Mike Retires from Astronomy - Sixty Symbols

[@sixtysymbols]

Mike Merrifield longer podcast interview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYDFnHdofJ52iq8 Mike video playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLcUY9vudNKBNGAgplgACrGL9UlxyDHq7k

[@BorisHaeussler]

Mike is being very modest. The "Binney and Merrifield" book on galaxies and galaxy evolution is a standard book in the field. One of the VERY few I own.

[@dmeemd7787]

Yes he is, lol Google debt and realize I’ve been through quite a few of his books in my lifetime :) I thought that looked awfully familiar to me, thank you for that!

[@Triantalex]

false.

[@konraddapper7764]

He is Modest but writing a book is Not realy a contribution to reasearch. Because there are No new idears in books

[@BorisHaeussler]

@@konraddapper7764 You might argue that, yes. But the exact question was "What's your astronomy legacy, though? What's the best thing you've added to the knowledge of astronomy?", and I would say that writing a standard book that the next generation of astronomers has used and will use to learn from definitely falls into that category (at least the first of these questions). And books can most definitely contain and inspire new ideas, I don't think your generalisation is correct there.

[@meatballg8655]

⁠@@konraddapper7764setting up the next generation is one of the biggest contributions to research there is. No one ever remembers the person who wrote the textbook for the course, but all the next generation of great scientists leaned on that book for their starting knowledge and wouldn’t be where they are without it.

[@bcat845]

A legend. Now a physics PhD student, largely thanks to Mikes’ videos getting me very interested in physics back in secondary school. Thanks for everything, keep the videos coming though!

[@MSloCvideos]

Same!

[@radiuscubed]

Same here!!

[@nevadagellermann5848]

I got my graduate in physics - 10 yrs now in commercial industry but I want to go back for my PhD and teach. How do I get back into it?

[@Triantalex]

false.

[@bcat845]

@@Triantalex What's false?

[@Aziraphale686]

For 15 years this majestic man has stoked the fires of my love of astronomy and physics. A well deserved retirement if I do say so.

[@OrionFyre]

It's hard to believe he's been with us that long, and it doesn't feel like it. I sure hope he sticks around to continue stoking the imaginations of more young people with Brady's help.

[@faggieff911]

I was one of the many students who were lucky enough to have Mike as a lecturer at Nottingham. He was an excellent teacher. I hope he enjoys his retirement.

[@Triantalex]

ok?

[@Not.Your.Business]

@@Triantalex you ok?

[@OblivionFalls]

Godspeed, Mike 🙏🙏 You've been a staple of this channel for many years and we'll always remember you fondly.

[@AlphaFoxDelta]

💯 💯 💯

[@svenpohl4858]

Exactly! Thank you Mike for being there here 👍🙏 always a great pleasure, retired or not. Hope you‘ll continue to making people happy here for another 10 years ✨

[@Rostol]

no mate ... he is not retiring from this channel or Deep Sky. he does this cos he likes to, it's not a job. he's retiring from his university job. he will keep making videos.

[@Rinaldus22]

"You can never hope to get get it right all the time, but what you can hope to do is like be a decent person and create an environment in which other people could be decent people as well." 8:06 Thank you, Professor Merrifield.

[@KyleKabasares_PhD]

I completed my PhD in astrophysics (studying galaxies and their black holes!) in 2023, and "Galactic Astronomy" by Binney and Merrifield (yes Mike Merrifield) was my first introduction to the world of galactic astronomy in 2018. While it's getting up there in age as a reference (published in 1998) I always smile reading through it knowing that I get to probe Mike's (and James Binney's) insights into galaxies. Little did I know that when I was going through that class that the same Merrifield on my book was the Merrifield I had been watching on Sixty Symbols and Deep Sky Videos for years before that, and my jaw just dropped when I made the connection. Congratulations to Mike on such a *stellar* career, and thank you for all that you did to pave the way for us younger galactic astronomers. I hope you enjoy your retirement, and we will miss you in astronomy!

[@kaitlyn__L]

Hee, stellar career.

[@joebloggs3551]

Like a lot of the professors on this channel, comes across as a really top bloke.

[@stianaslaksen5799]

Cheers Professor Merrifield, been a pleasure to get to know you over the years.

[@AlphaFoxDelta]

He'll still be on Sixty Symbols at least 😊

[@sabatuur8791]

He was always my favourite to listen to on DeepSkyVideos and Sixty Symbols. Excellent at explaining things to laymen without dumbing it down too much. Time really has flown by. Hope he can enjoy a long retirement! Thanks for all the contributions so far.

