Joscelyn Bell Burnell

Keynote Lecture

Abstract

Astronomy and Poetry

A professional astronomer with an interest in poetry looks at how poets have engaged with the science. Do many poets write on astronomical themes? What topics have they noticed? How are they using the science? This talk will be illustrated with readings of selected poems.

 

PowerPoint and MP3 of Jocelyn's presentation

Biographical Details

Jocelyn Bell Burnell has used telescopes flown on high-altitude balloons, launched on rockets and carried on satellites, and built a radio telescope which was firmly grounded in Cambridgeshire. Later in her career she could be found in Hawaii panting for breath at 14000' and using the UK's infrared or millimetre waveband telescopes. She has been honoured with many prizes and awards. The public appreciation and understanding of science have always been important to her, and she is much in demand as a speaker. She has co-edited, with Maurice Riordan, an anthology of poetry with an astronomical theme – Dark Matter; Poems of Space.