[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 5 - 07:59:02 ]
Welcome to today's Black History Month Forum with Julie Williams-Byrd from NASA Langley Research Center! We are now ready to accept questions for Julie. Be sure you have read Julie's profile at http://quest.nasa.gov/women/bios/jwb.html to develop your questions.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 6 - 08:00:21 ]
We will post questions in the chat room at various times during this two day forum. So DON'T WORRY if you don't see your questions appear on your screen immediately. You only have to submit your questions ONCE, and we will post them as soon as we can.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 7 - 08:02:33 ]
This forum will conclude after Thursday, February 10. We ask you to then take a few minutes to send your comments to us. You may use our feedback feature on our QuestChat Information Center to communicate with us. The QIC is available at http://quest.nasa.gov/qchats.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 15 - 10:11:03 ]
RE: [EdisonSchool] How did you become interested in your job?
I became interested in designing and building lasers in graduate school at Hampton University. The majority of the graduate research dealt with using lasers for various studies. Once I started using the lasers, I thought that it would be nice to design specific lasers for various applications.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 18 - 10:20:28 ]
RE: [EdisonSchool] When you were young what did you want to be?
When I was very young I wanted to be a cashier. This just goes to show how much we see and experience affects our thinking. Then when I was in about 7th grade I wanted to be a lawyer. Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice was a great role model and an image that I aspired to be. Needless to say, I did not follow either of those career paths. I was always very good in math and science and in high school I decided I wanted to be an engineer. So if you have an idea of what you want to be when you grow up, hold on to that idea, but don't close the door to others. Keep your options open, select classes that give you a variety of information. Take advantage of any and all types of experiences that avail themselves. For instance, participate in science fairs, play a sport, study a foreign language, take up music, dance and art lessons, participate in the school government system, or get involved with business, political or civil organizations. Do what you like to do, because you never know what may mold your future.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 19 - 10:26:25 ]
RE: [EdisonSchool] What about your job interests you the most?
I enjoy the challenges that come up at my job. I used to sew a lot, and I like being able to take pieces of things and make them into something whole. For instance a laser is basically a laser medium and two mirrors, but can vary this basic design by adding special components and ta-da, you have a new laser. I enjoy the challenge of designing new lasers that nobody else has designed or built. I especially like the idea that these lasers are used to investigate the atmosphere so that we can be responsible citizens of the earth's resources.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 20 - 10:30:32 ]
RE: [Heather] What interests you most at NASA?
What interests me most about my career at NASA is the opportunity of working with the best and brightest of people from a variety of backgrounds. When designing lasers, I work with electrical engineers, chemists, atmospheric scientists, mathematicians, computer scientists and computer engineers. These people come from around the country to work at NASA to come up with solutions to problems that nobody else can do.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 24 - 10:53:54 ]
RE: [SylviafromMontgomeryhigh] 1. Is yor husband in the same line of work as you? 2. Who was the person who influenced you the most? 3. Do you feel that being able to travel around the world makes your job more exiting? 4. Did this carrer turn out to be what you thought it would be? 5. Did you recive any financial help? 6. Why was it that made you that inspired you to this carrer?
1) My husband is also an engineer, but he does not work at NASA. 2) I had a professor in college who was a great influence on my life. He sort of took me under his wings and helped me through college. As a matter of fact he was the one who suggested that I stay at Hampton University and obtain a masters degree. We all need a mentor to help us along the way, we can't do it on our own. 3) Traveling around the world if very exciting. I am able to obtain knowledge of cutting edge technologies when attending technical conferences. Also, while attending these technical conferences, I am able to network with others within the same technical expertise. 4) My career has turned out the way I wanted it to. I never had a vision of what my career could or should be. I never put myself in a box and said building lasers is the only thing I will do for my entire career. I have made myself available to different opportunities that sometimes don't have a lot to do with lasers. For instance this web chat, and the mentoring that I do affiliated with NASA like the summer internship programs. While I continue to strive to be better and better, I am very happy with my career so far. 5) Yes, I received a great deal of financial help. My parents provided the best they could, but they did not have the finances to put me through college. Fortunately, help was available and I was determined to succeed. 6) What aspired me to this particular career? I have always been very good at math and science so that helped steer me toward engineering. I have a strong desire to make a difference in the world. What better place to make that difference using my engineering expertise than at NASA.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 25 - 10:56:22 ]
RE: [Ajay] Will you ever go into space?
While I never say never, I really don't think going to space is in my future. Maybe NASA will build a simulator so that we can go to space without leaving the planet. :-)

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 26 - 11:00:56 ]
RE: [Joshua] How powerful are the lasers that you work with?
