Berkeley astronomer to give 2 lectures
Planet-hunter Geoffrey Marcy, an astronomer at the University of California Berkeley, will present his experiences and findings during his career-long hunt for solar systems and life common to Earth this week as part of the Patten Lecture Series. Marcy will lecture on "Planets, Yellowstone and Prospects for Life in the Universe" at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Rawles Hall 100 and on "Hunting for Solar Systems with Earth-like Planets" on at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14, also in Rawles Hall 100.\nMarcy joins over 160 academics and scholars who have spoken during the Pattern lecture Series since its inception in 1937. Patten lectures have included speeches by writers Jorge Luis Borges and Toni Morrison, the linguist Noam Chomsky and the Nobel Peace Laureate Oscar Arias.\nThe Patten lectures began when William T. Patten willed his entire estate to IU in 1931 "for the sole purpose of bringing to Indiana University, a succession of persons ... of high distinction in some field of learning, or art." Patten lecturers have now represented more than 50 academic departments and programs in the program's 67-year span.
Salts on Mars provide more proof of water\nGeologists at IU and Los Alamos National Laboratory believe that epsom-like salts found on the surface of Mars may contain a great deal of water, as under conditions on the red planet, magnesium sulfates can contain a lot of water. Their report published in last week's Nature, co-authored by David Bish, IU's Haydn Murray Chair of applied clay mineralogy, stated that the salts may also provide a sort of chemical record of water on Mars.\nThe scientists also warn that magnesium sulfate salts are extremely sensitive to changes in temperature, pressure and humidity, so study of the salts on Earth is out of the question.\nIn order to further this study, the researchers hope to equip a Martian rover with an X-ray diffractometer, an instrument which could examine and measure the presence of salts. A miniaturized version of this diffractometer is currently being developed by Bish and collaborators from NASA Ames and Los Alamos for this purpose.
'Bioneers' pioneer 15th environmental conference\nThe 15th annual Bioneers (biological pioneers) conference commences this Friday in San Rafael, Calif., as well as IU, lasting through the weekend. The 2004 theme is sustainability, and the "bioneers" speaking are people considered problem-solvers, looking specifically at environmental and social challenges.\nIU is one of the 15 hubs broadcasting via satellite 10 of the plenary speakers of the conference, all of which can be seen and heard in Ballantine Hall, 013 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Speakers range from John Mohawk, a Turtle Clan Seneca and professor of American Studies at State University of New York Buffalo to Amy Goodman, the producer and host of "Democracy Now!" on Pacifica Radio and many others.\nKeynote addresses will be given on at 7:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday night in Ballantine 013. Mayor Mark Kruzan will speak Friday on "Sustaining Sustainability," while English professor and author Scott Russell Sanders will describe "Why Love this Place?" Saturday.\nFor more information on Bloomington's Bioneers event, contact David Haberman at dhaberma@indiana.edu.
2004 Health Fair this Saturday
"Health Fair 2004" is scheduled for Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bloomington Sportsplex, at 1700 W. Bloomfield Rd. Attendees of the fair, which has free admission, can get free screenings for health problems or issues, tips for healthy living, and prizes. \nFor more information, contact the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce at 336-6381.
