Fred Watson
Encyclopedia
Dr. Fred Watson AM is an astronomer and popular scientist in Australia
. In 1995 Watson became astronomer
in charge of the Anglo-Australian Observatory
, but is best known for his work with Science Outreach
, for which he has written many books, as well as musical and choral works. In January 2010, Fred was awarded Member of the Order of Australia for service to astronomy, particularly the promotion and popularisation of space science through public outreach.
, Scotland
, where he obtained a degree in mathematics
and physics
in 1967. In 1975 he completed his masters degree in astronomy at St Andrews and gained his PhD
from University of Edinburgh
in 1987.Doctorate thesis on Multi-Object Astronomical Spectroscopy with Optical Fibreshe
Watson confesses developing "an early love of music", which he used to help pay for his studies by playing guitar in folk clubs, and which he now applies in his work with Science Outreach.
and the UK Schmidt telescopes on behalf of the astronomical communities of Australia and the United Kingdom, and is currently funded by the governments of both countries. Its function is to provide world-class observing facilities for British and Australian optical astronomers.
Watson participates directly in the Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE), measuring the radial velocities and metallicities of up to 1 million stars in the Milky Way Galaxy and is active in developing instrumentation for this project.
Other positions currently held:
, and Sir Patrick Moore's Yearbook of Astronomy in the UK.
"Awards"
Books
Watson has written several popular science books.
Music
Star Chant is a collaboration with Australian Composer Ross Edwards
. This was the fourth choral symphony
written by Edwards, for which Watson wrote the libretto
. As a multi-media work, celestial images by David Malin
are included. Star Chant premiered at the Adelaide Festival in March 2002, and has also been performed at the Sydney Opera House
.
Star Chant received several awards, including:
Watson contributed the libretto for a further Edwards choral piece, Mountain Chant, which was first performed by the Melbourne Chorale in June 2003.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. In 1995 Watson became astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
in charge of the Anglo-Australian Observatory
Anglo-Australian Observatory
The Australian Astronomical Observatory , formerly the Anglo-Australian Observatory, is an optical/near-infrared astronomy observatory with its headquarters in suburban Sydney, Australia...
, but is best known for his work with Science Outreach
Science outreach
Science outreach, also called Education and Public Outreach or simply Public outreach, is an umbrella term for a variety of activities by research institutes, universities, and institutions such as science museums, aimed at promoting public awareness of science and making informal contributions...
, for which he has written many books, as well as musical and choral works. In January 2010, Fred was awarded Member of the Order of Australia for service to astronomy, particularly the promotion and popularisation of space science through public outreach.
Early life
Watson completed his higher education at University of St AndrewsUniversity of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, where he obtained a degree in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
in 1967. In 1975 he completed his masters degree in astronomy at St Andrews and gained his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1987.Doctorate thesis on Multi-Object Astronomical Spectroscopy with Optical Fibreshe
Watson confesses developing "an early love of music", which he used to help pay for his studies by playing guitar in folk clubs, and which he now applies in his work with Science Outreach.
Astronomy
The Anglo-Australian Observatory operate the Anglo-Australian TelescopeAnglo-Australian Telescope
The Anglo-Australian Telescope is a 3.9 m equatorially mounted telescope operated by the Australian Astronomical Observatory and situated at the Siding Spring Observatory, Australia at an altitude of a little over 1100 m...
and the UK Schmidt telescopes on behalf of the astronomical communities of Australia and the United Kingdom, and is currently funded by the governments of both countries. Its function is to provide world-class observing facilities for British and Australian optical astronomers.
Watson participates directly in the Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE), measuring the radial velocities and metallicities of up to 1 million stars in the Milky Way Galaxy and is active in developing instrumentation for this project.
Other positions currently held:
- Honorary Professor of Astronomy, University of Southern QueenslandUniversity of Southern QueenslandThe University of Southern Queensland is based in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. The institution was established in 1967 as the Queensland Institute of Technology...
- Adjunct Professor, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queensland University of TechnologyQueensland University of TechnologyQueensland University of Technology is an Australian university with an applied emphasis in courses and research. Based in Brisbane, it has 40,000 students, including 6,000 international students, over 4,000 staff members, and an annual budget of more than A$750 million.QUT is marketed as "A...
- Adjunct Professor, James Cook UniversityJames Cook UniversityJames Cook University is a public university based in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The university has two Australian campuses, located in Townsville and Cairns respectively, and an international campus in Singapore. JCU is the second oldest university in Queensland—proclaimed in 1970—and the...
- Board member of the New South WalesNew South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
Foundation for Public Education - Member of the Education Advisory Group of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Steering Committee
Science Outreach
A wide cross-section of the public read articles written by Watson in Australian GeographicAustralian Geographic
The Australian Geographic is a quarterly geographical magazine-style journal created by Dick Smith in 1985. It focuses mainly on stories about Australia, or about Australian people in other countries...
, and Sir Patrick Moore's Yearbook of Astronomy in the UK.
"Awards"
- 2003 David Allen Prize
- 2006 Eureka Award for Science Communication
- 2008 Queensland Literary Prize for Science Writing
- 2010 Member of the Order of Australia
Books
Watson has written several popular science books.
- Binoculars, Opera Glasses and Field Glasses, published by Shire Album
- Stargazer, the life and Times of the Telescope, published by Allen & Unwin, with versions available in America, The Netherlands, Korea, and most recently Japan.
- Why is Uranus upside down?, published by Allen & UnwinAllen & UnwinAllen & Unwin, formerly a major British publishing house, is now an independent book publisher and distributor based in Australia. The Australian directors have been the sole owners of the Allen & Unwin name since effecting a management buy out at the time the UK parent company, Unwin Hyman, was...
, with a UK version published by Summersdale. This received the 2008 Queensland Literary Prize for Science Writing
Music
Star Chant is a collaboration with Australian Composer Ross Edwards
Ross Edwards
Ross Edwards is a former Western Australian and Australian cricketer.Edwards played in 20 Tests for Australia, playing against England, West Indies and Pakistan. He also played in nine One Day Internationals including the 1975 Cricket World Cup series...
. This was the fourth choral symphony
Choral symphony
A choral symphony is a musical composition for orchestra, choir, sometimes with solo vocalists, which in its internal workings and overall musical architecture adheres broadly to symphonic musical form. The term "choral symphony" in this context was coined by Hector Berlioz when describing his...
written by Edwards, for which Watson wrote the libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
. As a multi-media work, celestial images by David Malin
David Malin
David Malin is a British-Australian astronomer and photographer.Malin trained as a chemist and originally worked in England as microscopist...
are included. Star Chant premiered at the Adelaide Festival in March 2002, and has also been performed at the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
.
Star Chant received several awards, including:
- 2008 APRA award for the Choral work of the Year
Watson contributed the libretto for a further Edwards choral piece, Mountain Chant, which was first performed by the Melbourne Chorale in June 2003.
Sources
- http://www.fredwatson.com.au
- http://www.aao.gov.au/AAO/local/www/fgw/
- http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=311&author=306
- http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/ClassicalAwards/History/2008Winners.aspx
- http://www.smh.com.au/national/starstruck-from-an-early-age-20100125-mukv.html