Explore Light
Astronomers use telescopes to see objects far away in space. Did you know that we can only see an object if it emits light or if it reflects light?
Create An Expanding Universe
Nergis Mavalvala
Early Life
Nergis was born in Lahore and grew up in Karachi, Pakistan. She spent her childhood in a home without gender stereotypes. This meant she and her older sister were free to follow their own interests. Nergis developed hands-on and practical skills, including fixing her bike, and enjoyed science and maths. She thought she would become an engineer when she was older.
Year born: 1968
Research Areas: Astrophysics, Experimental Physics, Quantum Mechanics
Norio Kaifu
Early Life
Norio began his career in astronomy in 1966 at the University of Tokyo. He was a student at the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory. Norio was part of a group of researchers who were all studying radio waves from objects in space. Radio waves are a type of light that our eyes and traditional telescopes cannot see. You need to use special telescopes.
Year born: 1943
Research Areas: Radio Astronomy, Infrared Astronomy
Timeline of Astronomy
Did you know that our understanding of science and space had gradually been built over thousands of years? Discover the people from the past whose observations and experiments helped us understand our Solar System and the
Astronomical Influencers Quiz
Test your astronomy knowledge while learning about the who's who of ancient to present day astronomy!
Samuel Okoye
Early Life
Samuel was born in Umuahia, Nigeria. His father died when he was ten years old. Samuel won a scholarship to study physics at University College in Ibadan, Nigeria. The university was linked to the University of London, UK. He got a paid fellowship to study for his PhD in astrophysics at the University of Cambridge, UK.
Year born: 1939
Research Areas: Radio Astronomy, Galaxies, Crab Nebula
Masatoshi Koshiba
Early Life
Masatoshi was born in Toyohashi, Japan. His dad was in the Japanese army and served in China during World War II. His mum died when he was just three years old. As his father was an officer in the army, Masatoshi was expected to go to military school. A month before the entrance exam he contracted polio which left him very weak, and he was unable to join. He went to school in Tokyo during World War II when frequent bombing devastated the city. He only became interested in physics when one of his teachers doubted him.
Year born: 1926
Research Areas: Neutrinos, Detectors, Particle Physics, Cosmic Rays
"I grew up like a million average people, and I do silly things too!"
John Johnson
Early Life
John Johnson grew up in St Louis, USA. He has a Bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a PhD in Astronomy from the University of California, Berkeley. John’s interest in astronomy was sparked when he saw the Perseids meteor shower. He was 21 at the time and did not take any astronomy courses before he started his PhD. John did not have a lot of confidence when he started studying astronomy.
Year born: 1977
Research Areas: Exoplanets
"I found the opportunity to find planets orbiting other stars irresistible. Once I learned that this was a viable career path, I immediately hopped on board."
Beth A. Brown
Early Life
Beth was born in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. She was always asking questions as a child and wanted to know how things worked. She had a passion for science fiction. During a school trip to an observatory she looked through a telescope for the first time and saw the Ring Nebula. That was the inspiration she needed to decide to study astronomy. She was the highest achieving student in her high school. Beth then went to Howard University to study astrophysics.
Year born: 1969
Research Areas: Black Holes, Elliptical Galaxies, X-ray Emission, Data Archives
"Space fascinated me. I was into anything that had to do with space."