Short Wave This Radio Wave Mystery Changed Astronomy
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Feb 26, 2025 Jocelyn Bell Burnell, a pioneering astrophysicist, revolutionized astronomy in 1967 with her discovery of pulsars—radio signals from dying stars. In this conversation, she shares the challenges and triumphs of her groundbreaking work. Jocelyn discusses the incredible density of neutron stars and the path that led her to radio astronomy. She reveals how pulsars act as cosmic lighthouses and reflects on her journey in a male-dominated field, highlighting both personal struggles and professional victories.
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Early Inspiration
- Jocelyn Bell Burnell was inspired to pursue astronomy after reading Fred Hoyle's book about galaxies.
- She initially dismissed the idea because astronomers work at night, but later discovered radio astronomy.
Radio Astronomy and Quasars
- Jocelyn pursued radio astronomy, enabling daytime work.
- In graduate school at Cambridge, she built a radio telescope to search for quasars.
Mysterious Signal
- While searching for quasars, Jocelyn noticed a strange signal in her data.
- Initially dismissed, the signal reappeared multiple times from the same part of the sky.