Astrophysics

Welcome to Astrophysics! We perform summer research related to the following topics:

• Variable Stars: Under direction of Notre Dame professor Peter Garnavich, use Krizmanich telescope and CCD camera at the Morrison Observatory of Jordan Hall to obtain magnitude data for stars of interest, submit data to the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). Also obtain remote data from AAVSONet of other variable stars

• Galactic Archeology: Under direction of Notre Dame professor Evan Kirby, analyze spectra of stars to determine ages and chemical compositions

• Exoplanets: Under direction of Jeffery Chilcote, use Python coding to manufacture "non-redundant masks" to use in GPI 2 expoplanet camera used with Gemini Observatory in Chile

• Asteroids: Participate in the International Asteroid Search Collaboration where students obtain images of star fields to search for known and unknown asteroids

• Sunspots: Use a small telescope to monitor the sun's activity, submit sunspot counts to the AAVSO Solar Program

• Outreach: Provide observing sessions of the sun and night sky to student groups during the summer

Handy Links:

• Sarah L. Krizmanich Telescope

• Peter Garnavich

• Jordan Hall Observatory Clear Sky Chart

• International Asteroid Search Collaboration

• American Association of Variable Star Observers

• Notre Dame QuarkNet Center