May 2014 (Volume 23, Number 5)

Neil deGrasse Tyson on Science in Popular Culture
Neil deGrasse Tyson’s message to April Meeting attendees is to get the public more interested in science; leverage the interest that’s already there.

Update on APS Corporate Reform
Members at the April Meeting got a look at the first draft proposal for APS’s possible corporate restructuring.

Safer Spaceflight to Mars
Future crewed spacecraft for interplanetary travel will have to integrate radiation protection into their designs from the start.

Congress Weighs the Future of Science Funding
Several bills working their way through Congress could have major impacts on the future of science funding.

Sister of Imprisoned Physicist Accepts Sakharov Prize
The sister of imprisoned physicist Omid Kokabee received his award for him while he is still incarcerated in Iran.

A Unified Theory of Journalistic Caution
Albert Einstein can was wrong about physics pretty often, but because of his fame, the press was usually quick to report his errors as facts.

Astrophysics Highlights from the APS April Meeting
The first data from the HAWC observatory, more info about our galactic black hole and the highest energy neutrino ever recorded were some of the highlights from this year’s April meeting.

Southern Oregon University Suspends Physics Program
Budget Cuts at Southern Oregon University could mean the end of their physics degree program.

Historical Sites: Savannah River Nuclear Plant
APS President Malcolm Beasley presents a plaque to Doug Hintze, acting chief financial officer of the Savannah River Site in South Carolina.

Members In The Media
As quoted in other publications

This Month in Physics History
May 21, 1946: Louis Slotin Becomes Second Victim of “Demon Core”

Washington Dispatch
Updates from the APS Office of Public Affairs

International News
Thoughts about Russian Science, with Love and Bitterness

Education Corner
APS educational programs and publications

Profiles In Versatility
Physicist-Filmmakers Catch Particle Fever

The Back Page
Nelson Mandela’s Leadership