BANG!!: Cosmology and Beyond

Welcome back!!

This week was an exciting one for I made my first visitation to ASU. As I stated before, I was a little nervous, especially when I couldn't find my advisor (we'll get to that in a second). After going there for a couple of hours, I got extremely exciting for the upcoming weeks. I plan on sharing with you my experiences at the cosmology lab.

I arrived at the ASU lab around 12:20 pm. I walked into the Goldwater building and made my way to the fifth floor. As I left the elevator, I was greeted with a wall covered with stars. The wall read 'BANG!: Cosmology and Beyond". I continued around the corner and asked around for my advisor's office. I found it eventually, but he wasn't there. I thought it best just to wait at the office for a few minutes, but it reached a quarter till 1:00, and I wasn't sure where the meeting was. After asking around more, I found a graduate student who was actually part of the meeting. He took me into the room and we waited until my advisor came in. 

The meeting itself was really interesting. I was in a room with three graduate students and a professor, all studying astronomy. One was working on supernovae, another on exoplanets, and the last was working on gravitational waves. In fact, as they were discussing what they had done that week, I could understand what they were talking about. The one student working on supernovae is allowing me to use some of his data to use for the Hubble Constant. At about 2:00pm was when the meeting ended. I enjoyed the hour listening and talking with people who work in the field. 

Afterward, my advisor and I went to one of their labs. He showed me around. A lot of what they were working on in there was related to optical systems. I saw lenses all over the place and a few telescopes as well. 

I did find out, however, that they were having problems with the telescopes, so I have to put the project on hold for a week or two. I asked him what I could do before he gets the data and the telescopes running, and he said I should read up on the functionality of telescopes, the constellations and their locations during different seasons, more information on supernovae and their relation to the Hubble Constant. He also mentioned that I can come in and ask for help if I have problems. He was a really nice person, and I'm looking forward to working with him.

Come back next week!

Becoming the Python Master

Hello again,

This week has been very similar to the previous week, except I finished the course I was taking online. It was great completing the basics of Python because, as I will talk about in a minute, getting to the more specific and complex aspects of Python would be nearly impossible. With that being said, after finishing the course on codeacademy.com, I moved to reading a book called Doing Math with Python. Originally, I had planned on reading Python Crash Course: A Hands-on, Project-based Introduction to Programming, but I found Doing Math with Python this week and considered it better for my project.

I started the book on Tuesday, and so far, this book is teaching me everything I'll need to know when it comes to creating a program for determining the Hubble Constant. I had developed the basics for Python, but now, I have shifted to an area for application. As I go, I am learning how to create new programs but not as complex as the Pig Latin Translator, of course.

In a larger perspective, I think that trying to understand a new programming language is important, not only to me but to everyone. If it ends up that the data my advisor gives me doesn't need a program for calculations, at least I had begun to understand a programming language used by scientists all over the world. If I do continue my love for astronomy in my college years, I'll be at an advantage, for I will be familiar with a program astronomers use daily. In other words, if I don't use it now, I'll be definitely be using it in the future. I think everyone should learn Python because we live in a technological world, and having programming knowledge will put you further ahead than a majority of people. Learn Python, it's amazing! Plus, to all those language lovers, Python's syntax is very similar to our English.

I am excited, and frankly, a little nervous for next week. On February 23, I will be making my way into the ASU lab for a tour. I believe I will also be attending a meeting with astronomers, so I'll have an opportunity to meet several people working in the field. The one thing I hope for is that I don't walk out of there feeling discouraged. Astronomers are extremely smart people, and I hope that they realize that I have not ventured too far into the astronomical world. It's hard to explain, but I think you understand what I am trying to say. I'm jumping into a sophisticated (I am not saying that no other fields are sophisticated) and complex field, and I don't want to appear as, for the lack of a better word, idiotic.

I hope everyone is having a great time with their senior project, I know I am. Catch up with me next week, for I will tell my experiences at the lab.

Regards,
Max Biwer

Learning Python!

Hello,

This week was dedicated to learning Python. The week following will be similar to this one. Python is a programming software ideal for data analysis; therefore, this language is optimal for what I will be doing in the next weeks.

I started my introduction to Python on codeacademy.com. This website is nice because it introduces new programming functions and then asks you to apply it. The directions can be light, meaning that completing the activity requires a full understanding of the concept. Python is,  however, a language cleanliness. The syntax is much cleaner and simpler than other programming languages. This makes understanding and applying the program easier.

Since Monday, I have covered topics that include syntax, strings and console output, conditionals and control flow, functions, lists and dictionaries, lists and functions, loops, and exam statistics. With this, I was able to complete my first program. The first program I learned to make was a Pig Latin translator. I am actually proud of myself for this, considering that on the same day, I had no previous knowledge in programming. If you ever need to use Pig Latin, you know where to go.

Now, you may be wondering, what does a sophisticated Pig Latin translator have to do with my senior project? Well, nothing...

Actually, all the minor programs I have learned to make are contributing to my comprehension of how programming works. I am getting much more comfortable and familiar with the programming functions. Once I get a firm grasp on Python, I will be able to start writing code for a program that will calculate the Hubble Constant. I have looked at the calculations required for acquiring a value, and it's extensive. Additionally, I have not received data yet from supernovas, and as a result, I am not sure what my code will have to calculate. My on-site advisor could give me the velocity and distance of a supernova, but I may have to find redshift(how light changes in space). I do not know what variables I will be given, so making a program now would not be efficient.

Aside from the programming, I have been reading The Extravagant Universe by Robert Kirshner. I started it awhile ago, but with all the CAPSTONE projects, it was hard for me to find time to finish. I should finish soon. Once I do, I will be going to ASU, discussing the book with my advisor, and helping with observations.

For now, I will continue putting words into my Pig Latin translator.