UNews - driver

Grad studies applications go online

trevor.kenney — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:04:23 +0000

Calling the introduction of the online graduate studies application process a win-win scenario undersells just how many wins will be realized now that the new system has been launched.

Now available, the new online application system sees an end of a process whereby paper application forms, colour-coded by program, had been submitted for the past 30 years.

Initiated through the Recruitment and Retention Integrated Planning project, the online application system will not only be of significant improvement for students looking to enter graduate programs at the U of L, but it will greatly enhance the efficiency of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ staff and faculty who must accept and review the applications and supporting documents submitted.

"By bringing this from paper submissions to an electronic method, we expect it will cut anywhere from two to six weeks of turnaround time off the application process," says Alice Miller, team leader of the online graduate application review.

Applicants to the School of Graduate Studies (www.ulethbridge.ca/graduatestudies) will now be able to upload their supporting documents online, pay for their application fee online with a credit card, have letters of reference completed online by their referees and have their application packages reviewed online from anywhere in the world.

As well, supervisors of graduate students can submit their supporting application forms online, manual data entry will be significantly decreased for U of L staff and applicant activity can be tracked by staff throughout the admission process.

Additional cost savings will accumulate by moving away from paper forms, by reducing mailing expenses (international costs are extremely high) and by automating manual processes.

Miller says the increase in graduate student applications as a result of a move to an electronic application process could be substantial, and is a key driver behind the project. As the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ looks to further strengthen and grow its graduate programs, improving the conversion rate of applicants to registered graduate students can best be accomplished by making the application process as quick, easy and seamless as possible.

Following the launch of the online application system, training will be made available for faculty members who are involved in the graduate application and review processes.

The School of Graduate Studies currently offers programs in more than 60 disciplines for the following degrees:

Master of Arts (MA)
Master of Counselling (MC)
Master of Education (MEd)
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Master of Music (MMus)
Master of Science (MSc)
Master of Science in
Management (MSc (Mgt))
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

For more information, please contact Graduate Studies at sgs@uleth.ca or admissions@uleth.ca

This story first appeared in the June 2013 edition of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Functional Flows gets funding boost

trevor.kenney — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:58:56 +0000

A critical study by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Water Institute for Sustainable Environments (WISE) that could shape how the province manages its water sources is being given a $1 million boost by the Alberta government.

Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions is contributing $1 million toward a proposed $2.5 million project that will take place over the next three years.

Functional Flows, headed by principal researcher Dr. Stewart Rood of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Department of Biological Sciences, will attempt to answer the question of how much water needs to be left in our rivers to sustain healthy aquatic and riparian ecosystems, all the while developing strategies to provide sufficient water to support growing human populations and industrial expansion.

"It is critical for the environmental health of our aquatic ecosystems that we understand the ecological impacts from river damming and water diversions," says Rood.

"Further, we need to create and implement strategies for environmental flow regimes that will ensure that our rivers continue to sustain high water quality, as well as the fish and floodplain forests that we value."

Alberta's rivers deliver mountain snow-melt and rainfall to the drier regions of the prairie and parkland zones, where most Albertans live and work.

Water is trapped by dams and reservoirs and diverted off-stream for agricultural irrigation, municipal and domestic use and industrial purposes.

As the human population grows and industrial expansion continues, the demand for Alberta's surface water will progressively increase.

Rood and his team support the notion of working rivers, whereby river regulation and water withdrawal continues, but in a strategic manner that both sustains environmental health and supports socio-economic uses.

Rood contends that deliberately artificial flow patterns can optimize water for environmental survival during low flow years, and capitalize on the opportunities provided in high flow years to rejuvenate the fish and floodplain forest ecosystems.

"One of the significant challenges identified in Alberta's Water for Life strategy is meeting the needs of healthy aquatic ecosystems. The work being undertaken by Dr. Rood and his team provides a scientific and evidence-based approach to improving environmental performance, even in Alberta's highly allocated river systems," says David Hill, director of Centres and Institutes and Research Advocacy at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"This approach allows stakeholders and water managers to directly participate in building and improving environmental resilience through specific water management opportunities. The understanding gained through this research will be a critical component in ongoing integrated watershed management decision-making."

