University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy 1Chair letter continued on p. 3

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy 1

Is Anybody Out There? Spitzer Explores the Universe to Understand Planet Formation

NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope is exploring the universe using infrared light which reveals the composition of objects within the solar system as well as detecting the material that may be forming worlds around other stars.

Launched in August 2003, the fi rst Spitzer images have arrived and are being analyzed by University researchers. Among them are graduate student Michael Kelley, Prof. Chick Woodward and Prof. Bob Gehrz. By studying the images and spectra of comets and their dust trails, they will be able to better understand how planets form. Comets are key to understanding how the universe developed because they represent the original material that formed planets.

Chick Woodward compared this to making bread. “There is a lot of material that is left over and didn’t get into the loaf. You bake the bread and change its appearance. But you put the leftovers in the freezer and it remains unchanged. Comets are the frozen leftovers.” Spitzer continued on p. 5

Photo courtesy of CalTech

THANKS! Often, in the fl urry of com-puter and budget crashes, endless proposal writ-ing and confusing research results, we forget how wonder-ful it is, and how privileged we are to

be engaged in exploring the mysteries of the universe. And we can do this because you, as taxpayers and as supporters of our Department, make it possible. So I hope you enjoy this little newsletter to talk about the wonderful things we’re discovering, and a bit about the people engaged in this adventure.

This year we saw Spirit and Opportunity scoot around Mars, fi nding more and more evidence that liquid water was once plentiful on its surface. And the Cassini mission to Saturn treated us to spectacular new looks at the rings, and the fi rst ever pictures of the surface of Titan from the Huygens probe.

Minnesota astronomers have been pushing back the frontiers on all scales. In our own solar system, observations with the new Spitzer infrared telescope showed the con-nections between dust in the Hale-Bopp

Letter from the Interim Chairman:

**SAVE THE DATE!** Kaufmanis Public Lecture will be May 31, 2005 Carolyn Porco, Cassini Imaging Team (see page 7)

Volume 19 • 2004/2005A Newsletter for ourFriends and Alumni

Department of Astronomy Institute of Technology

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy2

First Light LBT Update

Construction continues full steam ahead on the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) on Mt. Graham’s Emerald Peak in Arizona. The fi rst engineering test images from a single mirror have been obtained, and the offi cial “fi rst light”, signifying the LBT’s readiness for scientifi c studies, should occur next year. On October 15, 2004, the Telescope Dedication was held in Tucson, followed by a tour of the LBT the next day. Representing the University’s partnership in this effort were Len Kuhi and E.

Thomas Sullivan, the U’s new Senior Vice President and Provost.

This last year presented many challenges for the telescope construction crew. Moving the fi rst primary mirror and its bell jar aluminizing enclosure up the steep and narrow road of Mt. Graham was a harrowing experience that took several days. To the delight of everyone involved, the fi rst mirror was inserted into its cell on March 16, 2004 and then integrated with the telescope structure shortly thereafter. After polishing, the

second mirror will repeat the trek up the mountain in September, 2005. In between, the site was threatened by the Nuttall Complex Fire, (see www.fi reteam-sw.com/oltrogge/incidents/nuttall) but thanks to the diligent work of fi refi ghters and observatory staff, neither the enclosure nor telescope were damaged. Almost-live views of telescope construction are available at: abell.as.arizona.edu/~hill/latesth.cgi .

The Astronomy Department continues to need signifi cant capital and operating funds to secure our partnership in this exciting project, and to match the Hubbard challenge grant. We are extremely grateful for the gifts and support we have received so far, and we look forward to “First Light” and the advances that this telescope will bring to the Department and to everyone’s knowledge about this wondrous universe.

Transporting the mirror

Len Kuhi at the Dedication with Dr. Ben Bova (Arizona Astronomy Board member and science fi ction writer) with his wife Barbara.

Mirror in enclosure

LBT Telescope Enclosure

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy 3

In the Dark Liliya L.R. Williams

Though protons, neutrons and electrons make up only about 3 percent of the total mass-energy content of the Universe, most astronomers study only these particles, paying little attention to the dark sector, which accounts for the remaining 97 percent. In a desperate attempt to correct this highly skewed situation, I have focused on topics in astronomy which have the word “dark” in their names. I concentrate mostly on dark matter and its detailed distribution in galaxies and clusters of galaxies.

