have been rubbished by astronomers involved in the SETI project (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence).

Astronomers working on the SETI project were reported to have found an unexplained radio signal, which may have been sent by extraterrestrial intelligence.

However, contact with extraterrestrials has not been made and it seems the signal is not unusual and the project will not be investigating it further.

What do you think about extraterrestrial life? Are we alone? Email Wired-Up with your views: wired-up.news@nesta.org.uk

3. SCINET – You don’t have to surf the Internet alone

For six years, the SETI@home project has used a downloadable screensaver on millions of computers around the world. The screensaver analyses data from telescopes and looks for anything unusual. It was reported that the afore mentioned ‘alien signal’ had been detected by this screensaver.

Find details about the screensaver here: http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/

Another great part of the SETI website is the ‘Who’s Out There?’ game. You are a space scientist and your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find evidence of life on other planets. You have hired by SETI to design a research project, which you’ll put into action when you’re out and about looking for aliens.

Play the game here: http://www.seti.org/game

If you’ve found a cool science website you’d like to share with other Wired-Up readers then please send the details to: wired-up.news@nesta.org.uk and if we like it then the site might just appear in a future SCINET.

4. YOU WHAT? – Facts that might make you go “hmm?”

Over the years scientists have dreamed up lots of weird and wonderful ways to contact aliens. Here are just a few methods:

1. In the 1820s, German mathematician Karl Gauss, suggested planting giant pine and wheat shapes to show we understand maths as a signal to aliens on Mars. This method has never been put to the test!
2. In 1977, the space probes Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 blasted off with music records on board as a way to make contact with aliens, who probably didn’t like our taste in music!
3. Golden plates with pictures of humans were placed on board the Pioneer space probes in 1972 and 1973. Perhaps the aliens didn’t like the look of us so they didn’t want to get in touch! 

5. WIRED BYTES – Your corner of Wired-Up

We want to hear from you! This is your corner of the Wired-Up e-zine so write in with your science questions and comments and they will be featured here.

For example, have you ever wondered why cats have whiskers or if the Universe is expanding?

Or do you want to tell us about an exciting experiment you have just tried or do you simply have something to say?

If the answer is yes, yes and YES then send an email to:

wired-up.news@nesta.org.uk and look out for your name in future issues.

See you in seven...

In the meantime, please send any questions, comments, jokes or experiment ideas to: wired-up.news@nesta.org.uk

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