“Lockheed Martin Physicist Honored With 2011 American Geophysical Union John Adam Fleming Medal
PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 8, 2011 – Dr. Alan M. Title, physicist at the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Space Systems Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Palo Alto, was honored last evening with the 2011 John Adam Fleming Medal, at a ceremony at the 2011 Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in San Francisco. The Fleming Medal is awarded not more than once annually to an individual “for original research and technical leadership in geomagnetism, atmospheric electricity, aeronomy, space physics, and related sciences.”
Established in 1960, the Fleming Medal is named in honor of John Adam Fleming, who made important contributions to the establishment of magnetic standards and measurements. Fleming served as AGU officer in a number of positions, including: secretary of the Terrestrial Magnetism and Atmospheric Electricity section (1920-1929), Union General Secretary (1925-1947), and honorary president (1947-1956). John Adam Fleming was associated with the science of geomagnetism throughout his career, and with the American Geophysical Union from its founding until his death.
As a scientist, Alan Title studies the Sun. His primary research interest is the generation, distribution, and effects of the solar magnetic field throughout the Sun’s interior and outer atmosphere. Using spectral imaging techniques we now can map both horizontal and vertical flows in the solar interior and surface. Flow maps have shown among other things how the solar interior rotates as a function of radius. This profile is essential for any understanding of interior magnetic field generation – dynamo action. Magnetic fields can be measured in the photosphere and inferred in the interior and outer atmosphere. Using these techniques it has been discovered that magnetic field emerges everywhere on the solar surface at a rate sufficient to completely replace the fields outside of active regions in less than a day, and even active region fields are replace in at most a few weeks. The detailed mechanisms by which magnetic energy is released is currently the focus of his research. At present, he has 169 articles in refereed journals. Building on accumulated knowledge, through observation and experimentation, he asks new questions of the Sun and formulates hypotheses on how it might work.
As an engineer, Alan Title designs, develops, builds, and flies new instruments that will gather the data necessary to test those hypotheses. He led the development of tunable bandpass filters for space-based solar observations, a version of which is currently operating on the JAXA/ISAS Hinode spacecraft. He also invented a tunable variation of the Michelson Interferometer that has been employed on the SOHO spacecraft, the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), the Global Oscillations Network Group of the National Solar Observatory as well as other ground-based systems.
Extraordinarily dedicated to advancing public awareness of science, Dr. Title has supported activities at the Tech Museum, Chabot Observatory, Boston Museum of Science, the National Air and Space Museum, and the Hayden Planetarium. In addition, his educational outreach funding has supported a yearly summer program for Stanford undergraduates, and the Stanford Hass Center activities that develop science programs for K-12 classrooms. And for two decades, promising students from the Palo Alto High School District have come to work in his laboratory.
Now, last year, back in 2010, the rides were free, so people were lining up at 3:00 AM. But this year, the cost will be $29, so that will certainly cut down on the riff-raff, and therefore surely shorten the queue.
(And oh, our friends from up in the Great White North just told me that they will be highly disappointed if Edwin Lee, San Francisco’s once (and future?) Mayor chickens out, if he blows off his obligation. Other Mayors have done it and it all worked out fine. See below for one example…)
Hours: Open daily (7 days a week!) from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.*
Price: $29 (all ages)
Age: 6 years+
Weight: 65lbs – 275lbs
First come, first serve
All guests are required to sign an Assumption of Risks and Release of Liability Agreement (coming soon) before zipping. Under 19 requires signature by a parent or guardian.
The ziplines are gravity fed, so guests do not have to worry about controlling their own speed. Guides are stationed at each tower to connect (launch platform) and disconnect (landing platform) each and every guest. Age restrictions apply and guests must weigh more than 65 pounds and no more than a maximum of 275 pounds.
When: Summer 2011 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. *
Where: Justin Herman Plaza at Embarcadero Square, San Francisco, California
* times may vary on certain days”
Will you have the guts to climb a temporary tower (80 feet tall!) just like this one from 2010 to earn the right to tell your friends you rode the Justin Herman Plaza Zip Line?
But first, you’ll need to wait in line next to the abysmal Vaillancourt Fountain, sign a waiver, and get harnessed up.
Le mise-en-scene.
You’ll ascend the 80 foot tower and encounter a friendly Canadian guide at the top. If you need a pep talk, you’ll get one:
You’ll soon be steadying your nerves by glancing at your jump buddy…
…and then you’ll be off, into the wild bleu.
Sisters doing it for themselves:
Can you see the nervous giggles? There’s your team bonding right there.
And this is what it felt like last year. Everything zooms by with a quickness, and there’s a loud buzzing above your noggin. Some people go upside-down even.
And they’ll totally let you bring a camera to make your own YouTube:
You owe it to yourself to try.