Eric Barnes, research associate and Crystal Austin, graduate student and I approach these studies by performing calculations about the behavior of dark matter using fundamental physical laws. We have spent the last year generating and analyzing galaxy-sized dark matter halos using an “analytical” technique which still often involves complex calculations on the computer. These calculations will help us understand the dark matter halos of real galaxies, especially dwarf galaxies and those of low surface brightness. Other researchers use what are called “N-body” simulations on the computer, where they watch the behavior of large groups of dark matter particles as they form into galaxy halos. We use our own calculations to explore the physical processes driving the evolution of these computer simulated halos.

Another project of mine is to analyze images of real galaxies and clusters of galaxies whose light has been distorted by intervening dark matter (gravitational “lenses”, see fi gure). This analysis allows me to reconstruct the detailed distribution of the dark matter, even though it cannot be seen. The method I am developing allows me to study even small, very faint features within galaxies, such as the dark matter gravitational forces associated with bars, spiral arms, and satellite dwarf galaxies. Results of this work will be used to test cosmological models, study the dynamics of galaxies, and place constraints on the properties of dark matter.

Liliya Williams

Letter from Chair continued from cover

comet and dusty disks around other stars that have not yet formed planetary systems. And across the universe, distortions in the light of distant galaxies have enabled us to map out the invisible ‘dark matter’, whose nature is still a mystery. Please explore around our web site (www.astro.umn.edu) to see all the exciting things going on.

This year Chair Len Kuhi retired after a long and distinguished career as a scholar, teacher and administrator. His latest achievement was establishing a partnership with the Large Binocular Telescope project in Arizona, through the generous challenge grant by Stan Hubbard. Many challenges remain in solidifying this partnership through matching endowment funds and dealing with the dramatic cuts in the University’s state funding. But our thoughts continue to soar high, and with your support, we’ll continue to bring the wonders of the Universe down to Earth! Lawrence Rudnick

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy4

Freshman Seminars

Since the initiation of freshman seminars in 1998, the Astronomy Department offerings have been very popular with students. The seminars offer close contact between freshmen and faculty, a sense of belonging among students and valuable mentoring opportunities. As communication-intensive experiences that emphasize speaking, writing, and critical thinking, the seminars provide skills central to learning at any level and excellent preparation for advanced courses. Here are some of the seminars that we have offered:

ET Call Home: The Search for Len KuhiExtraterrestrial Intelligence

This seminar reviews the history of searches for extraterrestrial intelligence, and discusses the astronomical background necessary to understand those searches, e.g., planetary formation, conditions for life, NASA exploration of the planets in our solar system, discovery of planets around other stars, odds for fi nding life elsewhere in our galaxy, diffi culties of space travel, present-day searches and successful searches based on the SETI Project. Students also read the book "Contact" by Carl Sagan and take a critical look at popular ET mythology such as prehistoric contacts, crop circles and UFOs.

Cosmic Impacts: Scars on the Earth Terry Jones

Particpants in this seminar explore the dangerous world of our solar system and discuss the answers to the following questions: What happens when a large object smashes into the Earth? Did a comet or asteroid kill off the dinorsaurs? What would happen to humanity in such a calamity?

Nothing Larry Rudnick

Just imagine a class where you study “nothing”! It doesn’t take much probing to realize that “nothing” is just about the richest source of ideas about how we and the Universe work. In this course, we study the nature of the vacuum (it’s not possible!), the intriguing history of the number zero, and the emergence of the entire universe out of nothing. Guest lecturers explore with the students the use of empty space in design, placebos as medical treatment, how blind people perceive the world, and the fascination with nothing found in King Lear. The students leave the course much enthralled and illuminated by absolutelynothing! Students in Larry Rudnick's "Nothing"

seminar experience hearing, speaking, and seeing nothing.

