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Category Archives: Astronomer Profiles

Although robotic telescopes and spacecraft are becoming increasingly more important in astronomy, the real work is still done by human beings.  In these pages we share the stories of some astronomers which have attracted our attention, whether by being recognised by history, or because their work has affected me personally in some way.
 

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Interview with Carol Botha

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 24 Jun, 2020 by Allen Versfeld24 Jun, 2020
Microphone. Image By Jpcuevas (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Urban Astronomer interviews noted South African amateur astronomer Carol Botha about her science outreach work. Carol has become quite well known on Slooh, the robotic telescope and astronomy service which I know quite well because I’ve provided a few video streams of eclipses and the like for them over the years.

Be warned though, this is a long episode so make some popcorn and find a comfortable seat before you start!

https://media.blubrry.com/urbanastronomer/s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/constellationonline.net/media/Podcast/UrbanAstronomer/UA_Episode_57_S03E03.mp3

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Posted in South African Astronomers, The Urban Astronomer Podcast | Tagged Equipment, Interview, Outreach, podcast | Leave a reply

Interview with Nicole Thomas

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 19 Nov, 2019 by Allen Versfeld5 Dec, 2019
Portrait of Nicole Thomas

In this episode, we interview Nicole Thomas, a PhD student at the University of the Western Cape with an interest in the evolution of galaxies, and the super-massive black holes that lie within. We recorded this conversation only a week ago, and I really enjoyed speaking to her. I found her childhood interest in how the universe worked very relatable, and especially her need to understand what’s going on underneath it all. Sadly, this is the final interview with a … Continue reading →

https://media.blubrry.com/urbanastronomer/s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/constellationonline.net/media/Podcast/UrbanAstronomer/UA_Episode_53_S02E11.mp3

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Posted in South African Astronomers, The Urban Astronomer Podcast | Tagged podcast, Q&A | Leave a reply

Podcast #35: Itumeleng Monageng

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 3 Oct, 2018 by Allen Versfeld3 Oct, 2018
Microphone. Image By Jpcuevas (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Welcome to episode 35 of the Urban Astronomer Podcast! This week we have a full show for you, with our main feature being an interview with South African astronomer Dr Itumeleng Monageng. We also continue our series on the physics behind the evolution of a star from gas cloud to black hole.  And finally, my new co-host Clem Unger brings us updates on current space missions. Itumeleng Monageng Itumeleng is a post-grad researcher working for the South African Astronomical Observatory … Continue reading →

https://media.blubrry.com/urbanastronomer/s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/constellationonline.net/media/Podcast/UrbanAstronomer/UA_Episode_35.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:38 — 36.3MB) | Embed

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Posted in News and Updates, South African Astronomers, The Urban Astronomer Podcast | Tagged Asteroids, Hayabusa, Interview, NASA, OSIRIS-Rex, Physics, podcast, Space Travel, Sun | Leave a reply

Johannes Kepler

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 19 May, 2016 by Megan Ray Nichols16 Aug, 2021
Portrait of Johannes Kepler

If you’ve ever heard of the Kepler Telescope, it should come as no surprise to learn that it’s named after an astronomer. The Kepler Telescope is involved in the search for habitable planets beyond our solar system — but why would it be named after an astronomer who was born in 1571? Johannes Kepler was lucky enough to be taught by some of the greatest astronomers of his time. In return, he discovered three major laws regarding how planets move. … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomer Profiles, Astronomers Through History, Astronomy | Tagged History, Kepler | Leave a reply

Tycho Brahe

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 5 Apr, 2016 by Megan Ray Nichols28 Apr, 2016
Tycho Brahe

Tycho Brahe: The Wildest Astronomer Strange men are common, but strangely awesome men are not! Tycho Brahe, born Tyge Ottesen Brahe, led a most unusual life. Even from his earliest years, Brahe was simply not made to fit the mold.   If Brahe had the misfortune of being born into poverty, we might have had nothing in the history books about him. Weirdly, it doesn’t actually matter what Brahe was born into, since he was stolen from his parents at … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomer Profiles, Astronomers Through History, Astronomy | 2 Replies

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