Dr Laura Driessen
@astrolaura.com
Radio astronomer and science communicator at the University of Sydney. Die hard Melbourne demons fan. Opinions are my own. www.astrolaura.com
Hailstone from the balcony in Brisbane, this storm is intense!
Even after melting a bit it's bigger than a 50 cent piece!
Even after melting a bit it's bigger than a 50 cent piece!
October 26, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Hailstone from the balcony in Brisbane, this storm is intense!
Even after melting a bit it's bigger than a 50 cent piece!
Even after melting a bit it's bigger than a 50 cent piece!
Stopping in to say hi to one of my fav telescopes on the way to Siding Spring Observatory!
Tonight, I'm on a panel in a pub in Coonabarabran. Siding Spring is an optical Observatory, but I'm a radio astronomer. So I had to stop in at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) first! 🔭📡
Tonight, I'm on a panel in a pub in Coonabarabran. Siding Spring is an optical Observatory, but I'm a radio astronomer. So I had to stop in at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) first! 🔭📡
October 3, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Stopping in to say hi to one of my fav telescopes on the way to Siding Spring Observatory!
Tonight, I'm on a panel in a pub in Coonabarabran. Siding Spring is an optical Observatory, but I'm a radio astronomer. So I had to stop in at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) first! 🔭📡
Tonight, I'm on a panel in a pub in Coonabarabran. Siding Spring is an optical Observatory, but I'm a radio astronomer. So I had to stop in at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) first! 🔭📡
Did you even see the eclipse if you don't post a fuzzy phone camera photo of it? 🌚
September 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Did you even see the eclipse if you don't post a fuzzy phone camera photo of it? 🌚
Totality, when the Moon is completely inside the Earth's dark shadow (or umbra) starts at 3:30am AEST and lasts 82 minutes. This is when the Moon turns red and is called a "Blood Moon". Then at 4:52am the Moon starts heading out of the umbra again (partial eclipse)
September 5, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Totality, when the Moon is completely inside the Earth's dark shadow (or umbra) starts at 3:30am AEST and lasts 82 minutes. This is when the Moon turns red and is called a "Blood Moon". Then at 4:52am the Moon starts heading out of the umbra again (partial eclipse)
If you're downunder like me and you want to see the best parts of the eclipse, it's going to be a very early morning (or very late night). The partial eclipse, when the darkest part of Earth's shadow starts crossing the Moon, begins at 2:28am on Monday the 8th of September
September 5, 2025 at 4:10 AM
If you're downunder like me and you want to see the best parts of the eclipse, it's going to be a very early morning (or very late night). The partial eclipse, when the darkest part of Earth's shadow starts crossing the Moon, begins at 2:28am on Monday the 8th of September
On my way to Adelaide to talk about radio astronomy and radio stars! 🌟 www.assa.org.au
September 3, 2025 at 1:29 AM
On my way to Adelaide to talk about radio astronomy and radio stars! 🌟 www.assa.org.au
I'm the voice of an audiobook!
Not something I ever thought I'd do, but I was so excited when Dr Karl asked me to voice the audiobook version of Vital Science
It was loads of fun, thanks to the fantastic reading material and the amazing producer I worked with at Bolinda Audio
Not something I ever thought I'd do, but I was so excited when Dr Karl asked me to voice the audiobook version of Vital Science
It was loads of fun, thanks to the fantastic reading material and the amazing producer I worked with at Bolinda Audio
August 8, 2025 at 9:01 AM
I'm the voice of an audiobook!
Not something I ever thought I'd do, but I was so excited when Dr Karl asked me to voice the audiobook version of Vital Science
It was loads of fun, thanks to the fantastic reading material and the amazing producer I worked with at Bolinda Audio
Not something I ever thought I'd do, but I was so excited when Dr Karl asked me to voice the audiobook version of Vital Science
It was loads of fun, thanks to the fantastic reading material and the amazing producer I worked with at Bolinda Audio
Getting ready for the first day of the SKAO General Science meeting tomorrow! Who knew that this many radio astronomers could fit in one small German town?
June 15, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Getting ready for the first day of the SKAO General Science meeting tomorrow! Who knew that this many radio astronomers could fit in one small German town?
Looking for something to do tonight? Come hear me talk about my research at The Commercial Hotel for Pint of Science Australia! It's on tonight, the 20th of May, from 7pm to 9pm in Parramatta. Book your spot here: pintofscience.com.au/event/size-m...