The Manicouagen impact in Canada as seen by the Space Shuttle.Photo courtesy of NASA

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy 5

At the January 2005 American Astronomical Society meeting in San Diego, Mike Kelley presented a poster on Comet Encke which orbits the sun every 3.3 years and has exhausted its supply of fi ne particles. It is now giving off larger particles the size of pea gravel. The comet is basically “Riding a Trail of its own Debris” as it orbits. Each October, the Earth passes through Encke’s dust trail, producing celestial fi reworks called the Taurid meteor shower.

Until recently, astronomers could only study comets that periodically came blazing into our solar system. But those comets are not representative of all comets. The Spitzer telescope

dramatically expands our research options by allowing us to see phenomena that the Hubble cannot, including comets that have been in a deep freeze for long periods of time. Once comets approach the solar systems, they are heated by solar radiation and begin to shed ice, gases and grains of rock. Comet debris also includes organic materials and water. By studying the infrared “signatures” of elements shed by a wide variety of comets, scientists will be able to determine how similar or dissimilar they are to those found on earth.

This image was captured by Spitzer’s multiband imaging photometer when Encke was 2.6 times farther away than Earth is from the Sun. It is the best yet mid-infrared view of the comet at this great distance. Images like this are helping astronomers understand how rotating comets eject particles as they circle the Sun. On a larger scale, they expand our picture of the universe as a whole.

Bob Gehrz named 2004 APS Fellow

Professor Robert Gehrz was named a 2004 Fellow of the American Physical Society. His citation reads:

"For major contributions to the understanding of the role of classical novae in the interstellar medium, and of the properites of grains and gas in comets, interstellar clouds and circumstellar winds."

See Bob's colorful biography and links to his publications at: www.astro.umn.edu/~gehrz/bio.html and gehrzpub.html.

Mike Kelley

Spitzer continued from cover

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy6

Len Kuhi Retires to Wine Country

Len Kuhi retired after teaching the Fall 2004 semester and is building a home in Cloverdale in the wine country of Sonoma County, California where he will live with his wife Mary Ellen, four dogs, and two horses. A farewell reception was held for Len at the Campus Club on November 17th and was well attended by University administrators and faculty. Following a nice reception and dinner, the evening featured a farewell speech by V. Rama Murthy, friend and fellow ex-VP for Academic Affairs, who made light of life in Morrill Hall. Then an exam committee took the stage to drill Len before he was allowed to retire. The panel consisted of: his wife Mary Ellen, development and home life expert, Ginny Olson, expert administrator, and Terry Jones, Bob Gehrz, and Chick Woodward, expert astronomers. Len was very quick to offer witty replies and he was "passed" unanimously by the assembled guests.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Len attended the University of Toronto and University of California, Berkeley, where he received a Ph.D. in Astronomy. He then started a brilliant career as a Professor at Berkeley, where he did research on T Tauri and Wolf-Rayet stars. In 1975 he became the Chairman of the Astronomy Department at Berkeley, then Dean of Physical Sciences in 1976, and fi nally, Provost and Dean of the College of Letters and Science from 1983-1989, before coming to Minnesota to be the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs under President Nils Hasselmo. After his tenure as VP, Len soon became Chair of the Astronomy Dept., which lasted until this fi scal year, when he turned the reins over to Larry Rudnick. While Chair, Len was actively involved on several faculty committees, including the Senate Research Committee, Faculty Consultative Committee, and the Senate Committee for Finance and Planning. He was also very active nationally, as Treasurer of the American Astronomical Society, Chair of the AURA Board of Directors, and a member of the AIP Board of Directors.

Len was an excellent teacher and more than willing to carry twice the load of other faculty, when necessary. A sampling of student quotes include, “His ability to present his knowledge in a language us 'non-astronomers' can understand, is commendable.” And “Good experience, great teacher, great guy.” He was also instrumental in fundraising, getting us the capital needed to buy into the LBT Telescope and advance our Department to another level. We will all miss him!

From left: Paul Kellogg, Chick Woodward, Len Kuhi and Bob Gehrz

From left: Ginny Olson, Mary Ellen Kuhi, Terry Jones, and Bob Gehrz, the "Exam" committee.

