Radiations Newsletter

Volume 12, Issue 28

Tuesday, May 23, 2nd Olin lounge, 12:00 – 1:00 pm

The Physics and Astronomy Student Departmental Advisors will meet with underclassmen to answer questions about the department and courses. Anyone thinking about registering for a Physics or Astronomy class is encouraged to come. Pizza will be served for lunch.

Monday, May 15, 7:30 pm, Olin 149

Professor Robert Kirshner, the Clowes Professor of Science at Harvard University will give a public talk entitled The Accelerating Universe: Einstein’s Blunder Undone. Professor Kirshner is an author of over 200 research papers dealing with supernovae, the large-scale distribution of galaxies, and the size and shape of the Universe. His work with the “High-A Supernova Team” on the acceleration of the Universe was dubbed the “Science Breakthrough of the Year for 1998” by Science Magazine. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1998, named a Caltech Distinguished Alumnus in 2004, and elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2005. He is currently President of the American Astronomical Society. Kirshner is a frequent public lecturer on science. He is the author of the award-winning popular-level book “The Extravagant Universe:exploding stars, dark energy, and the accelerating cosmos”.

Tuesday, May 16, 12:00-1:00 pm, Olin 04

All are welcome to attend a lunch talk for scientists with Chesley Lecturer Prof. Robert Kirshner of Harvard, on “Astronomy and the Public: from the ridiculous to the sublime.”

Kirchner is an outstanding lecturer on science for scientists and the general public. He is currently President of the American Astronomical Society, which has recently released a statement on the teaching of evolution. He is also a prolific astrophysics researcher who recently helped to discover that the universe’s expansion is accelerating.

Friday, May 19, LDC 113, Noon-1:00 pm

Join Physics and Astronomy faculty, staff, and students for lunch at the LDC at noon. Meet on 3rd Olin at 11:55 for the short walk to the dining hall or you can meet us there. All are welcome.

Friday, May 26, 4:00-8:00 pm, Hill of Three Oaks

The Physics and Astronomy Department will be having their annual spring picnic. Sign-up sheets for the picnic will be circulating in physics classes this week. Please sign-up to come, choose a meat or vegetarian entree, and tell us if you are on or off board. If you are on board fill in your ID. The department will pay for the meals for off board students. If you are not currently registered for a physics or astronomy class but would like to come to the picnic, please email Melina Blees or John McDonough with the above information.