Check out this story on Kevin MacDonald, the evolutionary psychologist who testified on behalf David Irving in the British Holocaust denial trial that recently ended against Irving. MacDonald is now being excommunicated from the evolutionary psychology crowd. Check it out at:
http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/2000-04-20/feature.html
Images will also be distributed at the NASA press conference at 2 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, April 26, in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters, 300 E St., SW, Washington, D.C.
Cosmologists reveal first detailed images of early universe
PASADENA-Caltech cosmologists and other scientists involved in an international collaboration have released the first detailed images of the universe in its infancy. The images reveal the structure that existed in the universe when it was 50,000 times younger and 1,000 times smaller and hotter than it is today.
Detailed analysis of the images is already shedding light on some of cosmology's outstanding mysteries, including the nature of the dark matter and energy that dominate intergalactic space, and whether space is "curved" or "flat." The team's results are being published in the April 27 issue of the scientific journal
Cosmologists believe that the universe was created approximately 12-15 billion years ago in an enormous explosion called the Big Bang. The intense heat that filled the embryonic universe is still detectable today as a faint glow of microwave radiation that is visible in all directions. This radiation is known as the cosmic microwave background (CMB).
Since the CMB was first discovered by a ground-based radio telescope in 1965, scientists have eagerly sought to obtain high-resolution images of this radiation. NASA's COBE (Cosmic Background Explorer) satellite discovered the first evidence for structures, or spatial variations, in the CMB in 1991.
The new experiment, dubbed BOOMERANG (Balloon Observations of Millimetric Extragalactic Radiation and Geophysics), obtained the images using a telescope suspended from a balloon that circumnavigated the Antarctic in late 1998. The balloon carried the telescope at an altitude of almost 37 kilometers (120,000 feet) for 10 1/2 days. As it flew, an extremely sensitive detector system developed at Caltech recorded the faint signals from the early universe.
The BOOMERANG images are the first to bring the CMB into sharp focus. The images reveal hundreds of complex regions that are visible as tiny variations-typically only one ten-thousandth of a degree (0.0001 C)- in the temperature of the CMB. The complex patterns visible in the images confirm predictions of the patterns that would result from sound waves racing through the early universe, creating the structures that by now have evolved into giant clusters and super-clusters of galaxies.
"These images represent the ultimate limit of our vision," said U.S. team leader Andrew Lange, physics professor at Caltech. "The enormous structures that they reveal predate the first star or galaxy in the universe."
Lange and Italian team leader Paolo deBernardis of the University of Rome, La Sapienza, together led the international team that developed the sophisticated experiment. The entire payload was integrated at Caltech for months of extensive testing before it was taken to Antarctica.
Already, analysis of the size of the structures has produced the most precise measurements to date of the geometry of space-time, which strongly indicate that the geometry of the universe is flat, not curved.
"It is really exciting to obtain such strong evidence for a flat universe. This result is in agreement with a fundamental prediction of the 'inflationary' theory of the universe," said Caltech Postdoctoral Scholar Eric Hivon.
The theory hypothesizes that the entire universe grew from a tiny sub-atomic region during a period of violent expansion that occurred a split second after the Big Bang. The enormous expansion stretched the geometry of space till it was precisely flat.
"These measurements represent a watershed event in cosmology" commented Mark Kamionkowski, professor of theoretical astrophysics at Caltech. "The results suggest that we are on the right track with inflation-a hitherto speculative theory for the origin of the universe-and thus open up a path toward scientifically addressing what happened in the very first micro-micro-second after the Big Bang."
"The key to BOOMERANG's ability to obtain these powerful new images," explained Lange, "is the marriage of a powerful new detector technology developed at Caltech and the Jet Propulsion Lab with the superb microwave telescope and cryogenic systems developed in Italy."
The telescope optics focus the radiation from the early universe onto button-size "bolometric" detectors cooled to a fraction of a degree above absolute zero. Extremely sensitive thermometers embedded in each detector record tiny changes in temperature as the telescope scans across the sky.
"These detectors can 'see' tiny differences in the temperature of the early universe in much the same way as the back of your hand responds to the heat from the sun," explained Caltech graduate student Brendan Crill.
"What really sets this detector system apart," continued Viktor Hristov, a senior electronics engineer at Caltech, "is the stability of the detectors and the electronics used to record the faint signals."
Caltech and JPL are responsible for fabricating a similar detector system for the Planck Surveyor, a satellite that will someday image the CMB over the entire sky from a vantage point 1 million miles from Earth.
In a complementary effort, another Caltech team led by Professor Anthony Readhead is now obtaining images of the CMB at even sharper resolution, using a specially built radio telescope, the Cosmic Background Imager (CBI), from a remote site in the Chilean Andes. BOOMERANG and CBI herald a new era of precision cosmological measurement that promises to provide new insights into fundamental physics.
The 36 BOOMERANG team members come from 16 universities and organizations in Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Primary support for the BOOMERANG project comes from the Italian Space Agency, Italian Antarctic Research Programme; and the University of Rome, La Sapienza; from the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council in the United Kingdom; and from the National Science Foundation and NASA in the United States.
