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Upcoming Events
	Date/Time	Description
	August 5, 2008 ~ August 12, 2008	Mercury Dry Deposition Measurement Intercomparison and Workshop The University of Michigan Air Quality Laboratory will be hosting a Mercury Dry Deposition Measurement Intercomparison and Workshop this August. The measurement intercomparison is scheduled to be held at the Dexter, MI field station from 05-12 August 2008. The workshop will be held on the University of Michigan campus on 06-07 August 2008. Both events are being funded through the Great Lakes Air Deposition (GLAD) Program. Please click on the on the announcement link to the left for full details.
	August 7, 2008 10:00 am	Dissertation Defense 2424 Space Research Bldg. Candidate: Pran R. Mukherjee - "Modeling and Component Development for Sensitive Near-Solar Particle Measurements"
	August 27, 2008 10:00 am - 3:00 pm	CoE New Graduate Student Welcome Stamps Auditorium
	August 29, 2008 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm	AOSS New Graduate Student Welcome 2246 SRB (Auditorium)
	September 2, 2008	Call for Abstracts: Deadline September 2, 2008 19th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics November 7-8, 2008 Argonne National Laboratory Argonne, Illinois The 19th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics invites undergraduate authors to submit papers on their research. The Symposium will be conducted Friday and Saturday, November 7-8, 2008, at Argonne National Laboratory. All Symposium presenters and attendees are required to pre-register and to pay a $60 registration fee. Authors should prepare a 10-minute presentation and allow an additional 5 minutes for questions from the audience. Abstracts will be categorized under one of the following session titles: Analytical Chemistry, Astrophysics and Geophysics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Computer Science, Condensed Matter Physics, Engineering, Environmental Science, General Biology, General Physics, Genetics, Genomics, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Nuclear and Atomic Physics, Organometallic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Physics, Spectroscopy, and Structural Biology. All abstracts MUST be submitted electronically. No abstracts will be accepted in a non-electronic format. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION Instructions for preparation of your abstract (see Abstract Format), abstract submission, and registration information are available online at http://www.dep.anl.gov/p_undergrad/ugsymp. The deadline for submission of abstracts and to register for the Symposium is September 2, 2008
	September 4, 2008 3:30 pm - 4:30 am	AOSS 749 Fall Seminar Series 2246 SRB (Auditorium) Dr. Robyn Millan, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College, Radiation Belt Electron Losses and BARREL "The flux of relativistic electrons in the radiation belts is known to be highly variable, but the processes responsible for this variability are not well understood. In addition to large increases in the flux often observed, rapid drops of the flux also occur, suggesting losses play an important role. In fact, observations from both balloon and satellite measurements indicate strong losses that could empty the radiation belts in a day or less if no acceleration was taking place. Thus, quantifying losses and understanding loss processes is an important part of fully understanding radiation belt variability. Balloon-based observations provide a method for studying relativistic electron losses through the observation of bremsstrahlung X-rays produced as the electrons precipitate into the atmosphere. Since balloons measure precipitation directly, such observations allow us to separate the effects of acceleration and loss. In addition, balloons offer a nearly-stationary platform from which the spatial scale, duration, and temporal variations of precipitation can be measured. This talk will first review our current state of understanding of relativistic electron loss processes. Results from several balloon campaigns aimed at studying relativistic electron precipitation will be discussed. Finally, an overview of the BARREL mission of opportunity will be provided."""
	October 2, 2008 ~ October 4, 2008	Michigan Engineering Alumni Weekend
	October 3, 2008 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm	Michigan Engineering Alumni Society Awards Reception and Dinner Michigan League - Ballroom Time TBD
	October 8, 2008 ~ October 10, 2008	17th Annual US/Canada Great Lakes Operational Meteorology Workshop The 17th Annual U.S./Canada Great Lakes Operational Meteorology Workshop offers an excellent opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and research findings related to all aspects of Great Lakes meteorology. Specifics regarding the workshop location, hotel accommodations, abstract submission, agenda and registration information will be made available at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dtx/?n=glom. Abstracts will be accepted through September 1, 2008. Please submit in MS Word format via email to: Greg.Mann@noaa.gov. The workshop is co-sponsored by NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) and the Meteorological Service of Canada. This year's workshop is co-hosted by NWS Detroit-Pontiac and the University of Michigan - Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences.
