NOVEMBER 9 - 13, 2009

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

12 noon: Joint High Energy Astrophysics/Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Sciences Lunch Talk. "Physical Conditions in a CME from Hinode, STEREO, and SOHO Observations," Dr. Enrico Landi, Naval Research Laboratory. Pratt Conference Room.

Abstract: In the present work we analyze multiwavelength observations from Hinode, SOHO and STEREO of the early phases of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). We use Hinode/EIS and SOHO/UVCS high resolution spectra to measure the physical properties of the CME ejecta as a function of time at 1.1 and 1.9 solar radii. Hinode/XRT images are used in combination with EIS spectra to constrain the high temperature plasma properties of the ejecta. SECCHI/EUVI, SECCHI/COR1 and SOHO/LASCO images are used to measure the CME velocity and acceleration. The combination of measurements of plane of the sky velocities and line of sight speeds from EIS and UVCS Doppler shifts allows us to determine the absolute velocities of the CME plasma at 1.1 and 3.0 solar radii. Plasma properties, dynamical status, thermal structure and brightness distributions are used to constrain the energy contents of the CME plasma and to compare it to theoretical predictions from models of CME plasma heating and acceleration.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

12:30 pm: Institute for Theory and Computation (ITC) Seminar. "Strong Imbalanced Turbulence," Andrey Beresnyak, University of Wisconsin. Pratt Conference Room.

2:00 pm: Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Sciences Division Special Seminar. "Hinode EIS Observations of a Limb Active Region," Dr. Brendan O'Dwyer, University of Cambridge. Pratt Conference Room.

Abstract: We have carried out a study of an active region close to the solar limb using observations from the Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) and the X-Ray Telescope (XRT) on board Hinode. The electron density and temperature distributions of the coronal emission have been determined using emission line intensity ratios. Differential emission measure (DEM) analysis and the emission measure (EM) loci technique were used to examine the thermal structure of the emitting plasma as a function of distance from the limb. A comparison of EIS and XRT DEM analyses has also been carried out. The highest temperature and electron density values are found to be located in the core of the active region. The plasma along the line of sight in the active region was found to be multi-thermal at different distances from the limb.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12

11:00 am: Institute for Theory and Computation (ITC) Colloquium. "The Origin of the Universe and the Arrow of Time," Dr. Sean Carroll, California Institute of Technology. Pratt Conference Room.

Abstract: Over a century ago, Boltzmann and others provided a microscopic understanding for the tendency of entropy to increase. But this understanding relies ultimately on an empirical fact about cosmology: the early universe had a very low entropy. Why was it like that? Cosmologists aspire to provide a dynamical explanation for the observed state of the universe, but have had very little to say about the dramatic asymmetry between early times and late times. I will argue that the observed breakdown of time-reversal symmetry in statistical mechanics provides good evidence that we live in a multiverse.

4:00 pm: Colloquium. "An X-ray Study of the Nearest Radio Galaxy - Centaurus A," Dr. Ralph Kraft, CfA. Preceded by tea at 3:30 pm. Phillips Auditorium.

Abstract: We present results from our Chandra and XMM-Newton study of the nearest radio galaxy Centaurus A. Our observations have shown a variety of features that are not observable in more distant objects, and have given us new insights into AGN jet physics, ultra-relativistic particle acceleration, and the dynamics of the jet interaction with the multi-phase ISM. Topics highlighted in this talk will be an X-ray and radio study of the synchrotron emission from the kpc-scale jet and counter-jet, the high Mach number shock around the SW radio lobe, and the interaction of the jet in the Northern Middle Radio Lobe with cold gas. We will describe how our detailed results on Centaurus A either confirm or alter our general understanding of kpc-scale jets, and outline future work.

4:30 pm: Joint CfA/Harvard University Atomic Physics Colloquium. "Single- and Many-Body Physics with Stationary-Light Polaritons," Prof. Michael Fleischhauer, Fachbereich Physik, Universitat Kaiserslautern. Room 356, Jefferson Laboratory, Harvard University.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

12 noon: Optical and Infrared Astronomy Division Weekly Lunch Talk. "Kinematics and Geometry of Galactic Winds at z~1," Kate Rubin, University of California, Santa Cruz. Phillips Auditorium.

Abstract: Galactic outflows are invoked as the mechanism responsible for the buildup of the red sequence and the global decline in star formation rate between z~1 and today. Measurements of outflow properties in distant galaxies, such as the mass and energy outflow rates, are central to understanding their role in the feedback processes which drive this evolution. However, accurate determinations of these outflow rates require knowledge of both the kinematics and the spatial distribution of the outflow. I will discuss three complementary approaches to investigating galactic winds at z~1. Using absorption line signatures of outflows probed along the line of sight to the host galaxy and toward distant background light sources, we identify strong winds in a large sample of high star formation rate galaxies, and trace the ejected interstellar medium from a single post-starburst galaxy at z~0.5. Using emission line signatures of outflows, we provide a unique view of the geometry and spatial extent of outflowing gas in a starburst galaxy at z~0.7.

SAO HUMAN RESOURCES NOTES

Federal and Trust Fund Employees 2010 Open Season Health Fair

SAO will sponsor the Federal and Trust Fund Open Season 2010 Health Fair on Monday, November 9, from 9:30 am to 12 noon, in Room 385, Cambridge Discovery Park. Representatives from Federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Trust health carriers (CareFirst BC/BS, Harvard Pilgrim and Delta Dental) will be present. Plan brochures and rates for 2010 will be made available to SAO employees at the health fair. If you have further questions, please contact Linda McDonald, ext. 6-7605, or Anne LeBlanc, ext. 5-7371.

Combined Federal Campaign of Eastern Massachusetts

You are invited to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign of Eastern Massachusetts. The mission of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is to support and promote philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient and effective in providing employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all. Federal and non-federal employees may use payroll deduction, cash, or check to make pledges.

All organizations listed in the CFC brochure have met the stringent application guidelines outlined by the Office of Personnel Management. For more information please refer to http://www.opm.gov/cfc/. For a complete list of the local, national and international charities please refer to the 2009 CFC brochure of Eastern Massachusetts, which can be accessed at the following website.

If you wish to contribute to the Combined Federal Campaign of Eastern Massachusetts, please reply to Anne LeBlanc by return email no later than November 30, 2009. Upon receipt of your email, a pledge card and return envelope will be forwarded to you. Please return your pledge card in the envelope addressed to CFC, MS 17, no later than December 15, 2009. If you have any questions, please contact Anne LeBlanc at (617) 495-7371.

Job Vacancies

An online listing of all current SAO job openings is available. For more information, please call Human Resources, ext. 5-7371, or view your nearest bulletin board.

The Calendar is prepared by the Web Services Group. Entries may be submitted via email to weekly_cal@cfa.