31.3.10

Life in the Universe

Five scientists consider the formation and evolution of worlds and life, through a public roundtable discussion this Friday in UF's New Physics Building 1001. Three professors from UF's Geological Sciences, Physics, and Astronomy Departments are joining two scientists from the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution to consider: "Life in the Universe?"

Some questions to be discussed include: How do we think habitable worlds form and evolve? How might living systems emerge from these worlds? And, where else might biogenesis have occurred in our own Solar System?

The panel will consider questions from the audience throughout this event, which lasts from seven to eight o'clock in the evening.

Panel speakers include Dr. Steven Benner, who's laboratory has pioneered synthetic biology research, and who wrote the critically-acclaimed book "Life, the Universe, and the Scientific Method" and coauthored the NAP report "The Limits of Organic Life in Planetary Systems;" Dr. Andrew Zimmerman, who studies earth history and life through organic geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and geomicrobiology; Dr. Katia Matcheva, who investigates the physics and chemistry of planet atmospheres through study of NASA space missions to Jupiter, Saturn and Mars; Dr. Stephen Gottesman, who has expertise in galactic structure and dynamics, and currently teaches the Astronomy Honors Life in the Universe course; and Dr. Matthew Carrigan, who is researching the origin of life by study of molecular evolution.

This event is hosted by the Undergraduate Astrophysics Society (UAS) in partnership with SPS. Our goal is to create an intellectually engaging environment that both experts and beginners can enjoy.


image credit: Undergraduate Astronomy Association

25.3.10

Our Cosmic History: From Big Bang to Big Molecules

Join the Department of Astronomy at the University of Florida in an evening of astronomical discovery next Friday, April 9th, 2010 in the New Physics Building starting at 6:30pm. The event will include public lectures by Professor Mordecai-Mark Mac Low (National Museum of Natural History and Columbia University) and Professor Paola Caselli (University of Leeds).


image credit: Jonathan Tan

22.3.10

What do astronomers do?

Former graduate student Jorge Pérez-Gallego, now a Master of Fine Arts student at the University of Florida's School of Art and Art History, donated his last piece to our department.

What do astronomers do? is an educational flash animation that mixes video interviews, imagery, and typography in order to demystify the image of the astronomer and bringing it closer to a broad audience.

For his purpose, Jorge had the pleasure to interview several members of our department, including our Chair, Rafael Guzmán, and our Associate Chair, Ata Sarajedini. The interviews also included professors Vicki Sarajedini and Eric Ford, doctorates Ashley Espy and Bruno Ferreira, and graduate students Scott Fleming, Nestor Lasso, Enrique López, Jesús Martínez, Robert Morehead, and Izaskun San Roman. Also, both Rafael Guzmán and María Rogal, a professor and Jorge's adviser at the School of Art and Art History, helped him with the final polishing of his work.

Furthermore, the included high definition video interviews are now available through our youtube channel.



what do
astronomers
do?
by jorge pérez-gallego

Answers to the question you have been always wondering about..

19.3.10

Redesign

After a couple of months of work, and thanks to everyone's involvement, our department is happy to announce the launch of its new redesigned site, a site aimed to increase the impact of our presence in the world wide web.

Along with this release comes this blog, aimed to keep our followers up to date on everything related to the professional endeavors of our department and its members, with news, announcements, and stories that will please everyone with an interest in astronomy in general, and our department in particular.

Stay tuned for many more things to come in the near future.