Epistemic Insight - Q&A with Astronomers (outreach for schools)

Outreach for schools: Q&A with Astronomers

As part of an Epistemic Insight (EI) astronomy summer school (see below), we have produced a number of videos suitable for use in secondary schools, where astronomers address questions from secondary school students: https://futureofknowledge.com/q-and-a-with-astronomers/. Popular questions from students have including asking about the future of astronomy, whether artificial intelligence can have a sense of curiosity, whether it’s rational to believe the Universe is created, and what is the value of collaborating with other disciplines.

Follow the link above to reach the main Q&A webpage. Here on Zenodo, we provide the recorded answers to each question given by astronomers. The questions are also listed below.

Science and Becoming an Astronomer

• Robyn Evren - When did you know you wanted to be an astronomer?
• Natalie Lines - When did you become interested in science and astronomy?
• Natalie Lines - What is your favourite technology used in astronomy?
• Natalie Lines - What is the biggest puzzle we haven’t yet solved in astronomy?

Conceptual Questions
(See this article: BBC News - Smelly planet 'reeks of rotten eggs' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjm901rdyjdo)

• Zuri Gray - Can an AI remote telescope have its own sense of curiosity?
• Zuri Gray - Does space have a smell?
• Zuri Gray - Should the next James Webb Space Telescope have sensory equipment to help it to ‘smell’ space?

Technology and the Future of Astronomy

• Ayham Yousif - How do Astronomers use GenAI?
• Marc Sarzi - What technology are you using that you are excited about, and what technology will astronomers have in future?
• Marc Sarzi - What will it be like to be an astronomer in future?
• Marc Sarzi - Are there skills we already have will be useful in future?

Context - astronomy summer school

As part of the Epistemic Insight (EI) Initiative of the LASAR (Learning about Science and Religion) research and outreach centre, an STFC Astronomy and Artificial Intelligence summer school with public engagement was organised by Prof Berry Billingsley and Dr James Pearson and held in July 2024, which placed emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach of bringing together knowledge and researchers from different fields utilising AI, to devise solutions and create new opportunities. There was also the opportunity for attendees to participate in outreach training and contribute to a public engagement event for schools, involving working with immersive tech to communicate ideas in astronomy, and assessing generative AI as a tool for creating activities and puzzles relating to their work.

Principal Investigator: Prof Berry Billingsley (Epistemic Insight Initiative)
Project Manager: Dr James Pearson (The Open University)
Data Curator: Mina Cullimore (Canterbury Christ Church University)