I enjoy the process of creating data visuals and graphics to make science more approachable, whether it is schematics or interactive visualization tools. Take a look at some of my tools below!
AREPAS🫓: A Resource for Exploring Protostellar Accretion Systems
As part of my research projects I built a extensive model grid for the strongest emission lines in T Tauri Stars (TTS). The grid covers a wide range of stellar and accretion parameters of TTS observed in nearby star-forming regions. Given how broad this dataset is, it is great to build intuition on how emission line profiles depend on various physical parameters, and as a starting point to fit an observed profile and constrain the accretion state of an observation. However, this same virtue also meant exploring the dataset became very convoluted, with too many files and parameters that made it unintuitive for new users. This is why, as I side quest, I choose not only to make the data publicly available but also to make it accessible through an interactive app: AREPAS 🫓.
AREPAS, built with Katya Gozman, allows you to explore the dataset, compare models profiles to each other, and compare models to input observations. Users can quickly make plots of raw line model fluxes, fluxes normalized to the continuum, or line luminosities. The last two are the recommended parameters to use when comparing models to observations. The app also allow users to download files without cloning the full dataset.
The app is still actively in development. Any comments/suggestions/bug finds are much appreciated and can be reported on the project's Github repository!
Why "Arepas"? Arepas are a traditional, and very popular, Venezuelan dish! Although still very much a modern meal, the first records of this dish are about 2800 years ago. Arepas are versatile and inspire creativity, you can always create a new dish with them. A perfect symbol for our app.