Profile

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John Davies

Curriculum Vitae

  • Education:

    Rock Ferry High School, on the wirral. O and A levels..Nottingham University. Chemistry BSc and PhD

  • Qualifications:

    Eight O levels, four A levels. One Bsc, two PhDs

  • Work History:

    British Aerospace, Warton. Leicester University, Birmingahm University, Royal Observatory Edinburgh, Joint Astronomy Centre, Hawaii

  • Current Job:

    Astronomer

  • Employer:

    The UK astronomy Technology Centre, part of the

    Science and Technology Facilites Council, which part of

    UK Research and Innovation.

    • About Me

      Astronomer, Space Scientist, Flight test engineer

    • Read more

      I am an astronomer who works at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh. When I was younger I was a flight test engineer at British Aerospace where I worked on the Tornado Fighter. I have worked at a satellite ground station (aka mission control) and helped to build and test astronomy satellites. I lived in Hawaii for 8 years where I was an astronomer on one of the telescopes on Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano.

       

    • My Work

      I work with engineers at the UK Astronomy  centre at the Royal Observatory where we build super powerful instruments for telescopes.

    • My Typical Day: I mostly have an office job these days. I organise meetings and write documents. From time to time I go to conferences where I meet and talk with other astronomers and people who build and operate telescopes

    • What I'd do with the money

      I'm not here for the money.

    • Read more

      I would share it with the Observatory Visitor Centre who already do lots of outreach.

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Frustrated astronaut.

        What's the best thing you've done in your career?

        I discovered 6 comets

        What or who inspired you to follow your career?

        The Apollo Moon Landings

        What was your favourite subject at school?

        Chemistry

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        Aircraft engineer, satellites, astronomy.

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        nope

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Astronaut

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        ABBA, the Beatles, Moody Blues

        What's your favourite food?

        Sausages

        What is the most fun thing you've done?

        Barrel rolls in an RAF plane

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        Fly in Space. Come back alive. Talk about it

        Tell us a joke.

        A chemist walks into a cafe and says. 'I have lost an electron'. Her friend says 'Are you sure?'. The chemist says 'Yes I am positive'

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