13 Nov 2025
A talk bridging the imponderables of physics with the practicalities of running a radio telescope
On 13 November 2025, SmallTalX® was delighted to hold its second talk in the Deep South at the Welcome Glen Farmhouse, featuring the return of science operations lead Sarah Buchner to present the remarkable research conducted at the renowned MeerKAT Radio Telescope.
The False Bay Echo kindly featured this article in the lead up to the the talk:
Buchner's presentation makes it easier for a general audience to understand how extraordinary astronomical research is carried out at the radio telescope's location. She explains how discoveries are made there, offering insights into the telescope's operation and highlighting its greater power compared to an optical telescope.
After covering some basic concepts, Sarah highlighted some of the remarkable observations made by the telescope, illustrating what is occurring in our galaxy and beyond, including the supermassive black hole at its core.
The presentation also explored the discovery of pulsars by Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, which rank among the densest objects in the universe (a teaspoon or cubic centimeter of pulsar material can weigh billions of tons!). Pulsars function as incredibly accurate cosmic clocks, and scientists use these "pulsar timing arrays" (PTAs) to detect gravitational waves (GWs) by observing small disruptions in the consistent timing of their radio pulses. This uncovers ripples in spacetime caused by significant cosmic events like merging supermassive black holes, effectively turning a galaxy-sized network of pulsars into a gravitational wave detector.
Amid the excitement surrounding the recent discovery of comet 3I/ATLAS, Buchner graciously entertained an enthusiastic audience, confirming that MeerKAT has indeed observed it. 3I/ATLAS is the third interstellar object detected passing through our solar system, classified as a comet because of its icy composition and behavior, discovered by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey in Chile on July 1, 2025. This offers an opportunity to study material formed in different environments, highlighting differences from comets in our own solar system.
Sarah's presentation was undeniably thrilling, leaving the audience even more amazed by the vast expanses of space beyond Earth and the cosmic objects that astronomers continue to decipher. The technological advancements, highlighted by the MeerKAT telescope, provided a glimpse into the remarkable physics occurring at the forefront of observing cosmic and interstellar bodies.
The audience departed energised by the insights provided in the talk, eager for more discussions and information about our world. SmallTalX® looks forward to hosting guests again at the Welcome Glen Farm House for the next talk on the caracals of the Cape Peninsula on 12 February 2026 - and is certainly excited to invite Sarah Buchner back in the future!