Arif Solmaz
Canakkale Astrophysics Research Centre & Ulupınar Observatory
Canakkale, Turkey
Age : 26
Interests : Astronomy, science, education & public outreach, astrophysics, exoplanets, life in the universe.
I’m a Space Sciences and Technologies graduate student at Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University (COMU) in Turkey.I graduated physics department in 2007. My thesis is about ‘A Status Report and Planning of Future for Exoplanet Observations . I’m interested in this topic and effects on society. COMU has an astrophysical research centre and observatory, I’ve been working there since 2004 ,and now coordinate Science & Society W. Group. I’m generating a special web site for Beyond IYA2009 nationwide activities, translating some scientific news from [email protected], The ESA/ESO Astronomy Exercise Series, NASA Space Math and Sun-Earth Day.
My city :
The province of Çanakkale is located on the Dardanelles (ancient "Hellespont") in the northwest of Turkey with coasts touching both Europe and Asia. The history of the early inhabitants of the region goes back six thousand years or more, encompassing the ancient city of Troy, famous from Homer's "Iliad", and Assos, where Aristotle opened his first "lyceum" and began writing his book "Politics". Many visitors come to pay their respects at monuments on the Gallipoli Peninsula, famed for its World War One battlefields. Çanakkale possesses unique geographical attributes and millennia of historical wealth. It has been the scene of many mythological events and legends belonging to the various cultures which have flourished here.
Although from time to time you may find yourself immersed in the area's long and varied history, you will also find that the city of Çanakkale itself, the regional capital, possesses all modern conveniences and amenities. With a vision that embraces the concept of a "City of Peace", Çanakkale is sensitive to world problems. It is engaged in many pilot projects and international cooperative ventures. This is not coincidental. The Dardanelles Strait connecting the Aegean and Marmara seas has always been of great strategic importance in its role as the entrance to, and protector of, the city of Istanbul.
Lee Pullen
IYA2009 Secretariat, International Astronomical Union
Bristol, UK
Age : 24
Interests : Astronomy, photography, cake. Not necessarily in that order.
Lee is a science communicator based in England. He works on a variety of journalism and outreach projects, most of which are bizarre. Lee believed that science communication would be a fast-track to fame and fortune. He was wrong.
My city:
Bristol is a slightly charming city in South West UK. It is famous for its friendly locals, variety of ciders, and farmer-like accents. Bristol is the UK's eighth most populous city, which at least means it's in some kind of top ten.
Mike Simmons
Astronomers Without Borders
Calabasas, California, USA
Age : 60
Interests : Astronomy; and international relations through science
I've been an amateur astronomer my whole adult life and studied astronomy in college but I made a living in another area of research at a university. But I've stayed involved in astronomy all along and done a lot of public outreach, both in amateur astronomy clubs and as a telescope operator at Griffith Observatory. I was the founding President of the Mount Wilson Observatory Association and have been very fortunate to be involved in outreach and education activities there for almost 30 years. After retiring from the university in 1995, my astronomy-related travels for eclipses and meeting other astronomers led to founding Astronomers Without Borders, where I now spend all my time. During IYA2009 I was co-chair of the 100 Hours of Astronomy Cornerstone Project and involved in other ways. I'm now working on continuations of IYA2009 programs and new ones through Astronomers Without Borders.
My City:
Astronomers Without Borders is global but the "headquarters" is my home office. I live in the hills of southern California in a quite rural area with clean air, wildlife and the Milky Way just visible on most summer nights.
Oana Sandu
The Practice, part of Leo Burnett Romania
Jr. PR Manager
Bucharest, Romania
Age : 24
Interests : astronomy; science communication and public outreach; public relations; volleyball & cycling
My city:
Bucharest is like a rusty time machine. As you walk around the streets you travel from inter-war villas and idyllic promenade streets to communist block of flats, from royal palaces to modern glass offices and back to the biggest civil building in the world done by communists. The transition is never soft, but rather brutal, which makes it fun eventually, once you get over the jet lag.
