Hm I'm going to put a little prologue in here, even though its not really necessary...
As I'm typing this, I'm 17 years old, with a mom, a dad, and a "little" sister, a house near Pittsburgh, PA, a small school in the same area, and a collection of odds and ends (important odds and ends!) that pretty much make me what I am for now, that is. When I was first called into the program by the call of my guidance counselor, I was somewhat reluctant, I admit. After all, I may be smart, and I may like science, but I'm a physics-phobe and an astronomical idiot (not the way it sounds), and I dont exactly have a history of caring for the environment from the bottom of my soul. However, after a somewhat dubious start, writing acceptance essays on an 8-hour plane ride, the like, I managed to make it here.
As the plane to Albuquerque was my first solo flight (la Lindbergh!), and, previously at least, I haven't been the most successful at the whole "meet new people" thing, I was, needless to say, apprehensive. However, everyone (team members: me, Emily, Dan, Dan, Nabina, Mike, and Gavin; chaperones, instructors, other misc. EW people) has been awesome, and, thus far at least, I'm really enjoying myself. Though I am a little tired.
After a good (if short) night's sleep, I managed to get up and make it to the buffet breakfast before holding up the group slightly as I repacked a bag for the first full day - I come prepared: aspirin, bandages, water, a camera, etc. etc. We made a short stop at the lab to get badges made; they're crucial for getting into such buildings as the computer lab and classrooms. Then, on to lunch. The group piled into our giant silver "vehicle" and made a short tour of the local Chinese restaurants before deciding on China Palace. We all bonded over our buffet/vegetarian meals. Now that we're all (basically) more awake, we are able to communicate, exchange friendly banter about different cultures (or states at least), religions, books, music interests, and, most importantly, duct tape-related events. Its great to be able to sit down and discuss what really matters!
Then, on to the Bradbury Science Museum - not, to my relief, named after Ray - and got a brief history of the Lab. Interesting stuff; we heard about everything from the Manhattan project to the present. It was also intriguing to hear the history of nuclear energy/weapons/whatever from a person working somewhat on the inside world peace was not exactly a highlight. Nonetheless, the lecture brought back excellent memories of AP US History.
After a quick telescope 101 and dinner, we returned to the museum to hear a lecture on the universe. Rather a broad topic still, we "nailed the Jell-O to the wall" and got a comprehensive guide through cosmology. Basically, for those of you who were not able to make the session, scientists know (pretty much) that there was a "singularity" which did not explode precisely, but which somehow expanded to create, eventually, what we are able to see today. Then things get tricky.
Apparently, we can only actually see a tiny fraction of what's out there. The rest of it is some stuff termed dark energy and dark matter (call it God, call it magic), as well as more unknowns this stuff, by the way, is holding the universe together. We have no clue what it comes from or where it is or even what it is But! They're working on it. It just goes to show, I guess, what a big scary alien place we live in.
So. Blame it all on darkness.
The darkness was especially prevalent when we went up to Fenton Hill for our first night making observations. We all set up telescopes or the boys did, while I looked at the Milky Way flat on my back on the pad and then were awed for the next few hours by the spectacular array of assorted heavenly treasures. Some double stars were in evidence, as well as several Messier objects, and last (but not least - it was the brightest by far), the cratery moon.
It was a late night - we got back to the ranch by four and immediately fell asleep - but it was an extremely rewarding experience, and only the first of many.
06-28-05
One of the reasons I was so happy to get this program over the others is that the wake up time is 11 or later. I did better today - this whole no roommate thing, though nice, is hard in terms of time management and promptness. We managed to gather ourselves together by twelve-ish and then broke our fast at Subway. There was some talk about the evening activity - we'll be viewing stars of another type tonight, opera singers to be precise. Then we went to the classroom to get a project briefing.
The general idea of the assignment is to get the orbit radius of this asteroid that's in orbit. There's going to be a lot of work involved, from viewing to sketching to math to a final presentation, but it should be really interesting, and with luck the results will be good.
So dinner was pretty snazzy - the guacamole man in particular was quite the show, although he was hardly the only one, and conversation was good - we brainstormed a theme for this year's expedition primarily. Then on to the opera (!!!)
I wasnt sure which segment of the "playboy" Figaro's life this particular show was going to be, but it turned out to be his first adventure, and I must say, I forgot how little operas actually say through all that gorgeous music. Its basically repeating words over and over. Which is fine anyway, I found the intermission of stargazing equally as entertaining. Nonetheless, the evening was excellent.
