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Astronomy Blog
Welcome to the UKRC Astronomy Blog. Throughout the International Year of Astronomy 2009 we are inviting a range of women to post a one-off entry about the role of astronomy
and outer space in their lives. So keep coming back, and post your queries, comments,
information and ideas.
Send your comments below.
Maggie Aderin-Pocock - From space instruments to the Blue Peter satellite
I am London-born and bred. When I was six I was amazed by images from space probes,
and I decided I want to travel to the places in the pictures. At 14 I made my
own telescope. Now I have a degree in Physics and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering
(both from Imperial College London) and I make novel, bespoke instrumentation for space and ground based missions.
I work at Astrium Ltd in Portsmouth where I head the optical instrumentation group. I manage a range
of projects making satellite sub-systems designed to monitor wind speeds and other
variables in the Earth’s atmosphere. These systems are made under the European Space Agency’s Living Planet programme and are designed to improve our knowledge of climate change and predict the weather
more accurately.
In 2006 I was awarded a science in society fellowship from the Science and Technology Facilities Council. This has enabled me to spend more time promoting science through the media
and through outreach talks to schoolchildren and adults. This year is amazingly
busy – because it’s the International Year of Astronomy it’s a chance to give
space science a really high profile. With support from IYA UK 2009 and the Royal Astronomical Society, I’m leading on ‘the UK ‘She is an Astronomer’ programme, to make sure women
and astronomy get a high profile during the year and to encourage women and girls
to take part. The UKRC conference on 12 March is our launch pad for the year.
I’m doing lots with Blue Peter for IYA 2009 – we are launching a Blue Peter
satellite into outer space! And for a slightly older audience, there’s going to
be a series of ‘She’s an Astronomer’ items with Woman’s Hour through the year.
The first one is recorded on the morning of the UKRC conference – if you can’t
listen when the broadcast goes out, do go to BBC iplayer and listen again. You’ll be able to find the latest information on activities
at IYA UK 2009 She is an Astronomer .I love of science: in my spare time (!) I run my own company, Science Innovation Ltd, to engage school children and adults around the world in the wonders of space.
To date 10,000 people across the world have taken a journey to the stars with
me. Now I’ve added new projects – on global astronomy, on big instrumentation
on climate change and what we can learn from space.
I am enjoying my career on Earth but I’d still like to make a journey into space.
Not as a space tourist: my retirement plan is to emigrate to Mars.
Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock works at Astrium Ltd and runs Science Innovation Ltd. She is leading the UK 'She is an Astronomer Programme', part of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. She has won many awards, including an MBE in the 2009 New Years Honours list.
In 2006 she was one of six Woman of Outstanding Achievement, awarded by UKRC. She is a member of GetSETWomen.
Comments:
Ruth Wilson
Welcome Maggie to the UKRC astronomy blog, and thank you for being with us throughout March. We are very excited about having you launch the UK She is an Astronomer programme at our national conference - my colleague Alun has got it out on Radio 5 Live twice this morning. It turns out that 5 Live presenter Shelagh Fogarty is secretly hooked on the Hubble telescope images you can view on line: http://hubblesite.org/ (they are awe-inspiring). Many thousands of women are active amateur astronomers, and I am sure many, many more have an interest in it all. How will She is an Astronomer reach all these women who for various reasons won't be part of societies and astronomy courses?
Shelagh Godwin
Astronomy has fascinated me ever since I saw a total eclipse of the Moon in May 1957. Shortly afterwards the Russians launched Sputnik 1 and I was immediately hooked: collected all kinds of images and articles about the new phenomenon (sadly haven't kept them - threw them out in a teenage tidiness spree!). what brought me back to astronomy as an adult was the return of Halley's Comet in 1985/6. Goodness, it was hard to find. And by the time I'd found it I'd discovered quite a lot about the stars. It was nothing like Hale Bopp, however, some 10 years later.
My most significcant astronomical moments:
1)The total eclipse of the Sun seen from Zimbabwe in June 2001 - and I have to mention the cloudbound experience of Noyon, France, on 11th August 1999 becuase the atmosphere and the darkness was so amazing.
