If you missed this event,  you can see a recording at:

This lecture ("Schrödinger's Alarming Phenomenon") was recorded on October 22, 2020 as part of the UofSC Department of Physics and Astronomy's weekly colloquium series.

Dr. Rocky Kolb is the Arthur Holly Compton Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago (Chicago, IL) as well as the Director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics.

Abstract: The big bang is a laboratory to explore the properties of particles that cannot be created in terrestrial laboratories. In addition to thermal processes, there is another source of cosmological particle production. In 1939, Erwin Schrödinger pointed out that particle-antiparticle pairs could be created merely by the violent expansion of space. The spontaneous appearance of particles from the vacuum so disturbed Schrödinger that he referred to it as an "alarming" phenomenon. The phenomenon is now thought to be the origin of density fluctuations produced in inflation as well as a background of gravitational waves. Gravitational particle production is a rich phenomenon, which continues to be explored.

If you missed this event, it is now on YouTube. 

Link is at the bottom.

This event was sponsored by the University of SC.

Dr. Mario Livio is an internationally known astrophysicist, best-selling author, and popular speaker. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

​Dr. Livio has published more than 400 scientific articles. He has made significant theoretical contributions to topics ranging from cosmology, supernova explosions, and black holes to extrasolar planets and the emergence of life in the universe. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his research, including having been selected as the “Carnegie Centenary Professor” by the universities of Scotland in 2003, and as the “Danz Distinguished Lecturer” by the University of Washington in 2006.

Dr. Livio is also the author of seven popular science books. His bestselling book The Golden Ratio won him the Peano Prize in 2003 and the International Pythagoras Prize in 2004, as the best popular book on mathematics. His book Is God A Mathematician? inspired the NOVA program “The Great Math Mystery,” which was nominated for an EMMY in 2016. His book Brilliant Blunders was selected by The Washington Post as one of the Notable Books of 2013. His book Galileo and the Science Deniers appeared in May 2020.

Dr. Livio appears frequently in the media, including “The Daily Show,” “60 Minutes,” and multiple NOVA programs, as well as numerous radio programs such as “Science Friday,” “All Things Considered,” “On Being,” and “Studio 360."

During the past three decades he has given hundreds of talks across the globe at venues ranging from the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and the Hayden Planetarium in New York, to the Royal Astronomical Society in London, Tel Aviv University, TEDx Mid-Atlantic in Washington DC, the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Ciudad de las Ideas in Mexico, and the Berlin Planetarium. He has been a regular speaker at the World Science Festival in New York, and was selected five times as one of the “Nifty Fifty” scientists by the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington DC. He is also Science Advisor to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and has presented science-related topics in a number of their concerts. He has collaborated with composer Paola Prestini in the creation of the “Hubble Cantata,” which was inspired by Hubble images and discoveries.

 Click here to watch

(This is a great opportunity to jojn with U of SC Physics and Astronomy students and faculty for current topics and research)

For those who may not know,  the department also offers a colloquium series on select Thursday afternoons at 4:15 pm EDT during the Fall and Spring semesters. 

Our colloquia feature speakers from both U of SC and other institutions around the world. This semester, our colloquia are being held virtually on Zoom, which may allow some to attend that could not typically participate in past face-to-face Thursday talks.

To be added to our colloquia email list (in addition to our separate public lectures and special events list), please reply to Sam Beals at  beals@mailbox.sc.edu.  I will send the Zoom meeting infomation each Thurday morning

For more information on our colloquia, feel free to visit this website.  

Sam Beals -  Student Services Coordinator

beals@mailbox.sc.edu

803-777-8105
Department of Physics and Astronomy
College of Arts and Sciences
University of South Carolina

Club Members

Hello and we hope you are all doing well.  At our last board meeting we discussed the annual Christmas Party.  Although this has been a tradition for many years and participation has always been very good, the board decided unanimously not to have a Christmas Party this year.  With the safety of all club members we felt this was the right thing to do.   

We have a few loaner scopes that are in need of use.  We have an awesome 10" Meade LXD75 Newtonian that needs a home.  If you want to borrow this scope or any of the ones on the web page, by all means let one of the Board members know.  We will provide training on how to use them as well.   This is a great opportunity to try a larger more sophisticated scope before purchasing a new one. 

President

Bill Michaud

https://www.sciencealert.com/watch-hubble-s-incredible-timelapse-of-an-exploding-star

Over the next week, we will have many great opportunities to observe (or photograph) the International Space Station. Highest altitude passes are in bold. The cooler weather also seems to be bringing in some clear skies, which means our chances of seeing the ISS are greatly improved from over the summer. We also have the Spot The Station widget on the main page for the daily passes. If you have any questions about observing or photographing the ISS, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. - Josh

In response to the fantastic presentation given by Dr. Ludovic Ferrière, we have added a new site page featuring Dr. Ferrière, the Natural History Museum of Vienna, and the opportunities for Citizen Science. In the coming weeks, Dr. Ferrière has graciously offered to provide additional information about South Carolina meteorites in his collection. Stay tuned! Until then, enjoy the new page, the video recording of his tour, and consider helping with the hunt for meteorites through citizen science or direct financial support. 

https://moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night/about/overview/#:~:text=International%20Observe%20the%20Moon%20Night%20occurs%20annually%20in%20September%20or,great%20phase%20for%20evening%20observing.

International Observe the Moon Night is a time to come together with fellow Moon enthusiasts and curious people worldwide. Everyone on Earth is invited to learn about lunar science and exploration, take part in celestial observations, and honor cultural and personal connections to the Moon. Note that we encourage you to interpret “observe” broadly.

International Observe the Moon Night occurs annually in September or October, when the Moon is around first quarter ― a great phase for evening observing. Furthermore, a first-quarter Moon offers excellent viewing opportunities along the terminator (the line between night and day), where shadows enhance the Moon’s cratered landscape.

You can join International Observe the Moon Night from wherever you are. Attend or host a virtual or in-person event, or observe the Moon from home. Connect with fellow lunar enthusiasts around the world through our Facebook page, #ObserveTheMoon on your preferred social media platform, and join the International Observe the Moon Night Flickr group. Outdoors, at home, online, or wherever you may be, we’re glad to have you with us. However you choose to observe, please follow local guidelines on health and safety.

See the link below to hunt for meteorite impact craters from home.

https://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/en/research/mineralogy__petrography/be_a_part/vigie_cratere