In This Issue
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The California Tech Volume CXiX number 28 Pasadena, California [email protected] may 16, 2016 LIGO team awarded Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics CALTECH MEDIA authors of the paper from the LIGO Physics laureates, read “Glitz and RELATIONS and Virgo collaborations, while the Qubits” in the current issue of remaining seven are scientists who Caltech’s E&S magazine. This article was originally “made important contributions to The Breakthrough Prize published online at caltech.edu. the success of LIGO.” This group trophy was created by Olafur of seven includes Caltech’s Mark Eliasson. “The whole idea for The Selection Committee Scheel, senior research associate me started out with, ‘Where of the Breakthrough Prize in physics, and Rochus E. Vogt, the do these great ideas come in Fundamental Physics has R. Stanton Avery Distinguished from? What type of intuition announced a Special Breakthrough Service Professor and Professor of started the trajectory that Prize in Fundamental Physics Physics, Emeritus. eventually becomes what we recognizing the scientists and In announcing the special prize, celebrate today?’” Like much of engineers who contributed to the Yuri Milner, one of the founders of Eliasson’s work, the sculpture detection of gravitational waves the Breakthrough Prizes, said, “The explores the common ground by the Laser Interferometer creative powers of a unique genius, between art and science. It Gravitational-Wave Observatory many great scientists and the is molded into the shape of a (LIGO). universe itself have come together toroid, recalling natural forms The $3 million award is being to make a perfect science story.” found from black holes and shared between two groups of For more about Caltech’s galaxies to seashells and coils laureates. The three founders Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental of DNA. of LIGO — Caltech’s Ronald W. P. Drever, professor of physics, emeritus, and Kip S. Thorne, the Facilities holds campus-wide Richard P. Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics, emeritus, and meeting for Bechtel Residence MIT’s Rainer Weiss, professor of NEERA SHAH story section for the dining hall, physics, emeritus — will share $1 Page Editor which will face Moore Walk. million equally. In addition, 1,012 Throughout the design process, contributors will equally share $2 On May 13, members of the the design team consulted several Photo Courtesy of the Breakthrough Prize million; of these, 1,005 are the Caltech community were able members of the Caltech community, to attend a presentation on the including students, IHC, ASCIT current plans for the new Bechtel and RAs. Inside the residence, the Residence. The presenters were current prototypes for suite options News briefs from around the globe Jim Cowell, assistant vice president are a four-, six- or eight-bedroom for facilities; Hall P. Daily, director suite and a select few one-bedroom A brief list of events from the past week, compiled by the editors of government relations; Don singles for students. The faculty- O’Neil, senior director for capital in-residence will have a two- projects, modernization, planning, bedroom apartment, while the RAs design and construction; and Brian and RLC will have one-bedroom HALO Trust to remove landmines around church near Jordan River Kenworthy, associate partner at apartments. Individual bedrooms ZGF Architects. will primarily be singles and have 5,000 landmines near land marked as Jesus’ baptism site to be cleared by world’s larg- Caltech’s master plan for how an area of about 96 square feet. it will use its land will be up for Graduate student housing est humanitarian landmine removal organization [CNN] review in 2019. The discretionary options may increase as a result of review and design approval undergrads moving into Bechtel for Bechtel began in 2007. The (e.g., apartments in the 150 South Colombian police seize record size domestic haul of illegal drugs institution is currently entitled to Chester Avenue complex may be build up to 600,000 square feet in converted into grad housing). 8 tons of cocaine hidden on a banana plantation found by authorities [BBC] the open area on the south side of Only about 450 grad students out Del Mar Boulevard. The plan is for of 1,200 are currently provided the Bechtel house to be 100,000 with Caltech housing each year. It square feet with 200–250 beds, a is also possible that some housing Ex-CIA agent Donald Rickard reveals tip-off led to Mandela arrest in servery and a dining hall. This new in Bechtel will be available to grad residence will allow all undergrads students, but these plans have not Durban, South Africa to live on campus for all four years. been finalized yet. It is likely that the board plan will In terms of sustainability, the 1962 arrest landed Mandela, who was wanted for alleged ties to a terrorist organization, be required, but this has not been goal is to