We woke up altogether too early (again, haha) today, but I suppose it was a good idea to "beat the heat" - today is hiking day! I strapped on ""les ugly hiking boots" and jumped on the van with the rest of the crew, and we made it over to Bandelier before ten. The actual hiking wasn't bad at all - paved roads and shaded (sort of) paths - but the heat was fairly intense, as was the dust. (That dust again!) We started out by touring some pueblo ruins and went on to climb rocks, photograph cacti, and, lastly, scale several large ladders to make it to a large cave/indentation in the mountain face where ceremonial rituals and the like were performed. Cool. I admit, I was panting by the time the expedition was over, but at least it doesnt get nearly as humid as it does back home - that would have been a killer.
Lunch was especially good, perhaps because I was so starving. We ordered four large pizzas, I think, and only ended up with maybe two or three leftover slices. Oh, and there were breadsticks. Still, I can justify eating all that because, I mean, I was walking all morning.
At this point we had to report to the lab to get passwords or something for our day to day survival. The lab sure looks a lot less high tech than I thought it would be, but maybe all the expensive bits are in the back, under high security. There's a lot of mysterious gates and checkpoints and things in the lab no one really told me why either, but I guess its pretty secretive and important. Still, we got the passwords and then had basically free time to update observations/journal/recharge until dinner. I utilized the time to take a nap, which was a really good idea given the late night ahead.
We had another lecture, this time about "cataclysms" that could at any point end all life as we know it. Fairly straightforward - we discussed asteroids and comets and dinosaurs and "birds of death" - I still dont know what those are, but everything else I had already heard a little about. Highlights: Gavin's attempt to free the bug stuck in the projector, that "old guy" and his comments on elephants fleeing from giant tsunamis, and everyone's sketch of the birds of death. Oh, also, the information on comets and asteroids and how long we have left to live (2040 is it, man!!!)
Dinner was an informal event; those among us who are vegetarians (AHEM, Nabina and Emily) got some more Subway (and witnessed a fight) and the rest of us chose the golden arches for our dining experience. Yours truly got a Mighty Kids meal - the toy was too good to pass up.
Then, on to Fenton Hill! Our first day of formal observation for the asteroid orbit thing was underway. After some severe difficulties with the alignment, we managed to focus on the crystal clear skies above us (well, okay, except for the distortion caused by the fires a couple hundred miles away) and successfully (after maybe 5 hours) got a good sketch of the asteroid area. Supposedly mine is good. We shall see. After I made my sketch, I was all for going home and sleeping, but the boys would have none of it, so while they tracked Mars or a comet or something, I stayed inside and ate carrots and popcorn and the like. Not bad for the first few hours. Eventually, everyone made it back with exciting stories of a missing star or something, and I had a brief breakdown into hysteria (the happy kind, like if I was drunk or something), after which we piled back into the van and made it home by 5 or so. I was planning on seeing the sunset, but by the time we got to the hotel, I was so much past the point of caring that the sun could have come up purple and it wouldnt have mattered.
We had the luxury of sleeping in again today, until after noon. I showered and dressed and met up with Daniel, who came to collect me (I was late again apparently - and I thought I had been doing so well, too ) in the hallway. We made it to lunch by about 1:30 and, despite the somewhat tacky atmosphere, managed to eat enough food to make me, at least, feel uncomfortably full for the next few hours. And I bet you really wanted to know that.
Today is mainly an empty day - I spent most of it between lunch and dinner fooling around pretending to do math for the asteroid thing. Really, though, I have no idea what I'm doing, so maybe I'll save it for when we have our second set of data or maybe I'll get help later tonight. Meantime, nap.
After being (rudely) awakened, I grabbed my Fenton Hill gear and rejoined the group to get food and dinner stuff for a meal up at the observatory. It was especially neat watching the stars come out - we got there before dark for the first time, and, as the (somewhat hazy - darn forest fires) skies grew dark we took an informal tour of the Cosmic Ray Observatory facilities - very interesting - and set up the telescopes. Then, inside to eat sandwiches and soups and fruit and things, and back outside to witness the overhead pass of the space station! It was really weird to see something man made that high up I mean, there's planes and satellites and all that you can see whenever you tilt your head, but somehow the station, travelling so quickly and so brightly, was a sight to behold.