What: The very first meeting LA area meeting of SAS members and friends.
Where: CALTECH - (See enclosed maps for directions)
When: - 10:00 A.M. - Small Group Session (Inner Circle Session) - Baxter 237
- 1: 00 P.M. - Large Group Session (Introduction) - Baxter Lecture Hall
(Please RSVP to Randy Kokal (714) 378-9885 or Rkokal@uci.edu)
Dear Friend of SAS,
We've come a long way since SAS was founded in 1974. Today we have almost 750 people who have become members and are helping to advance the cause of amateur science. And as I do periodically, I've been thinking about how I'd like to see this organization grow and develop. To this end, I'd like to invite you to both of the meetings we'll be hosting on April 30th at Cal Tech.
The first meeting (we call it our Inner Circle meeting) will begin at 10:00 a.m. This meeting is for those who have been active and involved in SAS over the few years (or who would like to be active and involved in SAS over the next few years). The purpose of this meeting is to help determine the direction SAS will take, which project's we'll get involved in, identify some of the challenges we have to overcome, investigate funding opportunities, and identify individuals who would like to join us.
Some of the projects we are considering are (details of these projects are included in this packet):
* Universal Data Network
* Seismology
* Mentoring in Schools
* Neutrino Telescope
* Electrophoresis and of course our
* Rocket!
This year I'd also like to see SAS accomplish the following:
A) Raise $150,000 to help fund the organization and our individual projects.
B) Publicize the beginning our Planned Giving Program, which enables donors to give appreciated assets (such as stock or real estate) to SAS and receive substantial tax advantages.
C) Launch the Rocket!
D) Recruit 50 Volunteers who will help SAS to grow by leading the projects
E) 1000 members
F) 3 new chapters by end of year
G) 50 new sponsored students
H) Develop significant new membership benefits for SAS members
I) More involvement with our Board of Advisors.
As you can see, our agenda for the day is quite full and I believe the goals I've outlined will keep SAS on the right track in becoming the best organization for amateur science in the world!
And the best chance that you have to insure that SAS becomes the type of organization you want it to be is to attend these meetings! So please plan on attending and bring along a friend or two who you think would enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of being an SAS member.
You can park for the day in any of the lots to the right or left of Chester or Michigan. But don't park in the lot directly under the number 92 on the map (directly behind the Beckman Auditorium). Baxter Hall is in the building #77 on the map.
And finally, please RSVP (which means we'd like you to let us know whether or not you are coming) to Randy Kokal via email (Rkokal@Uci.edu) or via phone at (714) 378-9885.
I'm looking forward to seeing you.
Sincerely,
Shawn Carlson
Executive Director
Society for Amateur Scientists
P.S. We can't do it without you, so please participate in the projects that interest you by getting involved and by taking out your checkbooks and supporting the programs that are close to your heart.
The Society for Amateur Scientists Overview of our Projects
Background:
Dr. Shawn Carlson founded the Society for Amateur Scientists (SAS) in 1994 with the mission to "Empower people to make and share scientific discoveries." Even though your own "day job" may be that of a "professional" scientist, at the end of the day you may still be curious. You may have questions you'd like to discuss, projects you'd like to work on and subjects you'd like to talk with others about. When you get involved with SAS you will have a chance to meet, talk, eat, and learn with others who have similar interests.
Q. What type of projects can I be involved in?
A. Our organization is growing rapidly and we are currently expanding the number of projects we are working on. Of course the most widely known project is our Rocket Program. We also would like to begin projects in seismology, neutrino detection and background radiation analysis as well as an electrophoresis outreach project to students and science teachers. We've already developed projects in archeology and astronomy and an investigation of toxic phytoplankton. We have SAS chapters distributed across the country and your interests primarily limit your involvement.
Q. What are the benefits of joining the Society for Amateur Scientist?
A. SAS is an organization dedicated to promoting science. Once you join, one of the benefits to you is that you will have the chance to meet and work with others who have similar interests. Additionally, by joining SAS you are entitled to receive discounts whenever you place an order with several of the large scientific supply houses. Plus, every time someone new joins SAS our knowledge base and the organization's capabilities grow. Your involvement can help us grow and evolve into the world's leading organization for amateur scientists. Finally, you'll have the chance to work on projects that are not only interesting but have the very real possibility of making valuable contributions to science
Overview of the Rocket Project
Background: In November 1998 a Washington-based lobbying group announced the creation of a contest called C.A.T.S. (Cheap Access to Space). The prize is a quarter-million dollars for the first amateur group to launch a small payload to an altitude of 200-km (124 miles). The current amateur record is 36 km and that vehicle cost $450,000 to build and fly.
Today SAS has designed and has nearly completed building two rockets designed to fly 250 km. Even more impressive than the rocket engineering and development is that we have permission to launch the rocket from Vandenburg Airforce Base and the FAA has accepted our application for the rocket (as soon as we raise an additional $30,000 to buy insurance). It has been a long and grueling process and has cost approximately $80,000 to date. That's seven times the performance of the current world record at a fraction of the price.
