Using NUSL to Educate the Public about Radioactivity and Underground Science
8
Using NUSL to Educate the Public about Radioactivity and Underground Science Thomas J. Bowles Los Alamos National Laboratory / University of Washington NeSS ‘02 Workshop 9/20/02 LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY Nuclear Physics
description
Using NUSL to Educate the Public about Radioactivity and Underground Science. Thomas J. Bowles Los Alamos National Laboratory / University of Washington NeSS ‘02 Workshop 9/20/02. Nuclear Physics. LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY. NUSL and Educating the Public. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Using NUSL to Educate the Public about Radioactivity and Underground Science
Using NUSL to Educate the Public about Radioactivity and
Underground Science
Thomas J. BowlesLos Alamos National Laboratory /
University of Washington
NeSS ‘02 Workshop9/20/02
LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORYNuclear Physics
NUSL and Educating the Public
• Natural radioactivity at NUSL:– Many of the research activities at NUSL require a
detailed understanding and control of natural radioactivities.
• A venue for public education:– NUSL provides a prime opportunity to educate the
public about radioactivity.– The information provided will help to dispel the
public’s distrust of anything “nuclear” and educate them about underground science.
LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORYNuclear Physics
– There are > 2 million visitors a year to the Black Hills• We anticipate up to a few hundred thousand visitors a year
to NUSL-Homestake
LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY
Nuclear Physics
Reaching out to the Public Underground
• The proposed Low-Level Counting Facility (LLCF) would be the first stopping point on an underground tour of NUSL.
• The LLCF will include an adjacent classroom / theatre / hands-on museum.
• The LLCF classroom would be a venue for:– Introduction to underground science
– Presentation on radioactivity and nuclear issues
– Viewing of operations of the LLCF
Underground Complex at NUSL
Nuclear PhysicsLOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY
NUSL LLCF LayoutLevel 1
Nuclear PhysicsLOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY
Ultra-Sensitive Gamma Counting & Detector Prototyping
“CTF” Detector
FlexibleUltra-Sensitive
Modular DetectorsPMTs
Sample
ScintillatorWater Shield
Prototype Detectors
12 m
Nuclear PhysicsLOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY
LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY
Nuclear Physics
Underground Presentations• A Brief History of the Universe
– Movie of Big Bang through galaxy and star formation (ideally, this would be done in 3-D in a RAVE cave)
• Formulation of the scientific questions NUSL is addressing• Demonstrate production of heavy elements including naturally
radioactive ones - especially U and Th• Presentation of impact of radioactivity in our lives
–U and Th are the primary driver of geological activity (geophysics)–Nuclear medicine
»More than 30% of all hospital patients are diagnosed or treated using procedures that employ radioisotopes
–Nuclear Energy»Nuclear reactors provide 19% of the electricity in the US
–Nuclear Forensics (LLCF)»Airport security, environmental monitoring, oil well»exploration, materials testing and modification, …
Beyond the Classroom
• Tour of u/g experiments– Physics, geophysics, geomicrobiology
• Classes (above ground)– K-12 and college teachers
• Understanding radiation and its effects• Probing the origin of the Universe• Testing the laws of Nature
• UGS/GRA opportunities - LLCF activities• Need to integrate with E&O activities in
geophysics and geomicrobiology
LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORYNuclear Physics
