The Dead Stars Society
Enabling the next generation of scientists through data intensive astrophysics research
Enabling the next generation of scientists through data intensive astrophysics research
The Dead Stars Society is a vibrant student focused research group in the metro-Detroit area of Michigan. The group started in early 2023 as a collaboration between astronomer Kristen Dage and instructor Jesse Mason to provide cross-institutional research opportunities to students in the area. It started off with a small group of three students at Henry Ford College learning how to do X-ray astronomy with the Chandra X-ray Observatory to hunt for candidate intermediate mass black holes in clusters of stars. After doubling in size, processing 150 X-ray observations, identifying 30.000 X-ray sources and performing detailed follow-up of 300 of the most interesting sources, the group pivoted to preparatory science with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
In Fall 2023, thanks to support from the LSST-Discovery Alliance Inclusive Collaboration Initiative, the team was able to obtain training in python, pandas, data-base management and astronomy-specific software, as well as professional development opportunities. The group is learning how to access preview data from the Rubin Science Platform, and perform time-series analysis on optical light curves. They will write student-oriented manuals to be shared widely with the community, which will be available at this site upon completion.
X-ray point source detection with ciao
X-ray spectroscopy with XSPEC
Radio point source detection with pybdsf
Gamma-ray binned likelihood analysis with fermitools
Accessing the Rubin Science Platform through the portal and command line aspect
Optical light curve analysis
Database management
Image handling