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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27 , 2007

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South University Launches Speakers Series —
Faculty Member, Jim Baer, Discusses ‘Near-Earth Asteroids’

SAVANNAH, Ga. – April 27, 2007 – South University is launching the South University Speaker Series, a new online series designed to showcase outstanding faculty discussing relevant and timely topics. The first in the series features Jim Baer, a mathematics faculty member with South University’s online programs, and an asteroid researcher, who shares his expertise and research on “Near-Earth Asteroids.”

To view the South University speaker series, click the link below:

http://online.southuniversity.edu/speaker_series/jim-baer/

For the past eight years, Baer has collaborated with colleagues in Italy and Norway to develop software that will calculate the orbits of Near-Earth Asteroids. He’s even developed an application called CODES that will allow astronomers to calculate the orbits of newly discovered asteroids and determine if they pose a collision threat to Earth.

“In the event that an asteroid’s predicted trajectory does, indeed, result in an Earth impact, we will need to mount an intercept mission and attempt to alter its trajectory. The most critical pieces of information will be the mass and density of the asteroid,” says Baer.

“I am delighted to participate in this new series and to present information on asteroids. I grew up watching the space program, and I’ve loved astronomy my entire life,” says Baer.

Baer says if we ever have to intercept an oncoming asteroid, there will be numerous key factors involved in searching and tracking down Near-Earth Asteroids. “We will absolutely need to know its structure and composition in order to select the best method of nudging it away from Earth or obliterating it outright. My research is intended to contribute to this effort by measuring the masses of asteroids, and deducing their densities. To date, results indicate that the largest asteroids are likely a non-uniform mix of stone and metal.”

Baer is also currently working with colleagues on a project to deduce the masses and densities of asteroids by observing how their gravity perturbs the trajectory of other nearby asteroids. So far, he and his colleagues have successfully determined the masses of 21 asteroids and will present their results at The American Astronomical Society Conference held in Ann Arbor, MI in May. Baer also has experience in the aerospace industry, having worked as an engineer for Lockheed-Martin Federal Systems.

In addition to Baer’s research, the series includes video and vivid images of asteroids provided by NASA, along with interviews from a NASA scientist about Near-Earth Asteroids.

About Jim Baer
Jim Baer earned two bachelor’s degrees, one in mathematics and one in physics and with a master’s degree in mathematics from Penn State University. He is currently working on his Doctorate in Astronomy at James Cook University. After working four years in the aerospace industry for Lockheed-Martin Federal Systems in California, he returned home to Pittsburgh and joined South University as a full-time faculty member in 2006.

About South University
South University is a private academic institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social and professional development of a diverse student population. South University offers educational programs at the associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels with campuses located in Savannah, GA, Columbia, SC, Tampa and West Palm Beach, FL and Montgomery, AL. Visit South University online at: www.southuniversity.edu. For more information about South University's online programs, call 1-888-444-3404 or visit http://online.southuniversity.edu.

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