Environment - Los Alamos Daily Post

Christmas Lights Shine Bright Around Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 23, 2018

Christmas lights, the moon and a falling star Saturday night at Ashley Pond Park. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Central Avenue is decked out in holiday spirit Saturday night in downtown Los Alamos. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

The Marr family home on San Ildefonso Road has new displays this year and Santa and his elf will be giving out candy canes to community members who stop by to visit Christmas Eve. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

A Christmas display at a home on 45th Street. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

A Christmas display at a home on 36th Street and Diamond Read More

Interior Secretary Secures Historic Interagency Memorandum Of Agreement Between 12 Agencies

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 23, 2018

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke

DOI News:

WASHINGTON, D.― U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced Friday the completion of a historic interagency memorandum of agreement (MOA) between 12 federal agencies for expanded participation by federal agencies in the 477-Demonstration Project (“477-initiative”).

The MOA is a key requirement identified in amendments provided under the Indian Employment, Training, and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017, Public Law 115-93, as signed by President Donald Trump Dec. 18, 2017. The 477-initiative Read More

New Mexico Museum And Theater Holiday Closures

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 23, 2018

NMMSH News:

ALAMOGORDO ― The New Mexico Museum of Space History and New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium will close early at 1 p.m., Christmas Eve and be closed all day Christmas Day in order for staff to enjoy the holiday with their families.

Except for the holiday closures, the museum is open Mondays and Wednesday through Sunday.

The New Horizons Theater is showing The Mystery of the Christmas Star, Australia’s Great Wild North and Mysteries of China thru Dec. 31. In addition, live planetarium star shows are scheduled daily. For current show times, visit the museum

Daily Postcard: Sunrise Paints Sky Over White Rock

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 23, 2018

Daily Postcard: Sunrise Saturday in White Rock on the morning after the Winter Solstice. Friday’s winter solstice: the shortest day and longest night of the year here in Earth’s northern hemisphere. Starting Saturday, the sun will be up a few seconds longer each day, signaling the start of the slow but steady march toward spring. Photo by Nancy Ann Hibbs Read More

BLM Announces Appointment Of Tim Spisak As State Director For New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas And Kansas

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 22, 2018

New BLM State Director Tim Spisak

BLM News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Bureau of Land Management today announced the appointment of Tim Spisak, a 34-year career BLM employee, as state director for New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.

Spisak, who has been serving as acting New Mexico State Director since October, previously served as the BLM’s Deputy Assistant Director for Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management.

In making the announcement, BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs Brian Steed said, “Tim Spisak is a true professional with decades of experience

Finish Shopping Christmas Eve At Nature Center

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 22, 2018

Stocking stuffers available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Courtesy photo

PEEC News:

The community is invited to finish its holiday shopping Christmas Eve at the Los Alamos Nature Center on Canyon Road.

The nature center will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday and is a perfect spot to show visiting family and friends. The gift shop also has many unique stocking stuffers available and a self-serve recycled wrapping station for customers to use.

The Los Alamos Nature Center is free to visit and equipped with interactive exhibits, a wildlife observation

Explore Science And Folklore Behind Winter Solstice At Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium Tonight!

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 22, 2018

Explore the science and folklore behind the Winter Solstice at 7 p.m. today in the planetarium at the Los Alamos Nature Center. The nature center also will show the full-dome film “National Parks Adventure” at 2 p.m. Saturday.

PEEC News:

Explore the science and folklore behind the Winter Solstice at 7 p.m. today in the Los Alamos Nature Center’s planetarium.

Astronomer Rick Wallace will discuss the astronomy of solstices as well as folklore, festivals and activities that are dedicated to celebrating this time of year.

Wallace will look at solstice celebrations from around the world in both Read More

Gosar Forest Management Policies Signed Into Law

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 21, 2018

Courtesy photo

U.S. Rep. Paul A. Gosar

FIRE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) has issued the following statement after two of his important active forest management policies were signed into law by President Donald J. Trump:

“Following one of the most devastating wildfire seasons in our nation’s history, it is critical that we do everything in our power to provide the Forest Service and public land management agencies with the tools they need to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires and protect our communities,” Gosar

Space History Museum Hosts Free Telescope Workshop

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 21, 2018

Backyard astronomer. Courtesy/Air and Space Magazine

NMMSH News:

ALAMOGORDO ― The New Mexico Museum of Space History education department will be holding a free telescope workshop at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 29, in the front classroom on the Tombaugh Building.

The focus of the workshop will be on showing new telescope users the basics of set-up and viewing.

“Buying a telescope as a Christmas gift is a great idea, but teaching your child how to use it is sometimes very challenging,” Museum Outreach Coordinator Tony Gondola said. “Our goal with this free workshop is

UbiQD Hosts 2018 Ugly Sweater Christmas Party … R&D Chemist Andres Velarde Wins By Landslide

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 21, 2018

The crowd cheers as UbiQD CEO Hunter McDaniel, left, pronounces R&D Chemist Andres Velarde the overwhelming winner in the company’s annual ugly sweater contest Wednesday evening at UbiQD’s Los Alamos headquarters at 134 Eastgate Dr. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

UbiQD’s Chief of Product Matt Bergren, left, and Greenhouse Technology Engineer Damon Hebert are clearly contenders. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

UbiQD CEO Hunter McDaniel is joined by his wife Los Alamos MainStreet Director Lauren McDaniel and their son Duncan at the company’s Read More

UA: Stellar Corpse Reveals Clues To Missing Stardust

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 21, 2018

UA News:

TUCSON, Ariz. — Everything around you – your desk, your laptop, your coffee cup – in fact, even you – is made of stardust, the stuff forged in the fiery furnaces of stars that died before our sun was born.