The research activities associated with Functional Flows involve substantial student training, contributing towards the next generation of environmental scientists and natural resource managers for Alberta and Canada. The research projects bring together biologists, geographers and other natural and social scientists affiliated with WISE, working in collaboration with other academic and government researchers.

The collaborations also engage regional agencies such as Alberta Environment, the Alberta Conservation Association and the public Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils.

"The U of L has a long history of research collaboration with the community. This is particularly the case in Dr. Rood's research. This program brings together the research team, with government operators and regulators and stakeholders of the community, ensuring that the science and research findings can be implemented to deliver improved environmental performance measures," says Hill.

"This project will contribute to Alberta being recognized not just for its forward looking water strategy – but for ongoing and improved watershed management operations."

Balancing environmental sensibilities with the future economic prosperity of the province was a driver of the Functional Flows project, which received an initial $250,000 contribution from ConocoPhillips Canada (CPC). Based in Calgary, CPC is part of ConocoPhillips, a leading global exploration and production company. "We see this as an opportunity to engage the research expertise at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in a manner that will benefit everyone from students and faculty members involved in the research, to industry, agriculture, municipalities, Aboriginal communities and end users of Alberta's water resources," says Lloyd Visser, VP, Environment and Sustainable Development.

Wellness Centre ready for summer projects

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:55:33 +0000

The 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness has been a welcome modern addition to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Physical Education building, but not much has changed to the core of the nearly 40-year-old facility. That will change over the summer as the PE building gets a facelift.

Beginning in early May, the existing mechanical and electrical systems will be upgraded, as well as some much needed renovations to several areas of Levels 0, 1 and 2.

"It'll be a much more comfortable facility in terms of climate. It's going to be significantly brighter," says project manager Jason Baranec.

The interior of the old Physical Education Building will be brought up to standards with the new section of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

Aside from a few minor restorations, the PE building hasn't changed since the 1970s when it was first built. When complete, the renovations will reflect the Wellness Centre, creating a more cohesive environment.

"The driver for this project is the mechanical, electrical and infrastructure upgrades, and then we're doing what we can architecturally to make it look as though the Wellness Centre and the PE building were all built at the same time," says Baranec.

Renovations include new doors and exteriors to the southeast, southwest and northeast entrances, and linear solar tubes, similar to skylights, which will illuminate the main concrete staircase in the PE building.

"It achieves the same purpose as a skylight except without having to cut too much concrete," says Baranec. "There's going to be a lot of natural daylight."

The kinesiology research labs on Level 2 will also be updated with new paint, lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems. Offices on the same level will receive new flooring in addition to the upgrades. Room PE250 will get new windows, and PE275 will see new carpet and millwork. Day-use change rooms on Level 1 will also get an overhaul. The addition of "info walls" which integrate seating and bulletin boards will provide more gathering spaces in the building.

The majority of the work is expected to be complete before the start of classes in September.

The project was made possible with a $5.6 million grant from the Alberta government.

New access points will be created, including ramp access, to the southwest entrance.

The creation of a new sports medicine clinic is another construction highlight happening in the Wellness Centre this summer.

The clinic will be located in the PE100 space below the south end of the running track. Once complete, it will house up to four physicians and associated support staff. The space will feature physiotherapy and exam rooms, treatment areas and doctor's offices.

Project Manager Gene Lublinkhof says the clinic has always been in the plans for the Centre.

"There was space allotted for it from day one," he says.

As with the PE building renovations, the clinic's design will also reflect the rest of the Wellness Centre façade. Construction is slated to begin in May, with completion anticipated in the fall.

Although construction on both projects will be ongoing throughout the summer, arrangements have been made to cease work during Convocation and the Alberta Summer Games to avoid disruption.

For more information call Baranec at 403-329-2703, or email jason.baranec@uleth.ca. Lublinkhof can be reached at 403-380-1869 or gene.lublinkhof@uleth.ca

This story first appeared in the May issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Operation Red Nose launches

trevor.kenney — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:53:47 +0000

Operation Red Nose is back for the 17th year of its annual Holiday campaign.

