Hello there. Yet another journal from one of those Earthwatch kids. As I sit here waiting for the pizza to arrive I try to visualize what exactly to put down on this page.
I'm putting in an advance warning : Please excuse the discontinuity of this journal. you have to realize that we stay up VERY late and my mind doesn't really start to function until after dark, and I need it to take observations. So if parts of this doesn't exactly fit with other parts, then you know the reason.
Day 1: June the 16th, 1998.
O.K., I wake up at way too early in the morning to drive two hours in morning traffic to a congested airport (the one in Atlanta) to meet two people I had only seen in photos. I met Mr. Jon Darvill, and miss Beth Brown before take off,and we began to get that warm and fuzzy feeling associated with the prospects of lasting friendships and the uncertainty of the immediate future. If that wasn't sappy enough for you, then I don't know what is. And now for something completely different........
The flight was long and arduous with perilous screaming children and the unidentifiable foodstuff given as a snack in mid-flight, with a culmination of the pilot apparently falling asleep during the landing cycle. I wasn't aware descents were supposed to be analogous to roller-coasters. can you read this? Because of earlier delays we had arrived an hour late, only to wait 2.23442052 hours more for the arrival of the last two members of our team: Elyne and Corrie. First impressions were interesting Beth and Jon acted close to what I had envisioned, Matt was preoccupied with a partially removed finger, and Megan and Dana both looked older than their pictures implied.
We had fun getting aquatinted and almost destroying valuable museum pieces by hitting around one of many numerous toys Jon had opted to bring along. With the arrival of Corrie and finally Elyne (baggage missing) we departed the airport to experience to local cuisine in an authentic New Mexican restaurant with a tree growing out of the middle of the floor. We were all amazed by a new found delicacy by the name of Sopaipillas. For the uninitiated it is a hollow pastry that is quite tasty when combined with sugar and honey. After debating which flaming hot version of salsa not to get and eating a wonderful meal we left for the mountain security of Los Alamos stopping only to enjoy the odd warm springs and large calderas of extinct volcanoes and their inbred, mutant, cow-elk inhabitants (long story, maybe I'll explain later).
After dropping off our luggage at the luxurious Hilltop Hotel, our home away from home for two weeks, we crossed the street to the Canyon School for a "get acquainted" session and light crash course on our intended research parameters. Staying up till 12:00 am mountain time (2:00 am my eastern time) wasn't too terribly taxing, but then again I would have a lot of sleepless nights in the upcoming weeks.
Day 2: June the 17th, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety eight.
After a brisk morning dip into the fabulous pool at our wonderful accommodations and also the hot tub, we met at Canyon School for a crash course on Gamma Ray Bursts and then we were off to the Bradbury Science Museum to meet our wild and crazy tour guide/science guy :Garry. He commenced on giving us the grand tour of the museum, from the history of Los Alamos (W.W.II, Manhattan project, etc.) to the modern day applications of the science being conducted at the big L.A. Oh, then he pulled out a real human brain: "Tom" and some cranial lobes that Beth affectionately nicknamed "Pat." After a nutritious take out pizza dinner (the life blood of our expedition) we returned to the museum for mini-seminars by Galen about the main projects planned for Fenton Hill and another talk about the Milagro project presented by Chad. Guthrie and Cathy (the under grads) talked about their past experiences here at Los Alamos, and then we were put in the spotlight as we introduced ourselves to the group present. Once again we returned to Canyon School where Don the man gave us a rundown of the various types of telescopes and introduced us to a crazy little thing called the CCD camera. Nifty little gadget really. Takes pictures without film. Amazing. We tried numerous times to get the darned thing to work and eventually produced lovely color photos of a wall socket and various cans and Styrofoam cups. I got familiar with the MIRA program.
note: If not used to the high altitude climate that the New Mexican mountains supply, do not, I repeat DO NOT, attempt vigorous physical activity (such as ultimate Frisbee) until you are used to the lack of oxygen.
Trust me on this one. I know from personal experience.
