Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Precambrian-Cambrian Explosion of Marine Organisms". "Alien Exosociology"

 

"Precambrian-Cambrian Explosion of Marine Organisms: The Latest Fossil and Geologic Data from Virginia"

Saturday October 9,

10 AM to 11 AM SL time

"Precambrian-Cambrian Explosion of Marine Organisms: The Latest Fossil and Geologic Data from Virginia"

By Dr. William F. Schmachtenberg, SL: Dae Miami

Virginia contains excellent exposures of Late Precambrian and Early Cambrian rocks and fossils. In this talk, I will share pictures of those rocks and fossils and possible theories that can explain the explosion of life in the oceans during the Early Cambrian. There will also be pretty touristy landscape pictures for Chantal and others who love the mountains of Virginia! If time permits I would also like to discuss Perseverance rovers search for life on Mars and why Virginia may be a model for the search for life on Mars. So a little bit of something for everyone!

To read the announcement in full, Click Here. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/125/132/22
 
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"Alien Exosociology"

Saturday October 9

9PM to 10PM SL time

Recent military reports of unexplained objects flying in our skies have sparked renewed interest in alien visitors. Some scientists predict that we will have made contact with advanced civilizations on other worlds within 25 years. What might they be like, and — more importantly – how might they act? Steven Van Hook, a researcher in transcultural relations, will consider what universal social traits we could share in common with our galactic alien neighbors.

Dr. Steven R. Van Hook,
 
To read the announcement in full, Click Here.
 
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32
 

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Early Cretaceous Meat-Eating Dinosaurs of Maryland and Virginia"

 

"Early Cretaceous Meat-Eating Dinosaurs of Maryland and Virginia"

Saturday April 3

10 AM to 11 AM

512 fossils from the Early Cretaceous of Maryland are currently stored at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, USA. Of those most are bones of a large, long necked 4-legged dinosaur called Astrodon, which belongs to the Sauropod group. We also have bones from armored Ankylosaur dinosaurs, ornithopod or bird footed dinosaurs, and two meat eaters, Acrocathosaurus and Deinonychus. Acrocanthosaurus was almost the size of a T. rex, and Deinonychus was a raptor. A group of high school students in Virginia and New York collaborated to analyze teeth from these meat eaters in order to reconstruct the ecology of Maryland and Virginia during the Early Cretaceous.

Dr. William Schmachtenberg will present the results of their research during this meeting. The students work have been submitted to the New York Paleontological Society for publication.

For more information, Click Here. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32
 

Announcement: This Saturday in The Science Circle - "Northern Virginia Community College"

"Northern Virginia Community College"
Saturday December 14
10 AM to 11 AM

Since 2009, the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) has had a campus in Second Life. Currently, over 400 students a year complete one or more of the 23 activities there.  The tour on 14 December will highlight four of these activities that illustrate some of the different ways that professors use the virtual campus to enhance education in their classes.

Greg Perrier, Emeritus Professor, Biology

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/NOVA%20Community%20College/28/178/53

Announcement: The Science Circle - Late Ordovician Extinction

Saturday September 7
10 AM to 11AM SL time

There have been at least 5 mass extinctions in the geologic past and some say there was a sixth. Multiple theories from volcanism, plate tectonics, biotic interactions, and changes to ocean chemistry have been proposed for these extinction events. Local field studies in Virginia has shed light on the Late Ordovician extinction when 86% of animals in the ocean perished. These data will be given in the presentation. Studies like this one are important in answering the question will there be another mass extinction in the future?

by Dr. William F. Schmachtenberg (Dae Miami SL) 

For more information, Click Here. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/61/127/32