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)

-fin-

IYA2009 has finished!

January 10th, 2010 | posted by Lee Pullen in Closing Ceremony, THE END

Robert Williams: “The IAU & Astronomy After the IYA”

The final IYA2009 talk!

January 10th, 2010 | posted by Lee Pullen in Closing Ceremony, THE END

Countdown to the end

Just two more talks before the official closure of IYA2009. This session is Chaired by Franco Pacini, the man who first thought to have an International Year of Astronomy.

January 10th, 2010 | posted by Lee Pullen in Closing Ceremony, The final countdown

Roberto Gilmozzi: “Large Ground-based Optical Telescopes”

Let’s crack on with the next session, which is about astronomy after IYA2009.

January 10th, 2010 | posted by Lee Pullen in Closing Ceremony

Other ways to follow the Closing Ceremony

You’ve got options, you lucky people.

January 10th, 2010 | posted by Lee Pullen in #1 fan, Closing Ceremony

A heartfelt appeal

Dear readers, this Closing Ceremony has gathered together many of the organisers behind IYA2009, but one is absent…

January 10th, 2010 | posted by Lee Pullen in An appeal, Closing Ceremony

George Miley: “Importance of Astronomy for Society: Education, Development and Capacity Building”

But first, I stumbled across this. Is it the Italian blog? Could someone translate?

January 10th, 2010 | posted by Lee Pullen in Closing Ceremony, Rapid-fire typing

Norio Kaifu and the Impact of Astronomy and IYA2009 on Asian Society

Norio Kaifu and the Impact of Astronomy and IYA2009 on Asian Society. Like what the title says.

January 10th, 2010 | posted by Lee Pullen in Closing Ceremony, Thank goodness for summary slides

Donating Goodies

During the coffee break Jean-Luc nabbed me for a quick photo session.

January 10th, 2010 | posted by Lee Pullen in Closing Ceremony, Photojournalist in demand

“Galileo & the Church: Lessons Learned“

The quotation marks are because I copied and pasted from the online programme.

January 10th, 2010 | posted by Lee Pullen in Closing Ceremony, Sunday Service