Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Blog 2: Summer Mentorship Component

Literal:  

1.) (Know) Using google doc link a log of specific hours and a description of your duties.

2.) What is the contact name & number of where you volunteered?    
 Dr. Bela Szilagyi
(626)-429-8424  

3.) (Need to know) What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience?  List them. 
  • Why is studying the cosmos important to us? (Devil’s advocate question)
  •  How can we detect gravitational waves?
  • What exactly happens in a black hole? Is it all theoretical?
  •  How can we detect Hawking Radiation?
  • Wouldn't noise from other black holes collision interfere with the desired results?
  •  How can we be absolutely positive that gravitational waves exist?
  •  Would funding cuts for science be detrimental to LISA?    

Interpretive:

4.) What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?
        Over the course of this summer mentorship, I have worked around real scientists and post doctorates that are in love with physics and with what they do. I have gotten an exposure to people very passionate and hardworking. The most important thing that I gained from this is that I have become truly inspired and interested to study about gravitational waves and black holes. This strong interest in my topic is important because I would not want to be tired halfway through the year. I don’t think this topic will become boring for me since there are tons of things to discover and learn.

Applied:

5.) What is your senior project topic going to be?  How did what you did help you choose a topic?  Please explain.
         After spending 2 weeks in Caltech with Dr. Szilagyi and his colleagues, I have become increasingly motivated and fascinated with the universe and its mysteries, particularly black holes. Because of this, my senior project topic in general is Astrophysics. Since this topic is very broad, if I would have to narrow it down it would be: Binary Black Holes and Their Gravitational Waves. What made me stick to this topic was the wealth of information discovered by scientists, the support from my mentor, and my fascination. I have only touched the surface of this field and wish to work hard throughout the year.


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