Rutgers Astrophysics Research Institute 2009 - 2010

Sponsored by Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory,
 NASA, and Rutgers University
The Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Graduate School of Education
Office of Continuous Education and Outreach

For whom:  High School Students who have completed a physics course, see the list of requirements.  Teams of at least two students and a teacher from each participating school.

When:  Four weeks during the summer 2009 (June 29 - July 24) and during the academic year (when the research is conducted at your school).

Where:  Rutgers University, The Department of Physics and Astronomy. (Participants commute daily to Rutgers University).

What: During 4 weeks in the summer the participants will learn the basics of stellar astrophysics and X-ray data analysis, and start their own research in the field of X-ray variable sources. During the following academic year they will continue authentic research using data from various X-ray satellites through the Internet in contact with Rutgers professors and graduate students.

Funding:  Support is provided by Educational Foundation of America, NASA, and Rutgers University.

Credits: Participants can register for 3 undergraduate credits.  Registration for credits is not required for the participation in the program.

Requirements:

• students must have completed a high school physics course.
• students must complete a short physics test by June 1st and mail to the address below with your application.
• while conducting the academic year research, students must schedule a common meeting time of at least one hour a week.
• Beginning September 2009 schools must agree to support the work of the participants by providing them with direct, easy access to a computer.  The school will install VNC and Putty (both freeware) that will allow access to Rutgers University machines that can run LINUX analysis software. Internet connectivity via ethernet LAN with ftp and http ability (ftp and http servers do not run on the LINUX PC) is required. Recommended hardware includes a Pentium-II 266MHz or higher, 64MB+ memory, 40GB free disk space, ethernet 10 or 100Mbps card (Intel etherexpress, many 3COM cards, NEC2000 clones), three button PS/2 mouse, Postscript printer recommended (on printer port or network if lpd capable such as HP jetdirect interfaces). DHCP server assigned IP network configuration preferred but static IP may also be used.
• schools are encouraged to provide some flexibility in scheduling so that the teacher mentor and students will have time to meet, discuss, and work on their research.

 Program Information

 Rutgers Astrophysics Institute provides avenues for high school science students and their teachers to participate in research in X-ray astrophysics.  Teams will learn about stellar structure and evolution, different sources of X-rays, X-ray telescopes and satellites, methods of data analysis. This a year long Program that:

• begins with the 20 day  Astrophysics Summer Institute
• continues during the academic year at each high school
• includes several meetings of all participants held at Rutgers Unversity
• and concludes the following spring (May 2010) with a forum where teams make their final presentations

Teams begin their work by attending the 20 day (June29-July24) Astrophysics Summer Institute in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rutgers University.  During this time the students learn about spectral analysis of different kinds of electromagnetic radiation, experimental techniques, main concepts of stellar astrophysics, different methods of data analysis in modern astrophysics.  The topics include:

1) Searching for periodic behavior of galactic x-ray sources. Virtually all galactic x-ray sources are known to be members of binary systems, and an entire industry has been founded to look for binary periodicities. Utilizing tools such as Fourier analysis and phase-folding techniques, data that reveal this type of behavior can be searched and analyzed.

2) Spectral analysis of cosmic sources. Much has been learned by examining how a star's light intensity varies as a function of energy. X-ray information is available via the National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) and can be examined by individuals with skill in extracting such data from the satellite archives.  Exciting possibilities exist for correlating spectral changes with binary phase, which reflect the intensity changes that are common to most x-ray sources.

3) Generation of long-term light curves for cosmic x-ray sources. Although some of the brighter and more spectacular x-ray sources have been analyzed on a long term basis, we now have catalogs of hundreds of unanalyzed galactic sources.  Contributions to the field are possible through systematic examination of the weaker sources for intensity changes.

A unique component of this program is that the research that is initiated in the summer continues during the academic year.  During the 2009-2010 academic year participants will communicate via the Internet with each other and university faculty, and will conduct analysis of the data available from NASA archives.  Monthly meetings will be held in the Physics Department at Rutgers University.  At the end of the school year, a special forum will be held in which participating high school students, teachers, and graduate students will report their results.  This will present a unique opportunity for students to explore cutting-edge research and become a part of the scientific community.

For additional information contact:

James Coleman
email:   jcoleman@physics.rutgers.edu
 

 Rutgers Astrophysics Institute

Student Application Packet includes (1)the form below, (2)the completed physics test, (3) letter of recommendation from your physics teacher, and (4) high school transcript.

NAME______________________________________DATE_______________

HOME ADDRESS_________________________________________________

_______________________________ZIP_______PHONE________________

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER_______________________________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS(Personal)_______________________________________

NAME OF PARENT OR LEGAL GARDIAN_____________________________

DAYTIME/BUSINESS PHONE OF PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN______________

GRADE YOU WILL BE ENTERING IN SEPTEMBER 2009_________________

NAME OF HIGH SCHOOL__________________________________________

SCHOOL ADDRESS_______________________________________________

_________________________ZIP______________PHONE_______________

NAME OF PRINCIPAL______________________________________________

NAME OF YOUR GUIDANCE COUNCELOR____________________________

NAME OF YOUR PHYSICS TEACHER_________________________________

LIST OF SCIENCE COURSES_______________________________________
 

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Please have your physics teacher write a brief statement to recommend your participation in the program.

A letter of recommendation is required to complete your application.
 

TRANSCRIPT
Please include a copy of your high school transcript and current report card with this application.
 

Send this application and all correspondence to:

James Coleman (Rutgers Astrophysics Institute)

820 Washington Road,

Parlin, NJ 08859