Okanagan Valley radio astronomer tuned into space early in childhood
Ken Tapping is an astronomer with the National Research Council’s Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory near White Lake, south of Penticton.
Born in Erith, Kent, U.K., he received his doctorate from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.
He joined the National Research Council in 1975, and was based in Ottawa and worked with the Algonquin Radio Observatory in Algonquin Park in Ontario. He moved to DRAO in 1990. Tapping spoke recently with Daily Courier managing editor James Miller on a wide range of topics, including astronomy (naturally), growing up in the ’60s in the U.K. and his love of jazz music.
COURIER: At what point in your life did you first discover your fascination for space?
TAPPING: I remember, as a four-yearold, daydreaming about going to the moon by balloon. I hope my knowledge of space has improved since then.
COURIER: Thinking back to my own childhood, the boys in my class, in particular, were always interested in astronomy. Do today’s children have the same fascination as my generation did?
TAPPING: My own memory of high school is that none of my peers were interested. I was the weirdo. Today’s kids are more tuned in, but with all the things happening now in space science and astronomy, there is good reason.
COURIER: How did you get into radio astronomy?
TAPPING: A U.K. radar maintenance company gave me a complete radar system off a ship, and it became a backyard radio telescope, thanks to some very patient, understanding and supportive parents.
COURIER: In your lifetime, what was the most significant moment or discovery in astronomy?
TAPPING: In astronomy, the discovery of planets orbiting other stars. We knew they were almost certainly there, but for a long time we doubted we would ever be able to detect them. For space, generally, Oct. 4, 1957, when mankind first got something into orbit (Sputnik), and July 20, 1969, when we landed on the moon, turning space from something we just look at to something real that we can touch and explore.
COURIER: What has been the highlight of your 25-plus years at DRAO?
TAPPING: I know it sounds corny, but the highlight was when I started at DRAO. The place was manned by a bunch of science and engineering enthusiasts working right alongside the instruments they used. They were having fun, and still are, and
I remember, as a four-yearold, daydreaming about going to the moon by balloon. I hope my knowledge of space has improved since then.
Ken Tapping
it’s contagious.
COURIER: Funding for scientific research, and not just astronomy, became an issue during the last federal election. Is that always an ongoing concern in the scientific community?
TAPPING: Yes and no. As economies go up and down, and requirements for services like health care and education grow, what is available for science has to change, too. However, issues like renewable energy, living in an ecosystem without destroying it, increased needs for stable and reliable communications and other infrastructure are issues we need scientists to solve. Why not Canadian scientists? We could be the first species in the history of the Earth that has the opportunity to render itself extinct.
COURIER: How big was Col. Chris Hatfield for the Canadian space program?
TAPPING: Very big. Not only because he talks space, but he does it as an ordinary guy who does ordinary things (like playing guitar) and, of course, extraordinary things. He tells us the unreachable is within reach. The main message, though, as far as I am concerned, is: If there is something you would really like to do with your life, go for it. Aim high.
COURIER: Historical liberties aside, what did you think of the recent film Hidden Figures?
TAPPING: I’m glad it was made. In a way, it was a shame it had to be made. Those women did great things. It is unforgivable for anyone to have the ability, the dreams and the drive, but to be stopped by things that are beyond their control and, moreover, irrelevant. It’s great to be working with an increasing number of female scientists and engineers, but we have a way to go yet before we have a playing field that is level or at least equally bumpy for everyone.
COURIER: Let’s switch to some personal questions. You’re well known in the South Okanagan as a guitarist. How did that come about?
TAPPING: Back in the Stone Age, there was a British guitar group called the Shadows, and I loved their stuff and started picking out their tunes on an ancient guitar my brother had. Then the ’60s happened, with groups on every British street corner, so there was no shortage of people with whom to play. Then, when I started university and got my first year’s grant, I spent the whole thing on a custom-made electric guitar. I still use it. I stopped playing when I came to Canada in 1975. Then, when we came to the Okanagan, I found the place filled with jazz bands. I have never encountered a place so musically active, so I joined two of them and am having a fantastic opportunity to learn from some really great musicians.
COURIER: You grew up in the U.K. during what North Americans referred to as The British Invasion. Did you know at the time that all of the great bands from the U.K. would remain popular 50 years later?
TAPPING: Seeing the Rolling Stones and others still out there doing gigs is amazing. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, when it was all happening, I am afraid that, like most of my contemporaries, we lived musically in the present and never really thought much about what music would be doing next.
COURIER: Do you like the songs Major Tom and Rocket Man?
TAPPING: The original Major Tom was rather sad, but did underline the risks taken by the early astronauts in their “orbiting tin cans.” Chris Hadfield’s version was more positive. However, in the meantime, space technology has improved a lot. Rocket Man is cool, but I like Elton John’s Crocodile Rock better.
COURIER: Who is your favourite Star Trek character?
TAPPING: I guess, Spock. Behind the blank expression and emotionless speech, I always got the feeling that he was laughing his head off.