SUMMER 2011

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It’s All Relative Our Expanding Universe: Part 2 by Jeff Burkett, Mathematics & Natural Sciences Instructor P erhaps the single most important consequence of the European Renaissance was that great thinkers like Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton shattered previous notions of a geocentric universe. Science, religion, and philosophy were thrown into upheaval by the new reality that Earth was not the central object of creation. This was a mere prelude, however, to the dawn of our understanding of the true vastness of the cosmos. As early as approximately 400BC, Democritus had proposed that stars were actually distant suns, and in 1600 Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for suggesting this heretical idea. Nevertheless, Isaac Newton, and others, soon adopted the notion. Then, in 1838, Friedrich Bessel successfully measured the first interstellar distance using the technique of trigonometric parallax 1 . He calculated the star 61 Cygni to be about 10.4 light years 2 distant, an error of only about nine percent from the modern accepted value of 11.4 light years. Other measurements soon followed, and it was quickly established that Alpha Centauri was our closest stellar neighbor, 4.2 light years away. That’s roughly 24,000,000,000,000 (24 trillion) miles! circumference of the actual Earth 3 . As incomprehensible as these distances may have seemed to early scientists, the story became even stranger. In the 1920’s, Edwin Hubble proved that not only were the billions of visible stars in our night sky, all part of the same Milky Way galaxy, but also that the Milky Way itself was only one of billions of galaxies in the universe. More astoundingly, all of these galaxies seemed to be rushing out at incredible speed from a singular point in space: the universe itself was expanding! Later, in 1949, Fred Hoyle coined the term “Big Bang” to describe this phenomenon. The term stuck, and after nearly a century of observation, experiment, and accumulated evidence, the Big Bang theory 4 remains the most complete and comprehensive explanation of the early development of the known universe. Such vast distances defy human comprehension and are best understood through analogy. If the Earth were represented by a standard-size marble, the moon would be the size of a BB placed 17 inches away; the sun would be represented by a sphere 5 feet in diameter, placed 180 yards (about two football fields) from our model Earth. On this same scale, Alpha Centauri would be about 27,000 miles distant, or slightly further than the 1. For an explanation of this technique, take my physics class or stop by my office. 2. Note that the modern unit of light years is used here for convenience. Accurate measurements of the speed of light would not be realized until the following century. 3. This model is based on that of Dr. James Pierce, Professor of Astronomy at Minnesota State University, Mankato. 4. It is worth noting that the Big Bang theory deals with the behavior of the universe after its moment of inception. It is not a ‘creation’ theory and does not attempt to explain the actual causation of the universe.
<strong>2011</strong> Blockhead Festival By Robb Main, 11th Quarter Media Arts & Animation (BS) In its 6th year, the Blockhead Festival has “come of age,” according to Media Arts & Animation Instructor Steve Paul. It’s taken a while, but Blockhead has become one of the premiere student animation, live-action film, and visual effects festivals in the Midwest. Categories include: Animation, Modeling and Rendering, Visual Effects, Motion Graphics, and Short Film. There’s also an Alumni category. Taken together, this festival of student work is a visual extravaganza! Each category is open to all students, no matter their program of study. The festival is judged by prominent industry professionals. Though generally local, last year there were some national judges for the Short Film category. Winners receive cash prizes and a commemorative icon, but the real reward for participants is having their work showcased on the big screen in front of an enthusiastic audience. This is the first year that there has been a committee to organize and promote the event, as well as acquire judges. Media Arts & Animation Instructors Steve Paul, Shannon Gilley, and Lafe Smith; Visual Effects & Motion Graphics Instructors Mike Heagle and Kinsey Engelmann; Digital Film & Video Editing Instructor Ben Gottfried; and Academic Advisor Claire Hilgeman comprise the Blockhead Committee. Engelmann and Hilgeman have been the ‘PR dynamic duo,’ marketing the event with banner on the school’s website and posters in display cases around campus. Engelmann was the architect of the Blockhead Festival web page; www.blockheadfestival.com. Interested parties visiting the website will find submission guidelines, the Best of Blockhead reel, archives, and other highlights. This year’s Blockhead Festival will take place at 5:00pm on October 27 at Block E Theater in downtown Minneapolis. To stay on top of developments, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Entries are now being accepted through Monday, October 10th, <strong>2011</strong> in room 316.
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SUMMER 2011

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