Investigation 4, Part 6 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 07:08:54 GMT

The Chandra Astrophysics Institute is an opportunity for students in grades 9-11 from a wide range of academic backgrounds to train for and undertake astronomy projects. The students are mentored by MIT scientists and use observations from the Chandra X-Ray space telescope.

Reaching the goal of the Star Trek replicator

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:30:45 GMT

Neil Gershenfeld is director of MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms

Take a Ride on the Centrifuge

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:31:20 GMT

This video uses Man-Vehicle Lab's human centrifuge to discuss centripetal force and countermeasures for astronaut bone and muscle loss in space.

Rocket Science!

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:31:23 GMT

Ever want to know what it's like to be a rocket scientist? Learn some of the basics of rockets to impress your friends.

Close Approach to Earth by Asteroid 2012 KT42

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:19:21 GMT

The May 29 near-miss by the object catalogued as “2012 KT42” was the sixth closest asteroid encounter on record, and triggered a preplanned “Rapid Response Program."

2012 Pappalardo Fellowships in Physics Symposium - Dr. Simona Vegetti

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:30:12 GMT

"Testing Galaxy Formation Models at the Small Scales," Dr. Simona Vegetti, 2010–13 Pappalardo Fellow (Experimental Astrophysics

Mapping the Moon's Shackleton Crater

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 17:30:10 GMT

Scientists from MIT, Brown University, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and other institutions have mapped the moon's Shackleton crater with unprecedented detail, and found possible evidence for small amounts of ice on the crater's floor.

MIT Physics Symposium: The Pappalardo Fellowships in Physics

Tue, 29 May 2012 17:30:10 GMT

The 11th Annual Pappalardo Fellowships
in Physics Symposium

FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012

2:00 - 5:00 PM

MIT Department of Physics
Pappalardo Community Room
Building 4, Room 349
Cambridge, MA

Five members of the Department's premier postdoctoral fellowship program, the Pappalardo Fellowships in Physics, present highlights from their independent research projects. All talks are designed for the enjoyment of the general MIT community.

Laura Lopez (Experimental Astrophysics)
Karen Michaeli (Hard Condensed Matter Theory)
Silviu Pufu (String Theory)
Joshua Spitz (Experimental Neutrino Physics)
Simona Vegetti (Theoretical Astrophysics)

Mysterious electron acceleration explained

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:30:06 GMT

A mysterious phenomenon detected by space probes has finally been explained, thanks to a massive computer simulation that was able to precisely align with details of the spacecraft observations.

Space Shuttle Endeavour Lifts Off

Tue, 17 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT

The youngest of the space shuttles blasted off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida at 8:56 AM EDT on May 16. It is headed to the International Space Station for its final 16-day mission.