May 20, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Looking for something to do tonight? Come hear me talk about my research at The Commercial Hotel for Pint of Science Australia! It's on tonight, the 20th of May, from 7pm to 9pm in Parramatta. Book your spot here: pintofscience.com.au/event/size-m...
If you're in Sydney on Thursday the 3rd of April, come and see my free public talk!
Thursday the 3rd of April, 6:15 PM, Hermann's Bar, Wentworth Building, Butlin Ave, Camperdown NSW 2050
Get your free tickets here: www.rtbevent.com/laura-driessen
Thursday the 3rd of April, 6:15 PM, Hermann's Bar, Wentworth Building, Butlin Ave, Camperdown NSW 2050
Get your free tickets here: www.rtbevent.com/laura-driessen
March 18, 2025 at 7:56 AM
If you're in Sydney on Thursday the 3rd of April, come and see my free public talk!
Thursday the 3rd of April, 6:15 PM, Hermann's Bar, Wentworth Building, Butlin Ave, Camperdown NSW 2050
Get your free tickets here: www.rtbevent.com/laura-driessen
Thursday the 3rd of April, 6:15 PM, Hermann's Bar, Wentworth Building, Butlin Ave, Camperdown NSW 2050
Get your free tickets here: www.rtbevent.com/laura-driessen
11 years ago today, I finished my first ever astronomy research report at the end of a fantastic summer research project at @icrar.bsky.social! I was still an undergrad and before this project, I thought I'd be a cosmologist. But radio got me hooked and look where I am today!
February 21, 2025 at 12:17 AM
11 years ago today, I finished my first ever astronomy research report at the end of a fantastic summer research project at @icrar.bsky.social! I was still an undergrad and before this project, I thought I'd be a cosmologist. But radio got me hooked and look where I am today!
Happy 11th birthday to my doggo, Astro! 🎉🎂 here he's pictured living the kind of life of comfort and relaxation only whippets can achieve 😆
January 15, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Happy 11th birthday to my doggo, Astro! 🎉🎂 here he's pictured living the kind of life of comfort and relaxation only whippets can achieve 😆
The amazing @esa.int Gaia telescope is taking its last measurements today
Gaia has had a tremendous impact on astronomy. Without the easy to access (and use) data releases, a lot of the work I do would be impossible
Thank you, Gaia and team! Can't wait for the future data releases! 🔭🧪
Gaia has had a tremendous impact on astronomy. Without the easy to access (and use) data releases, a lot of the work I do would be impossible
Thank you, Gaia and team! Can't wait for the future data releases! 🔭🧪
January 14, 2025 at 8:38 PM
The amazing @esa.int Gaia telescope is taking its last measurements today
Gaia has had a tremendous impact on astronomy. Without the easy to access (and use) data releases, a lot of the work I do would be impossible
Thank you, Gaia and team! Can't wait for the future data releases! 🔭🧪
Gaia has had a tremendous impact on astronomy. Without the easy to access (and use) data releases, a lot of the work I do would be impossible
Thank you, Gaia and team! Can't wait for the future data releases! 🔭🧪
Throwback to when my sister and I made a porg piñata for Christmas! Piñatas are a bit of a Christmas tradition for my extended family 🎅🎄
December 24, 2024 at 11:41 PM
Throwback to when my sister and I made a porg piñata for Christmas! Piñatas are a bit of a Christmas tradition for my extended family 🎅🎄
On ABCNews Live this morning chatting about the Gemind meteor shower! The full Moon will be against us this year 🌝 but if you get up early around Moon-set, you should still be able to catch a few meteors ☄️ best time in Australia will be around 3 or 4am Saturday the 14th of December 🔭
December 13, 2024 at 2:34 AM
On ABCNews Live this morning chatting about the Gemind meteor shower! The full Moon will be against us this year 🌝 but if you get up early around Moon-set, you should still be able to catch a few meteors ☄️ best time in Australia will be around 3 or 4am Saturday the 14th of December 🔭
It's December, so it's astro-wreath time! 🎄📡🌟
December 1, 2024 at 9:23 PM
It's December, so it's astro-wreath time! 🎄📡🌟
Black holes, telescopes, and stars (oh my)! Listen to me chat with Sana Qadar about my life in astronomy on ABC RN Conversations today!
At 11:05am on ABC Local Radio (nationally except Vic), at 3:05pm on Radio National, or from this arvo on Spotify and the ABC Listen app 😀
At 11:05am on ABC Local Radio (nationally except Vic), at 3:05pm on Radio National, or from this arvo on Spotify and the ABC Listen app 😀
November 27, 2024 at 9:25 PM
Black holes, telescopes, and stars (oh my)! Listen to me chat with Sana Qadar about my life in astronomy on ABC RN Conversations today!
