November 4, 2009
U OPENS WILLARD L. ECCLES OBSERVATORY ON FRISCO PEAK
 |
Paul Ricketts |
In this first image obtained by the telescope, a galaxy labeled NGC89 is located in the constellation Andromeda at a distance of about 24 million light years. The image was taken while the telescope installers were camped out in the dome during the week of Oct. 12, 2009. The next night 36 additional deep-sky objects were imaged. |
The telescope works flawlessly! The observatory site is exceptional as well. Saturday night we came back to this galaxy and were able to see it in the eyepiece. It has an apparent brightness of magnitude 10.8. I doubt that we could even image this with a long exposure in Salt Lake City due to the light pollution on campus.
—Wayne Springer
The U’s new $860,000 Willard L. Eccles Observatory (http://www.physics.utah.edu/fpo/) at Frisco Peak in Beaver County is up and running—and the results from space are spectacular! The site, located northwest of Milford at an elevation of 9,600 feet, was chosen for its superior viewing qualities. The 18-foot-tall observatory sits on an 8-foot platform and includes a 32-inch remote-controlled telescope. Construction on the project started mid-July and the first views of space were made Oct. 15. Wayne Springer (http://www.physics.utah.edu/people/faculty/springer.html), an associate professor of physics who was in charge of constructing the observatory, answered a few questions for us.
FYI: What does the Eccles Observatory at Frisco Peak mean to the University?
Springer: The observatory project—in the works since 2001—provides the University with a facility that greatly enhances the educational opportunities of students interested in astronomy (http://www.physics.utah.edu/astronomy/). In addition to research activities, the facility increases general interest in astronomy through public outreach.
FYI: What do you hope to see from Frisco Peak that you can’t see elsewhere?
Springer: The high elevation, dark sky, and typically dry climate of Frisco Peak may prove to be suitable for carrying out observations using equipment sensitive to infrared wavelengths. Even though the 32-inch telescope is of modest size, it will be able to perform follow-up studies to complement other research programs such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (http://www.sdss.org/), of which the University is now a member. Additionally, the telescope can be used remotely through a control room located right here on campus.
FYI: How many sites did you look at before choosing this one?
Springer: We considered many sites. We placed solar-powered atmospheric seeing monitor systems at eight locations on mountaintops in Southern Utah to obtain measurements for extended periods. These seeing monitors measure the degradation in “seeing” capability resulting from turbulence in the atmosphere, which distorts the path of light as it passes through the atmosphere. The seeing monitors measure how much Polaris (the North Star) “twinkles.”
FYI: How does the Eccles Observatory at Frisco Peak compare with the one on campus?
Springer: The campus observatory is located on the roof of the South Physics Building located east of Kingsbury Hall where the sky is very bright. Atmospheric turbulence and building vibrations also degrade the images from the campus observatory. But the sky at Frisco Peak is so dark that thousands of stars are visible with the naked eye.
FYI: Are visitors allowed at the Frisco Peak site?
Springer: The Eccles Observatory at Frisco Peak is on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Therefore, visitors are allowed at the site. However, extensive surveillance equipment has been installed and buildings at the site are accessible only to those who are accompanied by University staff. Most operations at the facility will be conducted remotely from a control room located on campus.
Learn more about the Willard L. Eccles Observatory (http://www.physics.utah.edu/fpo) online. Free star parties (http://web.utah.edu/astro/) atop the physics building on campus are offered each Wednesday night.
The public is invited to attend a “first light” gathering in celebration of the opening of the Eccles Observatory: 4:00 p.m. Symposium, featuring Dave Kieda (department chair); Wayne Springer (physics and astronomy faculty), Kyle Dawson (physics and astronomy faculty), and Pierre Sokolsky (dean of the College of Science) 5:00 p.m. Reception |
12 QUESTIONS FOR DAVID W. PERSHING
David Pershing is probably best known on campus for his administrative role as senior vice president for academic affairs. But, as a Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Fuels Engineering, and 1997 recipient of the University’s Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence (http://www.rosenblattprize.utah.edu/), Pershing is also known in the science and engineering field for his work with the formulation and control of pollutant emissions from fossil fuel combustion and the incineration of solid waste materials—in other words, fires and explosions! He graciously agreed to be the subject of this week’s “12 Questions for…”
What book should every person read and why?
