Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory on White Lake, near Penticton. Every Friday we hold a scientific meeting Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO). At the moment, these are mainly done using Zoom. After the usual organizational things that all staff meetings begin, the rest of the time is devoted to work and science exhibitions, where people report what they do and what interesting new scientific findings they have made. Much of this part of the meeting covers student reports working at DRAO. Some of them are cooperative students, where observatory work is part of their undergraduate studies. Others are postgraduate students, working for their doctorate. Finally, there are some postdoctoral students. These are people who have just received their PhD and are at the starting point of their career as scientists. They are all at DRAO because their career plans include not only pure research but also gaining experience with working with radio telescopes and the data they produce and the design and operation of the instruments we attach to these telescopes when making observations. These are the people who will determine the future course of Canadian astronomy and will play a key role in implementing the new instruments needed to work on astronomical frontiers. Most astronomers are “pure” researchers. They are not closely related to the organs. Questions that arise during their work lead to the need for new observations. To address this, they are looking at surveillance facilities around the world to determine which of them has instruments to address these questions. These days this is usually done by referring to the observatory websites. They then apply for a time observation and once the applications are approved the observations are made. The astronomer once had to be in the observatory to oversee observations, but since modern telescopes are now operated solely by trained on-site staff, the researcher usually stays home and receives data over the Internet. The astronomical community as a whole is settling into the “big questions” that we will have to address in the coming decades. But it requires scientists who understand telescopes and instruments to turn these questions into equipment that can be used to address them. This is where these students come in. They and their peers will ensure that Canada remains at the forefront of instrument design. Without them, we would be ordinary passengers on the astronomy ship. With them we help in the design and construction of the ship and we help determine the course. There is another angle. Modern astronomy is at the forefront of technology, digital signal processing and imaging. This includes antenna design and the development of high-sensitivity receivers, software and computer equipment. Many of them are applicable outside of astronomy, for example in communications, medicine and other imaging, environmental detection and consumer electronics. Much of the equipment is manufactured by industry, transferring knowledge that can be used to develop new products and devices. Today, most first-line astronomical installations are international collaborations. Canada is a partner in many of them, contributing technology and operational support. DRAO is a purely national facility, which means we decide what it does and how it will evolve. This also gives us flexibility in how we can approach the training of future technically literate astronomers and astronomically literate engineers. A great advantage is that the techniques and devices developed by the students and the “postdoctoral” are often tested and developed in DRAO. This helps keep the observatory relevant at a time when scientific discovery is moving faster than at any other time in our history. ••• • Mercury awaits low at dawn, with Venus higher and brighter. To the right of Venus, lie Mars and Jupiter, next to each other and then Saturn. • The Moon will be full moon on June 14 and the last quarter visible on June 20. This article was written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect Castanet’s views.
