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The campus community biweekly January 8, 2004, vol. 4, no. 1

Event commemorates Northridge quake

Early one morning ten years ago, thou­ sands of Southern Californians sleeping in bed awoke to feel the earth move, buck, and roll. The phenomenon that rocked their world-a powerful earth­ quake-also shoved structures off their foundations and knocked down sections of freeway overpasses. The temblor was A short-wavelength infrared view of the spiral named after the nearby San Fernando galaxy Messier 81, one of the first images Valley community of Northridge, the city released by the Spitzer Space Telescope. closest to the epicenter. At 4:31a.m. on January 17, the magni­ Space telescope tude 6.7 quake struck about a mile from captures dazzling Northridge and some 18 kilometers be­ . neath the city. 1m ages "This was the largest earthquake in an urban area in North America, after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake," says A new window to the universe opened Margaret Vinci, manager of the earth­ with the December 18 release of the first quake programs office at Caltech. She dazzling images from NASA's newly added that widespread shaking and dam­ named Spitzer Space Telescope, formerly age to buildings were reported from Ssmta known as the Space Infrared Telescope Clarita south to Santa Monica. The number Facility. of dead totaled 57 people, some struck The first observations-a glowing down by fright-induced heart attacks. stellar nursery; a swirling, dusty galaxy; To commemorate the 10-year anniver­ a disk of planet-forming debris; and or­ sary of the quake as well as to show off ganic material in the distant universe­ A mosaic image taken by Spiri(s navigation camera, reprocessed for clarity, gives an overhead view the advances in seismology that were of the rover on the surface of Mars. Inset: At a live video feed in Ramo Auditorium, Pam Hoffman, Mars demonstrate the power of the telescope's made in the decade that followed, the Exploration Rover integration manager, explains to children how Spirit will land and deploy itself. infrared detectors to capture cosmic public is invited to an event titled 'Learn­ features never before seen. ing from the Past, Planning for the Future.' The Spitzer Space Telescope is named It will take place on January 17, beginning after the late Lyman Spitzer Jr. He was Postcards from Mars at 9 a.m., in Beckman Auditorium. one of the 20th century's most influential "The focus of the event is what we scientists, and in the mid-1940s he first A traveling robotic geologist has flown the best team of young women and men know today compared with what we knew proposed placing telescopes in space. 302.6 million miles, landed on Mars, and this country can put together. Essential 10 years ago," Vinci says. The United "NASA's newest Great Observatory is returned stunning images of the area work was done by other NASA centers and States Geological Survey, Caltech, and the open for business, and it is beginning to around its landing site in Gusev Crater. by our industrial and academic partners." Earthquake Country Alliance are sponsor­ take its place at the forefront of science," NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit NASA chose the landing site based on ing the day of lectures, movies, displays, says NASA's associate administrator for successfully sent a radio signal after the evidence from Mars orbiters that the and children's activities, to provide an space science, Ed Weiler. "Like Hubble, spacecraft had bounced and rolled for Connecticut-sized Gusev Crater may have earthquake primer for those who plan on Compton, and Chandra, the new Spitzer several minutes following its initial im­ held a lake long ago. A long, deep valley, living in a state prone to quakes. Space Telescope will soon be making pact at 8:35p.m. Pacific Standard Time apparently carved by ancient flows of The list of speakers includes engineers major discoveries, and, as these first on January 3. water, leads into Gusev. Spiritwill spend and seismologists from Caltech and the images show, should excite the public "This is a big night for NASA," said the next three months exploring for clues USGS, who will expound on a variety of with views of the cosmos like we've NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. in rocks and soil as to whether the area's topics. These include advances in earth- never had before." "We're back. I am very, very proud of this past environment was ever watery and see Anniversary, page 6 Launched August 25 from Cape team, and we're on Mars." able to sustain life. Canaveral, Florida, the Spitzer Space Members of the mission's flight team see Spirit, page 6 Telescope is the fourth of NASA's Great at JPL cheered when they learned that Observatories, a program designed to NASA's Deep Space Network had re­ paint a more comprehensive picture of ceived a postlanding signal from Spirit. the cosmos, using different wavelengths The cheering resumed about three hours Moore grant aids of light. later when the rover transmitted its first While the other Great Observatories images to Earth. TMT project have probed the universe with visible light "We've got many steps to go before (Hubble Space Telescope), gamma rays this mission is over, but we've retired a The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Compton Gamma Ray Observatory), and lot of risk with this landing," said Pete has awarded $17.5 million to the Univer­ X rays (Chandra X-ray Observatory), the Theisinger, JPL project manager for the sity of California for collaboration with Spitzer Space Telescope observes the Mars Exploration Rover Project. Caltech to build the Thirty-Meter Tele­ cosmos in the infrared. JPL's Richard Cook, deputy project scope (TMT), the most powerful in the Spitzer's unprecedented sensitivity manager for the rovers, said, "We're world. Coupled with the foundation's allows it to sense infrared radiation, or certainly looking forward to Opportunity award to Caltech for the same amount, a heat, from the most distant, cold, and landing three weeks from now." Oppor­ total of $35 million is now available for the dust-obscured celestial objects. The ini­ tunity is Spirit's twin rover, launched July visionary project's next step, which will be 7 and due to land on the opposite side of to formulate detailed design plans. tial images reveal the versatility of the KCAL-TV queries Caltech professor of Mars on January 25. A 3D-meter-diameter optical and infra­ telescope and its three science instru­ engineering seismology Thomas Heaton at a ments: media conference following last month's Paso Charles Elachi, JPL director, said, "To red telescope would result in images see Spitzer, page 6 Robles earthquake. achieve this mission, we have assembled see TMT. page 6 2 Caltech 336, January 8, 2004

James to speak Concerts cheer up NewsBriefs on diversity the winter Wilmot James, Caltech's Moore Visiting Fight postholid ay blues with beautiful Professor of History and Sociology, will sounds from Caltech student groups. be the next speaker in the Presidential Beginning Friday, January 23, at 8 p.m., New positions Lecture Series on Achieving Diversity in the chamber music program will celebrate