Peggy Walker
BA Sidewalk Astronomers & Astronomy Club of Tulsa
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, USA
Age : 49
Interests : Astronomy outreach, and wants to learn radio astronomy
I started in astronomy 3 years ago, and was the IYA 2009 coordinator for the Astronomy Club of Tulsa. The club hosted monthly star parties with Night Sky Network presentations and I introduced sidewalk astronomy to the club at two large business locations for Friday and Saturday nights, one time a month. Due to our presence in the community, we have had over 50 people join the club (currently highest membership) and have a 98% retention rate.
My city:
Broken Arrow is the third largest-growing city in Oklahoma, and is part of the "Bible Belt" of the US. Is the home of one of the largest international ministries. Broken Arrow has lots of families and is a great place to raise children.
Thilina Heenatigala
Sri Lanka Astronomical Association
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Age: 23
Interest: Astronomy Education, Teaching, Writing, Traveling, Fashion Designing – yes cooking and cheese cake! Not forgetting my addiction to House/Trance/Electro music!
Ever since a kid, his ultimate goal is to become an astronaut – more interested in becoming one of the first astronauts to go to Mars. While in pursuit of that goal, he enjoys conducting astronomy programs locally and globally.
When not doing astronomy (that’s a hard time to find), he’s busy writing, traveling, cooking, and being a part time fashion designer.
My city:
Colombo is the urban city of Sri Lanka. We have light pollution problems—to get good skies you need to go out of Colombo. But I still manage to observe under urban skies. It's challenging.
Sotira Trifourki
Space Connections
Manchester, UK
I was bitten with the Astronomy bug when I was 12 years old and decided I wanted to be an astronomer. I currently run Cosmos Media as my own social enterprise, which aims to support the educational needs of disadvantaged learners. As STEM Advisor at Space Connections I develop educational programs, activities and events to support Space and Astronomy education across the UK, including workshops for the WOW Space Bus which brings space into the classroom. As a researcher I study high energy objects, and I am involved in the development of a new field of Cosmology, in which electromagnetic fields play a larger part in the large scale processes in our Universe.
In my spare time I enjoy going to music festivals, gigs, and exploring our beautiful planet with my son Alexander.
My city :
Manchester, in the northwest of Britain, is known as the city of four seasons in one day. Many famous scientists and astronomers have come from the area. The Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope is based at the University of Manchester, and the city is famous for Manchester United and its music scene. We have around 30 clear nights a year, so for observing, run for the hills! The good news is that Manchester is close to the Peak District, which is a national park and perfect for finding a dark sky.
ESA/ESTEC
Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Age : 49
Salim holds a PhD in Astrophysics from Vienna University, Austria. He has been with the European Space Agency since 1991. In 2000 he moved to ESA/ESTEC in the Netherlands and joined the Science Directorate. He was involved in Gaia, the billion-star detector from 2001 to 2005, where he created the first Astronomical Virtual Organisation, which was known as GaiaGrid. Currently, Salim heads the IT, Communication and Education Service in the Science Directorate. Salim speaks about six languages and has lived pretty much everywhere!
ESO
Age : 42
Nando’s passion for astronomy started in 1975, when he looked at the Moon with his father's 6x30 binoculars. That vision has stayed with him ever since! In his rare moments of spare time, he likes to play the piano and flute.
Business/technology/science writer, editor, and author
Los Angeles, California, USA
Interest in astronomy : Bob is primarily interested in public outreach. He has served for nearly 30 years with the Mount Wilson Observatory Association, sharing that observatory's history and current research with the visiting public.
Bio : Bob has had a lifelong love affair with the sky, having been raised by a grandfather who worked and lived at Yerkes Observatory in Wisconsin. For many years he and his wife, Laura, have helped the Mount Wilson Observatory near Pasadena, California, with its public education and outreach programs. Bob is the author of a book of poetry and essays about astronomy, "First Star I See Tonight: an Exploration of Wonder." Following a corporate career as an editor and business communicator, he now assists local residents with their business and personal writing/editing/proofreading needs. He has also taught French and done French-to-English translating. Bob and Laura find poetry in the sky from their home near the Los Angeles International Airport. See Bob's personal website, www.bobeklund.com.
