Stuart Ryder presents - From the Beverly-Begg Observatory to Paranal Observatory: a tale of SN 1987A and Fast Radio Bursts, Mon 1 Sept.

Monday 1 Sept, 6:30pm, held via Zoom.

In this presentation Dr Ryder discusses his journey in astronomy, including the instruments he used as an amateur astronomer, and his journey to become a professional astronomer and leading researcher.

How did a local boy go from using Dunedin's Beverly-Begg Observatory to (almost) discover Supernova 1987A, to using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope to find the most distant Fast Radio Burst? In this talk I shall reflect on how having access to such a well-equipped and located observatory, supported by passionate amateur astronomers, could set someone on the path to a fulfilling career in astronomy.

Bio

Dr Stuart Ryder is an Adjunct Fellow with the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and a member of the Astrophysics and Space Technologies Research Centre. Previously he led the International Telescopes Support Office at the Australian Astronomical Observatory. Stuart works part-time as a Program Manager with Astronomy Australia Ltd at their Macquarie University office, overseeing Australia's Strategic Partnership with the European Southern Observatory, and engagement with the Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time.