I have worked with a variety of laser systems. The power ranges from Helium Neon lasers at a few milliwatts to very high power lasers in the 15 to 20 Watt region.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 27 - 11:04:08 ]
RE: [EdisonSchool] As I read in your bio, I noticed that you have mentored kids in high school and college. My question is how do you do it? I'm in Middle School and my fellow students are not well behaved so I know that high school and college have to be bad!
Actually I enjoy mentoring high school and college students. They keep me energized and they have a lot of good ideas. The students that I have mentored are very disciplined, well behaved and are very good people.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 31 - 11:11:13 ]
RE: [Heather] What would you advise young girls to study in school if they are interested in becoming involved with the space program?
I suggest that young girls do well in all their studies and strive to make all A's. Some specific classes to take would include, math (from algebra up to calculus as far as you can go), science (physics, chemistry, biology) computer classes, English and writing classes.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 32 - 12:40:08 ]
RE: [MartinMiddle] My students have several questions that they generated during their Exploratory class yesterday. Kendra- "Are the lasers on the shuttle dangerous to work with?" Ashley-"When you were choosing your career, did you believe that anything was possible and who encouraged you?" Matt-"How would a laser measure wind velocity and is there such a thing as a solid state laser?" Jackie & Eugene-""What encourages you to continue to work with NASA? What type of aircraft were used to test the lasers? Ashley-"When you travel, do you enjoy the time or do you find it boring or not fun?"
Kendra, No the lasers on the shuttle are not dangerous to work with. NASA prides itself on safety and the most important people on the shuttle are the astronauts, and their safety are of the utmost importance. Ashley, Yes, I thought and still think that anything is possible. Most things worthwhile you have to work at so you have to be willing to work and persevere no matter what happens. My family, friends and teachers encouraged me a lot. Matt, a laser measures wind velocity by being incorporated into a instrument called a lidar. What a lidar does is measure the velocity of particles in the air, thus inferring wind velocity. Solid state lasers are lasers that use crystals like ruby as the lasing medium. Jackie and Eugene, I continue to work at NASA because of the interesting problems that we work on. The lasers were tested in the lab before being used for field missions. Ashley, I enjoy traveling. I am able to network with all types of people and become familiar with the latest and greatest technology.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 33 - 12:41:37 ]
RE: [SETH] What are the parts of the laser that you are going to be using to test what is in the atmosphere?
The laser is one of the components of an instrument called a lidar. The lidar is actually the instrument that is used to identify and determine the concentration of different atmospheric constituents.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 34 - 12:44:06 ]
RE: [Benjamin] Do you use the Lasers on the space shuttles?
Lasers are sometimes used on the Space shuttle for specific missions. One specific mission where a laser flew on the Shuttle was the LITE mission.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 39 - 13:36:46 ]
RE: [Daniel] Have you ever shot a target with a laser?
I have never personally shot a target with a laser. I think what you are asking pertains to using a laser to guide a weapon to a target. Yes, lasers are used as guides because the laser light does not disperse (or spread out) over a long distance. Therefore, a laser is used because it helps with the accuracy of hitting the target. You may have seen lasers on guns in movies or used in the military to guide bullets or missiles to specific target or location. Again the accuracy is very good when using a laser as a guide.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 40 - 13:38:53 ]
RE: [Kirsten] What colors do laser lights come in?
Lasers can emit a variety of colors, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. (Roy. G. Biv) Lasers can also emit light that the eye can not see or detect.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 41 - 13:42:38 ]
RE: [Mark] I've seen laser lights in the movie Star Wars and laser lights in a laser ball. Are there other types of lasser lights and if so what do they lood like?
Lasers emit all types of colors from red to violet. What color you see depends on the application. Many laser light shows use red and green because we can see those colors very well. For instance, I believe in Star Wars the colors that the laser emitted was green. Laser light is used in the store when the cashier scans the barcode to determine the price of an item. These devices are typically red in color.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 42 - 13:45:50 ]
RE: [Mandy] how many scientists work with you?
During the thirteen years that I have worked at NASA I have worked with a lot of scientist. Typically, a team is formed to work a specific problem. Those teams can include as many as ten or fifteen scientist.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 47 - 16:32:55 ]
REMINDERS: You can read Julie Williams-Byrd's profile at http://quest.nasa.gov/women/bios/jwb.html; and you can share your thoughts with us regarding our forum with Julie. Be sure to visit our NASA QuestChat Information Center at http://quest.nasa.gov/qchats. Select "Send us your feedback" to submit your comments to us. We look forward to hearing from you!

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 48 - 11:02:07 ]
RE: [Ralph] How do the lasers that you help make work and what do they exacally do?
