Media release – University of Tasmania, 28 June 2024
Honours graduate takes out national award for black hole research
The University of Tasmania is extending a huge congratulations to Honours graduate Sophie Young who has received the Astronomical Society of Australia’s 2024 Bart Bok Prize.
This prestigious award recognises outstanding research by an Honours or eligible Masters student in Australia.
Ms Young’s research explores the distant universe, a place full of radio galaxies, which are galaxies that emit bursts of intense light from supermassive black hole jets. This light, known as synchrotron radiation, is often more than a million times brighter than the sun.
Studying these galaxies, which are often young, small and distant, is incredibly challenging. Through her research, Sophie created a theoretical sample of these radio galaxies, providing a vital tool for real-world astronomical research. Her work demonstrates how these galaxies influence their surroundings by injecting energy and momentum into the gas clouds between stars.
Ms Young’s recognition highlights her exceptional research and reflects the strength and impact of the University of Tasmania’s astrophysics program.
“Being awarded the Bok Prize is an incredible honour and it still feels quite surreal to be recognised on a national scale,” Ms Young said.
“I have always been fascinated by space and astronomy, but I’d never really considered studying it further until I had the opportunity to do a summer research project through UTAS that involved learning the basics of supercomputer simulations.
“This opened my eyes to a completely new area of astrophysics which I barely even knew existed.”
Ms Young’s award continues a tradition of excellence at the University of Tasmania. Both of her Honours supervisors have also won the Bok Prize: Associate Professor Stas Shabala in 2004 and Dr Ross Turner in 2014.
“Sophie has addressed a truly complex astrophysical problem from a theoretical viewpoint and opened up a new research direction for next-generation telescopes including the multi-billion-dollar Square Kilometre Array, which will be operating in just a few years’ time in Western Australia and southern Africa,” Dr Turner said.
Associate Professor Shabala said Sophie’s work had advanced our understanding of radio galaxies.
“It also highlights the enduring quality and mentorship within the University’s world class astrophysics program.”
The University of Tasmania extends its congratulations to Ms Young and looks forward to her future contributions to the field of astronomy.
About the Bart Bok Prize
The Bart Bok Prize is awarded annually by the Astronomical Society of Australia to honour outstanding research by an Honours or eligible Masters student in the field of astronomy.
Named after a pioneer of optical astronomy in Australia, the Bok Prize recognises exceptional contributions to the understanding of the Universe, fostering excellence and innovation among emerging scientists.
Recipients of the Bok Prize are acknowledged for their significant achievements and their potential to advance astronomical research, reflecting the high standards of scholarship within the Australian astronomical community.