2)The aurora borealis visible from Godalming on 13th March 1989 and 8th November 1991 - never expected to see it from so far south.
3)Meteor watching - I did it for years, highlights included some wonderufl fireballs and the Leonid storms of 1998 and 2002.
4)Comet Hale Bopp.
5)Keeping myself awake during an 11-hour meteor watch by reciting St Paul's epistle to the Romans (Jan 1989).
I don't do so much observing now: need for sleep and increased light pollution being the reasons. But I was out observing comet Lulin in Feb/March 2009.....
My most significcant astronomical moments:
1)The total eclipse of the Sun seen from Zimbabwe in June 2001 - and I have to mention the cloudbound experience of Noyon, France, on 11th August 1999 becuase the atmosphere and the darkness was so amazing.
2)The aurora borealis visible from Godalming on 13th March 1989 and 8th November 1991 - never expected to see it from so far south.
3)Meteor watching - I did it for years, highlights included some wonderufl fireballs and the Leonid storms of 1998 and 2002.
4)Comet Hale Bopp.
5)Keeping myself awake during an 11-hour meteor watch by reciting St Paul's epistle to the Romans (Jan 1989).
I don't do so much observing now: need for sleep and increased light pollution being the reasons. But I was out observing comet Lulin in Feb/March 2009.....
Ruth Wilson
Astropixie Amanda Bauer is one of several women space scientists attending our conference, and she will be Twittering during and after the event :-) So whether you are at the conference or not, check out her blog: www.amandabauer.blogspot.com/2009/03/she-is-astronomer.html and on Twitter: www.twitter.com/astropixie
Maggie Aderin
Hi Ruth,
Apologies for the delay, I have just returned from the States.
Really looking forward to "She's an Astronomer" and all the other events taking place in 2009 in "International year of Astronomy" the adage is that everyone should have "an astronomical experience".
We will be advertising all events through the www.astronomy2009.co.uk
Apologies for the delay, I have just returned from the States.
Really looking forward to "She's an Astronomer" and all the other events taking place in 2009 in "International year of Astronomy" the adage is that everyone should have "an astronomical experience".
We will be advertising all events through the www.astronomy2009.co.uk
Julia Gaudelli
It' s great to see the International Year of Astronomy raising the profile of science and astronomy in particular. I'm involved with my local astronomical society (Guildford) in organising many outreach events throughout the year, including one for school students with the theme "She's an Astronomer". One of our main aims as a society for IYA 2009 is to shake off the "white nerdy male only" image of astronomy and try to engage with as wide an audience as possible.
We recently held a hugely successful Observing Evening for families - over 150 people attended, from tiny children to great grandparents. The feedback we received showed that we did 'something right' that night and achieved our goal of bringing astronomy to everyone.
I often wonder why there are so few women amateur astronomers. Even though our own society is particularly vibrant and caters well for a wide range of interests, less than 20% of our members are women.
I'd be really interested to hear from others the reasons they think there are not more women enjoying astronomy an a hobby.
We recently held a hugely successful Observing Evening for families - over 150 people attended, from tiny children to great grandparents. The feedback we received showed that we did 'something right' that night and achieved our goal of bringing astronomy to everyone.
I often wonder why there are so few women amateur astronomers. Even though our own society is particularly vibrant and caters well for a wide range of interests, less than 20% of our members are women.
I'd be really interested to hear from others the reasons they think there are not more women enjoying astronomy an a hobby.
Julie Briggs
Hi Julia/Shelagh
Many thanks for posting on our blog, it's great to hear what inspired you to pursue Astronomy Shelagh, Sputnik 1 is a little before my time but I do remember Halley's comet and it is probably the first time I'd heard of comets.