Beginning on the evening of Friday, Nov. 25, Operation Red Nose is a unique program dedicated to the fight against impaired driving. During the Christmas holiday season, individuals who have been drinking or who do not feel fit to drive can be driven home in their own vehicle by a team of Red Nose volunteers. There is no fee for the service, but donations are accepted.

In addition to being a safe driving campaign, Operation Red Nose is a fundraising activity for Pronghorn Athletics. Over the past 16 years, more than $420,000 has been raised in support of the Pronghorn teams.

Here's how it works. Teams of volunteers, consisting of an escort driver, designated driver and navigator provide the Red Nose service. The escort driver drives the volunteers to pick up clients. The designated driver and navigator then accompany the client in the client's vehicle with the navigator completing paperwork while the designated driver gets everyone home safely. Pronghorn Athletics supplies the majority of volunteers, while these numbers are supplemented by community volunteers.

Operation Red Nose has been well supported by community groups, businesses and individuals over the years and the program is once again seeking volunteers to take part. More volunteers are always needed, especially on New Year's Eve. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Pronghorn Athletics at 403-329-2681.

Sponsors are also key to enabling the program to be offered at no cost. Lethbridge businesses have been terrific in providing their support for this valuable service. Along with cash donations, all food and refreshments for volunteers, gas, phone service, and insurance coverage is donated to the program.

Following are nights of operation for the service.

Operation Red Nose Lethbridge
Dates of Operation in 2011
Most Thursday's, Friday's and Saturday's in December and New Year's Eve. (Nov. 25, 26, Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 10, 15, 16, 17, and 31)
Hours of Operation
9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Operation Red Nose Phone Number
403-320-4155
For information about, volunteering, Christmas party reservations, or other
Contact Pronghorn Athletics, 403-329-2681

Making sustainability a part of your everyday routine

trevor.kenney — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:13:49 +0000

It has been identified as a strategic direction and key priority for the institution but when it comes to talking about making the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge more sustainable, what exactly does that mean?

In an effort to promote the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's sustainability initiatives, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) is intent on solving that question and helping students, staff and faculty at the U of L get on board the sustainability bandwagon.

Zack Moline, the Students' Union president is a key driver of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's sustainability aspirations, and he speaks to first creating an awareness on campus about just what makes up the three prongs of the sustainability equation.

"I think everyone gets the environmental side of it," says Moline. "It's about strategies to reduce your impact on the environment, limiting waste, your carbon imprint and so on. What's not understood as well are the social and financial aspects of the equation."

Moline explains that financial sustainability is achievable on a number of levels and speaks to making financial decisions that allow for growth but in a way that does not outstrip revenues and resources.

"It even speaks to students in terms of them budgeting properly, such as taking out less student loans so that they can afford their education," says Moline.

On the social side of the equation, the emphasis is on social responsibility and creating an atmosphere of support networks both internally and externally.

"It speaks to creating an overall sense of a campus society that is socially responsible, so that in the wider community there is a recognition that people have a responsibility to others and their community," says Moline.

It involves wellness initiatives in the workplace and fostering a sense that people will be given the necessary tools to excel in their roles.

Each month in the Legend, we will be presenting stories about people who are living the sustainability initiative, those who are doing their part, whether big or small, to further the goal of making our campus more sustainable. We are also looking for feedback from the community because we want to know who is pushing the sustainability program forward. Is there a student, staff or faculty member who has incorporated concepts of sustainability into their everyday routine? Let us know.

Moline is proud to represent a student population that is keen for this messaging and is looking for ways to make their world more sustainable.

"Students are definitely welcoming to this kind of message. I think they see how important it is for our future, and I think they all have a vague sense of what sustainability means. With this initiative, we can take that knowledge a little further and help them understand what it really means, how they can be more sustainable in their daily lives and routines," says Moline.

As well, look for tips to appear on the campus digital signs about strategies to introduce sustainability to daily routines.

"It's all about education," says Moline. "As we see resources dwindling throughout the world, it's apparent that sustainability is going to be a key concept for us to grasp in order to succeed and grow as a society. For young adults coming to get an education, this is important to them and for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to put a great emphasis on this, we'll have a leg up as we go out to solve the world's problems."

Bach top Canada West student athlete

trevor.kenney — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:36:54 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's hockey player, Megan Bach, has been named the top student-athlete for Canada West women's hockey.

