Astronomy and Astrophysics
	Astronomy
	Prof. Andrea Ghez Black Hole and Its Environment at the Galactic Center
	High resolution images of the center of our Galaxy with the world's largest telescopes are giving us an unprecedented view of a supermassive black hole and its environs. Through precision measurement of stellar orbits we aim to address many fundamental questions about the formation and evolution of black holes and galaxies. Possible summer projects include studies of (1) how the observed young stars arrived in this region in which no young stars were expected, (2) how this region was depleted of giants, which were predicted to exist in large numbers, (3) searches for micro-lensing events and (4) simulations of observations with future large ground-based telescopes.
	Prof. Ned Wright and Sara Petty, Ph.D. Galaxy Evolution
	Understanding the formation and subsequent evolution of galaxies across the history of the Universe is one of the most important topics in all of astrophysics. To make progress, we must be able to effectively interpret data from wide area imaging surveys, which provide information on millions of galaxies simultaneously. But to do this requires that we understand how to simultaneously interpret data from surveys at different wavelengths, using low-redshift galaxies as archetypes. In this project, the student will address exactly this topic. The project will involve analyzing the ultraviolet and mid-infrared structures of nearby early type galaxies to uncover evidence for their early formation stages. The project will use imaging data from two recent satellite missions; the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), and the Galaxy evolution Explorer (GALEX). The student will learn how to use some of the most common image reduction and analysis tools in astronomy, and will also research the current literature on the formation of nearby galaxies.
	Prof. James Larkin Astronomical Instrumentation
	Prof. Larkin’s lab is designing the IRIS instrument for the thirty meter telescope (TMT). The REU student would be involved in that project. The work will consist mostly of computer analysis and/or testing hardware in the lab.