The Life and Times of Dr. Vera Cooper Rubin Astronomy Pioneer

Weve all heard of dark matter — that weird, invisible stuff that makes up about a quarter of the mass in the universe. Astronomers dont know what it is, exactly, but they have measured its effects on regular matter and on light as it passes through a dark matter conglomeration. That we know about it at all is due largely to the efforts of a woman who dedicated much of her career to finding an answer to a puzzling question: why dont galaxies rotate the velocity we expect them to? That woman was Dr. Vera Cooper Rubin. Early Life Dr. Vera Cooper Rubin was born July 23, 1928, to Philip and Rose Appelbaum Cooper. She spent her early childhood in Philadelphia, PA and moved to Washington, D.C. when she was ten. As a child, she was inspired by astronomer Maria Mitchell and resolved to study astronomy as well. She came into the subject at a time when women just werent expected to do astronomy. She did study it  at Vassar College and then applied to attend Princeton to further her education. At the time, women were not allowed in the Princeton graduate program. (That changed in 1975 when women were admitted for the first time). That setback didnt stop her;  she applied to and was accepted at Cornell University for her masters degree. She did her Ph.D. studies at Georgetown University, working on galaxy motions mentored by physicist George Gamow, and graduated in 1954. Her thesis suggested that galaxies clumped together in clusters. It was not a well-accepted idea at the time, but she was well ahead of her time. Today we know that clusters of galaxies most certainly do exist Tracking the Motions of Galaxies Leads to Dark Matter After finishing her graduate work, Dr. Rubin raised a family and continued to study the motions of galaxies. Sexism hindered some of her work, as did the controversial topic that she pursued: galaxy motions. She continued to fight some very obvious barriers to her work. For example,  through much of her early career, she was kept from using the Palomar Observatory (one of the worlds leading astronomy observing facilities) because of her gender. One of the arguments made to keep her out was that the observatory didnt have the right bathroom for women. Such a problem was easily solved, but it took time. And, the lack of bathrooms excuse was symbolic of a deeper prejudice against women in science. Dr. Rubin forged ahead anyway and finally got permission to observe at Palomar in 1965, the first woman allowed to do so. She began working at the Carnegie Institution of Washingtons Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, focusing on galactic and extragalactic dynamics. Those focus on the motions of galaxies both singularly and in clusters. In particular, Dr. Rubin studied the rotation rates of galaxies and the material in them. She discovered a puzzling  problem right away: that the predicted motion of galaxy rotation didnt always match the observed rotation. The problem is fairly simple to understand. Galaxies rotate fast enough that they would fly apart if the combined gravitational effect of all their stars was the only thing holding them together. So, why didnt they come apart?  Rubin and others decided that there was some kind of unseen mass in or around the galaxy helping to hold it together.   The difference between the predicted and observed galaxy rotation rates was dubbed the galaxy rotation problem. Based on the observations that Dr. Rubin and her colleague Kent Ford made (and they made hundreds of them), it turned out that galaxies have to have at least ten times as much invisible mass as they do visible mass in their stars and nebulae. Her calculations led to the development of a theory of something called dark matter. It turns out that this dark matter has an affect on galaxy motions that can be measured.   Dark Matter: An Idea Whose Time Finally Came The idea of dark matter was not strictly Vera Rubins invention. In 1933, Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky proposed the existence of something that affected galaxy motions. Just as some scientists scoffed at Dr. Rubins early studies of galaxy dynamics, Zwickys peers generally ignored his predictions and observations. When Dr. Rubin began her studies of galaxy rotation rates in the early 1970s, she knew she had to provide conclusive evidence for the rotation rate differences. That is why she went on to do so many observations. It was important to have conclusive data. Eventually, she found strong evidence for that stuff that Zwicky had suspected but never proved. Her extensive work over the following decades eventually led to the confirmation that dark matter exists. An Honored Life Dr. Vera Rubin spent much of her life working on the dark matter problem, but she was also well-known for her work to make astronomy more accessible to women. She worked tirelessly to bring more women into the sciences, and for recognition of their important work. In particular, she urged the National Academy of Sciences to elect more deserving women to membership. She mentored many women in the sciences and was an advocate of strong STEM education. For her work, Rubin was awarded a number of prestigious honors and awards, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (the previous female recipient was Caroline Herschel in 1828). Minor planet 5726 Rubin is named in her honor. Many feel that she deserved the Nobel Prize in Physics for her accomplishments, but the committee eventually snubbed her and her accomplishments.   