Hot, Flat and Crowded, by Tom Friedman. I have just returned from Dubai and anyone who doesn’t think the world is rapidly changing isn’t paying attention. Our U of U faculty are actually teaching on the ground in Abu Dhabi at Zayed University. And the U is now teaching students in all parts of the world through our online courses.
Name a favorite local place to eat.
This depends on the occasion and the time available. I like Hires for a quick burger, but for more serious dining my favorites are the New Yorker and Cucina Toscana in Salt Lake City, and Chez Betty in Park City.
What do you think is the most important thing today’s students need to know?
Here at the U, we are providing them with the opportunity to get an amazing education for the cost, but how much they really learn will depend, not on what we do in the classroom, but on their seeking out the unique opportunities like the Honors College (http://www.honors.utah.edu/), UROP (http://www.urop.utah.edu/), and Bennion Center (http://www.sa.utah.edu/bennion/) internships.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
The ability to print money (legally). We have far too many underpaid and under rewarded staff members who have given their entire life to the University; faculty whose great ideas we cannot support; and students who are working far too many hours in order to pay the bills.
What do you like best about your job?
The people I work with—definitely. We have wonderful dedicated faculty and staff members as well as amazing students. I very much enjoy hiring and working with our vice presidents, deans and directors, and student leaders.
What reading material is on your bedside table?
Nothing. I now read books primarily on my iPhone because it is always with me. I also tend to fall into bed exhausted most evenings.
If our local politicians had to pass an exam before they were allowed to serve in public office, what question would you add to the test?
Do you understand what an amazing asset the University of Utah is for the state?
What’s the best advice you ever got?
When I was a young faculty candidate interviewing for a position at Cal Tech, the provost told me that, if I chose to go there, he did not care what I did as long as I did it extremely well and with passion. I still think that is good advice for young faculty.
How did you get interested in explosions?
The Department of Energy asked for proposals in “highly interdisciplinary areas where supercomputing could make a difference.” We chose fires and explosions because some of our strongest faculty had the necessary background—and we won.
You have five patents. What are they for?
Unfortunately nothing commercially valuable. My patents are on methods to reduce pollutant emissions from coal fired industrial boilers.
How did the Center for Simulation of Accidental Fires and Explosions get started at the U and what is the focus of its research?
I was the founding director of CSAFE (http://www.csafe.utah.edu/) but the faculty are the intellectual leaders. We have created computer simulations that predict what will happen if you get an explosive device (like a missile) accidentally caught up in a fire. Will it explode? How quickly?
What do you do to relax?
I go salmon fishing in Alaska with my daughter, Nicole, who is currently finishing medical school in the East. There is nothing quite like the thrill of catching (and releasing) a huge king salmon in the spectacular, rugged wilderness that is Alaska.
FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH
Upcoming VP for Research internal grant opportunity deadlines:
- University Research Committee: Faculty Research & Creative Grant due Nov. 15
- Research Instrumentation Fund due Dec. 14
Details (http://www.research.utah.edu/funding) are online.
KUDOS
KUED 7 Wins Overall Station Excellence Emmy
KUED 7 (http://www.kued.org) was honored in October as the first recipient of the Overall Station Excellence Award from the Rocky Mountain Regional Emmy Awards (http://www.rockymountainemmy.org/). The award considers a station's quality, service, diversity and commitment over the course of one year. More than 50 stations were eligible in the Rocky Mountain region.
“This is a wonderful recognition of 100-plus people pulling together each day to build an important service to the public,” says Larry Smith, general manager at KUED. “Every staff member shares the award.” The award recognizes KUED documentaries such as Stegner, Alta, Outside, and the five-part We Shall Remain series; KUED public affairs programs such as Utah NOW and special election year coverage of children's issues, Free Speech Messages; the state's first full-length Spanish language political debate; and KUED's collaborative efforts to benefit education through the We Shall Remain project. In addition, KUED Senior Producer John Howe was inducted into the Silver Circle, which recognizes individuals with 25 years or more of experience for their significant contributions to the region and the broadcast industry.
SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Last year, the University community contributed more than $370,000 to support local charities and agencies through the Campaign for our Community initiative. This year’s goal is $400,000. “We appreciate those who already contribute generously and encourage those who haven’t participated in the past to consider making a minimum donation of $2 a paycheck through payroll deduction,” says Lisa Arbon Tagge, this year’s campaign chair. “What would $2 a paycheck do for any of the 121 nonprofit organizations the University supports within the campaign?” she asks. The total yearly contribution would provide a week’s supply of food for one family at the food bank, make possible food and refuge for a cat or dog at the Wasatch Humane Shelter, or send two kids to Camp Hobe for a day. “A little bit from everyone will allow us to reach our goal,” she says.
If you would like to make a donation, go to Campaign for our Community (http://www.cfoc.utah.edu/) and fill in the pledge form. Print, sign, and send a copy via campus mail to 135 Park Bldg. You can also contribute with cash, check, or credit card.
“A lot of you already give to our community in many ways,” says Arbon Tagge. “Please join us by contributing a little more. Together let’s continue to demonstrate how the University of Utah supports our community.”
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SPONSORS UTAH-BYU RIVALRY WEEK FOOD DRIVE
To Benefit Utah Food Bank
Utah hopes to beat BYU in the rivals’ football game on Saturday, Nov. 28, in Provo, but the U is also hoping to be victorious in the 15th annual Utah-BYU Rivalry Week Food Drive, a friendly competition between the U of U and BYU alumni associations to see which school can raise the most funds and nonperishable food. The contest runs from Nov. 13-28. Donations collected by the U will benefit the Utah Food Bank (https://www.utahfoodbank.org/home/). Collections by BYU will benefit the United Way Food Bank of Utah County. Due to the downturn in the economy, the Utah Food Bank has seen an increasing number of food requests, making it more important than ever for fans of both schools to give generously.
There are several ways you can help: Deposit nonperishable food items in specially-marked bins located throughout campus (contact the Alumni Association at (801) 581-6995 for specific locations), including the Alumni House, located at 155 S. Central Campus Drive. Or, individuals can donate online (http://www.alumni.utah.edu/u-news/november09/?display=food-drive.html). “The tradition of the Utah-BYU food drive provides an added dimension of fun and competition to game week, but, more importantly, is a meaningful way to gather food for fellow Utahns who are without a meal,” says John Ashton, executive director of the alumni association.
SOME STUDENT HOUSING AVAILABLE TO FACULTY & STAFF
University Student Apartments on Sunnyside Avenue is a popular place for students and their families to live because of proximity to campus, shuttle bus service, playgrounds for children, and competitive rent rates that include utilities, local phone, and Internet. Students have first priority for renting units but currently there are some units for rent to eligible faculty and staff. Interested applicants may review eligibility information, rental rates, floor plans, and apartment types online (http://www.apartments.utah.edu/). For additional information, contact Rebecca Dowdell (apartments@usa.utah.edu).
BOOK OF THE MONTH FROM THE CAMPUS STORE
November selection: In the Woods, by Tana French
Campus Store price is 30 percent off: $9.80 (Regular price: $14)
Lately, some of the best mystery books have been coming from European authors who have a knack of writing high quality, literary mysteries with twists, turns, and surprises in the plot that will keep the most avid mystery reader engaged. In the Woods (http://www.tanafrench.com/pagesus/books.htm) by Tana French is one of the best of these new European mysteries.
In 1984, three children of a Dublin, Ireland suburb go into the woods near their homes to play. When, in the evening, they haven’t come home for dinner, the town begins a search and finds only one of the three children, a young boy, clinging with a death grip to a tree, his shoes filled with blood. The other two children are never found and the boy has no memory of what happened that day.
