September 2001 Meeting
 
Speaker:   Dr. Hélène R. Dickel
Emerita Research Professor of Astronomy
University of Illinois
Champaign, Illinois
Topic:   "Molecules in Interstellar Space"

Hélène R. Dickel Abstract:     Only a few molecules were known to exist in outer space when OH, the first interstellar molecule to be discovered by radio techniques, was observed in 1963. By 2000, over 120 molecules had been discovered with the most complex, HC11N, having 13 atoms. The molecules are found in clouds of cold gas and dust which are distributed throughout the Milky Way Galaxy. These clouds are huge; they can have masses 100,000 times the mass of the sun and diameters of 300 light years. Molecular clouds fragment into small clumps which collapse to form stars which ionize their surroundings and begin to disrupt the remaining molecular clouds. The disruption can create new clumps which, in turn, collapse to form the next generation of stars. Because molecular clouds are opaque to "visible" light, infrared and radio telescopes are used to study the dramatic activity within them. Radio observations of molecular clouds made during the last decade will be described and recent results presented.

Biography:     Dr. Hélène R. Dickel received her A.B. in mathematics from Mount Holyoke College in 1959 and her Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Michigan in 1964. She is currently an Emerita Research Professor of Astronomy at the University of Illinois. She co-discovered the first formaldehyde maser in 1979 and is a pioneer in radio molecular spectroscopy using radio aperture synthesis techniques, including making some of the first images of molecular distributions with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope in the Netherlands, the Very Large Array of Radio Telescopes of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, and the millimeter array of the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Association for which she was the BIMA Scheduler from 1994 through 1998. Prof. Dickel is the author of ~100 publications. Recent research includes radiative transfer modeling of star-forming regions.

She and her astronomer husband, John, are "Faculty Friends" to the undergraduates living in the Snyder residence hall at the University of Illinois. For twenty years they hosted January term" student interns in astronomy from Mt. Holyoke, Wheaton, Oberlin, and Carroll Colleges. Interests outside of astronomy include ice dance (passed second USFSA silver dance test in 2001), cross-country skiing (when there is snow!), canoeing, hiking, and church choir.

Date:  Friday, September 21, 2001

Location:   Reza's Restaurant
432 West Ontario St.
Chicago, IL
312-664-4500


Topical Group Presentation

"Space Weather", presented by Eileen Wild


Topical Group Meeting: 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM
Social Hour: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Dinner: 7:00 PM
Meeting: 8:00 PM

Cost:  $29.00 for members of ACS/ $31.00 for non-members/ $15.00 for students

Reservations:   (847) 647-8405
                    by noon, Tuesday, September 18

or,   REGISTER ON LINE !
Please honor your reservations. We must pay for all dinners ordered. No-shows will be billed.
Map and Directions:
Reza's Restaurant is located in the trendy River North section of Chicago. From the "burbs" or O'Hare, head downtown via the Eisenhower Expressway (I290), the Kennedy (I90), the Edens (I94), or the Dan Ryan (I90/94).

From the I90/94, take the exit at Ohio Street (east). Stay to your left as you will need to immediately turn left at the end of the Ohio St. feeder ramp, which is Orleans St. Pay attention here and get into the left turn lane on Orleans and take the far left turn onto Ontario Street. (Note: Do not take the close left turn back out to the expressways.) Reza's is at the end of the block.

If you are coming from the area of Loyola, Northwestern, or University of Chicago, take Lake Shore Drive to Ontario. Go west on Ontario directly to the restaurant.

PARKING: Reza's has valet parking and there is also limited metered parking on the street.


Cash Bar available. A variety of traditional Persian vegetarian appetizers will be served buffet-style. Appetizers include pita bread, hummus (chickpea, garlic, limejuice dip), grilled mushrooms, dolmeh (stuffed grape leaves), baba ghannous (roasted eggplant) and other vegetable specialties.

Dinner:

Get ready for a wonderful dining experience! The main meal is family-style: Filet Mignon Shishkabob (Chengeh); seasoned Ground Beef Kabab (Koubiddeh); Chicken Breast Kabab (Brochette); extra-large, marinated charbroiled shrimp; extra-large, marinated scallops; fresh Lake Superior Whitefish; white rice, dill rice, grilled vegetables; beverage, and dessert. All this is served "ALL YOU CAN EAT". Just let your server know that you and your table buddies would like some more!




Updated 9/19/01