Our group has several new research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students.
For graduate students:
(1) To initiate a data analysis/clustering measurement pipeline for a joint project between JPL, UCSD, and UCI to measure the IR background light between 1 to 2 microns using rocket-borne IR images (Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment; CIBER). Sounding rockets will be launched from NASA facilities at White Sands, NM at six month intervals beginning Spring’08. This project requires regular trips to Caltech/JPL. You should ideally be second year or higher.
(2) We are one of the main partners of the Herschel SPIRE GTO Science Team. Herschel is a far-IR background observatory to be launched by ESA in Summer of 2008 and SPIRE is one of three cameras on Herschel. We are currently developing the science case and associated tools for statistical studies of unresolved far-IR sources (fluctuations, clustering etc) in a 10 square degree survey that will be performed as part of SPIRE instrument team’s guaranteed time observations. We will also be joining a key project during subsequent years to study the far-IR background in detail over 1000 square degrees. During the first year, you will work with a project scientist to develop simulations to study noise properties and systematic effects in Herschel scan maps. This is a large international collaboration and you will be expected to actively participate and learn from partners.
Both projects require a prior experience in programming (with IDL and/or C/C++). A familiarity with statistical data analysis will be helpful.
For undergraduate students:
We have numerous projects in cosmology, large-scale structure, galaxy distribution, gravitational waves, dark energy/dark matter, and outer solar system from data analysis and statistical measurements to development of new models to explain astronomical and cosmological observations. If interested, you can either participate in group projects with research scientists and other students or work independently. Past students have completed and published papers in research journals and some of these students are now conducting graduate studies elsewhere. In general, for juniors, these projects require a full-time commitment over this summer and part-time over senior year leading to the writing of a physics BS thesis. Projects are available for both pay and credit during the academic year and for pay during the summer. No background in astronomy and astrophysics is necessary, but a familiarity with programming (any of C/C++, mathematica, maple, or similar languages) is extremely helpful. Most of my recent students have taken P53. Recent projects completed or underway include topics in inflation, dark energy, Kuiper belt objects, among others. For a summary of ongoing activities and other details, please visit my group web page.
If any of these opportunities interest you, please email Prof. Asantha Cooray at accoray@uci.edu or drop by FRH 4186.