Analysis of data from the NAIC Arecibo radio telescope, searching for planets and other temporal phenomena in millisecond pulsars. AXAF X-ray imaging telescopes. Development of technologies and detectors in for future satellite missions in X-ray astronomy. Students participate in a large high energy astrophysics laboratory learning skills such as detector calibration procedures and analysis, digital electronics, computer interfaces, vacuum systems, and software development. On some occasions, undergraduate research projects result in published papers.
Students can be lead authors.
Individual student initiative is crucial for involvement in research. The student is encouraged to knock on doors, chat with various faculty, ask their academic advisor or the assistant head for the undergraduate program for advice, and make their own arrangements regarding income or credit. Our Annual Report summarizes the department's current research projects. Astronomy and Astrophysics majors with particularly strong academic records can apply to more than a dozen nationally competitive summer research programs. Other summer programs are hosted by other university departments nationwide under the auspices of the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Program.