Louise Edwards facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louise Edwards
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| Born | November 21, 1978 |
| Citizenship | Canada, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Alma mater | Université Laval |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astrophysics, Astronomy |
| Institutions | California Polytechnic State University |
Louise Olivia Violet Edwards was born on November 21, 1978. She is a Canadian astronomer and a professor of physics. She teaches at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly).
Dr. Edwards is a very important figure in science. She is one of the first Black Canadians to earn a PhD in astronomy. In 2002, her picture was even featured on a Canadian stamp!
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Becoming an Astronomer
Louise Edwards grew up in Victoria, Canada. She loved learning about the universe from a young age. She went to the University of Victoria for her first degree. There, she studied physics and astronomy. She also learned a lot about mathematics.
After that, she continued her studies. She earned a master's degree from St Mary's University in 2003. Then, in 2007, she received her PhD from Université Laval. This was a huge achievement in the field of astronomy.
What Dr. Edwards Studies
Dr. Edwards studies how galaxies form and change over time. She uses different tools to look at them. These include:
- Optical and infrared spectroscopy: This helps her see the light from galaxies. It tells her what they are made of and how they are moving.
- X-ray data: She uses X-ray images to study hot gas around galaxies.
- Radio observations: These help her see parts of galaxies that optical telescopes can't.
She focuses on special types of galaxies. These include the brightest galaxies in galaxy clusters. She also studies galaxies found in the middle of clusters. Another area of her research is galaxies located in long, thin structures called "filaments."
Her Journey in Science
After getting her PhD, Dr. Edwards worked as a researcher. She was at places like Caltech and Trent University. Later, she became a professor at Mount Allison University.
From 2012 to 2016, Dr. Edwards worked at Yale University. She was a lecturer and a research scientist there. While at Yale, she helped lead a program for college students. This program, called the Dorrit Hoffleit Undergraduate Research Fellowship, helped students do astronomy research. In 2016, she joined Cal Poly, where she teaches today.
Dr. Edwards in the News
Dr. Edwards has been featured in many media stories. Her work helps people learn more about astronomy. She also inspires young people to pursue science.
Here are some places where her work has been shared:
- A CBC program celebrating Black History Month.
- Essays in the RASC Observer's Handbook.
- A documentary called Astronomy at Yale.
- Articles like This black hole has an appetite for cold, cosmic rain.
- Interviews, such as "Astronomy in Color."
- Research notes about large galaxies.
- News about the Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium at Yale.
- Articles like Boomerang-shaped galaxy sighted.
- Stories about astronomers exploring "sandbars" between galaxies.
- News from the International School for Young Astronomers.
- The Canadian Astronomical Society Newsletter.