Personal Life Dr. Rubin married Robert Rubin, also a scientist, in 1948. They had four children, all of whom eventually became scientists as well. Robert Rubin died in 2008. Vera Cooper Rubin stayed active in research until her death on December 25, 2016.   In Memoriam In the days after Dr. Rubins death, many who knew her, or who worked with her or were mentored by her, made public comments that her work succeeded in illuminating a part of the universe. It is a piece of the cosmos that, until she made her observations and followed her hunches, was totally unknown. Today, astronomers continue to study dark matter in an effort to understand its distribution throughout the universe, as well as its makeup and the role it has played in the early universe. All thanks to the work of Dr. Vera Rubin. Fast Facts about Vera Rubin Born:  July 23, 1928,Died: December 25, 2016Married: Robert Rubin in 1948; four children.  Education: astrophysics Ph.D. Georgetown UniversityFamous for: measurements of galaxy rotation that led to the discovery and verification of dark matter.  Member of the National Academy of Sciences, winner of multiple awards for her research, and recipient of honorary doctorates from Harvard, Yale, Smith College, and Grinnell College, as well as Princeton.

The Theory Of Space Within Architecture - 1272 Words

The concept of space within architecture I believe is undefined in many ways. The idea of psychology has been extracted from the concept of space all most entirely, leaving the perception towards space within architecture just as a form, in which I do not agree with. I will begin the essay by explaining the diverse theories on space, and comparing them to one another, eventually linking these back to architecture and explaining my on intake on the idea of space. From studies of psychologist and philosophers it would appear that they distinguish two broad categories of space; the physical and the mental. The theories I will be taken on will explain differentiate between these two elements. In this essay I will be focusing on the individual†¦show more content†¦On the other hand disagreed with the idea of, through instant exposure to the world notions are learned. Piaget’s position sits closer to the empiricist approach within these two stances. He gives a twist to the empiricist approach and claims that what is inherited is a set of seniors-motor co-ordinations or movement patterns, such as sucking and grasping in the human infant, accepting the existence of innate abilities and that these develop through experience, signifying that we do not start off from nothing. Piaget’s theory of constructivism argues that humans produce knowledge (epistemology) and through experience they form meanings for these. One of the two components which generate a person’s knowledge is Assimilation. Assimilation is ultimately the idea of changing ones perception, meaning that once an individual encounters a new experience they could incorporate it with old experiences causing them to extend their knowledge, and clarify what was misunderstood previously. The second component is Accommodation; this is the process were ones existing knowledge requires alterations in order to deal with the recent situation or object. An example of this would be a child having an existing knowledge about dogs having four legs and fur, consequentially assuming that all four legged animals are dogs. When the child comes to know that

The Tale of Youth - 1709 Words

The Tale of Youth Chaucer’s Squire’s tale has often been disregarded by critics as fragmentary, incoherent, and â€Å"a rambling narrative.† (Lawton 106) These characteristics shed a malevolent light on the tale, and raise questions on the unfinished status in the Canterbury Tales. The argument presents itself due to the interruption of the narrative by the Franklin leaving it without the ending, which has been foreshadowed earlier in the tale. The answer to this enigma is â€Å"pure speculation.† (Lawton 123) In order to examine the congruity of the tale with its teller, it is imperative to set aside the argument and â€Å"let these be faults of the narrator, not the author, [with] attention duly shifting to Chaucer’s creature, the Squire,†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦The nobility â€Å"were indifferent to learning, and they preferred to stay that way.† (Hexter 2) Chaucer’s squire is â€Å"the ideal, the pedagogical goal towards which g entlemen†¦ direct their children.