	October 16, 2008	SPRL at 60: Universities and Space Exploration University of Michigan, North Campus An open discussion on the role of universities in space exploration and engineering. As interests, funding and project structures change, how should institutions of higher education that are based in hard science research react; how do these changes affect the education of future scientists and engineers — what does the future hold? More Information
	October 17, 2008	SPRL at 60: Universities and Space Exploration University of Michigan, North Campus An open discussion on the role of universities in space exploration and engineering. As interests, funding and project structures change, how should institutions of higher education that are based in hard science research react; how do these changes affect the education of future scientists and engineers — what does the future hold?
	November 1, 2008	NASA Postdoctoral Program Application Deadline

Archived Events (Past events to 6 months)
	Date/Time	Description
	March 1, 2008 12:00 am	NASA Postdoctoral Program Application Deadline
	March 6, 2008 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm	Michael H. Hecht, Jet Propulsion Laboratory 2245 SRB Auditoriaum "The lowdown on icy soil on Mars: The Microscopy, Electrochemistry, and Conductivity Analyzer (MECA) on Phoenix" Abstract: MECA's microscope station, wet chemistry laboratory, and physical properties probe will perform the first analysis of the icy soil of the northern Martian plains in the summer of 2007. Combining optical and atomic force microscopes, the microscopy station will span the size range of airborne dust grains. Four identical chemistry laboratories carry their own water and chemicals to analyze martian mud and determine the soluble ions in the soil. The Thermal and Electrical Conductivity Probe (TECP) will measure permittivity, electrical conductivity, heat capacity, thermal conductivity, temperature, and humidity, and will collectively characterize the state of water in all phases in the ground. TECP also doubles as an atmospheric probe, measuring wind, air temperature, and relative humidity.
	March 12, 2008 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm	Chris Ruf, AOSS 2355 GG Brown "Inversion of Satellite Remote Sensing Measurements by Bayesian Estimation" Abstract: Satellite remote sensing instruments for Earth science estimate geophysical properties of the atmosphere and surface indirectly from radiance and backscatter measurements. The estimation problem can often be expressed as an inversion of a forward model which, when given the exact geophysical state, can predict the measurements. In all practical situations, the inverse problem is severely underconstrained since the number of unknown geophysical parameters far exceeds the number of measurements. Various methods are commonly employed to constrain the inversion. One class of methods weighs the past statistical behavior of the geophysical parameters against the behavior implied by the present remote sensing measurements and makes a decision based on both characteristics. One means of implementing this decision algorithmically is Bayesian estimation. The idea of Bayesian estimation will be reviewed and then applied to the problem of estimating rainfall with a satellite microwave radiometer.
	March 13, 2008 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm	John H. Hoffman, Professor, University of Texas 2246 SRB Auditorium "The Thermal Evolved Gas Analyzer -TEGA- on Phoenix" TEGA consists of two instruments, a set of 8 small ovens, the T of TEGA and an Evolved Gas Analyzer, the EGA of TEGA, a mass spectrometer. Soil and ice samples are dug from a trench in the surface of Mars by the lander's robotic arm and transferred to one of the ovens. Subsequent heating releases dissolved gases from icy samples and from minerals as they decomplse very high temperatures. Elemental abundances nd istopic rations of principal constituents will ve measured. Between oven runs, atmospheric abundances and isotopic ratios will be determined.
	March 14, 2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm	Fifth Annual Michigan Geophysical Union Meeting Geological Sciences, C. C. Little, Central Campus The Michigan Geophysical Union is a friendly forum for graduate and undergraduate students to present their current research in various aspects of earth, oceanic, atmospheric, and space sciences. Posters will be judged and one winner will be selected from each of the sponsoring departments. Winners will be presented with a generous monetary award. Students: To present a poster at MGU, e-mail Dan Gershman (djgersh@umich.edu) with the title of your poster, a brief abstract summarizing your research, any class conflicts on the day of the event—so we can work your judging around it—and the name of your advisor by Tuesday March 4, 2008. Please be sure to include “MGU Abstract” in the subject line of your email. Details regarding poster preparations will be made available to you upon receipt of your abstract. Tentative Schedule of Activities: Poster Session 10am to 12pm Lunch 12pm to 1pm Poster Session 1pm to 3pm Poster Awards Presentation 3pm to 3:30pm All faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to attend to learn about the exciting research that is taking place within these two departments.