Jonathan Katz, associate professor of political Science, Math, and Engineering. His talk, its 25th year with its annual concert series. science, has been appointed professor of political "Africa, Genomic Science, and Some With their usual venue, Dabney Lounge, science, effective November 1. He received his SB Notes on the Evolution of Human Diver­ under construction, the students will per­ from MIT in 1990 and his MA and PhD from UC sity," will take place Thursday, January form this year in Ramo Auditorium. San Diego in 1992 and 1995, respectively. He was 15, at 4 p.m. in Ramo Auditorium. More than 20 small ensembles will an assistant professor at Caltech from 1995 to In his lecture, according to James, he present selections including t rios by J . S. 1998, and returned in 2000 as associate professor. will cover the implications of genomic Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Raul Turcios, currently supervisor of Caltech's science for African research and develop­ Dvorak; a piano duet by Hindemith; transportation services, has been appointed ment; Africa's contributions to global Mozart, Brahms, and Shostakovich quar­ supervisor of transportation, motor pool, ship­ science, in particular the tracing of hu­ tets; and a Schumann quintet. Students ping and receiving, effective January 5. He has man ancestry through the use of mito­ are coached by Delores Bing, chamber been with the Institute for more than 19 years. chondrial DNA; and the evolution of music director; Allen Gross, piano en­ Retirements human diversity, with a focus on skin semble instructor; and several Donald E. color. These topics will then lead into a Hudson Visiting Artists. The Caltech Glee Clubs' annual Messiah sing­ Ernie Delgadillo, supervisor of transportation, discussion of "globally excellent institu­ The series will continue the next week­ along on December 12 drew the usual crowd of motor pool, shipping and receiving in Facilities tions like Caltech and global d iversity" ­ end with a festival of chamber-music con­ enthusiastic vocalists from the campus and local Management, has retired effective January 2, in other words, the implications of certs on Friday the 30th and Saturday the communities. after 44 years at Caltech . According to Director of Facilities Management Bill Irwin, the new retiree "global science in the era of globaliza­ 31st, both at 8 p.m., and the annual Super "is looking forward to refining his golf game and tion," he says. Bowl Alternative Concert on Sunday, Feb­ spending some quality time with his children and James is an executive director of the ruary 1, at 3:30p.m. Says Bing, "This final grandchildren. Please join me in thanking Ernie Human Sciences Research Council in event of the series takes place during the for all he has done for Caltech , and in wishing Personals him a long and happy retirement to go along with Cape Town, South Africa, where he over­ big game, and is dedicated to those who a low handicap. " sees social cohesion and integration prefer chamber music to football." Welcome to Caltech research, and is a cofounder of the Africa For those who p refer something a Deaths Human Genome Initiative. During his little jazzier, the Caltech Jazz Bands, di­ November stay at Caltech, James is conducting rected by William Bing, will perform on Edward Hutchings, of Sonoma, California, died research on the human genome sequenc­ Saturday, January 24, at 8 p.m. in on December 8; he was 91 . A short-story writer Postdoctoral scholars Benjamin Deverman, in ing effort, as well as teaching. His fall­ Beckman Auditorium. This concert will biology, and Prosenjit Ghosh, in geochemistry; and an editor with Literary Digest, Business Week, term course focused on post-apartheid feature the music of Charles Mingus, of Keiko Gibson, administrative assistant, Ath­ Look, Liberty, and Science Illustrated, he joined enaeum; John Gutierrez, security officer, Cam­ Caltech in 1948, becoming director of publications South Africa, and a course in the spring whom the New Yorker observed, "For pus Security and Parking; Michael Herrera, and editor of Engineering and Science magazine, will be titled "Racial Variation and the sheer melodic and rhythmic and struc­ which he developed into an award-winning sci­ assistant director of admissions, Undergraduate Evolution of Skin Color." tural originality, his compositions may ence periodical. He also taught journalism and Admissions; Jonathan Meagher, postdoctoral A former dean of humanities and pro­ equal anything written in western music scholar in JPL's radar science and engineering edited two best-selling books by Nobel Prize­ fessor of sociology at the University of in the twentieth century." section; Calvin Ridgle, security officer, Campus winning physicist Richard Feynman. He retired in Security and Parking; postdoctoral scholars Alok 1987, moved to Creekside Village in Sonoma, and Cape Town and a past executive director Bing notes that Mingus's "wonderful" Saldanha, in biology, and Benjamin Villac, in pursued a lifelong interest in theater and musical of the Institute for Democracy of South works are enhanced by their titles, such comedy. Predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth, in computer science. Africa, James has authored o r edited as "Fables of Fabus," " Goodbye Pork Pie 2000, he is survived by his daughter, Ali son m ore t han a d oze n books. He holds a PhD Hat," Moanin'," "Oh Lord, Don't Let Them December McAlpine; his son, David; and his sister, Marjorie Sanborn. A celebration of his life will be held from in sociology and African history from the Drop That Atomic Bomb on Me," and Albert Chavez, catering assistant manager, 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "Haitian Fight Song." The performance Dining Services; Mohamed Chlieh, postdoctoral Creekside Village Clubhouse, 159 Avenida Barbera, The Caltech Presidential Lecture Se­ will also feature pieces by musicians Sonoma, and donations in his memory may be scholar in geology; Ramon Collazo, banquet ries on A chieving Diversity in Science, who had influenced the composer, includ­ made to the Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 supervisor, Athenaeum; Dario Fadda, staff scien­ Math, and Engineering is a free public ing Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker, tist, Infrared Processing and Analysis Center; Amir West Napa Street, Sonoma CA 95476. program. Campus parking is available as well as solos by graduate students Jay Hakami, postdoctoral scholar in environmental science and engineering; Linda Hodges, audit/ with a permit from the parking structure Bartroff and Kjerstin Easton. compliance associate, Audit Services; Gary kiosk at 370 South Holliston Avenue. All performances are free and o pen to Kleiger, postdoctoral scholar in biology; Jennifer Sponsored by the Office of the President, the public. For more information, contact Martinez, worker's compensation claims coordi­ Honors and awards the Office of Minority Student Education, Public Events at 1 (888) 2CALTECH, (626) nator, Human Resources; Shojiro Miyazaki, the Officers of the Faculty, and the Divi­ 395-4652, or [email protected], or visit postdoctoral scholar in chemistry; Daniel Santos­ Seymour Benzer, Boswell Professor of Neuro­ sion of the Humanities and Social Sci­ www.events.caltech.edu. Individuals with Costa, postdoctoral scholar in JPL's astrophysics science, Emeritus, and Crafoord laureate, and ences. a disability can call 395-4688 (voice) or and space sciences section; Robert Shumway, Harry Gray, Beckman Professor of Chemistry security officer, Campus Security and Parking; and founding director of the Beckman Institute, • 395-3700 (TDD). Anna Wenzel, postdoctoral scholar in chemistry. have been selected by the Franklin Institute to • receive 2004 Benjamin Franklin Medals. Benzer is Brian Murphy has returned to Caltech as senior being honored for his work in neurogenetics, and development officer in the Principal and Major Gray for his work in metalloproteins. Past recipi­ Gifts program-he served as a major gift officer ents include Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Healing people at the atomic level for the Institute a few years ago. Most recently he Pierre and Marie Curie, Alexander Graham Bell, was director of major gifts and director of alumni Stephen Hawking, David Packard, Gordon Moore, In the future, diagnosing disease w ill be The free public lecture will begin at development at USC's Keck School of Medicine, and Jane Goodall. The awards ceremony will take and prior to that was associate director in Occiden­ possible with a tiny sample of cells, mak­ 8 p.m. in Beckman Auditorium, with place on April 29 in Philadelphia. tal College's Planned and Major Gifts program. He ing invasive surgery unnecessary. That first-come, first-served seating available received his BA and MS in physical education, Michael Hoffmann, Irvine Professor of Environ­ breakthrough will only come, however, after 7:30. For more information, contact from Occidental and from USC, respectively. mental Science and dean of graduate studies, when scientists successfully combine the Public Events at 1 (888) 2CALTECH, (626) was honored last October by the University of field of nanotechnology-the scaling 395-4652, or [email protected], or visit January Toronto's department of chemistry as the 2003-04 down of existing technologies to molecu­ www.events.caltech.edu. Individuals with A. R. Gordon Distinguished Lecturer in Chemistry. R. Preston McAfee has joined Caltech's faculty as During his weeklong stay at the university, he lar dimensions-with microfluidics and a disability can call 395-4688 (voice) or J. Stanley Johnson Professor of Business Econom­ gave three lectures covering his current research systems biology, leading to better under­ 395-3700 (TDD). ics and Management, effective January 1. Known topics, which include sonochemistry, semicon­ standing of biological organisms. James • for his theoretical, empirical, and practical work on ductor photochemistry, and ice-phase photo­ Heath, Gil loon Professor and professor of auctions, his discoveries have been cited widely chemistry. and have provided insights into a broad range of chemistry, will study the issues in the topics including corporate strategy, contract theory, Jeroen Tromp, McMillan Professor of Geophys­ next Watson lecture, "NanoSystems auctions and bidding, mechanism design, cartel ics and director of the Seismo Lab, Dimitri Biology," on Wednesday, January 14. Caltech tops the behavior, price discrimination, and merger policy, Komatitsch, senior research fellow in geophys­ The merging of recent advances in among others. He received his BA from the Univer­ ics, and Chen Ji, associate scientist, together Kiplinger 100 nanoscience and technology has exciting sity of Florida in 1976 and his MS and PhD from with Seiji Tsuboi of the Institute for Frontier Purdue University in 1978 and 1980, respectively. Research on Earth Evolution (!FREE), have been potential for systems biology, but the Kiplinger's Personal Finance has named awarded the 2003 Gordon Bell Prize. Made in the experimental hurdles are daunting. In lyoni Rice has been appointed Caltech's director category for Peak Performance, the honor recog­ response to the challenge, Caltech, UCLA, the Institute the best value among U .S. of annual and special gifts, effective January 2. nizes" A 14.6 Billion Degrees of Freedom, 5 and the Institute for Systems Biology in private colleges in its January 2004 is­ With seven years' experience in nonprofit manage­ Teraflop/s, Terabyte Earthquake Simulation on 2.5 Seattle have formed the NanoSystems sue. The magazine cites Caltech's qual­ ment and fund-raising, with special emphasis on the Earth Simulator," the result of a collaboration Biology Alliance. Heath will present the ity, including academic excellence and program development, she most recently served between Caltech's Seismo Lab and Dr. Tsuboi of its 3:1 student-faculty ratio, and its aver­ as director of development, special gifts and IFREE, which is part of the Japan Marine Science project's background and its early suc­ alumni relations at USC's Keck School of Medicine, and Technology Center. The Earth Simulator was cesses, as well as examine problems age cost with financial aid-for students and earlier served as associate director, annual used to model seismic-wave propagation result­ remaining to be solved in the future. receiving need-based aid, the yearly tab giving, at the same institution, and as a program ing from large earthquakes . of $32,700 falls to $11,000. Read more at .consultant at UC Irvine. She received her BA in psychology and sociology from UC Davis. www.kiplinger.com. the acad em ic week at Ca It ec h is a printed version of selected events from the online master calendar. http://today.caltech.edu/calendar/. To publish events online, register as an event planner on the Caltech Today calendar. If unable to submit electronically, please call (626) 395-3630. For further information or a schedule of deadlines, call (626) 395-3630, fa x (626) 449-2159, write 336 Calendar, 1-71, California

Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, or e-mail [email protected]. January12-18,2004 1- u.

Monday, January 12 Carnegie Observatories Colloquium Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series Friday, January 16 Series Beckman Auditorium, 8 p.m.­ Biochemistry Seminar William T. Golden Auditorium, 813 Santa "Nanosystems Biology," James Heath, High Energy Theory Seminar 153 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, Barbara Street, 3:30 to 5 p.m.-"The Gilloon Professor and professor of 469 Lauritsen, 11 a.m.-Topic to be an­ 2 p.m.-" Dissecting the Broad Substrate Cosmically Averaged Universe Out to chemistry, Caltech. Admission is free. nounced. Amer Iqbal, department of Specificity of a Human DNA Repair Z-3," Professor Gregory Rudnick, Max Information: 395-4652, 1 (888) 2CALTECH, physics, Harvard. Information: www. Glycosylase," Dr. Patrick O'Brien, Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Ger­ or [email protected]. Individuals with th eo ry.ca Itech .ed u/people/sem ina r/2004- Harvard Medical School. Refreshments. many. Refreshments, 3:30p.m. a disability: 395-4688 (voice) or 395-3700 spring.html. (TDD). Visit Public Events at www.events. Ulric B. and Evelyn L. Bray Seminar Caltech/JPL Association for caltech.edu. Condensed Matter Physics Seminar 25 Baxter, 4 p.m.-Topic to be an­ Gravitational-Wave Research 107 Downs Lab, noon-Topic to be an­ nounced. Massimo Morelli, assistant Seminar Series nounced. David Nelson, Mallinckrodt professor of economics and political 114 E. Bridge, 4 p.m.-Topic to be an ­ Professor of Physics, Harvard. science, Ohio State University. Refresh­ nounced. Patrick Brady, assistant profes­ Thursday, January 15 ments. sor of physics, University of Wisconsin, Fluid Mechanics Seminar Milwaukee. Information: http://cajagwr. Biochemistry Seminar 101 Guggenheim Lab, Lees-Kubota Geological and Planetary Sciences ca ltech .ed u/scri pts/sem ina rs . htm I. 147 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, Lecture Hall, 3 p.m .-" A Reformulation Seminar 2 p.m .-" A Tale of Two GTPases in of the Large Eddy Simulation of Turbu­ 155 Arms, Robert Sharp Lecture Hall, Chemical Physics Seminar Cotranslational Protein Targeting," lence," Professor Robert Moser, depart­ 4 p.m.-"High Productivity During Mid­ 147 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, Dr. Shu-ou Shan, UC San Francisco. ment of theoretical and applied Cretaceous Ocean Anoxic Events, " 4 p.m.-" Bonding Patterns in Open Refreshments. mechanics, University of Illinois at Adina Paytan, assistant professor, geo­ Shells: Structural, Spectroscopic, and Urbana-Champaign. Information: www. logical and environmental sciences, Chemical Points of View," Anna Krylov, Introduction to SciFinder Scholar galcit.caltech.edu/Seminars/Fiuids/ Stanford University. assistant professor of chemistry, depart­ Sherman Fairchild Library, multimedia CurrentFiuids/index.html. ment of chemistry, USC. conference room, 2 to 3:30 p.m.-The High Energy Physics Seminar presentation includes a review of data­ lnorganic-Organometallics Seminar 469 Lauritsen, 4 p.m.-Topic to be an­ General Biology Seminar base content and a quick comparison 151 Crellin, 4 p.m.-" Homogeneous nounced. lain Stewart, assistant profes­ 119 Kerckhoff, 4 p.m.-"RNAi: Mecha­ with Beilstein/Gmelin and the Combined Electron Transfer Rates in DNA Mono­ sor of physics, MIT. Information: www. nism and Application," Professor Greg Chemical Dictionary. Examples of layer Films," Greg Drummond, graduate th eo ry.ca ltech .ed u/peo pie/helen/ Hannon, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. search/display techniques will be shown. student in chemistry, Caltech. seminar1 .html. A handout will be provided, along with practice questions and structures. Infor­ Von Karman Lecture Series Applied and Computational mation: http://l ibrary.caltech.edu/learn­ Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado, Mathematics Colloquium Wednesday, January 14 ing/default.htm. the Vosloh Forum (south of Colorado on 101 Guggenheim Lab, Lees-Kubota Lec­ Bonnie), 7 p.m.-"The Northridge Earth­ ture Hall, 4:15 p.m.-"Conformai-Map Information Science and Caltech Presidential Lecture Series quake: Ten Years After." Several speak­ Dynamics for a Class of Non-Laplacian Technology Seminar on Achieving Diversity in Science, ers will make brief presentations Growth Phenomena," Martin Bazant, 080 Moore, 4 p.m.-"Complete Sets Math, and Engineering preceding the premiere of the new video associate professor of applied math­ of Logic Primitives," Professor Amar Ramo Auditorium, 4 p.m.-" Africa, Ge­ Written in Stone: Earthquake Country­ ematics, MIT. Refreshments, 3:45 p.m. Mukherjee, School of Computer Science, nomic Science, and Some Notes on the Los Angeles. Admission is free. Informa­ Information: www.acm.caltech.edu/ University of Central Florida. Informa­ Evolution of Human Diversity," Wilmot tion: www.jpl.nasa.gov/lecture. colloq.shtml. tion: http://netlab.caltech .edu/sem i nar. James, Moore Visiting Professor of His­ tory and Sociology, Caltech, and execu­ Materials Research Lecture tive director, Human Sciences Research 106 Spalding Lab, Hartley Memorial Council, Cape Town, South Africa. This Saturday, January 17 Tuesday, January 13 Seminar Room, 4 p.m .-" Materials lecture series brings to campus speakers Chemistry and Physics for Thermoelec­ who have successfully promoted women Northridge Earthquake 1Oth Web of Science for Science and tric Power Generation and Cooling," and under-represented minorities in Anniversary Engineering Jeff Snyder, JPL. Refreshments, 113 science and technology. Beckman Auditorium, 9 a.m. to Sherman Fairchild Library, multimedia Spalding, 3:45 p.m. Information: www. 3:30p.m.-" Learning from the Past, Plan­ conference room, noon to 1:30 p.m.­ matsci.caltech.edu/seminars.html. Chemical Engineering Series ning for the Future" will commemorate Learn tips and tricks for searching Web 106 Spalding Lab, Hartley Memorial the Northridge Earthquake and allow the of Science databases. Information: Organic Chemistry Seminar Seminar Room, 4 p.m.-" From Genome public a first-hand look at earthquake I i bra ry.ca ltech .ed u/1earn i ng/defa u it. htm. 147 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, to Organism: A Virus-World View," John research and technology. There will be a 4 p.m .-"Supramolecular Chemistry Yin, associate professor and Cargill Fac­ variety of speakers in Beckman Audito­ Institute for Quantum Information as Applied to the Assembly of Nano­ ulty Fellow, chemical and biological rium, earthquake movies, exhibits from Seminar structured Materials and Their Subse­ engineering, University of Wisconsin, Caltech and the USGS highlighting ongo­ 74 Jorgensen, 3 p.m.-Topic to be an­ quent Manipulation," Professor Karen Madison. Refreshments, 113 Spalding ing earthquake research and technology, nounced. Anatoli Polkovnikov, depart­ L. Wooley, Division of Biology and Bio­ Lab, 3:30 p.m. and displays from other participating ment of physics, Harvard University. medical Sciences, Washington Univer­ organizations. Free and open to the pub­ sity in St. Louis. Physics Research Conference lic. Information: http://pasadena.wr.usgs. Mechanical Engineering Seminar 201 E. Bridge, 4 p.m .-" Muon g-2," gov/info/lectures, 583-6801, or 395-6318. 206 Thomas, 3 p.m.-" A Model of Wiersma Lecture Ernst Sichtermann, Lawrence Berkeley Co-operative Diffusion in Dense Granu­ 100 Broad Center, 4 p.m.-" Nicotine, National Laboratory. Refreshments, lar Flows," Martin Bazant, associate Addiction, and Learning: Studies Using 114 E. Bridge, 3:45 p.m. Information: professor of applied mathematics, MIT. Constitutive and Conditional Knockout of www.pma.caltech.edu/- physcoll/ Refreshments, 210 Thomas, 2:45p.m. the High Affinity Nicotinic Acetylcholine PhysColl.html. Receptors," Marina Picciotto, assistant professor of psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine. the academic week at Ca Itee h is a printed version of selected events from the online master calendar. http://today.caltech.edu/calendar/. To publish events online, register as an event planner on the Caltech Today calendar. If unable to submit electronically,

please call (626) 395-3630. For further information or a schedule of deadlines, call (626) 395-3630, fax (626) 449-2159, write 336 Calendar, 1-71, California

Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, or e-mail [email protected].

January 19-25,2004

1- LL.

Monday, January 19 Wednesday, January 21 Friday, January 23

Martin Luther King Day Holiday Astronomy Colloquium Condensed Matter Physics Seminar 155 Arms, Robert Sharp Lecture Hall, 107 Downs Lab, noon-Topic to be an­ 4 p.m.-" Obscured Galaxy and SMBH nounced. Dr. Donna Sheng, department Formation," Chris Carilli, National Radio of physics and astronomy, Cal State Tuesday, January 20 Astronomy Observatory, New Mexico. Northridge. Information: www.astro.caltech.edu/ Thesis Seminar - gma/colloquia.html. Fluid Mechanics Seminar 151 Crellin, 9 a.m.-"Eiectron Transfer 101 Guggenheim Lab, Lees-Kubota Processes at Semiconductor/Liquid Inter­ Environmental Science and Lecture Hall, 3 p.m.-"Bioinspired Opti­ faces and Metai/Nanogap Junctions," Engineering Seminar mization for Engineering Problems," Florian Gstrein, graduate student in 142 Keck, 4 p.m.-" Are Changes in Professor Petros Koumoutsakos, Insti­ chemistry, Caltech. Tropopause Height a 'Fingerprint' tute of Computational Sciences, ETH of Human Effects on Climate?", Dr. Zurich. Information: www.galcit.caltech. Electronic Theses and Dissertations Benjamin Santer, physicist, Lawrence ed u/Sem ina rs/FI u ids/Cu rrentFI u ids/ Sherman Fairchild Library, multimedia Livermore National Laboratory, Program index.html. conference room, noon to 1:30 p.m.­ for Climate Model Diagnosis and Inter­ Caltech requires that theses be submit­ comparison. Refreshments, Keck Labs lnorganic-Organometallics Seminar ted in both paper and electronic lobby, 3:40p.m . 151 Crellin, 4 p.m.-" High Resolution versions. This presentation will offer a X-Ray Photoelectron and Infrared Spec­ brief overview of techniques useful in Materials Research Lecture troscopy of Alkylated Crystalline Silicon the production and publication of elec­ 106 Spalding Lab, Hartley Memorial (111) Surfaces," Lauren Webb, graduate tronic theses. The session will include Seminar Room, 4 p.m.-" Rotational student in chemistry, Caltech. tips on formatting, intellectual-property Behavior of Smectic Liquid Crystals in considerations, turning paper to pixels, Magnetic Fields," Wim Bras, the Euro­ creating PDFs, how to submit a thesis, pean Synchrotron Radiation Facility, and availability (who can see it and France. Refreshments, 113 Spalding Lab, when) issues. Information: http:// 3:45p.m. Information: www.matsci. I i bra ry.ca ltech .ed u/lea rn i ng/defa u lt. htm. caltech.edu/seminars.html.

Institute for Quantum Information John D. Roberts Lecture Seminar 22 Gates Annex, 4 p.m.-" Gas-Phase 74 Jorgensen, 3 p.m.-Topic to be Ionic Chemistry and Spectroscopy," announced. Chetan Nayak, assistant Professor John I. Brauman, department professor, department of physics and of chemistry, Stanford University. astronomy, UCLA. Refreshments.

Carnegie Observatories Colloquium Series W illiam T. Golden Auditorium, 813 Santa Thursday, January 22 Barbara Street, 3:30 to 5 p.m.-" Probing the Epoch of Reionization at Radio SciFinder Scholar Workshop Wavelengths," Chris Carilli, National Sherman Fairchild Library, multimedia Radio Astronomy Observatory, New conference room, 2 to 3:30p.m.­ Mexico. Refreshments at 3:30p.m. Intended as a follow-up to the introduc­ tory class, the workshop will be a hands­ Chemical Physics Seminar on session for specific search and 147 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, structure questions. Laptop computers 4 p.m.-"The Transition of Molecular will be provided for attendees, with pri­ Surface Chemistry to Molecular Surface ority given to those who sign up first. Biology," Gabor Somorjai, professor of Information: http://l ibra ry.caltech.edu/ chemistry, UC Berkeley. learni ng/default.htm.

