Profile
Ryan Begley
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About Me:
I’m an astronomer / astrophysicist at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh. I love travelling to new places and trying new foods!
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My pronouns are:
He/Him
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My Work:
I’m an astronomer using advanced telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to learn how galaxies like our own Milky Way formed and evolved.
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How did galaxies like our own Milky Way form and evolve? When did the first galaxies form and what were they like? How did the elements form in stars in these galaxies? How did these early galaxies impact the Universe around them?
These all are questions astronomers, like myself, are trying to answer by using telescopes like JWST to look deeper into the night sky than ever before. By analysing the light from these young stars and galaxies, we can try understand why the Universe is the way we see it.
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My Typical Day:
My typical work day is 9:30AM to 6:00PM. I mainly work from my office at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, which is where the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh is based.
Day-to-day I spend most of time analysing data from telescopes to understand galaxies when they were young – this involves lots of programming! I also discuss the latest science with my fellow astronomers, as well as colleagues around the world.
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Working with telescope data, such as imaging and spectroscopy means I have to write lots of code! Sometimes I write programmes to decide which objects in the sky are stars, and which are galaxies, and other times I want to measure the properties of these galaxies. For example, this might be trying to figure out how far away a galaxy is, or how much of each element (such as Oxygen or Hydrogen) it contains, or even what types of stars are in that galaxy.
Every day is different and exciting!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would love to run workshop teaching students how they can get involved with the latest science that astronomers and astrophysicists are doing. Anyone can access and look at the amazing images and data from JWST.
As well as looking at the incredible pictures with space, this workshop would allow students a hands-on experience with coding!
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Education:
My secondary school was Lumen Christ College, in N. Ireland! There I did my GCSE’s and A-Levels before going to University. I did three full A-Levels in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics, as well as two half A-Levels (AS-Levels) in Biology and Advanced Mathematics. I’ve always had a passion for science and maths!
After secondary school, I went to the University of Edinburgh in September 2015 to get my undergraduate degree. I started out doing Theoretical Physics, but swapped to Astrophysics after doing an exciting astronomy course! This was an MPhys degree, sometimes called an integrated masters, and lasted 4 years finishing in May 2019.
After this, I then did a PhD in Astronomy in the School of Physics and Astronomy, staying at the University of Edinburgh for another 4 years.
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Qualifications:
I have 11 GCSE’s (8 A* and 3A), including Triple-award Science, Mathematics and Additional Mathematics, Geography, English and Technology and Design.
I did three full A-Levels in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics, as well as two half A-Levels (AS-Levels) in Biology and Advanced Mathematics.
After school, in University I got my MPhys degree in Astrophysics, as well as my PhD in Astronomy – both at the School of Physics and Astronomy in the University of Edinburgh.
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Work History:
In secondary school, I had a Saturday job when I was 16 and in the final year of my GSCE’s, which I them stopped to focus on A-Levels in school.
Throughout my time doing my PhD, I worked as Teaching Assistant at the University of Edinburgh. In this role, I helped to run tutorials, workshops and experimental labs for Physics undergraduate students!
After getting my PhD, I became a Postdoctoral Research Associate – this is the official name for a scientist or researcher starting out at a university! I’ve currently been in this job since September 2023.
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Current Job:
I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh. However, soon I will be moving to a research fellowship position to continue my early galaxy research as a Research Fellow.
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Employer:
Institute for Astronomy in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Early universe explorer
What did you want to be after you left school?
I always loved the idea of doing research, exploring the unknowns and trying to figure how the world around us worked. I started initially doing Physics but fell in love with astronomy / astrophysics along the way.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Maybe once or twice, but that is normal!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Probably working as a Software Engineer - I love programming and working with computers.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Greta Van Fleet
What's your favourite food?
Ramen
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
The ability to time-travel, unlimited telescope time, make a breakthrough discovery about the Universe!
Tell us a joke.
How do astronomers throw a party? They planet.
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