Julia, congratulations on the success of your observing evening, 150 attendees is fantastic and will certainly have inspired many about Astronomy. It sounds like Guildford Astronomical Society is involved in many exciting projects throughout the year, John Axtell from Guildford advised me of your event at the University of Surrey on 17th March "She Is An Astronomer, She Is A Rocket Scientist" aimed at school children followed by your involvement in the UK Space Conference at Charterhouse School 1st - 4th April www.space.co.uk/UKSC2009/tabid/633/language/en-GB/Default.aspx (Astronomy theme on Sat 4th). I understand that Lucy Rogers, Helen Walker (our previous bloggers for Jan & Feb) and Maggie Aderin are all involved with these events and I'm sure they will be a huge success. (Further information about both of these events Guildford Astronomical Society are involved with can be found on the News and Events page of the UKRC website).
Many thanks for posting on our blog, it's great to hear what inspired you to pursue Astronomy Shelagh, Sputnik 1 is a little before my time but I do remember Halley's comet and it is probably the first time I'd heard of comets.
Julia, congratulations on the success of your observing evening, 150 attendees is fantastic and will certainly have inspired many about Astronomy. It sounds like Guildford Astronomical Society is involved in many exciting projects throughout the year, John Axtell from Guildford advised me of your event at the University of Surrey on 17th March "She Is An Astronomer, She Is A Rocket Scientist" aimed at school children followed by your involvement in the UK Space Conference at Charterhouse School 1st - 4th April www.space.co.uk/UKSC2009/tabid/633/language/en-GB/Default.aspx (Astronomy theme on Sat 4th). I understand that Lucy Rogers, Helen Walker (our previous bloggers for Jan & Feb) and Maggie Aderin are all involved with these events and I'm sure they will be a huge success. (Further information about both of these events Guildford Astronomical Society are involved with can be found on the News and Events page of the UKRC website).
Rachel Tobbell
Hi Maggie, It was great to see you at the UKRC conference yesterday. Your enthusiasm for astronomy is so infectious. I wonder though - do you really think that people will walk on Mars in your life time? If yes, what will be next frontier? Another planet? Space tourism? People living in space?
Maggie Aderin
Hi Rachel,
Many thanks for your message. I really believe that people will get to Mars in my lifetime and NASA thinks the same. They recently said that the first person to walk on Mars is alive today.
I think after Mars the next steps will be asteroids. The local planets apart from Mars are a bit inhospitable, (Venus has an average temperature of around 420C).
Government funding may get us to Mars but I think sustained space exploration will come from commercial exploitation.
Do you have any thoughts of where else we might go?
Many thanks for your message. I really believe that people will get to Mars in my lifetime and NASA thinks the same. They recently said that the first person to walk on Mars is alive today.
I think after Mars the next steps will be asteroids. The local planets apart from Mars are a bit inhospitable, (Venus has an average temperature of around 420C).
Government funding may get us to Mars but I think sustained space exploration will come from commercial exploitation.
Do you have any thoughts of where else we might go?
Maggie Aderin
Hi Julia,
I would love to find out more about what is happening in Guildford. It would be great to load the events on the IYA website if they are not there already. It should be a really great year!
I would love to find out more about what is happening in Guildford. It would be great to load the events on the IYA website if they are not there already. It should be a really great year!
Clare Walker
Hi Maggie!
I applaud the initiative, She's An Astronomer, which you launched at the UKRC Women in SET Conference last week. We need people like you to inspire young women to look beyond Earth to the opportunities offered in Astronomy and Space. One of the most inspiring women it has been my privilege to meet [apart from YOU!] is Colonel Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a NASA space shuttle mission. She is in no doubt that part of her job is to meet young people and encourage them to follow in her footsteps. Good luck with the campaign!
I applaud the initiative, She's An Astronomer, which you launched at the UKRC Women in SET Conference last week. We need people like you to inspire young women to look beyond Earth to the opportunities offered in Astronomy and Space. One of the most inspiring women it has been my privilege to meet [apart from YOU!] is Colonel Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a NASA space shuttle mission. She is in no doubt that part of her job is to meet young people and encourage them to follow in her footsteps. Good luck with the campaign!
