Schedule of JLab's 2005 World Year of Physics Events

All events are open to the public.

February 16 (4 p.m.)
Colloquium: Victor McCrary, Johns Hopkins University
"Orbiting the Sun with Qubits: An Overview of S&T at the Applied Physics Laboratory"
In seven years, NASA plans to send a probe to orbit the sun. This probe will be subjected to a solar flux that will heat the probe's surface to temperatures in excess of 3500° F. In 10-20 years, the U.S. will have a quantum computer that can break any code or solve today's toughest gene sequence in fractions of the time it takes now. Challenges like these are being met by scientist and engineer investigators at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). For over sixty years, JHU/APL has provided critical contributions in the areas of national defense, space science and exploration, and homeland security. This talk will provide an overview of basic and applied research projects that are poised to answer tomorrow's critical challenges through today's research.

March 16 (7:00 p.m.)
Einstein's Biggest Blunder: A Cosmic Mystery Story
A talk by Professor Lawrence Krauss
Synopsis: In 1915, Einstein completed his greatest triumph, the General Theory of Relativity. This remarkable theory laid the basis not just for our understanding of the motion of objects within the Universe, but the motion of the universe itself! Yet, in 1916, it looked as if Einstein's theory did not properly account for observations of the universe on large scales. To resolve this problem, he added an additional term to his equations, the so-called "Cosmological Constant". Within a decade however, observations indicated that such a term was not necessary to obtain agreement with observations, and Einstein called this addition his "biggest blunder." Over the past decade, new observations have led to a revolution in cosmology. The standard model of cosmology built up over a 20-year period through the early 1990s is now dead. Its replacement may be far more bizarre. In particular, data from a wide variety of independent cosmological and astrophysical observations strongly suggest that most of the energy density of the universe today may be contained in empty space! Remarkably, this is exactly what one would expect if Einstein's Cosmological Constant really exists! If it does, its origin is the biggest mystery in physics.

April 16
Jefferson Lab Open House
Bring the family, bring a friend and plan on spending the day with us! Take in the latest physics research and technology developments underway at Jefferson Lab. The Lab is opening its assembly areas, accelerator, experimental halls, and Free Electron Laser for tours. Hands-on activities from local museums and local universities and cryogenic shows will all be on hand to show the public how nuclear physics impacts the lives of many.

May 4 (7:30 p.m.)
Einstein/World Year of Physics Recital featuring Jack Liebeck with pianist Inon Barnatan
Introduction by Brian Foster
Ferguson Center for the Arts - Christopher Newport University
tickets available through the Ferguson box office: $10
sponsored by SURA, Hampton University and Jefferson Lab

Science Series Events

February 8 (7 p.m.)
From Slave to Scientist - A Dramatization of the Life of George Washington Carver
From Slave to Scientist takes us through Carver's early struggles to get an education, his quest for a career as an artist, and his years as a teacher and inventor. We meet Dr. Carver during a concert tour. A gifted singer and pianist, he traveled throughout the South giving performances to raise money for Tuskegee Institute, where he taught and lived until the end of his life. From Slave to Scientist was written, produced, and directed by Robin Lane.

March 22 (7 p.m.)
A Visit with Marie Curie
This one-woman, living-history exposes the struggles and triumphs of Madame Marie Curie - an academically impassioned, vehemently private, fervently Polish scientist, mother and teacher. Marie Curie is best known for the discovery of radium and radioactivity. The 40 minute presentation covering childhood through scientific discovery is followed by a 10 minute question and answer session with Marie Curie, and then a 10 minute question and answer session with the presentor. A curriculum guide for this presentation is available for download: http://www.storysmith.org/manya/docs/ManyaCurriculumGuide.pdf

<< World Year of Physics Information

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility’s (Jefferson Lab’s) basic mission is to provide forefront scientific facilities, opportunities and leadership essential for discovering the fundamental structure of nuclear matter; to partner in industry to apply its advanced technology; and to serve the nation and its communities through education and public outreach. Jefferson Lab is a Department of Energy Office of Science research facility managed by the Southeastern Universities Research Association.