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Sciences Library News

Category: Astronomy

Lunar Orbiter 1 new of the Moon and crescent Earth.
Jul 25 2019

Beyond the Moon: Recent Iowa Contributions to Space Research 

Posted on July 25, 2019July 26, 2019 by Laurie Neuerburg

The 50th anniversary of the moon landing is an exciting milestone of space exploration! Our University archivist David McCartney has written about how Iowa research contributed to the safe landing of the astronauts on the moon! James Van Allen’s discovery of the radiation belts meant that the necessary calculations were done to transport the astronauts safely through these belts. 

Lunar Orbiter 1 new of the Moon and crescent Earth.
Image Credit: NASA. First View of Earth From the Moon and Oblique View of the Lunar Surface.

A wealth of links can give you more information about the moon landing, from its historical background to the scientific advances that we gained from the Apollo 11 mission. Thank you to Kai Weatherman for gathering this list of links! 

  • In this Astronomy July Special Issue, find out about the women of Apollo, research into moon rocks, and download a free ebookcalled Project Apollo: Reaching for the Moon: http://www.astronomy.com/bonus/apollo_home 
  • Read and listen to reports on Apollo from NPR! https://www.npr.org/series/738145345/apollo-11-50th-anniversary-coverage
  • Check out the collection of photos of the moon landing from the New York Times! https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/science/apollo-11-moon-landing-photos.html and a host of other moon related articles  
  • Watch the PBS American Experience “Chasing the Moon”: https://www.pbs.org/video/chasing-the-moon-part-1-kpyzvq/and explore the interactive feature: https://ctm.americanexperience.org/ 
  • In Nature, read about the history of the moon landing and possibilities for future lunar research: https://www.nature.com/collections/bfhghadfcc
  • Including Moon on the mind: two millennia of lunar literature: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02090-wand Propulsive reading: books on the Moon: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02089-3 

After looking back at Apollo 11, you might wonder, what has recently developed in Iowa space research? 

  • MAVEN explores the hydrogen cycle on Mars 
  • The Parker Solar Probe takes measurements of the sun’s outer layer 
  • Development of a ring core for future space research  
  • HaloSat measures matter found around the Milky Way 
  • Finally, the University of Iowa recently won a $115 million grant from NASA! This will allow us to study the magnetic fields between the sun and Earth.
Posted in Astronomy, PhysicsTagged Apollo 11, Moon landing, Space research1 Comment
Sciences Library Workshops
Jun 12 2019

EndNote Workshop

Posted on June 12, 2019June 12, 2019 by Laurie Neuerburg

The Sciences Library welcomes students, staff, and faculty to an EndNote Workshop on Wednesday, July 17 at 11:30 AM in room 102 of the Sciences Library. There is no need to register in advance.

In this workshop you will learn how to use EndNote to: 

  • Collect references for articles, books, websites, and other sources using Google Scholar, InfoHawk+, and popular databases like Web of Science and Scopus;
  • Organize your references into groups and share your reference library with collaborators;
  • Use the Cite While You Write plugin for Microsoft Word to insert citations into your papers and format them into thousands of different styles.

EndNote Web is available for free to all members of the University of Iowa community. EndNote Desktop is available for free to all UI graduate students, faculty, and staff. 

If you’re interested, but unable to attend these workshops, private appointments and webinars can be arranged. If you have any questions or if you’d like to request a workshop for your class or group, please contact Laurie Neuerburg (319-467-0216 or laurie-neuerburg@uiowa.edu) for more information. 

Posted in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Events, Geosciences, Math, Physics, UncategorizedTagged citation, EndNote, workshop
CubeSats deployed from International Space Station
May 21 2019

Space Flight Exhibit at the Sciences Library!

Posted on May 21, 2019May 21, 2019 by Laurie Neuerburg

As the HaloSat satellite flies hundreds of miles above us orbiting the Earth, it’s a short trip to the Sciences Library to see a life-sized model of the HaloSat in our new exhibit! In addition to the 3D model of the HaloSat satellite, there are two gold boxes that have traveled into space and a prototype of the plasma wave instrument that operates on the Geotail mission!

After being released into orbit from the International Space Station, HaloSat takes measurements of the Milky Way’s halo that will help scientists find out if it contains the missing matter expected from observations of the early universe. The gold boxes on display actually flew on the space shuttles Columbia and Challenger, and these flight sensors were the first objects to be moved around in space by a robotic arm. The plasma wave instrument that is based on the prototype shown in our exhibit traveled into space on Geotail in 1992 over 27 years ago and continues to send back valuable data from space to this day!

HaloSat and another CubeSat released from the International Space Station. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Image of gold flight hardware
Flight sensor (one of two gold boxes) that traveled into space
Image of plasma wave instrument prototype
Prototype of the plasma wave instrument

Thank you to the Physics and Astronomy Department for loaning us their models, prototypes, and flight hardware!

