Tag: Society

ChatGPT’s priorities for astronomy

Having not written a blog post for a while, I decided to enlist the help of ChatGPT.

Introduction

Prompt: Write an introduction for a blog post on the challenges facing astronomers and astrophysicists in the 2020s
ChatGPT: The field of astronomy and astrophysics is constantly evolving, driven by new discoveries and technological advancements. As we enter the 2020s, astronomers and astrophysicists face a unique set of challenges that must be overcome in order to continue advancing our understanding of the universe. From the hunt for dark matter to the search for habitable exoplanets, these challenges require innovative solutions and collaborative efforts from scientists, engineers, and policymakers. In this blog post, we will explore the top challenges facing astronomers and astrophysicists in the 2020s and the potential solutions being developed to address them.

Concerns

Prompt: What are the major concerns of astronomers and astrophysicists in the 2020s?
ChatGPT: There are several major concerns and challenges facing astronomers and astrophysicists in the 2020s. Here are a few:

  1. Dark matter and dark energy: One of the biggest mysteries in astrophysics is the nature of dark matter and dark energy, which are thought to make up a large fraction of the universe’s mass-energy content. Astronomers are working to better understand the properties and distribution of dark matter and dark energy through observations of galaxies, galaxy clusters, and the cosmic microwave background.
  2. Multi-messenger astronomy: With the advent of gravitational wave detectors such as LIGO and Virgo, astronomers can now detect and study the universe using not only electromagnetic radiation, but also gravitational waves and cosmic rays. This multi-messenger approach promises to provide new insights into the most violent and energetic processes in the universe, such as black hole mergers and neutron star collisions.
  3. Exoplanet exploration: With the discovery of thousands of exoplanets in recent years, astronomers are now working to characterize these planets and their atmospheres to determine their habitability and potential for life. This requires advanced instrumentation and data analysis techniques, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations with planetary scientists and astrobiologists.
  4. Big data and machine learning: As astronomical surveys and simulations generate ever-larger datasets, astronomers must develop new methods for managing, analyzing, and interpreting this data. This has led to the development of new techniques in machine learning and artificial intelligence, as well as the construction of large-scale data infrastructure such as the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
  5. Climate change and sustainability: Astronomical observatories and facilities often have a significant environmental impact, and astronomers are increasingly aware of the need to reduce this impact and promote sustainability. This includes reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste and pollution, and promoting sustainable practices in the design and construction of observatories and instrumentation.

These are just a few of the major concerns facing astronomers and astrophysicists in the 2020s, and addressing these challenges will require collaboration, innovation, and interdisciplinary thinking.

Prompt: Would you add any more concerns to the above list?
ChatGPT: Yes, there are a few more concerns that could be added to the list of challenges facing astronomers and astrophysicists in the 2020s:

  1. Space debris: With the increase in space exploration and satellite launches, the amount of space debris in Earth’s orbit is becoming a growing concern. This debris poses a risk to spacecraft and could potentially hinder astronomical observations from space.
  2. Ethics of space exploration: As humans continue to explore space and potentially establish permanent settlements on other planets, there are ethical questions that need to be addressed, such as the impact on indigenous life (if any) and the distribution of resources.
  3. Diversity and inclusion: Astronomy and astrophysics have historically been male-dominated fields, and there is a growing recognition of the need to promote diversity and inclusion in the field. This includes addressing issues of gender and racial bias, promoting mentorship and leadership opportunities for underrepresented groups, and creating a more welcoming and inclusive community.

These are just a few more concerns that astronomers and astrophysicists will need to address in the coming years, alongside the other challenges I mentioned earlier.

