Candice S
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at Northwestern University
Expertise
astrophysics, physics, coding, data science, machine learning
Bio
Hi there! I'm a big fan of everything related to the stars, especially physics and astronomy. During my studies, I combined my love for the stars with my interest in coding (I really enjoy using a language called Python) to dive deep into the mysteries of the universe. For my PhD, I used machine learning, which is kind of like teaching computers to think and make decisions, to study huge stellar explosions called supernovae. I also trained computers to classify different types of these explosions and figure out how far away galaxies are from us as well as preforming statistical analysis on special types of supernovae to better understand their environment. When I'm not diving into the world of stars and coding, I like to spend my time playing the guitar. I'm also quite active and enjoy hiking and snowboarding. There's nothing quite like the feeling of being outdoors, whether I'm on a mountain trail or gliding down the slopes!Project ideas
Stellar Spectrum Analyzer
Objective: The aim of this project is to create a simple tool using Python that can analyze the colors in the light emitted by stars to determine their temperature, composition, and potential life stage. Research & Data Collection: Start by collecting data on various stars. This can be done by using online databases such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Look for star spectra or data related to the colors/wavelengths of light emitted by stars. Coding the Analyzer: Using Python, write a program that can: * Accept input data related to a star's spectrum. * Analyze the data to determine key characteristics, like dominant color/wavelength and estimated temperature. Visualization: Incorporate a plotting library like matplotlib in Python to visualize the star's spectrum, highlighting key areas or colors that indicate specific elements or temperature ranges. Interpretation & Conclusion: After analyzing a variety of stars, use the tool to: * Classify stars based on their temperature. * Make educated guesses about a star's life stage based on its temperature and composition (e.g., main sequence, red giant, white dwarf).
Supernova Light Curve Simulator
Project Description: The aim of this project is to develop an interactive simulator where users can model and visualize the light curve of a supernova explosion. A supernova light curve represents the brightness of the explosion as a function of time. By utilizing coding, students can understand and visualize the physical processes and variables that affect the light curves of different types of supernovae. Research: Start with an introduction to supernovae: What are they? What causes them? What are the different types of supernovae? Deep dive into the concept of light curves: What are they, and why are they important in astrophysics? Coding: Use Python, particularly the libraries like Matplotlib for plotting, and Tkinter or PyQt for GUI development. Develop a basic GUI where users can: * Choose different types of supernovae. * Adjust key parameters like explosion energy, progenitor star mass, distance from Earth, etc. * Visualize the resulting light curve on a graph.