be LEED Platinum. in jail for 27 years [BBC] confirmed yet. Opportunities to consider include In order to make space for the net zero energy, net zero water building itself, the child care center and installing photovoltaics on the was moved on campus last year. roof. Regarding the exterior, there Brazilian Senate votes to begin impeachment trial of President Dilma Bechtel Residence will be built will be a courtyard enclosed by between Avery and Lot 10. This the four sides of the building. It is Rousseff land was originally designated for designed such that there will be two academic or administrative space, distinct parts — one half will have 55 vote in favor of, 22 against impeachment; Rousseff formally accused of borrowing but this can be changed to allow softscape, including a lawn, while housing instead upon modification the other half will have hardscape. from state banks to conceal deficit [NYT] request. After the new house is The schematics were built, Lot 10 will only be accessible developed in late 2015, and design through Michigan Avenue, and it development completed in spring Andre Brahic, one of discoverers of Neptune’s rings, passes away will be closed during construction. of this year. Construction is set The building plan has three stories to begin in winter of 2017, so new 73-year-old was a key figure in increasing public awareness of research into space [BBC] along the two sides facing Del Mar residents should be able to move in and Avery and two stories along the to the house in the fall of 2018. other two sides, except for a one- opInIon | pAge 3 opInIon | pAge 3 spoRts | pAge 5 FeAtuRe | pAge 7 In thIs AndRe dIscusses tom InteRvIews bRAdley eARns nAIlen RevIews leAves oF Absence pRoFessoR AdAm AcAdemIc All-dIs- “bottomless pIt” by Issue wIeRmAn tRIct honoRs deAth gRIps news 2 may 16, 2016 the cAlIFoRnIA tech Caltech Y Column CALTECH Y 2. Education inequality and social justice: a conversation with Miles The Caltech Y Column serves to inform Corwin students of upcoming events and volunteer Monday, May 23rd | 12:00-1:00 p.m. | opportunities. The list is compiled by Neera Location TBD | To Sign Up Visit: http://goo. Shah from information given by the Caltech gl/forms/FSCgL51rtE Y and its student leaders. Miles Corwin spent a year with twelve gifted Founded by students in 1916, the Y was high school students from disadvantaged organized to provide extracurricular activities communities in LA. Corwin chronicled their planned and implemented by students as an journeys as they faced the greatest challenges opportunity to learn leadership skills and of their academic lives in his book, And Still discover themselves. The mission of today’s Y We Rise. The book won the PEN West award remains the same—to provide opportunities for nonfiction and was a Los Angeles Times that will prepare students to become Best Book of the Year. On May 23rd, Corwin engaged, responsible citizens of the world. will come to Caltech to discuss his unique The Y seeks to broaden students’ worldviews, perspective on the challenges facing students raise social, ethical, and cultural awareness in disadvantaged communities. through teamwork, community engagement, Praise for the book: activism, and leadership. More information “An exuberant tale of South-Central about the Caltech Y and its programs can be kids...On every page, their voice ring as clear found at https://caltechy.org. The office is as church bells and make even a jaded reader located at 505 S. Wilson Avenue. feel inspired.” USA Today “An impressive, important work of Upcoming Events narrative journalism...A more gifted reporter can barely be imagined.” It all began in 2004 when Louis-Georges Tin started a campaign in France to cre- 1. Science, Technology, and San Francisco Chronicle ate the International Day Against Homophobia. The idea took off: in less than one year Innovation for Achieving the United Corwin Bio: Miles Corwin is a former people from over 50 countries joined to celebrate. May 17 was chosen to commemorate Nations Sustainable Development crime reporter at the Los Angeles Times, World Health Organization’s decision made in 1990 that homosexuality was not a disor- Goals: A Conversation with Dr. where he wrote about the LAPD, homicide der. On May 16, 2009, France became the first country in the world to officially stop clas- William Colglazier in South-Central Los Angeles, prisons, and sifying transgender issues as disorders. The same year the word Transphobia was added Thursday | May 19th | 3:00 to 4:30 the criminal justice system. A native of Los to the title and since then the official acronym has remained IDAHOT despite Biphobia being appended in 2015. It is important to note that the IDAHOT committee acknowledg- p.m. | Sign Up at: http://goo.gl/forms/ Angeles, he graduated from University of es the shortcomings of the title and therefore encourages adaptations that make it more PqMMvhXKZV California, Santa Barbara and received an inclusive to all sexual and gender minorities.