And then, on to business. We aligned the telescopes - we are getting better! - and focused on Jupiter before looking for our asteroid. Pictures were dully drawn and compared with what they ought to look like, and then corrected a word of advice: don't try to look through a telescope with glasses.
I spent the next bit flat on my back looking up. Lots of satellites and meteors were flying about. I'm also getting better at constellations and landmark (skymark?) stars. Woo hoo!
Even though we got up to Fenton Hill early, somehow we didnt make it back until equally as late - it was at least 4 by the time we arrived at the hotel. It was, however, one of my more aware car rides; everyone was cracking the sort of jokes that are only funny at 3 in the morning, and sometimes not even then, which was hysterical. At the time. By the time I got to my room, though, I was very ready for sleep, and followed through on that urge.
So once again, I woke up around 11 or 12, showered, and made it down the hall (with the new carpet!!!) and into the van for lunch by about 1. This time, it was a diner, where I, true to form, ordered off the kids menu a grilled cheese sandwich and a side of fries. On this brain food, I was well equipped to return to the classroom to learn math skills.
Initially, I was a bit confused by the calculus topics being discussed, so I (blush) paid little attention and did some serious doodling. But then I had an epiphany! I was able to follow calculations and actually grasped the fact that, despite all our assumptions and estimations, the final answer we got was within range. Yaaaaay asteroid orbital radii.
We then heard a lecture on Mars. And water. The speaker was really good - he was organized and concise and knowledgeable. I'd love to be able to tell you more about what we talked about, but unfortunately I was semi-unconscious for the majority of the lecture. Which stinks, because that was definitely one of the more interesting ones. Darn these late nights!
I was revived by the fresh outdoor air and the loud concert music on the ski slope where we ate dinner. Some bands were playing up there, and we decided to hear them. I have to say the scenery was a lot better than the music nonetheless, I got a free Los Alamos yardstick and some food. We spent the time talking science anyway, so the quality of the music was somewhat irrelevant. Science talk was much more interesting.
After painting a rock in honor of Galen's homecoming, we decided against going to Fenton Hill, and instead returned home to watch lots of cartoons and eat Ramen noodle soup and drink assorted sports drinks. All in all a fulfilling day!
I woke up rather earlier today, bypassing the hotel breakfast for a Mexican one on the way to Santa Fe. Sadly, I missed out on the sopapillas (I will get some more of those before I leave!), but instead ate some (lukewarm) blueberry pancakes. Then on to Santa Fe. The city was a lot smaller than I'd assumed it would be. The architecture there was pretty cool, as were the market/vendor places. Unfortunately though it seems to cater to tourists too much. I wandered around, after stopping by the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum - a definite highlight. I love her work, and there were a lot of sketches of abstract things and flowers and people and such that I'd never seen before. Also, there was a feature on Andy Warhol's Flowers series which I found really intriguing. I understand why not everyone likes modern or even pop art, but I think that it is pretty incredible the ideas behind it anyway, this is an astronomy trip, not an art one.
Moving on, we got back home and had some free time for a while before meeting up with the long lost Galen and his family. I had an image of him in my mind from all the Galen stories Id heard...he didnt meet any one of them. Which was a good thing. Well, not like I thought he was a horrible person but he's much cooler than I expected. We ate dinner at the Hill Diner, where the boys once again balanced things on other things. I mainly listened to other people's conversations and ate my "chicken tenders and fries and onion rings." This trip will be the most onion rings I've eaten in a long time.
After dinner, we decided to go up to Fenton Hill and do some observations on seeing (how well you can see stuff, basically). Emily, Nabina, and I worked together and did really well our results weren't perfect, but they were pretty close. And we had a lot of fun doing it lots of strange moments ensued which I wont go into because they're probably in other people's journals, and they probably wouldnt make sense to anyone not there at the time.
The car ride back was pretty riveting. We listened to a CD of Brian Regan (you too) and laughed tiredly to ourselves, before arriving at the hotel and collapsing.
Woke up late again and headed for the local Sonic - my first time, but all in all a good experience more onion rings, and a burger and some ice cream split with Dan. We promptly returned to the hotel to do some laundry (yay! Clean clothes!) and to fall asleep accidentally. Yep.
