About me
I’m a reacher in the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford and a junior research fellow at New College. I also spend a lot of my time at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, where I was Director of Citizen Science during a year off from Oxford.
I run The Zooniverse, a large and ever-growing collection of citizen science projects that allow anyone to make an authentic contribution to research. The Zooniverse grew from the Galaxy Zoo project which still fuels most of my research, but now includes everything from discovering planets to transcribing papyri.
Before arriving in Oxford, I was educated (with varying degrees of success) by Torquay Boys’ Grammar School, Magdalene College Cambridge and, for my PhD at University College London. I’m also strongly involved in what is slightly oddly known as popular science, most famililarly as co-presenter on the more than fifty-year-old Sky at Night program alongside Sir Patrick Moore, and most recently as coauthor of Bang!, with Patrick and Dr Brian May. The book was included on the longlist for the 2007 Royal Society Book Prize. As both are distinguished musicians and have CBEs, I have a lot to catch up on, which I will no doubt use as an excuse for the lack of updates on this site. I also have a regular column (on observing the night sky) in The Times and am trying to expand the range of writing I do.
Apart from astronomy, my interests are theatrical or foodie, or occasionally both. You might also find me at the odd Torquay United game, or amongst Section 8 in Chicago.
on April 24th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Dear Mr Lintott…I know you are a busy person ,but as the guest speaker coordinator of Wiltshire Astronomical Society I am bound to ask if you have time next season to talk toour members about your work in this wonderful subject…Kind regards Philip Proven
on August 31st, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Dear Dr. Lintott,
I hope this letter finds you in cheerful disposition..
Reason I’m writing is I would like your support. To inspire and cause a global movement. To have citizens voluntarily turn off the lights for half-hour per week. So that children can have a look at the stars – hopefully in wonder and amazement. Some of the children I spoke to in the urban areas have never seen the stars! Never! I like to bring this to the attention of dads, moms, neighbours, civic leaders and utlity companies. And enroll them in giving a gift to the children. A free gift. That they naturally are blessed with. But have been taken away!
The two letters I have placed on the web-site are just two examples. If you like to write your own, I would welcome that initiative. In either case, can I please count on you to be a stand for the children? All I am asking is please give me permission to sign the existing letter (or a letter you write) with your name. A permission with a signature file (.jpg file?) will be perfect.
I am immensely grateful to you for reading this letter. On behalf of the children.
I am in the midst of composing a Board of Directors made up of children. I sincerely hope you are inspired by the intentions of this project, and will support it . If you like to be a consultant to the project, that will be cheerfully received!!
sincerely,
Tom Padikal
Please visit http://www.LightsOutForStars.com
The website is under construction; I’m bringing it to your attention to ask you if you will be kind enough to sign the letter on the second (Sponsor) or third (An Invitation) page. Alternatively, please write a letter that inspires you — either to the children or the adults who will support them in bringing this about. Thank you!
on January 16th, 2008 at 4:49 am
If I am not mistaken, this information is not quite correct, Dr. Lintott. I believe the “Post-Doctoral” is now official.
on February 4th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Just a comment regarding what Tom Padikal posted.
Lightsoutforstars is a great initiative, however I imagine the take up of many selfish people will be not enough to make a difference, maybe if he were to take it on the road and tour small villages where lights out could really work. Also is 30 minutes enough? as it is supposed to take up to 45 minutes for our eyes to become fully adjusted for Dark skies.
Keep up the good work Chris, I enjoy your reports on The Sky at Night, and look forward to watching tonights episode.
Clear Skies.
on February 18th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
[...] that they need to classify into galaxy type, such as Spirals, Bared and Elliptical. In comes Dr. Chris Lintott of Oxford University who wisely left all of the heavy lifting to the bored masses of the [...]
on June 7th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
ASH – the astronomical society of Haringey proposed something similar nearly thirty years ago !
The coming depression will ensure this happens on a regular basis for longer than the suggested time, i’m quite sure of that.