The word laser is an acrynomy for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission Radiation. Basically the principle is very high brow. We use laser mediums that are considered solid state, like ruby, or diamond. The laser medium is excited using a high energy light source, called a flash lamp, this light source excites the laser medium to a different energy level than what it is accustomed to. When the laser medium returns to the energy level it is accustomed to, a photon, (a little piece of light) is emitted. This little photon is amplified by passing back and forth in the laser medium using very special mirrors. Lasers are used in a variety of applications. For instance, lasers are used for security, scanning barcodes on products, laser light shows and all types of medical applications. NASA Langley Research Center uses lasers in an instrument called a lidar. The lidar is used to investigate different constituents in the atmosphere.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 49 - 11:06:36 ]
RE: [Kyle] Do lassers have bulbs and if they do, how do they work?
Lasers do not have bulbs like a lamp. Lasers use electromagnetic principles to create very concentrated light that does not scatter or disperse over a certain distance like a light bulb. If you have ever been to a laser light show, notice how the laser beam is very controlled, so much so that one can use them to write letters and shapes. You can not do the same thing with a light bulb.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 50 - 11:07:34 ]
RE: [Kyle] Have you ever seen a laser ball? If you did have one what experiments would you do with it?
I have never seen a laser ball.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 51 - 11:09:51 ]
RE: [Brian] Have you or any of your coworkers received deadly radiation from the lasers that you work with and/or around?
Lasers do not emit deadly radiation, like a nuclear reactor or something like that. When working with lasers, one has to be cautious of scattered light that may cause eye damage, and electrical hazards from the high voltage sources.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 58 - 12:58:42 ]
RE: [Helen] Hello Julie, The classroom I work with was registered to talk to you, we did not realize the district has placed a restritive program on the computers and no one was able to talk yesterday. One question we had was: We are working on the "Red Rover" project and we have a hypothesis that a laser stimulated reaction of the minerals in the Polar region of Mars may emmit some form of humidity that we could record with the sensors we have available. Do you think this is feasable?
Helen, I'm thinking about this experiment two ways, a) a laser energy at a specific frequency will react with the mineral to give off energy at that same frequency. The detector must be tuned to that frequency to detect some of what is emitted by the mineral. or b) a high power laser reacts with a mineral to basically boil off some gases from the mineral. Again the detector is the key. The detector must see what you determine the reaction might be. I think the experiment is feasible. I suggest a test to see if it comes out like you plan.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 59 - 13:09:15 ]
RE: [Benjamin] When you answered my question earlier I asked if the lasers were used on a space shuttle.You said it was used on a LITE mission.Do you know what mission number that was.Do you know when it was and what shuttle was used?
Benjamin, LITE (Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment) flew on Discovery in September 1994 as part of the STS-64 mission. This is the web site for the Atmospheric Sciences Competency at NASA Langley Research Center http://cirrus.larc.nasa.gov/ASDhomepage.html

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 60 - 13:12:45 ]
RE: [Lacey] How old do you have to be to work at NASA? Also, What is your favorite hobby, or what do you like to do in your spare time?
Lacey, I'm not sure if there is an age requirement for working at NASA. The scientists and engineers typically finish college before applying, most have advanced degrees. My top two hobbies are reading fiction novels and running.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 61 - 13:16:37 ]
RE: [Anna] Have you ever been struck by a laser?
I have never been struck by a laser, if you mean like struck by lightning. Laser light does not carry a lot of force like lightning. Laser light has shined on my clothes while and skin working in the lab.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 62 - 13:18:40 ]
RE: [RELIS] (Shaneez) Do you work on computers a lot in your laser work? (Adriana) What do the lasers look like? (Chris) What do you like best about lasers?
I have worked in laser labs where the computer runs the laser and the diagnostics equipment. This is called automation of the laser experiment. Computers will always play a key role in running, collecting and analyzing experiments and data.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 68 - 13:24:46 ]
RE: [RELIS] (Shaneez) Do you work on computers a lot in your laser work? (Adriana) What do the lasers look like? (Chris) What do you like best about lasers?
Adriana, Lasers can come in a variety of shapes. The helium neon alignment lasers typically look like cylindrical shapes. The high power laser systems are made up of a lot of components, if one was to enclose it or put a cover on it would look like a long rectangular box. Chris, What I like best about lasers is that they are new, and there is a lot of room to create new laser systems.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 73 - 13:31:19 ]
RE: [RELIS] (Alyna) Why did you give up being a judge to be an engineer? (Amber & Camille) How many years have you been a scientist altogether? (Darrius) Of the laser's you helped build, which was your favorite?
