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)

Travel to meet my In-Laws!

I have a few more hours of work and then I travel to meet my in-laws for the first time!  I am a mixture of nervous and excited.

August 20th, 2009 | posted by Kelly Korreck in Uncategorized

The Best Box Ever!

I received the best box ever!  2 bears delivered it to me!  My Stargazers in Perth Australia know what I mean!

August 19th, 2009 | posted by Kelly Korreck in Uncategorized

Moved in and REU good-byes!

I am finally moved into my new place!  It even has hot water and laundry facitilies now.  After I took my first shower the water heater started leaking…welcome to home ownership….

August 14th, 2009 | posted by Kelly Korreck in Uncategorized

Never a dull moment!

So sometimes you get a last minute request to give a presentation that you just can’t turn down.  I had such a request yesterday.  Less than 24 hours later, I had the whole presentation put together.

July 17th, 2009 | posted by Kelly Korreck in Uncategorized

Packing while maintaining a career

It is very hard to maintain a high level career and a high level personal life!  I enjoy both my career and a nice place to live but both of them right now are pulling me in different directions!

July 13th, 2009 | posted by Kelly Korreck in Uncategorized

Lovely Friday afternoon

It is a lovely day in Cambridge MA!

The sun is shining there is a light breeze and I got to spend most of my day coding.  It doesn’t sound like much but the day has gone well so far! And most importantly…

July 10th, 2009 | posted by Kelly Korreck in Uncategorized

How did it get to be July already?

Time sure flies.  I had a busy month and a half with good and bad news.  Orion my beloved kitty, had to be put to sleep in late May because he had FIP.  It is a virus much like SARS in humans. 

July 8th, 2009 | posted by Kelly Korreck in Uncategorized

Still waiting on results

So we are still waiting on the results from my cat’s biopsy.  He is doing a little bit better in terms of being interested in food and sleeping on the bed with me again. Thank you for all the well wishes! He is a really special little guy!

May 19th, 2009 | posted by Kelly Korreck in Uncategorized

Everything always happens at once!

I actually like being busy but this week was super stressful.  My cat, Orion is very sick.  And I had medical testing, and we are looking at houses to buy and planning a wedding. Oh and that is just outside the office.  Some days I wonder how I could every do it all!  I am very much looking forward to collapsing into bed tonight.

May 15th, 2009 | posted by Kelly Korreck in Uncategorized

One day till my birthday!

Tomorrow is my birthday!  I am always so excited about my birthdays!  I see them as a wonderful day to celebrate life.  But my only deliema…what to do with the day?

May 1st, 2009 | posted by Kelly Korreck in Uncategorized