Day 3: June the 18th...two years minus the turn of the century (Thursday)
This was defiantly a multifaceted day. First we had a hilariously sensible discussion ,led by the great Ed Fenimore , about how the scientific method is a crock. He explained that it was actually much more like a rat maze, with blind leaps and assumptions that ultimately tie up with other seemingly unconnected events that help to eventually prove a point. But of course, logic is still an important factor, but it should not suppress creativity in replace of lined out orders.
Then after such a great talk we rushed off to an official seminar about the Hubble Deep Field sky searches that went WAY over my head. We even got their late so we only got to see the last of the pretty pictures, then had to sit through an hour and a half lecture that put me to sleep (sorry you had to here that Galen). I'm sure it was riveting to those who understood it but he used way to many technical terms.
Then the real treat came....We took the hour ride up to Fenton Hill and proceeded to take a tour of our observation site and we took a gander at the enormous Milagro project just down the dusty road. We spent the time till dusk connecting power cables and communications wires then set up for a LOOOOOOONNNNNGG night's work. In the words of the immortal Beetles it was a "Hard Day's Night." Beth , Elyne and I spent our time in the Astro Haven dome, the smaller of the domes with the smaller of the telescopes. It was however almost fault free. We only had to do a single double polar alignment before we began to work. The rest of the guys ,crowded into the larger Celestron 14 dome spent the entire night trying not to have the telescope point at the ground. I felt vaguely sorry for them, but I was chuckling inside. We (the fortunate few in the Astro Haven) actually completed finding and resolving the numerous double stars in the night's sky to calculate the "seeing" , or clearness, of the night sky. After that we searched for Messier Objects, things like galactic nebulae, other galaxies and the so forth. It was actually quite cold on that "Hill" and such that it spawned many, quite interesting, events : such as the feuding Love/Hate relationship between Jon and Beth. With such lovely quotes as "I hate You!! Never talk to me again!" and "Jon, You're a jerk!" don't worry Whitney, it was just a torrid lust affair (just kidding, tee hee hee.)
We got back to the hotel at 5:30 which really means that I was in...
Day 4: the Friday of the week of the 19th day in the month of June in the year of 1998!!!!!
More lectures on Gamma Ray Burst. A guy named Jeff Bloch brought a lot off transparencies and had many in depth discussions, but once again, it was considerably over my head. I caught more, though, maybe I'm learning...
Then we proceeded to the ROTSE site across from these lovely grandma house green painted bricks piled less than a 100 ft. from the telescopes..oh and by the way, They were Radioactive!
That was definitely a learning experience. AAAnnnyyyway: ROTSE was really nifty. We took long term exposures of specific spots in the sky with the four linked CCD cameras, then digitally enhanced them to look for specific objects. Elyne and I looked at M95 and M96, we also caught a satellite in the picture which in itself was really random and "nuts" in the words of Elyne.
We actually got back to the hotel before midnight and the group camped out in Dana and Megan's room. We should have gone to sleep, but we had fun making fun of infomercials and the "World's strongest man" contest on late-night ESPN.
Day 5: 6/20/98 Stardate 224.62113
Now today was really special. We actually got up before noon! No that wasn't the reason. The group went to a Tsankawi astroarchaeology hike with Diane Roussel. We toured long abandoned Indian dwellings and Diane pointed out the significance of the petroglyphs and how they related to the Indian's astronomical calendar. That in itself was interesting, but put that on top of absolutely breath taking scenery and a great hike and we simply forgot about the heat and sun.
After the hike, Galen was gracious enough to let us swim at his community's pool. It was nice! Guthrie and I had fun killing ourselves jumping off the high dive. He took a nice header after trying to pull off an impressive 720. He pulled his arms in strangely and he ended up putting in a half flip as well.
After the pool fiasco, we went to Canyon School to begin one of the many nights of typing. Remember the bit about the pizza? that was about a week ago. I guess I'm a little like Dickens: writing in progressive installments.
Day 6: 6...21...98...sunday...(Galen's big bad birthday. little did he know...)