General Biology Seminar Chemical Engineering Graduate 119 Kerckhoff, 4 p.m.-Topic to be Seminar announced. Chris Goodnow, Medical 106 Spalding Lab, Hartley Memorial Genome Center, John Curtin School Seminar Room, 4 p.m.-"EGF-Mediated of Medicine, Canberra, Australia. Proliferation of Non-Tumorigenic Mam­ mary Epithelial Cells Requires Tcf/Lef Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum Signaling," Nicholas Graham, graduate Baxter Lecture Hall, 5:30 to 9 p.m.- student in chemical engineering, Caltech. " Medical Devices: The Power of Small." Information: http://cheme.caltech.edu/ This program will explore the emerging -gradtalks/feature.html. opportunities in the medical device field. Networking and complimentary dinner, Physics Research Conference Chandler Dining Hall, 5:30 p.m. Registra­ 201 E. Bridge, 4 p.m.-"Molecular tion: 395-3916 or [email protected]. Mechanics and Electronics," James Information: www.entforum.caltech .edu. Heath, Gil loon Professor and professor of chemistry, Caltech. Refreshments, 114 E. Bridge, 3:45 p.m. Caltech 336, January 8, 2004 5 CampusEvents

Monday, January 12 Women's Basketball Annual Radiation Safety Refresher Saturday, January 24 at Pomona-Pitzer, 7:30p.m. 118 Keith Spalding Building, 3 p.m.-This course, part of the certification process for radiation Advanced Ballet Class Caltech Chess Club workers, is designed to inform participants about Baseball Braun Gym, multipurpose room, 10 p.m.-Free Page House dining room, 8 p.m.-Be you master changes in regulatory requirements and Institute vs. Dodgertown West, at Pasadena High School, class taught by experienced members of the or novice, you will enjoy the chess club's weekly policies. Issues such as inspection results, dosim­ doubleheader, 11 a.m. Caltech Dance Troupe. Prior dance experience is meetings. Information: www.its.caltech.edu/ etry records, radiation accidents at other organi­ required. Dance shoes and clothing are recom­ -citchess. zations, lessons learned, and basic radiation Swimming and Diving mended. safety principles will be reviewed. Registration: vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 11 a.m. Folk Music Society Presents Harvey Reid 395-6727 or [email protected]. Beckman Institute auditorium, 8 p.m.-Harvey Beginning Belly Dancing Tuesday, January 13 Reid plays guitar, autoharp, and banjo and always Men's Basketball Braun Gym, multipurpose room, 12:45 p.m.­ has something interesting and funny to say. at Cal Lutheran University, 7:30p.m. Learn basic belly dance technique with Leela, a Tickets and information: 395-4652, 1 (888) popular performer and instructor. No special Preschool Playgroup 2CALTECH, or [email protected]. Individuals clothing or shoes are required. The class is open Tournament Park, 10 a.m. to noon-Song and with a disability: 395-4688 (voice) or 395-3700 Thursday, January 22 to all with valid gym membership. Fee for full storytime, crafts and free play for toddlers and (TDD). Visit the Folk Music Society at http:// term: $30 for Caltech students, $60 for other preschoolers (from walking to age 4). Informa­ fol kmusic.caltech.edu. Caltech community members. Special fee for trial tion: 793-4099 or [email protected]. Caltech Architectural Tours class. Reservations: [email protected]. Athenaeum, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.-Meet in the Amnesty International Letter Writing Saturday, January 17 entry hall of the Athenaeum. Led by members of Men's Basketball Athenaeum Rathskeller, 7:30 p.m.-Caltech/ the Caltech Architectural Tour Service. Reserva­ at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 7:30p.m. Pasadena AI Group 22 will host an informal tions: Susan Lee, 395-6327 or [email protected]. meeting to write letters on human-rights abuses Swimming and Diving Caltech Jazz Bands around the world. All are welcome. Refresh­ vs. University of Redlands, 11 a.m. Women's Wellness Series Beckman Auditorium, 8 p.m.-The Caltech Jazz ments. Information: (818) 354-4461 or lkamp@ Caltech Women's Center, noon-" Staying Heart Bands will feature an evening of music by and lively.jpl.nasa.gov. Visit our website at www. Beginning Belly Dancing Smart!", Dr. Bairey Merz, medical director of the about Charlie Mingus, one of the great compos­ i ts.ca ltech .ed u/ -a ig p22. Braun Gym, multipurpose room, 12:45 p.m.­ Women's Health Program and the Preventive ers and bass soloists in the world of jazz. There Learn basic belly dance technique with Leela, a Cardiac Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in will be original compositions by Mingus, in addi­ Women's Basketball popular performer and instructor. No special Los Angeles, will discuss the risk factors, preven­ tion to selections by other musicians who influ­ vs. Cal Lutheran University, 7:30p.m. clothing or shoes are required. The class is open tion, and treatment of heart disease. enced his life and music. Admission is free. A to all with valid gym membership. Fee for full reception for all will follow the concert. Informa­ term: $30 for Caltech students, $60 for other Amnesty International Monthly Meeting tion: 395-4652, 1 (888) 2CALTECH, or events@ Wednesday, January 14 Caltech community members. Special fee for trial Caltech Y lounge, 7:30 p.m.-Caltech/Pasadena caltech.edu. Individuals with a disability: 395-4688 class. Reservations: [email protected]. AI Group 22 holds its monthly meeting to discuss (voice) or 395-3700 (TDD). current activities and plans. All are welcome. Outlook 2000 Men's Basketball Refreshments. Information: (818) 354-4461 or 120 ATC Building, 263 S. Chester, 8:30a.m. to vs. Whittier College, 7:30p.m. [email protected]. Sunday, January 25 noon-This introductory course will teach you how to use Outlook to manage e-mail, calendars, contacts, tasks, and to-do lists; to browse and Sunday, January 18 Friday, January 23 Skeptics Society Lecture share documents and files on the hard drive; and Baxter Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.-" LSD, Spirituality, to handle group-scheduling and meeting-planning and the Creative Process: The Role of Hallucino­ activities. This is the first of two sessions. Fee: $80. Amnesty International Book Discussion Swimming and Diving gens in Tribal and Modern Peoples," Dr. Marlene Registration: 395-3500 or ATC.helpdesk@caltech. Group at University of La Verne, 3:30p.m. Dobkin de Rios, medical anthropologist, Cal State edu. Information: http://atc.caltech.edu/ Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Boulevard, Fullerton. Donation is $8 for nonmembers, $5 for Desktop_Training/outlook _level1.htm. second floor, 6:30p.m.-This month's book is Women's Club Welcoming Coffee members and non-Caltech students. Free to the Tainted Legacy: 9/11 and the Ruin of Human Athenaeum Rathskeller, 5 to 6:30 p.m~-An oppor­ Caltech/JPL community. Tickets and information: Wednesdays in the Park Rights, by William Schulz, executive director of tunity to meet new friends, welcome newcomers, 794-3119 or [email protected]. Visit the Skep­ Tournament Park, 10 a.m. to noon-Every Amnesty International USA. All are welcome. and learn more about the Caltech Women's Club. tics Society at www.skeptic.com. Book signing to Wednesday there's conversation and coffee for Sponsored by Caltech/Pasadena AI Group 22. Information: Carol Andersen, (818) 790-8175 or follow the lecture. parents and caregivers, and playtime and snacks [email protected]. for children. Information: 403-71 63 or ktclark@ Coleman Chamber Concert caltech.edu. Monday, January 19 Caltech Tai Chi Club Beckman Auditorium, 3:30 p.m.-The Tokyo Winnett lounge, 7 p.m.-Meets Tuesdays and String Quartet will perform works by Smetana, Electric Cart Safety Training Fridays weekly. Sessions are free. Information: Panetti, and Schumann. Tickets and information: 118 Keith Spalding Building, 3 p.m.-This course Martin Luther King Day Holiday www.its.caltech.edu/-taichi. 395-4652, 1 (888) 2CALTECH, or events@caltech. teaches participants about safely driving electric edu. Individuals with a disability: 395-4688 (voice) carts on campus. Registration: 395-6727 or Women's Basketball or 395-3700 (TDD). Visit Public Events at www. safety. train in g@ca ltech .ed u. Tuesday, January 20 vs. Whittier College, 7:30p.m. events.caltech.edu.

