[Outreach] 'Explore Your Universe' introduction

I recently signed up to be a part of the "Explore Your Universe" science outreach project. Outreach is something that I've been doing a reasonable amount of during my PhD, mostly in the form of the planetarium shows that I've been organising. But I've been considering outreach and science communication as a possible career alternative, and therefore looking for ways to broaden the outreach that I'm getting involved in.

The 'Explore Your Universe' logo. I'm really looking forward to getting

involved in this exciting project. (Credit: exploreyouruniverse.org)

"Explore Your Universe" is an interesting looking project from the UK Association of Science and Discovery Centres that is basically a way to encourage research scientists to engage with the public in a friendly setting. The idea is that scientists, like me, sign up to the scheme and are assigned to a specific centre. There will be 'meet an expert' days at which the scientists can turn up and talk to the public about their work, or about science in general. Obviously it's a captive audience, and the people visiting science centres will tend to be at least slightly interested in the first place.

I've been assigned to Dundee Science Centre. Sadly I wasn't able to make their first 'meet an expert' event, but I'm hoping to go along to the next one. However in the mean time I've pu up an introductory blog post over at the "Explore Your Universe" blog, and thought I'd cross-post it here (after the cut).

Name: David Brown

Job title: PhD Student

Where do you work? The University of St Andrews

What field do you work in? Astronomy, specifically extrasolar planets

After taking part in an introductory session at the Dundee Science Centre, I’m really looking forward to getting involved in this project. Hopefully I’ll get to meet lots of you in reality at some point, but for now I thought I’d put up an introduction to myself and my work.

Your research

What is the big question you’re currently working on?

The study of extrasolar planets is a fairly young field of research within astronomy, but it’s a really exciting, fast paced one, which means I get to do a few different things at any one time. At the moment I’m trying to study the variety of planetary systems, and work out how they get to the way that we see them today. How do they change over time? What were they like in the past? What will happen to them in the future?

At the moment though the biggest question is “can I finish my thesis on time”, but that’s only really got one possible answer!

What do you use to answer that big question?

Mostly my work is done on my desktop computer or laptop. Like many modern astronomers I do a lot of my work through simulation and computer modelling. After all it’s quite hard to do typical science experiments when what you’re trying to investigate takes place over millions (if not billions) of years; you have to wait an awfully long time to get results!

However I’m lucky enough to also get to travel to different observatories around the world to make observations of the stars and planets that I’m interested in. A lot of my observing is done right here in St Andrews with the 1m diameter James Gregory Telescope, but I’ve also been to France and Chile to use telescopes there, and I’m hoping to go to the Canary Islands in the near future.

What do you enjoy the most about your work?

The fact that I’m investigating things that we don’t know yet is great. It’s a real thrill to discover something, and realise that you’re the first person to have that piece of knowledge. I also love going to conferences, and talking to other scientists within my field. I’ve had many an idea develop over a cup of tea and a chat. But I think my favourite bit has to be using the telescopes to look at the stars. It’s very calming, but also makes me feel very humble.

Is there anything you don’t like?

Sometimes the hours can build up, particularly when telescope application deadlines roll around. Swapping between day and night shifts when I go observing can also be hard on the body and mind, but I try to keep active and get decent amounts of sleep to counteract it.

Your Inspiration

What inspired you to study science/engineering/maths in the first place?

It was a few things really. The first was the sets of images from the Hubble Space Telescope. I remember seeing them when I was fairly young, and being amazed. What were those fascinating objects? Where were they? How could I find out more? That got me started on reading about space and trying to learn more about what was out there. Then I was lucky enough to have a succession of really enthusiastic science teachers at school. In particular my Physics teacher through my GCSEs and A-levels was a real inspiration to me, and made the subject so much fun that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your work?

Loads of things. Probably too much to be honest – I often don’t end up with much time for just sitting down to rest!

As well as research I do a lot of outreach work at the university observatory, and also take our inflatable planetarium roadshow around primary schools in Fife. It’s a lot of fun, and helps to get children enthused by the idea of space at a young age. I find that they ask much harder questions than adults as well!

Outside of astronomy related things I’m a member of the RLSS, and a qualified lifesaving instructor, so spend some of my time teaching lifesaving skills to students at the University. I also like to take part in competitive lifesaving events (yes, it’s possible to compete at lifesaving!). I also enjoy swimming and cycling, and I play the bassoon in several orchestras and small musical groups. Oh, and I love reading science-fiction novels. Who doesn’t love a good spaceship and aliens story?

Where can we come and meet you (which science centre are you working with)?

For the moment I’m going to be working with Dundee Science Centre, but when I finish my PhD I’ll be moving somewhere else in the country, so who knows! You can also pop into the School of Physics and Astronomy to say hi if you’re passing through St Andrews.