Outreach

"The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena." Carl Sagan

Cornell University

Do you have a question about Astronomy? The Cornell Ask an Astronomer page can help! Go here to ask your question and see FAQ: http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/

Interested in stargazing in Ithaca? The Cornell Astronomical Society (CAS) conducts public viewing nights at Cornell University's Fuertes Observatory every Friday at 8pm (weather permitting). I volunteer here most weekends in the summer.

Carl Sagan Institute

Follow along on our journey as we search for life in the universe. You can find us on our website and on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube. Some of our videos can be found below.

Since 2018, I have been the social media team leader. Under my tenure, our engagement and following has increased drastically.

Art

I was a science advisor for the Exoplanet Light Experience during the Blended Worlds Exhibition at the Brand Library & Art Center in Glendale, CA from Sep. 21, 2024 Jan 4, 2025.

Geomagnetic Sunsets On K2-18 b

As the red dwarf star disappears into the horizon, the sky is illuminated not just by the deep reds and purples of the fading light, but also by the vibrant aurorae that dance across the atmosphere of an alien world.

This experiment reimagines our experience of sunsets on Earth, by exploring sunsets on exoplanet K2-18 b, where the intense stellar activity creates a geomagnetic sunset. This surreal interplay of color invites the viewer to contemplate beauty beyond our Earth-based experiences.

-- Lead Investigator: Chrissy Stevens, JPL Visual Strategist

I was a science advisor for the Vermilion Sunrise Sci-Fi book by Lydia P. Brownlow

Vermilion Sunrise

Young Adult Category Winner, 2024 Kindle Book Awards Reader's Choice Contest

Seventeen-year-old Leigh awakens from cryosleep to discover she's part of the first human colony in another solar system. The cryosleep is flawed. It kills adults and causes partial amnesia. As a result, the nations of Earth have launched into space an unlikely group--teenagers with no memory of volunteering for the mission.

University of Arizona

While at the University of Arizona (UofA), I co-found the University of Arizona Astronomy Club. I was active in the club for 6 years.

In total, I helped coordinate over 100 star parties on the University of Arizona campus, local astronomical observatories, Sabino Canyon, the Tohono O’odham Nation reservation, university events, and even at a wedding.

Likewise, I helped coordinate over 20 science day events at Earth Day and Science Day at Biosphere II, Arizona Science and Astronomy Expo, Science Day with the Girl Scouts, and local elementary schools.

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I also co-supervised the Astronomy Club Exoplanet Project designed to give a diverse set of underclassman (∼50% female) their first experience with research. Taught research techniques:

telescope proposal writing
observational photometry
data calibration and reduction
transit modeling techniques
poster presentation
preparing manuscripts in professional journals (see Turner et al. 2013, 2016b, 2017, Pearson, Turner, et al. 2013)

This project greatly improved retention in the undergraduate program, and many of the students attributed this project to helping them be prepared for their careers in astronomy.

University of Virginia

I was a volunteer for the Fan Mountain (semesterly) and McCormick Observatory Astronomy Public Nights (Weekly)

I was a volunteer for the Dark Skies, Bright Kids (DSBK) program, a semester-long program aimed at enhancing science education in underserved Virginia elementary.

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