We traveled to White Rock to have a bar 'b' Q at the Gisler's, but we snuck some cake and candles in as well. We listened to music, played some badminton, and picked some cherries before Galen broke out the harps and dulcimers and Digeredoos, among other things. I took the trombone and tried to pick out "When the Saints Go Marching In" unsuccessfully I assure you. It's amazing how talented our group is. The Gislers all had extensive practice in music (I'd never seen so much sheet music in my life) and Megan and Dana both were exquisite on the ivory keys.
The party commenced with the 12 of us watching Gattaca. That movie is very disturbing, in a weird sort of way. Actually watching the movie was more like being in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000, with comments flying left and right. We actually went back to the hotel early and caught some "shut eye" so we could be "bright eyed and bushy tailed" for the long day of work the next day at Fenton Hill.
Day 7: The Trip's Half Over !! So much to do, so little time!!....Monday, June 22.
Today we spent the entire day up at Fenton. The creators of the 10 ft dome that houses the Celestron 14 came to work on the wiring and fix minor problems. They spent most of the time sanding and reapplying different joints and such. That took most of the day. John and Meg Menke (the dome creators) stayed a little later and had a picnic dinner with us before the sky got dark and we headed out to start our observations.
Then we met Robin. An extremely cool amateur astronomer that was a friend of Galen's. He constructed his own telescopes, which in themselves were cool. We went throughout the catalogue of Double Stars again, in order to compare them to the previous night's observations.
It's interesting how staying up late can equate to some incredibly strange subjects. This was only emphasized by the apparent closeness of the group. We hadn't even been together for a complete week and I already felt like I had known them for years. I guess that's what happens when you put a group of like minded individuals together. That has surprised me as well. The whole group of us come from so many different areas, and yet we are so similar. Of course there were sectional differences: like names of different department stores and restaurants, but we all still shared many of the same likes and dislikes. It's just nice to know there are others out there a lot like you.
Day 8: 23 June Tuesday
Today we attended probably one of the best and most enjoyable seminars I think I'll ever go to. We were fortunate enough to hear Lawrence Krauss speak about his book The Physics of Star Trek. He explained how exactly many of the devices used on the series, both past and present, could in no way work with the current understandings of physics. He equated going into 1/2 impulse power as a wish to turn yourself into chunky salsa on the back of the flight deck. He also explained the possibilities of warp drives, transporters, and worm holes. I just can't wait till he does a series on the physics of Star Wars.
Then we took the GET (General Employee Training) test. I commend Galen whole heartedly on his effort to have us not take the test. But it appears that since we are here more than a week we have to take the preliminary, base level safety training. At least we get to keep the training manual. The test was in now way difficult, we all passed easily. Although I did have the lowest score (well above the cut off I assure you),but that was probably because I breezed through all 40 odd questions in about 15 minutes. We got a nice little red badge that to this date have never actually been used.
To finish off the evening we headed back to the Bradbury Science Museum again, to here Jack Hills speak on Killer Asteroids and the deadly phenomenon they cause, especially tsunamis. This was great considering I had seen him previously on CNN talking about the same stuff when the killer asteroid scare first came out, and DEEP IMPACT first came out. I also learned that that asteroid ,even in its incorrect first calculated trajectory only had a 1/1000 of a chance to actually hit Earth. Once again the media overplays the news to end up with a bigger story.
Then it was back to Canyon to write a little more, then off to bed.
Day 9: On the day of Wednesday the 24th
Remember the really huge radio telescope dishes that were seen in the movie Contact ? We'll once again Galen planned a really cool trip, allowing us to visit this Very Large Array (VLA) as it is formally called. Original name, huh? Although we didn't have much of a tour guide, we got to actually peak into the spare dish they rotated out of the VLA for repair and service. It's funny how the VLA now has pictures of Jodie Foster all over their walls along with little captions about the pictures. Here's a little movie tid bit. According to our guide at the VLA, when the movie crews came in to recreate the main control room, they were told to spill as much coffee on the carpets as possible to get a truly authentic feel.
We were scheduled to do other stuff after the trip,but being as it was a long ,tedious trip (4+ hours each way) we really didn't have the energy to do anything else. We all went to sleep rather quickly that night.
Day 10: Thursday the 25 of June (subtitled: Let's tour the Caldera.)
