Scotch College

The edge of the universe

Professor Colin Norman ('65) recently announced an important discovery near the edge of the visible universe.

Colin is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA and Astronomer at the Space Telescope Institiute.

Colin leads the team at the Chandra X-ray observatory that tturned up an intriguing astronomical object near the edge of the visible Universe. Scientists think it is a new-born quasar - a cosmic powerhouse fuelled by a hungry black hole - swaddled in a thick cloud of dust.

'People have been looking for these things for a long time,' said Colin. 'Because they probably represent most of the quasars at great distances, it's exciting to have found one.' Quasars are extremely bright sources of radiation in the Universe, thought to be powered by giant black holes that feed on the stars, gas and dust that surround them. Until now, all the quasars found have been shining brightly in visible light as well as X-rays, said Colin.

Colin has believed for a number of years that these type II quasars existed, but this appears to be the first direct evidence of their existence. The existence and significance of these quasars is certain to be a topic for animated discussion amongst astro physicists in the coming years. None the less, Colin's discovery is sure to play a significant part in putting together the massive jigsaw puzzle that tells the story of the creation of the universe.

Colin started at Scotch in 1954 and completed his Year 12 in 1965 before going on to Ormond College and the University of Melbourne. His colleagues from school will remember his feats on the sporting field as a footballer and runner. For many years C A Norman appeared as the holder of the school's 800 m record.

In 1970, Colin was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship that took him to Magdalen College at Oxford University. He has held a number of appointments throughout Europe and North America and moved to his current post in Baltimore in 1984.

In 1999 at at the OSCA Dinner in Washington, DC, Dr Donaldson was enthralled by Colin's account of his efforts in convincing the US Congress to provide the billions of dollars required for the Hubble Telescope. I had the pleasure of renewing my friendship with Colin in 1995 in Cambridge in the UK, when I was amazed by his energy, zeal and enthuisiasm for the many discoveries that he believed would still be made in the area of astro physics.

Although Colin has not lived in Australia for many years he continues to take a keen interest in Scotch College and, indeed, Australia. In fact, a couple of years ago I supplied him details of the forthcoming ESPN coverage of the AFL Grand Final that he was determined to watch live.

Colin is indeed a great Australian scientist and he has made a significant contribution to our understanding of the universe. All Scotch Collegians will be proud of the contribution he continues to make in the advancement of human knowledge and understanding.

By Greg Baker, Director of Computing
- with thanks to the 'New Scientist Online News'