	March 19, 2008 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm	AOSS March Major Madness AOSS Auditorium (2246 Space Research Building) More Information
	March 20, 2008 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm	Ralph D. Lorenz, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory 2246 SRB Auditorium "Titan Unveiled" Saturn's giant moon Titan has been of considerable interest since the presence of an atmosphere was hinted at one century ago. The NASA-ESA-ASI Cassini-Huygens mission, at Saturn for the last 4 years, has transformed this curious dot in the sky into a remarkably diverse, complex and interesting world, which is in many ways more Earth-like than anywhere in the solar system. This talk will summarize some of Cassini's recent findings with emphasis on the interactions between Titan's surface and atmosphere. These include dune-covered sand seas, river channels that attest to violent but perhaps rare downpours and climate change, hydrocarbon lakes and a changing spin state forced by seasonal changes in zonal winds. Titan's thick atmosphere and low gravity permit a wide range of exploration vehicle types, notably aircraft and balloons. The scientific goals and technical features of vehicles and instruments for future exploration of Titan, perhaps in the next decade's Flagship opportunity, will be discussed.
	March 21, 2008 8:00 am - 5:00 pm	Ralph B. Baldwin Prize in Astrophysics and Space Science Application and Deadline Ralph B. Baldwin Prize in Astrophysics and Space Science competition
	March 24, 2008 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm	Carolyn Kuranz, AOSS 2246 SRB Title: Laboratory blast wave driven instabilities on the Omega laser Abstract: This presentation discusses experiments well scaled to the blast wave driven instabilities during the explosion phase of SN1987A. Blast waves occur following a sudden, finite release of energy, and consist of a shock front followed by a rarefaction wave. When a blast wave crosses an interface with a decrease in density, hydrodynamic instabilities will develop. These experiments include target materials scaled in density to the He/H layer in SN1987A. About 5 kJ of laser energy from the Omega Laser facility irradiates a 150 µm plastic layer that is followed by a low-density foam layer. A blast wave structure similar to those in supernovae is created in the plastic layer. The blast wave crosses a three-dimensional interface with a wavelength of 71 µm in two orthogonal directions, at times supplemented by additional sinusoidal modes. This produces unstable growth dominated by the Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instability. We have detected the interface structure under these conditions, using dual orthogonal radiography, and will show some of the resulting data. Recent advancements in our x-ray backlighting techniques have greatly improved the resolution of our x-ray radiographic images. Under certain conditions, the improved images show some mass extending beyond the RT spike and penetrating further than previously observed. Current simulations do not show this phenomenon. This presentation will discuss the amount of mass in these spike extensions as well as the error analysis of this calculation. This research was sponsored by the SSAA through DOE Research Grants DE-FG52-07NA28058, DE-FG52-04NA00064.
	March 26, 2008 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm	Nelson W. Spencer Lecture - Dr. S. Pete Worden, NASA Ames Research Center Director Boeing Auditorium (1109 FXB) "U. S. Space Exploration Program: Opportunities for the Future" In January of 2004 President Bush defined the vision for U.S. Space Exploration. NASA was charged with completing the International Space Station, safely flying the Space Shuttle until 2010, developing and flying the Crew Exploration Vehicle – the Shuttle’s replacement no later than 2014 and with a goal of 2012, returning to the moon no later than 2020, extend human presence across the solar system and beyond, implement a sustained and affordable robotic program, develop supporting innovative technologies knowledge and infrastructures, and promote international and commercial participation in exploration. The goal of commercial participation in exploration is key. We are optimistic this will open the entire sphere of the inner solar system to commerce. It is also worth noting that the impressive new technologies and capabilities we will develop will benefit people on earth. NASA Ames Research Center is playing a key role in support of the Space Exploration Program particularly with the Constellation Program and the LCROSS mission. NASA Ames also plays a key role in both small spacecraft development and with the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Implementation of the U.S. Space Exploration Program and establishing a program to develop a sustained human presence on the Moon, including a robust precursor program is critical to promote exploration, science, commerce and U.S. preeminence in spaces as well as a stepping stone to future exploration of Mars and other destinations.
