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Wed. June 2, 1999
Not so minor planets
I continued my work as an REU student today playing catch-up on my knowledge (or the lack thereof) of astronomy and asteroids. Dr. Leake sent me some journal articles to read as background information on our work this summer. I got to some of it before I came here but am finishing up the rest now. Feels like most of the infomation I'm going through is sticking pretty well. I am actually becoming really interested in asteroids. I know lots of random things about our Solar System yet I find that I've never really discovered what secrets are hidden in the minor planets.
The most exciting thing about studying asteroids is that there are thousands if not millions of them in our Solar System to be discovered. Plus, new digital photographic techniques are allowing astronomers and planetary scientists to see fainter objects with the same sized telescope. Valdosta has a brand new, higher resolution camera that we get to christen this summer. Not only is its resolution higher than their old camera but it can be cooled to about -70ºC to help reduce unwanted noise on the chip. Now I just have to learn how to use it all.
Upon looking in VSU's library for some books and articles on asteroid research, I found a set of video tapes called Steven Hawking's Universe. It's a series presenting the history of astronomy up to present-day research and theories held by todays sky watchers. Erika joined me for one of videos. She's taken many astronomy classes at her school. I'm sure she understood more than I did of the video even though it seemed pretty dumbed down.
Yet another testiment to technology today: I talked by voice with Sarah over my computer. Microsoft NetMeeting was the program we used. I must say that it certainly sounded like her and the delay was only a second or so from my mouth to her here and back. What a great way to make a long-distance phone call. I'm amazed how well the program worked over a slow modem connection across the U.S.. It makes the distance seem much more bearable. Microsoft may be monopolistic but I must say they can get the job done.
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