Waking up way to early (10:00am don't laugh) we picked up Carol Hogsett and began the grand tour of the Jemez mountains (remember it's Spanish the j sounds like an "h" and the z sounds like an "s".) She explained the geological importance of the massive caldera surrounding the former peak of the Jemez. We took a little excursion to a volcanic pumice mine, which happened to be the #1 mine for Levis stone washed pants, and took a look at the floating rock. She also showed us a site were we could find oceanic fossils, being that New Mexico once used to be under water. I found some Brachiopods (prehistoric clams), corral, and ancient starfish relatives.
We came back in time to attend another seminar at Bradbury about the Northern lights. Geoff Reeves explained the reasons for this beautiful phenomenon, and the museum manager told us a story involving a hot tub the Northern Lights, and some drunk Fins. There were many jokes about that little story throughout the night.
Day 11: FRIDAY THE 13TH!!! (well not really..it's the 26th)
Back to Canyon School for another little chat about the specific formulas used for radio astronomy by Diane Evans, the loving mother figure we all learned to love on our lovely trip to the VLA (hardy har har.) Personally I hate formulas, so unfortunately I missed most of the talk. Once again a little to precise for me to truly comprehend. We had another speaker come talk to us about Neutrinos and the huge water filled abandoned mines they use to detect them with. I understood Todd Haines' speech much better, probably because it was just an over view and not an overly detailed spill about the actually physics involved. Apparently the use 40 story deep abandoned mines lines with powerful photo sensors, completely filled with pure water. When a neutrino actually interacts with a subatomic particle, it sends the particle flying off while it emits a single photon of light. The photosensors are sensitive enough to pick up this single photon, therefore confirming the existence of neutrinos. There's two of these huge sensors in the world: one is outside of Cleveland, and the other is in Japan.
We also had visitors come in that videotaped us for use as a proposal for increased science in schools. Warren Lide and Charren Spence were the two that taped us, they were very nice. But it was weird having people asking questions and you answering to a camera. I felt like I was on a bad episode of the Real World.
Then it was back up to Fenton Hill. We didn't use visual observations, however. With the help of Guthrie and Don we attached CCD cameras to the Meade 7" in the Astro Haven and to Don's personal 10" Meade he brought up with him. This first night was fraught with frustration. We had extended troubles focusing the cameras and getting the mounts to cooperate with the cameras themselves. On top of that, the communication between the CCD on the 10" and the computer went haywire. The camera failed to cool to the needed temperature of -12 degrees Celsius. It fluctuated between 0 and 30+ degrees, which completely flooded the photo cells, ruining the pictures we hoped to get. Now I know how the domers with the Celestron 14 felt on the first observation night.
We did get a few fuzzy pictures and we got to use Don's amateur radio telescope to listen to the pops and clicks of Jupiter; but on average this was a learning night.
Day 12: our last Saturday. June the 27th.
We opted to not go to another Indian Mound in the morning, for an exchange of much needed sleep. We then typed a little before hitting Pizza Hut. The extra pizza came with us up to Fenton for our last observing night. Good stuff to watch the stars by. With preliminary set up, and polar alignments done we first focused in on the setting moon. After a short while of yet more focusing, we were able to produce some good quality pictures. The clarity improved throughout the night and we were able to produce some astounding pictures of various Messier objects such as the Andromeda Galaxy, Dumbbell and Halo nebulae, and a pinwheel galaxy M81.
We tried to resolve the separation between Aklcor and Mizar in the Big Dipper. The surprise was that when looking at the line graph of the intensities of the pixels, we say the companion star to Mizar as well. In truth it was a double double star. Polaris was also used. The line out produced similar results. Looking at the picture we were unable to distinguish it's double star....but the graph proved that it was recorded. The CCD was much more precise than we previously had expected.
All in all, our last night at Fenton Hill was a spectacular experience.
Day 13: To Shakespeare we go...June the 28th, a summer's Sunday in New Mexico.
