Sunday, June 9, 2019
By:
I can not believe week two is already over. I hope the whole summer doesn't go by this fast.
This week I finished my edits on one teaching guide and am now about halfway done my research on my new teaching guide. One day, when I just needed a break from researching, I snuck away for a bit and explored the library. I found a number of books from the late 19th century that were in amazing condition. I found one textbook from 1884 titled "Modern Physics," which is now slightly humorous. There was another textbook titled, "Forms of Water," I read a bit of the chapter on lake ice. There is another textbook I found interesting about electron tubes. I did not previously know what they were used for so I read a bit of it. Turns out electron tubes were important in the development of radios. One of the librarians told me that these books hold up so well because in the 19th century they still used mostly cloth-based paper, so it does not deteriorate like modern paper.
On Friday, we had to visitors from the Linda Hall Library in Kansas City come to visit the library. I asked how often they got visitors from other libraries and apparently it only happens about two or three times a year. It was a special treat to get to be included in their visit. After the tour of the library for our visitors, I turned my attention to a new source on Chandrasekhar. I found casset tapes from an APS forum on astrophysics and the history of physics where Chandra was one of the main speakers. I listened to about 10 minutes of the recording before I realized that these tapes might just be a primary source of the book. I checked the sources of the book and sure enough the tapes were listed. Funny thing that can happen when you work at the American Institute of Physics.
Outside of work has been fun too. Last Sunday, after I had already posted my blog we had a movie night. We watched the Ted Bundy movie, with Zac Efron, on Netflix. On Tuesday we had Taco Tuesday hosted by Joseph. His cooking is very good. Sadly I won't be around this weekend to have fun with the other interns during DC Pride. I'm going home for my younger sister's high school graduation party.
Update from after I have returned to DC:
The party was fun! I got to see lots of family and friends! I didn't get sunburned. Still shocked I have not gotten sunburned yet this summer!
Catherine Ryan