title: The IBEX ribbon as a signature of the inhomogeneity of the local interstellar medium

authors: Fichtner, Horst

subjects: Sun: heliosphere

abstract: Context. A new hypothesis is offered to explain the so-called ribbon feature appearing in the all-sky flux maps of energetic neutral atoms presently observed with the IBEX spacecraft, namely that the ribbon is a consequence of inhomogeneities in the local interstellar medium.
Aims. The study aims at a detailed presentation of this hypothesis and its implications for the interpretation of ENA measurements with IBEX.
Methods. Theoretical considerations regarding three different topics, namely IBEX measurements related to high-energy neutral atoms, Lyman-α observations (made with the Voyager 1 spacecraft) related to low-energy neutral atoms, and astronomical data related to the structure of the interstellar medium, are critically discussed in order to corroborate the hypothesis.
Results. It is found that inhomogeneities in the local interstellar medium can explain not only the IBEX ribbon and outer heliospheric
Lyman-α observations, but can also account for the interstellar Lyman-α absorption that could only with difficulty be fully attributed to the hydrogen wall in the outer heliosheath if the heliospheric bow shock would indeed be absent.
Conclusions. The IBEX observations of the ribbon provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the nature of the interstellar medium surrounding the heliosphere.

text: The IBEX ribbon as a signature of the inhomogeneity of the local interstellar medium Context. A new hypothesis is offered to explain the so-called ribbon feature appearing in the all-sky flux maps of energetic neutral atoms presently observed with the IBEX spacecraft, namely that the ribbon is a consequence of inhomogeneities in the local interstellar medium.
Aims. The study aims at a detailed presentation of this hypothesis and its implications for the interpretation of ENA measurements with IBEX.
Methods. Theoretical considerations regarding three different topics, namely IBEX measurements related to high-energy neutral atoms, Lyman-α observations (made with the Voyager 1 spacecraft) related to low-energy neutral atoms, and astronomical data related to the structure of the interstellar medium, are critically discussed in order to corroborate the hypothesis.
Results. It is found that inhomogeneities in the local interstellar medium can explain not only the IBEX ribbon and outer heliospheric
Lyman-α observations, but can also account for the interstellar Lyman-α absorption that could only with difficulty be fully attributed to the hydrogen wall in the outer heliosheath if the heliospheric bow shock would indeed be absent.
Conclusions. The IBEX observations of the ribbon provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the nature of the interstellar medium surrounding the heliosphere.

year: 2014

title: Re-engineering an engineering course: How flipped classrooms afford transformative teaching, learning, and workplace competency

authors: Khoo, Elaine G.L.

subjects: flipped classrooms

abstract: This research brief is investigating the extent to which a flipped classroom model enhances student learning of threshold concepts (TCs) in an undergraduate engineering course at a New Zealand university. This project extends the team’s previous research confirming the effectiveness of the TC theoretical framework across multiple disciplines including engineering.

text: Re-engineering an engineering course: How flipped classrooms afford transformative teaching, learning, and workplace competency This research brief is investigating the extent to which a flipped classroom model enhances student learning of threshold concepts (TCs) in an undergraduate engineering course at a New Zealand university. This project extends the team’s previous research confirming the effectiveness of the TC theoretical framework across multiple disciplines including engineering.

year: 2015

title: Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi through addressing racism in universities

authors: Waitoki, Waikaremoana

abstract: Executive summary
The WERO team conducted two studies on university documents to identify how universities articulate
their commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and address inequities for Māori within tertiary education. The
first study, which is a case study of a university’s Treaty Statement, highlighted the university’s limitations
in empowering Māori to exercise tino rangatiratanga within various decision-making structures. The
second study, which scrutinises Māori representation across strategic documents of all universities,
revealed that universities reify whiteness by selectively interpreting Te Tiriti articles, pursuing targeted
Māori recruitment, portraying Māori as reliant on the Crown for success, commodifying mātauranga
Māori, and evading discussions about settler colonialism and racial equity.
Drawing from our findings and constitutional transformation documents such as Matike Mai (2016), we
proffer three recommendations to enable universities to more effectively uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi:
1. Universities must clearly define the operation of settler colonialism and racism in each institution so
that sustainable anti-racist initiatives can be identified.
2. Each university must grow relational spheres where Māori are empowered to make collective
decisions with the Crown representatives in the university.
3. Universities must invest in a Māori-led independent body to develop and deliver a Te Tiriti-centric
programme that decolonises university processes

text: Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi through addressing racism in universities Executive summary
The WERO team conducted two studies on university documents to identify how universities articulate
their commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and address inequities for Māori within tertiary education. The
first study, which is a case study of a university’s Treaty Statement, highlighted the university’s limitations
in empowering Māori to exercise tino rangatiratanga within various decision-making structures. The
second study, which scrutinises Māori representation across strategic documents of all universities,
revealed that universities reify whiteness by selectively interpreting Te Tiriti articles, pursuing targeted
Māori recruitment, portraying Māori as reliant on the Crown for success, commodifying mātauranga
Māori, and evading discussions about settler colonialism and racial equity.
Drawing from our findings and constitutional transformation documents such as Matike Mai (2016), we
proffer three recommendations to enable universities to more effectively uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi:
1. Universities must clearly define the operation of settler colonialism and racism in each institution so
that sustainable anti-racist initiatives can be identified.
2. Each university must grow relational spheres where Māori are empowered to make collective
decisions with the Crown representatives in the university.
3. Universities must invest in a Māori-led independent body to develop and deliver a Te Tiriti-centric
programme that decolonises university processes

year: 2024-06-30