Ruth Wilson, UKRC
Maggie, thank you for being such an inspiring presence at our conference last week. It was great to have you, Helen Walker, and other women space scientists present and for the conference to be the launch pad for She is an Astronomer. I was delighted to get to meet our first astronomer blogger Lucy Rogers www.lucyrogers.com and AstroPixie Amanda Bauer among others www.amandabauer.blogspot.com
Clare, thanks for telling us about Colonel Collins. Her Wikipedia entry is here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_Collins Maggie, what are you doing in the photo where you are crouching on the grass? Are you firming up some astral creme brulee???
Clare, thanks for telling us about Colonel Collins. Her Wikipedia entry is here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_Collins Maggie, what are you doing in the photo where you are crouching on the grass? Are you firming up some astral creme brulee???
Marilyn
Hi Maggie
I met you at the conference - v inspiring. Obviously space is a brilliant way of getting young people into science, but how do you maintain that interest once a child realises that they may personally have little chance of being an astronaut? Also, what would you say you've learned most from your own work with children?
I met you at the conference - v inspiring. Obviously space is a brilliant way of getting young people into science, but how do you maintain that interest once a child realises that they may personally have little chance of being an astronaut? Also, what would you say you've learned most from your own work with children?
Maggie Aderin
Hi Clare,
Many thanks for your comments, I had heard of Pauline but I will definitely find out more about her and try to include her in my talks. Many thanks for the best wishes regarding the "She's an Astronomer". We are hoping to have some talks across the country to get the message across.
Many thanks for your comments, I had heard of Pauline but I will definitely find out more about her and try to include her in my talks. Many thanks for the best wishes regarding the "She's an Astronomer". We are hoping to have some talks across the country to get the message across.
Maggie Aderin
Hi Ruth,
Many thanks for all your help on the day and letting us launch at the conference, the UKRC were fantastic as was the whole day. It great to meet so many brilliant women.
Regarding the picture, it a bit sacrilegious but the picture is on me making rocket fuel out of chocolate. There is a white powder that is call potassium perchlorate which has a very high concentration on oxygen in the compound. When mixed with virtually anything and ignited it burns really brightly. A similar compound can be used to make rocket fuel. So I make my rocket fuel out of this compound and a galaxy bar. I always have to eat a lump of chocolate before mixing to demonstrate that the chocolate is real.
Many thanks for all your help on the day and letting us launch at the conference, the UKRC were fantastic as was the whole day. It great to meet so many brilliant women.
Regarding the picture, it a bit sacrilegious but the picture is on me making rocket fuel out of chocolate. There is a white powder that is call potassium perchlorate which has a very high concentration on oxygen in the compound. When mixed with virtually anything and ignited it burns really brightly. A similar compound can be used to make rocket fuel. So I make my rocket fuel out of this compound and a galaxy bar. I always have to eat a lump of chocolate before mixing to demonstrate that the chocolate is real.
Maggie Aderin
Hi Marilyn,
Thanks for your question, my argument is that they don't have to be astronauts to succeed. I have not made it into space but I am having great fun trying to get there. I think that everyone needs a challenge and too often we tell our kids not to try or aim too high just in case they don't make it. The thing that most entrepreneurs have in common is that they have tried a number of things and some of them have failed.
I got an opportunity to discuss this argument in the Telegraph newspaper last week. The article is at: www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/4985076/Lets-inspire-the-next-generation-of-scientists.html
What do you think? Do you believe that we should stretch our kids or do you think that disappointment can be too damaging.
Regarding what I have learned from the kids. I think that kids are a lot more sophisticated than we realise so I try to treat them as adults and get them to make decisions on science that I do, i.e. should we be spending money on human space travel. With younger kids its all about fun (I see kids as young as 4 years old) so I let off rockets in the classroom and show them experiments that they can do at home. I think that bit is really important so that they can share what they have learned.
Thanks for your question, my argument is that they don't have to be astronauts to succeed. I have not made it into space but I am having great fun trying to get there. I think that everyone needs a challenge and too often we tell our kids not to try or aim too high just in case they don't make it. The thing that most entrepreneurs have in common is that they have tried a number of things and some of them have failed.