The Champion, Alta. native is now a finalist for the Marion Hilliard Award, given to the top student-athlete in CIS women's hockey.

A fourth-year bio-chemistry student, Bach earned the U of L's Presidents Cup Award last year, awarded to the Pronghorns athlete with the highest GPA (4.0). In each of her first three seasons she has been named a CIS Academic All-Canadian, and after her under-graduate degree is complete, she plans to apply to medical school, specializing in neurosurgery.

Always one to volunteer her time, Bach has been involved with the Horns' youth female hockey camps, Coaldale (Alberta) youth recreation day, Picture Butte Olympic Day, Operation Red Nose (designated driver program) and been the team tutor for players studying the sciences.

On the ice, Bach is an important member of the penalty-killing unit and checking line.

"Megan brings excitement and hard work to whatever she puts her mind to," says Pronghorns head coach Chandy Kaip. "She goes above and beyond her coaches' and professors' expectations as a student athlete. She fits the mold of the ideal student athlete."

Fowler earns Distinguished Teaching Award

trevor.kenney — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:14:39 +0000

For someone who resisted being a teacher for so long and admits trying to get away from the profession on occasion, Dr. Leah Fowler is remarkably gifted at what she does. Then again, maybe it's her honesty and humility that allows her to see teaching for all that it is, and therefore drives her to excel.

"I didn't ever want to be a teacher, I'm still puzzled that I'm here, this is not where I imagined I would be," says Fowler, who first planned a career in medicine.

But she is here and she's one of the best professors the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has to offer, earning the 2009 Distinguished Teaching Award, which will be presented at the spring convocation ceremonies.

"For me, this award means that good teaching matters, and it's an honour to stand in for good teaching," says Fowler. "I'm just here as a representative for good teaching."

Her 12 years in the Faculty of Education have been marked by her thoughtful, knowledgeable and creative approach.

With a unique teaching style, she strives to create a classroom that is informal but intellectually stimulating and challenging. Employing a personal approach, Fowler extends herself to her students as she looks to develop a safe learning environment.

"I think if you can help people feel comfortable and have what they need then they'll press boundaries more, they'll take more risks because they have more courage," she says.

"I learn my students' names, I learn their narratives and I learn their needs. I find out what they're good at and then try and develop the things they're not so comfortable with so that they have a wide range of breadth and depth in their subject areas."

Fowler is the first to admit she doesn't have all the answers, and pushes the message that teaching is not about the teacher, rather it is about the student.

"I want it to be about possibility, and it's not about me at all, it's always about the student. Why are they here, what do they need and how are they going to get further?" she asks.

"I'm not the centre of the universe and neither is the student but somewhere in the middle we meet. What gets learned happens in that third space between the professor and the teacher. The interesting space is that middle ground in between. I stop halfway and hopefully make invitation for students to come the other half to meet me – it's not about me telling."

Fowler came late to teaching, having dabbled in trades as diverse as driver training instructor to recreational therapist to the owner of a house painting business. She's brutally honest when discussing teaching, accepting it for all its challenges and gaining a real-world perspective that resonates with her students.

"I've hated teaching, I've quit teaching three times," admits Fowler. "It takes all your heart and all your breath, and if you're in it, you're in it."

She currently teaches graduate students and pre-service teachers, spending much time supervising education students in practica. Her research interests delve into the difficulties of teaching and she has three books in the works as a result.

A winner of a 1992 Province of Alberta Teaching Excellence Award while she was still a high school teacher, Fowler continues to revel in the moments when she can see her lessons hit home.

"I always watch students' eyes for insight and I love that," she says. "They just get that quiet little grin and raise their eyebrows and you know they've hit on something. It happens enough, and often in an unexpected place, but that's the thing I'm always asking: Am I connecting? Are they engaged? I'm always looking for that."

Horns win CIS rugby crown

trevor.kenney — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:47:18 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns are three-time national champions after successfully defending their national title for the second consecutive year, beating the St. Francis Xavier X-Women 20-3 in the CIS women's rugby gold medal game on Sunday at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver.

