Nate Byrne

I'm Nate Byrne. I'm the weather presenter on ABC News Breakfast, as well as being a real-life meteorologist, oceanographer, and science communicator. Oh, and just total nerd. I took physics at uni in first year for fun. And after my first year, I kind of took a really hard look at myself and said, 'Mate, if you're doing that for fun, why not just do it?' Like make the whole thing about that. Not only do I get to do the weather, but I get to talk to scientists and just really understand what it is that we understand about the world and what we don't. And that's, oh, that's what I love. In a huge country like Australia, we don't have a really intricate network of observations that are really, really close together. Ours are all really, really far apart. So, figuring out what's going on the Earth right now in a place like Australia, you can't do it from the ground. You have to do it from space.

So, whether it's the satellite pictures that you see on the news or a whole bunch that we don't show you, like water vapour imagery and microwave imagery, we can use vision from space to figure out even things like how fast the wind is going over the ocean and measure tiny little ripples. It's amazing, an essential, integral part of what I do and what we all do in order to forecast every single day. The thing is, with science, it doesn't end up with you in a lab coat in a laboratory necessarily. It can if that's what you want, but it can also take you a whole bunch of different places.

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Dr Kirsten Banks

Hey, everyone. Have you ever looked up at the night sky and felt a tingle of excitement? Like maybe, just maybe, there's something incredible waiting to be discovered out there?

I'm Dr Kirsten Banks, and today I want to take you on a journey beyond our planet to explore the incredible opportunities the universe holds. The world of astrophysics and space exploration is more thrilling than ever before.

We're no longer just gazing at the stars. We're unravelling the universe's biggest mysteries, designing cutting-edge technology, and even searching for life on other planets. Imagine peering through powerful telescopes to witness the birth of stars, or using advanced satellites to map out distant galaxies.

The discoveries we make can revolutionise our understanding of the cosmos and our place within it, but it doesn't stop there. The field of space exploration is rapidly evolving, from launching rockets to exploring Mars, to developing new ways to travel through space, the possibilities are endless, and you could be a part of the team that finds water on a distant moon or develops the technology that takes us to another star system. So buckle up because this is your chance to blast off on an adventure to the stars.

Whether you dream of becoming an astronaut, a researcher, an engineer, or a scientist, the universe is waiting for you to make your mark. Let's explore the infinite together. Can you imagine gazing up at the night sky and feeling that insatiable curiosity of what lies beyond? For me, that wonderment was a driving force from a young age. Since then, I've spent countless night stargazing, fueled by my imagination and my passion for the mysteries of the universe. Every twinkling star and distant planet became a puzzle waiting to be solved. When I fell in love with space, I realised that to unlock its secrets, I needed to dive deep into subjects like physics and advanced mathematics. Fortunately, I found great joy in these challenges, relishing the opportunity to work on complex problems and unravel the intricacies of the cosmos. But my journey wasn't just about the stars. I was equally captivated by other subjects, like music and geography and the excitement of exploring the world around me.

Each of these interests enriched my understanding of the universe and my place within it. A pivotal moment came during a school trip in year nine, which truly ignited my passion for space exploration.

We visited a large theatre where we learned about the Hubble Space Telescope. I was absolutely fascinated by how much we can learn about distant objects in space just by analysing the light they emit. The idea that we could uncover secrets of the universe with powerful telescopes like Hubble captivated me. At that moment, I knew I wanted to, no, needed to study space. The curiosity that had been simmering inside me suddenly turned into a burning passion, and I dedicated myself to learning the languages of the universe, mathematics and physics.

These subjects became my tools to decode the cosmos, to understand the fundamental laws governing everything from the smallest particle to the largest galaxies. But my journey wasn't one dimensional. While I delved deep into the complexities of maths and physics, I also continued to nurture my other interests. Music remained a significant part of my life, providing a beautiful balance to the logical rigour of science, and geography too kept my sense of wonder alive, connecting the dots between our planet and the vast universe beyond.

Each of these interests enriched my perspective, making me a more well-rounded explorer of the cosmos. They reminded me that the universe isn't just a collection of stars and planets, but a symphony of elements and forces working in harmony. And it's this harmony that drives me to continue my journey, to keep exploring and discovering, and to share that passion with others. Here's the thing. STEM isn't just about numbers and equations. It's about curiosity, about a well-rounded mind. Having a strong foundation in various disciplines can be surprisingly beneficial. Now, space exploration offers a vast array of exciting careers.

We have astronomers who study the stars and galaxies, engineers who design spacecraft, and even planetary scientists searching for life on other worlds. But the opportunities go beyond the obvious. My love for music has proven an unexpected asset. It helps me think creatively and approach problems from different angles. The point is, keeping an open mind allows you to stumble upon unexpected opportunities.

My passion for space led me to astrophysics, but the skills I've acquired can be applied in so many ways. Data analysis, communication, problem solving, they're valuable tools in any field. There are certainly areas where machines may replace humans in space fields, especially in situations that are exceedingly dangerous for humans. The harsh environments of space, extreme temperatures, radiation, and the vacuum of space itself presents significant risks. In these cases, machines can step in to perform tasks that would be too hazardous for humans. Take the Mars rovers, for example. For almost three decades, these incredible machines have been exploring the surface of Mars, providing us with invaluable data and helping us understand our neighbouring planet better. However, I believe that while machines will take on more roles in space exploration, they won't replace humans entirely. Instead, we'll continue to find ways for machines to enhance the work and creativity of humans.

By utilising machines in this way, we can accelerate our pace of discovery. Machines can gather and analyse vast amounts of data much faster than humans, enabling us to learn more about the universe in a shorter timeframe.

This symbiotic relationship between humans and machines will push the boundaries of what we can achieve, opening up new frontiers in our understanding of space. In essence, the future of space exploration lies in the collaboration between human ingenuity and machine efficiency. Together, we can explore deeper, learn faster, and uncover the universe's secrets in ways never thought possible.

So whether you dream of designing rockets or analysing alien atmospheres, the path to space exploration starts with curiosity. Read books, star gaze, participate in science clubs, and don't be afraid to explore other subjects. The skills you develop will be your compass as you navigate this amazing journey.

Remember, the universe is waiting to be explored. Are you ready to join the adventure?

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