† (Hexter 3) His lack of education in literary forms would have left him less than perfect in the realm of rhetoric. He knows the tropes, and is quite familiar with occupatio, as â€Å"it guilefully takes almost as long to refuse to do something as it would to do it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Lawton 122) It must however, be remembered that he is not an experienced story teller. It can be taken, due to the incoherence of the tale, that â€Å"not only are the frequent incongruities and instability of tone to be imputed to the squire, but also the tale’s rhetoric#61630;figures, disposition, and even invention†. (Lawton 114) Much of the tale focuses on â€Å"gentilesse† and chivalry. His tale is in concordance with â€Å"the ideals of chivalry#61630;courtesy, loyalty to duty, and service to the oppressed.† (Taylor 190) The squire’s portrayal of the king Cambyuskan is in accordance to a code of standards and morals he would have learned to be appropriate to the aristocr acy and to the ruling head as well. He begins his tale by describing Cambyuskan as being â€Å"so excellent a lord in alle thyng.† (Chaucer ST 15) His depictions of the loyalty of the king to his religion and justice, his strength and charity, and his honor and benignity are true to the code ofShow MoreRelatedI grew up on the fairy tales of my parents’ youth. As I was listening to the amount of interesting1000 Words   |  4 PagesI grew up on the fairy tales of my parents’ youth. As I was listening to the amount of interesting and superb adventures they were going through, I could not understand why I was so afraid and at the same time so excited to hear about all those escapades. It is only after a while that I apprehended that technology has hindered all our outdoors activities by being introduced prior. With the new widgets we utilize to exercise, communicate from home, and communicate outside the house, we are being veryRead MoreEssay on Dr. Heideggerâ⠂¬â„¢s Experiment by Nathaniel Hawthorne1524 Words   |  7 Pagesconsidered ethical, it must be â€Å"in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice† (â€Å"Ethical†). In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s tale â€Å"Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment†, Dr. Heidegger performs an experiment on four elderly individuals that he claims are â€Å"a little beside themselves† (Hawthorne 138) and has them drink water from the Fountain of Youth so they can become young again. He informs the participants that he is not going to drink the water and will only watch the experiment. Dr. HeideggerRead MoreSummary Of The Sleeping Beauty 1281 Words   |  6 PagesCaleb Hines Professor Allen December 7, 2014 Final Draft English 101 Oppression Through Fairy-tales By reading and analyzing Charles Perrault s The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, we can easily use the same tactics to depict Margaret Atwood s There Was Once. Both stories show how women even in classical times, were seen as poor, meek and weak and could not survive without a strong male figure to come and rescue them. This is a recurring theme in every major loveRead MoreCorrelation Between Sales Of Fairy Tales917 Words   |  4 PagesAn in depth study orchestrated by Lori Baker-Sperry and Liz Grauerholz analyzed the correlation between sales of fairy tales and the emphasis the story placed on traditional feminine beauty standards in their essay â€Å"The Pervasiveness and Persistence of the Feminine Beauty Ideal in Children’s Fairy Tales†. The study followed the sales of fairy tales from the 1900’s to the 2000’s to determine if feminine beauty in the stories was more common in times of â€Å"normative constraint† ( Baker-Sperry and GrauerholzRead MoreMiddle Childhood Is Very Important Time In A Child’S Life.This1161 Words   |  5 Pagesleads to drug use, rebellious acts, depression, and peer pressure. Children at these ages feel the need to please everyone around them and will do what it takes to make it happen. Peer relations are critical part of human improvement. Amid center youth, youngsters normally hang out with other offspring of a similar sexual orientation. Friendships require a more profound comprehension in center adolescence than it does in prior stages. Peer gatherings depend on basic interests and foundation. School-maturedRead More Character Analysis of The Wife of Bath of Chaucers Canterbury Tales1623 Words   |  7 Pages Character Analysis of The Wife of Bath of Chaucers Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales is Geoffrey Chaucers greatest and most memorable work. In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer uses a fictitious pilgrimage [to Canterbury] as a framing device for a number of stories (Norton 79). In The General Prologue of The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer describes in detail the pilgrims he meets in the inn on their way to Canterbury. Chaucer is the author, but also a character and the narrator, and acts likeRead MoreThe Tale Of Snow White1586 Words   |  7 Pagesback to his kingdom. Furthermore, earlier in the tale when Snow White is initially discovered and presumed dead, because of