Allan reflects on the 2009 Prime Minister’s Science Prize and the benefits of astronomy and space research
The opening of the Australia Telescope on 2 September 1988. Image Nick Lomb
One of the questions I am often asked as an Astronomy Educator here at Sydney Observatory is “What use is Astronomy?” with people thinking that just looking at the sky cannot really be of any importance to people here on Earth. This years Prime Minister’s Prize for Science given to Dr John O’Sullivan is a wonderful example of how basic science can turn into massive benefits (and dollars) for Australia and indeed the world.
Initially, Dr O’Sullivan was working with the CSIRO and at Parkes Radio Telescope looking for the radio signals from exploding black holes. Later while working on the development of the Australia Telescope he looked at the “multipath” problem – the interference caused by reflected radio waves that slows network speeds. He and his team found a way to accelerate them by splitting radio channels apart, making wireless about five times faster.
This discovery evolved into what we now know as Wi-Fi technology, that allows millions of different computers, phones, games consoles and other information devices to share information in new and easy ways.
This is not the first time basic research has turned into innovations and inventions. CSIRO radio astronomers also developed the Interscan aircraft landing system that was widely used at airports around the globe until the advent of GPS systems. There are, of course, numerous spinoffs from the space program, though there are a few myths as well such as Teflon.
Many basic inventions started life as scientific curiosities from non-Newtonian ‘slime’ now used in variable speed gearboxes to super conductivity for magnets and power transmission. Even the technology behind the solar panels on many houses to day was simply an exercise in a physics lab for many years.
Even the humble and esoteric science of astronomy has led to techniques used for looking at different stars to make an appearance in everyday life. The Maksutov telescope developed in the 1940s for astronomy now has a second life in lightweight lens taking photos of sporting achievements a long way off. Even the special optics that allow telescopes to adapt to changing weather conditions in the sky without losing view of a distant galaxy are starting to make their way to your digital camera to capture that perfect shot.
So next time you discuss the achievements of astronomy from your laptop, or twitter from your mobile phone stop to consider what might have happened without some research into black holes in a sheep paddock in Parkes.
Allan Kreuiter, Astronomy Educator at Sydney Observatory
