Keith Jackson of the Lab’s Computational Research Division worked with Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist George Smoot and Grateful Dead percussionist Mickey Hart (pictured) to "sonify" the universe by translating supernovae light waves into sound. “If you think about it, it’s all electromagnetic data — but with a very high frequency,” Jackson said. “What we did is turn it into sound by slowing down the frequency and ‘stretching’ it into an audio form. Our goal was to turn the electromagnetic data into audio data while still preserving the science.” More>
Reminder: Carbon Cycle 2.0 Symposium Next Monday Through ThursdayCarbon Cycle 2.0, one of Berkeley's top strategic initiatives, launches next week with noon symposia in the Building 50 Auditorium on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and the Building 66 Auditorium on Wednesday. All staff are welcome and invited to bring their lunch. Go here for the agenda and more information.
Science on the big screen is the topic of the next Science at the Theater program on Wednesday, Feb. 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. on the Roda Stage at the Berkeley Rep (2015 Addison St.). Sidney Perkowitz, author of Hollywood Science, will moderate a panel of Lab researchers, including climate scientist Bill Collins, physicist Richard Muller, and life scientist Abby Dernburg. The following evening, the Lab hosts a science café featuring the creator and star of the popular SyFy show Eureka. The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brower Center (2150 Allston). Submit a plot line for the show involving the Lab and win front row seats and an introduction to the Eureka guests.
Those interested in learning more about the science that will take place in the Homestake Mine in South Dakota (pictured) can listen to podcasts of talks sponsored by the Sanford Laboratory. Included in the selection is a lecture by Lab physicist Hitoshi Murayama on theories about the origin of the Universe called “Cosmology for Everyone.” Other podcasts in the series include “Dark Life for Everyone” by T.C. Onstott of Princeton University and “Dark Matter for Everyone” by UC Davis physicist Bob Svoboda. More>
[Chronicle of Higher Education] Do you love your research so much that you'd have a symbol of it tattooed onto your body? Among academics, scientists seem to be the most often inked, but plenty of scholars in the arts and humanities have tattoos, too. A Stanford doctoral student chose "the most beautiful thing I've ever learned...the Taylor expansion of sine" (pictured). More>
Staff are reminded that the replacement of flooring in the cafeteria is finished. Breakfast and lunch food service has resumed and the Peet’s Coffee Bar is open.
Employee Activity: New Club, 'PASSport To Wellness,' FormingA new club that seeks to “Promote, Advocate, Support and Share (PASSport) health and wellness” tips is forming at the Lab, as part of the Employee Activities Association. Club members will also be able to participate in Xiang Gong exercise, which focuses on promoting upper body circulation and helps alleviate or prevent repetitive motion disorder. Those interested in joining can contact Tennessee Gock (x5013).
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