On the cusp of spring, August 28, 2009, Murriyang, the iconic parabolic dish at Parkes Observatory near Canberra, was tasked with a mission that reached beyond the lunar surface. Known for its pivotal role in relaying Apollo 11 communications, “The Dish” was now set to send a message from Earth into the cosmos. Its destination: Gliese 581d, a “super-Earth” exoplanet discovered in 2007 and considered a potential haven for life due to its temperate conditions. The brainchild behind this cosmic greeting was Wilson da Silva, then editor-in-chief of the Sydney-based science magazine Cosmos. This initiative was part of a campaign to celebrate National Science Week and the International Year of Astronomy. A website was launched to gather greetings from the public, and by the time the message left Earth, it carried 25,660 well-wishes from around the globe.
However, since that interstellar “hello” in 2009, we’ve learned that Gliese 581d might not exist at all, potentially just an artefact of scientific data errors. The magazine that orchestrated this cosmic outreach, Cosmos, has also become a ghost. Last month, Cosmos delivered its final issue, marking the end of an era in Australian science journalism. Founded in 2005 by da Silva, alongside prominent figures like Alan and Elizabeth Finkel, Cosmos was a cornerstone of science communication in Australia, nurturing young journalists and winning numerous accolades, including the prestigious Kavli Science Journalism Award in 2023.
The Rise and Fall of Cosmos Magazine
For two decades, Cosmos was a beacon for science journalism in Australia. It provided a platform for young science communicators, maintained a robust newsroom, and offered educational initiatives to thousands of students. However, as da Silva noted, “just being a good science magazine does not mean that you can defy gravity.” In 2013, da Silva passed the editorial reins to Elizabeth Finkel, who led the magazine until it was sold to the Royal Institution of Australia in 2018. Despite maintaining high-quality reporting, the magazine struggled with declining print readership, exacerbated by the Covid pandemic.
In June 2022, the South Australian government provided a $2.7 million lifeline to keep Cosmos afloat until June 2024, when it was sold to CSIRO Publishing. Less than a year later, CSIRO decided to cease the magazine’s print operations, citing shifting audience preferences and rising production costs. The magazine’s closure reflects a broader industry trend as print publications grapple with digital transformations and the advertising dominance of tech giants like Google and Facebook.
The Importance of Science Journalism
Science journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding and informing policy. As American science journalist Siri Carpenter suggested, the integration of science journalism principles into mainstream reporting could enhance journalism’s future. While generalist reporters can cover scientific topics, the expertise and depth provided by specialized science journalists are invaluable.
Science journalists have been instrumental in covering complex issues like climate change, Covid-19, and technological impacts on society. The recent debate on social media’s effects on youth, highlighted by SA Premier Peter Malinauskas’s claim that “the science is settled,” underscores the need for informed science reporting. Without dedicated science journalists, nuanced discussions on such topics may be overlooked.
The Future of Science Communication in Australia
With Cosmos’s closure, Australia’s science journalism landscape faces significant challenges. Only a few dedicated outlets, such as Australian Geographic and Particle, remain. Despite the lack of dedicated science journalism courses in Australian universities, the need for specialized science communicators persists. The dwindling number of full-time science reporting roles highlights the precarious state of the field.
As Cosmos’s “hello” to Gliese 581d continues its journey into space, the story of this ambitious outreach remains a testament to the power of science journalism. It serves as a reminder of the unique role science journalists play in interpreting scientific progress and fostering public understanding. In 2029, when the message is expected to reach its destination, Cosmos will not be there to report on its journey, but its legacy in shaping science communication will endure.
