"We all stand on each other shoulders to make the next discovery." an interview with Joseph Lazio

Recorded February 28, 2019 22:46 minutes

Description

As a radio astronomer at the Jet Propulsion lab at NASA, Joseph Lazio walks us through his work in radio astronomy and career at NASA. He helped design radio telescopes to solve the mystery of why a hidden star was revealed. These telescopes can predict orbits, discover new planets, and study the sun’s explosions, which in turn interact with earth's magnetic fields. Are there other planets capable of sustaining life? Today’s technology can see outside earth like never before, raising new questions of what else can be discovered.

He emphasizes the importance of assisting young scientists with their research efforts while also having fun reaching those goals. He leaves us with a suggestion to look up more frequently and realize we are a part of this grand universe. What kinds of stars can we see and what stars are hidden from us?

“When you look up at the night sky, you see points of light – balls of hot gas like our sun – and we have a real connection to the stars…all elements in us are forged in the stars and blown out. We are stardust. Look up – we are part of the universe.” (Recorded 13 December 2018)

Participants

  • Joseph Lazio
  • Ilan Glazer
  • AGU Narratives

Interview By