A reporter from Radio Nederland Wereldomroep contacted me to record an interview and she had planned to do that at Science Centre eXplorion in Heerlen. She asked them and they got in touch with me to tell me they’d be closed that particular Monday. However, they’d leave the key at their neighbours’ restaurant for me and make sure the alarm was off.
 

I’m sure you can guess the next line. I got the key, opened the door, walked in and heard a hushed beep. In the next few seconds my thoughts went from ‘they wouldn’t forget to turn the alarm off, right’ to ‘oh no, this is the same system my school has and I can’t stop this without a code’. Next we heard a deafening siren, which forced us to run out of the building again. I kept running to the restaurant and asked them about the code and I was promised they’d try and call someone who knew. I thanked them and ran back, a little worried that the police might show up not-amused (but admittedly, I also thought it was kind of funny).
 

Back at the front door of eXplorion, the reporter asked if I had turned the alarm off, as apparently it had stopped. I heard the phone ring and followed the sound back inside again – it was security, to whom I explained the situation, while at the same time the rescuing neighbour typed in the code. So thanks, nice people from eXplorion, for trusting me with the key. I tested your alarm and I can tell you it is working as it should! (If I’d post smilies in my blogs, I’d post one here now).
 

Then we recorded the interview, which was mainly about the comic, and took a few pictures. She asked me what song I’d pick, if I had to chose one that fitted the Voorwerp best. I chose ’39 from Queen (obviously) and I’m very pleased about the result – a much nicer headline than the one that crossed my mind that day…
 

Picture: Willemien Groot.

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 Picture: Tessa Posthuma de Boer.

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What you need to do: take a good look at the page published below – it’s one of the pages from the comic – and answer the following question: What’s wrong with it? Yep, there’s an accidental slip in it and we decided to turn it into something positive.
 

All answers (serious and/or creative) can be sent in by commenting on this blog. (Note that the first set of books will have this page in it, but the improved page is already ready to be seen by the world too.)
 

Good luck!
 

PS If you want to join the première in a few hours, here’s the link:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/voorwerp-comic-release
 

Update: you can read the whole comic as a pdf now here:
http://hannysvoorwerp.zooniverse.org/sandbox/Downloads/VoorwerpComic.pdf
 

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This is the cover page. Click it to see how to order your copy. I hope you’ll like it and please do share your thoughts on it with me.
 

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What got you interested in astronomy in the first place?

Queen’s guitarist Brian May mentioning Galaxy Zoo on his website – www.brianmay.com. I’ve always admired Brian for his music and one day, back in the summer of 2007, I saw a note on his site about this astronomy project. He said real scientists needed help sorting through beautiful pictures of the universe, which I thought sounded exciting.
 

How did you discover Hanny’s (your!) Voorwerp?

In order to help, you need to mark pictures you get to see on your screen by clicking buttons. I was classifying galaxies like this on www.galaxyzoo.org when – after only a week or so – I got a picture with a strange spot in it. The spot didn’t match any of the examples they’d given with the explanation, so I was curious and sent the team of astronomers an e-mail asking what it was.
 

Did you know you had discovered something important?

Not at all! I was just wondering what the spot was, without realising it could be something significant. That thought just never crossed my mind and the first replies I got from the scientists didn’t imply they thought it was something spectacular either.
 

What exactly is it anyway?

We’re still not totally sure. There have been a lot of investigations and we now know it’s a galaxy sized gas cloud, approximately 700 million light-years from Earth. It’s extremely bright and hot (15,000⁰C), but it hasn’t got any stars in it to heat it up. It seems to have a relationship with the galaxy known as IC2497 and we expect to know more about it at the end of this summer. When we do, you can read all about it on my website www.hannysvoorwerp.com.
 

Were you surprised by the attention the discovery attracted, or were you prepared for it?

When the astronomers started to realise it could be something unique, they asked me if I was OK with talking to the media. I was told my phone wouldn’t stop ringing, but no – I hadn’t really expected that would actually happen. It did though and I’m still doing interviews after two years. But I like being able to tell the world that everybody  can participate in science.
 

Have astronomers accepted you as one of them?

Although I’m not an astronomer of course, I’d say ‘yes’, definitely. I’ve been invited to a lot of places and have met a lot of people and they always gave me the feeling they value my contribution. I often hear how great it is for the reputation of astronomy that a “young and lovely woman” is promoting it.
 

Why did you choose to be a teacher? Does it make you happy to see young people involved in science and astronomy?

I always wanted to do something meaningful with my life and I think helping young people to learn is a way to do that. I always loved going to school myself as well, education is a good thing. So yes, it’s great to see young people involved in learning more about astronomy and science in general.
 

From SETI@Home to Galaxy Zoo, the way people are involved in astronomy and research has evolved significantly. What future do you see in it?

I’m pretty sure it’ll stay a success for a long time. People like being involved and there are still a lot of questions a computer can’t answer for us. Galaxy Zoo already grew a lot, with lots of different smaller projects and I know there are still more to come.
 

