Naomi McClure-Griffiths, astronomer

How do we know what our galaxy looks like if we are stuck inside it?

In this episode we're talking about something that happened at a time when we were dancing to Spiderbait’s Black Betty and crooning to Britney Spears’ Every Time: it was a time when humanity learnt more about our home in the Universe, as an incredible discovery on our own galaxy came to light.

And this is thanks to radio astronomer, Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths.

Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths discovered an outer spiral arm while a young researcher 20 years ago, using Murriyang, CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope. She is also a leader and pioneer in radio astronomy, described even at the time as one of strongest leaders in astronomy of her generation in the world.

Comedian Jeeves Verma is enlightened by Naomi’s tales on astronomy, and discovers what all the galactic fuss is about.

Apologies for the low audio quality of the episode, but we promise the conversation quality is magnificent.

Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer

Transcript

Links for more:

• Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer
• A bonus episode on radio astronomy resulted from this original conversation – it is published next in Australian Highlights (Episode 4 Bonus: Radio Astronomy).
• Naomi McClure-Griffiths’ biography and research information at the Australian National University
• Naomi’s paper on the discovery
• Follow Jeeves on Instagram and find out what he’s up to now.

Credits

Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer

Guests: Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths and Jeeves Verma

Music: Michelle Cashman

Editing: HoboHut Media

Made possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.

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