Wednesday, July 23, 2003

NCSWA dinner with speaker Eric B. Norman: "Recent Developments in Neutrino Science: A Whole Lot About Almost Nothing"

In recent years, several major discoveries have rocked the field of neutrino science, requiring physicists to rethink the nature of matter. Ubiquitous but elusive, neutrinos are ghostly particles whose detection requires herculean feats of engineering - and creation of some of the weirdest astronomical observatories ever.

The SuperKamiokande detector in Japan provided compelling evidence that muon-type atmospheric neutrinos transform into tau-type neutrinos. The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory in Canada solved the long-standing "solar neutrino problem" - every day the sun spews out neutrinos, but instruments on Earth detect fewer neutrinos than expected - by demonstrating that electron-type neutrinos are transformed into muon and/or tau-type neutrinos on their way to us from the Sun's core. Most recently, the Kamland experiment in Japan showed that man-made neutrinos from nuclear reactors display this same sort of transformation of one neutrino type into another.

The implications of these experiments are that: (1) neutrinos can and do transform from one type (or flavor) to another, (2) neutrinos have finite (although very small) mass, and (3) neutrino mass may have played an important role in the evolution of our universe. While scientists have learned a lot about neutrinos, a number of questions remain.

Eric. B. Norman, a senior physicist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, will discuss these recent experimental results and prospects for future experiments. Norman earned his doctorate in physics from the University of Chicago in 1978 and has taught at the University of Washington, Seattle University and the University of California, Berkeley. An expert in neutrino physics and nuclear astrophysics, Norman is co-discoverer of four isotopes and participates in the Non-Proliferation, Arms Control, International Security Directorate at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. An award-winning lecturer, he has demystified the neutrino for popular audiences at science museums and even elementary schools, as well as for professional audiences of research scientists worldwide. He won an Outstanding Mentor Award from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2002 and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

WHERE: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
901 Gilman St.
Berkeley, CA 94710
Telephone: (510) 528-9880

WHEN: Wednesday, July 23
6 pm to 7 pm Happy Hour (no host bar)
7 pm to 8 pm Dinner
8 pm to 9 pm Speaker

MENU:
Entree choice: Fusilli with Roasted Tomatoes, Wild Mushrooms and Marinara
Entree choice: Honey Chicken Breast with Salsa Fresca
Entree choice: Hearty Meatloaf with Zesty Tomato Sauce
Bruschetta with Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic
Mixed Green Salad with Herb Vinaigrette
Alehouse Rice Pilaf
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Seasonal Vegetables

DESSERTS
Assorted Cookie Platter
Vanilla Cheesecake

COST: $23/person Students: $18/person

Please make out a check to NCSWA and mail it to:

Robert Sanders
1512 Holly St.
Berkeley, CA 94703

IN ADDITION TO SENDING A CHECK, PLEASE INDICATE THE ENTREE YOU DESIRE.

DIRECTIONS to Pyramid Alehouse in Berkeley

From Oakland:
Take I-880 northbound to I-80 towards Berkeley/Sacramento. In Berkeley, exit at Gilman Street. Turn right at exit, the brewery is ahead on the left between 7th and 8th Streets.

From San Francisco:
Take the I-80 Bay Bridge and follow signs towards Berkeley/Sacramento. In Berkeley, exit at Gilman Street. Turn right at exit, the brewery is ahead on the left between 7th and 8th Streets.

From Sacramento and North:
Take I-80 westbound to Gilman Street exit in Berkeley. Turn left at exit, the brewery is ahead on the left between 7th and 8th Streets.

CARPOOLING: For those interested in carpooling to the dinner, Karen Street again will play transportation matchmaker, matching up those of you wanting a ride with those who are driving.

Contact her at karen_street@sbcglobal.net. She will mail out information as she receives it. Many thanks to all those who have offered rides in the past, enabling people to attend.