Cosmic Diary Logo

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)

Exploring Solar System from classroom

Last week, langitselatan went to Tunas Unggul kindergarten and elementary school to teach astronomy for the students.

November 15th, 2010 | posted by Avivah Yamani in communicating

Pesta Blogger, National Blogger Gathering in Indonesia

Pesta blogger (blogger party) is a big vent for blogger in Indonesia. This is a blogger gathering around the country since 2007. At the first Pesta Blogger, the information and communication minister announce October 27th as blogger day in Indonesia. This year, the blogger party opened by Education minister.

November 15th, 2010 | posted by Avivah Yamani in communicating

PSB Singapore School Star Party

Last month, on October 28th, we had a chance to have starparty and astronomy session with PSB Singapore School students for 7 grade level. It was our first time to have a starparty with international school in Indonesia. And it was fun indeed.

November 15th, 2010 | posted by Avivah Yamani in communicating

We still have the 7 years old hoax here…

Ok.. August.. and it’s August 27th. The 7 years old hoax is back. During the week my readers keep asking about Mars get bigger as the Full Moon. and other questions are about earth will have 2 sun and the sundog phenomenon in China as 4 suns in earth. 

August 27th, 2010 | posted by Avivah Yamani in communicating

Plagiarism

Since 2007, I mostly worked with online media to give information and education in astronomy. It’s alright for us if people use our article and share it to others. All we ask is copyleft.

August 27th, 2010 | posted by Avivah Yamani in tales

Observing The Star Under Daylight

Today, our team langitselatan went to a St. Yusuf kinder garden to give an introduction on solar system to the students there. After a brief presentation about solar system we also display a script from Celestia to explore the solar system.

February 4th, 2010 | posted by Avivah Yamani in communicating

sharing eclipse pictures

.. welll…. it’s been several weeks after the eclipse. And I already share the picture in my facebook and flickr. But I will also share the pictures here.

February 2nd, 2010 | posted by Avivah Yamani in communicating

A Short Session with Kids

A kinder garden invited us to give a brief talk … and discussion about solar system and a sun observation. The session is really great. All children get excited to see the comparison between object from Sun to Mercury.

January 14th, 2010 | posted by Avivah Yamani in communicating

Happy New Year 2010

Happy New Year 2010

January 1st, 2010 | posted by Avivah Yamani in tales

Moon Cake Festival

last weekend we had a chance to hold a moon observation session in moon cake festival at Cihampelas Walk mall in Bandung. This is a Chinese cultural event.

October 5th, 2009 | posted by Avivah Yamani in communicating