Alyna, I did not give up being lawyer, but I felt more comfortable with being an engineer. Since I was good at math and science I thought engineering would be a comfortable fit for me and my career. Amber & Camille, I have worked at NASA for fifteen years, but I consider myself a scientist since college, so I would say about twenty-one years together. Darrius, I don't have any favorite lasers. Some have been more challenging than others, but they all were exciting and tested my scientific and engineering capabilities.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 74 - 13:37:18 ]
RE: [Isaac] Did you find it more challenging to be a woman and go through college, than it would be for a man?
Isaac, I don't really know, since I have no idea what challenges men go through while in college. The classes that I took were made up of men, so the men may have had more support. Successfully completing college is a challenge for anyone and it takes a lot of hard work, but many people do it, so it can be done regardless of the challenges.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 75 - 13:56:43 ]
RE: [MaryChizukaKimberlyandTonya] 1) Do you think, if you could go back, would you change any of your decisions? 2) Job wise, have you ever thought of quitting to do something else? 3) Does your job invade your personal life?
1) I've thought about that question only once. I would not change any of the decisions that I have made to date. I am having a successful career and I've learned from all the situations that I have encountered. I used to watch Star Trek the Next Generation, and they talk about time continuums. If one changes the path or decisions of the past, then their time continuum or future changes. I like the path that I'm on now and would not want my time continuum to change at all. 2) If I quit my this job, I would do something that would help people more directly probably, some type of community work. Or become a stay home Mom. 3)My job does not invade my personal life, because I make the decisions and prioritize family, work and other stuff. A woman who works outside the house, does have to be able to juggle a lot of different things almost simultaneously.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 76 - 14:05:01 ]
RE: [Lindsay] Do you still have time to spend with your family? What is your favorite piece of equiptment you get to use? Do you enjoy working with the people you do?
I do have time for my family. NASA has a family friendly environment, and the management understands that the employees will work better if the home life is happy. 2) I like using oscilloscopes, I guess I like the way they display a wave. 3)I really enjoy working with people at NASA and collaborative work we do with outside organizations.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 77 - 14:07:54 ]
RE: [Isaac] What would you say to motivate High School students to finish school and go on to college?
Would challenge any student to finish high school with honors or high honors and to complete bachelor level (4 years) and then go on to graduate work. Our daily lives are immersed in technology. The nation needs keen minds to continue the technology growth and to develop new inventions.

[ JulieWilliams-Byrd/LaRC - 78 - 14:18:19 ]
RE: [Stephanie] You've accomplished a lot and inspired many. Is there anything else you'd like to do, or see happen in your field before you retire?
There are many, many things that I would like to see done before I retire, considering I've got another twenty years before retirement. I would like to see lasers used in agriculture, so that no one has to go hungry. I would like to see lasers used to completely eliminate cancerous cells with one treatment as opposed to using radiation that makes people sick. I would like to see lasers used to eliminate infertility in women who desire to have children. I would like to see lasers used to eliminate deadly and critical illness like stroke and heart attack. I would like to see lasers evolve to something totally different that would enable the elimination of catastrophic climate conditions like tornadoes and hurricanes. I would like to see laser used to create some of the most beautiful artwork anyone has every seen. I would like to see lasers used for something that I can't even think of. That's where the young people come in. Young people, such as those who posted questions to this forum, have great, wonder and terrific ideas about things and they are not hampered by restrictions that I see today. So to the next wave of scientist, hurry on board, we are waiting for your energy, and ideas to make the world a better place to live. I'm waiting at NASA for you all to come.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 79 - 16:37:42 ]
At this time, we will be concluding our Black History Forum with Julie Williams-Byrd from NASA Langley Research Center. We would like to thank everyone for their great questions, and for joining us for this special event.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 80 - 16:38:50 ]
We would offer like to offer our sincerest thanks and appreciation to Julie for her sharing her personal and career experience and expertise with us, as well as her thoughtful responses to our questions. THANK YOU, Julie!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 81 - 16:40:00 ]
An archive of this forum will be available within the next day or so. Be sure to visit our QuestChat Information Center where you can send us feedback about this forum. Our QIC is located at http://quest.nasa.gov/qchats. We look forward to hearing from you!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 83 - 16:42:24 ]
We hope you will continue your participation in our month-long recognition of Black History Month, as well as our upcoming chats for National Engineers' Week. Please visit our Black History Month schedule at http://quest.nasa.gov/qchats/special/mlk00 and National Engineers' Week chat schedule at http://quest.nasa.gov/qchats/special/eweek00 for more information about our upcoming chats with NASA experts.