Twenty years later, Rob Ryan, the lone survivor of that day in the woods, is now a homicide detective on the Dublin Murder Squad. He and his partner, Cassie Maddox, are called to investigate the death of a 12-year-old girl who was murdered in the same woods where Ryan’s friends went missing and he was left the sole survivor. Finding eerie similarities between this new crime and the one from his past, Ryan must solve not only the murder of the 12-year-old girl, but using snippets of his own memory, the disappearance of his two friends.
Well written and progressively creepy, this first novel from Tana French is a must-read for mystery lovers and highly recommended for those who love an amazingly told tale.
—Drew Goodman, Campus Store
CALL FOR HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FROM CAMPUS
The annual holiday gift and service listing will be included in the Dec. 2 FYI News. If your college, department, or center will be inviting food or clothing donations, or offering holiday gifts or other items for sale, or have holiday specials, please send information to FYI News (fyi@utah.edu) by Nov. 20.
STUDY PARTICIPANTS WANTED: MOMS WITH THEIR DAUGHTER OR SON
All kids sometimes have squabbles with their brothers, sisters, or friends. But how do they talk to their moms about these experiences? The Social Development Lab in the Department of Psychology (http://www.psych.utah.edu) is conducting an IRB-approved study to learn how moms and kids talk together about children’s disagreements with their younger siblings and friends. The study is looking for children between the ages of 6-7, 10-11, or 15-16 years to participate with their moms in a two-hour session in their homes. Also, because the study is about experiences with younger siblings, participating children need to have at least one younger sibling (less than three years apart in age). If you are interested in participating, or for additional information, contact Holly Recchia (holly.recchia@psych.utah.edu) or call (801) 585-5094.
UPCOMING ON CAMPUS
HOW TECHNOLOGY TOUCHES OUR HEARTS AND MINDS
59th Annual Reynolds Lecture
Presented by Cynthia M. Furse, Associate Vice President for Research; Professor of Electrical Engineering, University of Utah
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7:00 p.m.
Aline W. Skaggs Biology Building, Room 210
Free and open to all but tickets are required
The Bionic Age has already made it possible to replace human knees, hips, and hearts. Where barely a generation ago, the stethoscope was the diagnostic sensor of choice, now there is an array of electronic medical diagnostic and treatment tools that touch virtually every organ, system, fluid, and action of our bodies. Neural prostheses are helping the deaf to hear, the blind to see, and eventually, the chair-bound to walk. Cynthia Furse (http://www.ece.utah.edu/~cfurse/) will explore how electronics shape our lives and what the future of the bionic age holds. To RSVP (required) or for more information, call (801) 585-0911.
MATHEMATICS, LANGUAGE, AND IMAGINATION
Utah Symposium in Science and Literature
Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 5-7
Various locations
The 5th Utah Symposium in Science and Literature (http://www.scienceandliterature.org) will focus on poetry, music, and math as creative vehicles. Keynote presentations by poet Alice Fulton, English professor at Cornell University; composer Fred Lerdahl, musical composition professor at Columbia University; and mathematician Barry Mazur, mathematics professor at Harvard University, will explore how their thinking is influenced by the different media they use to express their imaginations. The symposium is free and open to the public, but space is limited—especially for the keynote lectures taking place at the City Library; and for the Friday, Nov. 6, live broadcast of a discussion by the three keynote speakers. People planning to attend should register. Updates, registration, and additional information (http://www.scienceandliterature.org), including locations of all presentations, are online or call (801) 581-7236.
SCIENCE DAY AT THE U
Saturday, Nov. 7, 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Olpin Student Union, Ballroom
Science Day (http://www.science.utah.edu/cosdayedu.html) gives Utah high school students an opportunity to explore their academic interests by attending interactive science workshops at the U. Students may sign up through their high school or online (http://www.science.utah.edu/cosdayedu.html). The event is free and lunch is provided. For more information, call (801) 581-6958 or visit the College of Science (www.science.utah.edu).
UTAH FOOTBALL VS. NEW MEXICO
Saturday, Nov. 7, 4:00 p.m.
