UCLA

Speaker:
Dr. Kevin Hand
Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Abstract:
At least five moons of planets in the outer solar system may harbor subsurface liquid water oceans. The total volume of liquid water on these worlds is likely in excess of 100 times the volume of all the liquid water on Earth. These oceans have persisted for much of the history of the solar system and as such they present highly compelling worlds in our search for life beyond Earth. In this presentation Dr. Hand will explain the science behind why we think we know these oceans exist and what we know about the physical and chemical conditions that likely persist on these worlds.

Reading:
Chyba & Hand, 2005

Speaker:
Prof. Melany Hunt
Dept. Mechanical Engineering, Caltech

Abstract:
In the southwestern United States and at approximately 40 locations around
the world, large sand dunes can generate a loud booming sound during a
natural or induced avalanche. The sound builds over time to a single
frequency varying from 75 to 105 Hz plus harmonics depending on the
dune location and time of the year. This talk will outline the
historical references to this phenomenon, as well as our field work
involving seismic refraction, ground penetrating radar and sand
sampling. In addition, the talk will describe some of our related work
on flows of granular materials.

Reading:
Hunt & Vriend, 2010