Celebrating Science and Engineering Breakthroughs III

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 04:00:00 GMT

03/29/2011 10:30 AM KresgeSallie Chisholm, Lee and Geraldine Martin Professor of Environmental Studies and Professor of Biology, MIT; Regina Barzilay, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT:; Anette Hosoi, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, MIT; Nergis Mavalvala, PhD '97, Professor of Physics, MITDescription: Although these three speakers travel in quite disparate worlds -- natural language processing, mechanics of tiny organisms, and violent cosmic events -- they convey a comparably infectious enthusiasm for their research. In the early days of artificial intelligence, "people had the na've idea that if you took a computer, and fed it with enough human knowledge, it could eventually understand human language," relates Regina Barzilay. In the 1990s, after this "spectacular failure" in methodology, a new approach evolved: training a machine to infer knowledge from piles of data. Some successes are already in evidence (IBM's chess" and Jeopardy"playing programs). Barzilay wants to move this learning further, toward "grounding interpretation of language in the real world." She describes algorithms that could take over the often exasperating grunt work of installing new Windows software on computers, by reading common instructions and executing the actions. Her system learns to map words with increasing accuracy by using feedback. She is also investigating how to get a machine to understand and act in a much more complex environment, such as the Civilization computer game. Using simulations, her algorithms make predictions about the best possible moves (e.g., invade another nation), and can even absorb instructions from the game's manual, which should make the system "good enough to play against humans." Her ultimate goal: "enabling computers to function competently in a world rich in unstructured information." For tiny organisms in a fluid environment, a key challenges is viscosity, says Anette Hosoi . In particular, Hosoi focuses on eukaryotic cells with spherical heads attacked to flexible tails. Remarkably, the diameters of these tails are the same across all species -- between 250"400 nanometers. Whether a hair in a lung, or a cell in green algae, these tails are all made of microtubule structures that can slide and bend in similar ways. By analyzing these common properties, Hosoi can predict optimal morphology and kinematics of comparable tailed microorganisms. For instance, analyzing sperm cells, Hosoi's team determined that the best ratio of tail to head for swimming efficiency is 12 _ and not just for sperm. "I don't care what the species is, what it's made out of, the tail should be 12 times as long as the headGetting something as clean as that is very exciting!" One outlier in the study: the Bandicoot, whose sperm's fat tail did not share the same radius as all the others. This kind of optimization research, says Hosoi, can only improve, as the computational costs of analyzing vast repositories of biological data continue to drop. When you begin to understand underlying principles in biological structures, she says, "you can move on to inform engineering designs." Nergis Mavalvala takes her audience "to a slightly uncomfortable side of the universe, warped and violent." She searches the cosmos using "a completely new messenger -- gravitational waves that travel to us from distant sources." Mavalvala credits Einstein (by way of Newton) for first proposing these waves. He developed a picture of space and time "as a fabric" that can be dented by massive objects, exerting a gravitational pull. Massive objects bouncing around or vibrating caused "ripples of space time itself" -- hence gravitational waves. To produce these waves, says Mavalvala, you need lots of mass and rapid acceleration, explosions and collisions _ produced by compact stars slamming together, merging black holes, and the conditions that immediately followed the Big Bang. Using special detectors (laser interferometers), Mavalvala has been trying to detect gravitational waves. The first measurements taken by these detectors found a gamma ray burst explosion, but no gravitational waves. A next"generation detector is on the way that makes it possible to "listen to more distant sounds," but Mavalvala notes that at this level of "exquisite measurement," you pay the price of "quantum uncertainty." However, she is certain the elusive gravitational wave will finally be captured, and "we will be testing general relativity: the first direct observation of ripples of space"time." About the Speaker(s): In addition to her other appointments, Penny Chisholm currently serves as co"director of Terrascope, an MIT learning community for freshmen. She is also a visiting scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. From 1988"1995, she served as the MIT Director of the MIT/Woods Hole Joint Program in Oceanography. Chisholm received the 2005 Huntsman Award for Excellence in Marine Science, and is a Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Investigator in Marine Science. She has published papers in PNAS and Nature. She received her Ph.D. in Biology in 1974 from S.U.N.Y. Albany.Host(s): Office of the President, MIT150 Inventional Wisdom

Claude Canizares Chandra X-ray Observatory

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:36:30 GMT

Since its launch in 1999, the Chandra X-ray Observatory has been NASA's flagship mission for X-ray astronomy, taking its place in the fleet of "Great Observatories." Claude Canizares, MIT's Vice President for Research and Associate Provost and Bruno Rossi Professor of Physics, is associate director of the Observatory. Here he explains its work.

Investigation 5, Part 5 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:25:16 GMT

Investigation 1, Part 3 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:06:04 GMT

Investigation 6, Part 6 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:35:59 GMT

Investigation 6, Part 5 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 6, Part 4 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:33:35 GMT

Investigation 6, Part 3 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:32:27 GMT

Investigation 6, Part 3 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 6, Part 2 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 6, Part 1 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:27:07 GMT

Investigation 5, Part 7 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 5, Part 6 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:22:05 GMT

Investigation 5, Part 4 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:18:42 GMT

Investigation 5, Part 3 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:17:17 GMT

Investigation 5, Part 2 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:16:00 GMT

Investigation 5, Part 1 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:14:36 GMT

Investigation 4, Part 8 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:13:16 GMT

Investigation 4, Part 8 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:11:19 GMT

Investigation 4, Part 6 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:08:56 GMT

Investigation 4, Part 4 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:03:02 GMT

Investigation 4, Part 3 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:01:15 GMT

Investigation 4, Part 2 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:58:13 GMT

Investigation 4, Part 1 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:57:04 GMT

Investigation 2, Part 5 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:56:01 GMT

Investigation 2, Part 10 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:53:50 GMT

Investigation 2, Part 8 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:51:47 GMT

Investigation 2, Part 2 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:50:28 GMT

Investigation 3, Part 8 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 3, Part 6 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 3, Part 7 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 3, Part 5 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 3, Part 4 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 2, Part 9 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 2, Part 8 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 2, Part 7 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 26 May 2009 20:05:15 GMT

Investigation 2, Part 6 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 26 May 2009 20:03:21 GMT

Investigation 2, Part 4 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 26 May 2009 19:59:32 GMT

In this session: Measuring color

The Chandra Astrophysics Institute is an opportunity for students in grades 9-11 from a wide range of academic backgrounds to train for and undertake astronomy projects. The students are mentored by MIT scientists and use observations from the Chandra X-Ray space telescope.

