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We’ve all got something we’re more than a little nerdy about.
If that thing is science, or gadgets, or both – listen up. Whether it’s studying stars from your living room, playing around with microscopes or quite frankly you just like the sound of really cool, glowing coasters, we’ve found some gizmos you could happily spend your pennies on.
Come on, who doesn’t want their very own personal planetarium?
Looking to recreate the constellations within the comforts of your living room? Then you’re in luck. The Star Theatre Planetarium uses a type of lens similar to a commercial planetarium to replicate actual constellations.
Using a high-tech projector and white LED technology, the gizmo beams 60,000 stars to the ceiling of your room. It also comes with special discs that mimic celestial movement and display delineated constellations.
Not only that, you can also set the Star Theatre to project shooting stars at random intervals. We like.
Who needs gigantic (and expensive) microscopes when this little gizmo will do the job easily?
Just install the corresponding software on your computer, have a little play around with the microscope so you can get to grips with it. And then it’s a case of pointing the microscope at the item you want to study and then taking a photo or video of it (using the software).
You’ll need to jot down the magnification ratio so you can examine the item in closer detail on your computer.
This nifty smartphone-sized gadget will help science fans with an interest in environmental issues.
Created by former Labour Science Minister Lord Drayson, it monitors the pollution levels you come face-to-face with. Download the corresponding app and connect the tag to your phone via Bluetooth, then off you go.
If you’re walking, running or riding your bike in areas that are orange (not good) or red (terrible air), you’ll be encouraged to try different routes to take in good air (green). And for every clean mile that you notch up, you’ll be given reward points which can be exchanged for treats – for example a voucher to use at a gym.
Whether you live in an area where light pollution restricts your viewing of the night sky, or you can’t bear to wait until darkness falls, this viewer makes learning about space simple and easy.
Download the Universe2go app and pop your phone into the device. Then, look through the viewer and, as you move your head, you’ll see constellations and planets right in front of you. Hover above them and you’ll be told (as long as your volume’s turned on) all about them.
Galaxies may be far, far away, but with this gizmo, they are right in front of your eyes.
Looking to get new coasters? Maybe you should be taking a look at these Radioactive Elements Glowing Coasters to satisfy your inner chemistry geek.
The way they work is pretty simple – these pressure-sensitive coasters will light up your beverage of choice when you place it on top. The coasters consist of Radium, Plutonium, Uranium and Thorium versions, complete with information about their stable or common isotopes.
Who needs those chemistry books anyway?
If you are feeling particularly inspired by the mechanics of electricity and you’re keen to experiment with making your own (and of course eco-friendly) version, here’s something you could try out without emptying your pockets.
Veggie Volts In A Matchbox comes with a kit that allows users to generate enough electricity to power a digital clock with just two vegetables.
The kit, neatly tucked into a tiny matchbox, comprises of wires, copper and zinc strips and a digital clock and all you need to do is find two vegetables to get the clock working. Okay, it’s not going to generate enough electricity to charge your mobile phone, but you’ve got to admit, it’s a lot of fun.
All wannabe stargazers need a decent telescope to make their hobby worthwhile. This nifty piece of equipment has 39xx optimum magnification and 318xx maximum magnification allowing you to gaze into deep space with great clarity.
The telescope comes with three eyepieces that provide low, medium and high powered magnification for viewing a wide range of objects… such as the moon (yes the moon!) and even a few planets.
EcoSphere is basically a miniature version of an enclosed ecological system that’s similar to our own planet.
Using technology pioneered by Nasa scientists who were researching how astronauts could survive in self-contained communities, the glass-enclosed miniature has some of the same essential elements that are found on our planet – with the shrimp, the algae and the bacteria to complete the system.
And it’s relatively maintenance free – all you need to do is make sure the EcoSphere gets its daily share of sunlight to generate oxygen. Pretty cool, huh?