The Pronghorns were in the driver's seat all game, as the X-Women, like every opponent Lethbridge has faced this year, were unable to break down the CIS champions' defence once they fell behind. Andrea Letal (Calgary, Alta.), who was named the CIS tournament MVP, scored a try 11 minutes into the contest, and that turned out to be all the 'Horns needed to take home the gold.

"We were really well composed and the girls played exactly the game plan we asked them to," said Horns' head coach Neil Langevin. "The defence has been the hallmark of this group and it's just a wonderful group to coach. We played defence first. We kept the ball in their end as much as possible and tried to force them into mistakes."

That strategy paid off for Lethbridge, as they extended their lead in the 26th minute when sustained pressure in the X-Women's end of the field resulted in a penalty goal attempt for Ashley Patzer (Lethbridge, Alta.) from about 20 yards out. The All-Canadian and tournament all-star made no mistake, splitting the uprights to put her side up 8-0.

Brittany Orr (Fort Macleod, Alta.), also named to the tournament all-star team, provided the nail in the coffin just a few minutes later. She received the ball on the right wing 30 yards from goal, cut back to the middle of the field to beat a St. FX defender and scored to put her side up 13-0. Patzer's conversion made it 15-0, giving the X-Women little hope of getting back into the game against the stifling Pronghorns defence.

Courtnay Malcom (New Glasgow, N.S.) did get her side on the board before the half-time break, nailing a penalty goal from 20 yards in the 34th minute, but the X-Women could do nothing offensively in the second half. They did push deep into Pronghorn territory occasionally but were never able to finish their drives before the Pronghorn defence won back the ball.

"Our back three were important all weekend," said Langevin. "All the girls did a great job clearing the ball and we credit them a lot because they did face some pressure."

Letal added to her MVP credentials early in the second half with another try, this time a 30-yard sprint down the right wing to all but seal the win for the Horns, putting them up 20-3. It was their second straight meeting with the X-Women in the title game, as they won gold with a 29-15 result last year.

In addition to Letal, Patzer and Orr, Lethbridge's Alex Hendricks (Lomond, Alta.), Kelsey Willoughby (Lethbridge, Alta.) and Brandi Van Eeuwen (Duncan, B.C.) were also named tournament all-stars. Asya Bartley (Ottawa, Ont.), Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, Ont.) and Ghislaine Landry (Toronto, Ont.) were named to the all-star team for St. FX.

Herschel Space Observatory research to keep Naylor busy for years

trevor.kenney — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:56:42 +0000

When you talk to Dr. David Naylor (Institute for Space Imaging Science, Department of Physics and Astronomy), it is easy to get excited about his research, space exploration and the thought of imaging the unknown stars and galaxies that SPIRE, an instrumental concept he has been working on for 30 years will help to discover as it sits, 1.5 million km from Earth, bolted securely to the recently-launched Herschel Space Telescope.

The European Space Agency (ESA) Herschel mission, launched successfully from French Guiana on May 14, 2009 seeks to observe stars and galaxies at long-wavelengths (far-infrared).

Dr. David Naylor.

These wavelengths are able to penetrate interstellar dust, but are difficult to observe from Earth because the far infrared signals can't penetrate the Earth's atmosphere.

As the lead Canadian researcher for the Canadian Space Agency's contribution to the Herschel project – an international project involving eight nations -- Naylor has played a key role in the big science of space imagery by designing a device that has to function at a chilly -270C, collects infrared data from the far end of the light spectrum, and turns it into valuable information about the creation of stars and galaxies.
Naylor's instrument, called the Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver ("SPIRE"), is one of three devices attached to the Herschel telescope system. SPIRE picks up heat signals that are not visible by optical telescopes, and will help to answer the age-old question astronomers have been asking for centuries: "What's out there?"

However, even with all his curiosity about what, in fact, might be 'out there,' it's hard to believe that Naylor can maintain that level of excitement for a project that that has faced financial and administrative hurdles, taken more than 15 years, many long days, about 100 students (in Lethbridge/Canada) and other researchers across the world to help develop.

And then there's the cost: approximately $100M to fit all that research into a box about as big as a toaster oven.

He's excited because it works. Finally.

