Our "Extrasolar Systems" science olympics event was expanded into an Astronomy Triathlon and incorporated into the Grade 9 Pentathlon in Thursday Science Olympics.  We went from 5-6 teams per year to 17!  Event organizer Allison Hill did an excellent job revising the event to take into account the new Ontario grade 9 astronomy curriculum.  Thanks are also due to Alex DeSouza, Tyler Desjardins, Robbie Halonen, Matt Abado, and Laura Lenkic for contributing to the planning and execution of the event. 

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The Department of Physics and Astronomy presented a hands-on display at SLOME 2012.  Winners in 2011, this year the display came away with an Honourable Mention award.

The intrepid group of volunteers were Matt Abado, William Choi, Peter Frank, Allison Hill, Cameron Hopkins, Viatrix Lee, Daniel Martire (shown in photo), Roger Odell, and Melanie Wright.

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A while back, a few astronomy grad students wrote a successful proposal to the Provost's Academic Support Fund for obtaining a solar telescope (with an Hα filter) for outreach and education. We've been plagued by many difficulties, but this afternoon, we finally obtained first light! The image here is taken with a phone camera and shows a few prominences; take my word for it that the real-time view is spectacular! We will use it during the upcoming Venus transit. We also successfully tested the Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain 8 inch telescope with a brand new solar filter.

With many thanks to: Wolf Dapp, Alex de Souza, Mohadesseh Azimlu, Talayeh Hezareh, Martin Houde, John de Bruyn, Shantanu Basu, Emily McCullough, Bob Duff, Rick Saunders (and the RASC) and Henry Leparskas for help and support in getting things working!

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UPCOMING EVENT, Thurs. May 24, 2012 - Annual SCIENCE OLYMPICS

Join us from 8:45am until 2:00pm at the North Campus building and several adjoining buildings, as 735 students from 21 schools take on this year's Science Olympics challenges.

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Poster: http://www.physics.uwo.ca/colloquia/Colloquia%20Notices/2011_2012/HUTTER%20Colloquium.pdf

Western University
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY COLLOQUIUM

Date:           Thursday, 31^st May 2012
Time:          1:30 p.m.
Location:    Physics & Astronomy Seminar Room 22

Dr. Jeff Hutter
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Western University

“Examining the role of crystallization inhibitors using atomic-force microscopy”

ABSTRACT

Kinetic inhibitors are additives that affect crystallization kinetics without altering thermodynamic properties, such as the melting point. Based on their effectiveness at exceedingly small concentrations, models for the mechanism by which such additives operate have assumed adsorption to crystal growth faces. A well-known model proposed in 1958 by Cabrera and Vermilyea (the C-V model) suggests that impurities adsorb to growth faces and pin growth steps, forcing them to curve, and thus decreasing the effective supersaturation via the Gibbs-Thomson effect. Despite considerable effort, direct evidence for this mechanism has only been offered for a few systems, while significant objections have been raised: How can the irreversible adsorption required to pin growth steps be reconciled with the observed dependence on inhibitor concentration? How can growth proceed at all in the presence of strongly adsorbed inhibitor molecules?

The main example of kinetic inhibition that will be discussed here involves the crystallization of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), which is the main mineral component of kidney stones. Certain proteins, such as osteopontin (OPN), are known to inhibit stone formation, but the details of the process are not well understood. In order to determine the role of such inhibitors, we have examined the growth of COM at the molecular level and in real time using the atomic force microscope (AFM). We find that the presence of OPN, as well as synthesized peptides corresponding to portions of the OPN molecule, results in clear changes in the morphology and propagation speed of growth steps. By observing the subsequent recovery of COM growth when the inhibitor is flushed from solution, we can test the validity of the assumptions of the C-V model. An improved understanding of this inhibitor mechanism may result in the design of therapeutic agents for the prevention of kidney stones, as well as an improved ability to tailor additives for a variety of commercial processes.