	April 3, 2008 11:30 am - 1:00 pm	STEM Education: Preventing the pipeline from leaking Johnson Rooms - Third Floor of the Lurie Engineering Center The College of Engineering and Tau Beta Pi invites you to a free panel luncheon where you can voice your opinions and learn how to get involved: Featuring panelists from the UM community: Jill Andrews – Director, Office of Engineering Outreach and Engagement (OE)^2 Perry Samson – Associate Chair and Professor Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences Richard Hill – Graduate Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering Aaron Santos – Research Fellow, Department of Chemical Engineering America is at risk of losing its place as the global leader in innovation if we do not address the issues. Other countries are currently outpacing the U.S. in science and technology. In 2004, the NAS study found that China graduated more than 600,000 engineers; India, 350,000 and America, only 70,000. How can we address this trend? What is the current state of public education in regards to science, technology, engineering, and math (the STEM fields)? How can we encourage and prepare students to become leaders in the STEM fields? Are there steps that should be taken or programs that can be implemented to help prevent ‘the STEM pipeline from leaking?’ Free Middle Eastern food from Jerusalem Garden
	April 3, 2008 3:30 pm - 4:29 pm	Tomislava Vukicevic, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder 2246 SRB Auditorium A new look at data assimilation and inversion problems in atmospheric sciences. Data assimilation and inversion problems are involved in almost every aspect of quantitative analysis in atmospheric sciences from observing by indirect measurements to prediction and projections by numerical models. Contemporary literature on common data assimilation and inversion techniques typically refers to theoretical basis of the techniques as a straightforward generalization of the Bayesian rule for conditional probabilities when applied under assumptions of errorless linear model and Gaussian statistics. The data assimilation and inversions are however, more often than not done with complex nonlinear models and observations for which these assumptions are not necessarily valid. To help understand impact of model nonlinearities, Gaussian statistics and modeling and observation errors a new approach is used which is based on a generalized formulation of the statistical inverse problem theory that does not make explicit use of the Bayesian rule. Based on the new approach an analysis of data assimilation and inversion solutions was done by numerical evaluation of the associated probability density functions on examples of two relatively simple but representative dynamical models of atmospheric processes. Relationship between properties of common data assimilation and inversion techniques and the generalized solutions will be discussed with an outlook at furthering benefits from inverse methodology in atmospheric sciences.
	April 24, 2008 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm	Dr. Hiram Levy, NOAA 2424 SRB Title: "Climate Change Science Program: Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.2 or Climate vs. Air Quality?" Abstract: By year 2100, "IPCC" projected decreases in sulfate aerosol and increases in black carbon aerosol contribute a significant portion of the simulated A1B surface air warming relative to the year 2000; 0.2oC (southern hemisphere), 0.4oC globally, 0.6oC (northern hemisphere), 1.5-3oC (wintertime Arctic), and 1.5-2oC (~40% of the total) in the summertime United States. These changes are also responsible for a significant decrease in central US late-summer root-zone soil water and precipitation. These changes in short-lived air pollutants produce a global average increase in radiative forcing of ~1 W/m2; over East Asia it exceeds 5 W/m2. However, the resulting regional patterns of surface temperature warming are uncorrelated to the forcing pattern (correlation coefficient of -0.172) and similar to the temperature patterns for well-mixed greenhouse gases (global pattern-correlation coefficient of 0.8) with the strongest summertime warming occurring over the continental US, Mediterranean Sea and southern Europe. It should be noted that the projections of future pollution emissions are extremely uncertain, particularly looking out to 2100.
	May 1, 2008 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm	The Ralph B. Baldwin Professorship in Astronomy Inaugural Lecture "Extragalactic Superluminal Radio Jets" Given By Hugh Aller, Professor of Astronomy Will be held TOMORROW, Thursday, May 1, 2008 ~ 4:10 p.m. at the Alumni Center, Founders Room Professor Aller will discuss the emissions of extragalactic superluminal radio jets as observed through the eyes of the Peach Mountain Observatory telescope near Dexter. For more information please call 734-615-6653 Find the following related stories in the University Record, or printed for your convenience below: Featured event: Cosmic radio jets are the focus of inaugural lecture http://www.ur.umich.edu/0708/Apr28_08/23.php Michigan telescopes help give astronomers insights into blazars http://www.ur.umich.edu/0708/Apr28_08/24.php Featured event: Cosmic radio jets are the focus of inaugural lecture The emissions of extragalactic superluminal radio jets through the eyes of the telescope at the Peach Mountain Observatory near Dexter will be the topic of the Ralph Baldwin Professorship in Astronomy Inaugural Lecture. The talk will be given by Hugh Aller, professor of astronomy, at 4:10 p.m. May 1 in the Founders Room of the Alumni Center. Aller, who assumed leadership of the observatory in the Stinchfield Woods more than two decades ago, will discuss how the telescope has become