2002

UNDERGRADUATES

Five undergraduates/graduating high school seniors participated in research during the summer of 2002.  Click on their image in the photo below to see what they did.

summer2002b02Brian - NC STate UniversityAnna - Science Hill High SchoolChris - Harvard UniversityMiles - UNC-Chapel HillJim - Harvey Mudd CollegeMe

HIGH SCHOOL

NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATH

In March 2002, seven students from the North Carolina School of Science and Math spent ten days at PARI.  Click on the image for more images
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The student projects included:

  • Mapping the Galactic Center at 1420 MHz using the West 26 m radio telescope
  • Mapping the entire Galactic Plane at 1420 MHz using the Smiley 4.6 m radio telescope
  • Measuring the frequency dependence of quasar emission using the West 26-m radio telescope
  • Measuring the pointing model for the East 26-m radio telescope
  • Building a radio telescope from scratch
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Charles Osborne, PARI Technical Director, teaches the students about antennae and receivers.

As an example of their work, the image below is the 1420 MHz Galactic Plane Map done by two of the NCSSM students who used Smiley.   The x-axis is Galactic Longitude, the Y-axis is Velocity, and the Z-axis is intensity. The brrightest spot is Cas A.
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Christina Hernendez conducted her Senior research project at PARI during the Fall 2002. She used both 26-m radio telescopes together to measure brightness variations in flare stars called RS CVn stars. RS CVn stars show magnetic activity in the form of starspots, flares, coronae, X-ray and chromospheric emission. The level of stellar activity is many orders of magnitudes greater than solar activity. For example the starspots cover as much as 25% of the stellar surface. The activity results in emission at radiofrequencies. Christina began a program to monitor variations in the radio brightnesses of these objects. We expect this program to be carried on by students through the next several years.

christina_doing_astronomy02

 

Here you see Chrisitna controling both 26-m radio telescopes. This includes pointing the telescopes at the correct coordinates and taking data. She carefully records each observation.

 

Christina's father, Ed, is shown at the right. He came to PARI and volunteered his time to help PARI on some computer projects while Chrisitna conducted her research.

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Here is a sample of data taken on the star Delta Lib by Christina. The x-axis is time in hours. The y-axis is intensity

 

Duke Talent Identification Program Summer Field Study in Astronomy 2002

The Duke University Talent Identification Program offers a broad range of programs and resources for gifted young adults. One of their programs is the Domestic Field Study in Radio Astronomy at PARI.

Taken from the website description for the 2002 Field Study in Astronomy:

  • · With guidance, students will complete a research project related to some facet of radio astronomy or electrical engineering. During the first few days, this course will be conducted like a traditional class, where the students are paired into teams and explore their research interests. By the end of the first week, each research group will have begun its project in earnest. During the middle weekend, students will explore the mountains of North Carolina, relaxing with fun recreational activities such as hiking, canoeing, and visiting picturesque Brevard, NC. After the weekend break, students will work exclusively on their research projects and prepare the final presentation of their work. On Saturday, there will be a student-led scientific symposium to which students’ families are invited.

    A TYPICAL DAY
    A typical day at PARI will consist of a morning group meeting, in which students may share the status of their projects and plans for the day. Afterwards, students will be busy with instruction or project work for the bulk of the day. In the late afternoon, students will meet in a journal club, where they will present a journal article to the rest of the group. Students who desire to dive into astronomical research and to work with radio telescopes and computers in a beautiful outdoor setting should apply

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November 2004. mwc