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From Sound Waves to Microwaves: "Listening" to the Oldest
Light of the Universe with the Planck Mission
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This Web Seminar took place on December 16, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Time. Presenting was
Dr. Jatila van der Veen, visiting Project Scientist
at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In this Seminar Dr. van der Veen
discussed the Planck telescope mission and the ways that music can help uncover
the secrets of the Universe.
This was the third of four Web Seminars sponsored by NASA promoting the International
Year of Astronomy. In this program, Dr. van der Veen talked about the observations
of the Planck telescope and the role of music in understanding and interpreting
the Universe. She also discussed Dark Matter, Dark Energy and the shape of the Universe.
In addition, Dr. van der Veen presented a number of resources and tools for teachers
to use in the classroom.
Thirty-eight (38) participants were present at the live Web Seminar in addition
to the presenter and NSTA staff. Participating educators represented the states
of California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey,
New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Three participants attended the Web Seminar from countries outside the United States:
Brazil, Qatar, and Romania.
Seminar participants received one of the NSTA SciGuides. A certificate of attendance
was deposited into participants My PD Record and Certificates area in the NSTA Learning
Center for completing the evaluation form at the end of the program.
Here are some comments provided by the participants at the end of the Web Seminar:
- “As an informal educator with the Amateur Astronomers Assoc. of Pittsburgh
and as a Night Sky Network Coordinator for the same, I have occasion to teach about
the CMB. This introduction to Plank fits nicely with the WMAP info. Well done.”
- “It gives useful information to help students understand the Big Bang
and why scientists think it occurred.”
- “I teach about the CMB in class and this has given me some more background
on it and resources that I can use to help my students understand.”
- “I like the higher end physic concepts presented. It gives me ideas how
to present them more to students.”
Thanks to the participants and the presenter for the learning opportunity, the interactions,
and a job well done!
Websites
See when other
NASA Web Seminars are scheduled.
For more information contact webseminars@nsta.org
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Underwritten in part by NASA
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