In case you’ve been living under a rock, there’s a new Bachelor in town. His name is Dr Matthew Agnew, and he’s the dashingly handsome, 6’3 astrophysicist about to embark on a dating marathon in the Bachelor house.
And, look, we were going to tune in anyway, but having a smart, funny – we mentioned the handsome part right? – astrophysicist in the Bachie pad sure makes it look like compelling viewing.
And the best part, it’s good for science … stick with me, I’m going somewhere with this.
I doubt the word ‘astrophysicist’ has been bandied about in Australian homes this much since the moon landing.
For sure someone you know googled it after previews of The Bachelor contestant Abbie Chatfield‘s first meeting of our new sciencey Bachie on the red carpet went viral.
It went a little something like this…
Abbie: What do you do?
Matt: I’m an astrophysicist.
Abbie: OK, I’m a Gemini.
And in what can only be described as spectacular timing, a new book on astrophysics aimed at children, penned by Aussie astrophysicist and Women in STEM ambassador Lisa Harvey-Smith’s called Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Bedtime is set for an October release, just as Australia is falling in love with an astrophysicist all of our own!
Astrophysicist and Women in STEM ambassador Lisa Harvey-Smith’s brand-new children’s book, Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Bedtime, is available October 1.
(Image: supplied)“The cosmos is a fascinating new world for many, and I am excited to have translated my knowledge of this amazing subject for kids,” says Harvey-Smith.
“It’s a wonderful introduction into science and technology for kids – and their parents. If my new book can inspire girls to look beyond the social stereotypes and reach for the stars, I’ll be very happy”.
Delightfully illustrated by Mel Matthews, Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Bedtime, transports curious kids and inquisitive adults on an incredible journey through the night sky.
Kids will be able to explore the solar system from the comfort of their bedrooms, find out why the sky is blue, fly around a black hole and learn why Jupiter has stripes.
Want inspiration? Lisa Harvey-Smith is an award-winning astronomer and Professor at the University of New South Wales.
(Image: supplied)A passionate advocate for gender equity, Harvey-Smith hopes to inspire and encourage young women to foster an interest in STEM, as she did at an early age with astrophysics. With women accounting for less than 1/5 of all employees in STEM in Australia, Harvey-Smith is raising awareness and driving cultural change in the STEM sector.
“It’s important that we foster home-grown talent into STEM and encourage girls as much as boys to develop their interests in the diverse fields in sciences, technology, the different types of engineering and mathematics,” Harvey-Smith says.
“There is absolutely no difference in the ability between the genders and I am excited to assist in driving this cultural change and see a shift in attitudes towards gender in STEM.”
WATCH: The Bachelor 2019: Meet Matt Agnew. Continues after video …
Is Bachelor Matt really an astrophysicist?
Yep! According to his LinkedIn profile, Matt is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology and has been for the last three years.
With a double undergraduate degree in science and engineering, a masters of astrophysics and the fact that he’s soon to become Dr Agnew, there’s no doubt he’s one smart cookie.
Back in 2016 he was even quoted in a Sydney Morning Herald article after scientists found evidence of an ocean beneath the surface of Pluto.
The goal of astrophysics is to seek an understanding of the universe and our place in it.
In Matt’s case (and according to his LinkedIn), the core goal of his astrophysics research “is to use numerical techniques to search for dynamically stable planet candidates in the habitable zones of all known multiple planet systems.”
i.e He uses scientific techniques to determine whether or not a planet can sustain life. (We think.)
2019’s Bachie is out of this world!
(Image: Getty Images/Network Ten)Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Bedtime is available for pre-order at www.mup.com.au. The hardcover and e-book are available from all good booksellers on October 1.
