Home | Publications | APS News | August/September 2008 (Volume 17, Number 8)

August/September 2008 (Volume 17, Number 8)

August/September 2008 (Volume 17, Number 8) Entire Issue

News

Franz to Step Down as APS Executive Officer; Search Committee Seeks Her Successor
Franz's 15‑year tenure included such highlights as the APS Centennial in 1999 and the 2005 World Year of Physics

Physics is for Physicists (and others)
David Voss heads up new publication spotlighting noteworthy papers in APS journals

APS Funds 27 Minority Scholars in 2008-2009
Each scholar receives a $2000 renewable grant for tuition, room and board, and educational materials

Astrowatch Keeps LIGO’s Eyes on the Sky
Students help fill the gap as LIGO gets an upgrade

US Team Wins Five Medals at Hanoi Competition
The US team placed second overall, tying with South Korea and India. China and Taiwan tied for first place

Team Overcomes Politics to Broadcast Eclipse
Members of the Exploratorium travel to edge of Gobi Desert to Webcast the event

Workshop Bridges the Worlds of Academia, Science Museums
Participants identified ways to improve their outreach collaborations with local museums

REU Experience Can Change People’s Lives
A June 11‑13 meeting addressed ways to improve the programs and increase diversity of the participants

Briefing Explains how Accelerator Can Boost Industry
The planned International Linear Collider will yield innovative technologies, including superconducting radio frequency based systems such as cavities and cryomodules

Making Energy While the Sun Shines
Capitol Hill briefing explores the potential of solar energy

Towson PhysTEC Project Targets Elementary Science Teaching
Reformed course now includes opportunities for future teachers to gain practical teaching experience

Science Societies Quiz Congressional Candidates
The APS joins Scientists and Engineers for America in developing a list of science policy questions

Opinion

Letters
Copyright Decision A Matter of Principle  •  Copyright Causes Conflict of Interest  •  Fair Use Protects Authors’ Rights  •  Unruh Responds  •  Pat on Back is Premature  •  Outreach, Outreach and Outreach  •  Plug-ins are a Panacea  •  Newton Estimated Earth’s Density  •  Diversity in Higher Ed  •  What happens at the end of the pipeline?

Inside the Beltway
Oil Shock 2008

The Back Page
STEM Workforce Discussion Needs More Data, Analysis

Departments

Members in the Media
As quoted in other publications...

This Month in Physics History
August 1948: Maria Goeppert Mayer and the Nuclear Shell Model

Zero Gravity: The Lighter Side of Science
Physical Theories Made Magical

Physics Caucus in Action

Photo by Ken Cole

On July 16 APS hosted a reception on Capitol Hill welcoming newly elected physicist Bill Foster (D-IL) to Congress.

Reception attendees and hosts

Happy Birthday, PRL!

Photos by David Ellis

On June 27, APS hosted an afternoon symposium, a gala reception and dinner, all because a new journal called Physical Review Letters had been founded 50 years before. The celebration took place at the Charles B. Wang Center of Stony Brook University.

Photo of symposium speakers

APS Fellows Get High in Santa Fe
APS Fellows in Santa Fe

Photo by Darlene Logan

In conjunction with its Board meeting in June, APS hosted a reception for Santa Fe-area Fellows. Well over 100 attended, and they were entertained and enlightened by remarks from APS President Arthur Bienenstock. They also were able to experience the enhanced effects of alcohol at 7000 feet, as well as various other refreshments. Enjoying the reception are (l to r) APS Fellows Robert Eisenstein, Hywel White and Virginia Brown.

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Editor: Alan Chodos
Staff Writer: Ernie Tretkoff
Contributing Editor: Jennifer Ouellette
Art Director and Special Publications Manager: Kerry G. Johnson
Publication Designer and Production: Nancy Bennett-Karasik
Science Writing Intern: Nadia Ramlagan