I assume you believe it is important for people to be involved in research. Why is that?

Because I believe that’s what life is about : you live, you learn. And it’s important for people to do this actively, to stay curious, instead of assuming things are facts because “someone said so”.
 

How has Hanny’s Voorwerp and your involvement with science and astronomy changed your life?

It has changed my life a lot. I’ve learned a lot about astronomy, I’ve met many interesting people – some of them became my best friends, my English skills improved, I’ve been to a lot of nice places, I give lectures and it’s nice to experience writing scientific papers with the astronomers.
 

Are there things that the Voorwerp taught you?

Well, Hanny’s Voorwerp itself didn’t teach me a lot yet, but the things happening around it have, as said before. I am looking forward to finally finding out what it is exactly though.
 

What are your plans for the future? What do you hope to achieve?

To live happily ever after. And to play guitar better. Seriously, I like being a teacher and I think I want what most people want: a nice and steady job, a family one day and time to do fun things with friends.
 

What would you say to people who would like to do what you did?

A good way to start would be joining Galaxy Zoo. And more generally: have an open mind, be curious and not afraid of asking questions. If you want to become a scientist – or anything else for that matter – my advice is to focus on that and work hard for it. Enjoy what you’re doing and keep thinking positively.

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My cousin Valesca and I were teaming up against Anja – my aunt’s twin, Valesca’s aunt and one of my best friends. Anyway, on this hot day, the little sunshine was hiding in my arms, while Anja was shooting water at us and I was trying to get back at her.
 

Don’t you think my cousin has the cutest smile you’ve ever seen? In the last picture she’s unintentionally distracting the ‘enemy’, while ‘rescuing’ (already dead) little creatures from the swimming pool.
 

We ended up with the three of us in the pool and a big watering-can. Eventually, little Valesca was wrapped in a towel, while Anja and I stood on the doormat like two naughty kids – soaked, dripping and smiling. Enjoy the weather out there!
 

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This past Monday, at about 8pm Central (GMT -5), a Voorwerpish webcomic was delivered to Sips Comics for printing. Tuesday morning we got the page proofs, and now, one by one, they are being made into full color reality.
 

We could say a lot of things right now: We could tell you about playing round robin with the script, digitally passing it from person to person under the guidance of Kelly, sometimes into the wee hours of the night. We could tell you about watching the art come to life; transforming from line drawings to fully rendered pages in the hand of our artists Elea and Chris. We could tell you how many pencil tips were broken, and how many digital files grew so big our computers crawled.
 

We could talk a lot, but instead, let us invite you to join us for the World Premier and share with you a few images.
 

You’re invited to a World Premiere!
 

Date: September 3rd, 10pm Eastern (GMT -5)

Online: via Hanny’s Voorwerp Webcomic or via direct UStream
In Person: At Dragon*Con  

Crystal Ballroom
Hilton Atlanta
255 Courtland Street NE
Atlanta, GA
 

Come meet the artists, hear a brief talk by Bill, and generally revel in the Voorwerp’s awesomeness. And come dressed as a Voorwerp for a chance to win a prize for best costume!
 

See you in Atlanta?

Pamela, Hanny, Bill, Kelly, Elea and Chris.
 

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‘Cause I’d met this lovely lady at the opening of LOFAR and she invited me to visit her in The Hague. She works for the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (all my interests summed up one go actually) and she was interested in hearing my story.
 

So the other day I took a train to this gorgeous city, to which – I have to admit – I’d never been before! And we had a very inspiring conversation about the importance of science and the importance of showing people the importance and beauty of science. Something I’ve been doing as a hobby quite a lot lately.
 

And while I was there, I went to see the rest of the city properly too…

Besides this important political place you hear about on the news all the time, Den Haag also turned out to be a city which reminded me of an open art exhibition. I love this crow made of wood.

Another example to support that statement: paintings as sand sculptures!

I was lucky: there’s also an exhibition with the most beautiful photographs you’ve ever seen, from the stunning nature in Europe: Wild Wonders of Europe.

Of course: the Binnenhof from the Hofvijver.

And I thought it was kind of funny that apparently God has His own parking spot, right across the street of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

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When we were talking about it over ice cream and beer in the Union yesterday, we’d suddenly agreed to do it all together. Els would still be around with no actual plans either and Tom, with his more-or-less flexible job, would like to spend another day with us girls from abroad. Geoff couldn’t make it, so after checking e-mail in the morning and feeding the ducks in his garden, I thanked him for letting me stay in his guestroom and went to find Els on Crossharbour station. We took a ride in the Mickey Mouse train again, to change it for three stops along the Central line to Holborn.
 

I had announced to my BBC contact person that Els was accompanying me, which turned out to be a good move. After officially checking in, we were allowed to pass security, followed by a lot of doors and hallways. You don’t get in there very easily – or out for that matter! But the people were very laidback and the interview was recorded before we knew it. The nice presenter complimented me with my ‘radio voice’ and excellent explaining skills, looking a bit surprised maybe, but it wasn’t the first time I was in a radio studio and it certainly wasn’t the first time I explained something. Anyway, we were escorted back to the entrance and headed for the Zoo – a ‘real’ Zoo.
 

