Ronald Ekers interviewed by Peter Pockley [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 4314436
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Ekers, Ronald, 1941-, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2008
- 4 sound files (ca. 290 min.)
- Summary:
-
Dr. Ronald Ekers talks about the development of radioastronomy; his education, studies at University of Adelaide and Australian National University; computers; the Parkes telescope; studying radio astronomy with CSIRO; building an interferometer; point sources and extended sources; radio sources beyond our galaxy; astronomical distances; discovery of the first quasar; Australia's historical role in radio astronomy; “Blue sky” research; Australian radio astronomers and engineers; the involvement of CSIRO Radiophysics in applied research and the split of CSIRO Radiophysics from radio astronomy; his move to the USA; the Big Bang versus the Steady State; the discovery of pulsars; studying pulsars in the US; influence of Parkes (Aust.) on US radio telescope design; theories on the nature of pulsars; discovery of the polarisation and structure of the pulses from pulsars; testing the Theory of General Relativity; making technical modifications to the telescope; the offer of a job in Cambridge; measuring the cosmos; Fred Hoyle; Martin Ryle; working in Holland; the layout of the Westerbork telescope; Chris Christiansen; the advantages of a globalised approach to science; the introduction of digital computers to radio astronomy; the Milky Way; using computers to make images from radio astronomy; measuring the speed of hydrogen, colour coding the images; publication.
Ekers discusses being the first Director of the Very Large Array (VLA); the potential of new instruments to make unexpected discoveries; expanding the scope of the VLA; achievements of the VLA; National Science Foundation, Associated Universities Incorporated; astronomical research; his return to Australia to the Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF); the proposal for a new Australian radio telescope and its design; the scientific case for building the ATNF and advantages of international access; the requirement for a radio-quiet environment for radio astronomy; discovery of the double pulsar; passing on the Directorship of the ATNF; an award of a Federation Fellowship, his research; his Presidency of the International Astronomical Union (IAU); quasars, black holes, formation of stars, neutrino, pulsars; post-Federation Fellowship activities; his election to the Royal Society; the origins of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the role of the IAU and OECD; Australia's contribution; location requirements for the SKA, technical and political considerations, European and US involvement, costs and funding arrangements; science and the role of government; astronomy and science education; Pluto and the definition of planets; the serendipitous effects of mistakes; data mining in astronomy; advantages of using astronomical data; communicating science within the scientific community and with society at large; political sensitivities; reflections on a privileged moment.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on January 16, 2008 at Glebe, N.S.W.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (6 p.) and uncorrected transcript (typescript, 125 leaves)
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Astronomers
- Other authors/contributors:
- Pockley, Peter, 1935-2013, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2077 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2007
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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