Apple seeds from the famous tree that inspired Sir Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity, have been sent up to the International Space Station (ISS), as part of the mission that British astronaut Tim Peake blasted off to join this week.
The tree which sits in the orchard of Woolsthorpe Manor, Newton’s home and birthplace, inspired his theories of calculus, light and gravity. These formed part of his book Principia – a book that changed modern-day science and is the namesake for the latest ISS mission.
“The pips were sent up on a supply rocket, Orbital 4 on December 6, after being handed over to Jeremy Curtis from the UK Space Agency last year,” explains National Trust Custodian for Woolsthorpe Manor, Jannette Warrener.
“We’re not yet sure how the pips will be used but what we do know is that in six months the seeds will return and be distributed to various places, including Woolsthorpe, where we will aim to nurture these ‘space’ pips into new apple trees!”
Visitors to Woolsthorpe can see Newton’s famous apple tree, still thriving today. Samples are also safeguarded at the Trust’s Plant Protection Centre (PPC) in Devon as part of its conservation work, along with specimens from some of the rarest or most threatened plants from across the Trust’s collections, to provide a legacy for decades to come.
Visitors can also see where he conducted his experiments, and have a go at science themselves.
Jannette adds: “Tim’s space travels is inspiring a new generation of scientists, something we are also passionate about at Woolsthorpe.
“We’ve developed a brilliant project with young scientists from schools in the region called PrISM which involved them launching a weather balloon into space to map out electro-magnetic radiation – the data will be shared with visitors and also used to inspire younger scientists. We’ve loved the project and really want to continue it on in the future.”