We understand that an additional team has entered the contest with two rockets built by Rocketdyne. I believed that if we don't move quickly and win the contest, they will win! We understand that they are hoping to launch from somewhere above the Arctic Circle in Canada, perhaps as early as June or July.
Milestones:
- Construction - Over twenty companies have donated thousands of dollars of materials and services.
- Launch Site Secured - We have secured the best launch site in the USA, and have a signed contract that gives us permission to launch.
- Funding - We have already raised over $50,000 and until the FAA made their latest demand, needed less than $25,000 to complete both rockets and pay the range fees. Now we may need to raise an additional $30,000.
Overview of the Neutrino Telescope
Background: Neutrinos are elementary particles that are produced in great numbers when nuclear processes produce energy. They almost never interact with other particles and can help us answer some of the deepest and most fundamental issues in physics.
Other neutrino telescopes need to be buried deep under ground, under the arctic ice or function submerged in the ocean. This placement means few people can help with the project and that when problems occur repairing the problems is extremely difficult.
Our neutrino telescope will be divided up into modular detectors and can be distributed through out the world in any area that would be large enough to hold an item the size of a large pool table. These detectors would be linked together to a central station for data collection, analysis and observations. The detectors could be placed in homes, museums, schools, basements and garages and would detect neutrinos that have come through the earth.
This project is currently in the development stages. We need to determine the cheapest and most effective way to not only detect neutrinos but also to record their direction and charge as well. This project has the potential to involve average people in a scientific exploration of the nature of matter in our universe.
Q) Who can participate in this project and how much will it cost?
A) We estimate it will cost approximately $20,000 to design and build a working prototype. Anyone with an interest in science and a little space in their basement can potentially participate in this program. We will need individuals to help design and maintain the network, create the software, and oversee the data collection and analysis. An of course we need funding to help the project come to life Overview of the Electrophoresis Project
Background: To promote science literacy as well as amateur science, SAS has begun an outreach program designed to help school-age amateur scientists. Commercially available Electrophoresis Lab Stations (ELS) can cost between $1500 - $1800. If we design, build and then distribute ELS to students, we can do this at only a fraction of the commercial price.
Electrophoresis is a simple bread and butter technique used through out all the biological sciences. It allows a student to separate complex "soups" of biological molecules for identification and further study. For example, to separate out the pigment molecules of a leaf, students would first grind up the leaves, break open the cell walls using a detergents (Ivory soap works great) and then strain out the cellular debris with a coffee filter. What's left are different proteins, DNA, RNA, and various other molecules. At this point the "biological soup" is delicately deposited into sample-holding wells in a special gel (sort of a stiff jello) which sits inside the electrophoresis table. When a voltage is applied across the gel the molecules begin to migrate with the smaller molecules migrating faster through the gel. As a result, they separate into groups sorted by size.
Q) What age groups can use this equipment?
A) Lesson plans can be developed to create simple projects for children in junior high and more complex projects for high school students. Two or three students will work at each lab station.
Q) What needs to be done to make this project successful?
A) Educators need to be hired to design a series of turnkey lesson plans for children of different ages. In addition to creating the tables and lesson plans, power supplies will need to be developed which will supply electricity for up to a dozen modules. Finally, a videotape or CD Rom instruction kit needs to be developed which can demonstrate how electrophoresis works.
Overview of the Walk-Along Glider
Background: Dr. Paul MacCready developed the Walk-Along Glider over twenty years ago. In its simplest form it's a slow flying wing that can ride and be steered from the updraft from a large ping pong paddle, or even the updraft that comes off a person's forehead as he walks along. The top speed of the craft is about four miles per hour, unlike most paper airplanes, which need considerably more speed to remain aloft.
This lightweight wing (only about three grams) can be maneuvered without touching it by shifting the air stream that the glider rides upon. After practice, flights in excess of twenty minutes can be achieved. Its an in-door airplane, its simple and inexpensive to make and can be the focus of many school projects which can be tailored for several grade levels. Future considerations:
- Develop curricula to teach age appropriate aerodynamic principles to students in 7 & 8th grade, 9th and 10th grade and 11th and 12th grade. - Develop a nation-wide Walk-Along Glider contest. Contest could include an obstacle course, prize for longest duration and most innovative design.
Overview of the Universal Data Network
Due to the various "distributed science" projects that we've been developing (the Neutrino Telescope, and the Seismology project to name two) we know that we need a quick and reliable method to communicate data back to one central source. We foresee that data may be transmitted via telephone, satellite and of course exchanged on the Internet.
What we need is a system, which will allow this process to go smoothly, flawlessly and of course, efficiently. We already have one individual who is involved in this project but need a few more.
Overview Of The Mentoring Program: Spreading Science in Schools
We'd like to develop a speaker's bureau of professional and amateur scientists who could travel to various Junior High and High Schools and talk to science classes and science clubs. We'd like to develop a network of resources that school-age scientists could call on for information and resources.
And above all, we'd like to communicate to students that amateur science can not only be fun and rewarding but can actually contribute to the body of science as well.