Entangled Quantum

WHAT: A Geodynamo Laboratory open house and reception . The event celebrates a new magnetic field experiment that will try to recreate in miniature the forces that produce the Earth's magnetic field. The open house features presentations by associate professor of physics Daniel Lathrop on his magnetic field research project that may help scientists better understand our planet's magnetic field. It also stars the new 10-ft sphere and lab facility that Lathrop and colleagues will use for the experiments. This project was recently featured in an article in Geotimes. http://www.geotimes.org/oct04/technology.html

CONTEXT: During the 150 years that humans have been measuring the Earth's magnetic field, it has been dropping in strength - possibly toward a reversal of the planet's magnetic poles. To try and produce a self-generating magnetic field like that of Earth, Lathrop and his team of scientists and students will fill a 10 feet-in-diameter steel sphere with sodium. Once the sphere is filled, the sodium will be heated and the sphere rotated in an attempt to generate a magnetic field similar to the Earth's magnetic field, which is generated by the planet's spinning and the churning of its molten iron core.

WHEN: The Open House and Reception will be held on November 10, 2004, 4 -7 pm

WHERE: Room 0204 (first floor) of the Energy Research Facility (home to the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics or IREAP), Paint Branch Drive, University of Maryland, College Park. Parking is available in the Paint Branch Visitors Lot, directly across from the Energy Research Bldg. Campus Map at: http://www.parking.umd.edu/themap/

The open house is hosted by the University of Maryland's Department of Physics, Institute for Research in Electrons & Applied Physics (IREAP), Institute for Physical Sciences and Technology (IPST) and the College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences (CMPS). For more information on the open house, please visit www.physics.umd.edu/dynamo