Rice-Eccles Stadium
Ticket information (https://www.nmnathletics.com/tickets/TicketHome.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1400) is online.
UTAH ORCHID SOCIETY FALL EXHIBIT AND SALE
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7-8, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Orchid culture and care class, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Red Butte Garden
The Utah Orchid Society’s (http://www.utahorchidsociety.com/) annual fall exhibit and sale of orchid plants will feature society members who will be on hand to offer cultural advice about growing these spectacular plants. The public is invited to submit healthy plants to be judged by the American Orchid Society, but plants must be brought to Red Butte Garden (http://www.redbuttegarden.org) by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, and remain in the exhibit until closing on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 5:00 p.m. Garden admission is waived for exhibitors. For additional information, contact Shawn Quealy at (801) 831-7369 or Barry Cole (barryccole@comcast.net) at (801) 255-9026.
NPR RADIO HOST KRISTA TIPPETT TO SPEAK
2009 McMurrin Lecture on Religion and Culture
Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
City Library (200 E. 400 S.), free and open to the public.
Host of National Public Radio’s Peabody-award winning show, Speaking of Faith, Krista Tippett’s talk is titled, Religion, Media, and Public Life in the 21st Century: Observations from a front row seat on the evolution of faith and life. Tippett pioneers a new model of intelligent discussion on religion, ethics and spiritual meaning. She received a master’s of divinity from Yale University and is author of the critically acclaimed book Speaking of Faith – Why Religion Matters and How to Talk About It. For more information, contact the Tanner Humanities Center (http://www.thc.utah.edu) or call (802) 581-7989.
ANNUAL VETERANS DAY PROGRAM
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Olpin Student Union, Ballroom
Join the University in commemorating the profound contribution of our Utah veterans to the peace, security, and freedom of our country. The day’s events include a panel discussion on the advances in medical and psychological treatment of veterans (8:45 a.m.); a full dress military ceremony and 21-gun salute (11:00 a.m.); a reception honoring U of U student veterans (12:30 p.m.); and the 54th annual Veterans Day concert (7:00 p.m.) presented by the Utah National Guard 23rd Army Band (http://www.ut.ngb.army.mil/23band/index.html) in the Huntsman Center. All events are free and open to the public. See details about this year’s Veterans Day event (http://www.veteransday.utah.edu) online. For additional information, call (801) 585-9244.
PAWS ‘N CLAWS BENEFIT BAZAAR
Thursday, Nov. 12, 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, 1st Floor Atrium (south of the School of Medicine and directly east of the Eccles Medical Library)
This annual benefit raises funds for the care, support, and placement of the U’s retired research animals into permanent homes in the community and works with animal rescue groups both within and outside the state. The bazaar includes a bake sale, raffle, and hand-made items for sale. For more information contact Linda Schmidt (linda.schmidt@hsc.utah.edu) or call (801) 554-5304. Organizers are looking for larger donated works to raffle at this event.
LOSING YOUR TONGUE
World’s top endangered language experts to gather at U
Thursday-Friday, Nov. 12-13
Peterson Heritage Center
Elder Tommy George has not spoken his aboriginal language of Kuku Thaypan for three years, since his brother died. “It might die in the throat, but it stays alive in the heart,” he said to the Queensland Courier-Mail this past June. Linguists predict that within the next 100 years nearly 90 percent of the world’s 7,000 languages will become extinct, with a best case scenario at only 35 to 50 percent surviving. “Once a language dies, the knowledge dies with it,” says Lyle Campbell, director of the U’s Center for American Indian Languages (http://www.cail.utah.edu) (CAIL). “A tree bark may prevent cancer, AIDS, etc., but the name of the tree (and the associated knowledge) typically is lost when the language becomes extinct—a loss to all humanity.” Nearly 50 international experts in the world’s endangered languages will come to campus to discuss the first step in a collaborative project to produce an authoritative catalogue, database, and updatable website of information on endangered languages. This workshop will mark the beginning of the project and will promote discussion among scholars about key questions involved in the collection and dissemination of information about endangered languages. A schedule of presentations open to the public (http://www.cail.utah.edu/?&pageId=4778) is online. For additional information, contact Lorelei Sells (lorelei.sells@utah.edu), check the CAIL website (http://www.cail.utah.edu), or call (801) 587-0720.