[@lethargogpeterson4083]

It says something that when asked about regrets, he didn't focus on things happening to him, or even achievements, but on how he behaved and treated people non "malicious" ways as he said.

[@exoyt7575]

Congratulations on a succesfull carreer and a deserved retirement. Very very pleased to hear you will continue with the vids, this channel would not be the same without you. Thank you for your contributions.

[@nakulkhandelwal2441]

My interest in physics is out of this channel, and that is because of him, he truly is an amazing person, with an amazing knack for explaining things. Thank you for everything! And thank you for all your videos!

[@sylvainviredaz1965]

I don't often write comments, but this video made me do it. Thank you, Mr Merrifield. Thank you for each and every video you've taken part in. Your knowledge, your enthusiasm, your ability to make things beautiful and interesting are all characteristics of each of your contributions. And let's not forget that recurring ‘last laugh’, which lights up the subject with a final note after which all that's left to say is ‘can't wait for the next video’. I wish you all the best for the future, and look forward to upcoming contributions to Sixty Symbols, even if these become a little more rare :) Sylvain, 35 years old, passionate about astrophysics since childhood, Energy and environmental engineer Switzerland

[@ClimberSeth]

Mike has been my absolute favorite on these channels for so long and I’m glad he’ll still be on here! Hearing him speak on his career, success, regrets, etc is a mentality towards life that I wish came naturally to all.

[@thereasonabletroll68]

I got my physics degree and completely changed my life thanks to Mike and sixty symbols. Thank you so much for all you’ve done for our world

[@zuzusuperfly8363]

Legend. I remember watching these videos, and this gentleman, while I was doing a bachelors in physics. It was easily the best time of my life. I've never had more fun.

[@jip5889]

Since your videos will stay on the internet you will forever be our teacher. Thank you for all!

[@rumfordc]

sadly information on the internet doesn't even last as long as on paper

[@XXwarriorxx343]

I was fortunate enough to have Mike as a lecturer in first year for a short period. I hope he realises the impact he has had on so many students. Enjoy your retirement Mike.

[@silverXnoise]

I remember Sixty Symbols first launch, and seeing Mike for the first time. He always chose topics that fascinated and enriched me. I will miss him very much, but I am incredibly happy for him and his future fulfilling his greater purpose-in the immortal words of Kurt Vonnegut, “We are here on this earth to fart around. Don’t let anyone tell you different.” Be well, Prof. Merrifield!

[@M104-q9y]

I do hope you continue to do the odd sixty symbols video professor, I thoroughly enjoy all the videos you have been part of. But even if you don't, enjoy your retirement.

[@RickeyBowers]

This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this joyous phase transition with us.

[@KshiteejSawhney]

Man, oh man, congratulations, Professor! You have been an incredible teacher for our community. Your way of simplifying complex concepts and ideas has been nothing short of a blessing, especially for someone like me, whose curious mind often wanders in different directions. Thank you, Professor, for your time, dedication, and hard work in creating these amazing explainers with Brady. It's bittersweet 🥺to see you growing older, but I wish you the best of health and happiness. May you continue to inspire and educate curious minds for many years to come. Cheers to you and everyone who shares a love for learning!!

[@DiscoLiquid]

Mike, you were always my favorite sixty symbols professor. I still come back to the Mike Merrifield playlist every so often. I wish you nothing but the best, thank you for all your contributions

[@tomharner83]

Having no regrets may make for a "boring video"... But I find it QUITE exciting to see that you've been so successful in your career that you have no significant regrets. Well done sir!

[@davidalexallen]

Thanks for all the wonderful videos, Professor Merrifield. I've been watching for a long, long time and you've been a staple on this channel since its inception. I hope you have a fantastic retirement with your family.

[@skarrambo1]

Happy Retirement, Mike! Yourself, along with Phil and Ed, convinced me to choose to study Physics over Maths back in 2015 and to go to Nottingham, because it was hands down the best open day I'd been to. I have some fond memories of your first year Special Relativity module, many School of Physics and Astronomy meetings as a rep every year, and especially of being a demonstrator for all of the open days and enrichment days we did. I still enjoy the odd interaction with you over on Twitter, now I'm five years into my career as a Meteorologist. I'm sending these well wishes from Ascension Island, where I'm the latest Senior Met Officer!

[@randall.chamberlain]

Wow, time surely is relentless. Never imagined I would see one of my favourite guys in KZbin retire. God speed SR.

