Astrophysics professor at the Kapteyn Institute of the University of Groningen
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In winter 2010 Peter Barthel carried out a small project researching the moon phases as depicted on SantaClaus (Sinterklaas) gift wrap and books, and on Christmas cards, in The Netherlands and the USA. The resulting publication caused many smiles and substantial press coverage, including the Dec5 Pauw & Witteman talk show.
Together with his Groningen team Peter Barthel won the 2007-08 national Academische Jaarprijs for science communication, for their project “Discover the invisible universe”, explaining infrared radiation and infrared astronomy to school children and the public-at-large.
In 2014 Barthel won the national Willem de Graafprijs for his efforts in astronomy outreach and education.
Peter Barthel’s Inaugural Lecture (in Dutch), delivered on June 8, 2004, the day of the Venus transit, can be found below.