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)

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

Eid Mubarak Holiday in Bandung

During Eid Mubarak .. we have a week off from the government. And yaii.. I enjoy my vacation.  Here in Indonesia we have a tradition called “mudik”. It was a term for people that going back to their hometown during Eid Mubarak. But.. lately in these years, although most people here going back to their hometown, others are going to some other place for vacation. One of the tourist destination is Bandung. 

September 23rd, 2009 | posted by Avivah Yamani in tales

Events Preparation

This is only a short note about our activities now.  We are preparing several events for October including Galilean Night. I had talk with a colleague in Philliphine about making a connection during October event for both country. But again and again we both still thinking about the weather….

September 22nd, 2009 | posted by Avivah Yamani in communicating

Poster Paper Template for Pages

Well during my vacation… I made a very simple poster paper template for those who work with iWork Pages. You can paste your scientific information in it and be done. You can also change the design to suit your poster display.

September 22nd, 2009 | posted by Avivah Yamani in communicating

Observing The Glory of God

Wow.. it’s been two month I don’t write in this blog. I’ve been ill for a month.. and many plan were change. But I’m glad there is nothing serious and I can go back to work and have so many wonderful activities with the people here.

September 22nd, 2009 | posted by Avivah Yamani in communicating

Science, is it for smart only?

For so many people, science is something hard to understand. Only genius who could understands math, physics and all science subject including astronomy. And those genius proof themselves as the best when they win a gold medal in science olympiads. We often heard.. young people in Indonesia are talented and the educaton here as good as in other country since many of them win a medal in olympiads.

July 2nd, 2009 | posted by Avivah Yamani in tales