[@devangliya7131]

Thanks so much for all the wonderful videos over the years. I remember discovering this channel almost a decade ago now, and Mike's videos were always a joy to watch (over on the DeepSkyVideos too!) because of his personality and a very to the point style. I am now a PhD student in astronomy and Mike has definetly played a small role in me choosing this path. This video made me a bit emotional. Thanks again, and have a very happy retirement, Mike! (Brady, you have to get Mike to show some of his arduino projects in the future here :P)

[@Paper1802]

I've been watching the videos by Professor Merrifield since nearly the beginning - and he has been a huge influence on my life and part of a why I'm working on a PhD in astrophysics currently. While my own research is adjacent to Professor Merrifield's research, he has truly inspired me and taught me so much over the decade+ of videos. I often recommend my own students to watch him explain a topic because it really is the best explanation. In particular, the video on the gravothermal collapse of clusters influenced me so much that my own work is exactly on this topic! Thank you for all of your time, knowledge, and expertise Professor

[@shawnd3047]

To Mike Merrifield, Know that your work and more so your integrity has had an impact on so many people including me. You have fueled curiosity, open doors to possibilities, and sparked the imagination of countless science enthusiasts. I always looked forward to seeing you in videos and hearing you share your knowledge. Wishing you a long and happy retirement. Thank you.

[@chillsahoy2640]

Enjoy your retirement! You've been a wonderful part of Sixty Symbols and I hope you know that you have inspired many people to get involved with astronomy. Hearing you talk about the things you have been doing since retiring has convinced me that I want to continue developing myself, there's no excuse if I'm only 30.

[@EWt5lg5alQWLqPViO9vk]

I have dipped in and out of this channel for many years and have always enjoyed Mike’s content. Many thanks for this Mike and wishing you all the best for your retirement.

[@entropyachieved750]

End of an era. Many great years watching you on KZbin.

[@youtubeviewer7039]

Videos with Mike were always my favourite to watch. I retired from research right after my PhD but I’m still working in science thanks to great people like him.

[@stilts121]

Congrats and Godspeed, Professor! Thank you for all the videos!

[@unclvinny]

Adding my voice to the chorus: Mike is great! Many happy hours spent watching his videos on here.

[@rahularvindshinde]

Congrats on the retirement Mike! You have been an incredible source of inspiration and I hope to continue seeing you on Sixty Symbols

[@edron79]

Best wishes for a wonderful retirement, Mike! And many thanks for your contributions here over the years, especially your clear, concise explanations of complex topics. The video presenting your musings on the shape of raindrops is a personal favorite. 💧

[@JohnFosterTakesPhotos]

Well deserved good times ahead for you Professor Merrifield, may the road rise up to meet you on your travels. You've been one of the highlights of this channel and I, and no doubt many viewers will miss you. I wish you well...

[@DavidBeddard]

I have fond memories of Prof. Merrifield's lectures 2010-2013. My best wishes for this new stage of your life, Prof!

[@baruch669]

One of my favorite communicators ever. Thank you so much

[@Nathan-cz8uk]

congrats on the retirement! mike's videos are always excellent, i hope we still see him from time to time

[@WontonTV]

Been watching you on this channel for over 15 years, Mike. Thanks for everything.

[@cordial001]

I've loved hearing Mike talk about various topics over the years. He's a great communicator

[@Dowskiify]

I've always appreciated Mike's contributions to Brady's channel a lot. I don't know if he's going to read these comments but if he is: Thanks for your contribution to our collective knowledge and for telling us about it here on KZbin. Have a nice retirement, I'm sure you deserve every second of it! P.S. Arduino's are fun, aren't they?

[@paulie2009]

Prof Merrifield and all of the U of Nottingham Profs have been a joy to listen to over the years. A real treasure. (And you too Brady!)

[@Alekzbizkit]

Wishing you great health. Let this be the start of a long and happy retirement, take care and thanks for all the fascinating videos, hope we’ll see you soon

[@_UKRuff_]

Watched your vids for many years and will be sad to see you go. Thanks for everything and wishing you the best of health!

[@mayechael]

Hey Mike! I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your new-found freedom! Your videos have always been a treat, and I hope we get to see some more of you in the future! Stay well, live well.

[@MattLaubhan12]

Dr. Merrifield: Thank you sincerely for all the education you provided through all these years. You have brightened my life! I wish you all the best in whatever comes next!

[@MattLaubhan12]

You were my favorite part of Sixty Symbols. But, of course, I love the rest as well.

