Section 1.1: Schrödinger's Cat

It’s almost a universal rule to mention Schrödinger's cat when discussing cats in science. Although it’s unclear if physicist Erwin Schrödinger owned a cat, his 1935 thought experiment featured a hypothetical feline in a sealed box with a deadly poison. The probability of the poison activating is fifty-fifty, leaving the cat in a state that is both alive and dead until the box is opened. This thought experiment, while seemingly cruel, served as a critique of the then-nascent concept of quantum wave functions. Importantly, no actual cats were harmed in the process.

Section 1.2: Félicette, the Space Explorer

Since the dawn of space exploration, over 600 humans have ventured into the cosmos, alongside various animals like monkeys and dogs. However, only one cat has made the journey into space and returned: Félicette. Chosen from a group of 14 black and white cats by the French National Center for Space Research, Félicette underwent rigorous training akin to that of human astronauts.

On October 18, 1963, she was launched into space, experiencing an acceleration of 9.5 times Earth’s gravity. After a five-minute flight, she safely returned, quickly becoming a media sensation in France, affectionately dubbed "Félicette." Sadly, she was euthanized a few months later due to complications from her flight. In 2019, a bronze statue was erected in her honor at the International Space University in Strasbourg.

This video, "Schrödinger's Cat: A Thought Experiment in Quantum Mechanics," by Chad Orzel, delves deeper into the implications of Schrödinger's thought experiment and its relevance in modern physics.

Section 2.1: Cloned Cat CC

In 2001, scientists at Texas A&M University made history by successfully cloning a cat named CC, short for "Cloned Copy." This female feline was a clone of her donor cat, Rainbow. While CC lived a healthy life, she was not a perfect copy of her predecessor; each cat's unique tabby patterns serve as individual identifiers, akin to human fingerprints. After the research concluded, a lab researcher adopted CC, who later became a mother to three kittens. Contrary to popular belief, CC’s life expectancy was not compromised by her cloned status; she passed away in 2020 at the age of 18 due to kidney failure.

Section 2.2: Mr. Green and Bioluminescence

When capturing images of cats at night, one may notice a fluorescent gleam in their eyes. This phenomenon, known as bioluminescence, was first observed in a cat named Mr. Green Genes. In 2008, researchers injected a green fluorescent protein from jellyfish into a cat, causing it to glow under ultraviolet light. This groundbreaking research continued at the Mayo Clinic, where scientists aimed to use similar techniques to study genes that could block AIDS infection in cats, with the hope of eventually applying these findings to humans.

In "The Real Meaning of Schrödinger's Cat - Ask a Spaceman!", this video explores the philosophical and scientific implications of the Schrödinger's cat thought experiment and its enduring legacy.

Section 2.3: Oscar, the Bionic Cat

In 2009, a black cat named Oscar faced a tragic accident that shattered his hind legs. Fortunately, he was rescued by orthopedic and neurosurgeon Noel Fitzpatrick, who performed groundbreaking surgery to implant prosthetics in Oscar’s legs. This pioneering operation not only saved Oscar’s life but has also set a precedent for future surgeries in both cats and potentially humans. Oscar’s story was immortalized in a book published in 2013, and he celebrated his 15th birthday in July 2022, still thriving.

Source: These 5 Cats In Science History Went From Space To Schrödinger's Box, Discover Magazine