邵逸夫獎得獎者天象廳講座：與星同行 2024（物理科）

日期: 13/11/2024

邵逸夫獎得獎者天象廳講座：與星同行 2024（物理科）．學生感言

4E YIP TSZ YAN

Recently, I had an incredible opportunity to attend a talk by Professor Shrinivas Kulkarni, a brilliant mind in the field of astronomy. His passion for knowledge is truly inspiring, and the insights he shared left a lasting impression on me.

The 40-minute presentation was both concise and enriching. It allowed me to gain a broader understanding of astronomy and recognize that data collection is a lengthy process. Professor Kulkarni emphasized the revolutionary role of modern technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in enhancing our analytical capabilities in astronomy. It was fascinating to learn how AI could have transformed our understanding of celestial events if it had been available earlier.

One of the most surprising revelations for me was the concept of a star "dying" twice. I had always been intrigued by neutron stars, known for their incredible density and rapid rotation, but I was unaware that the pulsating beams they emit are actually gamma rays. The distinction between long and short gamma rays, classified by their duration, was a new concept for me.

Professor Kulkarni also revealed that supernovae—massive, spectacular explosions are more common than one might think. He presented data that showcased over 2,000 recorded events, illustrating the gaps in our understanding and the importance of AI in data collection. A particularly thought-provoking moment arose when a fellow student asked about the absence of supernovae in certain areas of the data, leading to a deeper discussion about hemispherical observations.

Another captivating aspect of the talk was the historical context of gamma ray discovery. This unintended discovery opened up new avenues for astronomy, illustrating the interconnectedness of scientific progress.

While iron may not seem remarkable, its role in stellar fusion is crucial. The fact that fusion becomes energetically unfavorable when it involves iron highlights the complexities of stellar life cycles and the birth of elements through nuclear fusion.

Overall, Professor Kulkarni’s talk not only broadened my perspective on the universe but also ignited my inner curiosity about the intricate relationships between chemistry, physics, and astronomy. I left the presentation with a renewed enthusiasm for exploring the cosmos and a greater appreciation for the marvels of science.

4E 胡嚴勻

　　此番能夠參加2024年度邵逸夫天文學獎得主史裡尼瓦斯·庫爾卡尼教授在香港太空館的分享會，實在是一次印象深刻而難忘的體驗。庫爾卡尼教授因在毫秒脈衝星、伽馬射線暴、超新星，以及其他可變或瞬變天體的開創性發現而獲邵逸夫天文學獎此一殊榮，他的研究不僅推動了時域天文學的發展，也為我們理解宇宙的奧秘打開了新的視窗。

　　在這次分享會上，庫爾卡尼教授講述了他的追星故事，國時分享他做研究的原動力，以及當中的喜悅與挑戰。通過天象廳的數碼天象投影系統，我們仿佛與庫爾卡尼教授一起穿梭於無垠的宇宙，親歷他的開創性發現。這種沉浸式體驗，讓我對天文產生了更濃厚的興趣，也使我對宇宙的壯麗和神秘有了更深的認識。

　　庫爾卡尼教授的演講不僅是一次知識的傳遞，更是一次精神的啟迪。他對於天文學的熱愛和執著，對於探索未知的渴望和勇氣，都深深地感染了我。他的故事讓我意識到，天文不僅僅是一門科學，更是一種探索精神，一種對宇宙無盡好奇的追求。

　　這次活動讓我更加堅定了自己的目標和方向。在這個資訊爆炸的時代，我們常常被瑣碎的事務所困擾，忘記了抬頭仰望星空。庫爾卡尼教授的分享提醒了我，作為人類，我們有著探索宇宙、追求真理的本能和使命。這種探索精神，不僅適用於天文學，也適用於我們生活的方方面面。

　　總括而言，這次在香港太空館的經歷，不僅加深了我對天文的興趣，也激發了我對生活的熱愛和對未來的憧憬。庫爾卡尼教授的成就和精神，將成為我前進道路上的燈塔，引導我不斷探索、學習與成長。