Eucrite meteorites formed within the first seven million years of the start of the solar system, and are widely believed to originate from the asteroid 4 Vesta. Thus eucrites hold important insights into the geologic processes that were active on small planetary bodies, and particularly into their chemical differentiation. Two meteorites recovered in 2009 from Northwest Africa appear to be unbrecciated basaltic eucrites, and have similar mineral assemblages. The characterization of these samples by petrography, mineral chemistry, and whole-rock chemistry will help to provide an understanding of their formation, and will indicate whether they are paired. Comparisons with other eucrites described in the literature may provide additional insights into the chemical evolution of 4 Vesta.
“Life Stories of Middlebury College” is a multi-phase initiative intended to gather people’s experiences while at the college, particularly reflections that highlight issues of diversity. In her interview, Susan Watson discusses adapting lessons from High School to teaching in college, her strategy of isolation for dealing with being a woman in a predominantly male field, the TA who became her mentor in college, lunch discussions with past generations of female physicists, the importance of brutal honesty in mentoring colleagues, how the size of Middlebury has helped her get to know students, and creating an environment where people are encouraged to succeed.
First developed in 1976 by Geoffrey Rose, the laser harp is an electronic instrument designed to stimulate visual and aural senses together when used in live concerts. Provided with the advantage of many technological advancements since Rose’s time, I constructed a laser harp using electronics, a MIDI CPU converter and computer synthesizer equipment. The laser harp is framed – with the lasers affixed to the top and indicdent on photocells positioned at the base. The electronic instrument includes up to twenty lasers, each of which play a different note as specified by the MIDI signal. Additional lasers may be included which, when disrupted, would change the volume, octave or sound for any or all of the other beams.
