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1. Michigan Tech Research Hits Top 10 Physics Stories |
by Jennifer Donovan, public relations director
The research on ultra-high-energy cosmic rays at the Pierre Auger Observatory, including work done by David Nitz, professor of physics at Michigan Tech, and his colleagues, was named one of the Top 10 Physics Stories of 2008 by the American Institute of Physics and the American Physical Society.
Using data-gathering equipment designed and tested at Michigan Tech, scientists from 17 countries worked collaboratively at the Auger Observatory in Argentina to identify Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) containing massive black holes as the most likely source of the highest-energy cosmic rays.
In addition to Nitz, other Michigan Tech researchers include Brian Fick, professor of physics; Roger Kieckhafer, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering; and Johana Chirinos, research scientist in physics.
Nitz and Kieckhafer are leading the design effort for the communications system for a northern Auger Observatory planned for Colorado. Nitz is also the scientific spokesperson for the northern Auger Observatory.
See all Top 10 Physics Stories of 2008 at www.aip.org/pnu/2008/split/879-1.html .
To read more about the research and Tech's contribution, click here.
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2. Museum Celebrates New York Times Arts & Leisure Event This Week |
submittedby the Seaman Mineral Museum
The Seaman Mineral Museum is participating in the upcomiing New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend 2009. The event is designed to promote the arts and cultural events throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe via special offers at museums, movies, Broadway shows, performances and more. To find the Seaman Museum listing, go to www.artsandleisureweekend.com, click on Special Cultural Offerings, and from the drop-down menus select MI and Museum.
The museum will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, and a special 20 percent discount is available in the gift shop for these two days only.
Did you know that the Seaman Mineral Museum ...
* is one of North America’s great mineral museums?
* is the Mineral Museum of Michigan?
* is a Keweenaw National Historical Park Heritage Site?
* has the world’s finest collection of Keweenaw Copper District minerals?
* has the world’s finest collection of Lake Superior Iron District minerals?
* has the world’s most comprehensive collection of Michigan minerals?
* has one of the best fluorescent mineral exhibits in the United States?
* has one of the largest systematic mineral collections on public view in North America?
* has individual specimens that are the best of their kind?
The museum is open daily, Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with weekend hours during special events. |
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3. In the News |
The power-generating backpack designed by Henry Sodano, an adjunct professor of mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics, and his graduate students was featured among the "50 Great Travel Gadgets of 2008," despite never having been actually manufactured. Blogger Mike Richards picked the top 50 for the travel ezine Vagabondish. To read about the backpack that might someday charge your iPod (and lots more cool and not-so-cool stuff), see http://www.vagabondish.com/greatest-travel-gadgets-2008/ .
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4. New Funding |
Robert Nemiroff (Physics) has received $75,490 from NASA for the first year of potential four-year project totaling $311,071 for "Support for the Astronomy Picture of the Day Website."
Terry McNinch (LTAP) has received $699,714 from the Michigan Department of Transportation for "Roadsoft 2009."
Simon Carn (GMES) received $124,407 from the National Science Foundation for "Virunga Volcanic SO2 Emissions Research (VISOR) Project." |
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