Okay, so this is not technically true. As we all know, Sir Isaac Newton is long, long dead. However a piece of his famous apple tree, which initiated his ‘gravity’ experiments along with a portrait of the scientist are to be sent into orbit. It is said that Newton was inspired to investigate the theory of gravitation by an apple falling on his head.
The sample measuring under five inches will accompany Dr Piers Sellers, who was chosen by Nasa as an astronaut candidate in 1996, and will be returned to it’s home in the Royal Society’s archives after the mission.
The artifact is being taken on the mission, which launches on May 14th as part of the Royal Society’s 350th anniversary celebrations. The mission its self would have proved Sir Isaacs first law of motion correct and Dr Sellers believes that the world famous and highly regarded physicist and mathematician would have loved to be involved.
Lord Rees from the Royal Society said he was “both pleased and proud that such an extraordinary part of scientific history and important element of the Royal Society’s archive collection can make this historic trip into space.”
Once returned, the piece of tree and the portrait will go on display, as part of the History of the Royal Society exhibition to be held later in the year. The exhibition will then become a permanent fixture at the academic institution.
