Tick, Tick, Tick - Pulsating Stars and the Discovery of Pulsars

Explore the groundbreaking discovery of pulsars in this captivating Robert Hofstadter Memorial Lecture delivered by renowned astrophysicist Prof. Jocelyn Bell Burnell. Delve into the fascinating world of radio astronomy as Bell Burnell recounts her journey as a graduate student at Cambridge, where her keen observations led to the identification of these rapidly rotating neutron stars. Gain insights into the subsequent developments in gamma ray, X-ray, infrared, and millimeter wavelength astronomy that stemmed from this pivotal finding. Learn about the impact of pulsars on astrophysics and the recognition they brought to the field, including a Nobel Prize awarded to Bell Burnell's supervisor. Discover the speaker's illustrious career, including her current roles at the University of Oxford and her numerous accolades, such as the Michael Faraday Prize and Royal Medal from the Royal Society. Understand the significance of Bell Burnell's contributions to astronomy and her role as a trailblazer for women in science, having served as the first female President of both the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Institute of Physics.