At 11:05am on ABC Local Radio (nationally except Vic), at 3:05pm on Radio National, or from this arvo on Spotify and the ABC Listen app 😀
At 11:05am on ABC Local Radio (nationally except Vic), at 3:05pm on Radio National, or from this arvo on Spotify and the ABC Listen app 😀
Today's the day! You'll be able to see me on ABC Catalyst being a nerd about sound in space!
The Catalyst episode "The Soundtrack of Australia: Part 2" will air on ABC TV at 8:30pm tonight, and it'll be available to stream on iView too 🌟
iview.abc.net.au/show/soundtr...
The Catalyst episode "The Soundtrack of Australia: Part 2" will air on ABC TV at 8:30pm tonight, and it'll be available to stream on iView too 🌟
iview.abc.net.au/show/soundtr...
August 22, 2023 at 6:53 AM
Today's the day! You'll be able to see me on ABC Catalyst being a nerd about sound in space!
The Catalyst episode "The Soundtrack of Australia: Part 2" will air on ABC TV at 8:30pm tonight, and it'll be available to stream on iView too 🌟
iview.abc.net.au/show/soundtr...
The Catalyst episode "The Soundtrack of Australia: Part 2" will air on ABC TV at 8:30pm tonight, and it'll be available to stream on iView too 🌟
iview.abc.net.au/show/soundtr...
Here is a pic of my leggy good boy in his down time (when he's not running laps to demonstrate what apparent retrograde motion is)
August 18, 2023 at 11:40 PM
Here is a pic of my leggy good boy in his down time (when he's not running laps to demonstrate what apparent retrograde motion is)
I'm so excited that I got to be part of this very cool two part series on sound, and it was amazing to work with the Catalyst team! Just as exciting was that this was the first time that I got to visit Murriyang (the Parkes Radio Telescope) and take epic pics of it!
August 18, 2023 at 6:39 AM
I'm so excited that I got to be part of this very cool two part series on sound, and it was amazing to work with the Catalyst team! Just as exciting was that this was the first time that I got to visit Murriyang (the Parkes Radio Telescope) and take epic pics of it!
Check out ABC Catalyst "The Soundtrack of Australia: Part 2" this Tuesday the 22nd of August to see me talking about sound in space!
You'll be able to watch it on iView on Tuesday the 22nd of August, or watch the premiere on ABC TV at 8:30pm that same day.
You'll be able to watch it on iView on Tuesday the 22nd of August, or watch the premiere on ABC TV at 8:30pm that same day.
August 18, 2023 at 6:36 AM
Check out ABC Catalyst "The Soundtrack of Australia: Part 2" this Tuesday the 22nd of August to see me talking about sound in space!
You'll be able to watch it on iView on Tuesday the 22nd of August, or watch the premiere on ABC TV at 8:30pm that same day.
You'll be able to watch it on iView on Tuesday the 22nd of August, or watch the premiere on ABC TV at 8:30pm that same day.
All done already! I was first up, so now I can sit back, relax, and listen to 7 more amazing science speakers!
August 17, 2023 at 8:17 AM
All done already! I was first up, so now I can sit back, relax, and listen to 7 more amazing science speakers!
Getting ready to record for the ABC Radio National Ockham's Razor podcast at the Powerhouse, with fellow Superstar of STEM Indrani Mukherjee 🌟 I'm excited to talk all about radio! 📡 #ScienceWeek
August 17, 2023 at 7:20 AM
Getting ready to record for the ABC Radio National Ockham's Razor podcast at the Powerhouse, with fellow Superstar of STEM Indrani Mukherjee 🌟 I'm excited to talk all about radio! 📡 #ScienceWeek
And I even got to hang out with fellow Superstar, the amazing
Karen Livesey, who gave a fab talk about treating cancer with nano-magnets (so cool 🤯). Credit for the pics of me speaking goes to Karen 😎
Karen Livesey, who gave a fab talk about treating cancer with nano-magnets (so cool 🤯). Credit for the pics of me speaking goes to Karen 😎
August 12, 2023 at 6:52 AM
And I even got to hang out with fellow Superstar, the amazing
Karen Livesey, who gave a fab talk about treating cancer with nano-magnets (so cool 🤯). Credit for the pics of me speaking goes to Karen 😎
Karen Livesey, who gave a fab talk about treating cancer with nano-magnets (so cool 🤯). Credit for the pics of me speaking goes to Karen 😎