Marta Burgay facts for kids
Marta Burgay (born November 30, 1976, in Torino, Italy) is a brilliant Italian radio astronomer. A radio astronomer is a scientist who studies objects in space by listening to the radio waves they send out. Marta Burgay became famous for a very exciting discovery: she found the first-ever double pulsar.
A pulsar is a special type of spinning star that sends out beams of radio waves, like a lighthouse. A double pulsar means there are two of these amazing stars orbiting each other! Marta Burgay made this discovery, named PSR J0737-3039, using the powerful 64-meter Parkes radio telescope in Australia.
Marta Burgay's Education Journey
Marta Burgay worked hard to become an astronomer.
- In 1995, she finished high school at Liceo Classico XVI Febbraio in Aosta, Italy. Here, she focused on classical studies, which include subjects like ancient languages and history.
- She then went to the University of Bologna. In 2000, she earned her university degree in Astronomy.
- She continued her studies at the same university. In 2004, she completed her Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in Astronomy. A Ph.D. is a very advanced university degree that shows someone is an expert in their field.
Awards and Special Honours
Marta Burgay has received many important awards for her amazing work in astronomy.
- In 2005, her Ph.D. research about radio pulsars won the Pietro Tacchini Prize. This award was given by the Italian Astronomical Society for the best Ph.D. thesis.
- Also in 2005, she was part of an international group called PulSE (Pulsar Science in Europe). This group won the Descartes Prize for their excellent teamwork in scientific research.
- In 2006, Marta Burgay was the very first person to win the IUPAP's Young Scientists Prize in Astrophysics. This award celebrates young scientists who are doing great things in the study of space.
- Later in 2006, she received the SIGRAV prize. This award recognized her important contributions to the study of General Relativity and how gravity works in space.
- In 2010, the Astronomical Society of India honored her with the Vainu Bappu Gold Medal.
- An asteroid was named after her! Asteroid 198634 Burgaymarta was discovered in 2005. Naming an asteroid after a scientist is a special way to recognize their achievements.
- In 2011, she was awarded the Marisa Bellisario prize. This award celebrates "Women, Innovation, and Human Capital," highlighting women who are leaders in new ideas and important fields.
See also
In Spanish: Marta Burgay para niños