I made it over to the classroom sort of on time and we had a lecture on radio astronomy which had a lot of physics in it the stuff sounded really interesting but I think a lot of it went over my head. I seriously need to take a physics class or something. Anyway, it was pretty cool, talking about the VLA and the VLBA and Puerto Rico and the ends of the universe and James Bond, and then I ran back to the hotel to switch some laundry. Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
We hung out for a couple more hours and then went up to Fenton Hill early (with a bunch of assorted EarthWatch team family members and friends the more the merrier!). We set up, aligned, then went inside to eat before rushing back out to witness the hitting of a comet by a space probe. I didnt see much although Don said that he saw the satellite from which the probe was launched. Pretty interesting we'll learn more about comets than ever before from this, and I was around, looking at the night sky, to see it. Even though, technically, I didnt. But we did get a good picture of the thing before it was hit with the CCD.
Anyway, after that, we had a bit of a Messier Object scavenger hunt and sat out on the pad for way too long as John and Don and Co. collected data for the asteroid. Still, many shooting stars were seen and I was able to almost figure out a way to get comfortable on a cold cement block late at night - the trick is to get so tired it doesnt matter.
We made it home around about 3 or 4 and, once again, I fell asleep the moment I got into bed.
It's party day!
Apparently every year, Galen has a birthday party and all the EarthWatchers come, along with some other sciencey people. They go swimming and eat lots of food and tell science jokes and play music and its a blast. This year, the program is later than most years, so we missed Galen's party, but he threw one anyway because its the 4th of July, not to mention that he just loves us so much.
So, we woke up around 1 and immediately went to Galen's, where we were greeted by his wife, son, daughter, and dog. I managed to grab a bit of guacamole before being hustled off to the neighborhood pool, where we swam for a while, got bashed around by kids on rafts, and made idiots of ourselves by going of the high dive in a spectacular flop. Well, that last part was just me. Anyway, it was fun, if painful.
We arrived back at the house and played a little badminton before being called to eat the grill food and salad and fruit and such - it was all very good, and I overate (baha). We stood around and talked, and I found a Rubix cube which I tried to solve for way too long, before getting Andy (Galen's son) to do it for me. Then we ate home made ice cream cake and watched a half-hour movie in which things knocked into other things and made them fall into other things which lit other things on fire, which propelled still other things into other things and the cycle goes on and on. Good times!
It was then determined that we should all grab an instrument and start playing, so I, despite my initial urge to display my incredible magical harmonica skills, sat quietly and unobtrusively in a corner and continued to Rubix. I think I'll practice harmonic-izing before I surprise everyone like that.
Soon enough, we went to see the fireworks. It was a good show, with lots of people to see it, and a band and a Ferris wheel, which I didn't have the money to ride. After the walk back, we sat around a little more, discussing science and music, and then headed home.
Today is Very Large Array Day. We woke up (too) early, got in the car, and promptly fell asleep again for another three hours until we were woken up for lunch at a restaurant specializing in Italian food. I wasnt really expecting Italian in the Southwest I dont know why. Still. My calzone was good, and we used the uneaten half to make a portrait of John. Then, back on the road for another hour, during which I listened to music and the theological discussions around me. And finally, the VLA.
The VLA is this giant array of dishes which can be hooked together to make a massive dish that looks at radio wave emissions from everything from the earth to the edges of the galaxy and beyond. We were lucky enough to actually get inside one of the dishes and see how it worked. It was really awesome. Then we went into the actual VLA control center (rather less impressive - but they're working on it) and got a history of the past, present and future of radio waves and the VLA.
We stopped before we left to take some ridiculous pictures of us imitating the Array, then got back in the car and blasted some RHCP (courtesy of me) before reaching Stephen's house where Corrie and Co. had cooked us a large grill meal. I had a bit of a hysterical moment, but then calmed down once we reached the car and chilled to some oldies and then some oasis. More theology ensued, but it was in a friendly way, and we all came away enlightened. I think
Back at the inn, I showered and got a cookie from the front desk before trying to move my room to upstairs with the rest of the crew. Somewhat less than successful, but there may be results tomorrow. Anyway, I shared the cookies and the popcorn with the folks upstairs and watched a little TV in the various rooms before heading to bed around 1 or 2.
We woke up earlier again today, and went the classroom by 9 to plan out our presentation. We didnt get too far, but that was expected - we only really need a basic frame right now anyway. Then on to the journalizing time and a lecture by Galen on the asteroid that killed the dinos. Somewhat loaded, I believe, considering the discussions last night. Nonetheless very interesting stuff! I especially liked the video parts.