AED PLUS TRAINING
Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Olpin Union Building
The Office of the Vice President for Administrative Services has funded the placement of automatic external defibrillators (AED) in several campus buildings. The hope is that individuals suffering sudden cardiac arrest will have life saving equipment nearby. Building occupants are being asked to sign up for training. Two sessions are scheduled on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Register and view the list of buildings (http://training.ehs.utah.edu/class_details.jsp?offeringId=81) for this first phase of AED installations on campus. If you need registration assistance, call Jerome Roque at (801) 581- 6590.
GIS DAY OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Orson Spencer Hall, south end
Since 1987, Geography Awareness Week (http://www.mywonderfulworld.org/gaw.html) (Nov. 15-21) has been celebrated to promote the importance of geography and geography education. The week’s events include GIS Day on Nov. 18, which provides an international forum for users of geographic information systems (GIS) technology to demonstrate real world applications that are making a difference in our society. Anyone with an interest in geography is invited to participate. For more information, contact the Department of Geography (http://www.geog.utah.edu/).
FYI NEWS POLL
Take our new FYI News poll — live until Nov. 18 when the next issue is published. All responses are anonymous. To see the poll results click here.
Last FYI poll results:
Question: Have you already received, or are you planning to get the H1N1 vaccination?
Yes: 48%
No: 28.4%
Not sure: 23.5%
If you have a suggestion for a poll question, send it to FYI (fyi@utah.edu).
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
BALLIF ROAD REMAINS CLOSED
Ballif Road at the entrance to the parking lot at the Tanner Dance Building remains closed until the end of January. Vehicles accessing parking lots to the west will need to use Austin Road.
BUSINESS LOOP UTILITY WORK
Utility work near the business loop will cause its closure to extend through Nov. 16. Access to the business parking lot will be from the east section of the business loop. Detour signs will alert eastbound traffic on South Campus Drive to circle the LDS Institute parking lot on the south side of South Campus Drive and enter the business loop through the intersection by the Huntsman Events Center as there is no left turn from South Campus Drive to the business loop at that intersection.
Continue to check the construction impacts Web site (http://www.digit.utah.edu/cit/cit.html/) often. Updates are made on a weekly basis—it’s your best resource to find out what’s happening construction-wise.
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. For any specific project, contact Campus Design and Construction at (801) 581-6883 to be directed to the respective project manager.
FYI Mystery Photo Contest
FYI Mystery Photo
Where is this on campus? Send your answer (be specific) to FYI@ucomm.utah.edu by 12 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 for a chance to win four tickets to the Utah vs. New Mexico Football Game on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 4:00 p.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium, courtesy of Utah Athletics. The winner will be randomly selected from the pool of those submitting the correct answer and will be listed in the Nov. 18 FYI News.
Thanks to Utah Athletics for providing the prize!
Note: This contest is open to U of U faculty and staff only.
Last issue’s FYI Mystery Photo Contest answer
The Oct. 21 FYI Mystery Photo shows one of the new book sculptures by Chinese artist Suikang Zhao outside Marriott Library. The books are part of a public art installation for the newly-renovated library. Congratulations to Liz Frampton, winner of the Oct. 21 FYI Mystery Photo Contest! Liz was randomly selected from the pool of contestants who sent in the correct answer. Liz says, “Wow! I’m so excited! I’ve never entered the contest before and to actually win, wonderful!” Liz works in the David Eccles School of Business Executive Education Department (http://www.execed.utah.edu) and has been there for about two years. She manages the professional development (open enrollment) courses for business executives and works with companies to create customized training programs. Liz received four tickets to the Utah vs. Wyoming football game courtesy of Utah Athletics. A big thanks to Utah Athletics for providing the prize. And thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. We invite you to try your luck again with the Nov. 18 FYI News. |
