Black history month Chat with
Vernol Battiste
Research Psychologist

Thus Feb. 14 10:14:06 2002

[ Susan/NASAChatHost - 14 - 08:58:18 ]
Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 19 - 09:06:05 ]
RE: [Glenn] What happen in direction of moon and earth
Hi Glenn. If your question is about the relationship between the moon and the earth, I am not the best source for information on this topic. So I would suggest that you look up this topic on the web.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 20 - 09:10:26 ]
RE: [Ashia] What are some things about Neptune?This is for a school project.
Hi Ashia. As a research psychologist I don't spend very much time on the planets, but Neptune was discovered by Johann G. Galle on Sept. 23, 1846. Neptune is the 8th planet from the sun and the 4th largest. For more information go to Googles on the web and type Neptune.

[ Susan/NASAChatHost - 22 - 09:15:01 ]
for those of you interested in the planets you can find a lot of information at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/solar_system/solar_system_index.html

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 23 - 09:16:46 ]
RE: [Cynthia] Why do you have to know psychology to help pilots fly?
Hi Cynthia, As flight system change and become more complex pilots jobs changes from manually flying to working with advanced computers which fly the airplane. To design the systems that the pilots will use and to take advantage of the things that pilots (humans) do best to use psychological principles. For example, we use color coding on a display which allows the pilot to quickly identify the important information on the display. Humans have very good color discrimination.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 25 - 09:20:42 ]
RE: [Andre] Do you do a lot of experiments?
Hi Andre, Yes we do. We conduct very basic studies where we will collect data from a single operator (subject), and very complex studies where we will have groups of pilots, controllers and soon airline dispatchers.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 29 - 09:24:13 ]
RE: [Cecelia] Is it hard to be an air traffic controller?
Hi Cecelia, I really enjoyed my time as an air traffic controller. The work was very mentally challenging, and very rewarding. Usually, after work I was not physically tired, but mentally tired. So I would go and play racquetball to relax.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 33 - 09:31:08 ]
RE: [Patti/CJHS8th] Are there times when humans need to override the machine, even when it's something the machine supposedly does better?
Hi Patti, That is a very good question. In our work as human factors psychologist we recognize that there are many times that the operator will have additional information or for other reason need to override the machine. So as a principal of our design we always allow the human to override the machine.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 37 - 09:33:12 ]
RE: [Cynthia] That's cool, Which color is most important?
Cynthia, No particular color is more important. Understanding the relationship between color and the way humans use this is what is important

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 38 - 09:34:19 ]
RE: [George/NJ8thgrade] You Have a very curious job. Is the government the only place of employment for someone in your field? And if not, What else?
Hi George, Research Psychologists are employed in many industries from high-tech to labor relations, and they conduct research on a large variety of topics. For example in the automotive industry, research psychologists are involved in the design and evaluation most systems that the operator (driver) uses. For a list of industries is would suggest you go to your browser and search for jobs research psychologist

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 39 - 09:36:59 ]
RE: [Andre] What is an airline dispatcher?
Andre, The airlines employ a very skilled group of people who manage their aircraft, crews and schedule. This is a very demanding job similar to that of a controller.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 40 - 09:37:58 ]
RE: [Cecelia] Thanks for answering my questions!
Cecilia, Thank you for your interest in NASA, and myself.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 43 - 09:40:39 ]
RE: [Lindsay] Who was an African American who recieved a PhD. in Aerospace engeering?
Hi Lindsey, A very famous aerospace engineer was Frank Mann. He was a pioneer in this area and worked with Howard Hughes on many aeronautical projects. You can find out more on him and many others on the web. Thanks for your question

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 44 - 09:42:44 ]
RE: [joe] Are their differences in pilots and air traffic controllers ways of communicating?
Hi Joe, Both pilots and controllers use standard phraseology to communicate with each other. Using this type of dialogue helps them to understand each other. good question

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 45 - 09:43:37 ]
RE: [Bradley] what are you doing
Bradley, I am enjoying having a chat with you.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 46 - 09:44:44 ]
RE: [Jeff] Have you ever experienced discrimanation?
Hi Jeff, As a child of the sixties I attended segregated schools through high school. Things changed when I joined the Air Force. Yes I have, and occasionally even today unwise people practice discrimination.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 50 - 09:46:13 ]
RE: [Donna] What is a typical day like working for NASA?
Hi Donna, My typical day starts with my arrival at the office at about 9 am. If no meetings are planned for the first hour, then I read my email and correspond with colleagues on the east coast. Also I will plan the remainder of my day. Most days are not typical, the majority of my time is spent planning, designing and conducting research on advanced air traffic management systems. The concepts that we are developing will take years of research and will not be implemented in the near future.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 51 - 09:49:00 ]
RE: [Laverne] Do you get to work with astronauts? would you like to be one?
Hi Laverne, One of the reasons that I came to NASA was because of our space program. I would have loved to have been an astronaut, but I have a great time working on aeronautical programs.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 55 - 09:51:43 ]
RE: [Lisa] Do you like to fly on the air lines?
Hello Lisa, I very much enjoy flying. On one occasion while flying cross country in the Jumpseat of an airliner I had the pleasure of viewing a thunderstorm from above the clouds. It was beautiful.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 57 - 09:54:00 ]
RE: [dutchess] What is it like in space?
Dutchess, Not being an astronaut I cannot provide much information on this topic. However, NASA is always looking for qualified astronaut candidates.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 58 - 09:56:58 ]
RE: [Jeff] Does it get boring if your research takes a long time?
Hello Jeff, The research can take a very long time, but along the way there are many interesting things to learn. The process of learning new and interesting things keeps you interested. Conducting the studies are always fun but analyzing the data which provides the answers is the best.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 60 - 09:58:18 ]
RE: [Laverne] I want to be an astronaut someday, do psychologist get to be astronauts?
Laverne, Yes indeed, and you could design the future human factors space studies.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 61 - 09:59:27 ]
RE: [ALYCIA] I CAN BE A QUALIFIED ASTRONAUT.
Alycia, Yes you can. Stay in school and always work hard.

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 63 - 10:01:11 ]
RE: [Donna] How much time each day do you get to spend with your family or how much time can you be at home?
Hi Donna, . I spend a great deal of time working but I try to spend the weekends with my family. My son, who is 10, plays league basketball on the weekends and I attend all of his games.

[ Susan/NASAChatHost - 65 - 10:01:35 ]
Where did the time go! This was a really interesting chat! Thanks kids for the great questions! Join us again for another chat!

[ Susan/NASAChatHost - 66 - 10:03:03 ]
Vern, Thank you so much for sharing you interesting career with us! I hope you will chat with us again! Right kids?

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 67 - 10:03:09 ]
RE: [ALYCIA] could 12 year old kids become astronauts?
Alycia, 12 is a bit young to become an astronaut, but a great time to start working on a dream. You could begin by going to space camp, or participating in other NASA student programs.

[ ALYCIA - 69 - 10:03:29 ]
bye

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 70 - 10:04:01 ]
RE: [Laverne] Thanks, It was really fun talking to you today!
Thanks to all of you for chatting with me

[ VernBattiste/ARC - 71 - 10:05:20 ]
Thanks to all of you for spending this hour with me. It was my pleasure spending it with you. Happy Valentines day