[@super1commenter]

Congratulations on your amazing achievements, Professor Merrifield. I have been watching sixtysymbols and periodicvideos since ≈ 15 ago when I was still in school. I am now a postdoc in astrophysics thanks to these videos!

[@Mncdk]

Enjoy your retirement Mike, thanks for all the videos.

[@potter1ist]

I know you have no knowledge of me but for the past who knows how’s many years you have inspired me and shores up my faith the science still continues in this divided world. I wish you nothing but the best in retirement and I heard you are taking up photography, which I’ve been a part of for quite a while. Welcome and thank you for all the knowledge you have shared.

[@alandyer910]

Congratulations to Prof Merrifield on his retirement and wonderful contributions to science. We hope he’ll continue to contribute to Brady’s videos. His explanations of the latest discoveries and deciphering of research papers have always been superb. We need that talent! Thank you! 🙏

[@BrandorKOB]

This makes me want to cry. I remember watching these videos in High School fantasizing about being an astronomer. A decade later, I have been through 6 years of university, and I am a criminal lawyer who never studied astronomy, but still enjoys these videos deeply. Y’all have made such an impact on my life thank you.

[@uuu12343]

Almost 10+ years of videos, professor has been making videos with us since I was in secondary school - I finished university recently, I cant say anything else other than "legend" I hope we would get more videos from Professor Merrifield but enjoy your retirement! Well deserved

[@uuu12343]

Actually, isnt it 15 years now? Woah, time flew

[@docsharp00]

Thanks a lot for sharing with us your knowledge professor. Enjoy your retirement, your family and your free time. I have no words to describe what you brought to people. Thank you really much. Sincerely

[@dhamma58]

Having watched this channel for many years with enjoyment, at last with this video I must commend the Brady for the format and storytelling shown here. Interspersing photos, flashbacks and the infamous book in its secret resting place was the height of rounding out this poignant saga of a career documented via Sixty Symbols. Well done!

[@tychovanvondel9856]

All the best to you, Mike. Greetings & love from the Netherlands.

[@LorielStarkWinterfell]

Happy retirement! I am excited to hear that you still plan to make some Sixty Symbol / Depp Sky Videos. I tried to think has there ever been bad video with Mike, but not a single example comes to mind. Your stuff has always been top notch... (pretty much every sisty symbol video is top notch) but you are first among equals!

[@aaronsmith4949]

Mike has always been my favourite Professor on Sixty Symbols by far. I never miss one of his videos and watch his past videos over and over again. I hope that with more time he can actual do more videos for Sixty Symbols!

[@fordsfords]

What a wonderful interview! All the best, Professor Merrifield!

[@Termuellinator]

Enjoy your retirement! Always enjoyed your special way of explaining things :)

[@NajibElMokhtari]

❤️❤️❤️❤️ thank you so much for everything, legend! Love from Morocco!

[@undyingprisoner]

Never had the honour to meet, but have been following for years. Godspeed and thank you for everything you have done for all of us here on YT over the years!

[@Ojisan642]

Professor Merrifield is one of my favorites on this channel. I hope we will continue to hear about his adventures and maybe he will be an Emeritus of Sixty Symbols and do more of these videos!

[@sobe8503]

Definitely my favorite Professor on this channel. I've learned a TON watching him. I still occasionally play his Gamma videos as I fall asleep :)

[@ObserverZero]

Thank you for all the videos over the years, Mike!! ❤❤ You have been a truly incredible educator and I have learned so much from you, in the insightful and entertaining way in which you have conveyed the stories about the universe and our place within it. I will miss you so much!! Thank you and good luck in retirement, I wish you all the best. Sincerely and with love, a Norwegian fjordhobbit that you gave a lot of smiles, joy and reflection

[@fep_ptcp883]

Professor, I wish you many more years of health, happiness, and fulfillment in the years ahead

[@icarob-eng]

It's not a disappointing video hearing you saying "there's nothing on my life that I which I could do differently". That's a huge thing that I wish I could feel when I retire one day

[@kenproctor3824]

So happy for Prof. Merrifield; retirement is freeing (at least from my limited experience). Also, thrilled we will continue with Sixty Symbols and working with Brady. I've learned a bunch from his involvement with Brady. Prof. Merrifield, Thanks! Enjoy your new future.

[@BigBrothersEnd]

It's been great listening to your wisdom and knowledge during the last decade. I went threw my graduate studies inspired by this channel and Mike. Thanks for everything!

[@jacklee5876]

Thanks for all the videos on Sixty Symbols and Deep Sky Videos and congrats on your retirement, professor Merrifield. Hope you'll still be on the channel for some time.

