Astrophysics Intern needed for Citizen Science Project
Application Deadline: 15 January 2018
Where to Apply: https://ncadmin.nc.gov/internshipnc
(Complete information about this internship (#76) and the State of NC Internship Program can be found here)
Where to Apply: https://ncadmin.nc.gov/internshipnc
(Complete information about this internship (#76) and the State of NC Internship Program can be found here)
Description
Project Objective:
The objective is to design and develop interactive software that will allow citizen scientists in North Carolina and around the world to measure how tightly wrapped the arms of spiral galaxies are. These data will help determine the mass of the supermassive black holes these galaxies harbor in their nuclei and ultimately help us understand how galaxies evolve.
Major Task:
Under the guidance of Treuthardt (Asst. Head, Astrophysics), the intern will write Python and JavaScript software to retrieve and display spiral galaxy images from a database and facilitate measurements of these images by citizen scientists through the Zooniverse website. These measurements will include determining the orientation of a galaxy in the plane of the sky and the pitch angle of the galaxy's arms. Testing the software with small numbers of volunteers will be necessary to streamline the process. The intern will also have opportunities to create visual presentations for the Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab as well as participate in other outreach activities.
Final Product or Outcome:
A functioning interface through the Zooniverse website for citizen scientists to measure the pitch angle of thousands of galaxies. A manuscript for peer reviewed publication is anticipated from the results of this project.
The objective is to design and develop interactive software that will allow citizen scientists in North Carolina and around the world to measure how tightly wrapped the arms of spiral galaxies are. These data will help determine the mass of the supermassive black holes these galaxies harbor in their nuclei and ultimately help us understand how galaxies evolve.
Major Task:
Under the guidance of Treuthardt (Asst. Head, Astrophysics), the intern will write Python and JavaScript software to retrieve and display spiral galaxy images from a database and facilitate measurements of these images by citizen scientists through the Zooniverse website. These measurements will include determining the orientation of a galaxy in the plane of the sky and the pitch angle of the galaxy's arms. Testing the software with small numbers of volunteers will be necessary to streamline the process. The intern will also have opportunities to create visual presentations for the Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab as well as participate in other outreach activities.
Final Product or Outcome:
A functioning interface through the Zooniverse website for citizen scientists to measure the pitch angle of thousands of galaxies. A manuscript for peer reviewed publication is anticipated from the results of this project.
Requirements and Other Information
Major(s):
Basic Requirements:
Location:
Duration:
Pay Rate:
- Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science, or related fields
Basic Requirements:
- You must be a permanent resident of North Carolina.
- You must be currently enrolled at a college/university and continuing your education in the Fall of 2018.
- You must carry a minimum of a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 GPA scale.
- You must have completed high school and at least the sophomore year of college (or the first year of community college) at the time the internship begins in May 2018.
Location:
- Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Laboratory, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones St., Raleigh, NC 27601
- You are responsible for arranging and securing housing for the internship period.
- You are responsible for securing transportation to and from the work site.
Duration:
- 40 hours per week
- 21 May 2018 - 28 July 2018
- One unpaid day off on 4 July 2018
Pay Rate:
- $8.25 per hour
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Original image of M51a by NASA, ESA, S. Beckwith (STScI), and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA).
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