Learn more about space exploration, physics, and astronomy at the University of Iowa Libraries. We have numerous books, articles, videos, and even Manga comics! If you would like to find out more, contact Laurie Neuerburg (laurie-neuerburg@uiowa.edu or 319-467-0216) or Leo Clougherty (leo-clougherty@uiowa.edu or 319-335-3083) for help.

Picture of book Manga Guide to the UniversePicture of book Manga Guide to Physics

Posted in Astronomy, Exhibits, PhysicsTagged HaloSat, space flight, space instrumentation
Tear of compliments
May 02 2019

Free Coffee, Compliments, & Brownie Bites: Study for Finals at the Sciences Library!

Posted on May 2, 2019May 30, 2019 by Laurie Neuerburg

Find your way to the Sciences Library to study for finals week! Fuel up with free refreshments: homemade brownie bites, cookies, coffee, and tea! Refresh with coloring, origami, and games. Give a friend a boost, or rejuvenate yourself with tear-off compliments! Choose from a variety of study spots: bean bag chairs, study carrels, computer stations, and large tables. Get last minute research help from your librarians. Good luck on your finals, Hawkeyes!

Refreshments

Tear off compliments

Chauncey at computer station

 

Posted in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Finals Week, Geosciences, Math, PhysicsTagged exams, finals, finals week, free coffee, snacks, study space, studying
Image of various science symbols flying up from book on laptop screen
Mar 25 2019

Citizen Science Day 2019

Posted on March 25, 2019April 3, 2019 by Laurie Neuerburg

Science is for everyone! Citizen science projects give people from all walks of life the opportunity to participate in scientific research. According to CitizenScience.org, “Citizen Science Day is an annual event to celebrate and promote all things citizen science: amazing discoveries, incredible volunteers, hardworking practitioners, inspiring projects, and anything else citizen science-related!”

Celebrate Citizen Science Day 2019 at the Sciences Library! Join us Monday and Tuesday, April 8-9 from 12-2 PM on the 3rd floor of the Sciences Library. Enjoy free pizza and drinks while making a contribution to scientific knowledge! These events are free and open to all.Image of various science symbols flying up from book on laptop screen

CITIZEN SCIENCE DAY: STALL CATCHERS MEGATHON
Play an online game called Stall Catchers to advance Alzheimer’s research! Join our team HawkeyesOnALZ!
Monday, April 8, 2019, 12-2 PM
Facebook event

CITIZEN SCIENCE DAY: [CITATION NEEDED]
Enhance Wikipedia articles about science!
Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 12-2 PM
Facebook event

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Laurie Neuerburg in advance at 319-467-0216 or laurie-neuerburg@uiowa.edu.

Posted in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Events, Geosciences, Math, PhysicsTagged Alzheimer's research, Citizen Science, Wikipedia
Image of bismuth crystals in multiple colors
Mar 08 2019

Celebrating the International Year of the Periodic Table

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Laurie Neuerburg

Colored bismuth crystals, bright copper, silicon circuits, and more shine in our new exhibit celebrating 2019: The International Year of the Periodic Table! One hundred and fifty years ago, Dmitri Mendeleev published a draft of the first Periodic Table. Mendeleev also wrote “Knowing how contented, free and joyful is life in the realms of science, one fervently wishes that many would enter their portals” in his text Principles of Chemistry. Enter the portal to the Sciences Library to test your knowledge of the elements present in household items, to view our humorous periodic tables, and to see several elements in their pure form! Thank you to Dr. Lou Messerle for loaning us his collection of element samples!

Image of bismuth crystals in multiple colorsImage of copper wire and bracelet

Posted in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Exhibits, Geosciences, Math, PhysicsTagged elements, International Year of the Periodic Table, Mendeleev, Periodic Table
Sciences Library Workshops Spring 2019
Feb 11 2019

Spring 2019 Workshops at the Sciences Library

Posted on February 11, 2019February 11, 2019 by Laurie Neuerburg

The following workshops are open to all students, faculty, and staff. There is no need to register in advance. 

EndNote Workshop – Thursday, March 7, 2-3 PM, BB B20

In this workshop you will learn how to use EndNote to: 

  • Collect references for articles, books, websites, and other sources using Google Scholar, InfoHawk+, and popular databases like Web of Science and Scopus;
  • Organize your references into groups and share your reference library with collaborators;
  • Use the Cite While You Write plugin for Microsoft Word to insert citations into your papers and format them into thousands of different styles.

EndNote Web is available for free to all members of the University of Iowa community. EndNote Desktop is available for free to all UI graduate students, faculty, and staff. 

EndNote Workshop – Wednesday, April 10, 3:30-4:30 PM, CB W238 

In this workshop you will learn how to use EndNote to: 

  • Collect references for articles, books, websites, and other sources using Google Scholar, InfoHawk+, and popular databases like Web of Science and Scopus;
  • Organize your references into groups and share your reference library with collaborators;
  • Use the Cite While You Write plugin for Microsoft Word to insert citations into your papers and format them into thousands of different styles.

