Stars are the best!

This semester I'm teaching a class at Loyola University. It's a general astronomy class for non-science majors. It's my second time teaching such a class, and the first time here in Baltimore.

We're starting to talk about stars, and I'm reminded how much I love stars! I just love them! They are the best!

Next time in class we're going to be talking about the H-R Diagram, the most important diagram in stellar astronomy. (And star clusters, which are my absolute favorite!!) To help explain it, I'm going to show a brief clip of a public talk by Jay Anderson, an astronomer here at STScI who is pretty much an astro-rock star. He talked about the HR Diagram and how we construct them. It's THE BEST explanation I've ever seen of it. And really cool animations too! I can't wait!

If you're interested in checking this video out, here's the link to the talk in the STScI public talk archives. Start at about 9:45 and go until 12:15. It's neat! (And if you're ever bored, I'd recommend watching talks in this archive. Some of them are really cool.)

Yay stars!

Sunshine in my soul

As many of you know, during my first year in Baltimore, I was severely missing the sun. My bedroom didn't have windows. My office didn't have windows. (And was in a part of STScI that we affectionately call "The Dungeon.") I really believe this lack of sun in my life affected my overall well being.

I'm happy to report, in July I moved into a new apartment and my room has two huge windows. It's glorious.

And, just as exciting, last week I moved into a new office. Check this out.

My new office is now in the Johns Hopkins Physics Astronomy building, across the street from the main STScI building. They let us use several of the offices there as overflow for ST staff. So sure, there are trade offs. Like how I have to actually get some fresh air and walk 2 extra minutes to meet my friends for lunch. But on the other hand, when I sit at my desk and look up, I see this.

So worth it.

Confession

A few weeks ago I went to Cincinnati to attend the wedding of one of my good friends, Kevin. It was a lovely weekend. I even took pictures. I swear I'm going to post them. (I also promise I'm going to post a lot of other things too. I've fallen a bit behind.)

Upon arriving in Cincinnati, I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond in an attempt to find a wedding gift for the happy couple. (They were registered there, so it made it easy.) After wandering the store for over an hour, including a 30 minute detour through a MAJOR bedding sale, I had to remind myself that I wasn't shopping for myself.

After awhile, I decided on a gift. I bought them this ridiculously cozy blanket. I loved it so much, I considered going to BBB when I got home to buy one for myself. I continued wandering through the store, and then found them something else that I thought they might like. (And more along the lines of what I'd hope to get them....something random, funny, and wholey unnecessary, but not completely useless.) I figured I'd just give them both gifts.

Long story short. I ended up giving them only one gift. I kept the blanket. That's right. I carried it all the way back to Baltimore with me. I'm kind of glad that I did because, as it turns out, I'm in love this blanket.

Sorry Kevin and Victoria. (I still love you guys.)

:)