Skip to main contentText Only version of this page
BBC
Home
TV
Radio
Talk
Where I Live
A-Z Index


6 September 2004
Text only
BBC Homepage
BBC Radio
UK Radio Station of the Year 2003 BBC Radio 4 92-95FM 198LW

PROGRAMME FINDER:
A-Z Directory
Listen Again
What's On Listings
Presenters
PROGRAMME GENRES:
News|Curr't Affairs
Arts and Drama
Comedy|Quizzes
Science
Religion|Ethics
History
Factual
TOP PROGRAMMES
THIS WEEK:
The Archers
Today Programme
Woman's Hour
In Our Time
Home Truths
Reith Lectures
Just a Minute
Front Row
You and Yours
The Material World
Messageboards
Radio 4 Tickets
Help with Listening
About Radio 4

About the BBC

Contact Us

Help


Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

 

Science
LEADING EDGE
MISSED A PROGRAMME?
Go to the Listen Again page
PROGRAMME INFO
Thursday 21:00-21:30
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
LISTEN AGAINListen 30 min
Listen to the Latest Programme
PRESENTER
GEOFF WATTS
Geoff Watts
PROGRAMME DETAILS
Thursday 2 September 2004
Genesis - practice recovery of sample return capsule
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.

Listen Live
ON AIR NOW
06:00 - 09:00
Today
Audio Help
DON'T MISS
The Material World
SCIENCE PUZZLES
Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Genetics, Nature... Can you solve our Science Puzzles?
PREVIOUS PROGRAMMES
15 July
8 July
1 July
24 June
17 June
10 June
Latest Programme
SCIENCE PROGRAMMES
Adventures in Science
Ahead of Their Time
Another Five Numbers
The Art of Indecision
Behind the Superficial
Being Bugged
A Brief History of the End of Everything
Britain's X Files
Connect
The Cosmic Ocean
Dish of the Day
An Earth Made for Life
Electronic Brains
Elements of Surprise
Five Numbers
Frontiers
Future Labs
A Glow in the Dark
Hearing Colours
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Future
Leading Edge
The Lopsided Universe
The Material World
Mountains That Changed the World
The Mozart Effect
The New Laws of Life
Red Planet
Reith Lectures 2003
Ritual
Small Dog on Mars
Small Worlds
The Science of DIY
The Serendipity of Science
Silicon Valley USA
Think About It
Tripping the Light Fantastic
A Twist to Life
Unearthing Mysteries
What Remains to Be Discovered?
With Reference To...
Venus across the Sun
The Zippe Type
MESSAGE BOARDS
Join the discussion:
Radio 4 Science
Let us hear your views on our environmental, health, nature and science programmes
BBC Health
BBC Nature
- Environment
BBC Science
- Science Q & A
BBC Science Chat
News & Current Affairs | Arts & Drama | Comedy & Quizzes | Science | Religion & Ethics | History | Factual

Back to top


Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy