PDF (V.98:14, January 24, 1997)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NO Add day is today! DILBERT see page 0 Add PAI5! THE CALIFORNIA TECH VOLUME xcvm, NUMBER 14 PASADENA, CALIFORNIA FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1997 altech astronomers take infrared pictures of a black hole BY C ALTECH MEDIA RELATIONS This nucleus has long been thought to observatory, this image has resolution the observed emission. Rather, harbor a black hole as its central en- as fine as what the Hubble Space Tele- Weinberger says, it is likely that the Sophisticated imaging techniques gine and, because it is bright and scope achieves in the visual part of the observed extended near-infrared light IFIJIied on the Keck Telescope have nearby, has been intensely studied by spectrum. is from stars. Furthermore, since it IIKXlvered a new structure in a nearby astrophysicists. The space telescope does not cur points in a different direction, this ICIive galaxy. The accompanying false color im- rently have an infrared camera, but is newly resolved infrared emission is The image and associated research age shows an elongated structure, scheduled to receive one in 1997. The likely to come from an entirely differ aebeing presented today at the semi- which is over 100 light-years across, elongated feature discovered by the ent source than previously observed l81li meeting of the American As- centered on a bright point-like infrared Caltech group has not been seen in visual emission. lrOIIomical Society. Alycia nucleus. In contrast, the bright disk of Hubble's optical images. It has long been proposed that stel 1Wlintlelrger, a doctoral student in phys- the galaxy NGC 1068 is over 30,000 There are two very interesting as- lar bars are a way of funneling mate iJ;sal the California Institute of Tech- light-years across at visual wave- pects of this image. First, the image is rial to an active nucleus. As gas moves aoIogy, and her collaborators have lengths. elongated, and second the axis of the in a non-circular distribution of stars, the computer-intensive technique Made at a wavelength of 2.2 mi- emission points in a different direction such as what may be seen in speckle imaging and the IO-meter crons, Weinberger's near-infrared im- than previously observed visual emis Weinberger's image, it is forced into . M. Keck Telescope atop Mauna age has the capability to reveal struc- sion. The near-infrared light used to orbits likely to take it near the central Hawaii, to image the nucleus of tures which are only 12 light years make this picture typically traces the black hole. This provides a continuous 1068. across. This is an extremely small dis- distribution of hot dust and cool stars. mechanism for "feeding" the central This galaxy, found in the constel- tance by galactic standards, as small as However, in NGC 1068, it is very engine. Cetus at a distance of about 50 about three times the distance between unlikely that there could be dust 100 ''The significance of this research . n light years, reveals a a bright the Sun and its nearest stellar neighbors. light -years from the central black hole is that it finds a brand-new feature in . nucleus at infrared wavelengths. Although taken from a ground based which would be hot enough to produce SEE BLACK ON PAGE 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Career and Funding Trends in On Pins and Needles BY MYFANWY CALLAHAN The woes for which we tum to a doctor. a psychiatrist, or a Science and Engineering As part of Wellness Week, religious leader, all are treated Yvonne Farell, from Emperor's by the same system in China. BY SAMSON T.MONER College of Traditional Oriental This medicine focuses on main About 140 people came to Medicine, gave a brief explana taining a balance in the body, 6e first meeting of EI 00, "En tion of acupuncture and and can correct small imbal lRipreneurial Developl1)ent", a herbalism. ances before they result in a full Since the early seventies fledged disease. leW course started by Profes when an American journalist Traditional medicine is not sor John Baldeschwieler. came back from China raving desirable in some cases such as While the phenomenally high about the ef- appendicitis or IIIIcndance has since dropped fects of acu orthopedic air to around 100 people, it is IPuncture, re Traditional surgery, but it IIiII one of the most popular op spect for this medicine ... has can be ex tional courses at Cal tech. Per style of medi tremely help haps even more astonishing cine has been been practiced in ful in conjunc than the attendance is the fact growing in the China for over two tion with !bat it is attracting both under United States. Western sci Many swear ence. Western paduates and graduates in al thousand years. by the results doctors can most every division at Caltech they