Strange road to astronomy
Editors note: One night at the synthesis workshop, Jessica Chapman and Marianne Doyle got talking about how they became interested in astronomy. Here is Marianne's story.
From a very young age I wanted to be an astronomer, but I come from a working class family that did not even consider the possibility of a university education. Every primary school talk I gave during the mid-to-late sixties was about our solar system. I knew about every planet, their moons, their rotation and revolution periods the lot. I left school at the end of 1973 having completed junior school to a very high standard. My future, as far as I could see, lay in working in offices with the dream of becoming an astronomer being just that - a dream.
After many years and many experiences a divorce, working overseas, travel, single parenthood and working with disabled children in preschools - the event which came to determine my fate occurred while I was flying a $2 kite with my son in the back yard on a winter's morning. The kite was heading towards a tree and to save it I jumped over the back fence, landed in a hole, and heard a snap. I had broken my leg. It turned out to be the best thing that had happened in years.
Having to slow down for the first time and spend six weeks with my leg in a cast, I had plenty of time to think about where my future lay. Working with children and being a single parent sounded like a sure way to end up in one of those jackets where you get to hug yourself. Hmm astronomy! I began to seriously consider it and one day I happened to mention it to a friend. She said, "Go for it! The local high school does adult external education, so why not contact them and see what you can do?"
I looked into it further. It turned out I needed to complete junior science, which I had never done in high school, and senior english, physics, chemistry and maths in order to qualify for university. My son was starting school the following year so it seemed to be the right time to try it.
The plan went something like this: "I want to do a PhD in astronomy but I have lots of hurdles to jump. First junior science and senior english Wow, I passed with flying colours! Oh well, onto the next challenge: senior physics, maths and chemistry Wow, a rank well within the required level for university! Okay I will try to get a place at university Wow, I did it! Hmm now to complete undergraduate." Within seven weeks of starting university, I was struggling so much that I saw a career counsellor for help. He stared at me in disbelief and said, "You are a single parent and doing how many credit points? Many single people still living at home with mum and dad find university study a struggle. Cut down your work load." It was the best advice I was to receive. I completed my undergraduate course in four years instead of three. The plan continued. "Well I did it, but will I get into honours?" To get into honours I needed to achieve a GPA and blah blah blah. To my amazement, I did. "Now I have to get through honours." It was SO HARD! It took 18 months to complete, and included a broken rib and the untimely and unexpected death of my project supervisor, who was both my friend and mentor on my journey to becoming an astrophysicist. Then - "Wow, how did I manage to get first class honours? Oh, but will I get a PhD scholarship?" Getting a scholarship was crucial as I could not afford to continue my studies without financial assistance and I couldn't bear to see my career come to an end when I was so close. And I did get it. I am now doing a PhD in astrophysics, with a scholarship, which makes me feel like a millionaire in comparison to the last 14 years.
Sometimes when I am working, I stop and sit back and drink it all in; I realise that I have finally gotten to exactly where I always wanted to be. My project looks at star formation efficiency in galaxies in the local universe. My supervisor, Dr Michael Drinkwater, is a renowned scientist and a great inspiration. My scholarship provides me with the income I need to live well and give my wonderful, though typical (read strong-willed, determined and argumentative), 14 year old son the kind of life he deserves. There are times I would have just given up without his encouragement and support, and that of my wonderful partner. I even have the chance to use the Narrabri array in August, and will attend the two-week International Astronomical Union conference in Sydney in July. My life is becoming full and wonderful!
The road to astronomy has been long and twisting, but it's been well worth every tear, scream, smile, tantrum and stressed moment! Where to from here? Well, I have to get through my PhD first!
Marianne Doyle, University of Queensland Astrophysics group
(mtdoyle@physics.uq.edu.au)