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Interview: Anton Vamplew - He Thinks He’ll Blow Our
Minds!
Star Man! 
Is it a Bird? Is it a Plane? No, it’s Captain Cosmos, aka
Anton Vamplew, Blue Peter’s resident astronomy expert who
materialised in the adhoc offices to discuss telescopes, Dr.Who
and the meaning of the Universe. Andy Dakin plotted the
course, engaged the engager, and fired the questions.
AD: Okay Anton, we know you’re looking good, and
you’re a bit of a character, but are you really, really,
an expert on astronomy?
AV: Well I checked out the word 'expert' in the Oxford
dictionary, and it says, someone who is well informed in a subject.
I think I'm that, so I am quite happy to call myself an expert
in astronomy. It's all taken many years of reading, learning and
understanding I can tell you.
AD: How did that all start then?
AV: Who knows? I have been an astronomer since the dawn
of my time. I remember 'The Observers Book of Astronomy', written
by Patrick Moore, has always been on my bookshelf, and I mean
always. I don't know how it got there, no one in my family is
an astronomer, so I suppose it was just "written in the stars".
AD: Has it been a lifelong love, or have there been many
twists and turns in your life so far?
AV: It certainly has been an interest for as long as I
can remember. I used to write about the planets in infants’
school when we had to a topic. I eventually joined a local group,
the Mid-Kent Astronomical Society, which is a great way of finding
out about the subject and meeting loads of new friends. Over the
years I took several committee posts including editor of the society
magazine and Chairman; it was all great experience.
AD: When did you think you could turn your interest into
a career?
AV: Just like the Universe, it evolved slowly. Halley's
Comet was zooming past the Earth in 1986, and BBC Radio Kent were
looking for someone to talk about the comet. Me! was my shout
from the corner of the room, and I haven't looked back. A few
years later I became Captain Cosmos with a 'live' phone-in on
the Pat Marsh show (still Radio Kent) answering questions on space.
I really enjoyed that, someone even wrote a great poem about me!
I think local radio is an excellent place to start, whatever interest
you have.
AD: Tell me about your moveable planetarium. Was that your
idea, how does it work, what goes on in it, is it bigger on the
inside than it looks on the outside?
AV: I have the good fortune to present astronomy in a big
blow-up planetarium that travels around schools. It wasn't my
idea at all unfortunately - I think it all started in America.
Anyway, all the kids (and teachers) climb in and 3000 stars are
projected onto the ceiling as we journey through the solar system.
It's all quite cool. And yes, of course it's bigger on the inside!
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AD: How did you get on Blue Peter?
AV: They asked me. From local radio I moved to the BBC
World Service. Then just by getting your name about a bit you
can end up in some weird places - like the Blue Peter studio!
AD: You must have a whopping pair of binoculars. Run us
through your gear and can you tell us how much it would cost to
pursue an interest in Astronomy?
AV: For starters I would always recommend getting to know
the night sky a bit first before you consider buying anything.
Then, if you’re still hooked, and of course you will be,
why not buy or borrow a pair of binoculars, they can show you
so much more detail on the Moon and several deep-sky objects (they
sound more mysterious than they are!). I have a great pair of
binoculars that cost £15, and they fold up! So you don't need
to spend a fortune. As far as telescopes are concerned, I will
just say do not expect to get anything at all useful under £100.
If you must buy a telescope go to a local astronomical society
or go to a recognised telescope dealer who can give you as much
advice as you need.
AD: What are the best observatories in Britain?
AV: On volcanoes in Hawaii and in the Canaries. Not such
a silly answer because this is where we have stakes in all our
latest telescopes. Why? I hear you cry. It's all to do with the
clear skies that you find high up and the lack of light pollution
that these places offer. The UK is just too cloudy, foggy, wet,
damp, hazy and light-polluted (certain areas excepted).
AD: What do you like best, meteorites or comets?
AV: I'll go for meteorites any day. It's because most of
them come from asteroids that orbit between the planets Mars and
Jupiter. Occasionally they hit one another sending small bits
of rock our way, which fly through the atmosphere, hit the Earth,
and then you can pick it up in your garden!
AD: Where did you watch last year’s eclipse, and
how was it for you?
AV: On a mountain near Traunkirchen in Austria. A lot of
people asked me why I was going abroad when it was my only chance
of seeing a Total Eclipse in Britain. These were the people who
didn't see it in Cornwall because of the cloud. I rested my case.
AD: What star sign are you? Do you believe in all that
astrology hocus pocus?
AV: I'm an aquarius, and aquarians don't believe in astrology.
AD: Do you enjoy Science Fiction? How do you fancy being
the next Dr.Who?
AV: I love anything science fiction, except Babylon 5 -
it's just dreadful. Give me Star Trek, Hitch-Hiker's Guide, Quantum
Leap, Stargate SG-1, or the X-Files and I'm happy. Make me the
next Dr. Who, please. Start a campaign with posters and that sort
of thing. Anton for the Dr. Yes, I like it!
AD: Patrick Moore has got to pass the telescope on sooner
or later, who’s going to step into his shoes?
AV: No one will ever fill Patrick's shoes, or his jackets!
The Sky at Night and Patrick are one and the same; it would be
impossible to have one without the other. So, I think when the
Sun finally sets on this institution the BBC may or may not decide
to make a completely new programme.
AD: And finally, what is the meaning of the universe?
AV: It all depends on where you think you are and how fast
you're travelling.
And so Anton Vamplew is gone. As his words trail off in my memory
like so much stardust in the wake of a comet, the immortal lines
from the Star Trek theme tune spring to mind,
‘I know his trip will end never,
his Star Trek will go on forever.’
Make it so.
Andy Dakin.
View Anton’s excellent astronomy site at: www.vamplew.co.uk
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