Hello everyone,
first of all, let us thank you for your participation in this MOOC. We also really enjoy seeing the pictures you are uploading to our flickr page:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/100542173@N05/
You may also join our Crystal MOOC facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/crystalmooc
And we are doing our best to answer all your questions that come up in the forum. We really appreciate your input and encourage you to discuss the content of the course with your peers.
The upcoming chapter is all about symmetry. We will start with the symmetries that can be found in everyday objects. For example, you will investigate the symmetry elements of the queen of clubs or a boomerang.
You will then learn how to classify crystals into their respective classes. We have prepared a small poster, so you can keep track of your very own collection of crystals.
Finally, we want to begin to talk about translational symmetry. This symmetry is a particular feature of crystal structures with their repetitive patterns. However, we will go easy with you and explain it with an imaginary walk on a beach and look at drawings of the famous artist M.C. Escher.
We hope that you are curious, how our crystallographic journey continues.
See you in class (at 12:00 CEST)!
Michael & Frank
The Fascination of Crystals and Symmetry 