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Anja Cetti Andersen
Anja C. Andersen.jpg
Andersen in 2022
Born (1965-09-25) 25 September 1965 (age 59)
Hørsholm, Denmark
Alma mater University of Copenhagen
Known for Cosmic dust, planet formation, publishing
Awards
Scientific career
Fields Astrophysics, astronomy, teaching
Institutions

Anja Cetti Andersen (born 25 September 1965) is a famous astronomer and astrophysicist from Hørsholm, Denmark. She studies the universe and how things in space work.

Anja's Early Life and Education

Anja Cetti Andersen studied at the University of Copenhagen. She earned her first degree in 1991. Then, she got her master's degree in astronomy in 1995. In 1999, she completed her PhD. Her PhD research was about "Cosmic Dust and Late-Type Stars."

Anja's interest in space began when she was in seventh grade. A Danish astronomer named Uffe Grae Jorgensen visited her school. This visit inspired her. Today, she even works with him in Copenhagen! Anja has three children: Julie, Cecilie, and Jakob.

Anja's Amazing Career in Space Science

Anja Cetti Andersen's main work focuses on something called cosmic dust. This is tiny dust found in space. She studies how this dust helps form complex molecules, stars, and even planets.

Researching Cosmic Dust and Planet Formation

Anja is currently a professor at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen. She does research at the Dark Cosmology Center there. Her work often combines different sciences. She looks at physics, chemistry, geology, and biology to understand space.

For example, she studies tiny grains from meteorites. These are called "presolar grains." She also researches how cosmic dust affects how planets form. She even works on models to understand why life on Earth uses specific types of amino acids and sugars.

Anja describes herself as an "atypical astronomer." This is because she spends a lot of time in the lab. She studies the chemical makeup of meteorites. This helps her create ideas about how solar systems are made.

Sharing Science with Everyone

Anja is not just a researcher; she is also an author. She writes books about astronomy for everyone, not just scientists. She believes it's very important to tell the world, especially young people, about exciting new discoveries in science.

She has written books for children to explain astronomy in a simple way. She also wrote "Stjernsov og Galakser" (Stardust and Galaxies). Her most recent book is "Livet er et Mirakel" (Life is a Miracle).

Anja is also known for her great teaching skills. Many of her awards are for her ability to share science with the public. She wants more women to have important jobs in science. She once said that it's important to take action to make this happen.

You can learn more about her work on dark energy, dark matter, and cosmic dust. She explains these topics in an educational video. It's called "Interview with Anja Cetti Andersen – Author, Professor, and Researcher – Copenhagen University."

A Minor Planet Named After Anja

Did you know that a minor planet is named after her? It's called 8820 Anjandersen! This is a huge honor for an astronomer.

Awards and Recognitions

Anja Cetti Andersen has received many awards for her research and for sharing science.

  • 2016: She won the Silver H.C. Ørsted Medal. This was for explaining science so well to many people.
  • 2011: She received the Dissemination Prize from the Faculty of Science. This was for her amazing work in public outreach.
  • 2009: She won the Svend Bergsøes Fonds Formidlingspris for outstanding public outreach.
  • 2009: She was given the Mathilde Prize. This award is for helping women and men be treated equally in universities.
  • 2008: She received a research prize from The Danish Association of Masters and PhDs. This was for her great research and her ability to make astronomy interesting to many.
  • 2006: She won the Danish Radio's Rosenkjær Prize for her excellent public outreach.
  • 2006: She was awarded The Kirstine Meyer Award for her outstanding research.
  • 2005: She received The Descartes Prize for Science Communication from the European Union. This was for being excellent at communicating science.
  • 2004: She won The Danish Award for Outstanding Public Outreach. This was from the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
  • 2000: She received the Allan Mackintosh Award for public outreach.

Memberships in Science Groups

Anja Cetti Andersen is part of many important science groups.

Science Societies

  • Since 2007: The Danish Academy of Technical Sciences
  • Since 2003: The International Astronomical Union
  • Since 2001: The European Astronomical Society
  • Since 1997: The European Physical Society
  • Since 1996: The Meteoritical Society
  • Since 1994: The Danish Physical Society
  • Since 1993: The Danish Astronomical Society

She is also a Fellow of The Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics NORDITA. She is on the Astrophysics and Astrobiology Research Committee.

Network Groups

  • Since 2005: The Nordic network of women in physics (NORWIP)
  • Since 1999: Women in Physics in Sweden
  • Since 1998: Networks of Women Scientists (part of a European Union program)
  • Since 1995: Network for Women in Physics in Denmark

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anja Cetti Andersen para niños

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