SFA
Physics, Astronomy and Engineering News
January 13, 2004

2005: World Year of Physics

JAN 13-14
Advising in room 322 from 1-5pm
JAN 17
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
JAN 18
Classes Begin
MAR 3-5
AAPT/APS/SPS Spring meeting at SFA!
APR 2
SPS Physics Olympics for high school students

The World Year of Physics (WYP 2005) is a worldwide
celebration of physics and its importance in our everyday lives.
The year 2005 marks the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s
“miraculous year” in which he published three important
papers describing ideas that have since influenced all of
modern physics. This year provides the opportunity to celebrate
Einstein, his great ideas, and his influence on life in the 21st century.

Registration News

Typically on first class day the "system" is down until 10 am and students cannot access it for registration. That will no longer be the case. Beginning this semester, January 18th, the system will be down for it's regular nightly update from 10-2 and then will open back up as usual.

Online Registration: http://mysfa.sfasu.edu/

Science News

Tsunami Relief - Online Donation Form
https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp

Spacecraft lands on Saturn's moon Titan this Friday!!!
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.cfm

Today, NASA successfully launched the Deep Impact mission, which will fire a projectile into the heart of a comet in July.
http://deepimpact.umd.edu/

The Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa is en route to an asteroid, where it will fire a projection to blast asteroid chunks from the surface, and then collect these to return to Earth.
http://www.jaxa.jp/missions/projects/sat/exploration/muses_c/index_e.html

Comet Machholz is not particularly bright, but beautiful through a telescope. See the photo at...
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap050105.html
http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/comets/article_1396_1.asp

SOME POINTERS ON THE USE OF LASER POINTERS
Many stargazers use handheld laser pointers to show the way to stars and constellations. But these devices can be dangerous if used carelessly. Here are some tips on how to avoid trouble.
http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/article_1429_1.asp

Man charged under Patriot Act for laser prank
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6775100/

Saturn, all night long
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/12jan_saturn.htm?list1065276

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF)
http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/home/education/surf/index.html

NASA World Wind Software
http://learn.arc.nasa.gov/worldwind/

Alpher-Bethe-Gamow and the Alpha-Beta-Gamma paper
http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/study/sci/cosmo/internal/bigbang.htm

SURREAL SATURN PORTRAIT
http://SkyandTelescope.com/news/article_1395_1.asp

Yeti Sports
http://www.yetisports.org/y/en/online.html#

Link to 26 Megabyte Mars Rover Image of Endurance Crater
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20040615a.html

Virtual science comes alive
http://whyfiles.org/interactives/index.html

Why Women Live Longer Than Men - PowerPoint - Funny and True
http://observe.phy.sfasu.edu/courses/ast105/lectures105/99-Interesting/whywomenlivelongerthanmen2.pps

10 most dangerous intersections & photos
http://www.statefarm.com/di/danlist00.htm

The Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy expects to host a "Research Experiences for Undergraduates" program sponsored by the National Science Foundation in the summer of 2005.
http://astro.fit.edu/sara-reu/reu_appl_submit.html
http://www.astro.fit.edu/sara-reu/

Fogbows, Halos, and other Cool Atmospheric Phenomena
http://www.sundog.clara.co.uk/droplets/fogbow.htm

NASA's Scramjet, the X-43A Prepares for Flight
http://space.com/missionlaunches/x43a_update_041115.html

NASA scientists are using space satellites to unravel one of the great mysteries of the ancient world.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/15nov_maya.htm?list1065276

Applying a small current across the forehead can increase word recall by 20 percent! See also How Your Brain Works.
http://wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65620,00.html

Awesome Physics Study Guides and Solved Problems
http://www.sparknotes.com/physics/

ACTIVITY BASED PHYSICS FACULTY INSTITUTES
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~sokoloff/abpi.htm

Scholarships and Employment Opportunities

We learn 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see and 95% of what we teach. Consider teaching labs for our department or teaching at the high school or college level in your future. For more info see your professors and http://www.aapt.org/

SFA Opportunities

Other Opportunities

Thanks to Ryan Williams, Craig Welch, Wally Boyd, Justin Fenley, Barry Smith, Larry Luther, Trevor Gibbs, Andy Wagers, Heather Dalton, Robert Barbee, and others for the links and information above. Feel free to send any interesting links that you find. This email message is sent to students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the department. If you would like to be removed from the emailing list or are getting multiple copies of these newsletters, then feel free to reply to this message with your request.

Clear skies,
Dan Bruton
astro@sfasu.edu