"The mission control operators started the telescope up in stages," Naylor said. "Our instrument was the first brought on-line for performance verification. That means more than 250 tests to put it through its paces. And it is working flawlessly. The last time we had our hands on it was more than two years ago when SPIRE was sent from the UK for final testing and installation at ESA, so that was good news. To process the data to make it operate there are almost 2 billion lines of code involved, so to see a successful operation from this first test was a huge relief."

The next step, which also passed without a hitch, was to pop open the hatch -- officially called a 'cryocover', or the equivalent of a camera lens cap -- and reveal the giant 3.5m telescope mirror to the outer reaches of space.

But does Herschel do what it is supposed to do? The answer, of course, is yes – and much quicker and with more accuracy than any telescope launched to date. "Initial images reveal a level of detail never before seen from the ground or from space through the Hubble telescope, which sits only 400km from Earth," Naylor said.

"This isn't even the telescope operating at full capacity. These are initial 'test' images – like driving a racecar very slowly around the track… you know it works and is quite impressive, but wait until the driver opens the throttle!

"I am particularly proud of the first image that was released by the European Space Agency of a galaxy called the Whirlpool Galaxy. Prof. Christine Wilson, a research colleague from McMaster ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, is leading this study of nearby galaxies. Wilson is one of five scientists who have access to the guaranteed observing time awarded to Canada in recognition of its contributions to the mission, contributions that are led from the U of L."

On July 10, the European Space Agency released even more images which clearly show the additional clarity the Observatory brings to knowledge about galaxies and star formations (See the "First Light" images, at this website: http://www.uleth.ca/notice/display.html?b=13&s=12367)

Also, gratifying -- and possibly a bit overwhelming -- are the unique research collaborations that Naylor sees happening in the future, as data from the Herschel mission starts to flow.

"Approximately one-third of the time available to researchers is guaranteed to those involved in key projects, and our time is included in that. We see the data here in Lethbridge before anyone else does," Naylor said.

"This means we will be in the best position to extract the most information from the astronomical data. Scientists will be seeking our help in analyzing their data and the U of L group will be an important Canadian and international resource."

With an estimated output of up to 7,000 hours per year of data, there should be enough information to keep researchers collaborating on current – and future -- projects busy for years.

To that end, Naylor is involved in several projects with physics and astronomy researchers across the country with diverse organizations such as the Canadian Space Agency, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies and a host of partner universities.

Worldwide, his research partners include Rutherford Appleton Labs in Oxford (UK) and other research institutions in Europe.

In Alberta, a recent and significant collaboration has been launched with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, where the U of L and the U of C have formed the Institute for Space Imaging Science (ISIS) to work together on projects that take space research further than Herschel technology, whether on the ground or in the atmosphere.

As well, Blue Sky Spectroscopy, a local high tech spin off company founded by Naylor in 2003, and now privately owned and operated, is rapidly developing a name for itself.

Its highly qualified staff, all with postgraduate degrees, specialize in custom hardware and software spectroscopic solutions. Customers include NASA, ESA, and CSA, and many leading research institutes such as Harvard, Berkeley, Chicago, Max Planck and Cardiff to name a few.

Moreover, Blue Sky is one of the three international Data Processing and Science Analysis Software centres for the SPIRE instrument. Data are downloaded daily from the spacecraft and stored on the Blue Sky's servers. While their research might be "blue sky," down to Earth the company has an active astronomy education and outreach program within the local community.

What's next?

According to Naylor, more research that refines his current SPIRE device to make it suitable for yet another space mission which is currently under review by the Japanese,European and Canadian Space Agencies.

"Because the SPIRE device is so versatile – and is now proven to work – we expect it will be in demand for future space astronomy missions such as SPICA – the SPace Infrared telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics."

Put on the coffee; it seems that more sleepless nights in the lab are on the horizon.

“First Light” Images from Herschel Space Observatory!

trevor.kenney — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:53:02 +0000

Dramatic Images of Galaxies more than 36 million Light Years From Earth

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge-designed technology helps clarify an old question: "What's out there?"

Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!

The European Space Agency released initial images from the Herschel Space Observatory on Friday, July 10, 2009, which capture dramatic and never-before-seen views of galaxies more than 36 million light years from earth.

