Donald Melrose interviewed by Ragbir Bhathal for the Australian astronomers oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 559708
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Melrose, D. B., 1940-, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Written permission required for research, personal copies and public use during the lifetime of the interviewee.
- Description:
-
- 1995 Jan. 25
- 2 sound tape reels (105 min.) : analog, 7 1/2 ips., 2 track, stereo ; 10 in., 1/4 in. tape.
- Series:
- Australian astronomers oral history project.
- Summary:
-
Donald Melrose, Professor of Physics, speaks on his background and childhood, religion, schooling and university career, Rhodes scholarship and Oxford, early career, his move into theoretical astrophysics, his move to the ANU, collaboration with CSIRO Solar Radio Physics group, reasons for preference of observational over theoretical astronomy in Australia, appointment as Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Sydney, publications and books, cyclotron maser theory for certain radio emissions from the earth, synthesis of the theories of quantum electrodynamics and kinetic theory of plasmas, Centre for Theoretical Astrophysics, his membership of industry groups, the role of the Astronomical Society of Australia, medals he won, election to the Australian Academy of Science, research grants, his students, crisis in science funding.
Melrose discusses the SETI Institute research at Parkes, major environmental problems (inc. soil fertility, salination, overgrazing of semi-arid areas, water, transport, oil, poor planning of cities, population) and the lack of any long term planning to solve these problems, ALP and Coalition support for science, uranium mining and nuclear weapons, alliance with the United States, effectiveness of current political system, prospect of a Republic and constitutional reform, Australian education, move towards Asia, value of economic growth, women in science, abortion, science students, teaching of astronomy.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded at the Bankstown Campus of the University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, on January 25, 1995.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary and corrected transcript (typescript, 37 leaves) available.
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Bhathal, Ragbir (Ragbir Singh), interviewer
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Australian astronomers oral history project.
This collection contains 38 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2065 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1995
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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