The week in physics: Earth's core–mantle boundary; The Little Ice Age; Medieval gold turns purple

How the gold in medieval artwork turned purple Forward this email  View in your browser THE WEEK IN PHYSICS: 12–16 SEPTEMBER Advertisement 871 Laser Wavelength Meter – Fast, Accurate, Reliable The 871 Series Laser Wavelength Meter measures laser wavelength of pulsed and CW lasers at a sustained measurement rate of 1 kHz and an accuracy as high as ± 0.0001 nm. By combining proven Fizeau etalon technology with automatic calibration, the most reliable accuracy is ensured for the most meaningful experimental results. Learn more at bristol-inst.com. Diamonds at Earth's core–mantle boundary New experiments indicate that when water released from subducted tectonic plates reacts with the metallic iron core, it liberates carbon as diamond. R. Mark Wilson How the gold in medieval artwork turned purple Researchers lay out a step-by-step process that transforms degraded gold leaf into nanoparticles whose optical properties explain the violet stains in a centuries-old palace. Andrew Grant FROM THE VAULT: August 2016 Preschoolers should learn particle physics If pre-K children can learn numbers and words, why not teach them about quarks and electrons? Karen Gibson Advertisement The Unexpected Hero of Light In the ninth episode of a 12-week podcast on untold physics history, you'll hear a story of how a Pittsburgh steel worker became the lensmaker behind some of the most important experiments of 19th century physics. This episode also features a tour of the observatory John Brashear helped build, the Allegheny Observatory, led by Lou Coban. Listen now. Clams offer clues about the Little Ice Age A reanalysis of three climate proxy records finds new evidence for the destabilization of the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean. Alex Lopatka You might have missed Gender equality in astronomy is still a work in progress Participants in the 1992 meeting that produced the then-controversial Baltimore Charter for Women in Astronomy reflect on three decades of changes in the community. Toni Feder Webinar Editor's series Live Webinar: Visualizing Quantum Matter at Atomic Scale Modern quantum microscopes can visualize quantum matter at atomic scale. We explore the techniques involved, and the consequences of such capabilities for discovery and exploration of new forms of quantum matter. Register now. FROM THE SEPTEMBER MAGAZINE How to become a successful physicist All scientists and engineers solve research problems by calling on relevant knowledge to make a series of common, critical decisions. Carl Wieman Get notified about our webinars and whitepapers Sign up Get Physics Today delivered for just $25 per year Subscribe FEATURED JOBS > Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Astronomy and Astrophysics  |  Cornell University > Assistant/Associate Professor - Physics  |  Worcester State University Are you hiring? Do you want your job to appear here? Post with Physics Today and select the "Publication" enhancement to easily showcase your job to 66 000 physicists and engineers. Physics Today is published by the American Institute of Physics 1 Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740 USA +1 301 209 3100 © 2022 American Institute of Physics. Unsubscribe  |  Email Preferences  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us