TED: How radio telescopes show us unseen galaxies | Natasha Hurley-Walker

The speaker shares their journey from childhood inspiration to becoming an astronomer, highlighting the limitations of visible light in exploring the universe. They introduce radio astronomy as a solution, showcasing the Murchison Widefield Array and the GLEAM survey's discoveries. The talk concludes with future prospects in radio astronomy, including the Square Kilometre Array, which promises to reveal the universe's earliest stars and galaxies.

What inspired the speaker to pursue a career in astronomy?

• A love for science fiction movies

• A fascination with the Milky Way

• A desire to explore the universe

• A childhood dream of piloting a starship

What is one major limitation of using visible light to explore the universe?

• Visible light is too bright

• Visible light is blocked by dust

• Visible light is too expensive to use

• Visible light is too slow

What phenomenon causes distant objects in the universe to appear redder?

• Ultraviolet shift

• Infrared shift

• Redshift

• Blueshift

What is the primary advantage of radio astronomy over visible light astronomy?

• Radio waves are more colorful

• Radio waves are cheaper to use

• Radio waves are not blocked by dust

• Radio waves are faster

What is the Murchison Widefield Array primarily used for?

• Surveying the southern sky

• Mapping the moon

• Exploring the ocean

• Studying the sun

What is the GLEAM survey known for detecting?

• Comets

• Supernova remnants

• New planets

• Asteroids

What is a significant feature of the Centaurus A galaxy observed in radio waves?

• Its massive radio jets

• Its bright blue color

• Its large dust lane

• Its spiral arms

What is the Square Kilometre Array expected to achieve?

• Mapping the Milky Way

• Detecting new planets

• Finding the first stars and galaxies

• Exploring the ocean depths

What is the main goal of the Square Kilometre Array?

• To study the sun

• To map the Earth's surface

• To explore the ocean

• To detect the first stars and galaxies

What is the expected size comparison of the Square Kilometre Array to the MWA?

• Twice as large

• Half the size

• Ten times larger

• A thousand times larger