Astronomy and Astro-Physics
	Prof. Andrea Ghez Dark Matter and Black Holes
	Program 1 is a study of the motion of stars at the center of our Galaxy aimed at understanding the enviroment around a supermassive black hole. There are several possible projects within this program. One would involve fitting the orbits of stars to search for additional forms of dark matter surrounding the central supermassive black hole, using data collected at the W. M. Keck 10-meter telescopes. Another would involve analysis of the colors of stars using data collected with the Hubble Space Telescope, Keck, and Gemini in order to understand how the stars in close proximity to the central black hole might have formed.
	Prof. Andrea Ghez Neutrino Detection
	Program 2 is a study of young stars aimed at understanding the formation and evolution of stars like our Sun. Again there are several possible projects. One would include fitting orbits to derive dynamical masses and thereby test theories of stellar evolution. Another would analyze images to investigate what conditions might prevent the formation of a planetary system such as our own.
	Prof. Mike Jura SIRTF (The Space Infrared Telescope Facility)
	In August 2003, the Space InfraRed Telescope Facility (SIRTF) was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral. We are now receiving excellent data from this satellite, and any REU student would be participating in the reduction and analysis of data for programs studying Solar System like environments around nearby stars.
	Professors Stephen Cowley and Mark Morris The Origins and Structure of Magnetic Fields in the Universe
	The student will will be studying the origin and structure of magnetic fields in galaxies and larger objects in the universe. Data generated in computer simulations of the growth of field will be provided. The student will analyze and visualize the field structure using the program IDL. This computed structure will be compared with observations. It is hoped that this will give us clues as to the origin of the field -- one of the unsolved problems in astrophysics. This project will introduce the student to the techniques of computer visualization and data analysis and to to the astrophysics of magnetic fields.
	Prof. Rene Ong High-energy Astrophysics
	Student will be involved in the analysis of data from the new gound-based gamma-ray telescope VERITAS, constructed in southern Arizona. The research will involve the development of analysis software to study several sources of high-energy gamma rays, including galactic sources such as the Crab Nebula. Student will also work on the simulation of the performance of the telescope in terms of energy threshold and collection area. There may be the possibility of a trip to Arizona for work on the telescope.