get from perform sur including physics, electrical en being pricked by needles and gery with their best technology, gineering, biology and chem- drinking special teas. while Chinese doctors assist the istry. Traditional medicine of this patient in a speedy recovery and The fact that this course at sort has been practiced in China proper healing. A cancer patient tracts so many people from Baldeschwieler grins over success of E1oo. for over two thousand years. Al may go to the best hospital in the IIICh a wide background sug though it may be a new phenom area for chemotherapy, then tum ~ a new trend in student in· nesses. Here are some excerpts research. The situation has enon in the United States, the to an herbalist to reduce the side terests. Why are so many from that interview: changed a lot. Those jobS are methods have withstood the trial effects of the treatment. In many of time in their home country. cases, the best results are ob people interested in entrepre Q: Starting a new class is a much more difficult to find. Whereas Western doctors are tained when Oriental and West huge amount of work. Why were There is a large pipe-line of neurship? Also, starting a new trained to think of medicine in a ern medicine work in conjunc tOOrse requires vast amounts of you willing to make the effort? people that are in various. ago very compartmentalized and sci tion with each other. effort. What is driving Dr. A: For a number of years, it nizing holding patterns. These entific fashion, Chinese doctors BaJdeschwieler to make such has been apparent to me that the people are often in recurring adopt a holistic approach. SEE WELLNESS ON PAGE 2 an effort? career opportunities for graduates post-doctoral fellowship posi To answer these questions, from the top US technical univer tions - sometimes two, three, IN THIS ISSUE I interviewed Professor sities have changed a lo~. A de or four post docs - they may Baldeschwieler. He believes cade ago, I would bet we placed be well into their thirties be THE USUAL THIS WEEK'S 1hat fundamental changes in the more than half of our Ph.D. gradu fore they finally settle on job market for scientists and ates into academic jobs and prob something. For those that do STUFF FEATURES fundamental changes in the ably more than half of our Caltech get an academic position, fmd Announcements ........................ 12 ASCIT Elections ......................6 availability of funding for ba· undergraduates into graduate pro ing research funding is agoniz Dean's Comer... .. ....................... 8 Men's Basketball .................... I 0 sic research have taken place. grams leading to Ph.D. 's, with the ing. The expectations that they Ernest Explains ........................... 9 Media Guy ................................ 9 These changes are driving an expectation that they would be go would be able to carry on ba- Now HearThis ............. .. ....... .. ... 8 Spring Sports Preview............. I 0 The Outside World ...................... 2 era of small high-tech busi· ing into university teaching and SEE EIOO ON PA.ct 7 2 January 24, 1997 NEWS THE CALIFORNIA TE I The Outside World BLACK HOLE: AAS presentation CONTINUED fROM PAG E 1 exposures are made of the object, freezing this galaxy. And even more, this new feature atmospheric distortions that cause stars by Myfanwy Callahan may provide observational evidence for a theo "twinkle." Then the distortions are removed' KHARTOUM, S UDAN - could continue in general retically predicted means of channelling mate computer post-processing. As the largest i A rebel offensive began two practice or administrative rial to the black hole on very small scales," frared telescope in the world, the Keck Tel weeks ago in an effort to de duties. Weinberger says. The image is by no means scope provides the best obtainable resolution, stroy the Sudan's Islamic re detailed enough to show the in-fall of the mat Weinberger is currently completing w gime, long criticized by the WARSAW, POLAND - ter itself, Weinberger stresses. For this, one on her doctorate. She will continue doing 0b U.S. for supporting terror Poland is turning its mili would need a resolution of less than a light-year, servations to support this research, a part of ism. The rebels now claim tary over to civilian control and there is currently no way to make such thesis. "It will be exciting to look at NGC I that they have killed hun in order to meet the condi finely detailed pictures. with similar resolution in other infrared Way dreds of government troops tions to join NATO. How Nonetheless, the quality of this image is un lengths," she says. "The more information and pu shed to within 40 ever, the commanding gen paralleled because it relies on the unique resolv have across the spectrum the more we' ll un miles of a key hydro-elec eral, Gen.