I was an offshore structural engineer for five years before switching to astrophysics. It was through the public outreach of astronomers and physicists (e.g. Brian Green and Doug Clowe et al.) that I discovered my true passion was astrophysics. So whenever a good chance to continue the cycle comes along I try to pay it forward. Below are a few examples of the public outreach I have been involved in. Also check out my blog which is written at a level accessible to the general public.
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You can reach some of the people all of the time, |
The Musket Ball Cluster in Press
I was largely inspired to go into astrophysics by the work done on the Bullet Cluster, which I found out about from press. So I consider myself very fortunate to have had my research on the Musket Ball Cluster, a merging cluster very similar to the Bullet cluster, be covered by the press.
Some Articles on the Musket Ball
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Press Release Video
A 9 min presentation (w/ 11 min of Q&A). The target audience was science press but the talk should be accessible to most. |
Television
Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman
My first involvement with public outreach via television was a contribution to the Science Channel's Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman. I had the opportunity to contribute to part of a segment how merging clusters are telling us about the properties of dark matter. It involved a trampoline and a food fight with James Bullock... true dedication to public outreach. The video to the right is a clip from the episode. |
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Public Talks
I gave my first public talk on my research at the Mount Diablo Astronomical Society general meeting in May 2013. The talk was titled "Merging Galaxy Clusters: Dissections of the Cosmos", and focused on my group's research into dark matter through the use of merging galaxy clusters. The experience was highly rewarding and well received.
Grade School Consultant
So I have only done this once so far but the experience was great. I was consulted by a teacher on how to teach her third grade students about black holes. At first I couldn't believe that black holes were part of the required 3rd grade curriculum and thought the task crazy. But it was fun trying to make such and abstract concept tangible to children (the activity involved jumping, throwing balls and pretending). The teacher later told me that was the most fun her students had with a science activity to date. I think it is great that kids can see science is fun.
Me in the Press
Chandra Chronicles - An Interview with Will Dawson
I was flattered to have Chandra do a piece on my transition from engineering to astrophysics. My hope is that someone might read this article and be inspired to follow their passion.
I was flattered to have Chandra do a piece on my transition from engineering to astrophysics. My hope is that someone might read this article and be inspired to follow their passion.