a major player in the study of the radio jets and the cooperative work done on this phenomenon with other observatories around the world. Aller joined the faculty in 1968 and served as chair of the Department of Astronomy from 1990-2000. He is the first Ralph B. Baldwin Professor of Astronomy. The professorship was endowed by a $2 million gift from Baldwin and the Baldwin family. Baldwin received his bachelor's degree in astronomy from U-M in 1934 and his doctorate in 1937. He co-pioneered the theory that lunar craters were primarily the result of meteor impacts, instead of volcanic activity, a theory later confirmed by eyewitness accounts of the Apollo astronauts. In 1947 he returned to the family business, Oliver Machine Company in Grand Rapids, where he rose to chairman before retiring in 1987. Five generations of his family have attended U-M. "The University has been great to me," Baldwin says. "I wanted to give something back." The lecture and reception are open to the public. For information call 615-6653. Michigan telescopes help give astronomers insights into blazars By Nicole Casal Moore News Service For the first time astronomers have observed a blazar in action, substantiating a prevailing theory about how these luminous and energetic galactic cores work. In this illustration, a blazar emits a jet of high-energy plasma. A shock wave follows a spiral path as it moves away from the black hole and through a section of the jet where the magnetic field is wound in a coil. (Photo by Cosmovision For Boston University) A paper on the observations appears in the April 24 issue of Nature. Two U-M astronomers contributed to the research, which was led by Alan Marscher of the Institute for Astrophysical Research at Boston University. Blazars, among the most energetic objects in the universe, are fueled by supermassive black holes at the core of certain giant elliptical galaxies. Periodically, they emit jets of high-energy plasma at almost the speed of light. Competing theoretical models sought to explain how this phenomenon occurs. One model predicted that the jets were propelled by magnetic fields that were twisted by the gravity of the black hole and the materials falling into it. This is the behavior the astronomers detected. "What we've observed is the mechanism by which the acceleration of relativistic particles in the emanating jets occurs. Knowing that mechanism enhances our understanding of the physics that goes into the acceleration process," says Hugh Aller, a professor in the Department of Astronomy . Relativistic particles are particles traveling close to the speed of light. "Often, we'd observe blazars, but they didn't do anything. It's been difficult to catch these outbursts when they occur," he says. Scientists from across the globe aimed a variety of telescopes at the blazar BL Lacertae, about 950 million light-years away from Earth. Optical, X-ray and radio telescopes monitored the galaxy at different electromagnetic wavelengths periodically for several years. U-M recorded radio light curves at the Radio Astronomy Observatory at Peach Mountain in Dexter. "This is the first observational evidence that really fits with the picture that the theoreticians have had," says Margo Aller, a research scientist and lecturer in the Department of Astronomy. "The reason we have this evidence is a very fine sampling of a large number of instruments, including the Michigan radio telescopes." Scientists hope to get a closer look at blazar jets when NASA launches its Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) satellite observatory in May. The paper is called "The inner jet of an active galactic nucleus as revealed by a radio to gamma-ray outburst."
	June 13, 2008 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm	AOSS Prof. Renno to speak at NASA Mars lander press briefing Broadcast live online at NASA TV A NASA press briefing on the latest Mars Phoenix lander news. As part of the briefing, the University of Michigan’s Nilton Renno will give an update on Mars’ weather and atmospheric measurements. Renno, an associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences, is a co-investigator on the mission and lead of the Atmospheric Science Theme Group.
	June 30, 2008 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm	Planet Blue Open House 2nd Floor Lounge, SRB Did you know that a 1% reduction in utility usage translates to more than $1 million in annual savings for the University? Did you know that leaving a light on uses more energy than turning it off and on? You can learn the answers and other ways to save energy at the Planet Blue Open House. Planet Blue will be distributing free Motion Sensing Power Strips and there will be information displays. Light refreshments will be served and free t-shirts will be distributed.
	July 1, 2008	NASA Postdoctoral Program Application Deadline
	July 21, 2008 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm	Stratospheric Flight Testing of Mars Balloons 2246 SRB Auditorium Dr. Jeffery Hall, senior engineer, JPL works on a variety of technology development and mission planning efforts. ABSTRACT: The exploration of Mars could be significantly enhanced through use of balloons that carry scientific payloads. Such vehicles could fly for thousands of kilometers over the course of multi-day or multi-week missions, providing unprecedented measurements of the atmosphere and near surface regions. This talk will describe NASA efforts to develop the technology required to fly balloons at Mars, with particular emphasis on the problem of aerial deployment and inflation of the balloon upon arrival at the planet. This work has featured a series of stratospheric balloon flight tests on Earth, and the talk will include photographs and movies from those experiments.