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It's been busy times for skywatchers. Two weeks ago, on May 5, we had the "Supermoon": the coincidence of a full moon with the closest approach the Moon makes to the Earth on its elliptical orbit, and which makes the Moon appear larger and brighter in the night sky. Tomorrow, May 20, there will be a solar eclipse, as was posted here before. It is not a coincidence that the Moon happens to be quite far away from the Earth now, and thus the Moon's apparent size is not big enough to cover the Sun completely, and an annular eclipse is the result in a path that runs over China, Taiwan, southern Japan and parts of the USA. Technically, we should be able to witness a very small partial eclipse in London, but only for less than half an hour before sunset, and only if you have a clear view of the northwestern horizon.

To top it off, the skies offer a very rare Venus transit on Tuesday June 5th, starting a bit after 6pm here in London: the planet will move in front of the Sun and appear as a little black dot that moves across the face of the Sun in  just a few hours. Venus' orbit is inclined with respect to the Earth's orbit, and as a result, transits are very rare events (as explained in this two-minute video), and follow an unusual cycle as displayed here:

Transits happen in pairs that are separated by 8 years. Between those pairs though, there are big gaps of either 105.5 or 121.5 years without transits. After the June 2012 transit, we will have to wait until December 2117 to see the next one, and so it's probably safe to say that the upcoming event is the last chance to see a Venus transit in your lifetime! If you want to know more about Venus transits, you can come out to the Cronyn observatory's open house on June 2nd and listen to a talk about the Venus transit.

You can see this historical event for yourself, but be careful not to look at the Sun directly without adequate eye protection -- the lens in your eye will focus the sun's light onto your retina, and cause damage in seconds (and you wouldn't notice since it's painless). There's various ways to safely observe the event, and we will offer you several options on Western's campus! The Department of Physics & Astronomy (with support from PASA) is once more collaborating with the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration and with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada to make sure you have the best possible observing experience.To begin with, we will be handing out eclipse glasses that allow you to see the event directly with your very own eyes!

But there's much more than that. We will be opening up the Cronyn observatory from 5:30pm on. One of the safest ways to observe the Sun is by projection, and that's what we'll do with the main refractor at the observatory. Unfortunately, buildings are obstructing our view of the western horizon, and se we won't be able to observe the transit for very long from Cronyn.Therefore, we will also set up a second observation station in the southeast corner of the Springett parking lot. In addition to projection, we will also use direct views using several telescopes with special filters, including a solar telescope using an Hα filter. Between the Cronyn observatory and the Springett lot, a planet path will show you the solar system to scale. In the conference room of the Cronyn observatory, we will set up a small exhibit around Venus, and we will also broadcast a live stream of the event. After sunset, we will continue pointing the telescopes to the skies for stargazing. If you get asked about the event, point your interested friends and family to http://venus.uwo.ca/.

Although a Venus transit is maybe not as spectacular as a total solar eclipse, it's a unique opportunity to get a sense of the scale of the solar system. Think about it as you watch that little black dot move: that little black dot is nearly as big as our fair planet!

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One of my colleagues at the SETI Institute, Franck Marchis, pointed me to this video from NASA Goddard titled "Pursuit of Light". This video showcases quite a few recent achievements in the top goals from NASA's Science Mission Directorate -- exploration of the solar system as well as detailed observations of the Earth and Solar activity. If you look at some of the images and animations in this video, it's clear that we're living in a great era -- we have high-resolution and high-quality observations available covering long timescales and often from different perspecives (we continuously observe the sun from all sides for instance with the STEREO satellites), not only revealing phenomena in great detail, but also how they evolve over time. As scientists, we are part of this amazing endeavour (and often on the front row to see new discoveries), which makes us lucky, lucky people! Let's try to make sure that this effort to understand our home and our place in the Universe is not cut short!

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See Western Faculty of Science News.

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Not sure what to make of this theory, but its nice to see one can make contributions from outside academia.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/large-hadron-collider/3314456/Surfer-dude-...

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Prof. Carol Jones is in a very select group of researchers from Western University and The University of Toronto who will take part in a research exchange between Canada and Brazil.

Dr. Jones' project is titled, "Probing the Physical Characteristics of the Disks Surrounding the Stars". This research will be done at both Western and The University of São Paolo.

