Statement of Purpose

Two summers ago, I was accepted to the Undergraduate Research Program in Astrophysics offered by the Center for Network Resources and Training (CNRT) site at South Carolina State University and the University of Arizona.  I had the opportunity to do an internship at the National Optical and Astronomies Observatory (NOAO), located in Tucson, Arizona.  There I was match to two mentors, Dr. Kenneth Mighell and Mr. Roy Tucker, of the NOAO Headquarters.  I had the opportunity to do an internship at the National Optical and Astronomies Observatory (NOAO), located in Tucson, Arizona.  The summer program, Undergraduate Research Program in Astrophysics, was located at the University of Arizona. There I was match to two mentors, Dr. Kenneth Mighell and Mr. Roy Tucker, of the NOAO Headquarters.  With the aid of my mentors and teammates, we complete a summer research, An Amateur Search for Near-Earth Asteroids.  The detection of near-Earth asteroids has recently become a prominent topic in the field of astronomy. There is a strong emphasis on this topic and it mainly comes from the evidence that has lead to the extinction of the dinosaurs and the large crater (Meteor Crater) located in Arizona.  Based on this evidence, many research groups are now involved in the search for any asteroids that may pose such a threat to life on the Earth. This topic has been researched for several years and has led to the vast observations by both astronomers and amateurs. The main focus of this summer research project was to do a study on the detection of near earth asteroids. The team learned how to use two image analysis software packages, Image Reduction and Analysis Facility (IRAF) and PinPoint Astrometric Engine 3.0. The observational data that was used came from unique drift scan charged coupled device (CCD) imagers attached to three 35-centimeter telescopes at Mr. Roy Tucker’s observatory, Goodricke-Pigott Observatory, located in Tucson, Arizona. Many nights of observational data were analyzed to find any near-Earth asteroids with the aid of both IRAF and PinPoint. Another aspect of this research project was to become familiar with IRAF and PinPoint.  The team learned how these applications worked and the advantages and disadvantages for each one.  Another application from Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel was also used.  With this application, programs were written to serve as a backup system for detecting the asteroids.  The team also learned additional observational skills at the 2.1-meter telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory during the month of July 2001.Working with this project helped me to become more comfortable with the field of Physics.

Since the fall of 1999, I have participated as a student researcher the Office of Naval Research Program. This program is designed to aid students who wish to pursue a degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Technology and Physics.  In spring of 2001 I completed a research project, Tunneling of Matter Wave through Delta Function Type Barrier, under the Physics Research Team.  I was matched to a mentor, Dr. Latif Choudhury, in the Department of Physical Sciences.  We had to set up an equation of motion of a mass according to Newton's second law of motion and using Schordinger's equation. We then had to develop a Mathematica program to plot the solution to this equation. Since being in this program, I had the privilege to attend several conferences.  I attended the 1999 LISA (Large Installation System Administration) Conference. This conference was held at the Washington Convention Center in Seattle, Washington.  In September of 2000, I went to the MUSPIN Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia.  There I presented my summer research project and got a chance to view some of the other student projects.  In September of 2001, I attended the National Technical Association Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia.  There I had the privilege of presenting my summer research project, view other student presentations and attend several sessions.  On September 27, 2002 I attended the 75th annual National Technical Association conference to give a presentation on my research from this past summer.  I placed third in the undergraduate student presentations.  This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center through the Summer Institute in Engineering and Computer Applications (SIECA) Program.  There, I matched to an astrophysicist, Dr. Enectali Figueroa-Feliciano, of the Laboratory for High-Energy Astrophysics.  The study of astronomical objects at a high energy of X-rays began in the early 1960's.  Until then, scientists and astronomers knew only that the Sun was a concentrated source in the X-ray waveband.  The Earth's atmosphere absorbs most X-rays, so rocket flights became necessary.  Over the past 35 years, X-ray astronomy has grown and is now a vital tool in the cutting edge of astrophysical research.  X-ray observations reveal some of the most energetic phenomena in the Universe.  They provide probes that can investigate atomic and nuclear processes.  This area of astronomy is very important for the study of some of the unanswered questions involving dark matter, black holes, supernovae and other phenomena with high temperatures or explosions.  The Laboratory of High Energy Astrophysics (LHEA), of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), is concerned with measuring X-rays from astronomical objects.  These will be collected with the aid of microcalorimeters.  A microcalorimeter is a thermal device that operates by measuring the energy of an X-ray.  It consists of an absorber to take in X-ray photons, a thermometer to measure the resulting temperature rise, and a weak link to a low temperature heat sink that provides thermal isolation needed to sense a temperature change.  These microcalorimeters will be utilized in two space missions; Astro-E2 and the Constellation X-Ray Observatory.  There were two objectives for this research project.  With the aid of Igor Pro Version 4.0, the data analysis section was to create a program that fitted lines for the X-Ray Spectrometer (XRS) detector for Astro-E2.  The hardware section called for a design for a Superconducting Stepper Motor X-ray Shutter that will be part of the Constellation-X test system.  This shutter will control the flow of X-ray photons to the detector.

These experiences have convinced me to pursue the highest degree in Physics. I would like to continue my goal, if I am given a chance to become part of several research programs; in the fall and summer that will aid me in receiving a bachelor's degree in Physics. By gaining a master's degree in Astrophysics, I will attain the proper skills to perform the job of an astrophysicist.  Finally, after receiving a Ph.D., I would like to do research in the field of Astrophysics and conduct research projects that will assist in the growing field of astronomy.