Merieme Chadid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Merieme Chadid
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Merieme Chadid in 2008
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Merieme Chadid
11 October 1969 |
| Nationality | French and Moroccan |
| Alma mater |
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| Known for | Installed astronomical observatory in Antarctica |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy and Exploration |
| Institutions | Dome Charlie, Antarctica |
Merieme Chadid (Arabic: مريم شديد; born October 11, 1969, in Casablanca) is a brave Moroccan-French astronomer, explorer, and astrophysicist. She is famous for leading big science projects in Earth's coldest places. Merieme Chadid worked hard to build an important observatory in the heart of Antarctica.
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Early Life and Education
Merieme Chadid was born in Casablanca, Morocco, on October 11, 1969. She grew up in a family with seven children. Her father was a blacksmith and her mother was a housewife. When she was 12 years old, her brother gave her a book by Johannes Kepler. This book made her fall in love with astronomy, the study of stars and space.
Merieme went to the University of Hassan II Casablanca and earned a master's degree in Physics and Mathematics in 1992. She continued her studies at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis. In 1996, she earned her PhD in Astronomy and Space from the Paul Sabatier University. Her research looked at how pulsating stars change. She also completed special programs at Harvard University.
A Career Among the Stars
After finishing her PhD, Merieme Chadid joined the Centre national de la recherche scientifique in France. She also worked at the European Southern Observatory. There, she helped set up the Very Large Telescope in the Atacama Desert in Chile. At that time, it was the biggest telescope in the world!
Today, Merieme works as an astronomer for French universities. Since 2021, she has been a Vice President of the International Astronomical Union. This group helps astronomers from all over the world work together.
Exploring Antarctica
Merieme Chadid made history in 2005. She became the first Moroccan and the first French woman astronomer to reach the center of Antarctica. She also became the first to plant an Arab and an African flag (the Moroccan flag) there. Her goal was to set up a new observatory in this icy place.
Merieme considers her work in Antarctica her greatest achievement. Antarctica is one of the highest, coldest, and most remote places on Earth. She is known as the first astronomer to work on building a large observatory there. She has done amazing and pioneering work in this extreme environment.
Merieme has compared setting up the observatory in Antarctica to a space mission. The air in Antarctica has very little turbulence, which means it's easier to see faraway objects in space. Also, the night lasts for several months there. This gives researchers a huge advantage: they can study the stars 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
Sharing Knowledge
Merieme Chadid loves to share her passion for science. She gives many lectures and attends conferences. She also guides students who are studying astronomy. She even made a documentary about astronomy called Tarik Annujah. This film was shown on the Al Jazeera Children's Channel.
Her research helps us understand how stars are born and how they change over time. This helps us learn more about the Universe. Forbes magazine even listed her as one of the thirty most interesting and fascinating workers in the world!
Personal Life
Merieme Chadid is married to Jean Vernin, who is also a director of research. They got married on March 31, 2001, and have two children.
Major Achievements
- Named a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum (2008)
- Received the Arab Woman of the Year Award for Achievement in Science (2015)
- Awarded the Officer of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite by the King of Morocco (2013)
See also
In Spanish: Maryam Shadid para niños
