Events at Physics |
Events on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009
- Special Plasma Seminar
- "Tests of Collision Operators Using Laboratory Measurements of Shear Alfven Wave Dispersion and Damping
- Time: 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
- Place: 5280 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Derek Thuecks, University of Iowa
- Chaos & Complex Systems Seminar
- Norepinephrine, Networks, and Behavior: One aproach to Systems Neuroscience
- Time: 12:05 pm
- Place: 4274 Chamberlin
- Speaker: David Devilbiss, UW Department of Psychology
- Abstract: Norepinephrine, an endogenous chemical within the brain modulates target neuron excitability. This neuromodulator permits global state changes of the brain (from sleep to waking) as well as participating in brain functions including cognitive processes such as attention and dysfunctions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression. This talk will describe the nonlinear nature of this neuromodulators effects on target neuron discharge properties, the summation of its effects on many individual neurons to alter the dynamics of neuronal populations, and the resultant effects on animal behaviors.
- Astronomy Colloquium
- The Incredible Omega Centauri- A Laboratory for Chemical Enrichment
- Time: 3:45 pm
- Place: 6515 Sterling Hall
- Speaker: Caty Pilachowski, Univ of Indiana-Bloomington
- Abstract: The globular cluster Omega Centauri continues to surprise us - a dispersion in metallicity, multiple main sequences, and even a black hole. As a laboratory for chemical enrichment, Omega Centauri is unparalled. Detailed studies of the composition of a large sample of giant stars in the cluster reveal the complex nature of chemical enrichment that occurred. Clues to the history of the cluster can be found in the changing abundances of light and heavy elements with metallicity. Comparison to other bulge, disk, and dwarf spheroidal stellar populations showing evidence of chemical enrichment suggests that Omega Centauri's path has been unique.
- Host: Emily Freeland Grad Student (WOWSA)