Cameron Students posing for a picture on Campus

Beyond the Classroom

Astrophysics

Astrophysics is the study in the physics of the universe and the galaxies and planets that inhabit it. Studies have opportunity to include the methods and principles of physics and chemistry to understand the behavior, origin and evolution of the universe and our place in it. Here at CU, students will investigate the basic principles of space physics. They will research on measurements of electron and ion density of the upper atmosphere, particularly the ionosphere. Also, they can investigate a single object in the night sky, using robotic telescope data and software described below.

Project #1

Space Weather

This research mainly focuses on the area of space physics. This research investigates basic concepts of space physics. With solar activity, the electron and ion densities change and can disrupt satellite communications. This project will mainly focus on measurements of electron and ion density of the upper atmosphere, particularly ionosphere. DMSP, CHAMP and C/NOFS satellites provide a very rich data set of electron and ion density measurements in the altitude range 300-800 km. Studying this huge data set with solar and geomagnetic activities contributes to understanding the ionosphere and its physical processes.

Here are posters of the research

Solar Activity Variation and Its Effect on Ionospheric Ion Density

Seasonal Variation of F2 peak of Ionosphere

Project #2

Observational Astronomy

Using robotic telescope data from Las Cumbres Observatory, this is a research project in collaboration with Dr. Michael Fitzgerald, Edith Cowan University, Australia Dr. Brian Uzpen, Laramie County Community College, Wyoming, USA. The research program sequence focuses on the exploration of a single object in the night sky. The RR Lyrae stars are currently the focus of this project. In this research, different software like Python, Alladin, Stellarium, AstroImageJ, and LaTeX, are employed in the data analysis.

Here is a poster of the research

Photometric Analysis Of RR LYRAE V494 SCO