(At least that’s what I hope it says). A few weeks ago, a lovely reporter from Greece contacted me and we did an e-mail interview. The result appeared on The Makeδonia website, which is also on my – recently updated – list of links to internet articles about Hanny’s Voorwerp, that appeared this year. Since it’s in Greek (doesn’t that look cool?!), I thought to give my English answers to her questions here:
What got you interested in astronomy in the first place?
Queen’s guitarist Brian May mentioning Galaxy Zoo on his website – www.brianmay.com. I’ve always admired Brian for his music and one day, back in the summer of 2007, I saw a note on his site about this astronomy project. He said real scientists needed help sorting through beautiful pictures of the universe, which I thought sounded exciting.
How did you discover Hanny’s (your!) Voorwerp?
In order to help, you need to mark pictures you get to see on your screen by clicking buttons. I was classifying galaxies like this on www.galaxyzoo.org when – after only a week or so – I got a picture with a strange spot in it. The spot didn’t match any of the examples they’d given with the explanation, so I was curious and sent the team of astronomers an e-mail asking what it was.
Did you know you had discovered something important?
Not at all! I was just wondering what the spot was, without realising it could be something significant. That thought just never crossed my mind and the first replies I got from the scientists didn’t imply they thought it was something spectacular either.
What exactly is it anyway?
We’re still not totally sure. There have been a lot of investigations and we now know it’s a galaxy sized gas cloud, approximately 700 million light-years from Earth. It’s extremely bright and hot (15,000⁰C), but it hasn’t got any stars in it to heat it up. It seems to have a relationship with the galaxy known as IC2497 and we expect to know more about it at the end of this summer. When we do, you can read all about it on my website hannysvoorwerp.com.
Were you surprised by the attention the discovery attracted, or were you prepared for it?
When the astronomers started to realise it could be something unique, they asked me if I was OK with talking to the media. I was told my phone wouldn’t stop ringing, but no – I hadn’t really expected that would actually happen. It did though and I’m still doing interviews after two years. But I like being able to tell the world that everybody can participate in science.
Have astronomers accepted you as one of them?
Although I’m not an astronomer of course, I’d say ‘yes’, definitely. I’ve been invited to a lot of places and have met a lot of people and they always gave me the feeling they value my contribution. I often hear how great it is for the reputation of astronomy that a “young and lovely woman” is promoting it.
Why did you choose to be a teacher? Does it make you happy to see young people involved in science and astronomy?
I always wanted to do something meaningful with my life and I think helping young people to learn is a way to do that. I always loved going to school myself as well, education is a good thing. So yes, it’s great to see young people involved in learning more about astronomy and science in general.
From SETI@Home to Galaxy Zoo, the way people are involved in astronomy and research has evolved significantly. What future do you see in it?
I’m pretty sure it’ll stay a success for a long time. People like being involved and there are still a lot of questions a computer can’t answer for us. Galaxy Zoo already grew a lot, with lots of different smaller projects and I know there are still more to come.
I assume you believe it is important for people to be involved in research. Why is that?
Because I believe that’s what life is about : you live, you learn. And it’s important for people to do this actively, to stay curious, instead of assuming things are facts because “someone said so”.
How has Hanny’s Voorwerp and your involvement with science and astronomy changed your life?
It has changed my life a lot. I’ve learned a lot about astronomy, I’ve met many interesting people – some of them became my best friends, my English skills improved, I’ve been to a lot of nice places, I give lectures and it’s nice to experience writing scientific papers with the astronomers.
Are there things that the Voorwerp taught you?
Well, Hanny’s Voorwerp itself didn’t teach me a lot yet, but the things happening around it have, as said before. I am looking forward to finally finding out what it is exactly though.
What are your plans for the future? What do you hope to achieve?
To live happily ever after. And to play guitar better. Seriously, I like being a teacher and I think I want what most people want: a nice and steady job, a family one day and time to do fun things with friends.
What would you say to people who would like to do what you did?
A good way to start would be joining Galaxy Zoo. And more generally: have an open mind, be curious and not afraid of asking questions. If you want to become a scientist – or anything else for that matter – my advice is to focus on that and work hard for it. Enjoy what you’re doing and keep thinking positively.
2 Comments
awww, I just saw this!
thank you for your kind words, it was such a pleasure knowing you and jumping into your world for a while!
you are an inspiration, keep doing what you’re doing!
Take care,
Maria
Thank *you* Maria, it was great fun! Best wishes!