Els (who I met through Galaxy Zoo) and I found a nice – organic – place in Regent’s Park to have lunch and waited for Tom (also a Galaxy Zooite) to join us. London Zoo is great – part of the entrance money supports the Zoological Society of London, a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. And it’s a nice visit too. After we thought we couldn’t figure out the map, we managed to see almost every beautiful creature on it for real anyway. I felt watching some of the animals was like looking in the mirror. There was this kind of monkey feeding its baby, watched by a mother on the other side of the fence giving hers a drink. And this park has some pretty signs with educational statements on them to think about too.
 

Els’ trip back started a little earlier than mine, leaving Tom and me to find some food at London Liverpool Street station again – my portal to England. We summarised the weekend and concluded we had a lot of fun – again. We called our other good friend Graham names for not showing up, although we knew he was feeling rotten about not being able to make it himself already anyway. Anyway, after kissing Tommy and London goodbye-for-now, I got my English book out of my backpack again on the train back to Harwich.
 

I was first in line to give my passport to the nice guy at the harbour border control, who started to ask questions like if I had a good time and what I did for a living. “Oh nice”, he continued, “my mother’s a teacher too – what do you teach?” I answered him, amused by his friendliness and kind of hoping he wasn’t interested because it’s in his job description, but rather had a genuine curiosity. I couldn’t ask him though; there were already people behind me waiting to go through. The ferry seemed to have had a metamorphose, but the Stenaline crew was horrible as usual. I decided to hold on to the carefree feeling though, had some fruit in the still familiar restaurant and after a look-around I quickly fell asleep in my cabin.
 

And even though my super-glued-together flip-flops had lasted all weekend, I didn’t take them to the beach after arriving at the Dutch harbour again. Instead I took the first train back, still feeling pleased, and read the last chapter of my book right before approaching Heerlen. Thanks all for a wonderful weekend!
 

The BBC World Service radio studios.

Isn’t nature just awesome? (Can you spot the little fella?)

Yours truly reading Pooh Bear’s story. (Pictures: Hanny van Arkel).

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‘This’ being the yearly Royal Astronomical Society picnic, which we (the amateurs from Galaxy Zoo) visited for three years now. We call ourselves the ‘party crashers’, although they make us feel very welcome on ‘their’ spot on this hill, sharing a crazy-sized bottle of champagne. Among the party-crashers was Jo and Andrew, new-to-the-family David, Els from Belgium (of course), Rona (just as lovely without her well-known banana bread) and fortunately Annie could make it again too! When Tommy finally arrived with his blanky, I stuck a strawberry on the side of my glass of champagne and gave it to him.
 

The last three years, I’ve explained some times that I’m not really famous, just known in places like these, and today we found out there actually are still people in Astronomy Land who have never heard of Hanny’s Voorwerp too! I was quickly asked to come over again and do a lecture, to which I said ‘yes’ of course, even though their calendar was already filled till 2013 or something. Anyway, we sat on the field chatting some more, when Geoff and Annie decided to head to ‘our’ pub – the Union – a little earlier. After all the wine was gone (of which I had no part in – really), we realised none of us left actually knew how to find the Union without our pub expert Geoff.
 

We followed our noses though, as they say, which often reminds me of a school class travelling – only with me being one of the students as well – and we actually did end up in the familiar street again. We found Geoff and Annie at our spot in the garden and ordered some more drinks to go with the sunshine, until we were left with four of us around dinner time. Realising this is not our record (we once stayed from 11am till 11pm), we ordered something to eat. After that, Tommy and I decided we didn’t have had enough ice cream yet and asked the menu back.
 

The guy who had said he felt intimidated with Tom’s 3,5-incher (even though we all concluded that’s kind of small for a telescope) advised us not to go for the dessert with the one small scoop of ice cream, as it’s – and I quote – “pathetic”. Instead this nice and funny waiter made sure we got a special coupe put together for us, with one of the best chocolate ice creams you’ve ever tasted completed with raspberries and fruity sauce. We went back to the bar especially to thank them for it, before the evening had us deciding to go to bed.
 

Geoff, Els, Tom and I walked to Greenwich station when Els and I sang Dutch lullabies arm-in-arm, before her hotel came our way first. I don’t know how it happens, but whenever I end up walking (especially abroad) with drunk people, I end up looking the most drunk even though I am just being silly without one sip of alcohol. We came past a commercial sign saying “YOU ARE HERE” and I suddenly found that phrase very funny. I mean, think about it, you are ALWAYS “here”, aren’t you? Anyway, the guys and I took a ride on the Mickey Mouse Train, as I gathered the DLR is frequently called as well, so I started singing “It’s a small world”, before kissing goodbye another lovely day.
 

The picnic view.

The picnic crowd.

The girls: Rona, Yours Truly, Els and Jo. (Pictures: Hanny van Arkel).

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