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PROGRAMME INFO |
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Leading Edge brings you
the latest news from the world of science. Geoff Watts celebrates discoveries
as soon as they're being talked about - on the internet, in coffee rooms
and bars; often before they're published in journals. And he gets to grips
with not just the science, but with the controversies and conversation that
surround it.
radioscience@bbc.co.uk |
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LISTEN AGAIN 30 min |
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PRESENTER |
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"If what interests
you are new and exciting ideas, it's science you should be turning to. And
whether it's the Human Genome Project or the origins of the Universe, Leading
Edge is the place to hear about them."
Geoff Watts |
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| Genesis - practice recovery of sample return |
This week on Leading Edge - Genesis brings back solar dust from space, communicating with extraterrestrials, Darwin's finches and hurricanes.
Talking to ET
Despite excitement in the search for Extra Terrestrial Life that a radio
signal could be a message from another world, physical objects and not radio
messsages may be the best way to communicate with ET.
The problem with sending "things" is that you have to know where to
send them. But new research suggests we could post objects to a billion possible
destinations and still save energy, compared to radio messages.
Genesis mission returns with a piece of the sun
On the 8th September, the Genesis spacecraft will eject a capsule to
Earth carrying with it a delicate sample of solar wind - particles from our
very own sun.
When the capsule parachutes down to the Utah desert, it will take extraordinary
daredevil tactics to prevent it from crashing into the dirt.
Weighing no more than a few grains of sand, the dust will be shared
between scientists around the world. Studying these particles could answer
fundamental questions about how the solar system formed and evolved.
Building for a hurricane
In Florida, it's still hurricane season. Less than a month
ago, Hurricane Charley blasted through its streets leaving chaos in its wake
and a hefty bill for the tax payer.
In America, early warning systems make it possible to evacuate most
of the population in areas at greatest risk to minimize casualties. But with
growing urbanization, damage to buildings during a hurricane is becoming
increasingly costly.
Out in the field at Florida University International Hurricane Research
Centre, Hugh Willoughby recreates hurricane conditions to show how his designs
are leading to sturdier more hurricane-resistant homes.
Darwin 's finches
There's renewed interest in the finches on the Galapagos that helped to prove Darwin 's theory of the Origin of Species.
Geoff Watts finds out what makes one finch have a tweezer-like beak
suitable for picking insects while another's is better adapted to cracking
nuts.
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RELATED LINKS
BBC News online - Genesis sample return
NASA - Genesis mission
International Hurricane Research Centre
BBC Weather - Hurricanes
Darwin's finches
Project Phoenix
BBC News online - Alien probe
BBC Science & Nature
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
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