her beauty, the dwarves could not bring themselves to bury her and thus they persevered her in a crystal clear casket. Therefore, it is because of her beauty that Snow White is not buried alive and this teaches the reader, particularly young girls, that possessing beauty can be protective and save their lives. To add, fairy tales, although perhaps unintentionally, depict thatRead MoreWife of Bath vs. the Pardoners1251 Words   |  6 PagesCharlotte Stern Period 6 March 30,2012 Wife of Bath vs. The Pardoners Geoffery Chaucers The Canterbury Tales is an example of an extremely complicated and wondrous piece of fictional work. The main story lines plot is a contest between a diverse group of pilgrims on their way to Thomas Beckets shrine. in order to win the contest the pilgrim must tell â€Å"tales of best sentence and moost solaas,†, which means the stories must be filled with moral and entertainment to win the feast. EvenRead MoreUrban Legends Essay841 Words   |  4 Pageswithin these tales lies the attitudes and values of a community. These tales do not survive throughout the years solely on the basis of their entertainment level, but due to the fact that they reflect societys fears and anxieties. In dissecting these tales one can indefinitely find the social fallacy against females that has existed for decades, as well as the fears women have against men. However, more importantly, the values that society hold are hidden within. Throughout these tales the ideaRead More Literary Speech By Socrates1492 Words   |  6 Pagespoet’s use of imitation and violent accounts in their tales.With one tongue they all chant that moderation and justice are fair but hard and full of drudgery, while intemperance and injustice are sweet and easy to acquire, and shameful only by opinion and law†(364a). The discussion of poets continues with Glaucon and Adeimantus as they focus on the significance of education. The men question what to do about the young men are exposed to the tales of the poets, emphasizing that children especially are

Dancing at Lughnasa Essay Example For Students

Dancing at Lughnasa Essay Dancing at Lughnasa, a play written by Brian Frier, is a depiction of a mans memory of his childhood. The narrator, Michael, takes us back to the warm harvest days of August 1936, when he was a seven-year-old boy being brought up by his unmarried mother Chris and her four sisters. The play, through Michaels narration, touches on different aspects of life of the characters by exploring the occurrence of simple events which contribute an impact to their relationships. However, Michael, as a chorus figure, plays the most significant role which affects our perception of the events which unfold. The play opens up with Michaels first speech. When I cast back my mind to that summer of 1936- We see an apparent reflection of the memory through his language. This phrase is repeatedly mentioned in his first speech which reinforces the notion of reminiscing the past. On the other hand, we see as well how Frier distances Michael from the past events through a careful use of words. The word cast in his the first phrase gives an impression that he is trying to detach his memory from him and when he say cast back, it implies how he retraces back his memory without taking part in the past events. He is recollecting the past but not re-living it. This is evidently conveyed by the author for his main purpose of using Michael is as an observer of the present who oversees and judges the lives of the characters from the past. Therefore we see a sort of detachment and distancing of this personage from the events that he is recollecting. Through this technique, Michael appears like an omniscient narrator (although he is not) and this gives an impression that we are discovering the characters and the events at the same as the narrator. Although Michael is involved in these events, the narrative point of view could be qualified as a third-person limited. Frier doesnt really give him an access to the characters thoughts or to what they do in private since he only re-tells a story that he witnessed when he was a child. This method is important because it allows the narrator to assess the events in an adults point of view and this is one of his main functions as a chorus-figure which we will explore later on. Another remarkable linguistic aspect of this speech is that it is characterised by a lyrical tone. The choice of this tonality is important in order to remind us of the notion of musicality and the idea of dance. The tone is very comforting but at the same time it creates a nostalgic atmosphere and the tone itself seems to distance us from the characters being introduced. Frier applies the flashback technique by using Michaels memory to simply separate two elements of his character he detaches the adult Michael from Michael the boy. This explains why the whole play has no plot at all. The narrator relates a story of what he witnessed when he was seven therefore he is relating his memory in an objective manner which simply imply that