It was Gay Day in Sante Fe, although we were quite oblivious to that fact...until we got there. I must say, that was definitely the first Gay and Lesbian Pride March that I was ever "blessed" to watch. But that was only a small part of this day's festivities. We went shopping! The girls really seemed to enjoy that, go figure... The Indians brought their crafts to the plaza in front of the Palace of the Governors (the country's oldest surviving seat of government[since the Spanish conquests].) It was amazing what they made. From Dream Catchers to golf ball markers inlaid with turquoise, to rings and tie tacks, they had it all.
After a great lunch in the Plaza Restaurant (I had a Chocolate Mint Cream Soda) we headed a little out of town to attend a presentation of Shakespeare's' Hamlet. It was slightly cut to make it more of a revenge play. Hamlet himself was incredible. The food was WAAYY over priced, but the play made up for it. It got a little cold as the sun started to set, but the sunset was spectacular blazing off the smoke from some massive forest fire off in the distance. Guthrie and I almost got killed by the team because we wouldn't stop doing Monty Python impersonations. (exp. "That's a strange expression Bruce!" )
I like Monty Python! =)
Day 14: Dreaded Monday the 29th of June...our doom approaches. =0
Our last full day here at Los Alamos. And we get thrown in front of twenty highly learned astrophysicists to report on the little data we actually have. Real fun, let me tell you. It didn't go to bad, not bad at all. Beth and I talked about how we resolved the double stars, and I think one of the scientists was surprised that we were actually able to resolve down to a half arc-second.
We were then supposed to go to the Bradbury Museum to report the same things, but we got sidetracked by lunch. Oh well. Typing and last minute souvenir shopping. We met in Donna's (a.k.a. mom) room to sign cards and various books for our leaders and helpers. We had a great dinner at De Colores and presented our gifts.
I'm just sorry this was our last day. I feel so close to these people. The impending doom was offset, however, by yet even more Python. Guthrie can truly appreciate the genius of bad British sketch comedy.
I won't write about tommorow...considering 1. I won't be here to write about it and 2. I probably would be too emotional. (I get all verclempt.)
Oh well. Just a few parting words. I would like to thank Dee Robins of Earthwatch for helping me to even be a part of this expedition, all the employees at LANL that was involved with our program, and especially Galen Gisler for having us and giving us an opportunity to actually use our brains this summer, and to expanding them to their greatest potential.
This is such a worthy program. I hope that all the future Earthwatchers have as great an experience as I did. Astronomy is such a living science. I hope that through this page (maybe not my journal) we may be able to convince people of that very thought. Look at the stars sometimes, you may be surprised by what you see.
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The most Famous Quotes of the 1998 Earthwatch Expedition
Where's the whale?? --- Jon
There are so many trees!! -- Megan
Adobe! -- Jon
Y'all -- Matt and Dave
Buck! -- Matt stolen by Jon
Cow-elk -- Jon again
So what exactly is a microlensing event?? -- Dave
*#@$ !!!!! -- Elyne
It's Fiestaware!! -- EVERYONE
The 7 minute rule is in effect -- Corrie
Crapped up -- Jon yet again
Sleeping bags are not to be shared -- Beth
Wowee!! -- Megan and Dana
I'm tired and I'm drunk -- Elyne
Go Away!! We're sleeping!!! -- Matt to the House keeping lady
I Hate Astronomy!! -- Jon (he was kidding)
I hate you! Never talk to me again -- Jon (he's hateful)
Sum'um -- Corrie (her version of "something")
I can see the rings!! Oh wait. That's the moon. -- Dave
Jon, you're a jerk! -- Beth to Jon
No. You're a jerk! -- Jon to Beth
Sheep, One walks off a cliff and they all follow. Like lepers! -- Elyne (he meant Lemmings)
D'jall go cow tippin' ? -- Matt
I'm available , I mean glad to
work with you. -- Dana
I need another quote! -- Megan
Is that a technical term?? -- EVERYONE
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
Many Waters
Swiftly Tilting Planet
Arm of the Starfish - Madeline L'Engle
Foundation Series - Isaac Asimov
Something Wicked this way comes
Illustrated Man - Bradbury
Lightning - Dean Koontz
The Grapes of Wrath - Steinbeck