Dr. Ken Tapping

Curiosity about the natural world is what drives Dr. Ken Tapping. In his view, science is organized curiosity. Dr. Tapping is not only curious about our world, but about what’s happening at the centre of our solar system--the sun. To find out, he uses radio telescopes to gather information about the sun’s behaviour. Like reflecting telescopes that gather light to give us a better view of the moon and stars, radio telescopes use antennas to gather radio waves from sources in space.

Canada’s Stethoscope on the Sun. The information gained from this program is distributed world wide and used by industry and space agencies.

The sun is the engine that drives our environment, and its behaviour is always changing. These changes affect our environment. They can affect radio communications, damage or destroy satellites, and cause major power outages. Solar activity causes changes in the earth’s magnetic field, which can increase corrosion on long-distance oil and gas pipelines. In short, the sun’s behaviour costs industries millions--even billions--of dollars a year. Solar radio monitoring helps Dr. Tapping and his colleagues understand the sun’s behaviour, which in turn lets them help the satellite communications industry and the oil industry save money by anticipating potential problems.

The Synthesis Radio Telescope is based at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in Penticton, BC, and is used by Dr. Tapping every summer for solar mapping operations.

Research that Dr. Tapping is involved in also suggests that variation in the sun’s brightness may have an effect on global climate change. Combined with the results from other areas of scientific research--cores taken from the bottom of the ocean, samples taken from polar ice, records of ocean temperature, and changes in tree rings--solar monitoring research can affect the lives of millions of people.

Early Influences

Growing up in England, Dr Tapping was interested in science as far back as he can remember. A major inspiration in making science his career came from his high school music teacher. “Somehow, in discussing music and the arts, my teacher managed to open my eyes to the way music is a facet of our exploration of the world, and that it fits in with the curiosity that underlies scientific discovery.” Added to his growing fascination with mathematics and the encouragement he received from family and friends, it was inevitable that he would one day be a scientist. Music would come in useful during his undergraduate studies at university, when playing in rock, jazz, and Hawaiian bands helped to pay for his education.

His parents allowed him to fill up the house with bugs and other creatures, even when they escaped and threatened to wreak havoc on the household. When he first tried building radio telescopes in his backyard, his bedroom was a mess with makeshift electronics equipment and cables hanging out of the window. Nevertheless, his father was always willing to help him find another transformer or vacuum tube--whatever he needed to pursue his passion. His most important role model as a scientist, though, was a radio astronomer to whom he wrote when he was just 19 years old. The astronomer wrote back, eventually becoming Dr. Tapping’s most significant mentor in radio astronomy. Dr. Tapping describes his mentor’s enthusiasm for radio astronomy as infectious, something he has tried to emulate throughout his career.

Steps Along the Way

Dr. Tapping did not follow a carefully laid path towards his chosen career. In university he signed up for classes that he thought were interesting, only to satisfy the hunger of his curiosity. Before deciding on a career in science, he sampled a different type of professional life as a consultant on defence issues related to radar. “That experience,” explains Dr. Tapping, “helped me to understand the types of things I did not like doing,” an important stepping stone in building a satisfying long-term career.

After he completed his Bachelor’s degree, he worked for the Science Research Council in the UK and was involved in research using their new 26-metre radio telescope. After obtaining his Master’s degree he became involved in a joint research project with the NRC, and eventually accepted a job offer at the NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics. In 1981 he was invited to take his PhD at the University or Utrecht, shuttling back and forth between the Netherlands and his job at the NRC.

Dr. Tapping’s most notable career highlight was his first day as a professional astronomer. Walking into a lab full of the latest research equipment and surrounded by people who shared his passions was a dream come true. And like his old mentor, Dr. Tapping’s enthusiasm is infectious too. He shares that enthusiasm by writing regular articles on astronomy published by NRC, and by participating in the Scientist in the School program in British Columbia, giving talks at schools throughout the BC interior.

Why a Career in Government?

“Science is part of our culture and our national outlook,” explains Dr. Tapping and it is the basis for new industries. As scientific research becomes more expensive and requires more and more international collaboration, Canada needs to have its own experts involved in the process so that we can have our say in the future of scientific research.

Dr. Tapping believes that NRC helps self-motivated people to succeed by allowing them the flexibility to direct their own research in ways that are most productive, and that would be of most benefit to Canadians. Working as a government scientist opens many doors and lets him see where his work fits into the big picture. It also comes with the obligation to contribute to the community on all levels, which provides both personal and professional rewards. For example, in 1997 Dr Tapping became a member of the Canadian Delegation to the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, the part of the United Nations that manages the radio spectrum. “Primarily I was there to represent the interests of Canadian radio astronomy on an international level. However, it also meant that I saw the beginnings of the new radio technologies that are now producing a revolution in the way we live.” In 2003 he received an NRC Outstanding Achievement Award.

Tips for Success

As in most truly rewarding activities, building a career in modern science requires action and initiative. “Gaining all the information you need to make the right decisions is very important for those considering a career in science,” Dr. Tapping advises. “Pursuing a career in science these days means asking questions to build the self-confidence to focus on what you’re interested in, and then going for it. Don’t be scared to ask!” Students can find answers to their questions by getting involved in summer science programs, making use of school counseling, and trying to meet people who work in subject areas that they are interested in. A heavy dose of enthusiasm helps, too.