Don’t dissappoint lovely Ashleigh. She brought her Olympic Gold all the way down here last year just so you’d consider Vancouver as the starting point for your next vacation:
And yet, almost 1000 souls enjoy its charms every day. Mmmm. It wasn’t impossible for allthose people to ride, right?
(In other news of the day, here are NBCBayArea’s random photos of Playboy bunnies and Hooters Restaurant employees. That’s got to be pure gold, trafficwise, in’nt.)
Are we saying to get there way early in the day? I think that’s what we’re saying.
Irregardless, NBC’s accounts of when people got into line and when they were able to ride that day (if ever) are enlightening. And, agreed, it’s probably not a good use of time to drive all the way up from San Hoser just to try to go for a 20-second zip.
But this zipline is leaving on April 18th, 2010, so don’t delay.
Get on down there. This could be you:
Clicque to expand
But first, you’ll need to wait in line next to the abysmal Vaillancourt Fountain, sign a waiver, and get harnessed up.
Today’s mise-en-scene. From the left: the temporary Peter Pan (opening April 27th!) tent from England, the temporary zipline tower from British Columbia, and the permanent(?) Vaillancourt Fountain from the bowels of Hell:
You’ll ascend the 80 foot tower and encounter a friendly Canadian guide at the top. If you need a pep talk, you’ll get one:
You’ll soon be steadying your nerves by glancing at your jump buddy…
…and then you’ll be off, into the wild bleu.
Sisters doing it for themselves:
Can you see the nervous giggles? There’s your team bonding right there.
And this is what it feels like. Everything zooms by with a quickness, and there’s a loud buzzing above your noggin. Some people go upside-down even.
And they’ll totally let you bring a camera to make your own YouTube:
You owe it to yourself to try.
Don’t dissappoint lovely Ashleigh. She brought her Olympic Gold all the way down here just so you’d consider Vancouver as the starting point for your next vacation:
Will you have the guts to climb this temporary tower (80 feet tall!) down near Embarcadero Station to earn the right to tell your friends you rode the Justin Herman Plaza Zip Line?
Just asking.
The fun starts tomorrow, April 8th around lunchtime and it’ll stay all the way ’til April 18th, 2010.
“The zip line will start from a launch tower 80 feet off the ground and will carry users 680 feet to a 30-foot-tall landing tower. The zip-line will be free to the public and open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through April 18. Thursday’s launch event is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. and will include performances by the Le-La-La Dancers, an aboriginal dance troupe from Vancouver Island.”
Those people in British Columbia, they like to have fun. So, in order to get you to think about taking your next vacay up in the Great White, they’re going to install a 600 680-foot-long zip-line* in Embarcadero Square and run it for eleven days starting April 8th, 2010. And, assuming you meet their physical requirements (it looks like I’ll qualify, but 280-pound Epic Bearded Man Thomas Bruso probably won’t), you’ll be able to harness up and go for a 225-yard ride FOR FREE.
Imagine zooming over the giantwhite tent they’re constructing for Peter Pan (opening April 27th!) at neighboring Sue Bierman Park. You can fly, Wendy, you can fly.
Justin Herman Plaza Zip-Line! Justin Herman Plaza Zip-Line! Justin Herman Plaza Zip-Line!
You’ll also be able to look down over this $1000-a-day monstrosity. (Try not to tell our friends from western Canada the actual name of “Vaillancourt Fountain.” Shhhhh….)
See you there April 8th. (Can you already visualize people using their iPhones to Tweet about how long they have to wait for their free rides? I can. If not for our generous Northern Cousins, this kind of thing should cost about $100 American (or Canadian, don’t think there’s much diff these days)).
“When: Thursday, April 8 – Sunday, April 18th 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. What: The British Columbia Experience, featuring: – Free 600 ft. Urban Zipline: Open to the Public. Note: There are no age restrictions, but guests must weigh more than 65 pounds and no more than a maximum of 275 pounds. The ride will be free of charge. Where: Justin Herman Plaza at Embarcadero Square, San Francisco, California”
“VICTORIA – One of the most popular activities during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is heading to San Francisco as part of an exciting tourism marketing campaign, announced Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. From April 8 to 18, a 183-metre (600-foot) zipline will be set-up in Embarcadero Square in San Francisco as part of the BC Experience showcase. The showcase will feature the Whistler-based Ziptrek Ecotours zipline, free public dance performances by the Le-La-La Dancers – a world-renowned Aboriginal dance group – an interactive video display featuring videos and beautiful images of B.C., a 3-D art installation and an updated version of the “You Gotta Be Here” advertising campaign in subway stations throughout the city.“We’ve just finished hosting the largest and most successful celebrations in the world and the zipline in Robson Square was obviously one of the most popular public activities during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Krueger. “We want to bring that excitement to San Francisco, a city that is one of our key markets for attracting new travellers, to show people the diverse range of travel experiences they can find in B.C. and invite them to visit.”The Canadian Tourism Commission is also hosting their annual US Media Marketplace in San Francisco April 12-14, at which over 150 US-based travel writers and editors will meet with Canadian tourism representatives.To help launch the BC Experience, two gold-medal winning Olympians, Canadian ski cross racer Ashleigh McIvor and US speed skater Shani Davis, will be among the first to try the zipline and participate in a public autograph signing.As a result of the Olympic marketing campaign, the number of Americans in the target demographic considering a leisure trip to B.C. has nearly doubled. This increase represents nearly nine million more potential U.S. visitors. Approximately 14 per cent of US visitors to B.C. come from California.The BC Experience is part of a post-Olympic North American consumer marketing campaign that will use online advertising, social media and search marketing to reach potential visitors. The campaign will reach out to consumers who have already expressed interest in travel to B.C., and present customized offers based on their interests.The campaign will focus on a range of experiences, including golf, food and wine, and outdoor adventure to create a greater depth of interest in experiencing B.C.’s tourism products.”