[@BillMSmith]

I'm pleased to see Professor Merrifield has such a great outlook on his career. He's correct, time spent regretting is time not getting anything worthwhile done. I've enjoyed watching him for many years, and look forward to following him for many years. Well done Dr. Merrifield. Enjoy having the time to expand your horizons in another way.

[@pahaha70]

Mike's Numberphile podcast interview was one of the best, most inspiration, cozy listening experiences of 2024 for me. Bon voyage, sir!

[@tinyderppotato5410]

enjoy your retirement professor! I'ts been so much fun learning from you🥰

[@MitkoNikov]

Professor Mike is an inspiration for many of us, not only as researchers, but as humans as well! He is so humble with great values! Congratulations on the retirement, but we want to see you on the channel again! ❤

[@pratha1994]

Thank you professor! Learned a lot from you. Enjoy your level up !

[@RealHypeFox]

It's bittersweet. I hope Mike and his have the best retirement. He helped so many people get into astronomy and touched a lot of lives.

[@FancyDefect]

Legend. Love this guy and what he teaches.

[@VincentGroenewold]

Thanks Mike! It's always a pleasure to hear you talk about basically anything. Enjoy the rest!

[@fishnsyd]

Congratulations and a huge thank you are due to Mike! I do selfishly hope that this isn’t the last we hear from him. It would be fascinating to not only hear his takes on new research, but to dive into some of his older papers and have him reflect on them and make connections to current work. His perspective on science as a career, being a team player, and what really matters in your work really hit home for me.

[@Bia_R_4]

Good job for all those years Prof Mike! You always made topics so easy to understand to people that barely met Physics after high school (such as myself). Leaning about the universe with you was always a joy.

[@Radicalplay]

Thank you so much for the lovely explanations on Sixty Symbols,, some were really eye openers, and great to know you will still make more videos! Enjoy your free time coming! ♥

[@xyz.ijk.]

I have enjoyed our Twitter convos and all of your work on Brady's channels. Thank you for all the education you have provided to us, your clarity of thought, and your gentle a good humor.

[@Farrisfaen]

Such an excellent communicator of physics and astronomy. The first Mike Merrifield video I watched was the mass to light ratio video, apparently that was 15 years ago when I was 16. I now have a masters degree climate physics, and his videos along with many others on this channel played a huge part in my interest in physics and mathematics. Thank you Mike and Brady!

[@batman3698]

Mike and Ed are my favorite professors on sixty symbols. Thanks for the great videos over the years

[@anonymes2884]

6:45 This is _so_ important ! Prof. Merrifield is basically describing "the pleasure of finding things out" (as Feynman put it) and if it's his last lesson on the channel, it's a corker. If you're looking to get into science ponder on it - you'll almost certainly _never_ make some huge breakthrough because cleaned up textbook accounts aside, that's almost _never_ how science works. It's incremental additions made painstakingly by thousands of hard-working people every year. Thanks for the videos Professor, I hope you enjoy your retirement :).

[@itsnothardev]

Congrats on an amazing career, happy days in retirement! Thank you so much for all the videos, they have been so valuable and enlightening!

[@VarkaTheDragon]

Brady, you really are an excellent interviewer! I've watched your various videos since the early days of your work at Nottingham with Martyn ("the professor") on Periodic Videos, and you just have the best knack for knowing what to ask and how! Keep on doing cool stuff, and making great videos on cool things. 👍

[@johan.eriksson]

Very grateful for the very many interesting videos with Prof Merrifield, which has certainly sparked enthusiasm and interest, and to you Brady for bringing it out with your great sense of what to ask.

[@lsdzheeusi]

Absolute legend! Well deserved, hope we can see more of Mike after retirement. Amazing communicator, ambassador, and all around good guy.

[@sillysausage4549]

My favourite, along with Ed. Old school erudition and class. Cheers, Mike.

[@hamsandwich780]

Mike, we'll miss you so much. You are absolutely one of my favorites on Sixty Symbols and an absolute gem.

[@PojkenMedKepsen]

Thank you for everything you have done on this channel so far Mike! :)

[@SridharGajendran]

It’s a privilege to have learned from you, Professor. Forever grateful for your contributions..

[@MichaelDonlinAwesome]

Thank you for all the enthusiastic teaching and explaining throughout the years. Congrats on your career on retirement. Thank you, Thank you.

[@Neura1net]

Thank you for explaining all this stuff for what feels like 15 years