Media Release - For Immediate Release

May 25 2010

From Astronomer to Radio Star

Professor Rob Thacker has launched his own radio show to demystify science and help the public understand its important role.

Astronomer Rob Thacker may like to gaze at the stars in the sky, but he likes to talk to stars too – the nation’s top science teachers, researchers and communicators.

The Saint Mary’s professor and researcher is passionate about his chosen profession and emphasizes the importance of science and discovery in articles, editorials and conferences across North America.

This month he has taken his effort to share the value of science with the public one step further. He has started his own radio show.

“It is called Universal Ideas. It will be a series of 20 minute interviews with some the most interesting people in science on topics that I hope the public will find fascinating.”

The programs will not only focus on interesting research issues, but they will touch on the life of the person being interviewed. It is an effort to put a human face on some researchers or academics members of the public at large might dismiss as geeks, he says.

"Many of these people like hockey, beer and so on, but they have other amazing stuff to talk about as well. There are some really interesting stories lurking beneath the surface."

Dr. Thacker said he’s launched the audio offensive because he worries public interest in science and “the joy of discovery” is waning.

“People’s horizons about the world are getting smaller at a time when knowledge is expanding exponentially,” he says. “We are on the threshold on knowing whether there is life on other planets, and I don’t see that much excitement out there. I really wish Carl Sagan was alive to capture people's attention.”

He said 15 years ago scientists didn’t know if there were planets beyond our own solar system and now 400 have been identified but surprisingly few people on the street know it.

In this, the first episode he speaks with René Doyon, the principal engineer of the James Webb Space Telescope. Together they discuss why Doyon was destined to pursue a career in astronomy, his greatest successes, and why it's only a matter of time before we find another planet just like Earth.

He hopes to record another interview later this month when 200 members of the Royal Astronomical Society gather at Saint Mary’s for their annual meeting May 25-26.

Listen to his radio interview with Dr. Rene Doyon.

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For More Information:

Steve Proctor
External Affairs
Saint Mary's University
(902) 420.5513
E-mail: steve.proctor@smu.ca
www.smu.ca

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