[Western News]

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Poster: http://www.physics.uwo.ca/colloquia/Colloquia%20Notices/2011_2012/MATNEY%20Joint%20Colloquium.pdf

JOINT SEMINAR—the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX)

Date:          MONDAY, 28^th May 2012
Time:          1:30 p.m.
Location:    Physics & Astronomy Seminar Room 22

Dr. Mark Matney
Orbital Debris Program Office
NASA Johnson Space Center

“The Challenge of Orbital Debris”

ABSTRACT

Since the dawn of the Space Age more than 50 years ago, humans have been launching objects into the space environment faster than they have been removed by active means or natural decay. This has led to a proliferation of debris—derelict satellites, discarded rocket upper stages, and pieces from satellite breakups—in Earth orbit, especially in well-used orbital regimes. This talk will summarize the current knowledge of the debris environment and describe plans to address the challenges orbital debris raises for the future usability of near-Earth space. The talk will be structured around 4 categories: Measurements, Modeling, Shielding, and Mitigation. This will include discussions of the long-term prognosis of debris growth (i.e., the “Kessler Syndrome”) as well as plans for active debris removal.

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Bad things can happen in the twilight years of a physicist.  Here is one example.

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Poster:  http://www.physics.uwo.ca/colloquia/Colloquia%20Notices/2011_2012/HOUDE%20Colloquium.pdf

Western University
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY COLLOQUIUM

Date:          Thursday, 24^th May 2012
Time:          1:30 p.m.
Location:    Physics & Astronomy Seminar Room 22

Dr. Martin Houde
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Western University

“Non-Zeeman Circular Polarization Measurements of Astronomical Molecular Lines”

ABSTRACT

I will discuss unexpected results recently obtained with the Four-Stokes-Parameter Spectral Line Polarimeter (FSPPol), developed here at Western, on the polarization properties of rotational molecular lines. I will explain why, although small amounts of linear polarization are expected to be present in their spectral profiles, it is usually ascertained that no circular polarization signals could be detected in rotational transitions of Zeeman insensitive molecules like carbon monoxide (CO). Our recent circular polarization observations of the (J = 2 à 1) rotational transition of CO with FSPPol clearly show that this belief was unfounded. I will present a physical model that seeks to explain these observations, and discuss its implications for the characterization of magnetic fields in molecular clouds.

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Recently there has been media attention surrounding private companies expressing an interest in space "exploration". Later this month, the company SpaceX hopes to dock their spacecraft with the International Space Station (ISS).

Article: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21428643.000-silicon-valley-reaches-for-the-sky.html

Also, SpaceX Taxi!

Article: http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2012/05/peek-inside-a-next-generation.html

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Making a poster for an upcoming conference this summer?

Here are some hints I got from a recent workshop:

-Less is more [don't write an essay]

-Colour is a must [black & white is boring]

-Creativity [throw in a cool picture or quote]

-Font size [don't need a magnifying glass]

-Images/plots should be the focus

-Delineate sections with titles or borders [organization/structure]

-Would you stop to read it if you were at a conference?

Feel free to add your suggestions/comments!

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Why is an astronaut like a football player?
They both want touchdowns!

Q. What's the most popular snack on Mars?

A. Marshmallows.

How do you know that Saturn is married more than once? Because he has lots of rings.

How does Jupiter hold up his trousers? With an asteroid belt.

The Heineken Uncertainty Principle says "You can never be sure how many beers you had last night."

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$15^15$, that I can remember. $3 + \frac{\pi}{4} \mathrm{\,lol}$.

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I recently stumbled upon the perfect combination of ambient music and space-nerd geekdom. And it was right in iTunes (or equivalently on the web). SomaFM Mission Control is the bomb. Space-ambient music, but mixed in and out in the mix is the space to ground chatter between the astronauts and MC from Apollo and STS missions. Reminds me of as a young lad spending hours and hours in front of the TV during Mercury, Gemini and early Apollo missions. For a time most of my brain stored stats from hockey cards and NASA acyromns (anybody remember BECO, don't know why just one of my faves).

"if I put this cable on from that side it will be twisted"

"roger, go 317 az"

"nope that will wrap".......

And excuse me if I say niner instead of 9.

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