I got an opportunity to discuss this argument in the Telegraph newspaper last week. The article is at: www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/4985076/Lets-inspire-the-next-generation-of-scientists.html
What do you think? Do you believe that we should stretch our kids or do you think that disappointment can be too damaging.
Regarding what I have learned from the kids. I think that kids are a lot more sophisticated than we realise so I try to treat them as adults and get them to make decisions on science that I do, i.e. should we be spending money on human space travel. With younger kids its all about fun (I see kids as young as 4 years old) so I let off rockets in the classroom and show them experiments that they can do at home. I think that bit is really important so that they can share what they have learned.
Yasmin Robson
Hi Maggie,
It was lovely to meet you at the UKRC conference. I am a Radio Astronomer and I hope that you had a chance to look at my poster on the ALMA telescope.
ALMA stands for Atacama Large Millimetre Array and I have been involved in the Design & Development. In 2001 I took part in the site-testing campaign as the sole UK representative, working with a small team of Europeans, Americans, Japanese & Chileans on the proposed site for ALMA, high up on a plateau in the Chilean Andes, at 5000m above sea level! It was definitely a challenge to work at that altitude where there is so little oxygen - hardly able to breathe or put one foot in front of the other!
We carried out experiments using test antennas and launched helium balloons (great fun!) around the clock. We measured wind speed and direction and investigated how different parameters might affect our astronomy data. I even managed to programme the intranet up there, in spite of frozen fingers and an equally numb brain!
We chose the Atacama Desert as the site for this telescope, as it is the driest place on Earth. Any water vapour in the atmosphere will reduce the sharpness of our images. I can't wait to see the pictures in a few years' time when the telescope is completely finished! ALMA will observe at sub-millimetre wavelengths so will be able to cut through all the dust and see right into the regions where new stars are being born - isn't that so thrilling?!!!
It was lovely to meet you at the UKRC conference. I am a Radio Astronomer and I hope that you had a chance to look at my poster on the ALMA telescope.
ALMA stands for Atacama Large Millimetre Array and I have been involved in the Design & Development. In 2001 I took part in the site-testing campaign as the sole UK representative, working with a small team of Europeans, Americans, Japanese & Chileans on the proposed site for ALMA, high up on a plateau in the Chilean Andes, at 5000m above sea level! It was definitely a challenge to work at that altitude where there is so little oxygen - hardly able to breathe or put one foot in front of the other!
We carried out experiments using test antennas and launched helium balloons (great fun!) around the clock. We measured wind speed and direction and investigated how different parameters might affect our astronomy data. I even managed to programme the intranet up there, in spite of frozen fingers and an equally numb brain!
We chose the Atacama Desert as the site for this telescope, as it is the driest place on Earth. Any water vapour in the atmosphere will reduce the sharpness of our images. I can't wait to see the pictures in a few years' time when the telescope is completely finished! ALMA will observe at sub-millimetre wavelengths so will be able to cut through all the dust and see right into the regions where new stars are being born - isn't that so thrilling?!!!
Yasmin Robson
Hi Maggie,
Are you going to try to see the next TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE on Wednesday 22 July 2009?
I haven't been successful in seeing a total eclipse of the sun yet. It is such a shame that it will be the monsoon season in India - I quite fancy visiting that part of the world.
Isn't it fascinating that the only reason we can see such wonderful total solar eclipses is because both the sun and the moon appear to be the same size in the sky? They are both about half a degree across. Of course, this is unlikely to be true forever. As the Moon is moving further away from the Earth, the Moon will appear smaller. The Moon will no longer be able to completely cover the sun, so we will only get annular eclipses.
Beautiful though an annular eclipse is, it doesn't come anywhere near matching the spectacular sight of a total solar eclipse - TRY TO SEE IT IF YOU CAN !!!
Are you going to try to see the next TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE on Wednesday 22 July 2009?
