To know precisely the strength of the emissions from the sky and interpret the data in the all-sky map, however, the team must calibrate each telescope accurately so they can separate instrumental effects from the signal measured. Bloch estimates this task will be completed in the next six weeks. No one has yet conclusively identified what atmospheric mechanism generates them. For many, it was their first introduction to a research project and helped them decide on an educational or career path. Some have gone onto to jobs in the aerospace industry or onto graduate schools.
Students gain hands-on experience and carry a lot of responsibility for the project.
The students have made significant contributions to the data analysis and code generation. Eight people, of which only the three students are fulltime, make up the project team. The team is learning how to coax more performance out of an aging satellite. Operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration , of the US Department of Energy.