Daily Bulletin

Business Mentor

.

  • Written by Sunanda Creagh, Head of Digital Storytelling

For John Sarkissian, operations scientist at the CSIRO Parkes radio telescope, astronomy has been his life’s passion – starting from the age of six.

“When I was six years old, I watched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the Moon,” he says of the radio telescope made famous in the film The Dish.

“In fact, on the cover of my year nine mathematics textbook was a painting of the Parkes radio telescope. I remember sitting in the class staring at the painting and daydreaming working there one day. And so here I am now, 40 some years later.”

Today, on Trust Me I’m An Expert, editorial intern Antonio Tarquinio speaks to Sarkissian about the research underway at one of Australia’s most famous astronomical research facilities including:

  • the role Parkes is playing right now in the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence

  • how the telescope detects extremely weak signals coming from the most distant parts of the Universe

  • why even a light breeze can imperil the dish unless it’s in the right position

  • how the explosion of phones, wi-fi and radio frequency interference is affecting research in the once-deserted Parkes location.

And Sarkissian’s own take on whether Parkes will help find alien life?

“Well, as of today, the only place we know of the entire Universe that there is definitely life is right here on Earth,” he says.

“And what does that say? It says that we should appreciate our place in the Universe a little more.”

Read more: 'The size, the grandeur, the peacefulness of being in the dark': what it's like to study space at Siding Spring Observatory

New to podcasts?

Podcasts are often best enjoyed using a podcast app. All iPhones come with the Apple Podcasts app already installed, or you may want to listen and subscribe on another app such as Pocket Casts (click here to listen to Trust Me, I’m An Expert on Pocket Casts).

You can also hear us on Stitcher, Spotify or any of the apps below. Just pick a service from one of those listed below and click on the icon to find Trust Me, I’m An Expert.

Listen on Apple Podcasts The Dish in Parkes is scanning the southern Milky Way, searching for alien signals

Stitcher Listen on TuneIn

Listen on RadioPublic The Dish in Parkes is scanning the southern Milky Way, searching for alien signals

Read more: Trust Me, I'm An Expert: what science says about how to lose weight and whether you really need to

Additional audio

Kindergarten by Unkle Ho, from Elefant Traks.

Extra Dimension by Kri Tik, from Free Music Archive

Images

Shutterstock

Read more: Darkness is disappearing and that's bad news for astronomy

Authors: Sunanda Creagh, Head of Digital Storytelling

Read more http://theconversation.com/the-dish-in-parkes-is-scanning-the-southern-milky-way-searching-for-alien-signals-129919

Business News

How any Australian business can generate huge leads from agency assisted CRO

Just how to get the most from an Australian business is something that continually has owners and management scratching their heads. The truth of the matter is that they are going about it in the ...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Choosing the Right Mini Digger: Factors to Consider

In the vast landscape of construction and landscaping projects across Australia, mini diggers have become indispensable tools. These compact machines pack a powerful punch, offering versatility and ...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Effective Strategies to Generate and Nurture Sales Leads for Business Growth

Boost your business's growth. Discover effective strategies to generate and nurture sales leads! A sales lead refers to an individual or business entity that is potentially interested in purchasing...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Tomorrow Business Growth