Solutions

Prompt: What potential solutions are being developed to address these top eight aforementioned challenges?
ChatGPT:

Here are some potential solutions that are being developed to address the top eight challenges facing astronomers and astrophysicists in the 2020s:

  1. Dark matter: Scientists are working on a variety of experiments to directly detect and study dark matter particles, including underground detectors, space-based telescopes, and colliders.
  2. Multi-messenger astronomy: The development of new detectors and telescopes that can detect gravitational waves, neutrinos, and other messengers in addition to light is expanding our ability to study cosmic phenomena.
  3. Exoplanet characterization: Astronomers are working on the development of new techniques and telescopes to better study exoplanet atmospheres and surfaces, including the use of space-based observatories and spectroscopy.
  4. Data management: The development of advanced data analysis techniques and high-performance computing systems is helping astronomers manage the increasing volume and complexity of astronomical data.
  5. Potential solutions to address the challenge of climate change and sustainability in astronomy include green computing, sustainable observatory design, remote observing, collaboration across facilities, reducing travel, and promoting environmental awareness.*
  6. Space debris: Scientists and engineers are developing new methods for mitigating the risks of space debris, including developing better methods for tracking debris, designing spacecraft that can avoid collisions, and developing technologies for removing debris from orbit.
  7. Ethics of space exploration: There is growing recognition of the need to address ethical issues in space exploration, such as the impact on indigenous life and resource distribution. Conversations and policies around these issues are ongoing.
  8. Diversity and inclusion: The astronomy and astrophysics community is working to promote diversity and inclusion through various initiatives such as mentorship programs, unconscious bias training, and outreach programs aimed at underrepresented groups.

While these challenges are complex and require long-term solutions, scientists and engineers are working diligently to find answers and push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.

* Here ChatGPT actually expanded in detail and I had to ask it to be more concise.

Message from ChatGPT

Prompt: Isn’t all this a bit daunting? What would you say to encourage today’s astronomers trying to solve these issues? Try to be concise in your answer.
ChatGPT: While the challenges facing astronomers and astrophysicists in the 2020s may seem daunting, it’s important to remember that each challenge presents an opportunity for innovation, collaboration, and discovery. By working together and continuing to push the boundaries of technology and knowledge, we can overcome these challenges and make new breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe. As daunting as these challenges may be, they also offer the potential for exciting new discoveries and advancements that can shape our understanding of the universe for generations to come.

Prompt: Thank you for your input. Any closing remarks?
ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I am always happy to provide insights and information on a wide range of topics, including astronomy and astrophysics. I encourage anyone who is interested in these fields to continue exploring and learning, and to collaborate with others to tackle the challenges that we face. By working together, we can continue to make remarkable discoveries and advancements that help us better understand the universe we inhabit.

Are online conferences more inclusive?

Once again, we are entering the summer conference season and, once again, most conferences are taking place in virtual format due to the ongoing travel restrictions and uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Much has in fact already been written about how to make conferences more inclusive, both in person and virtually. So what aspects should be considered as a measure of inclusivity?

Cost

Firstly – cost. The ugly truth is that expensive conference fees, coupled with transport and accommodation costs, often effectively prohibit people from attending meetings due to their location. Travel grants and awards can help to combat this, but are not as much of an equaliser as a fully online format.

Travel

Secondly – even for those who can afford it, travelling long distances is not always possible or desirable. This is especially true for people with family to look after, with teaching obligations, or for people with certain disabilities, for whom the stress is not worth the effort.

Time

Not everyone can afford the luxury of going away for 1-2 weeks. Yet an online format is typically difficult to be fully inclusive in terms of time zones. As an example, next week from 28th June until the 2nd July, the European Astronomical Society (EAS) 2021 meeting takes place; scheduled from 9am to 6pm CEST, which makes sense for a majority European attendance. However, the International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC) 2021 from 12th – 23rd July has to cater for a truly international attendance. This is scheduled from 12pm to 7:30pm CEST — which is 7pm to 2:30am in Tokyo and 3am to 10:30 am in Los Angeles. Good luck to colleagues further afield still, in Australia and Hawaii!
In these cases, the online format makes scheduling “live discussions” in which all can participate at a reasonable time, effectively impossible. Such is life when living on a rotating Earth.

