How do we listen to the five - and only five - messengers of the universe? Join astrophysicist Dr. Saavik Ford as we explore the high-energy heart of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and the shift into the Multi-Messenger era, all starting with a ritual glass of Nero di Troia.
In this expansive conversation, I'm joined by Dr. Ford, a professor at CUNY and a researcher at the American Museum of Natural History, for a journey that meanders from the subways of New York to the edge of the observable universe.
In this episode, we navigate:
- The Ritual: Tracing Saavik's ancestral roots through a bottle of Nero di Troia before diving into the physics of deep space.
- The Reality of Research: Saavik pulls back the curtain on the "glamour" of professional astronomy. A world built on Python code, data calibration, and the rare lore of being the last generation to ever put a human eyeball to the lens of a world-class telescope.
- The Five Messengers: A breakdown of how we receive information from the stars and how the discovery of Gravitational Waves has fundamentally changed our role as observers.
- Lifting as We Climb: Saavik’s mission through Astrocom NYC, helping underrepresented students build a "scientist identity" and navigate the precarious path of academia.
- The Surprise Detour: A look at how the world of professional theater intersects with the world of professional science.
Whether you're counting photons from a quasar 14 billion light-years away or mentoring a freshman in a NYC classroom, we are all part of the same current. Saavik's story proves that science is not just data - it is a creative, collaborative act of wonder.
Connect with the Current:
- Official Website: thestarriver.com
- Join the Conversation: Call 855-DEEP-SKY to share your "Star River" story, ask a guest a question, or leave feedback for the Astropotamus.
- Follow the Journey: Find on social media @Astropotamus.
Topics & Keywords: Multi-Messenger Astronomy, Gravitational Waves, Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), Black Holes, Dr. Saavik Ford, AMNH, CUNY, Astrocom NYC, Science Communication, Python for Astronomy, Quasars, Nero di Troia, Wine and Science, STEM Diversity, Astrophysics, American Museum of Natural History.
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