November 14, 2005 Source: University of Toronto:
http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/051114-1843.asp Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics celebrates centenaryMilestone anniversary marks 100 years young Nov 14/05
by Karen Kelly Considering the universe's 13.5-billion-year-old history, 100 years of astronomy and astrophysics may seem insignificant. Still, in a century, U of T researchers have packed in a constellation of stellar achievements. To celebrate, the department threw a party of sorts: the Cosmic Frontiers lecture series, which talked about the latest in cosmic discoveries. The series packed Convocation Hall on four Friday nights, proof that the great beyond is as popular as ever. "I think that astronomy’s appeal stems from the fact that we’re answering questions that intrigue everyone," says Professor Peter Martin, chair of astronomy and astrophysics. "And right now it’s an exciting time — there are so many things happening. This is the golden age of astronomy." Martin adds that much has changed since the department started in 1905, the same year Einstein’s theory of relativity was presented. It was then that Professor Clarence Chant introduced U of T’s first astronomy courses. Chant soon started championing construction of a major observatory and in 1935 his dream became a reality with the opening of the David Dunlap Observatory. "That’s 30 years," Martin points out. "Chant must have been a very patient man." Patience paved the way for this world-class observatory that underpinned the late Professor Helen Hogg’s renowned work on globular clusters — gravitationally bound groupings of old stars that orbit the galaxy — and Professor Thomas Bolton’s first evidence for a stellar-mass black hole, an object with a gravitational pull so strong that even light cannot escape. Over the years, the department has developed a broad spectrum of offerings and research has moved away from local institutional facilities. "The way we do science is different," Martin says. "Back when the department began a researcher could rely on data acquired from a local observatory. Now, our astronomers, often leading large international campaigns, use telescopes all over the world and in space — whatever is best for the research." Current examples include Professor Roberto Abraham’s Gemini Deep Deep Survey investigating galaxy evolution when age, the Canada France Hawaii Legacy Survey (Professor Raymond Carlberg) to probe dark energy by discovering supernovae — the explosive destruction of a star — in the distant universe and the balloon-borne BOOMERANG flights (Professor Barth Netterfield) to constrain cosmological models by measuring primordial fluctuations in the radiation from the big bang. This is also a field where new technologies can literally change your view — a new spectral window on the universe has been opened roughly each decade since the 1950s. U of T researchers no longer see the universe only through optical telescopes; they also use radio, sub-millimetre, the universe was less than half its present infrared, ultraviolet and X-ray telescopes to explore cosmic phenomena. Entire new areas of research, such as star formation in molecular clouds totally obscured by dust, have thus been opened up. Still, in order to solve some celestial mysteries, a researcher must stay grounded and put pencil to paper. In 1984, building on the department’s vision, the university established the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA), a nationally supported centre that studies major theories in the field, everything from the early universe to planet formation. Martin, himself appointed to CITA, emphasizes the importance of linking astronomical observations to complex computer simulations and fundamental analysis. "In our research, we obviously can’t go out and poke things," Martin says. "Theoretical astrophysics allows us to apply the laws of physics to what we detect out there in the universe, to develop, for example, a whole theory of stellar evolution, how a star lives from birth to death." Martin says astronomy is a field that routinely surprises everyone. "In the early 80s, if you’d asked me and my colleagues if there were other solar systems out there, we’d have said it’s a good possibility but let’s make sure," he says. "Now, with over 100 extra-solar planets and counting, we know it’s a reality." And what about the billion-dollar questions: is there life out there? Are there planets similar to the Earth? "Well, statistically I think there’s got to be but don’t take my word for it," Martin says. "We’ve got to try to find them." began a researcher could rely on data
acquired from a local observatory. Now, our
astronomers, often leading large international
campaigns, use telescopes all over the world
and in space — whatever is best for the
research." Current examples include Professor
Roberto Abraham’s Gemini Deep Deep
Survey investigating galaxy evolution when
the universe was less than half its present
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