Photos

TIP @ PARI day 1

Welcome to the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute! Students from Duke University's Talent Identification Program have arrived. Today's schedule included move-in, a tour, PARI & TIP rules, and game night (one of many). Enjoy the photos!

TIP @ PARI day 2

Today we began with an overview of PARI and its history. We then visited the Starlab Planetarian (an inflatable silver dome where images can be projected); we observed the movement of stars across the sky. We also looked at the Milky Way galaxy and located the sun within it. Finally, we discussed galactic coordinates. Back in the classroom, we further discussed coordinates and how astrono mers use them to locate stellar objects. After lunch we hit the town of Brevard to pick up some "necessities" like a pinata and ingredients for chocolate chip cookie. In the evening, we were able to view the night sky with a variety of optical telescopes.

TIP @ PARI day 3

Today's class began with a further discussion of the nature of light and continued with a lesson on stellar astronomy. The information packed day continued after lunch with a presentation about how optical and radio telescopes work, and how they are used by astronomers. Finally the day wrapped with a lecture about astrobiology, which will be explored in further detail next week when students present current astrobiology research and events. We walked/ rode up to the optical ridge (above the main "campus") for a view of PARI from the top. The day ended with an evening of games and home- made cookies.

TIP @ PARI day 4

Happy Father's Day! Today we slept in and then headed out for a hike at DuPont State Park. We saw (but did not swin) several beautiful waterfalls plus one strange man with his bird. Dr. Castelaz talked about galatic astronomy and we continued brainstorming about possible research topics.

TIP @ Pari day 5

Today started the first of several days of student presentations about astrobiology. After the presentations, we headed off the "Rock" to Headwaters Outfitters to canoe the French Broad River. Some of us had immediate success paddling, while others of us enjoyed a long look at the river (that should have been) behind us. Still others got up close and personal with the flora and fauna along the river bank, while others dug/ pushed/ shoved/ got- out- of- the- canoe to get un-stuck from shallow parts of the river. Eventually, we all made it back to solid ground with (almost) all of us in one piece.

TIP @ PARI day 6

Today began with the "nuts and bolts" (to quote Dr. Castelaz) of operating the radio telescopes. Students learned about the software and procedures used to move the 26 meter radio telescopes. Jamie and Kristina followed with their astrobiology presentations. After lunch, Dr. Chris Brown from NC State gave a talk about the effects of a space environment on biology, such as plants or the human body, and what essentials are needed for humans to travel or live in space. Dr. Blake instructed the students on the operation of the optical telescopes. Students will be using both the optical and radio telescopes to complete their research projects. For dinner, we hit the town of Brevard and the Twin Dragons Chinese Buffet. Our TA Art (and several others) definately got their money's worth.

TIP @ PARI day 7

Today students continued working in their research groups. Research topics include pulsars/ supernova remnants, black holes, the Sun, the habitable zone of the Milky Way galaxy, gravitational lenses/ quasars, and dark matter. Student astrobiology presentations by Danya, Will, Caitlin, and Indy followed. After lunch Dr. Mercedes Lopez- Morales of the Carnegie Institute in Washington, presented a soon- to- be- published paper about substellar companions to white dwarfs. Students continued to finalize their research plans. The dedicated few played soccor in the rain (which was one of the reasons for my blurry pictures). Dr. Mel Blake gave a presentation about light pollution and we observed the International Space Station streak across the sky.

TIP @ PARI day 8

A member of each research group reported on their progress this morning. Dr. Mel Blake gave them additional suggestions and direction for each project. Kati, David, Sarai, and Anna presented current happenings in astrobiology. After lunch, Dr. Paul Butler of the Carnegie Institute in Washington gave a talk about extra- solar planets (planets outside of our solar system). Dr. Castelaz introduced extragalactic astronomy and how a galaxy might form. Throughout the day students continued to work on their research projects, several groups used the different telescopes available at PARI. The day ended with observations (optical & radio), research, games, & cookies (homemade chocolate chip).

TIP @ PARI day 9

Students began the day focused on their research projects: what had been successful, what needed to be altered, and what needed to be completed. After each group had some time to work on their research, Connor, Kyle, and Micheal presented their astrobiology findings. After lunch, Don Cline, president of the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, gave a talk about meteorites. Mr. Cline even had a meteorite from Mars (cool!). After dinner (or supper for those of you from North Carolina), Dr. PM Janiczek gave a presentation about celestial mechanics. Students continue to complete the first portion of data collection for their research projects.

TIP@ PARI day 10

Today started with a focus on research and observations. Our schedule juggled to make room for different groups' time on the telescopes. We also finalized the production of our TIP/ PARI tshirts which was designed by TA Susan. After lunch, Dr. David Moffett from Furman University (wahooo-- I am a little biased. . .) presented information about supernovae, specifically a supernova that is celebrating its 1000th birthday this year. Ashwin, Anna Ruth, and Rebekkah gave their astrobiology presentations. Dr. Mel Blake spoke on cosmology or how the universe began and may end. More research work was done by all. We wrapped the evening off with a trip to Brevard for ice cream.

TIP @ PARI: day 11

Ahhh Sunday! We slept in a little and prepared to go hiking on Mount Pisgah. However, due the rain and thunderstorms, we remained at PARI. David & Michael overcame technical difficulties to give their astrobiology presentation about the rovers on Mars. This afternoon students reviewed their first set of data and prepared for their second set of observations. Jordan (your's truly with help from Art) gave a presentation about giving presentations and one about writing scientific papers. Students began work on their presentations and research papers. If the sky clears after the storm, we will continue with observations this evening; if not, we plan to watch The Princess Bride (which Art assures us is a TIP classic). We are a little lean on pictures today, but the presentation schedule is posted for those of you able to attend.

TIP @ PARI: day 12

The end is near! The weather is not cooperating! Like our hike yesterday, our planned fishing trip was canceled due to the rain (although Dr. Castelaz says that rain is great for fishing). Today focused on wrapping up data gathering and analysis--although some groups will collect data tonight, too-- so that tomorrow can be spend putting together research papers and presentations. Dr. Meriwether from Clemson presented some of his research related to aeronomy and the instruments he (and his research team) have refurbished and modified. After two long working days, we ended the day with brownies, hot cocoa, and games (Bowl of Nouns is a favorite).

TIP @ PARI: day 13

Tomorrow is the big day! Students will be presenting their research findings (I will post the schedule again, too). Today is a day of finishing things up, and preparing to submit papers and to give presentations. To take a break from our work, we watched a presentation by Dr. Brian Dennison of the University of North Carolina at Asheville about his work to create an interferometer at PARI-- connecting the two 26 meter radio telescopes into a single instrument. Since our outings have been canceled due to weather (today-- of course-- is beautiful), we are "getting off the rock" tonight to have dinner in town.

TIP @ PARI: day 14

Our last day "on the rock"! Students practiced a little more and put the final touches on their presentations. After lunch the presentations began! Unfortunatly, not all of the pictures were clear enough to post (sorry Micheal, David, & Ashwin). After a cook out dinner, we took some hits at "Smiley" (at least our version) and then watched Pirates of the Caribbean. We've had some good times and (hopefully) learned a lot. Safe travels home!