EndNote Web is available for free to all members of the University of Iowa community. EndNote Desktop is available for free to all UI graduate students, faculty, and staff. 

If you’re interested, but unable to attend these workshops, private appointments and webinars can be arranged. If you have any questions or if you’d like to request a workshop for your class or group, please contact Laurie Neuerburg (319-467-0216 or laurie-neuerburg@uiowa.edu) for more information. 

Posted in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Databases, Environmental Sciences, Events, Geosciences, Math, PhysicsTagged citation help, EndNote, workshop
Image of ECS's The 90 natural elements that make up everything
Jan 23 2019

2019: The International Year of the Periodic Table

Posted on January 23, 2019January 28, 2020 by Laurie Neuerburg

In 1869, chemist Dmitri Mendeleev discovered patterns among elements that led him to arrange elements according to their properties into the very first periodic table. 

Several years later in 1885, the Periodische Gesetzmässigkeit der Elemente nach Mendeleiff was created, which was recently found at the University of St Andrews. This is thought to be the oldest surviving periodic table in the world! 

Now, 150 years later after Mendeleev’s discovery, the UN and UNESCO have declared 2019 to be The International Year of the Periodic Table. Learn about each of the elements through IUPAC’s interactive Periodic Table! 

Would you like to read more about the Periodic Table? Check out some of our books: 

Cover Image of The Periodic Table and a Missed Nobel Prize  The Periodic Table and a Missed Nobel Prize 

Cover Image of Faciliating Conceptual Change in Students' Understanding of the Periodic Table  Facilitating Conceptual Change in Students’ Understanding of the Periodic Table  

Cover Image of Periodic Table: A Very Short Introduction  Periodic Table: A Very Short Introduction 

Here is a version of the Periodic Table showing endangered elements: 

Image of ECS's The 90 natural elements that make up everything
Image credit: European Chemical Society. https://www.euchems.eu/euchems-periodic-table/

Elements marked with gray are from conflict minerals, all of which are used in smartphones. Elements in red are the most at risk of running out. Would you miss any of these elements if they were gone? Is there more that we can do to recycle and reuse these naturally-occurring elements? 

Here is the most up-to-date version of the Periodic Table: 

Image of 2018 IUPAC Periodic Table of the Elements
Image credit: IUPAC. https://iupac.org/what-we-do/periodic-table-of-elements/

There are now 118 elements, and the newest elements are nihonium (Nh), moscovium (Mc), tennessine (Ts), and oganesson (Og). These four new elements were created synthetically.

Interested in a competing for a limited edition Periodic Table signed by a Chemistry Nobel Laureate? Take IUPAC’s Periodic Table Challenge and enter their Nobelium Contest for a chance to win! 

Posted in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geosciences, Math, PhysicsTagged elements, Periodic Table
Picture of course reserves
Jan 15 2019

Welcome back, Hawkeyes!

Posted on January 15, 2019January 15, 2019 by Laurie Neuerburg

Welcome to the Spring 2019 Semester, Hawkeyes! Here are three tips to help you start your semester:

  • Check to see if your textbooks are on course reserve at the library

Picture of course reserves

  • Visit the Sciences Library to study in a comfy bean bag chair, carrel, or table; to use our free scanner; and to enjoy free coffee and tea!

Picture of scanner

  • Need help with scientific literature databases such as arXiv, GeoRef, PubMed, or SciFinder? Make an appointment for a research consultation, or email us: laurie-neuerburg@uiowa.edu or leo-clougherty@uiowa.edu 

                Picture of Leo Clougherty

Posted in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Databases, Environmental Sciences, Geosciences, Math, Physics, StaffTagged course reserves, research consultation, scanner, scientific literature, study space, textbooks
Picture of snowflakes
Dec 13 2018

Snowflakes & Snow Exhibit

Posted on December 13, 2018December 31, 2018 by Laurie Neuerburg

Picture of snowflakes

It’s fun to catch snowflakes on your tongue, cut out paper snowflakes, and shovel snowflakes—oops, no. Starting again—it’s fun to catch snowflakes on your tongue, cut out paper snowflakes, and we’re featuring scientist snowflakes in our new exhibit! 

Picture of snowflakes

Can you find the following scientists hidden in the snowflakes? 

  • Marie Curie
  • Thomas Edison
  • Benjamin Franklin
  • Rosalind Franklin
  • Jane Goodall
  • Stephen Hawking
  • Katherine Johnson
  • Nikola Tesla
  • Dorothy Vaughan

Picture of snowflakes

If you would like to cut out your own scientist snowflakes, you can find the patterns from the Franklin Institute! 

Picture of snowflakes

We have supplies on hand at the Sciences Library so you can add your own snowflake design to our service desk.

Picture of book and IC winter

Brush up on snow ecology, building snow shelters, and the science of snow with Snow, Ice and Other Wonders of Water: A Tribute to the Hydrogen Bond & other books in our Snowflakes & Snow exhibit! 

Posted in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Exhibits, Geosciences, Math, PhysicsTagged scientists, snow, snowflakes

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