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy 7

Scientifi c Meetings

Scientifi c Meeting on Eta Carinae and the Fate of the MOST Massive Stars Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, May 23-28, 2004

Hosted by Professors Kris Davidson and Roberta Humphreys, the purpose of this meeting was to explore the behavior and characteristics of Eta Car and its related objects, the origin of their instabilities, the fi nal stages of

the most massive stars and their relation to hypernovae and GRB's. The conference brought together people working on the most massive stars with those studying the fi nal stages, SNe and GRBs. Partial support for the conference was provided by the National Science Foundation.

View from the LodgeMatt Gray, John Martin, and Michael Koppelman

Coming May 29th - June 2, 2005 to the Mpls. Hilton and Convention Center the 206th gathering of the

There will also be a full day topical session on "The Formation and Fate of Stardust," with an introductory plenary talk by UM Professor Chick Woodward and an opening plenary address on "Imaging Dark Matter with Gravitational Lensing" by UM Professor Liliya Williams.

and the next Karlis Kaufmanis Public Lecture

Preliminary information below. Stay tuned or check http://www.aas.org/meetings/aas206/ for more details as the meeting appproaches.

Design by J. Godhe and K. BukoskiDept. of Design, Housing and Apparel

Public Lecture

Dr. Porco has appeared on many TV programs and documentaries about exploration, including "Cosmic Jour-ney" on A&E, and "The Planets" on The Discovery Channel.

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Dr. Carolyn PorcoLeader of the ImagingTeam for the Cassini Mission to Saturn

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy8

Universe in the Park Evan Skillman received continuation funding through a NASA Education and Public Outreach Grant for “Universe in the Park.” The Program, coordinated by graduate student Gerald Ruch, sends representatives from the Department to one of four Minnesota State Parks to give a short public talk, followed by an observing session using portable telescopes. The talk includes a slide show and instructions on how to use a star map. Talks are scheduled on selected Friday and Saturday nights starting in July and ending in September. Details can be found at: www.astro.umn.edu/outreach/uitp/. Public TalksPublic Talks

Each year the Astronomy Department faculty and graduate students make over 60 public presentations on astronomy topics, mostly at Twin Cities public schools and to other organizations such as the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. The activities include observing with at Twin Cities public schools and to other organizations such as the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. The activities include observing with telescopes, slide presentations, hands-on experiments and can be tailored to specifi c topics like comets, planets, and constellations, as telescopes, slide presentations, hands-on experiments and can be tailored to specifi c topics like comets, planets, and constellations, as requested by the schools. Details can be found at: requested by the schools. Details can be found at: www.astro.umn.edu/outreach/presentations/.

Minnesota StarwatchMinnesota StarwatchMinnesota Starwatch is now available only in electronic format on our website at: www.astro.umn.edu/outreach/starwatch/.

Public ObservingPublic ObservingThe Astronomy Department offers public viewing with telescopes on the roof of the Tate Laboratory of Physics (116 Church Street

SE) every Friday night when classes are in session (the week of Labor Day through mid May) and the sky is at least 50% clear. There is no public observing during Winter Break (the three weeks following Christmas) and Spring Break (the week of March 14-18). Call is no public observing during Winter Break (the three weeks following Christmas) and Spring Break (the week of March 14-18). Call to check on the observing status before you come at: (612) 626-0034. Groups require advance reservations; call the Public Outreach to check on the observing status before you come at: (612) 626-0034. Groups require advance reservations; call the Public Outreach Coordinator at (612) 624-3859. Coordinator at (612) 624-3859.

Public Outreach

Many Thanks to our Donors!

This year, we received the fi rst installment of the $5 Million Challenge Grant for the LBT project from Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. and major endowments from Russell Penrose and James Earl, through the Helena Foundation, for the Russell Penrose and Edward P. Ney Graduate Student Fellowship funds, respectively. Especially in these times of drastic reductions in state support, we depend on the generosity of philanthropists such as these, as well as the hundreds of other friends, who support our work. With your help we sponsor exciting public programs, support talented graduate and undergraduate students, and participate in major new research projects such as the LBT. Below, we are pleased to acknowledge contributions of $50 or more, with contributions above $500 marked with an asterisk. For further information about giving opportunities, please contact Ginny Olson (612-624-4811, ginny@astro.umn.edu) or Larry Rudnick (612-624-3396, larry@astro.umn.edu).

