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Meet the astronomers. See where they work. Know what they know.


The Project:

The Cosmic Diary is not just about astronomy. It's more about what it is like to be an astronomer.

The Cosmic Diary aims to put a human face on astronomy: professional scientists will blog in text and images about their lives, families, friends, hobbies and interests, as well as their work, their latest research findings and the challenges that face them. The bloggers represent a vibrant cross-section of female and male working astronomers from around the world, coming from five different continents. Outside the observatories, labs and offices they are musicians, mothers, photographers, athletes, amateur astronomers. At work, they are managers, observers, graduate students, grant proposers, instrument builders and data analysts.

Throughout this project, all the bloggers will be asked to explain one particular aspect of their work to the public. In a true exercise of science communication, these scientists will use easy-to-understand language to translate the nuts and bolts of their scientific research into a popular science article. This will be their challenge.

Task Group:

Mariana Barrosa (Portugal, ESO ePOD)
Nuno Marques (Portugal, Web Developer)
Lee Pullen (UK, Freelance Science Communicator)
André Roquette (Portugal, ESO ePOD)

Jack Oughton (UK, Freelance Science Communicator)
Alice Enevoldsen (USA, Pacific Science Center)
Alberto Krone Martins (Brazil, Uni. S. Paulo / Uni. Bordeaux)
Kevin Govender (South Africa, S. A. A. O.)
Avivah Yamani (Indonesia, Rigel Kentaurus)
Henri Boffin (Belgium, ESO ePOD)

It’s 100 Hours of Astronomy, Day#1!

Hurray! And the clouds have even parted. It’s all coming together.Technicians are busy setting up the presentation room, where the Around the World in 80 Telescopes webcast will be broadcast from tomorrow. Look!


One man in the photo has *just* realised the magnitude of the task at hand, as is feeling a little down. Can you spot him?

Herbert’s there too, filming away. He films in all the best places. Maybe I should just follow him around. It’s a sure-fire way to ensure that I’m in the ESO documentary he’s making. Make me a star, Herbert!

It’s almost time for a meeting for all the webcast folk. I’ll blog from there, if possible. And annoy people by taking photos using my flash.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 at 9:45 am and is filed under 100HA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

6
  1. ivie
    April 2nd, 2009 at 10:12 am

    all the best to 100HA events there Lee.

  2. Upamanyu Moitra
    April 2nd, 2009 at 11:32 am

    Hello,
    I am a student from Kolkata, India. I am the only one in my region to undertake the responsibility of organizing “100 Hours” events. But, much to my disappointment, the sky is still overcast. Now I don’t know how I am going to satisfy those who are coming today to observe the sky.

    I guess, I have to show them a couple of space videos and live webcasts. I also plan to deliver lectures. I am updating my blog regulalrly.

    I’d love to hear from you. Do tell me your experiences with 100 H.o.A.

    Wish you all the best.

    Thanks.

    Upamanyu Moitra

  3. Lee Pullen
    April 2nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    Thanks Vivi! And hello Upamanyu, well done for organising 100HA events. Shame about the weather, though… Videos are a good idea, and the Around the World in 80 Telescopes webcast will work too. What will the theme of your lectures be? And of course, you can recommend that people follow this LiveBlog!

  4. Upamanyu Moitra
    April 2nd, 2009 at 6:16 pm

    Thanks for the encouraging reply. The wonderful suggestions are much appreciated.

    The lectures will basically focus on elementary astronomy. I don’t think that the latest cutting-edge research will fascinate those who don’t know a wee bit about astronomy. I want to get people interested in astronomy. I think the spectacular images by Hubble and Spitzer will enchant everyone. I am being extra careful not to alienate anyone.

    And today, I had a clear sky. Hopefully, it will remain the same till the 5th. Forget Saturn or Jupiter, the craters of the Moon seem to interest most because, well, many have never really looked through a telescope before.

    I’ll try a webcast tomorrow.

    Thanks.

    Upamanyu

  5. aouadi khalil
    April 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 pm

    hey !!!
    here in tunisia , it was awesome !! im very happy
    i’m readu for days after …. =D

  6. Lee Pullen
    April 3rd, 2009 at 6:54 am

    Hello to all 100HA followers in Tunisia!