I haven't been successful in seeing a total eclipse of the sun yet. It is such a shame that it will be the monsoon season in India - I quite fancy visiting that part of the world.
Isn't it fascinating that the only reason we can see such wonderful total solar eclipses is because both the sun and the moon appear to be the same size in the sky? They are both about half a degree across. Of course, this is unlikely to be true forever. As the Moon is moving further away from the Earth, the Moon will appear smaller. The Moon will no longer be able to completely cover the sun, so we will only get annular eclipses.
Beautiful though an annular eclipse is, it doesn't come anywhere near matching the spectacular sight of a total solar eclipse - TRY TO SEE IT IF YOU CAN !!!
Julie Briggs
Hi Maggie
It was lovely to meet you at the UKRC Annual Conference this year - your enthusiasm for Astronomy shines through and is certainly infectious.
It's fantastic that you are launching a satellite you have built for Blue Peter, I seem to remember that this was going to be launched in April sometime but I wondered if you could tell me what date this is to be broadcast?
It was lovely to meet you at the UKRC Annual Conference this year - your enthusiasm for Astronomy shines through and is certainly infectious.
It's fantastic that you are launching a satellite you have built for Blue Peter, I seem to remember that this was going to be launched in April sometime but I wondered if you could tell me what date this is to be broadcast?
Maggie Aderin
Hi Yasmin,
I was great to meet you again at the UKRC conference. It was a brilliant day.
I did get a chance to see your poster and I thought it was fab. I brought back memories for me as I have been to the VLT (Very Large Telescope) out in the Atacama desert a few times and it is a real mind boggling place. So dry and the soil is really red, it always makes me think of Mars.
I think that ALMA is a amazing project that is giving us wonderful insight into how the universe works and to my mind that is fantastic.
Thanks for your message
I was great to meet you again at the UKRC conference. It was a brilliant day.
I did get a chance to see your poster and I thought it was fab. I brought back memories for me as I have been to the VLT (Very Large Telescope) out in the Atacama desert a few times and it is a real mind boggling place. So dry and the soil is really red, it always makes me think of Mars.
I think that ALMA is a amazing project that is giving us wonderful insight into how the universe works and to my mind that is fantastic.
Thanks for your message
Maggie Aderin
Hi Yasmin,
I made a real effort in 1999 to go out to France and see the total eclipse there. When I arrived it was cloudy but just before the eclipse started the clouds cleared and we were able to see it. I think that it was one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen and it made me feel quite light headed. I had to sit down for a while afterwards.
I am trying to arrange some talks in one of the places on the path of the totality so hopefully I will get to see it because it was a try wonder that I would like to see again.
Hope that you get to see it too.
I made a real effort in 1999 to go out to France and see the total eclipse there. When I arrived it was cloudy but just before the eclipse started the clouds cleared and we were able to see it. I think that it was one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen and it made me feel quite light headed. I had to sit down for a while afterwards.
I am trying to arrange some talks in one of the places on the path of the totality so hopefully I will get to see it because it was a try wonder that I would like to see again.
Hope that you get to see it too.
Maggie Aderin
Hi Julie,
Thanks for your message. I have been working with Blue Peter to finish off the program and it is due to be shown on the 15th April, the Wednesday after Easter.
I am really excited about it, it seemed like a mad idea when I first discussed it with the Blue Peter guys but now Blue Peter are having a space themed day to launch the activity.
The satellite will be going up later on in the year but it is great to get people talking about it now. I am working on the activities for kids so the can look at the images and get a feel of the amazing planet that we live on.
Tell me what you think if you see it.
Thanks for your message. I have been working with Blue Peter to finish off the program and it is due to be shown on the 15th April, the Wednesday after Easter.
I am really excited about it, it seemed like a mad idea when I first discussed it with the Blue Peter guys but now Blue Peter are having a space themed day to launch the activity.
The satellite will be going up later on in the year but it is great to get people talking about it now. I am working on the activities for kids so the can look at the images and get a feel of the amazing planet that we live on.