Men's Basketball Caltech Chess Club at Occidental College, 7:30p.m. Preschool Playgroup Page House dining room, 8 p.m.-Be you master Tournament Park, 10 a.m. to noon-Song and or novice, you will enjoy the chess club's weekly storytime, crafts and free play for toddlers and meetings. Information: www.its.caltech.edu/ Thursday, January 15 preschoolers (from walking to age 4). Informa­ -citchess. tion: 793-4099 or [email protected]. Reel Women's Series: Playing Unfair- Caltech Student Chamber Ensembles The Media Image of the Female Athlete Caltech Tai Chi Club Ramo Auditorium, 8 p.m.-Program to be an­ Caltech Women's Center, noon-This film exam­ Winnett lounge, 7 p.m.-Meets Tuesdays and nounced. Admission is free. A reception for all ines the post-Title IX media landscape in terms of Fridays weekly. Sessions are free. Information: will follow the concert. Information: 395-4652, the representation of female athletes. www.its.caltech.edu/-taichi. 1 (888) 2CALTECH, or [email protected]. Indi­ viduals with a disability: 395-4688 (voice) or Teaching Workshop Women's Basketball 395-3700 (TDD). Visit Public Events at www. Beckman Institute auditorium, 5:30 p.m.-"Tips at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 7:30p.m. events.caltech .edu. and Tricks for Teaching Bright Students," Ran Libeskind-Hadas, professor of computer science, The Kingston Trio Harvey Mudd College. Sponsored by the Caltech Wednesday, January 21 Beckman Auditorium, 8 p.m.-Such Kingston Trio Project for Effective Teaching. classics as "Tom Dooley" and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" will transport you back to the How to Write Letters, Memos, and Reports heyday of folk music. Tickets and information: Friday, January 16 Brown Gym classroom, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.-This 395-4652, 1 (888) 2CALTECH, or events@caltech. workshop is designed to give you a firm grasp of edu. Individuals with a disability: 395-4688 (voice) Fire-Extinguisher Training the principles of effective business writing and or 395-3700 (TDD). Visit the Caltech Folk Music Wilson Avenue North Parking Structure, roof, teach you to target your writing for a specific Society at http://folkmusic.caltech.edu. 11 a.m.-This class, which will meet on the roof, audience. Registration: 395-8055 or diane. will teach basic fire safety and include hands-on [email protected]. training on how to use a fire extinguisher. Class size is limited; please cal l 395-6727 or e-mail Wednesdays in the Park [email protected] to reserve a place. Tournament Park, 10 a.m. to noon-Every Wednesday there's conversation and coffee for Swimming and Diving parents and caregivers, and playtime and snacks vs. Whittier College/Cal Lutheran University, for children. Information: 403-7163 or ktclark@ 3:30p.m. caltech.edu.

Caltech Tai Chi Club Winnett lounge, 7 p.m.-Meets Tuesdays and Fridays weekly. Sessions are free. Information: www.its.caltech.edu/-taichi. 6 Caltech 336, January 8, 2004

