The stork visited David (2009) and Juliet on January 4, 2010, and delivered baby Leo Alexander at 3:40p.m. MST. Vitals: 6 lb, 11 oz, 20 inch. David and Juliet are now living in Boulder, where David is a research scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder. He studies planetary dynamics. Best wishes to the Minton family from everyone at LPL!
Guy Consolmagno (1978) appeared on the Colbert Report in a segment title "Gold, Frankincense and Mars" (Tuesday, December 1, 2009). He more than holds his own with Colbert while explaining why the Vatican accepts the possibility of alien life. Guy Consolmagno is curator of the Vatican meteorite collection His latest book is "God's Mechanics: How Scientists and Engineers Make Sense of Religion."
See the clip on Comedy Central.
Congratulations to John (PTYS graduate student) and Laura Weirich, who became first-time parents with the birth of their son Hugh Bernard Weirich! Hugh was born on January 29, 2010, at 5:12p.m. Vital stats: 8lbs. 4oz, 19 inches. Best wishes to the Weirich family!
Kudos to Jonathan Lunine, who was awarded the International Academy of Astronautics' 2009 Basic Science Award. This award is given annually for outstanding achievement in basic science. Previous recipients include Robert Wilson, Roger Bonnet, Rashid Sunyaev, and Lennard Fisk. Information about the award is available on the International Academy of Astronautics site. Congratulations, Jonathan!
Congratulations to Professor Renu Malhotra, who has been named a 2010 College of Science Galileo Circle Fellow, one of the highest honors bestowed upon faculty in the College of Science.
These awards, established through the generosity of Galileo Circle members, recognize outstanding accomplishments in academic scholarship. Each Fellow receives $5,000 and lifetime membership in the Galileo Circle.
Galileo Circle Fellows are the epitome of the academic scholar, with a deep understanding over a broad range of science, a willingness to think in a truly interdisciplinary way, and an ability to inspire colleagues and students alike.
Dr. Malhotra's research is directed towards understanding planetary systems. Her research topics include the Kuiper Belt, the bombardment history of the planets, the formation and evolution of our solar system and other planetary systems, and the astronomical conditions for habitable planets. One of her earliest theories explained Pluto's peculiar orbit, something that had puzzled scientists since the planet's discovery. The idea of planet migration introduced in that work is now widely accepted in solar system studies. In 2001, Dr. Malhotra and her collaborators discovered what is now recognized as the edge of the primordial solar system. Dr. Malhotra also makes time to share her passion for science through numerous public outreach activities.
Marcia Neugebauer, LPL Adjunct Research Scientist, has received not one, but two prestigious awards. She is the recipient of the 2010 Arctowski Medal, a distinguished award presented by the National Academy of Sciences to honor outstanding contributions to the study of solar physics and solar-terrestrial relationships. This prestigious medal also comes with a cash prize and a designated amount of institutional research support. Dr. Neugebauer is also the recipient of the Hale Prize of the Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society, awarded for outstanding contributions to the field of solar astronomy.
Marcia has been the recipient of many awards throughout her distinguished career. In 2005, Marcia was named by the AGU as recipient of the 2004 Kaula award; the AGU citation for that award reads: "Marcia Neugebauer is one of the pioneers of the Space Age. She started work at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in June 1956 and contributed directly to the first identification and studies of the solar wind using some of the first space missions. Later Marcia brought her enthusiasm, thoroughness, and broad impact to the American Geophysical Union, including working for the AGU publications program as editor-in-chief of Reviews of Geophysics and then serving as president of the AGU."
Please join us in congratulating Marcia Neugebauer on being selected as the 2010 recipient of both the National Academy of Sciences' Arctowski Medal and the AAS Solar Physics Division Hale Prize.
More information about Dr. Neugebauer and her career is available on UA News.
Congratulations, Marcia!
On November 11, 2009, LPL hosted a symposium to honor the scientific achievements, and 70th birthday, of our very own Regents' Professor Randy Jokipii. About 30 scientists, including Randy's past postdocs, students, and colleagues attended the event, which was held in Kuiper 308. In attendance were several members of the National Academy of Science, including Eugene Parker, Ed Stone, Len Fisk, George Gloeckler, and Frank McDonald (and, of course, Randy). There were 20 stimulating science talks covering a range of topics that Randy has been involved with through his career. After the symposium, a banquet was held at El Charro cafe in downtown Tucson. The banquet was highlighted by a number of humorous post-dinner talks in the cozy outdoor patio of the restaurant.
Melvin J. Simmons passed away on January 16, 2010. He was 87. Mr. Simmons was the Assistant Director at LPL for 20+ years; he retired in 1987. He was primarily responsible for the fiscal management of all departmental resources, including state and federal monies. After his retirement, he continued to prepare income taxes for many past and present LPL employees. He was married to Emily (Tompkinson) for 65 years. His children include Kent, Gary, Todd, and Carl Simmons, Rena Hoefferle, Julie Givens, and Jackie June Graber. He had 27 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
The Kuiper Space Sciences undergraduate classroom (308) was the site of LPL's first (we think) marriage proposal. Two undergraduate students who met in Tim Swindle's NATS course several years ago became engaged when the prospective groom surprised his fiancee with a proposal in 308. Thanks to Uwe Fink for coming in on a Saturday to facilitate the surprise!
On Saturday, January 30, 2010, LPL hosted the Arizona Meteorite Exhibition. This free public outreach event brought together meteorite hunters, collectors, and enthusiasts as part of an educational exhibition of the largest collection of Arizona meteorites ever gathered in one place. The goal was to exhibit at least one piece of every Arizona meteorite, with the help of statewide institutional partners and many private individuals. Among the items on display were specimens from the two observed and recovered Arizona meteorite falls: the Holbrook fall (1912) and the recent Whetstone Mountains fall (June 23, 2009).
Melinda Hutson (1996) traveled to Tucson for the event, bringing several Arizona meteorite samples that she had classified. Melinda and Alex Ruzicka (1996) run the
Cascadia Meteorite Laboratory at Portland State University. Anna Spitz (1991) attended the exhibition to represent science outreach and education available through Biosphere 2 and the Mt. Lemmon Sky Center.
Dolores Hill (Senior Research Specialist and Maria Schuchardt (Program Coordinator Senior) organized the exhibition, which also featured lectures by Ed Beshore and Dante Lauretta. We estimate that approximately 350 guests came through the Kuiper building to learn about meteorites and LPL's work in that field. Dyer Lytle has made available some of his photos of the event.
Thanks to Dolores and Maria for all of their excellent work in putting together the exhibition!
