Astronomy and Astrophysics
	Prof. Andrea Ghez Dark Matter and Black Holes
	Professor Ghez studies the motion of stars at the center of our Galaxy aimed at understanding the environment 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. James Larkin Infrared Astronomy
	In the infrared lab we are developing several state-of-the-art instruments for some of the largest telescopes in the world. Possible student projects include hands on fabrication and testing of electrical components, mechanical assembly and testing of automated mechanisms, software modeling of the thermal system, and scientific modeling of instrument performance.
	Dr. Marshall Perrin Computer Simulation to Measure Dusty Circumstellar Disks Around Young Stars & Measuring Detailed stellar Parameters for Disk-hosting Stars through Analysis of High Resolution Spectroscopy
	Dr. Marshall Perrin studies dusty circumstellar disks around young stars, seeking to understand how planetary systems form and evolve. Possible student projects in this area would focus on analyzing high- contrast observational data obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope or large ground-based telescopes such as Keck and Gemini. One project would involve creating computer simulations to compare with Hubble data, in order to measure the physical structure of certain disks, while another project could focus on measuring detailed stellar parameters for disk-hosting stars through analysis of high resolution spectroscopy. He also works with Prof. Larkin on developing new advanced instrumentation for imaging planets around other stars; there are opportunities for students to assist with hardware testing and simulations to better predict future performance.