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Research Notes

Bright gases to light up April night sky

If you've ever heard what sounds like an owl but have not been able to locate the reclusive bird, this month may be your big chance to see one.

Except this owl will be silent.

University astronomer Richard Teske said a group of gases resembling an owl's face will be visible above the big dipper in mid-April.

The Owl Nebula is one kind of a "planetary nebula" -- an irridescent sphere in the sky that isn't actually made up of planets, but was named by ancient astronomers who mistook the round shape for planets.

Planetary nebulae are inner gases revealed when stars die. At the end of their lives, stars often undergo a thermonuclear spasm which shoots the luminescent gases into the air. The gases remain for about 50,000 years before fading away.

The best time to view the extraordinary formation is around 9 p.m., when it will be positioned next to the two southernmost stars forming the bottom of the Big Dipper's bowl. It will be smaller than the full moon by one-tenth and not as bright as the moon.

Envirothon winners to cruise `U' research vessel

Teams of high-schoolers will be answering questions outdoors at the University's Nature Center this summer to determine who is more environmentally savvy.

This year's state-wide Envirothon, to be held June 1, is expected to draw teams from more than 65 high schools.

The lucky winners will get to spend a day on the University's research ship, the Laurentian, which cruises the Great Lakes. It is operated by the University's Center for Great Lakes and Aquatic Sciences.

The winners will also go on to participate in Envirothon's national competition.

The nature center is located on the University's Dearborn campus.

Summer Research Institute to be held

The 1996 Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques will be held at the University from June 3 to July 26. The institute has been held every summer for almost 50 years.

Students participating in the institute can learn about vital aspects of research, including designing surveys, and collecting and analyzing data.

The research staff of the Survey Research Center, part of the Institute for Social Research at the University, will conduct the institute.

Classes are offered for graduate credit and will mainly focus on how skills can be applied to social science areas such as public health and government.

Engineering, music depts. sponsor lectures

The department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering and the School of Music are co-sponsoring several lectures on music signal processing this month. All lectures, free and open to the public, take place 4-5 p.m. in 1200 EECS Building, 1301 Beal Ave., on North Campus.

-- Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter Alice Robinson.