Karlis Kaufmanis Public Lecture:Ken D. ForkeyBecky J.W. and Carl J. Glister Diane C. Hoey*Rita Kaufmanis William D. and Barbara M. Lindberg Teika Pakalns

Large Binocular Telescope:Hubbard Broadcasting*Jerry A. and Deborah J. HerbyDiane C. Hoey*John H. Lee

Astronomy Fund:Cherie A.L. Becchetti Cynthia Blaha Michele D. CooperJohn J. Felcyn Ralph L. Fiedler Christopher and Jennifer Johnson Kim R. Kuhlman William R. Leindecker Richard Matsuura Patricia A. Maynard Ellen Pobul Heidi L. Poxon Stanley P. Sagan Craig D. Skone Christopher M. SpringobCurtis J. StruckLawrence D. Trowbridge

Russell Penrose Fellowship:Russell Penrose*

Edward P. Ney Fellowship:The Helena Foundation*Carlos Avery Robert and Sue Gehrz*

Hazel V. Swanson Scholarship:Russel L. Funk

Minnesota Planetarium Update

See http://www.mplanetarium.org to support this critical project

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy 9

Michael Jacobs, Ph.D., December 2003. Thesis: “Hydrodynamic Convection in Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars.” Advisors: David Porter and Paul Woodward. Michael is now a Space Environments Scientist/Engineer for ITT Industries Space Systems Division. Andrew Young, Ph.D., January 2004. Thesis: "The Life Cycle of Radio Galaxies." Advisor: Lawrence Rudnick. Andrew is now an Assistant Professor at Kutztown University, Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Eric Hallman, Ph.D., August 2004. Thesis: “Simulations and Synthetic X-ray Observation of Cosmic Structure Formation.” Advisor: Thomas Jones. Eric is now a Research Associate at the Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, University of Colorado at Boulder. John Cannon, Ph.D., August 2004. Thesis: "Starbursts in Dwarf Galaxies: A Multiwavelength Case Study of NGC 625." Advisor: Evan Skillman. John is now a Postdoctoral Fellow at Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Heidelberg, Germany. Josh Nollenberg, Ph.D., August 2004. Thesis: “Galaxy-QSO Cross-Correlations: Weak Gravitational Lensing and Systematics." Advisor: Liliya Williams. Josh is now an Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of Saint Thomas. Tracey Delaney, Ph.D., August 2004. Thesis: "A Multiwavelength Study of Cassiopeia A and Kepler's Supernova Remnant." Advisor: Lawrence Rudnick. Tracey is now a Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Jared Bowden, M.S., May 2004. Thesis: "Analysis of Infrared and Radio Observations of the Supernova Remnant Cassiopeia A." Advisor: Lawrence Rudnick. Jared is now a Physics Instructor at Casper College, Casper, Wyoming.

New Graduate Students – 2004-2005:

Paul Edmon - B.S. Physics, University of Washington. Paul worked with the University of Washington Particle Astrophysics Group on a project called the Washington Area Large-Scale Time Coincidence Array (WALTA) and is now a TA for the 04-05 academic year. Jessica Ennis - B.S. Physics and Astrophysics, University of Maryland. Jessica worked with the Particle Astrophysics Research Group at the University of Maryland Physics Department, chiefl y working on the Milagro gamma-ray detector and worked with Larry Rudnick this past summer. She is now a TA for the 04-05 academic year. (cont. above right)

Awards:

Graduate Student News

Kristen McQuinn was awarded the I.T. William J. Feyder Graduate Fellowship. Peter Pearson was awarded a Graduate School Fellowship. Dan Wiesz was awarded the Russell Penrose Graduate Fellowship and a Graduate School Tuition Fellowship.

Ph.D/M.S. Degrees Awarded:

New Grads Continued...