Tell me what you think if you see it.
James Miller
Great piece on BBC Breakfast this morning.
I\'m 62 and regret that astronomy which gave me so much pleasure as a child, has seemed to be relegated in science. Perhaps, it\'s because we waste so much light, we never see the stars.
I will be watching tonight. Unfortunately, I won\'t be at home in deepest Suffolk, where I do get a good view of the sky, but somewhere on the motorway back from football in Shrewsbury.
Keep up the good work.
James
I\'m 62 and regret that astronomy which gave me so much pleasure as a child, has seemed to be relegated in science. Perhaps, it\'s because we waste so much light, we never see the stars.
I will be watching tonight. Unfortunately, I won\'t be at home in deepest Suffolk, where I do get a good view of the sky, but somewhere on the motorway back from football in Shrewsbury.
Keep up the good work.
James
Patrick
Great personality, and a huge level of knowledge. I wish the BBC had you in mind for the science series 'Bang goes the theory', the current line up of presenters is boring.
Regards
Patrick
Regards
Patrick
Emeka
Wonderful animation on BBC Breakfast this morning. Loved the way you demystified the moon experiments to mere mortals.
Hey Patrick, I think the 'Bang goes the theory' crew do a great job. But it will still be great to have Maggie on such a show..
Keep it up Maggie
Emeka
Hey Patrick, I think the 'Bang goes the theory' crew do a great job. But it will still be great to have Maggie on such a show..
Keep it up Maggie
Emeka
Gordon Elcock
Hi Maggie
My daughter Niamh, who is seven, was very inspired by seeing and hearing you, so much so her ambition has changed from astronaut to space scientist!. She would very much like to email you and ask you questions if that is ok. Is there anyway we can organise that?
g
My daughter Niamh, who is seven, was very inspired by seeing and hearing you, so much so her ambition has changed from astronaut to space scientist!. She would very much like to email you and ask you questions if that is ok. Is there anyway we can organise that?
g
Tammy Cunningham
Dear Maggie
I've just seen you interviewed on BBC News. You are a very inspiring woman and your presence on Television was fantastic. Keep up the good work and I hope to see you on again soon and will see my children watch too. They love all things related to Space!
Tammy Cunningham
I've just seen you interviewed on BBC News. You are a very inspiring woman and your presence on Television was fantastic. Keep up the good work and I hope to see you on again soon and will see my children watch too. They love all things related to Space!
Tammy Cunningham
John Marshall
Your two bottle experiment loooks like a good example of GHG's in action BUT, you do not consider the total system energy exchange. No mention is made of the fact that the GHG's heat gain will match the heat loss of the incommong energy from the lights. If the temperature of the energy on the other side of the bottles from the lights were to be measured there woud be a temperature drop on the GHG bottle thus confirming the Law of Conservation of Energy. The atmospheric system CANNOT manufacture heat energy because the only energy available is that from the sun. Any energy gained by the GHG's must match energy loss by the solar radiation. In all cases of differing GHG concentrations the heat getting to the surface will be the same.
Comment please to- johnmarshall940@btinternet.com
Comment please to- johnmarshall940@btinternet.com
Camila Ibarlucea
Hi Maggie! I can´t believe I found this blog entry...Do you remember me? You came with your husband to Gemini Observatory in Chile, a couple of years ago, by that time I was just finishing my professional internship as a journalist in the public and information outreach department. NOwadays, I work for the Office of the Protection of the Northern Skies of Chile, a consortium of CONAMA- AURA-CARSO and ESO, and also as a Public Relations Assitant in the University of La Serena, in the Physics Department.
Having the opportunity to meet such wonderful professionals like you, inspired me to follow a scientific journalist carreer, specially in astronomy. I look forward to hear from you soon, please let´s keep in touch and let me know what outreach activities are you involved!
Having the opportunity to meet such wonderful professionals like you, inspired me to follow a scientific journalist carreer, specially in astronomy. I look forward to hear from you soon, please let´s keep in touch and let me know what outreach activities are you involved!
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