I met an astronaut!

[rogerg (Roger)]

G'day all,

I'm not sure how many of you have noticed Megan McArthur doing a round of talks around the country as part of national science week? I don't think I've seen it mentioned here.

Anyhow, on Friday (just gone) I went along to a talk by her - such a rare opportunity to meet an astronaut in real life!! I couldn't miss that!

Great to actually meet someone who's been to space and back, makes it seem so much more real. Good to hear what she had to say in terms of personal accounts of the trip, and answers to questions that are hard to google, etc.

Here's a little blurb and few pics:

http://www.rogergroom.com/astronomy/...thur_astronaut

I'm sure others here must have met her, so perhaps it's nothing special, but I really enjoyed the opportunity

Roger.

[erick (Eric)]

Great Roger. A good read. Well done to get a photo with Megan.

She spoke tonight at my Uni. I couldn't go

She looked after the HST with her gentle robotic arm - I think she is great!

[renormalised (Carl)]

It's special to you, Roger, that's all that counts

Lucky

[Enchilada]

Originally Posted by rogerg

G'day all,

I'm not sure how many of you have noticed Megan McArthur doing a round of talks around the country as part of national science week? I don't think I've seen it mentioned here.

Thanks for posting this. From what I've already seen of Megan McArthur, well I am very impressed with both her demeanour and passion for what she does. I heard her speak on local radio and was totally blown away with her excellent communication skills. Her general rapport towards the younger set, especially towards promoting young woman to following a science career. More than beneficial. For me you couldn't wish for a better role model. ★★★★★

There are actually four speakers touring our country this week, which I know was vigourously supported and sponsored by the Federal Government (at Julia Gillard's suggest I believe) being also Tanya Ha, Scott Sampson and Prof. Lawrence Krauss. See. : http://www.scienceweek.gov.au/Nation...ourGuests.aspx

Comment: Some astronomical societies in Australia should get behind getting some speakers at an event in Science week 2010. I believe any astro society could easily get a grant ($3,000 and $40,000) to cover the costs of the event - and promote astonomy as a science at the same time. The criteria for 2009 was in a pdf produced by the FederalDepartment of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, whose application is through the Science Awareness and Research Agencies Section I.e.
https://grants.innovation.gov.au/SCO...Guidelines.pdf

Just an idea...

[Octane (Humayun)]

I'm meeting her today.

Regards,
Humayun

[Baddad (Marty)]

Hi Roger,

Green with envy. Maybe my chance will come.

Cheers Marty

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by erick

She spoke tonight at my Uni. I couldn't go

Doh! what a shame! Hopefully there'll be a "next time".

Originally Posted by Enchilada

Thanks for posting this. From what I've already seen of Megan McArthur, well I am very impressed with both her demeanour and passion for what she does....

She was a good talker. She raced through her coverage of the video but I wonder how much that was not her choice - I suspect NASA make these things up and say "here you go, work with this..".

I like your comment about getting astro societies involved. I was surprised how little advertising there was about the event, and that astro societies aren't involved at all.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

Roger

i think Border Stargaze have Megan McArthur talking to students attending the venue today - I will stand corrected if needs be
think Petra said she was picking her up from the airport this morning ?

geoff

[joeallen (Joe)]

2 years ago I got 3 hours notice that Pam Melroy was in Melbourne talking to a crowd at a girl's secondary school. I did get to the talk, and several of us took her to dinner after the talk. I got to sit next to her and talk at tea for 20 minutes with her. Here is the link describing that evening.

http://www.ifta.com.au/melroy.htm

I also got to meet my namesake, Joseph P. Allen, over 20 years ago in Indianapolis. He grew up near my hometown of Indianapolis.

That night with Pam will live with me forever. There is something special in meeting a female astronaut like Pam. Much more of a thrill than meeting an athlete or politician, or even a musician.

Joseph Allen, Melton