María L. Cerón Loayza

Characterization of the Carancas–Puno meteorite by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffractometry and transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy

We report the results of the study of a meteorite that impacted an inhabited zone on 15 September 2007 in the neighborhood of the town of Carancas, Puno Region, about 1,300 km south of Lima. The analysis carried out by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffractometry and transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy (at room temperature and at 4.2 K), reveal the presence in the meteorite sample of magnetic sites assigned to taenite (Fe,Ni) and troilite (Fe,S) phases, and of two paramagnetic doublets assigned to Fe2 + , one associated with olivine and the other to pyroxene. In accord with these results, this meteorite is classified as a type IV chondrite meteorite.

Women in Physics in Perú

The numbers of women receiving undergraduate and master’s degrees in physics from San Marcos National University and undergraduate physics degrees from San Luis Gonzaga National University in Peru are reported. The number of undergraduate degrees in physics has increased for women in San Marcos University, but not for women earning master’s degrees. Why don’t women complete their post‐degree studies? Economics and gender stereotypes are factors that women in Peru have to fight each day. Peru does not have a good scholar program in science, so few students are interested in beginning their university careers in science. Improvements in science education are needed for our country to reach its potential.

Statistical panorama of female physics graduate students for 2000-2010 in Peru

We report the results of a statistical study on the number of women entering the undergraduate and masters programs of physics at Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Peru. From 2006 through 2010, 13 female students entered the masters degree program but no females graduated with the degree. Considering that Peru is a developing country, a career in physics is not considered an attractive professional choice even for male students because it is thought that there are no work centers to practice this profession. We recommend that the causes preventing female physics students from completing their studies and research work be analyzed, and that strategies be planned to help women complete their academic work. We are considering getting help from the Peruvian Physics Society (SOPERFI) in order to draw more attention for our plan.