2,780 research outputs found
Can we turn off the lights?
No full textHannah Dalgleish reports from a workshop that discussed the widespread effects of light pollution - and how to bring back dark skies..
Under one sky: astronomy as a catalyst for cultural relations
No full textHannah Dalgleish looks at astronomy as a global scientific endeavour, exploring the culture of astronomers and their collaborations, and how these relationships have developed over time. The essay shows how astronomy has generated intercultural encounters throughout its history. It goes on to explore how the discipline has emerged today as a site for international development co-operation. It considers what this tells us about cultural relations, with a particular focus on South Africa and the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy programme...
The culture of astronomy and its scientists
No full textAstronomy is a deeply cultural science; an evening spent under a dark, starry night sky can evoke feelings of awe, wonder, and of being a global citizen. On the other hand, the pursuit of astronomical knowledge depends on cross-border co-operation: observers need shared infrastructure and intelligence to study the Universe's greatest mysteries. Not only does this advance science, but also brings significant societal and political benefits: through international collaboration, astronomy can bring governments and nations together to foster trust, peace and prosperity, and to help bridge the North-South divide. In turn, many astronomers themselves are rooted in a culture of openness, devoted to reaching and supporting marginalised communities and narrowing societal gaps. Together, through embracing the mystery of the Universe, we can draw forth upon our empathy and compassion, and come together under one sky
Astronomy for development
No full textHannah Dalgleish examines ways in which astronomy can help to forge a sustainable future for life on Earth
Star clusters across the ages: internal kinematics from stellar nurseries to ancient globulars
No full textThis thesis comprises the dynamical study of star clusters in the Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds from early to ancient times. Much is unknown about the formation of high-mass stars and clusters — our understanding is deeply hindered by the obscuration of stars by thick columns of dust and gas. One can infer the motions of stars in star-forming regions, however, via radio observations of ionised gas. By way of example, I examine a young, bipolar H II region in the Galactic disc which lies at the centre of a massive (∼ 10^3 M⊙) infrared-dark cloud filament. Intriguingly, the region known as G316.81– 0.06, displays a large velocity gradient (47.81 ± 3.21 km s−1 pc−1) along the same direction as the filament — a phenomenon scarcely observed at this stage of evolution. Based on a qualitative comparison between G316.81–0.06 and simulations of young star-forming regions, the velocity gradient can be explained by rotation, inferred to be a direct result of the initial angular momentum of the natal molecular cloud. If true, this kinematic signature should be common in other young (bipolar) H II regions and may help to discern the scenario by which star clusters form and evolve. Star clusters at ancient times (i.e. globulars) appear in an entirely different form. Rid of their natal gaseous cocoons, globulars visibly contain 10^5 − 10^6 stars, held together by their mutual gravity. One particular conundrum appeared in recent decades: observed mass-to-light ratios (M/L) of metal-rich globular clusters (GCs) disagree with theoretical predictions. This discrepancy is of fundamental importance since stellar population models provide the stellar masses that underpin most of extragalactic astronomy, near and far. Using integral-field unit data from the WAGGS project, I have extracted radial velocities for 1,622 stars located in the centres of 59 Milky Way GCs — twelve of which have no previous kinematic information — in order to calculate dynamical masses and M/L_V ratios via N-body modelling. Most importantly, the sample includes NGC 6528 and NGC 6553, which extend the metallicity range of GCs with measured M/L up to [Fe/H] ∼ −0.1 dex. The results confirm that metal-rich clusters have M/L_V more than two times lower than what is predicted by simple stellar population models, and thus the discrepant M/L– [Fe/H] relation remains a serious concern. I have explored the potential origin of the divergence, and it appears that dynamical effects are the most likely explanation. With great technological advances in recent years, the internal kinematics of more distant star clusters can also be probed, such as massive star clusters in the Magellanic Clouds. These clusters are as young as ∼ 1 Myr and are thought to be the progenitors of ancient globulars. Thus, this provides a unique opportunity for the study of globular formation at a relatively unexplored snapshot in time. I have carried out a preliminary study of eleven (young, intermediate-age and old) massive clusters in the Clouds as an extension of the M/L–[Fe/H] study of GCs. With this, I can then test stellar population models and improve constraints on theories of dynamical evolution at early times. Newly discovered Gaia star clusters present another avenue for novel research. Home to a new area of parameter space, these clusters appear to be old and compact, yet they are faint (V-band magnitude < −2.5 mag). This is an exciting opportunity to advance our knowledge of (heavily dissolved) star clusters which seem to be approaching the end of their lifetime
How cost impacts equitable participation in astronomy outreach events
No full textThe International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) is an astronomy education outreach event with more than 50 yr of history and over 1700 unique participants from 81 nationalities. The International Workshop for Astronomy e.V. is the non-profit organization behind the IAYC, established in 1979 and based in Germany. The IAYC's unprecedented longevity in a rapidly globalizing world has meant that financial inequities decreases the reach of the camp to people from the Global South compared to Global North countries. Though nationalities represented per camp has increased steadily since its inception, the share of participants from eastern Europe and Africa has dropped, while those from western Europe and North America have increased. This note examines how camp cost, location, and leadership affects nationality diversity among participants, and how astronomy outreach events must reckon with funding for less privileged participants with limited access to resources
Dark sky tourism
No full textDark sky tourism (DST) ... sometimes referred to as 'terrestrial star tourism' or 'celestial ecotourism' ... consists of visitors travelling to remote, unlit areas on land or water, to observe celestial objects. Depending on the object(s) observed (e.g., stars, planets, moons, nebulae, star clusters or galaxies), stargazing activities occur either aided (with binoculars or telescopes) or unaided (with the naked eye). Dark sky experiences can also be accompanied by other activities like astrophotography or storytelling...
Assessing the influence of one astronomy camp over 50 years
No full textThe International Astronomical Youth Camp has benefited thousands of lives during its 50 year history. We explore the pedagogy behind this success, review a survey taken by more than 300 previous participants and discuss some of the challenges the camp faces in the future
The International Astronomical Youth Camp: lessons learned in 50 Years
No full textSince 1969, the International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) has given young adults the chance to broaden their horizons, whilst embarking on scientific inquiry into astronomy. Having run more than 50 successful camps, we have overcome a great range of challenges (e.g. logistical, pedagogical, and financial) as well as facing new challenges which continuously arise. To have a greater understanding of the IAYCs impact in the longer-term, we recently carried out a survey completed by 251 people across 54 nationalities, covering every year that the camp has run. The results strongly support that the camp's method is beneficial overall (97%) and has a positive influence upon people's lives (96%) - and 77% have remained in regular contact. We also found that the majority are studying/working in STEM (55%), with 26% in astronomy/astrophysics...
Dr Hannah Graham on Australian leadership: Integrity, relational leadership and tenacious courage of conviction
No full textHannah Graham talks to Victor Perton about Australian Leadership. Criminologist, author and university lecturer Dr Hannah Graham was born in Tasmania and studied and worked at the University of Tasmania, before moving to Scotland to work in the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research at the University of Stirling. Hannah has worked on justice and health-related projects with the EU, the Scottish Government, the Australian Government and Tasmanian Government, and she does ongoing research and writing on innovation and justice. Connect to Hannah on Twitter: @DrHannahGraham and @Innovative_Jus
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