For more information on B.C. tourism opportunities, please visit www.HelloBC.com.
Leaving the final words with Alex P Keaton - in re: British Columbia, “You Gotta Be Here.”
Get up to speed on professional volleyball’s recent four-day visit to San Francisco right here. And read on to see what it was like yesterday during the Finals.
Pro beach volleyball with gold medal Olympians under the golden Sun - what better use could you have for the old Piers of San Francisco? Click to expand:
Let’s pass by the sponsor’s tent to see the rainbow of Crocs shoes…
…and here’s the mise en scene at Centre Court in the mini-stadium. This is a pretty good transformation of Piers 30-32. You don’t get the total SoCal experience as you might in counties Los Angeles, Orange (yes, The O.C.) 0r Fun Diego, but it isn’t bad at all:
First the Women’s Final. (Results here and better photos here.) Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs took on Jen Kessy and April Ross. See how high above the net they can get?
You don’t know where the spike is going to go. Will the ball go to the left or the right…
And on to the Men’s Final, with John Hyden and Sean Scott taking on recent gold medalists Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser. Here’s Phil the Thrillhissself:
These fellows are a little tall. See? Todd Rogers injured finger didn’t seem to slow him down too much:
And here’s the “Beast of Beijing” flying along above the sand:
So there you have it – an accessible, world-class sporting event that doesn’t cost and arm and a leg, right here in our little town. That’s the AVP San Francisco Open.
Competition in the Barefoot Wine AVPNext Championship Cup yesterday. The finals on Sunday will be in the temporary stadium.
Hunter/House and Kaslow/Wooliver Win Inagural Barefoot Wine AVPNext Championship Cup and Break into Main Draw of AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open presented by Barefoot Wine Main Draw play begins 8 a.m. FRIDAY
SAN FRANCISCO (August 13, 2009) – Two beach volleyball teams have earned their shot at professional beach volleyball stardom Thursday at the inaugural Barefoot Wine AVPNext Championship Cup. Colleen Hunter and Meghan House (St. Louis), and Colin Kaslow and Tim Wooliver (Austin) have played into the Main Draw of the AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open presented by Barefoot Wine, professional beach volleyball’s only stop in the Bay Area.
The Barefoot Wine AVPNext Championship Cup featured the best players from sixteen volleyball leagues around the nation, each of whom qualified to play in San Francisco in the hopes of getting their chance to make it into the main event, the AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open presented by Barefoot Wine.
On the women’s side, Hunter and House defeated New York’s Dana Fiume and Ginger Schuster 18-21, 21-17, 16-14 to take home the first-ever women’s Barefoot Wine AVPNext Championship Cup title.
“We’re in shock,” House said. “As soon as the ball hit that net, we just started bawling.”
Hunter and House, now seeded 24th in the Main Draw, will take on ninth-seeded Angie Akers and Tyra Turner at 8 a.m. on Friday.
On the men’s side, Kaslow and Wooliver defeated St. Louis’ Phil Goedecker and Wayne Scott 13-21, 25-23, 15-10 in the final.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Wooliver said. “That’s why we play, to eventually make it to the AVP.”
Kaslow and Wooliver, also now seeded 24th, will attempt to upset ninth-seeded Billy Allen and Braidy Halverson.
Friday marks the start of Main Draw action at the AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open presented by Barefoot wine. Athletes set to play include Santa Clara native, Stanford graduate and two-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh and 2008 gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, as well as Beijing Olympian and Orinda native Nicole Branagh. Stanford graduates Matt Fuerbringer and Ashley Ivy will also take to the sand Friday.
The AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open presented by Bud Light continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Piers 30/32 in San Francisco. Sunday’s men’s and women’s finals will be broadcast live on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area, starting at 2 p.m. PDT.
