For the Homo Superior

Exploring space weather - an important problem both in science fiction and in our contemporary world.

Trial and error is an essential element of the scientific process, but it is seldom portrayed accurately in popular culture. Here we take a look at the relatively rare representations of less clear cut and more fallible scientific investigations.

The vision of space portrayed in near-future science fiction often speaks to the hopes and fears of contemporary society. Children’s SF in particular can influence the scientific and technical innovators who might bring such visions to fruition. This week we take a look at the coherent vision of human space utilisation presented in the recent animated television series Thunderbirds are Go.

In the mid twentieth century, young children were wowed by tales of heroism by a succession of space pilots with unlikely or alliterative names. But what was their attraction and impact?

For the many young people who thrilled to the adventures of characters such as Dan Dare or Doctor Who, the factual information presented in Annual gift books may well have provided their first insights into the genuine science and sweeping discoveries which lay behind their idols.

The 1970s children's television SF drama "Timeslip" posed questions of scientific ethics which are still relevant to the current day.

A look at the Solar System of Captain W E Johns' classic juvenile science fiction series, starting with "Kings of Space" (1954)