Recordings

For the ICRC this year, all contributions (except for plenary talks) have to be recorded and uploaded in advance of the conference. Although it may seem like a pain – one more thing to prepare – in my opinion this is helpful for many people for the following reasons:

1) it enables people to watch talks at a suitable time for them;
2) the talk can be recorded as many times as the presenter likes, thereby getting rid of some nerves;
3) fast speakers can be slowed down and slow speakers can be sped up;
4) parts of a talk can be repeated if necessary (or skipped, e.g. if hearing the same introduction for the Nth time).

The major disadvantage being, of course, that the audience can be much reduced, as fewer people will proactively watch as many talks as they would in person.

Language

English is the de facto language of science in general and international conferences in particular. As a native speaker, I’m fully aware that I have an unfair advantage here. (Also, that my natural writing style is deemed “difficult to read”…)
Online formats can provide non-native speakers of English with more time and flexibility; in preparing their talks; in formulating questions before asking these live or writing and posting online; and in assimilating and understanding information before responding.
Actually, that list applies to everyone, regardless of their native language!

Invisible barriers

There are likely several further, invisible barriers that I have not mentioned so far. These are the less obvious aspects, that you won’t know someone is affected by unless they tell you. For example, at the EAS 2021, a friend is helping to organise this special session on Welfare and Mental Health in Astronomy Research which will no doubt spark valuable discussion; whilst the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) as part of its “Astrodiversity” project has issued a set of guidelines for colour blind friendly publications.

As scientists, it is important to keep learning from each other, and try to make science in general (and astrophysics in particular) a welcoming environment that supports all people involved.
After all, E = mc2 regardless of our differences.

#BlackLivesMatter – June 10th 2020

Today, 10th June 2020, physicists have called for a Strike for Black Lives. Why? This is not only to add support to the fight against racism and violent discrimination, but also a chance for us to have some uncomfortable conversations. Black people have been and continue to be severely under-represented in academia. We can’t rewrite history, but we can change its course – so why does the percentage of black people in academia remain so low?

Why are there so few black physicists?

Recently I read this article which identified five main influences, that can be roughly categorised as representation (a sense of belonging / self-perception) and support (both academic and personal). In other words, we are discouraged if there are no examples of “people like me”. The absence of coloured physicists is striking, and something I’ve mused upon to colleagues on a few occasions. The ratio is much more biased than in wider society. At several meetings, conferences and work places there is almost always only one black academic. Professionally, I’ve encountered perhaps ~7 people; no more than 10. If you are a black person in academia – you are not alone.

How can we help?

What can we do to improve the situation, without showing favouritism or reducing people to the “token black employee”? Here are a few thoughts.
(Please note – opinions expressed are entirely my own. If I’ve unintentionally offended anyone, or if you have other ideas 🙂 , do not hesitate to let me know)

  • Ensure that we visibly include historical examples of black scientists in outreach and education.
    There is a list of African American scientists on Wikipedia and we would do well to remember and advertise the achievements of Edward Bouchet , George Carruthers , James Harris , Katherine Johnson , Willie Moore , Arthur Walker and others. (and I’m ashamed to learn some of those names for the first time today)
  • Encourage black students and colleagues to join organisations such as https://www.nsbp.org/ not to form “cliques” or promote division, but as a source of support.
  • Advertise opportunities, such as the Bell-Burnell graduate fund that can support people from under-represented backgrounds.
  • Encourage black colleagues to give talks and visibly share their work, collaborate with them and cite them! (Should go without saying.)
  • Give students examples of active black researchers – this could be you too. (Famous examples include Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Neil de Grasse Tyson)

This next one is a bit astronomy specific, but we can give more thought to the cultures we refer to in historical astronomy. We can do more to include not only Asian and Middle-Eastern, but also African, Native American and Aboriginal Australian alongside historical European Astronomy.
(A few minutes on google today led me to the work of Thebe Medupe on traditional African Astronomy and of Duane Hamacher on Aboriginal Australian Astronomy. )

Finally, whilst not being true for all, black people and under-represented groups are facing an uphill battle and may be more reluctant to ask for help – which means we should be all the more willing to offer it.

We are all guilty of unconscious bias; yes, even under-represented groups will also have their own internalised biases. The first step to improvement is becoming more aware of our biases and ways to combat it.