during that summer of 1936, he did not really have a complete and a deeper understanding of those events. He is narrating a story according to how things had happened exteriorly. This explains as well his absence throughout the play for the reason that he hides and observe everybody as if it is his main preoccupation. for the first time in my life I had a chance to observe him(his father), It had fallen out of Aunt Kates prayer book and she snatched it from me before I could study it in detail. Since the play echoes Michaels memory as a boy, this answers the flatness of the plot. There is no climax in the play and it almost lacks colour and other ingredients that could make the story attractive. This parallels to the boys innocence which is a barrier that separates him from the interior side of the characters. There is nothing spectacular that happens in the play and all the events are stagnant. The childish memory shows us the slow and constant rhythm of their everyday life. We see how theyre engaged to simple things like making tea, knitting gloves, picking blackberries or feeding their pets. There is no apparent development of the characters. Romeo and Juliet - Act 3 Scene 1 EssayHowever, having a complete knowledge of the play, the image of these women dancing and catching hands make our sympathy increase for them.. We see them like a chain which will later on disintegrate into small pieces. There are also symbolism that Frier evokes in the play. Michael narrates this one particular moment because it is the final celebration of these women dancing before it changed forever. It was the moment of a new beginning for him as a boy for it was in this summer that he discovered events and felt something for the first time. In his speech, he uses words like, first wireless, August was about to begin, my Uncle Jack, came home from Africa for the first time, I recall my first shock at Jacks appearance, I remember my first delight and for the first time of my life I had a chance to observe him (his father). However, this particular moment represent as well the path leading to their fate the disintegration one be one of the characters. In one part, the play ends with all the characters similar to their position in the beginning of the play. This tableau image signifies how Michael sees his family as he casts back his mind in that summer of 1936. Since for him, it was the beginning and the end, he tries to preserve these freeze characters in his memory. The kite in the play symbolically represents Michael. He is the outsider trapped in a world of women when he was seven. He even distances himself as he narrates this story. However, like a kite, although he is detached from the whole events that occurred, there is still something that attaches him to this particular moment. His memory is comparable to the chord of the kite that connects him to the past. On the other hand, the swaying of this kite reminds us again of the notion of dancing which symbolises the escape for the five women. It is their only way out to release the tensions and pressures imposed by religion and duty. Frier uses Michael to symbolically give a spirit and a life to this plotless play. The lack of plot is supported by the intervals between monologues and dialogues. It is actually through Michaels speech that we feel for the characters. His words are almost representing an explosion of emotions for it is through his speeches that we begin to feel something. It is through him that we discover what happened to Rose and Agnes and that he has a half-brother. However, there is an existing metaphoric symbolism of Michaels role and the other characters representation in the play. The play could symbolise the dance without a melody and Michael, by remembering the past and assessing the whole events through his analytical point of view, gives the rhythm and the harmonious melody to this dance. We observe how the play is almost like a pantomime because the actual text of the play seems to be lacking paralleling the lack of plot. Frier wants to show that words arent really the voice of the truth and that the actions speak louder than words. dancing as if language no longer existed because words were no longer necessary. But we could also view this symbolism in a different way. The whole book is almost like a song that convey several themes. The relationship between the five sisters and the male characters, Jack and Jerry, symbolise seven different notes (do re mi fa sol la ti) that are interrelated to each other creating a melodious harmony. However, to give a spirit to this melody, Michael symbolises the lyrics which gives the life to this song. This is reflected on his liyrical tone. Like the words of a song, he intervenes and overlaps on some of the scene just as how lyrics overlaps on some of the part of a song. And as the characters disappear one by one at the end, the song loses its notes and melodious elements which imply the disintegration of the sisters. Now fade in very softly, just audible, the music It is time to say Goodnight.