Radiations
Department
of Physics and Astronomy
Carleton College
Comps Calendar:
February 16, Aleks Diamond-Stanic, ÒModern
Cosmology: How exploding stars and a gigantic microwave oven tell us the
secrets of the universeÓ
Monday, 3:10-4:20
p.m., Olin 04
We are in a Golden Age of cosmology. Questions about the history, structure,
and dynamics of the universe that seemed unanswerable only a few years ago are
coming into the realm of scientific observation. We are now able to speak with some confidence about the
universe's age, mass-energy content, spatial curvature, and expansion
history. I will discuss results
from observations of exploding stars called supernovae and relic radiation from
the Big Bang called the Cosmic Microwave Background. How are these observations turned into results that Science
Magazine calls the ÒBreakthrough of the YearÓ for 2003? Come find out at my talk.
February 18, Jorge Silva, ÒSuperconductors
and SuperfluidsÓ
Wednesday, 3:10-4:20
p.m., Olin 04
I will talk about some of the general
properties of superconductors and superfluids as well as some of the key
theoretical contributions (such as the Ginzburg-Landau theory and the theory of
Type-II superconductors) from the physicists who won last yearÕs Nobel Prize.
Introductory papers of upcoming talks are
available in binders in the second and third floor lounges. These will provide you with important
background information and a brief outline of the talks to be presented.
FYI:
WhIMS
Presents: Women in Action, perspectives on working in the fields of math and
science with: Laura Chihara (Associate Professor of Math) and Deborah Gross
(Assistant Professor of Chemistry.
The Professors will talk about how they became interested in and pursued
their respective fields and discuss how their gender has shaped that
experience. Informal discussion to
follow. Thursday, Feb 19, noon-1
pm, CMC 206. Lunch provided. If you have questions, contact czechowj
or hummelk.)
2004 REU and
Internship Information
List of
REU and internship opportunities are also on the Carleton Physics Web at:
http://webapps.acs.carleton.edu/curricular/physics/for_students/summer_jobs_internships/
A note
to Juniors and Seniors from John Parejko Õ02:
Hey there! I forgot to send this before, but there is still plenty of time to apply. There may be a poster up (there was my junior year), but extra reminders couldn't hurt...
The University of Michigan's Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Science Department has a wonderful REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) during the summer. You get to help real researchers perform real science! Or at least, a good first-order approximation of it. I participated in this during the summer of 2001, and it was well worth it. I'm working here now, since I ended up worming a job through the connections I had made (I can't promise that to anyone else, but...).
Some of the things that are currently going on here: Ongoing studies of the Earth-Sun connection using SOHO, Earth orbiting satellites and Earth-based magnetometer/coronagraph measurements; studies of comets and cometary makeup; development of instruments for future Mars, Jupiter and Mercury missions; climate change research; and the Magnetosphere and Plasma Science Working Group of Cassini/Huygens, of which I am a part: working in the Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer team. One could possibly become a part of any of these groups: you get to pick after you've arrived, been given a tour and a chance to talk with the projects that are looking for help. They also have weekly seminars, which I think are always interesting.
If anyone is interested, the website for the REU is: http://aoss.engin.umich.edu/current_ugrad/REU/reu_sprl.php- The department website is: http://aoss.engin.umich.edu/
Thanks much, and good luck to those who apply. If anyone has more questions about it, feel free to send me an email: parejkoj@umich.edu
The deadline for materials to be
included in Radiations is noon Thursday prior to the week you would like the
information to appear.