Spitzer, from page 1 Anniversary, from page 1 Spirit from page 1 -Resembling a creature on the run quake response systems; scientists' abil­ The flight team expects to spend more with flames streaming behind it, as im­ ity to predict quakes; improvements in than a week directing Spirit through a News extras aged by the Spitzer, a dark globule in the detecting and mapping quakes with new series of preparation steps before the Update on campus parking emission nebula IC 1396 is in spectacular technology; and the life-saving quality of rover rolls off its lander platform. Mean­ Construction has begun on a new parking struc­ contrast to the view seen in visible light. rigorous building codes. More informa­ while, Spirit's cameras and a mineral­ ture beneath the athletic field, and is estimated to Spitzer's infrared detectors unveil the tion is available online at the event's identifying infrared instrument have continue through July. During this time, the brilliant hidden interior of this opaque website, http://pasadena.wr.usgs.gov/ begun examining the surrounding ter­ parking area between the tennis courts and the athletic field will be closed. To help alleviate the cloud of gas and dust for the first time, info/nr10/. rain, revealing a vast flatland well suited situation, Security and Parking Services is allow­ exposing never-before-seen young stars. The Northridge quake hit along a previ­ to the robot's unprecedented mobility ing Caltech vehicles to use the visitor spaces at -The dusty, star-studded arms of a ously unknown blind thrust fault, later and scientific tool kit. the top of the north Wilson Avenue garage. Cam­ nearby spiral galaxy, Messier 81, are named the Northridge Thrust. It damaged "My hat is off to the navigation team pus community members may also sign up with illuminated. Red regions in the spiral buildings throughout the area, displacing because they did a fantastic job of getting Caltech Security to park at the Huntington Library. On weekdays, a shuttle will run between the arms represent infrared emissions from some 20,000 people due to the total or us right where we wanted to be," said library and the JPL shuttle stop on California dustier parts of the galaxy where new partial collapse of houses, apartment Steve Squyres of Cornell University, prin­ Boulevard every half hour. Details and a schedule stars are forming. The image shows the complexes, and office buildings. The esti­ cipal investigator for the science payload. will be provided at sign up. Contact Todd Swart at power of the Spitzer to explore regions mated economic losses are estimated at "We hit the sweet spot," he said. "We [email protected]. invisible in optical light, and to study star between $20 billion and $40 billion. wanted someplace where the wind had formation on a galactic scale. Although it was a grim milestone in the cleared off the rocks for us . ... What we're A call for support Colleagues and friends of Student Affairs chief -Spitzer reveals, in its entirety, a history of the city, the calamity provided seeing is a section of surface that is re­ administrator Stan Borodinsky are calling on the massive disk of dusty debris encircling civil engineers, geophysicists, and seis­ markably devoid of big boulders, at least in Cal tech community to help encourage his daugh­ the nearby star Fomalhaut. Such debris mologists with a rich store of facts and our immediate vicinity, and that's good ter, a mother of four who is preparing for a heart disks are the leftover material from the knowledge that may help mitigate future news because big boulders are something transplant. To help bolster her morale, so critical building of a planetary system. While such disasters. we would have trouble driving over." under the circumstances, notes or cards would be very welcome. Participants with even-numbered other telescopes have imaged the outer One of the technological triumphs is "We see a rock population that is dif­ birthdays (e .g., the 24th) are asked to mail in Fomalhaut disk, none has been able to the California Integrated Seismic Network, ferent from anything we've seen else­ January, and those with odd-numbered birthdays provide a full picture of the inner region. which covers all of the state. Recently where on Mars, and it comes out very in February. Mail to Sh eryl Borodinsky at P.O. Box Spitzer's ability to detect dust at various completed, the network of computerized much in our favor," he said. 1152, Lebec, California, 93243. For questions, temperatures allows it to fill in this miss­ sensors incorporates the TriNet system, More information and images are avail­ contact Karen Carlson, ext. 6593, or Dan Langdale, ext. 8375. ing information, providing astronomers which monitors fault activity and ground able at http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov. with insight into the evolution of plan­ movement in Southern California. • etary systems. "We use the seismic network to mea­ -Data from the young star HH 46-IR, sure the quakes," Vinci says. "Within sec­ and from a distant galaxy 3.25 billion onds we can determine the magnitude, the TMT, from page 1 light-years away, show the presence of time, and the location of the earthquake." more than 12 times sharper than those of water and small organic molecules not After a temblor of magnitude 3.5 or higher the Hubble Space Telescope. With such only in the here and now, but, for the first occurs in an urban or densely populated an instrument, astrophysicists will be time, far back to the time when life on region, the system is capable of producing able to study the earliest galaxies and the Earth first emerged. computerized Shake Maps almost instanta­ details of their formation, as well as pin­ JPL manages the Spitzer Space Tele­ neously. Fire departments and rescue point the processes that lead to young scope mission for NASA's Office of Space teams use these maps to pinpoint commu­ planetary systems around nearby stars. Science, Washington. Science operations nities that have experienced violent shak­ "We are very pleased that the Gordon are conducted at the Spitzer Science ing and concentrate their efforts there. and Betty Moore Foundation has recog­ Center at Caltech. Images are available at "Shake Maps improve emergency nized the strengths of the University of www.spitzer.caltech.edu and http:// service response time to an earthquake," California and Caltech to carry out such photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov. Vinci says. "Using the Shake Map, they an important project," says UC President Joe DeVito and Alice Edel of the Tech Express know where to respond and they can Robert C. Dynes. • held their first-ever student tree-ornament respond faster." The two institutions will also work contest, which they hope will become an annual More than 30 exhibitors will be on with the Association of Universities for event. Edel, shown with the winners, says that Floating their boats hand at the January 17 event to provide Research in Astronomy and the Associa­ over time, the students "get to be like your kids." demonstrations of the new quake tech­ tion of Canadian Universities for Re ­ nology, and a kids' zone exhibit will intro­ search in Astronomy, which are seeking duce children to practical tips on how to funding. prepare for a temblor, as well as how to Richard Ellis, director of Caltech Opti­ survive the next one. cal Observatories and Steele Family Pro­ • fessor of Astronomy, notes that the award will provide crucial funding to address the project's major areas of risk. "This next phase is of central impor­ tance, because in the course of carrying it out, we will establish the fundamental technologies and methods necessary for the building of the telescope," he says. Following the design study, the project's final phase, not yet funded, will be construction of the observatory at a James Faddy (far left, background). who recently site still to be determined. Regular astro­ Undergrads Ben Solecki '04 (left) and Dylan finished his PhD in aeronautics, and his friends nomical observations are projected to Owens '04 salute their victory in "Cage Against celebrate his new status with a relaxing begin by approximately 2012. the Machine," the 2003 ME 72 design excursion in Millikan Pond. • engineering contest, in December.

CaltechII) 336 II) II) .... II) ......

The campus community biweekly California Institute of Technology January 8, 2004, vol. 4, no. 1 Pasadena, California 91125

Editor: Daryn Kobata ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED (626) 395-6240; [email protected] Assistant Editor: Javier Marquez (626) 395-6624; [email protected] Calendar Administrator: Debbie Bradbury (626) 395-3630; [email protected] Graphic Artist: Doug Cummings Photographer: Bob Paz Published by the Office of Public Relations