Being an Astrophysicist
I came to Heidelberg to do research at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy. On my first day, I was amazed how many people worked here: there are hundreds of astrophysicists who study stars, planets, and galaxies. I was excited to learn so much.
On a regular day at work, I listen to talks about other fields of astronomy, discuss new findings at meetings, read and write papers, and also do some of my own research! Research is about asking a scientific question, making observations, and thinking of theories to explain how our Universe works.
I am studying jellyfish galaxies!
Last year, my team actually reached out to the public for help with our research. The call for action was strange and exciting: “Help us find galaxies that look like jellyfish!” Galaxies like our own Milky Way are magnificent structures of stars, gas, and dust. They are the building blocks of our Universe—therefore, exploring how they form and evolve is key to understanding the past and fate of our Universe.
Sometimes, when galaxies come too close to each other, they can twist and distort.
