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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)

Well that’s that, then

No more updates? This is the end of the Galilean Nights LiveBlog, friends.

November 6th, 2009 | posted by Lee Pullen in Galilean Nights, LiveBlog, OVER

The Bangalore Astronomical Society are this –> ACE

You don’t believe me? Read this report, which I have shamelessly copied and pasted, with literally no editing.

November 6th, 2009 | posted by Lee Pullen in Copy and paste all the way, Galilean Nights, LiveBlog

He called me Leo again

Remember the Serbian event? Well Zoran promised an event report, and he’s only gone and delivered! Let’s give it a skim.

November 6th, 2009 | posted by Lee Pullen in Galilean Nights, LiveBlog, Possible holiday location

Hooray for Mrs. Tykoski

This report from a school was e-mailed directly, as CosmicDiary.org is a blocked site on their network. This travesty will not go unanswered! Let’s all sign a petition to get it unblocked. Who’s with me! Anyone? Hello?

November 1st, 2009 | posted by Lee Pullen in Galilean Nights, Injustice, LiveBlog

Two events for the price of one

Because they’re both short, may as well combine them into a single blog post. Why did I never think of doing this before?

November 1st, 2009 | posted by Lee Pullen in Galilean Nights, LiveBlog, Loads of pictures, Twice the fun, a poster

Galileo-tastic

Another event report, this time from Vanda Bianchin, President of the Tuscany Society of Vancouver. But you’ll gather that from the opening paragraph.

November 1st, 2009 | posted by Lee Pullen in Better than sliced bread, Chat-up techniques, Galilean Nights, LiveBlog, Loads of pictures, Possible holiday location

And relaaaaax

Galilean Nights is over! Or so you think. Some events are still taking place, and organisers have sent me reports to write about.

November 1st, 2009 | posted by Lee Pullen in Galilean Nights, LiveBlog, You want fries with that?

Hi ho! Hi ho! It’s off to the Presidential Observatory we go!

Quick, quick! The clouds are clearing! Cat and I ran legs-a-blur to Jean-Luc’s observing house in Munich. Would you like to see what happened? Bet you do.

October 26th, 2009 | posted by Lee Pullen in Galilean Nights, It's Presidential, LiveBlog, No penguin-scope this time, Wear gloves

Science stayed in Garching a bit longer

The clocks went back an hour last night, which gives me time to write the second part of the Garching Open Day post. Although Pedro, if you’re reading this and comparing it with my timesheet, please be assured that each LiveBlog post really does take 8 – 10 hours and requires at least £50 in expenses. Honest.

October 25th, 2009 | posted by Lee Pullen in Galilean Nights, LiveBlog, Loads of pictures, giga-post

Science has arrived in Garching

RIGHT. It’s time to crack out the camera and do some BLOGGING. Today science centres in the metropolis of Garching (near Munich) are opening their doors to the public. Sounds like the ideal event to run around taking pictures of and then hastily upload them with glib captions, jaaaa?

October 24th, 2009 | posted by Lee Pullen in Galilean Nights, LiveBlog, Loads of pictures, which I know is what you want