Investigation 2, Part 3 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 26 May 2009 19:57:58 GMT

In this session: Developing and using flux / luminosity relationship

The Chandra Astrophysics Institute is an opportunity for students in grades 9-11 from a wide range of academic backgrounds to train for and undertake astronomy projects. The students are mentored by MIT scientists and use observations from the Chandra X-Ray space telescope.

Investigation 2, Part 1 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 26 May 2009 19:55:07 GMT

In this session: Developing a model of light

The Chandra Astrophysics Institute is an opportunity for students in grades 9-11 from a wide range of academic backgrounds to train for and undertake astronomy projects. The students are mentored by MIT scientists and use observations from the Chandra X-Ray space telescope.

Investigation 1, Part 8 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 26 May 2009 19:53:19 GMT

Investigation 1, Part 7 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 1, Part 6 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 1, Part 5 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 26 May 2009 19:47:38 GMT

Investigation 1, Part 4 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 26 May 2009 19:45:14 GMT

Investigation 1, Part 2 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

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Investigation 1, Part 1 | Chandra Astrophysics Institute, Summer 2008

Tue, 26 May 2009 19:39:50 GMT

The Power of Revolutionary Thinking: What Today's Scientists Can Teach You About Driving Innovation In Your Organization

Thu, 22 Sep 2005 04:00:00 GMT

"You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights."

While Dr. Seuss may not have been a direct inspiration, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" seems especially suited to these four "brainy and footsy people" with exceptional reach.

Take Bradley Carl Edwards, who is designing a space elevator 62 thousand miles long, made out of a three-foot wide ribbon of carbon nanotubes, with one end attached to earth and the other sticking out in space. Send up solar panel satellites and you've got a constant, inexpensive supply of power for the world.

And there's Dava Newman, who is working on a spacesuit made out of liquefied polymers and electro active materials. Her "shrink-wrapped" Biosuit system is intended for "extreme explorers" on multi-year missions to the moon and beyond, who need second skins to augment human performance and minimize bone and muscle loss typical in low gravity environments.

Or Penelope Boston, whose investigation of our planet's harshest caves is leading to models for human habitation in subterranean lava tubes on Mars. Deploy "microbots" to reconnoiter for danger and signs of life in these deep and dangerous places, suggests Boston, then develop life support mechanisms in preparation for human colonies on other worlds.

Are these merely flights of fancy? Robert Cassanova thinks not. His NIAC serves as incubator to these "really good revolutionary ideas," which he believes stretch the imagination but that will also end up as credible technologies. Participants: Alf Nucifora, Chairman, Nucifora Consulting Group; Marketing c; Robert Cassanova, Director, NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC); Dava Newman, Sm '89, PhD '92, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems; Bradley Carl Edwards, President and Founder, Carbon Designs Host(s): Alumni Association, MIT Enterprise Forum Event date: 9/22/2005

The Black Hole at the Center of Our Galaxy

Mon, 23 Apr 2001 04:00:00 GMT

04/23/2001 10"250Charles H. Townes, HM, Professor of Physics, The University of California, Berkeley; 1964 Nobel Laureate in PhysicsDescription: The Nobel Prize"winning physicist talks about various aspects of our galaxy, and discusses new methods in astronomy and astrophysics that make possible explorations deep into the heart of the Milky Way. About the Speaker(s): Charles H. Townes was awarded the Nobel Prize for his role in the invention of the maser and laser. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Royal Society of London. He has received numerous honors, including NASA's Distinguished Public Service Medal; the Medal of Honor of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; and the Founders' Award of the National Academy of Engineering. Townes also holds the 2005 Templeton Prize and the 2006 Vannevar Bush Medal. Townes earned his B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in Modern Languages from Furman University. He received an M.S. in Physics at Duke University and a Ph.D. at the California Institute of Technology. He worked at Bell Labs, Columbia University, and MIT, among other places, before starting at Berkeley. Host(s): Office of the President, Ford/MIT Nobel Laureate Lecture Series

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