Transition and Pathways
Work Experience - CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope
Year 10 student Harvey McLachlan recently had the incredible opportunity to spend a week at the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope also known as "The Dish."
Throughout the week, Harvey explored the fascinating world of radio astronomy. Below, he shares a reflection of his experience.
Day 1
On our first day at Parkes, we watched our supervisor, John, support SpaceX during the launch of the SXM-11 satellite. We also assisted with aiming the telescope as the rocket passed over the horizon and were given access to the telescope's control room during the mission. John reminded us that understanding science is about more than knowing the jargon, humorously explaining gravity as being caused by "flapping fairies" to illustrate his point.
Day 2
Day 2 began with three 3D films in the Visitor Centre before a series of physics lessons with John. We explored how astronomers use trigonometry to calculate distances and orbits, while also discovering just how much empty space exists within our galaxy. We finished the day calculating the orbital distances and speeds of Mercury and Venus, putting our new knowledge into practice.
Day 3
Day 3 was the busiest of the week, with lessons on the Doppler effect, hydrogen emissions, Hubble's constant, and pulsars. A highlight was touring the Parkes Radio Telescope, including standing on the dish, exploring inside the telescope, and visiting the control room.
Day 4 and 5
The remaining days mainly involved calculating the distances between galaxies and our own using the physics concepts and formulas we had learnt throughout the week. We applied a range of equations to analyse our results and deepen our understanding of radio astronomy.
It was an incredible experience that strengthened my knowledge of astronomy and gave me a unique insight into the work of scientists at one of Australia's most iconic observatories.
Students - Have you seen the new Pathways Theme in the Resource Centre?
This term's pathways theme is Place Makers
Place Makers design and manage the systems that make communities function. They might develop transport networks that connect entire regions, plan sustainable urban growth, protect environmental resources, engineer power grids that keep cities running, or coordinate waste management systems.
Whether working on energy infrastructure, public transport, environmental policy, or urban development, their expertise creates the networks and frameworks that determine how well places work for the people who live there.
The Place Makers display can be found near the printers in the Resource Centre. The display features jobs related to this term's pathways theme. Fact sheets for each job can also be found at this display and students are welcome to take one of these to explore a particular pathway in depth. Students are welcome to take a fact sheet to explore a pathway further.
Please speak to Mr O'Connell in the Careers Office if you require any further information.
Mr Richard O'Connell | Transition and Pathways Specialist