Students see, learn about stars

A summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, funded by a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), recently concluded, giving undergraduate students an opportunity to see the work of professional researchers in the field of astronomy. According to a recent press release, the IU College of Arts and Sciences and IU's Research and University Graduate School also supported the program.\nREU is a three-summer program where selected students learn astronomy at chosen institutions with a special emphasis on practical experience. \nAstronomy professor, Catherine Pilachowski, said IU was selected as one of the 15 institutions to host the program and would remain host for the remaining two summers as well.\n"We have good facilities and people to support the program we proposed," astronomy professor Kent Honeycutt said.\nThe program provided undergraduate students with precious experience about what they should expect from the field of astronomy. \n"It is often critical for students at this level (undergraduates) to understand what professional researchers do," Honeycutt said. Honeycutt also said this program; therefore, helps the students determine if astronomy is the field to pursue. \nJunior Luis Mercado was one of the six students who participated in the program at IU. He said the program made sure that he was on the right track concerning his career. As a part of the program, students got to visit Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Ariz., which has 3.5-meter and 0.9-meter telescopes IU shares with the University of Wisconsin and Yale University. Mercado said he enjoyed the program overall, but in particular, the telescopes.\n"It is more than 6,000 feet above the sea level," Mercado said. "You can see everything around you."\nMercado added that he would apply again for the next summer's program.\nAs for the telescopes, Pilachowski said they are world-class in quality.\n"It is one of the best telescopes in the world," Pilachowski said. "It produces a very sharp image."\nPilachowski explained the major part of the research focused on the determination of composition of the stars. \n"By analyzing the spectrum of starlight, it is possible to figure out composition of stars," Pilachowski said. \nAs IU will host two more sessions, Pilachowski believes the quality of students will be the key to the program's success.\n"The summer went absolutely perfectly," Pilachowski said. "We had great students, and for the next year, we continue to attract good students."\nAll six students who studied at IU this summer will present the findings at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in January in Seattle.