So then, we had another lecture on the sun and how it works and neutrinos. It was pretty heavy stuff, and I was kind of confused for a lot of it, but the guy was a really good speaker so I stayed interested basically. Yeah, I wish I had taken physics. After "hanging out" for an hour or so, we moved on to our third lecture. This one was about Gamma Ray Bursts - the best lecture so far (on the trip, not just the day) I think. It was really interesting, hearing about such enormous explosions so far out in space. I especially enjoyed the little jokes thrown in. Kept me aware.
I was revived by pizza and twilight badminton at Galen's. We all discussed space and sports - there were some really good convos. I tried to solve the Rubix cube again, and failed Gavin tried to help though then we watched Contact, which I thought was a good idea, with awful acting and bad dialogue. Anyway, science films of the 90's I guess it's got an excuse. It was fun in terms of environment though.
We left for home and at long last I was able to move up to the second floor - no longer am I trapped behind the stairwell - adjust to my new room, and get to sleep.
These entries are getting progressively shorter, aren't they
Anyway, woke up much too early, bypassed breakfast in favor of another half-hour, and made it downstairs in time for the geology tour. I must say, the landscape is gorgeous here in New Mexico, but I dont think the geology of the area is exactly my area of interest. Still, some of the volcano stuff was kind of cool, and I was sufficiently entertained by throwing pumice into water and picking up small fossils. Also, The Clash was playing. Cool stuff.
Then, onto Taco Bell, where I ate (and appreciated - but was not changed by) a chicken quesadilla. We made it back to the school before 2 and spent the next few hours planning out our presentation thats coming up soon! Like tomorrow! Thennn we went to see another lecture - this one on the origin of the elements. The answer to that is in stars through nuclear (It's nuclear!! Not "nucular" or whatever! Say it!) fusion and fission. This was one of the better speeches we've heard (although that may have been because I was less exhausted and better able to understand. Best moment: the complete shutdown of the guy in the audience by the German guy giving the talk (-Can you explain how that works? -No.) Or maybe the comments on mushroom clouds. Anyway. Thats definitely one of those you-had-to-be-there moments.
So after a (gah! Spicy!) Thai dinner, we returned to the hotel where we played several rounds of a Bavarian card game taught to me earlier this summer by a German in Italy it's moved on to New Mexico. Those Bavarians should be proud. I started on a winning streak, but ended up sort of giving up and watching Family Guy for a bit instead. Then back to my room to sleep around 1 or so.
Woke up too early again, then headed straight to the classroom to prepare for our presentation (gasp) in front of a bunch of very knowledgeable scientists. I have to do CCD cameras, which is better than it could be, but also worse. We shall see. Hopefully my habit of mumbling and veering off on tangents will not crop up in this situation.
it didnt.
The presentation went well, and by 4 we headed to Don's to eat fajitas and discuss the afterlife. Again. Then we played cards and did Rubix cubes until we screamed in pain. Then a lecture on Saturn. And then more cards and then bed.
It's the last day We were able to get up later, around 10:45 or so, and we went straight to Fenton Hill to do some amateur radio stuff. We contacted Japan! I wasnt there at the time. Thennnn back down the mountain and to the classroom. Roller blading and dinner ensued, then back to the hotel one last time to pack and such.
So some closing thoughts. It's been a blast! I love everyone, and even if I was sometimes lost on the math or exhausted by the combination of lectures and late nights, I'm so glad I ended up in dusty New Mexico to study what's out there. I guess now would be a good time to apologize for the diminishing journal entries. My excuse is that I was simply having too much fun (educational fun!) to write it all down. Hopefully the pictures speak for themselves and they are a thousand words each, after all. Plus captions. Anyway.
To my advisors and leaders and other people I got the opportunity to meet in Los Alamos: thanks so much for the experience, the advice, the education, and the money (Frank!). I'll benefit from it for quite a while, if not forever (let's not be too melodramatic, right?).
To my family and friends: hope this made this two week stretch less and not more foggy for you & although I'm kind of surprised you actually made it this far through all that non-edited and half sarcastic torrent.
To upcoming EarthWatchers: if you actually read this whole thing, you're more dedicated than I was to the EarthWatch program & seriously, I was reading the mission booklet or whatever on the plane & anyway, you'll have a great time here, just remember to be open and keep looking up (haha.).
To any late night web surfers: maybe you should move a long to another site or get a life or go to sleep or something-j/k-but seriously.
And, finally , to my EarthWatch compatriots: good times dudes! Don't laugh at me too much for my bizarre entries. I guess its fitting to end this in the cliched words of thousands of yearbook writers "you rock-don't change!"