How Does the Van QA Work?

I have a general question, but first I want to say that you all are awesome for doing all of this Q&A and thank you for always giving me a timely answer to questions. My question is how do you guys (and ladies) answer all of the questions people ask, do you always know the material off of the top of your head or do you typically have to study up a little bit to answer the questions?Thanks!-Travis
- Travis (age 26)
Brooklyn, NY

Thanks!

Unfortunately we're only getting to a fraction (maybe 1/5, we haven't kept close track)  of the questions that come in. Many of the others are close to previously answered ones. Some we can't understand. Others are clear but we aren't the right people to ask. Some we just don't get to for no good reason.

We know the answers to many of the questions off the top of our heads. Others require more effort. One (http://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=23607) got me obsessed for several weeks, calculating and studying. Most are somewhere in between.

Mike W.\

 

We also have a collection of gurus in our department as well as astonomy to whom we can call on for specialty questions.   They have come in handy from time to time.

LeeH

 

(published on 12/23/2014)