When does a black hole begin to take hold? New research by UA, NASA finds the ‘Bondi’ point
Huntsville Times – July 28
Researchers at the University of Alabama have recorded the clearest images yet of gas flowing toward a black hole. The images were taken by NASA’s Chandra X-Ray telescope managed by Huntsville’s Marshall Space Flight Center…As gas flows toward a black hole, it becomes squeezed, making it hotter and brighter. That point is known as the “Bondi radius.” The UA researchers say they found the rise in gas temperature begins about 700 light years from the black hole, giving the location of the Bondi radius. “This suggests the black hole in the center of NGC 3115 has a mass about two billion times that of the sun, making it the closest black hole of that size to the Earth,” a UA press release said. “It’s exciting to find such clear evidence for gas in the grip of a massive black hole,” said Dr. Ka-Wah Wong, a post-doctoral researcher at The University of Alabama, who led the study that appears in the July 20 issue of The Astrophysical Journal Letters…”A leading mystery in astrophysics is how the area around massive black holes can stay so dim, when there’s so much fuel available to light up,” said co-author Dr. Jimmy Irwin, assistant professor in UA’s department of physics and astronomy. “This black hole is a poster child for this problem.”…
‘Runway’ features second UA graduate
Tuscaloosa News – July 28
A University of Alabama alumna will represent the Capstone on Season 9 of Lifetime’s reality competition “Project Runway,” premiering tonight at 8 Central. Amanda Perna is the second alumni from the university to make the cut on “Project Runway;” Anthony Williams competed on the show in 2010. Perna graduated from UA in 2008 and moved to New York City, where she works as an assistant designer for Calvin Klein. She also owns a clothing line, Couture Chaos, which she started in college. Perna attributes much of her success to UA’s College of Human Environmental Sciences Department, but she said Sue Parker, professor emerita, had the most impact. “The entire department played a huge role in my success, but Dr. Parker was a mentor,” Perna said. “She was a mentor and got me involved in so many different things. “She is one of those people who came into my life and I never want her to leave. She is such a positive force, and I am so thankful to have her behind me.”… “Amanda is very intelligent, creative, sensitive, energetic and passionate,” Parker said. “She is very entrepreneurial, which is very important for success in the fashion world.” Perna, a native of Coral Springs, Fla., said she advises UA students to listen to their teachers and get as involved as possible. “You never know who you will meet and what you will experience,” she said. “I was scared to first come to New York and do an internship, but that opened so many doors for me.” Milla Boschung, dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, said having two apparel design graduates who have participated on “Project Runway” speaks to the national prominence of the UA design program. “As a student, not only was Amanda very creative, but she was extremely supportive of all of her fellow students and organized an extravaganza of a fashion show students,” Boschung said… “I know this sounds weird, but Tuscaloosa really is a magical place,” she said. “(UA students and alumni) have the best of both worlds. We have an outstanding fashion program with great teachers, and we have football. We get the creative end and the academic end.”…
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – July 27