Key to these clearer pictures of the stars and formations of galaxies is an instrument designed and tested by U of L researcher Dr. David Naylor (Institute for Space Imaging Science, Department of Physics and Astronomy) and a team of students, international colleagues and technicians.

Naylor's instrument, called the Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver ("SPIRE"), is one of three devices attached to the Herschel telescope system.

SPIRE picks up heat signals that are not visible by optical telescopes, and will help to answer the age-old question astronomers have been asking for centuries: "What's out there?"

The European Space Agency (ESA) Herschel mission, launched successfully from French Guiana on May 14, 2009 seeks to answer that question by observing stars and galaxies at long-wavelengths (far-infrared).

These wavelengths are able to penetrate interstellar dust, but are difficult to observe from Earth because the far infrared signals can't penetrate the Earth's atmosphere.

As the lead Canadian researcher for the Canadian Space Agency's contribution to the Herschel project – an international project involving eight nations -- Naylor has played a key role in the big science of space imagery by designing a device that has to function at a chilly -270C.

SPIRE collects infrared data from the far end of the light spectrum, and turns it into valuable information about the creation of stars and galaxies – by remote control, and from more than 1.5 million km from earth.

"The mission control operators started the telescope up in stages," Naylor said. "Our instrument was the first brought on-line for performance verification. That means more than 250 tests to put it through its paces. And it is working flawlessly. The last time we had our hands on it was more than two years ago when SPIRE was sent from the UK for final testing and installation at ESA, so that was good news. To process the data to make it operate there are almost 2 billion lines of code involved, so to see a successful operation from this first test was a huge relief."

The next step, which also passed without a hitch, was to pop open the hatch -- officially called a 'cryocover', or the equivalent of a camera lens cap -- and reveal the giant 3.5m telescope mirror to the outer reaches of space.

But does Herschel do what it is supposed to do?

The answer, of course, is yes – and much quicker and with more accuracy than any telescope launched to date.

"Initial images reveal a level of detail never before seen from the ground or from space through the Hubble telescope, which sits only 400km from Earth," Naylor said.

"This isn't even the telescope operating at full capacity. These are initial 'test' images – like driving a racecar very slowly around the track… you know it works and is quite impressive, but wait until the driver opens the throttle!

Naylor sees many unique research collaborations happening in the future, as data from the Herschel mission starts to flow.

"Approximately one-third of the time available to researchers is guaranteed to those involved in key projects, and our time is included in that. We see the data here in Lethbridge before anyone else does," Naylor said.

"This means we will be in the best position to extract the most information from the astronomical data. Scientists will be seeking our help in analyzing their data and the U of L group will be an important Canadian and international resource."

With an estimated output of up to 7,000 hours per year of data, there should be enough information to keep researchers collaborating on current – and future -- projects busy for years.

IMAGES:

Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!

The image of a galaxy named M74, which was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780, has previously only been visible as a vague blob of particles and other materials. It is part of the constellation Pisces.

A galaxy named M66, also discovered in 1780 by Charles Messier, has never before been observed so clearly. It is part of the constellation Leo.

The attached images show the differences between previously-available images and the current images from the Herschel Space Observatory.

To view the complete set of images and other information from the European Space Agency, please visit these websites:

http://herschel.esac.esa.int/FirstLight.shtml

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8143447.stm

http://herschel.esac.esa.int/SneakPreview.shtml

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Getting Excited About Space Research: Meet Dr David Naylor

When you talk to Dr. David Naylor (Institute for Space Imaging Science, Department of Physics and Astronomy), it is easy to get excited about his research, space exploration and the thought of imaging the unknown stars and galaxies that SPIRE, an instrumental concept he has been working on for 30 years will help to discover as it sits, 1.5 million km from Earth, bolted securely to the recently-launched Herschel Space Telescope.

http://www.uleth.ca/notice/display.html?b=300&s=12366

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Made-in-Alberta Technology Goes to Space, May 14

It's not every day that a device and technology created and tested by researchers at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge gets shot into space and travels more than 1.5 million kilometers from earth to view what might be the origins of star formations and galaxies.

http://www.uleth.ca/notice/display.html?b=300&s=12172

UNews - driver

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“First Light” Images from Herschel Space Observatory!

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