Robert Halvorsen - B.S. Physics and Mathematics, Texas Tech. University. Robert (Blair) focused on cosmology, gravitation, and general relativity while at Texas Tech. and worked with Liliya Williams this

past summer. He is now a TA for the 04-05 academic year. Lorren Helton - B.S. Art, Physics, and Astronomy, University of Iowa. Lorren (Andrew) studied extragalactic radio sources using the VLBA at the University of Iowa and has now joined the IR group at Minnesota and is working as a TA during the academic year. Kristen McQuinn M.S. Astronomy, Boston University, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Lehigh University. Kristen (Kristy) worked as a research assistant at BU studying radio observations of the interstellar medium in the Milky Way Galaxy and prior to that, worked for nine years in business. She was awarded the I.T. Fellowship for this year and has been working with the IR Group. Tea Temim - B.S. Astrophysics

and Physics, University of Minnesota. As an undergraduate, Tea worked as a TA in the department and also with Bob Gehrz on the SIRTF GTO Program. She was admitted for Spring 2004, working as a Graduate TA for

the department. Since then, she has worked for the IR Group. Dan Weisz - B.A. & A.B., Physics and Astronomy, University of California at Berkeley. Dan worked for four years under the guidance of Alex Filippenko and the Lick Observatory Supernovae Search (LOSS) Group. He was awarded the Russell Penrose Graduate Fellowship for this year and also received a Graduate School Tuition Fellowship. He is currently working with Evan Skillman and worked as a part-time TA in the Fall.

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy10

Kris Davidson and Roberta Humphreys hosted a Scientifi c Meeting on The Fate of the MOST Massive Stars which took place in the Grand Tetons, May 23-28, 2004. John Dickey was awarded the Charles E. Bowers Faculty Teaching Award. John also received a renewal of his NSF grant for his research on the Milky Way. John is currently on leave and working at the University of Tasmania. Bob Gehrz was named a 2004 Fellow of the American Astronomical Society. Bob also received an I.T. Professor of the Year Award in Astrophysics for 2003-04 which was awarded by the I.T. Student Board. Bob and Chick Woodward received a fi ve year contract from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to support Phase E of the SIRTF GTO (Spitzer) operations. Bob Gehrz, Larry Rudnick, Evan Skillman, and Chick Woodward all received Cycle 1 SPITZER grants for observations and data analysis. Roberta Humphreys and Terry Jones received a grant from the Space Telescope Science Institute on "The 3D Morphology of the Extreme Red Supergiant VY CMa." Larry Rudnick was awarded the George Taylor Distinguished Service Award for his involvement in the Minneapolis Planetarium Society and the ScienceWorks project with the Minneapolis Public Schools. Larry is also busy acting as Chair for 2004-05.

Larry Rudnick was awarded a Chandra grant from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and a companion Education/Public Outreach grant along with Evan Skillman for the production of a video called "Rumplestiltskin's Starry Secret." Evan Skillman received grants from NASA, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the Space Telescope Science Institute to support his research on dwarf galaxies. Chick Woodward was promoted to Full Professor. Besides his Spitzer support, Chick also received a grant from NASA Ames Research Center for his comet research and another grant from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for his work on Chandra that he is doing with Bob Gehrz. Paul Woodward was awarded an NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program grant for the project, “Development of a System for Interactive Analysis and Visualization of Multi-Terabyte Datasets." Paul also received a renewal contract from Los Alamos National Laboratory to support "Collaborative Investigation of Hydrodynamic Techniques for Use in the RAGE AMR Code, with Applications in Astrophysics."

Visiting Scholars

Robbie Dohm-Palmer, Visiting Assistant Professor to teach Astronomy 1001 Fall Semester 2004.

Faculty/Staff Changes New Hires: Eric Barnes, Research Associate. Eric is working with Liliya Williams on the NSF grant she was awarded for her work on gravitational lensing. Corinne Komor, Student Secretary. Zachary Drew, Systems Manager.

Departures: Ben Allen, Info Tech. Professional, LCSE. Ben is now working for OIT - Security for the Univ. of MN. Sarah Anderson, Info Tech. Professional, LCSE took a job with Unisys. Len Kuhi retired and is building a home in Sonoma, California. He stays active working with the Dept. on the Telescope Project and Outreach. Tracie Kelley, Student Secretary. Tracie is devoting herself to her studies full-time. She will be getting married in June 2005. Garrett Kuchta, Systems Administrator.