Probing the space surrounding a mysterious stellar corpse, scientists at the University of Arizona have made a discovery that could help solve a long-standing mystery: Where does stardust come from?

When stars die, they seed the cosmos around them with the elements that go on to coalesce into new stars, planets, asteroids and comets. Most everything that makes up Earth,

Exhibit On Human Immune System Opens At Bradbury

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 21, 2018

The new exhibit at the Bradbury Science Museum includes an interactive touch table. Courtesy photo

LANL Director Thom Mason addresses the ctowd at the opening reception Tuesday at the Bradbury Science Museum. Courtesy photo

Laboratory Fellow and computational biologist Bette Korber cuts the ribbon on the new exhibit. Courtesy photo

BRADBURY News:

How the immune system works to fight diseases and viruses like HIV and influenza is the focus of a new exhibit at the Bradbury Science Museum.

“Building Immunity: How Fighting HIV and Other Viruses Helps Us Understand

Rangers Seek Information On Poaching At Bandelier

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 20, 2018

Mule deer. Courtesy/NPS

BNM News:

U.S. Park Rangers of Bandelier National Monument are seeking the public’s help with identifying those responsible for illegally killing a mule deer in the park.

The mule deer was killed between noon Dec. 7, and 7:15 a.m. Dec. 8. The incident occurred west of the Bandelier entrance near mile post 55 on N.M. 4.

Anyone with information about this incident that could help investigators is asked to call the Bandelier Crime Tip Line at 505.709.0077. Though callers may remain anonymous, up to $3,000 is offered for information leading

Daily Postcard: Hiking Saturday At Bandelier

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 20, 2018

Daily Postcard: A doe spotted during a hike Saturday at Bandelier National Monument. Photo by Nancy Ann Hibbs

A d oe and buck seen during a hike Saturday at Bandelier. Photo by Nancy Ann Hibbs

Ice around a stream during a hike Saturday at Bandelier. Photo by Nancy Ann Hibbs

Dwellings seen during a hike Saturday at Bandelier. Photo by Nancy Ann Hibbs Read More

Holidays Hours & Winter Solstice Walks At Bandelier

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 19, 2018

Shadow at Tyuonyi Entrance on Solstice Morning. Courtesy/Bandelier

BANDELIER News:

First on the list is Winter Solstice, Dec. 21, shortest day of the year and the point on the calendar when the days begin to lengthen again.

The Sunrise Walk meets at 7 a.m. in front of the Visitor Center, and the Sunset Walk meets at 1:30 p.m. on the back porch. The times are a reminder that sunrise and sunset happen at different times in the bottom of the 400-foot-deep canyon than they do in the wide open landscapes on the mesa tops.

No signups are required for

DOE: Heavy Lifts Move Hanford Waste Treatment Plant Construction Forward

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 19, 2018

Using a heavy-lift crane, workers install a 40-ton evaporator unit inside the effluent management facility under construction at Hanford’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. The module was constructed at ground level as a unit and then lifted into place. Courtesy photo

A 40-ton structural steel roof module is lifted into place atop the effluent management facility under construction at Hanford’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. The module was assembled at ground level and then lifted into place to increase worker safety and allow other concurrent construction.

Daily Postcard: The moon Above Bandelier

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 19, 2018

Daily Postcard: The moon is framed in a cloudy sunset at Bandelier National Monument. Visitor Center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Visitor Center will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Trails are open dawn to dusk 365 days a year, but Bandelier is alerting visitors not to let the short days of winter catch them unaware and to be sure to leave the park before dark. Also, strong winds and hazard trees because of recent fires and forest die-back have left some areas of the park potentially dangerous during times of high winds. Bandelier encourages visitors to use caution and stay alert when Read More

LANL: Machine Learning-Detected Signal Predicts Time To Earthquake … Fault Displacement ‘Fingerprint’ Forecasts Magnitude

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 18, 2018

LANL researchers applied machine-learning expertise to predict quakes along Cascadia, a 700-mile-long fault from northern California to southern British Columbia that flanks cities such as Seattle. The results are published in two papers in Nature Geoscience. Courtesy photo

LANL News:

‘Fingerprint’ of fault displacement also forecasts magnitude of rupture

Machine-learning research published in two related papers in Nature Geosciences reports the detection of seismic signals accurately predicting the Cascadia fault’s slow slippage, a type of failure observed to

NIST: Fire-Breathing Dragon Helps Fight Ember Attacks On Thatched-Roof Structures

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 18, 2018

The NIST Dragon showering firebrands (embers) onto a model of a water reed thatched roof. Courtesy/NIST

Workers build the thatched roof of a gassho-zukuri (‘constructed like hands in prayer’) style house in Japan. A new NIST study looks at the impact of firebrands on these and other thatched-roof structures. Courtesy/Bernard Gagnon via Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA

NIST News:

Visitors to the historic mountain villages in central Japan marvel at the elegance of the steep thatched-roof farmhouses found there. Known as “gassho-zukuri,” Japanese