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Bärbel Koribalski facts for kids

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Bärbel Koribalski
Baerbel Koribalski.jpg
Born 1964 (age 60–61)
Wuppertal, Germany
Alma mater University of Bonn
Awards
  • Otto Hahn Medal (1993)
  • Newton Turner Award (2011)
Scientific career
Fields Astrophysics, physics
Institutions CSIRO Astronomy & Space Science, Australia Telescope National Facility

Dr. Bärbel Silvia Koribalski is a research scientist who studies how galaxies form and change. She works at CSIRO's Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF) in Australia. She earned her PhD at the University of Bonn in Germany. Dr. Koribalski is well-known for her studies of galaxies that are close to our own.

In 2011, she received a special honor called the Newton Turner Award from CSIRO. She also leads a major project called WALLABY. This project uses the ASKAP telescope to map hydrogen gas across the entire sky.

Exploring Galaxies: Dr. Koribalski's Research

Dr. Koribalski's main research focuses on understanding how galaxies are born and how they change over billions of years. She studies the movement of gas within galaxies. To do this, she uses a special signal called the HI 21-cm spectral line. This signal comes from neutral hydrogen gas, which is a key ingredient for making stars and galaxies.

She uses powerful radio telescopes like the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). This telescope is also known as the Paul Wild Observatory in Narrabri, Australia. She also studies groups of galaxies, such as the Dorado Group.

Big Sky Surveys

Dr. Koribalski is involved in several large projects that map the sky. These projects help scientists find and study many galaxies. Some of these important surveys include:

  • The "HI Parkes All Sky Survey" (HIPASS).
  • The "Local Volume HI Survey" (LVHIS), where she is the main scientist in charge. This survey uses the ATCA telescope.
  • The "ASKAP HI All-Sky Survey," known as WALLABY, where she is also the main scientist.
  • Future HI surveys using the massive Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope.

About Dr. Koribalski

Bärbel Koribalski was born in Wuppertal, Germany, in 1964. She grew up in Köln (Cologne), a city located on the Rhine river. She studied physics at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms University in Bonn. Outside of her scientific work, she enjoys athletics.

Her Journey in Science

Dr. Koribalski completed her Physics Diploma in 1990. She then earned her PhD in 1993 from the University of Bonn in Germany. For her excellent work, she received the Otto Hahn Medal in 1993. In 2011, she was honored with the Newton Turner Award. Since 2012, she has been a CSIRO OCE Science Leader.

Working with Other Scientists

Dr. Koribalski is part of several important science groups. These groups help scientists share ideas and work together.

  • International Astronomical Union (IAU)
  • Australian Society of Astronomy (ASA)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bärbel Koribalski para niños

  • Peekaboo Galaxy
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