Faculty and Staff News

Joseph Buckman-Ellis received a 2003-04 Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) grant for the project entitled, "Near-Infrared Polarimetry of the 116P/WH04 Comet." Sponsor: Terry Jones. Matt Bartkowicz received a 2004-05 UROP grant for the project entitled, "Analysis of Spitzer Images of Crab Nebula." Sponsor: Robert Gehrz Allen Eastlund received a 2004-05 UROP grant for the project entitled, "Dark Matter Halos, Real Galaxies and Strong Gravitational Lensing." Sponsor: Liliya Williams. John Kostrewski received a 2004-05 UROP grant for the project entitled, "SpitzerObservations of Classical Novae." Sponsor: Robert Gehrz. Michael Busch was awarded the 2004-05 Hazel V. Swanson Astrophysics Scholarship. Michael is interested in radio astronomy and magnetospheric physics. He is currently a TA for the department. Adam Dally was awarded one of the two LaVerne and Ted Jones Astrophysics Scholar-ships. Adam was secretary of the I.T. Student Board and a writer for Technolog. He works for Bob Gehrz in the IR Lab. Jacob Haqq-Misra was also awarded a LaVerne and Ted Jones Astrophysics Schol-arship. Jacob has worked with Prof. Shaul Hanany on his MAXIMA/MAXIPOL Balloon projects and is currently a TA in the department.

Undergrad News

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy 11

Dale and Eva

Kris Davidson John M. Dickey (on leave) Robert D. Gehrz Roberta M. Humphreys, Assoc. Dean I.T. Terry J. Jones, Dir. Undergrad. Studies Thomas W. Jones Leonard V. Kuhi (retired Jan. 05) Lawrence Rudnick (Interim Chair) Evan Skillman, Dir. Graduate Studies Liliya L.R. Williams Charles E. (Chick) Woodward Paul R. Woodward

Dain KavarsMichael KelleyKristen McQuinnMichael MilliganSean O'NeillEd RhoadsPaul RobinsonGerald RuchSimon Strasser

Support StaffZachary Drew, Systems ManagerTerry L.T. Foley, Executive AssistantCorinne Komor, Student SecretaryAllen Knutson, Electronic Mech. SpecialistVirginia (Ginny) Olson, Assistant to the ChairIona Quesnell, Temp Asst. to Dir. LCSE

Research AssociatesEric BarnesB. Kevin Edgar, LCSEHenry LeeJohn MartinElisha PolomskiDavid Porter, LCSE (Sr.)

Visiting FacultyRobbie Dohm-PalmerGraduate Students

Crystal AustinKisha DeLainPaul EdmonJessica EnnisRobert HalvorsenLoren HeltonClayton Hogen-ChinDale Jackson

Adjunct FacultyHoward French (Honeywell)Kim Venn (Macalester)

Department of Astronomy, 2004-2005Faculty

Tea TemimDaniel Weisz

M i n n e s o t a A s t r o n o m y R e v i e w • C o m p i l e d a n d e d i t e d b y G i n n y O l s o n

Astrophysics Graduate Facultyfrom the Physics DepartmentCynthia CattellMichael DuVernoisShaul HananyRobert LysakKeith OliveRobert PepinYong-Zhong QianJake Waddington, EmeritusJohn Wygant

Six Consecutive Conjunctions!There were six graduate student weddings in six months last year in the Dept:

Jared Bowden married Jennifer on June 5, 2004. John Cannon married Vanessa on June 25, 2004. Kisha Delain married Charles on June 26, 2004. Clay Hogen-Chin married Ruby Chin on May 21, 2004 Dale Jackson married Eva on May 29, 2004. Dain Kavars married Amanda on October 2, 2004.

Dale and Eva

Dain and Amanda John and Vanessa

Sketch by Wes Stone

University of Minnesota Department of Astronomy12

Change Service RequestedThe opinions expressed in this newsletter do notnecessarily refl ect the offi cial policies of the Board of Regents or the University Administration

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status,

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