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In the late 1990s popular science writing has gained a prominence not since the interwar period of James Jeans, Arthur Eddington and J. B Haldane. This is evident not only in the increased commercial success o genre but also in its impact on traditional literary culture. John Carey, in introduction to the Faber Book of Science, claims that science popular'have created a new kind of late twentieth-century literature, which dem to be recognized as a separate genre, distinct from the old literary forms conveying pleasures and triumphs quite different from theirs'.'In April 1 the Royal Society of Literature announced its decision to invite scientists fellows, as' an acknowledgement of the quality and range of contempo science writing'. 2 The Cheltenham Literary Festival, in October of the year, featured over a dozen science popularizers in its programme. 3 Creative writers have been quick to explore the possibilities presented …