Day 5.

6th of December. 

Today was mostly spent preparing for our presentations, which we will be giving tomorrow! 

I don’t know about the other groups, but our group, the radio astronomy group, definitely feels rather unprepared. We got started in the morning, feeling rather excited, but as the minutes strutted past us, we started to realise how we did not understand so many things, had so many doubts, and were so disorganised.


Our group finally came to a decision that we would do a presentation, guiding all of the audience present tomorrow, on how to weigh the mass of a galaxy. Trawling through the Internet for a suitable galaxy was hard. Most galaxies had very little data attached to them, and we spent hours just searching for a galaxy that had the data that we needed. After hours of searching, we finally decided that we would use galaxy ESO 269-57.

ESO 269-57

After the difficult time we had trying to figure out the mass of the galaxy, it was time to go back to Trinity for dinner. Today, some of us chose to “boycott” the cafeteria, heading out with Ms Tay to Claremont Quarter, where we had giant burgers with giant fries at Grill’d. Today was also our first day taking the public bus. They actually provide change on the bus (if you don’t give them the exact amount). http://www.grilld.com.au/

 

The giant burgers and fries at Grill'd!

Grill’d was a wonderful place. Nice atmosphere and great staff. They even had this thing called “Local Matters”, where customers are each given a token to place into one of the three available donation causes. The cause with the most number of tokens would receive money after the event period was over.

Local Matters! 

Love the phrase. Refers to how these matters are local, and also how what goes on or happens locally matters. 

After the great dinner at Grill’d, we went shopping. Some of us managed to get a photo with Santa as well!

Santa, how we love thee.

Then it was time to go back for our final night at the hostel. Before turning in, we had our final reflection session. 

On the bus back to the hostel!

Ms Tay and Ms Chong asked us about what we learned during this trip, and if there were any changes or additions to the list of characteristics we mentioned on the first night.


Caleb mentioned that he realised communication skills were definitely important. He said he was inspired by how these people at ICRAR were able to easily impart their knowledge, explain and clear doubts. It seemed so natural for them.

Last night at the hostel.

Finally, Ms Tay got out some cake to celebrate Sathya, Sue Ling and Caleb’s birthdays. It was some kind of blueberry cake, which Sue Ling and Caleb turned down (because today was Sathya’s birthday; theirs would be in the coming days) and Sathya did not finish. 

And it just so happens that all three birthday people are in the same group. Wow. Such a coincidence.